My name is Jo, and in 2020 I moved to France with my husband, Brian. From our move to France, to running our B&B, my blog, which you can read below, is a diary of ‘Our French Adventure’. I share short stories about the Champagne region, and its people, and the life we have embraced here.
Is it Sunday?
The day started very civilised, we enjoyed a long lie in, and then a leisurely breakfast, after all, it is Sunday. It really is so easy not to know what day it is, is it? But I’m not ready for that just yet!
It was much cooler, a pleasant 25°c, which meant sorting boxes and filling shelves was a much easier task. We spent pretty much all of the day just sorting stuff out, which was rewarding, to see some normality coming back to the house.
One of the things I love about where our home is now is the fact that we can literally walk out of the front or back of the garden and stroll up into the vines. We are totally surrounded by vines, that the Vigneron dedicate their lives to, lovingly tending and cultivating superb champagne grapes from. So we decided to take advantage of the cooler evening and go for a walk. As you pass along the well kept rocky tracks between the various aspects of vines, you can pick out the rows tended by different owners. Some are very well manicured, some a little more unkept, but all respected.
The story so far
I am really enjoying writing my blog, and it’s great to read all your comments both on the blog, and direct to me, about how you are enjoying reading and following our French adventure. I have had over 1000 page views already, which I’m so excited about. It’s great to have that support, and to know that people are enjoying following us.
Capturing my thoughts and feelings is something I would rarely do so openly, so it was a bit of a challenge for me from day one. Neither Brian or I really knew how the past few weeks would pan out, but we knew there would be some challenges along the way, and I didn’t know how they would come across in the blog. But it was something I wanted to do, to share insights into those challenges and delights of our move, and to be able to look back on them in years to come.
This is the story so far, and I will continue to write and capture our French adventures, I hope you continue to enjoy it.
It seems an age ago that we first bought the house, a cold October afternoon in 2015, this is just after visiting the Notaire.
Cafe culture
I woke in one of those sleepy hazes this morning, it had been a very hot night, Spattered with lightning flashes that lit the whole house, but strangely no thunder. The heavens opened and the rain poured out. It is Saturday morning, so we decided to go for coffee in Bar Sur Seine. A generally quiet town, but with everything you need, especially a pleasant cafe situated in the market square, next to a very delicious boulangerie. In true French style we bought our pastries at the boulangerie then went for coffee and ate them outside the cafe, a very relaxed affair.
Au naturel
We have been thinking about the worktops for the kitchen. I had thought I wanted to use Corian, a man-made product, which can be formed to whatever shape you like and can have the sink incorporated in it. However, now the kitchen is starting to come together, we are considering something more natural. Only about 40 minutes drive from here is a quarry specialising in natural stone, their craftsmanship on what they are producing is exceptional, supplying beautiful stone products all over France and Europe. Decisions, decisions….
The day had gradually been heating up, and by late afternoon it was around 34°c. We decided to get some admin jobs done in the cool of the house, before enjoying a light supper, then virtual drinks with friends.
It’s going to be a hot day on Friday, so a day of doing nothing except lying by the pool keeping cool.
Completion
Wednesday 29th July, we completed on the cottage. A day of mixed emotions, as we had enjoyed some wonderful times there and had some great memories. But we are already forming our new life in a beautiful, calm, picturesque part of France.
last night we had drinks with my old team, we celebrated with a glass of champagne or two, I was definitely more relaxed than when we’d last chatted. It was really nice to see them and catch up with them again.
Busy in the kitchen
What a great day, Christophe and Francois arrived around 9am this morning. The plan for the day was mainly to get the sink up on the wall, and hang 2 wall cabinets up in the kitchen, not for the feint hearted, as they are old mahogany units, so really heavy. They achieved this with incredible skill and accuracy, plus also included a whole list of other little jobs - like the shelf in the new shower room, hung 3 radiators, sorted the tap on the top floor from sounding like a machine gun every time you turned it on.
Lee-Anne arrived around 11.30 and we sat down to firm up on my Lacanche oven, which has now been ordered. It won’t be delivered until late September, so a while to wait on that. But the real excitement was getting my stone sink fitted.
