We made the big decision to move from the UK to France during a covid lockdown - find out why and join us on our journey as we explore everything about our new life and our new home!
I remember the day distinctly, we were sat on the patio enjoying a glass of wine and glorious sunshine (unusual in April in the UK) when we made the decision to move to France! Now I have to add that this wasn't a 'flash in the pan' 'out of nowhere' decision - in fact for over 10 years 'moving to France' had been a regular discussion - especially on the way home from an annual trip to the south of France! Andy, my husband was always happy to have the discussion and indulge my dreams but then we'd get back into our day-to-day busy lives and it would be forgotten until the next August.
Then along came the pandemic and discussions became all about staying safe and keeping in bubbles, not able to work so we gave our attention to spring cleaning the house, having a really good clear out of 'stuff'. Things we didn't use or need. Andy did all the jobs he'd had on a list (I'm one of those who writes lists for everything) and loads more jobs too.
We spent our evenings with son Harry, who'd returned home from university, eating, drinking and chatting about everything and anything. we kept away from the TV as it was pretty depressing. So, there we were sat chatting when Andy said, "I could handle this". This being, peace and quiet, no customers (he ran a busy building company), working but on our property, no traffic (no-one had anywhere to go) no rat race!
That was April 2020 - and so it began!
We sold our 4 bedroom detached house and we started the packing, booking removal firms, storage in France, travel, renting a gite for our first few months, cancelling everything in the UK, opening bank accounts in France, oh my days when I look back now the list was endless and there were several times that I didn't think we'd make it.
We had lots of collywobbles on the way - was this the right thing, we were leaving people behind that we really cared about - friends and family including Harry who was returning to university the day before we left for our new life in France. However, we stuck to our plans and on 6th September set off. Me in the car full of our belongings and things we thought we'd need in our first few months, Andy in his van with our two dogs Nelson and Winston and a van full of boxes, plants, clothes, kettle and everything but the kitchen sink!
Looking back - where we brave? or stupid? It's now over two years ago and I can honestly say in spite of the issues, the nightmare journey with the van breaking down, in spite of the people we left behind and then couldn't visit for ages because of covid - I'd do it all again and the best thing happened only yesterday... without any prompting my wonderful husband declared "do you know Jo, if you paid me a million pound I still wouldn't give up what we have now in our new life here in France!"
Why did we choose Oradour Fanais? Find out in my next blog. Meanwhile if you'd like to book our lovely gite please contact us on joweatherill@orange.fr or 0033 640845309.
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