Our Home Now

Five + Five

So instead of 2 gîtes or a B&B, we now have a big 5 bedroomed house, all with en-suite and very large living spaces. The builder suggested creating a new fireplace as a focal point in the original barn, now lounge, which was a great suggestion, housing one of the two high output wood-burners. Not in the budget of course, and neither was the raising of the front door lintel, necessary to accommodate certain tall friends! The kitchen is rustic but fully equipped, mixing new fixtures with the original beam (the phrase “Duck or Grouse” comes to mind when cooking) and farmhouse table and chairs plus local salvage purchases. The bathrooms are top-spec but we’ve also tried to include things from the old house such as mirrors and armchairs, plus old junk shop washstands and quirky coloured chandeliers! We love every room as we know every corner and have brought them back to a new life.

Vegetation…

The ash trees in front of the house (one of which over the years, has almost completely swallowed a small watering can) provide dappled shade for breakfast or apéros, our bedroom balcony is perfect for evening sundowners, the terrace underneath provides the same with a bit more shade, and the rear garden terrace is lovely for dining in the evening around the large circular table. A big flower bed has been created in front of the swimming pool, full of plants habituated to full sun and dry soil, grasses, gaura, roses, sages and verbena.

What can the future bring…

The plan was to spend 6 months in Bourdeilles and 6 months in the UK, but Brexit and Covid have put paid to the ease of doing that. However, we did spend the winter of 2020/21 in Le Capinet and enjoyed our extremely comfortable “confinement”, seeing friends occasionally in the village, both French and international. We, like everyone, have to negotiate our way in the new reality of living with the ever present Covid, 90 in 180 day restrictions, six-month visas and the possibility of automatic visas for second home owners. But in the meantime we continue to take every opportunity to enjoy our French home and consider it well worth every euro invested and every moment of aching arms and stiff backs.