tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6304030923899846832024-03-12T23:27:32.374-07:00Life is better in Brittany and NormandyI started knocking out bits and pieces about our time and work in Brittany a few years ago but have only just blown the dust off what was on the shelf and added it to our Brittany website... http/:www.ahouseinbrittany.comOoh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-26074336608457083102019-02-20T08:20:00.001-08:002019-02-26T01:50:05.128-08:00Watch out... There's a Banker About!!<div class="p1">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Buy a House in Brittany or Normandy - Definitely! But...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Don’t do a Dave!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Buying Abroad? <i>Got a minute? Read this...</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>It could save you thousands</i></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>!</i></span></b></div>
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<b>A woeful tale about a client who thought he had it all sewn up because he was sticking with his bank when he exchanged funds for the purchase of his house in Brittany.</b></div>
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As we have so often said… <i><b>Watch out, there’s a banker about!</b></i></div>
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Dave Simmonds and his wife, Megan (It's a true story, but the names have been changed to cover any possible embarrassment - <i>alright ‘Dave’?</i>) were both very, very excited after finding their ideal home in the heart of the Cotes d’Armor. It was everything they could ever wish for…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Early retirement with a very reasonably priced 5 Bedroomed Farmhouse on five acres plus three gites. Enough space for the horse that Megan could never have dreamt of owning back in Guildford.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> A good potential income from holiday lettings...And a</span>ll for just 360,000€ plus Notaire’s fees! <i>I know,</i> <b><i>barmy prices!</i></b></div>
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Anyway…during one of our conversations on the phone discussing the next steps after making the decision to buy and the offer etc., I mentioned to Dave that, if he wished, we could introduce him to a very reliable currency exchange house who would ensure that he could get the best deal on his currency exchange (Sterling to Euros). Sometimes it’s easy to understand that people might feel guarded, proud even, of their own abilities to sort out their own arrangements. “Oh no, that’s OK” he said, “I’ll be sorting things out through my bank”.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
“You know,” I said, “that banks make charges and offer rates that push up your costs because of their involvement... way above that of a registered and recognised FX company. Their rates are just not as competitive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These guys are very professional…What is it that worries you about checking out the market?”</div>
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“It’s just that I have had my account with the same branch since I left college and everything’s in their hands… current account, deposit account, mortgage, insurance business - you name it… the lot! I’ve always been happy with the way things have gone. So if you don’t mind… I've already had a word with my branch manager and he didn’t seem phased by helping us out”… <i><b>I dropped it.</b> Dave was intent on doing things his way!</i></div>
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Our network always ensures that the commercial agent, or Immobiliere concerned, accompanies our clients and leads the way through the act finale document, where the Notaire, assisted by the agent, leads the buyer through the compiled document, ensuring that the purchaser understands any potentially unclear elements of the transaction. It’s worth noting here that the system of property purchase in France is different from that which<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>exists in the UK and (unless the purchaser is well versed in the language) the agent’s presence is regarded as essential to assist progress, observing that all requirements of the transaction have been observed and to witness the purchaser’s signature(s), that their approval and full understanding is secured. It’s all so much more simple that way and a lot less harrowing. It's a bit like a police statement (but don't ask me how I know!)</div>
