again!
To France...which is suddenly becoming my favourite thing to do!
It's been a good wholesome few weeks in the UK, not without a little drama back in France on the rental side, but whats new? Also we are now very experienced renters and have no time for nonsense or drama. We don't like nervous renters or being told how to live. We just like it all above board and respectful. Thats all.
Then there was some family stuff to sort out and I'd say we are getting there slowly? We have to trust our kids to sort it all out in the end eh?
Still, despite having a great time here and glorious weather to boot, I have often wondered why I am here, other than of course for his work meetings. I don't think I will bother joining him next time, I'm so tired of bed hopping and also need to leave visiting the UK until later in the year in order to to get used to being in France again. That said he really wanted to fix our son's car and I'm pretty certain he did that. Sadly, they'd taken it into BMW several times and been charged an absolute fortune for nothing, as the fault continued. My husband did a full diagnostic, then watched the running results of the car in drive, bought a sensor cleaning kit and hey presto! Unbelievable. Well done him! He always prefers to fix our cars despite really lacking the time, he certainly doesn't lack the skill, bless him. At these garages, they plug the diagnostic tool in, say no warning lights and thats that. What they should do is run the car and then quiz the results, all soon becomes clear!
We are headed back to the north of France on Thursday and then south west on Saturday to get the dogs and pack up our stuff in the SW temporarily. Long story short and I say that with a huge yawn. I simply can't be bothered to explain at this time. Then it's back to crack on with the renovation and I'm rather looking forward to it for a change. Of course it's getting towards the faffy bits in some rooms and I really enjoy that bit, as fickle as I am. Also, I'm really looking forward to seeing the dogs again. I know Fizzy will have a lot to say!
News flash, we are also now under a lot of pressure to get the main house renovation finished, because we will be entertaining a house full of guests near the end of October! Good pressure I think?
I'm still having issues with my arm, which is awfully frustrating and I do need to rest it more and that would mean no typing! So no!
I really, really want to paint and of course, wish to learn to wallpaper! I suppose I should just settle down as this renovation won't be our last? We have a great decorator and so I can just organise each room as they become ready. Will have to do won't it?
I've done a little shopping whilst here, a few necessary bits, but it appears to be as bad here post wise as it is in France and there's a good chance some of the orders will arrive after we leave, which is a real pain. I ordered a gold pineapple ceiling light in good time and as of yet, no tracking details?
Anyway, we've decided to put off making an offer on the hotel we love in the SW, because we want to see what the new year will bring and should have a better idea by then, on how No. 19 will Airbnb out. Also, we are nervous to jump in because the property is very over priced for the amount of work that needs doing. Been there, done that! The thing is, on the surface, French property is cheaper for sure but the reality hits when you take off those rose tinted glasses and the wine goggles fall off! One day we will sit and add up what we've spent on the first french wreck and I expect it won't be pretty!
So, we sincerely hope to be ready to rent our renovation out for this coming Christmas period and I think we are on track, touch wood. It's been really exciting watching my vision emerge. I know I'm not a wallflower when it comes to mixing styles, patterns, era's and colours, but still, it's okay thinking it will work but will it? I believe it does work and yes, I've made some tiny mistakes, maybe not mistakes per say, but I wish I'd done some things a little differently in places. Nevertheless my style is fast developing now and gone are the many years of enforced magnolia, amen.
I do want another period property down the line as I love the features such as coving and skirtings. We've bought plaster moulds to be able to make our own in the future and I'd love to commission a wallpaper or two one day. Lofty wants, I know, but I'm still obsessed with Chateaux and lately I've been watching the renovation of Chateau Pernon, a monument historique, owned by an Australian couple who are tackling an incredibly complex historic renovation on a mammoth scale. I've joined them in year four of their adventure and it does make me wonder, will we regret it if we don't own a chateau in the near future! Of course a petite one, as I don't have it in me for the big works! My want for a chateau ebbs and flows. I don't even want to live in a horribly cold house but equally I want a go at it at least?
So a big wallet draining monstrosity is out!
Non merci!
Dreams are so important in life don't you think, no matter our age? Middle to late 50's is still young and anyway we shouldn't let the old in! Once you do, it's game over!
I do love life and I'm quite the dreamer anyway, but I also want a little of the French dream or Italian down the line. Let's see what the future brings eh?
D x
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