Our Story

Haute-Vienne

In 2025 me and my wife decided to move to France. We'd been living in our house in England with 4 kids, 2 dogs, fish and a handful of horses (not in the house) although my wife would if she could.

We'd visited France lots over the years and on the 14th of February, Valentines Day, we had the rare opportunity to have Granddad look after the 3 eldest children giving us the chance to mosey the South West of France alone with our youngest child Charlie.

'Le Visionnage'

As part of our excursion we included a property viewing, an old barn and a falling down house (La Maison Et La Grange).

I remember the estate agent specifically saying that "we wouldn't be able to get a mortgage for this property as it was basically 'a pile of stones'" and that "the barn had 'fallen down'". Mesmerised and seduced by the magical potential we saw, over a glass of wine, or two, we sat in a relatively busy cafe/bar close to the house watching horse racing on the T.V. when my wife said to me "lets do it!"

Without any further ado I emailed the estate agent to confirm that not only were we interested but wished to proceed with the purchase!

Our French international property lawyer based in the U.K. had specifically said NOT to make an offer or sign anything until consulting him but we were on the train and we weren't getting off! Apologies Christophe!...

'Some time earlier...'

My Wife and Daughter are enjoying some oysters.

'La Proposition'

Two years earlier I had proposed to my wife in the South of France. After a two week stay in a Eurocamp with the, at the time, 3 children we had taken a brief 1 night stay in a beautiful hotel on the Thau basin. Heading to Lyon the next day we spent an evening eating oysters and seafood in the harbour at a beautiful al fresco bistro.

It was the most beautiful evening.

My wife looked amazing, as always, and my daughter and oldest son had caught wind of me talking with the hotel staff with regards to them to placing a bottle of champagne in our room for when we returned. Sufficed to say they were involved. I remember our daughter pushing her Mum to get ready quicker as we were going to be late for our dinner reservation. She really knew that the manager of the hotel herself had took an interest in the prospect of the proposal happening in her hotel and had actually got a local vinyard to bring down some vines to place around the tray containing the champagne and the ring.

I can't really remember all of the details but they either dimmed the lights or put candles out. I was incredibly nervous returning. I'd never proposed before! When we walked in the first set of sliding doors to the Master Suite had been closed and I proceeded to go through, my wife looking confused and our daughter giggling/crying. I can't really remember entirely what I said but it was something along the lines of my wife being perfect and if she would do me the honour, I bumbled my way through it and she said yes.

We had always enjoyed France's company but at that moment I fell in love all over, perhaps thrice.

The roots of 'The Old Trees' at la maison et la grange.

'We are here today!'

Alas we begin the 'French Leg' of this journey.

We have a lot more planned for this journey- It's very exciting and scary but we are brave! We have to be! We would like to see our concepts and ideas, ideologies, develop and form roots as we do.

Bonne-Chance!

Jodie & Aden.

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