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It was after all of this had been achieved and, following the elation of Dave and Megan becoming the owners of their new house, that Dave looked at the paperwork and files on his computer and felt somewhat pinched at his final figure by way of the Bank’s involvement in the currency exchange… and, being shocked, only then did he compare his bank’s performance with that of our FX associates. <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Dave's exchange with his bank had in fact cost him £9,000 more than it would have done via the best performing currency exchange house.</span></b> When we spoke he told me of his anger and almost disbelief that this could have happened and at such an amazing difference (Dave's house was 360,000€! so that'll be three times the illustrated figure shown below -<i><b> ouch!</b></i>). He told me that he intended to sue his bank! I had to persuade him to maintain calm and to realise that he had signed to approve the exchange via his bank and that protesting would be fruitless since he walked into the arrangement with eyes wide open. <i>Dave’s experience came too late for him...</i><br />
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<b>If he had let me show him this comparison and not been insistent that his bank would 'see him right' I'm sure it would have been a NO Brainer! </b><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Moral: Don't Do A Dave! </span><span style="color: #999999;"><i>(sorry Dave).</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999;"><i><br /></i></span></b><b>Click below to visit the Currencies Direct website (they regularly feature at the top of the league tables for FX)... So - Sign up today and be ready for the BIG DAY!... <i>Not a 'Banker' in sight!</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.currenciesdirect.com/en/?afflno=A020922&assetid=0000108" target="_blank"><img alt=" CurrenciesDirect - It couldn't be easier..." border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05BQ3M21ocTu8uJ_Eu6tJbtD3DHoJQfCox9oICpHQK3oHx4hWJ23DzxNcyV0ZiGeqNjdCPFNym0Nmi5GMcf29PcSAZyh37JRZYz8OI872pcVeF2chUxAfF6ZvemYvp2EUv__1hl9SBFlN/s1600/CD_LOGO_AFFILIATE.png" /></a></div>
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-59172211450592595282018-07-30T06:03:00.001-07:002020-05-20T03:07:36.640-07:00Tintagell, Snowdonia, Cadbury Camp, Broceliande - So who really 'owns' Arthur & Merlin?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For a bloke who was restricted to travel on horseback or, at best, but probably a whole lot slower, by Palanquin (look it up... I had to) King Arthur and his retinue (Lancelot, Guinevere, The Lady Vivien, Sir Girwain, Merlin - et al)... well, they sure did get around. Although, if you believe the other places that legend would have us believe he made an appearance - as I mention in the title... Tintagel, Snowdonia, and Cadbury Camp, then he was probably good at levitation and teleportation too... He probably landed just up the road from here having been guided in by the standing stones at Carnac. And don't get me going on "was God an astronaut!?"<br />
We're getting on with our exploration of Brittany (picking up again nicely thanks) in between renovating our modest money pit in the Cotes d'Armor... Well, we recently had a look at the forest of Broceliande... and the Brittany end of the Arthurian legend.<br />
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I have to say that, with regard to this part of ancient history, the Bretons aren't known for over-egging their potential tourist attractions. In fact it's quite a task linking together all aspects of the legend in this Celtic toehold within France... because they are fairly laid back about the whole thing over here. It's a patchy and not heavily patronised tourist trail. It's a bit like being interested in International Grand Prix motor racing or the World Cup... better, most would say, in documentary film form or viewed on TV rather than traveling to each venue in real time bearing in mind the expense and time invested in actally 'being there'. The Bretons play it very low key. Good on 'em!<br />
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Paimpont, being probably the biggest community in the area, has a street of mainly tasteful commercial premises, cafés and gift shops where only some have a touch of the mysterious about them. The street presents a relatively calm environment, neatly tucked away, but accessed via an ancient arch off the main road that runs straight through the town. This in turn leads to a very handsome Abbey church... Parking is free and plentiful and the Abbey sits next to a large lake... Yes, probably... the one of which there is... a lady and, on the shores of which there is the rumour of a sword in a stone!<br />