Cold water vegetable sink
Sink or swim
It was a tough start this morning, I don’t know why, but I had woken early around 6am – apologies to those who got an early email or WhatsApp from me – and needed to get some ‘stuff’ done. Brian made some tea and we chatted about the day ahead, then we both fell back to sleep, and didn’t wake again until 8.45am. Oh well, only a week in. Think we are allowed a sleep-in.
Brian needed to get the cabinets sorted to go on the walls, which he soon had done. My job was to paint the ironwork support for the stone sink. Now, I know it doesn’t look like it, but I did paint most of it.
I’m excited about seeing this come together in the kitchen tomorrow. The stand was one we found in the old bathroom when we bought the house. It held a very old cistern on the wall. The stone sink was an eBay purchase, which just happened to be collection only 20 minutes from my parents house in Norfolk. I think we paid about £15 for it. The stainless steel sink in the picture is the one we took out of the kitchen in January. We may reuse this in the pool room. You can just see a corner of the stone sink, I will reveal the final look hopefully tomorrow. Anyway, no time for a swim today.
I’d bought a couple of quiches from my favourite Boulanger today. We had them for dinner with a simple salad, which tasted delicious, in fact Brian, who doesn’t eat salad, told me he really enjoyed it. So fresh. The bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé washed it down very nicely.
Hummingbird moth
I am not a lover of moths, love butterflies, but not moths. I don’t like the way they flutter around the light in a state of craziness. However , there are these delicate little ‘hummingbird moths’ that dance around the lavender bushes, nuzzling the flowers with their rather long proboscis, I’m assuming to get pollen. They seem to live perfectly comfortably along side the bees, you’d think one would get the hump with the other for nicking his pollen. But obviously enough to go round, or are they doing something else?
Monday morning
Feeling full of beans this morning. I’ve written our jobs list, first of many, but this one will help us prioritise over the next few weeks.
First thing this morning, we sorted our bags and bags of clothes upstairs - we didn’t unpack everything but at least it is in some sort of order to be able to find things.
On Wednesday, Christophe is kindly coming to help Brian put up 2 wall cabinets in the kitchen. They are both just too heavy for me. But he needs to prepare them so they are ready to go on the wall. So that’s what he is up to.
Me, I was sorting some shelving in the barn, so I can store some bits, but got sidetracked pruning a rose that was getting in the way.
Monday evening, about 7.30pm. It’s been a gorgeous day, and all things considered, we’d done quite a lot, so we decided to come up to the pool for a swim. Now enjoying a cold beer in the early evening sun, which is still pretty hot.
Apéro
Having a very lazy Sunday. We stayed over at Lee-Anne and Christophe‘s last night, as they had invited us to a barbecue with friends. It was a gorgeous balmy evening , and we all sat out enjoying ‘Apéro’ in their secluded courtyard, with clipped ivy snaking it’s way up the walls, and pink and red geraniums over flowing from the window boxes. Such a wonderful and private setting in the middle of Chatillon.
Tea and honey
Saturday 25th July
Sat drinking tea under the umbrella. The temperature is a delight, with a cool breeze. The bees are buzzing on the Lavender, minding their own business, collecting the pollen to take back to their hive to make delicious sweet honey. I so enjoy the local honey, naturally sweet – delicious on a fresh baguette spread with butter just from the fridge.
Think we are done with unpacking boxes for today, we have made good progress, but should probably save some for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and the... yes there is a lot!
Thought I’d just check the weather out for the week, think I did that by habit, not that I needed to know. Well it looks like it will be a hot week, and those boxes may need to take just a little bit longer.
Can’t get out of bed!
Friday 24th July
Today is the day for the cats to venture into the great outdoors. First of all we introduced Lily - who initially was a little reluctant to even come down the stairs, hissing at Brian for the cheek of making her leave her new home. But once she saw the front door was ajar she was slightly more interested, ‘hmm wonder what’s out there?’
