Martigne-Ferchaud

16^th Nov 2018

Our first visit to the house

16^th Nov 2018

It was the roof that sold it for us

16^th Nov 2018

The Annex

16^th Nov 2018

A second property, The Dependence, came with the house

17^th Nov 2018

Compromis de Vente

As soon as we had finished looking around the property we knew it was the one for us so we made an offer that evening, which was accepted, and signed the Compromis de Vente the following day. Then began the long wait until we were able to visit the Notaire and sign off on the purchase. It's not that straight forward in France as there were 6 vendors, all of whom had to sign before the property became ours.

21^st Mar 2019

The Notaire's Office

On the day, a few of the vendors turned up with their family and evrything was completed in a single meeting. It was actually a really enjoyable process. Now that the house was officially ours we could start the long process of renovation. Our intention was to visit twice a year for 3 weeks at a time and get as much done ourselves as we could, then finish the remaining work once retired.

-- Aug 2019

First Job, The Fosse Septique

This was the first job we needed to have done and I was not going to do this myself. Dig a hole, drop a tank in it, connect up a few pipes, cover and away you go. Definitely not that simple, the ground was so hard it took 3 days just to dig the hole. Pete Raymer and his crew did a great job and couldn't have been more obliging. Nothing was too much trouble for them.

-- Aug 2019

Digging the hole

-- Aug 2019

Dropping the tank

-- Aug 2019

Connect and cover

-- Aug 2019

Now All we need is a bathroom

-- Aug 2019

Meanwhile in Montpellier

-- Sep 2019

And somewhere to sleep

-- Sep 2019

And a temporary floor so we can reach the roof

-- Sep 2019

To start the insulation and boarding

-- Sep 2019

Not bad for our first visit

-- Oct 2019

Meanwhile in Radcliffe

26^th Mar 2020

The best laid plans

17^th Aug 2020

Garden got a bit overgrown during Covid

15^th Feb 2021

We bought a small van so we could take stuff over

12^th Mar 2021

Had to get garden sorted before the next visit

27^th Aug 2021

Finally returned in August 2021

08^th Sep 2021

and completed the insulation and boarding of the roof

08^th Sep 2021

Also cleared the Annex ready for slabbing

30^th Oct 2021

Returned in October to prepare the floor

31^th Oct 2021

and built a more permanent bedroom to replace the tent

22^nd Apr 2022

Next trip we slabbed the Annex

28^th Apr 2022

and started plastering the boarding to the roof

02^nd May 2022

We also created a plinth for the stove we bought on eBay

22^nd Sep 2022

Finished first roof panel to see how it would look

06^th Oct 2022

Was told Enedis were due in 1 week so had to lay the gaigne

Little did we know it would be over a year before they arrived

-- Apr 2023

Started prepping a terrace for the dogs

-- Apr 2023

and laying the underfloor heating

-- Apr 2023

Re-laid, tied and insulated the joists

-- Apr 2024

Finished work to concentrate on the house

-- Apr 2024

Started with terrace so dogs would be safe

-- May 2024

Had to take down part of rear wall which was collapsing

-- May 2024

and rebuild with the addition of a kitchen window

-- Jun 2024

Enedis turn up after 19 months

-- Jun 2024

Attended to dependence that was also in poor condition

-- Aug 2024

Back to basics

-- Sep 2024

and eventually stabalised and re-roofed

-- Sep 2024

Just in time for a week on the bike with Ronan

-- Aug 2024

Meanwhile, inside, the work continued

-- Aug 2024

Pointing, insulation, plumbing, electrics, boarding etc.

-- Aug 2024

and eventually plastering

-- Sep 2024

Can we go home now dad?

-- Sep 2024

I haven't finished my game yet Miley