Having seen all that Paimpont seemed to have to offer we had lunch of Moules and Frites and headed off in search of evidence of Merlin. The low key approach that Breton local authorities attach to this kind of thing (OK there are road signs and we knew that all was to be found here within the Forest of Broceliande) is very low profile. After a few wrong turnings (I always blame it on the satnav) we saw, just ahead of us a lay-by with maybe 6 or so vehicles parked up... Across the lane was a dusty track leading into the woods. A sign board illustrated with a wizardly theme and multi lingual descriptions of what was to come... Excited? Expectant at least! Quite a few people (there must be another car park) were in front and behind us on the well trodden path... Stopping and politely waiting for each clutch of legend seekers to read the information board which might sit in front of what on a better day (today was parched in July with beige grass) had once been green and offered no trace of water in the culverts which might on other days have gushed, bubbling, toward the 'font' which we discovered further down the track... The actual 'Merlin's Tomb' consisted of three large rocks buried in the earth down a side track to the right and the only thing that distinguished them from other rocks that we could have seen just as easily in the same area was that people had laid flowers and small piles of stones on this the 'real' tomb. Further down the path on left and right were more tributes of piles of stones and just as identifiable... the places from where these stones had been prised, dug or kicked from the sides of the path. The Fountain and what might well have been a secret pool were dried up but dignified by more piles of stones.<br />
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The walk back up the track revealed something which I'm ashamed to say I found a mite more interesting ... a piece19th Century rusting iron farm machinery (I'm not an expert) which was locked into the landscape by trees which have grown around the stranded vehicle. An antique combined harvester or was it a chariot of the Gods?... Anyway...frozen in time!...<br />
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Continuing our drive we came across other burial chambers, menhirs and dolmen just off to the sides of the road... some huge by comparison that would, if anyone had thought of being slightly dishonest about local heritage, could have proved much more interesting and intricate for the local Marie in days gone by to have decided..."OK, let's say<b><i> this</i></b> is Merlin's tomb! Much more plausible! OK... if you agree, let's put the signs up and lay out the car park!"<br />
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But, why mess with true heritage? We had a great day out. We've actually got a cluster of rocks behind the barns in our own Brittany garden - behind the 'money pit' (I jest of course) that rival Merlin's tomb for their size and intricacy and so I'm picking up a sheet of 8x4 marine ply and a couple of timber posts next week and will be advertising (discreetly of course) the secrets of middle earth... "Bury that hose pipe in the ground here we're going to need a water feature... Here we go...<b><i>Welcome to the Grotto!"</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUqHOlPjIX1NAKRu5iYKqG7KhBp4kvS0VJs7FLDX7n7FVC4hUp3WCvAiBT_x7Wwq2I8c5PygtL1pN4u7hkVJl4EWDqc1I6XPGrf93AA2o-bAGOx4QRemERe5iRo9BASmy_LGHc-aX5F9f/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUqHOlPjIX1NAKRu5iYKqG7KhBp4kvS0VJs7FLDX7n7FVC4hUp3WCvAiBT_x7Wwq2I8c5PygtL1pN4u7hkVJl4EWDqc1I6XPGrf93AA2o-bAGOx4QRemERe5iRo9BASmy_LGHc-aX5F9f/s320/IMG_0627.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this is a bit more like it - proper burial chamber as befits a wizard.<br />
btw - NOT in our garden!</td></tr>
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-18131743553248931812018-07-24T12:41:00.003-07:002018-07-24T12:47:35.266-07:00At Last!... A Picking and a A Pickling We Will Go!<br />
