We’d Like A Place With Outbuildings And Some Land Please.

The Coach House

We bought our first home in France nine years ago. Seems like a lifetime……so much cement dust has has blown over our lives since then.
I used to help with sourcing property for some business associates of my husband’s, mainly as a go between where there was the usual Anglo-Franco language barrier. It was an interesting experience, but certainly one I would not want to continue as part of my life here in France today. There were times when I felt my patience was exhausted – The title of this piece refers to the all familiar request so often made of me.
Whilst there were those amongst their number who had thought the whole thing through, there were others who clearly had not
I thought they had lost sight of all practical consideration and in some severe cases, reality.
I never felt that as a go between it was my role to offer opinion – the choice was ultimately to be theirs.

It did however lead me after time to the theory that there existed somewhere, an archetypical house that all British people wanted
By and large, the British purchase in France seemed to have many common “must haves”
This is the list I have drawn up.

1. A big place – the bigger and draughtier the better – dodgy roof was good as well, as that allowed room for tenacious negotiation and of course lots of water leaks into bedrooms, thereby giving the place the “Year in Provence” feel and vibe.
2. Outbuildings to convert into various projects – animal sanctuaries, retreats, meditation centres, gites, games rooms, guest quarters, work areas, and occasionally dance or art studios (oh yes!)
3. Land – lots of it – generally to gaze at with no particular use other than for it to cause a constant headache as to how to cut the grass.
4. A place on its own with no neighbours – A bit like Napoleon had on Elba or St Helena. Nothing as far as the eye can see with no facilities and limited access was high up there on the wants list. Happy days if it was in a natural conservation area or within sight of one of the many “Monuments de la France”. This helped to manacle every attempt at renovation , but made great dinner party conversation .
5. Old. old, old, country, country, country. – You get my drift here.
6. NEVER , EVER, located on a road. Perish the thought.

Our first property we bought here saw us trekking a few kilometres down the lane away from the house. (it’s not far, claimed the owner) to view a sprawling plot with extremely bad drainage, no access for vehicles of any kind and thistles that were, lets say well established. Sort of sunflower sized.
We were horrified as the property itself stood on an overly large piece of land with a small overgrown wood – in short there was a hell of a lot of work there, which clearly wasn’t getting done by the present incumbents.

At the time I had the particular problem of not having my husband here during the week. (This is still the case). It made me quickly realise that I was going to have to organise the renovation of a home and look after what amounted to an small holding sized piece of property. That notion came at a price. We had to pay to get it maintained.

It took me little time to reassess our needs.

We needed to have a place that had the elements of French country charm, without the hassle.
For that reason we chose a “maison bourgeoise” that was located in the heart of the same village.
We have land, about 5 acres, which runs alongside our mature walled gardens – It is flat and manageable, and maintained by our farming neighbour for hay production.
We are on a small road, with virtually no traffic, but discreetly recessed from this with a small front garden and huge gates. Lots of twirly things going on and they really clang shut with attitude.
Our gardens are to the side and at the back of the house – both well hidden, flat, easily tended and laid mainly to lawns.
We have some handsome outbuildings in the form of a small stable block at the end of the garden and an impressive coach house that straddles the front boundary along with the main house. The buildings are all sound and dry, with good roofing. Doubtless we will concoct a “project|” for one or two of them. I am seriously thinking of a sound proofed padded cell – cum – flat for my teenage daughter and her noisy friends.
The house needs re-decorating, and a wiring upgrade, and is centrally heated. A home from home comfort that should never be underestimated.

I know it’s easy to get on your high horse about these things. Many people do have a second move in France once they have fallen into some of the traps I have outlined here. We did.
So do yourself a favour when property hunting
Run you eye over this article once or twice, ask your friends who have bought here, keep a sense of proportion on the whole thing, choose wisely, and enjoy.

.

Don’t You Just Love Spam? Saturday 29th May 2009.

I can’t help myself. The spam folder of my e mail account has a forbidden fruit aura. A bit like Pandora’s Box. I am irresistibly drawn to read the contents from time to time.
It did make me smile today as I ran my eye over today’s selection.
For those who know me, dieting and I have been at different corners of the ring for longer than I care to mention.
However, I did smile when I saw this e mail
“Get Thin! – Eat all you want! Stop exerting yourself attempting to lose weight!”
If only………………………………………………..

Theft Alert In The Poitou Charentes – Someone has stolen the Sun! Thursday 28th May 2009

I tumbled out of bed in the early hours and fumbled around closing all the windows. No easy feat wandering about over three floors with eyes glued shut.
There was a chilly breeze edging its way under the duvet and the ambient temperature was decidedly uncomfortable.
When I came downstairs this morning, I wistfully ran my hand over my very cold Aga and toyed with the idea of switching it back on.
So, own up who’s taken it? – Scotland, Iceland, Russia?…………..you’ve got until midday to turn it back over to us in France. We’ve got wine to grow, and barbecues to organise – and I simply refuse to drag those wooden steamer chairs back into the barn if it rains. They weigh a ton! Clock’s ticking, midday’s the deadline. Actually, make that 2,30. Just remembered the local gendarmerie shuts for lunch…………………

Greg Wallace A Chef? – Surely Not!

I caught an interview this morning with Greg Wallace on BBC Breakfast.
He was talking as ever about his passion for seasonal produce.

I like to hear someone talk who knows their onions, and he does.
However, I noticed as he appeared on the screen the caption “Greg Wallace – Chef” appeared.
.How curious.
He is referred to as an ingredients expert on Master Chef, and for the record, I think that is what he is.
As the programme is a BBC production, one would think they would know that, but evidently not.

