Dorothy and I have lived in France for the past 5 years .We watched all the TV programs about moving abroad and decided thats for us .

We came with the same intentions that a lot of brits have ,thats to open a Chamber d hote B&B and make some money to live on .How wrong could we be ! We found a nice little cottage that lent its self to a renovation and would make two extreamly comfortable on suite bedrooms . So we set to work renovating. Now I will say at this point we only paid 50,000 euros about £35,000 in 2002 that won't seem alot to some people but the houses in France are not that expensive plus you get a large amount of land too.

After starting work we found that we were getting lots of brits dropping in to welcome us primeraly due to the fact that my Volvo had a GB sticker on the back that was visable from the road .

Now we all know that location is important and well we thought so too, the house was on a main road from Parthenay to La Rochelle, within walking distance about 5 mins from a little village called L'Absie with 4 cafe bars an English shop Chemists, Tabac, grocery store and many other shops . We had everything we thought was right But what we did'nt take on board was the fact that this area of France was a poor region called the Deux Sevres and not a lot of people came here .Consequently we did rather poorly taking about 1000 euros for the year . So we sold up and bought another house in Vernoux en Gatine ,same financial status but we made enough not to have to do B&B anymore Thank you god for that

I say no more because you have no idea how intrusive you folk are, you being tourists and I suppose thats you ... boy were we glad when you paid the bill and left .We did our best to make you comfortable gave you the best food for your 40 euro for 2 per night .We always felt knackered when you left as then began the cleaning and bed changing hoovering dusting ,Thinking 40 euros aint enough for what we do

Let me say its very hard work for very late hours early mornings and being on call 24/7

I now shiver at the thought, and having spoken to lots of gite and B&B owners who are in the same position now , wishing they could get out of it .Please don't come to France thinking you will make a living doing any of the above .

Tradesmen have the same problems only they pay a lot of earnings in social charges 50% or there abouts

However it's not all doom and gloom in France now we have sold two houses and we are now on with our third home we have reached a peak of financial freedom just by buying and selling three homes . We did do a lot to them the second house was just 4 walls and a roof when we bought it . We lived in a caravan for nearly a year while renovating . That was really comfortable too and good fun

We now have lovely views over the valley at the back its very quiet, and very little crime

The problem is now we have to go back to the UK for a birthday celebration of my Grandaughter Rani. While that in it self will be very nice to see her again and Sunil ( my son married a indian girl)

Our problem is England, we have mellowed out here, and the traffic is very quiet. I bet I can count how many cars we see in a day The people and the kids all speak to you. We are not looking forward to the rush rush and bustly life we left behind . People trundling along with carrier bags ,unruly kids in supermarkets, litter , road works , rude people all seems too much for us these days . There always seems to be a murder somewhere in the uk every day .

We are going to take the plunge and go on the 14th October 2009 via the rail tunnel so I will keep you posted on just what it turns out to be like .

Wish me luck

Luck was'nt enough

Only been there 1 day and I came down with the flu, it kinda put the lid on running about to see everyone. It knocked me off my feet for three days. However glad it was'nt swine flu .

spent a fortune on things we hav'nt got in France like decent Clarks shoes tights for Dot beaked beans and a host of food items infact the car was full to the brim on the journy home .

I was'nt looking forward to the journy home either as it took two days 3500 klm round trip 2 days each way about 12/13 hours driving each way .However had a good time with the kids and family got to stay in my sons castle first time of seeing bit too posh for us having been used to below homes still we are happy ,they are happy with all the glits and glamour too its just not us .

We were on the top floor with no lift , me having a cold  by the time I had gone up 4 flights of stairs I could hardly breath  let alone stand .Very nice inside though