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<b><i> </i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><b>I have wanted to do this for years!</b> </i>Picking Walnuts and then pickling them! Unless you have access to a Walnut tree in July you're a bit stuffed. I haven't ever seen unripe walnuts for sale in any shop. We haven't had any Walnut trees to call our own, although we have been given a very small sapling. It's planted in the garden now and, if I'm still alive when it bears fruit I shall regard myself as extremely lucky. </span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">On walks along the dried up canal just a couple of hundred metres up the hill from the house (the Rigole d'Hilvern)... turn to the left at the top of the lane where it crosses the canal and it's the first tree on the right. I don't know how we've managed to miss it... but, in our defence, it is well tucked into a beech tree and sits under its branches - quite well hidden. As soon as I realised we had one almost on our doorstep... I looked up a recipe and, having found it, went out and picked what I hoped would be 2kilos to match the recipes ingredients...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86ct1U5HBeKNcLcqI4R5ZJnZpDBMmPP6RYhaImAAfxuhHkT_1ACFymdxuXvcUIq4SeFz7vqB-LoD6Cgm41LJkhW_JKqsFLcRFLhHr3N3y_PDXxq3L_nGk2NYwwlivTXmFOZY6S3zFM5y/s1600/Walnut+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ86ct1U5HBeKNcLcqI4R5ZJnZpDBMmPP6RYhaImAAfxuhHkT_1ACFymdxuXvcUIq4SeFz7vqB-LoD6Cgm41LJkhW_JKqsFLcRFLhHr3N3y_PDXxq3L_nGk2NYwwlivTXmFOZY6S3zFM5y/s320/Walnut+tree.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1G_6e1GJDQ5w3kmqiB-CIrACIUSnbI-AGtd_6H5RJFIrUPXOyDvwWDPPQ-3bxtJpT3rPBA12I0YdluNzThBW7cYhkwlqwUEQReb4YwGkcWFmVpLtwzBdo9UGPia33mG06AZ6AP093s7D/s1600/IMGP0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1G_6e1GJDQ5w3kmqiB-CIrACIUSnbI-AGtd_6H5RJFIrUPXOyDvwWDPPQ-3bxtJpT3rPBA12I0YdluNzThBW7cYhkwlqwUEQReb4YwGkcWFmVpLtwzBdo9UGPia33mG06AZ6AP093s7D/s320/IMGP0852.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>How to pickle walnuts</b></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="s1">Ingredients for 2kg pickled walnuts</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s3">225g salt</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">1 litre malt vinegar</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">500g brown sugar</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">1 tsp allspice</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">1 tsp cloves</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">½ tsp cinnamon</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">½ tsp black peppercorns</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s3">1 tbsp fresh grated ginger</span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s3"><br /></span></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;">••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••</li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><br /></li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><b>1.</b> Prick the walnuts with a fork and cover with water and the salt - Stir to dissolve and create brine. I've cut the top and bottom off the walnuts I've used as I've noticed that in the shop bought ones I've eaten - I'm guessing this will help absorb the brine more readily. </li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><b>2.</b> Leave for a week, then drain and renew with a fresh brine solution for another week.</li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><b>3. </b>Drain the walnuts and lay out on trays in a dry, airy place. After a few days they will have turned black.</li>
<li class="li4" style="text-align: left;"><b>4. </b>Combine the remaining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring them to the boil, add the walnuts and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool and spoon the nuts into large jars and cover with the liquid. They should last for years. <b><i>I can't wait for the results!</i></b></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB1fNRxdJIc7ThzbsNXjhJ4S_9fqnRnCMeipe31lmQdnukc52RyiqMLxMzWvbittXxgbU_UJ_9CTYseBbLfTzOY65F2hRx5B5OyJRWegqyxO18iMGdhk4r4rJM1smkEW_0nfLwFZXNgbP/s1600/in+Brine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB1fNRxdJIc7ThzbsNXjhJ4S_9fqnRnCMeipe31lmQdnukc52RyiqMLxMzWvbittXxgbU_UJ_9CTYseBbLfTzOY65F2hRx5B5OyJRWegqyxO18iMGdhk4r4rJM1smkEW_0nfLwFZXNgbP/s320/in+Brine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p5">
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<div class="p5">
I've only just started this process and so have a few weeks to wait for the next development... I'll add more photo's as I proceed. <i>I have lifted this recipe from 'The Field', erstwhile solid and well respected publication, and have no hesitation in recommending it to whoever reads this... And I hope they don't do me for copyright infringement!</i><span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p6">
