I love this old house. We first saw it in September 1999 and took possession of it on a stormy day in February 2000. It was half-term and the girls, young teenagers, were so excited to explore it. For many years it was our holiday home and we have happy memories of friends and family staying here and exploring the beautiful countryside. When Paul and I retired twelve years ago we moved here full time and turned it into a comfortable home.
Sadly the time has come to say farewell to our French home. It has not been an easy decision and it hurts. There are a number of factors that have made us realise that the time has come to move back to the UK and invest in a forever home, one that will be easy for us to manage as we get older.
There are a lot of properties for sale in this area and buyers are spoilt for choice. Bert and Annie, the Dutch couple in our hamlet, have had their house on the market for over four years. We knew it could take many years to find a buyer for our old house and we envisaged many more summers here. We didn’t expect much to happen when we casually listed it with a local agent a couple of weeks ago.
We were surprised to get a ‘phone call last week requesting a viewing on Saturday. We tidied and polished and then took Rick for a walk while potential buyers looked around the house with the agent. We went down the hill and from the edge of the wood we could see people moving around the garden, young children jumping up and picking our grapes. It felt very strange. After they eventually drove off we climbed back up the hill, regained our home and quickly made everything untidy again.
On Monday the agent rang. Some feedback from the viewing? The family are very interested even though the property doesn’t have a pool. They love the pigeonnier and the courtyard. In fact, they would like to make an offer. Cash buyers. How could we refuse?
We went to the Notaire yesterday to sign the Promesse de Vente. In other words we have signed a legal document promising to sell the house to the buyers. The buyers still have ten days to ‘cool off’ so perhaps they will change their mind. We will wait ten days before we start packing!
Sad in some ways, exciting in others. It seems to fit in with all the other things you have been doing in the UK, so think positive, and onward and upward as they say. Good luck with the buyers.
ReplyDeleteI do feel incredibly sad at the thought of leaving this place but I am quite excited and looking forward to a new challenge.
DeleteMoving is always exciting. And as you get older maintaining two houses would become harder and harder.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, maintaining two houses is twice the work and expense.
DeleteGosh that must have felt very sudden but good in so many ways. The house looks lovely, you will miss it but you can rent other fabulous places without any of the work or worry. Onwards and upwards.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss it terribly but it is time to move on.
DeleteFingers crossed for you that it goes well. How wonderful to sell so quickly. I hate the word but I am a bit (lot ) envious!
ReplyDeleteWe will be on tenterhooks until the 10 days are up.
DeleteIt will always have a special place in your heart and your family history, but new adventures await! Exciting times.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we will have some fun with our new home. And it won't be on top of a hill!
DeleteIt always hurts selling a place one loves - but sooner rather than later is the way to go if it works out I have always found. Good luck - the house looks sheer delight to me.
ReplyDeleteYes Pat, we wanted to do this while we can still cope with the upheaval.
DeleteThe market is awash with houses at the moment, but very few are as attractive as yours. I'm not surprised that you have sold so quickly. A really nice pool will cost them another €30K; no big deal. Tell them I'll design it for them!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting 18 years for my pool!
DeleteAs I once said, you are a couple that makes courageous decisions.
ReplyDeleteProbably more foolhardy than brave.
DeleteI have loved hearing about your French pied a terre. Hope you will keep blogging about your new home.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone will continue to follow my adventures in darkest Lincolnshire!
DeleteWell done both on making the decision and selling quickly (fingers crossed). I look forward to hearing about your new life in England. You both still look young (perhaps it is just good genes).
ReplyDeleteIt has been a tough decision to make but we knew we would have to make the move one day.
DeleteSo exciting and sad at the same time. Can't wait to start hearing about your new home in England.
ReplyDeleteThe new home will be a project!
DeleteWe will never forget your lovely home and the times we have shared with you. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSafe journey back to UK and all that lovely planning. See you soon.
We have some memories don't we? How could we ever forget the bat incident!
DeleteWOW! I've followed your journey over the past couple of years. I'm a great believer in fate and after a few hiccups things have fallen into place for you.
ReplyDeleteWe are also wondering when to sell up in France. Although we are still enjoying life here we realise that there will be a time to sell (if possible!). We would like to travel even more and there is a big world out there. Our house has less charm than your appears to have and we wonder how difficult it might be to sell. However some friends put their gîte complex on the market expecting it to take a few years and it sold almost immediately.
We sold in the Haute Savoie to buy something bigger with more land in the Indre et Loire nine years ago. I'm now yearning for that apartment with a balcony...
I'll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for you with the sale and subsequent move back to the UK x
We were amazed that we found a buyer so quickly. We thought it would take years! I won't believe it until the final deed is signed.
DeleteWhat a surprise! But to every time there is a season. You will take many lovely memories away from your French summers but I hope that any regrets are buried in the potager.
ReplyDeleteJe ne regrette rien.
DeleteDear Sue - I am not sure quite how I found you, but I would like to follow your new journey.
ReplyDeleteMy DiLs parents have just moved back to England in the last few weeks after lived in France for 20 years. They intended to stay in France forever, but as they have become older they realised that they needed to be back within reach of their children and grandchildren.
Good luck, and I really do hope that you find yourselves a home here that pleases you. I can see that you are leaving behind a delightful property in what looks an idyllic spot.
Hello Rosemary. Sounds like we are in a very similar position to your DiLs parents. Sometimes your priorities and circumstances change. We intended to stay here forever when we first came out to France.
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