Taking early Retirement, from Farming here looking at a Chateau/farm in France for B & B, on a tourist route, very flexible. BUT, the whole family is going, 4 brothers and sisters, and our off spring, but what a nightmare locating property so far we have seen rubbish, but it has been an adventure, and fun, one hoyuse I fell thru the floor, after the agent told us it was sound.. what a hoot, come back nippy/reza & co we loved the series, when is it on again... We would welcome help with our venture, any suggestions...

dont blame you for making the move did it 2 years ago no regrets keep looking best of luck if i can help let me know

Just in the process of buying a farm house in rural Auvernge. Had heaps of help from www.heima.fr (Heidi, who runs the business and Charles who works for her). Plenty of what appear to be good value properties in that part of France, which is as yet not so popular with the English, but is on the holiday trail.
Am looking for information about a number of items for the modernisation of our house. Firstly - parasites!! we have signs of woodworm, deathwatch beetle and capricorn beetle. Does anybody know of a firm that will come and treat the woodwork from top to bottom at a reasonable price?

Thanks you guys,
One problem we have come across, getting all the plant and machinery over to France, which ports can we go from, we are in Guildford. so the quickest is Portsmouth, Calais? any others.
then we need to find a property within 30 minutes drive from the port...hopeful?

What airlines go out of Heathrow to serve the Normandy area and what sort of time to drive

Are there any small airlines from any other airports, this will narrow down on the areas to look in.

Any suggestions gratefully recieved

As atated in my previous email, we are looking for two projects but it may end up just one , it depends what comes up, we are flexable...

Firstly the family have agreed to look for a small stone cottage with a flushing loo' and out buildings, large garden, near or in a village, that has shops, or in between two villages so we have the choice either way,
we don't mind doing work to outside buildings, if ramshackle, but, cottage/house, we would like basic habitable no construction problems please. Something pretty. up to £50,000
but if more, do send details
Any you know of, let us know, asap email me on this site. we are arranging trips soon.

2nd property, this is the dream, We would love a pretty old run down farm/chateau with a view, lake, grazing, bags of character and old stable/farm yard ramshackle we love... but are there such places half an hour from a port ? dream on ay ???
whatever it costs?????

We have had a few problems ourselves with parasites, I hate chemicals so, I contacted
Friends of the earth, on the net, they will tell you how to rid them without chemicals,, I know it's daft but thats free...

France also seems easier where chemicals are concerned they sell them next to the fresh bread in the supermarkets, ask your local farmers they will give you the number of your local chemical stockist out there,, for spraying weeds, you can do it yourself if you buy the protective clothing and mask still cheaper than getting a man in... I am not sure what the rules are, but they are prooably the same as here, you can do it yourself but not for reward.. without a licence good luck Sue