<span class="s1">Read more at <a href="https://www.thefield.co.uk/food/recipes/how-to-pickle-walnuts-22906#L0THmxeXtDHGIyYv.99">https://www.thefield.co.uk/food/recipes/how-to-pickle-walnuts-22906#L0THmxeXtDHGIyYv.99</a></span></div>
<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-78587579054575271292018-06-19T08:38:00.001-07:002018-06-19T08:38:07.214-07:0012,000 Quid for this? Has it been worth it? Ask a silly Question!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wNQFbXVpUMRvLFeNH15uNSotSWrOIFfOPZxOuke7I2GEgLTL2amFUUGs0fnZYAq2lX4PvNeSfFGix9BK4O1O6eQ5kSBnxCiE_-dTBTfhTxl-GYnbfQr_MOneQrCzMvNmH5gyGX6l7yNW/s1600/pinshot+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1210" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wNQFbXVpUMRvLFeNH15uNSotSWrOIFfOPZxOuke7I2GEgLTL2amFUUGs0fnZYAq2lX4PvNeSfFGix9BK4O1O6eQ5kSBnxCiE_-dTBTfhTxl-GYnbfQr_MOneQrCzMvNmH5gyGX6l7yNW/s400/pinshot+2.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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I've been banging on for years about what a great bargain we stumbled across 19 years ago when we picked up our house in Brittany for just £12,000 plus fees - so about £16,000 in all. Obviously we have spent a few quid doing it up BUT it still hasn't cost us any more than around 80k in total including the purchase price. Of course it has been our 'holiday' home (sometimes anyone within an arm's length when they say <b><i>"have a nice holiday"</i></b> is in danger of a swipe... I'm thinking here of my wife rather than myself) and, because we don't live there year round, we have spent many times the cost of the house on ferry crossings... but <b>"Has it been worth it?"</b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChMQmifSjoj6vQtxO8kdQFEkiiA5hyphenhyphenLD7dEYrv69iNuYFLppWOIZLWFtdUr_zgqV6LpJAmqp6hCwGxh9EyrIYgil020sMiNW0bjUim2yCrvgyEamOqFaqnESzPYhtjM-tp8KxDWTQSgr1/s1600/A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="510" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChMQmifSjoj6vQtxO8kdQFEkiiA5hyphenhyphenLD7dEYrv69iNuYFLppWOIZLWFtdUr_zgqV6LpJAmqp6hCwGxh9EyrIYgil020sMiNW0bjUim2yCrvgyEamOqFaqnESzPYhtjM-tp8KxDWTQSgr1/s320/A2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk03CY39o8J-dxFlsT1L7sshJM1WhwNo_qkvoTpcclTEqf_mxIro6KNs_f3UlinfKZui6sXs_noKzsxHwVENxmMp_tf4Axt25wz-fZaRY62qrJcCqBL2JAZ_6esXGPlR_Rvy4jIZ3CmbOD/s1600/A6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="510" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk03CY39o8J-dxFlsT1L7sshJM1WhwNo_qkvoTpcclTEqf_mxIro6KNs_f3UlinfKZui6sXs_noKzsxHwVENxmMp_tf4Axt25wz-fZaRY62qrJcCqBL2JAZ_6esXGPlR_Rvy4jIZ3CmbOD/s200/A6.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlXGzfVTlmP7HqWO7ZTizB-Wp7ybC0mzTPmErlz8tyNXjUioKPKY6qdaEAYqTsAxc7_0UXghc_1yBwedDbDRpEqIjxlxt9FosNADdSbMV_s1064pP_S1wDYEXLieP4LkU9baLXpBvU0U1/s1600/A7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="510" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlXGzfVTlmP7HqWO7ZTizB-Wp7ybC0mzTPmErlz8tyNXjUioKPKY6qdaEAYqTsAxc7_0UXghc_1yBwedDbDRpEqIjxlxt9FosNADdSbMV_s1064pP_S1wDYEXLieP4LkU9baLXpBvU0U1/s200/A7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">You bet it has!!</span></b> and sometimes spending most of one's time over there renovating is not everyone's idea of anything approaching a holiday! Saying this does sort the men out from the boys (in this day and age you're almost bound to upset some people with a choice of words when looking for the right way to explain a situation in an easy to understand way). 'To renovate yourself - or - buy in the skills?' You also, if not able or wanting to get involved can spend some money to improve your bargain via reliable artisans - or - a little of each.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CYw2IcoTnqlFfamNzKtP8KrrHr1_e0sXM-4xJSvjygtiXvjQQ8KJ2VHRCojfN2Xq-QoayESoUtKJvpOo0JZvjpcv9w3a6FtqIWrthPFEXiUAzLEhPhfKcMiHc-EJCxqSJmFozk3k_gXA/s1600/ahouseinbrittanykeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CYw2IcoTnqlFfamNzKtP8KrrHr1_e0sXM-4xJSvjygtiXvjQQ8KJ2VHRCojfN2Xq-QoayESoUtKJvpOo0JZvjpcv9w3a6FtqIWrthPFEXiUAzLEhPhfKcMiHc-EJCxqSJmFozk3k_gXA/s320/ahouseinbrittanykeep.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New roof front and rear including dormer and Velux's<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-_2ul_SWZUuHPN5or3nDXFpVBLctHCUfQgb2gkKCUW3D82y__jRq5m9Ly70EPVRbM2mEEDP49S-dRn3te-NL7t-1KV2UQJWJgpRQo1WALrVacQGD_O7JxlKvFbqndODWm_f8Hz-0JOqX/s1600/A8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="510" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-_2ul_SWZUuHPN5or3nDXFpVBLctHCUfQgb2gkKCUW3D82y__jRq5m9Ly70EPVRbM2mEEDP49S-dRn3te-NL7t-1KV2UQJWJgpRQo1WALrVacQGD_O7JxlKvFbqndODWm_f8Hz-0JOqX/s320/A8.