But Dillon, he was very different, and came plodding downstairs all on his own, which is a bit of a challenge for him, as he is a bit wobbly on his feet nowadays.
Boo however, was a complete scaredy-cat. He wouldn’t get out of bed!
Moving in
7.30am - Bray’s arrived nice and early, we were pleased as the days are hot, and we knew it would be good to get a head start. Another great bunch of guys, just tirelessly getting on with the job, and me chirping “Library please, sorry top floor, that’s the kitchen, that can go in the barn, can you put that on the lawn please”
9.45 still going…..
11.45 all done. It had been another fun morning, moving in though definitely less stress than moving out.
Took some time for a well earned coffee. And that is just the great thing, we can unpack at our leisure. Although, as Brian knows only too well, I don’t like leaving things too long.
We spent the afternoon unpacking upstairs, Francois had come round to plumb in my washing machine and dishwasher, and wire the old cooker back in. We are going to use that whilst our new one is being built - can’t wait!
then off to the pool, for our first swim of the year and some relaxation- I could get used to this.
The first supper
First full day in Viviers, it was a lazy slow start. However I did throw myself into my French as one of our cats is poorly, so we needed to book an appointment with the local vet, I was very pleased with myself - 4.20pm.
we spent most of the time until we needed to leave sorting the house in readiness for the removal lorry to arrive tomorrow.
The trip to the vet went without any problems, he thoroughly examined him, asked about his history, and prescribed some antibiotics, we headed home via the Boulanger, and discussed what else needed doing when we got home.
That plan was hijacked, as our neighbour saw us and invited us in for champagne, what a wonderful start to the evening. We got lots of practice on our french, I always feel more fluent after a few glasses.
Then back to the house for our first supper.
Full English
We are sitting quietly on our neighbours patio, the sun is shining, but it’s got that coolness of morning, the waft of a cooked English breakfast is on the air..... I will miss that.
Going away gift
What more could you want
Yesterday finished , with a last scurry of clearing up all those little bits that seemed to be left in every room - pens, hair clips, picture hooks, coins - we found 2 jars of coins. Shaz came round to collect the stuff off to the tip, she kindly offered to take it for us, along with some fragile bits, namely a boat called ‘stormy weather’ which an old friend once made and has made its way to us from HK. It’s about 2’ high and a replica of a galleon, so a bit fragile and difficult to transport. Must admit it kind of reminds us of the Top Gear episode when Clarkson gives Hammond a boat as a present and he has to carry it on the back of his motorbike , hilarious. Anyway, we shall have to see if it makes it.
Boxes
Monday 20th July.
4.45am, what a way to start our first day of retirement, we should be laying in, not getting up at some unearthly hour. Must admit just can’t sleep though, really not sure why....Brian has gone to make us some tea, glad that habit hasn’t changed. Tea first, then back to the packing..
8.10am, nearly done - just we’ve run out of boxes, only need about 4 more. I have asked them to bring some, so once they arrive I can finish the job.
Brian is very anxious about the whole packing scenario, I think he will feel better once things start to happen and they make some progress.
12.40, it has been a very long morning, Bray’s arrived around 8.30, and have been non stop ever since, as have we, let’s just say I totally underestimated the amount of boxes I could fill!
They are really good, so good natured, just getting on with the job. They have had to load smaller vans and take them to the lorry parked round the corner. They are on their 3rd load.
Priorities
Saturday 18th July
Big day today, aim is to have the house packed, loft emptied, sofas collected, freezer defrosted, toes painted! Better get on with it, but have to say think we are slowing up!
3 out of 5 is not bad... Brian is exhausted.... I’ll let you decide on which 3.
4pm, time to stop and get ready for a barbecue with our gorgeous neighbours. We will miss them.
Sunday 19th July
It’s raining today, which is better as it’s not quite so hot, that said we do still seem to have slowed, that’s slower than yesterday, maybe something to do with having a really lovely night last night at Terry and Sabrinas, it was the first time I think we’d sat down and taken time to think this is actually happening. They gave us a jolly good send off.
It has been a really full on few weeks and it was so good to relax with friends.