Anyway, minutiae aside, he gave an interesting interview about the added quality of seasonal produce, and championed the French, Spanish and Italians as examples of seasonal eaters. He then questioned why we ooze enthusiasm about it when holidaying in those countries, and yet according to a recent survey, only about 11% of us are seasonal eaters. Price is still the greatest benchmark for food purchasing it seems.
He went on to say that he thought that as this was the current running baton of all the “top end chefs” seasonal eating would inevitably filter down to those further down the foodie chain (my words, not his).
I disagree.

I passionately believe that those who buy food driven by price point do not do it for some great moral purpose. They do it because that’s all they can afford

It may be an unpalatable thought, but some of our fellow citizens do not eat the biggest and juiciest bunches of asparagus off the veg section at Waitrose or their local organic farmer’s market. They are calculating how many meals they can buy with the limited amount of cash they have. This is the case in France too. I see it every time I go shopping.

Cheap food is not always the most nutritious and very often a quick option for busy working people.
My parents were both poor and keen cooks at the same time. We ate as well as we could afford, and admittedly there were some top notch eats when the casseroles and cookbooks came out.
. We also ate loads of fish fingers, cheap burgers and budget fillers. With six around the table its what you have to do sometimes. You eat it and it fills you up.
Sorry to disappoint Hugh and Jamie on this point.

One last thing.
Mr. Wallace does a veggie delivery service. He cites the Great and the Good as his customers.Call me a cynic, but I can’t help feeling the “buy seasonal” thing is a bit too trendy, and just a teeny bit , how can I say ………….gimmicky?

The Blog Spot.

Mothers know best – or at least they used to.
I recently came up with the idea for featuring a food blogger every month for Flavour Magazine. I came up with the jaunty little title of “Blogger’s Corner”. Neat.
However, I am slowly learning that having a daughter at the helm as editor she does always have the final word.
Needless to say her title of The Blog Spot is much better. She knows it, I know it, and now everyone who reads this will know it.
Perhaps the expression should read “Daughters know best”
Anyway, here’s the article. Enjoy

The Blog Spot.

How do you write a book?- Tuesday 19th May 2009

As I don’t have J. K. Rowling’s e mail address, I guess I will have to answer the question myself. Unless some kind reader can throw some pearls of wisdom on my query that is.
I know it’s a familiar model: Stephen Clarke’s A Year In T’he Merde , Joanne Harris’ Chocolat and Peter Mayle’s A Year In Provence

Yes, it’s all been done before, and not just by these three writers, but as we all know there’s nothing new under the sun. It is for this reason that I want to write about my life here in France. I could spout out all sorts of lofty artistic sentiments here, but the truth is, my family are nagging me to death to write it. I want a quiet life, so I’m just going to fall in with it.

As the summer evenings are so light, I have put aside time in the week to make a start – Well. to move on from the start I have already made.
I think I will take Elisabeth Winkler’s 10 minute rule to heart – starting each time seems to be hardest thing. Concentration is another – mine is about as long as a goldfish. Unsurprising with my surname I suppose.

LADIES SANS FRONTIERES – LIFT EXTENDS ITS WELCOME.

Things are moving apace with our new ladies group. My previous post showed the shield of the Deux Sevres – we are getting such a positive response to the membership that our original name has been modified to open the doors to all anglophone women in France. So adieu to LIFT 79, and bonjour to LADIES IN FRANCE TOGETHER.
Ninety members and growing. Join us……………………….

17th May 2009 – Retro Cooks – Jocasta Innes

This month’s deadline caught me unaware. I was stuck as to who to write about. Feeling off my game, I haven’t even opened a cookery book for about 6 weeks. I have cooked rarely, and discovered the diet of my past convalescences: Heinz Tomato Soup, Cheerios, tea and biscuits, and yoghurt. Sadly, I was unable to get hold of any Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles, but improvised with fruit jellies instead.
Small wonder that I lost my inspiration for my food writing.
I rallied today and rooted around in the attic and came across Jocasta Innnes – well her books at least. She will make a fine retro cook this month I feel. She’s not a bad interior designer either.

FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS.

For those who do not know, French Property News is the bible for those people keen to relocate to France. It is crammed with insightful nuggets about the whole experience, and often features contributors who have years of experience in the overseas property market.
I recently contacted them as they were asking to feature blogs on their website, and they very kindly obliged by promptly placing “Haddock in the Kitchen” in a very prime spot.
So, remembering my manners, a big thank you to Karen Tait the editor and her team of IT wizards who worked the necessary magic to get me up on to their web site.
Karen additionally suggested I write an article, which I have recently completed, and it will be published in the July edition of the magazine.
I hope that I can do justice to their confidence in my writing, and produce something that will encourage the hopeful to swell our ranks in the beautiful country that is La Belle France”.

LIFT – Ladies In France Together – 79

I have joined a new Facebook group – it is called LIFT – Ladies in France Together 79
It is an anglophone women’s group (with one male member so far!) that is based in and around the Deux Sevres ( 79)
It has been going for about 4 months and there are currently 82 members.
I have created a new page for the group as I want to give it as much exposure as I can – I feel very enthused about the whole thing, and want to help get it off the ground in our area.
We are at the Northern end of the Deux Sevres, and we are a little thin on the ground at the moment.
I will put a link in my sidebar as well for those who want to go directly to it.