My sister, Helen, and her partner, Lee, decided it was time to jump on the French property ladder several years ago but finally found the right place for them (after many viewings) in 2005.
It is a beautiful house only 15 minutes drive from our place. This obviously not only offers the advantage of seeing plenty of each other during holidays but is also near enough for our parents to care take much to their pleasure ;0)
The house needs a reasonable amount of work doing to it but is generally in much better condition than ours.
The main job that needs doing is the creation of bedrooms. The previous owner (also British) partitioned the upstairs using thin pieces of wood. It is quite flimsy and doesn't go up to the roof. The roof needs plasterboarding and the rooms stud partitioning properly.
This was the kitchen.
The garden which is a much better size to manage.
The fireplace. This has now been built up and a wood burning stove installed. Note the gun rack above the fireplace.
Lee has now dry lined the walls and installed modern kitchen units.
Lee sorting out the electrics. Note the english socket on the wall installed by the previous owner.
The french authorities will not tolerate installations that are not to their standards. i.e. the correct type of socket installed.
I have heard of one person who re-wired the whole of their house 'english style' and was made to rip it all out as it didn't comply with regulations.
The veranda at the rear of the property, whilst it needs tidying up, offers great potential for 'al fresco' eating.