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FHeg0NS-J1C8MNw48by_4fHSMmU_vPUAY27qehNvn471A0NxZDNO-TL1YD1n5D3Qd8gv4qsuxPY21cWQYdujqxrSXOMsnaSXFQ45pTSPl2qx5yyTAxIZ9ZuuSTzfGENqYmXwNR0ZEvCz/s1600/lounge2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="510" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FHeg0NS-J1C8MNw48by_4fHSMmU_vPUAY27qehNvn471A0NxZDNO-TL1YD1n5D3Qd8gv4qsuxPY21cWQYdujqxrSXOMsnaSXFQ45pTSPl2qx5yyTAxIZ9ZuuSTzfGENqYmXwNR0ZEvCz/s320/lounge2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The astounding thing is that, comparatively, there are still such bargains to be had. <i><b>Don't believe me?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently, OK, within the last 2 years, acquaintances - who have now become good friends bought two houses (so 5 bedrooms in all) on an exceptional courtyard with great outbuildings on land of 3,000m2 at the wetlands end of a 6km lake for just £100,000 all perfectly habitable. Sounds perfect n'est ce pas? As it happens, and the way their life is panning out, it coincides with them downsizing on their property in the UK as well as spending more time at their house in France, so it fits their requirements perfectly and is also very do-able financially. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF33FZr7yjcRBH0Z_8CslNHbHj3B56tBBDr9N8tHDVDJllhtU25rL9rH8nYpLXpfXEun7NU8-4kc2kZpA7T3vqXp4sOG_74AqNXdItmwHk6hc7H4pvkfmwfKm_BIN7pBtBoJT79VWUgsp/s1600/B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="339" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF33FZr7yjcRBH0Z_8CslNHbHj3B56tBBDr9N8tHDVDJllhtU25rL9rH8nYpLXpfXEun7NU8-4kc2kZpA7T3vqXp4sOG_74AqNXdItmwHk6hc7H4pvkfmwfKm_BIN7pBtBoJT79VWUgsp/s200/B8.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZojlsdJaSmggV-_Jt71O-ajHkoZCDCMozAP7V19ZxrZdEOgaeREkAFHDp8qNXfF7VMZ2rBcwK5UTBuBUMikrRu2kOr2QFd7Mimf24FMyzEwF9LjjPN8b1LxDkhLuHHWrFUb2XFxAx29X4/s1600/B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="510" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZojlsdJaSmggV-_Jt71O-ajHkoZCDCMozAP7V19ZxrZdEOgaeREkAFHDp8qNXfF7VMZ2rBcwK5UTBuBUMikrRu2kOr2QFd7Mimf24FMyzEwF9LjjPN8b1LxDkhLuHHWrFUb2XFxAx29X4/s320/B9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not everyone has that amount of good fortune or the funds to juggle in what looks like such a trouble-free way. But no two life stories are the same. But by no means should you feel that this game is only for 'rich folks'... Far from it...We might live in Southern England but we ain't rich!... Just a bit nearer to the channel ports which do make this kind of thing more achievable and less hassle.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Whatever you might think about Brexit or the bouncing Exchange Rates there are still bargains aplenty... If you have an inkling about being interested in a Brittany (or Normandy) bargain<br />
then you should begin your search at<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/" target="_blank">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a> OR <a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">www.ahouseinnormandy.com</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsPYPs1tsbBgcIr9mEQyLaHjov-wM8xLbUowDN6jlf7w3t-EfssJCga18lpx_R06RM_BriZaNAYKO7l56bJFjQBJlKNq6OQnBdWCW1vFIY5tTL7Cn7WL-0aPIS06z4_D_jvC3EK5cKDOO/s1600/IMGP8237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsPYPs1tsbBgcIr9mEQyLaHjov-wM8xLbUowDN6jlf7w3t-EfssJCga18lpx_R06RM_BriZaNAYKO7l56bJFjQBJlKNq6OQnBdWCW1vFIY5tTL7Cn7WL-0aPIS06z4_D_jvC3EK5cKDOO/s320/IMGP8237.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JoP9MX5eg3fB53pDEyE5CZQIKycIPpVu2iBMubD4G3XlyLvGcQYprfnRIxXl9Kcn3SurTWuE-nVSrVIo29RQU5gbW9rzEnHukyP3H4gJNhj6sah7UvLxSMHpjQE_tttnudRjjFhxRhzd/s1600/IMGP8209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JoP9MX5eg3fB53pDEyE5CZQIKycIPpVu2iBMubD4G3XlyLvGcQYprfnRIxXl9Kcn3SurTWuE-nVSrVIo29RQU5gbW9rzEnHukyP3H4gJNhj6sah7UvLxSMHpjQE_tttnudRjjFhxRhzd/s320/IMGP8209.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-22106995020978770762018-06-18T08:46:00.007-07:002018-06-18T08:58:33.075-07:00A Brittany Manor House with a twist or two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10VcjtFVH99VuWfLtg2JUrA00rkGMLdZUig2Z_VZgidTF1mk0dE1Qs7z3Gt8yYWSu3kOd6L3av9LCanHKFym3if8AFrMnVwsHpHX_zTYwsHuhf3B2u-LqTuvs1gWpsLMIfVt_GzGFGp_/s1600/c10b3521fb5b2ae5dfe3ee0df7104666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz10VcjtFVH99VuWfLtg2JUrA00rkGMLdZUig2Z_VZgidTF1mk0dE1Qs7z3Gt8yYWSu3kOd6L3av9LCanHKFym3if8AFrMnVwsHpHX_zTYwsHuhf3B2u-LqTuvs1gWpsLMIfVt_GzGFGp_/s400/c10b3521fb5b2ae5dfe3ee0df7104666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our time spent in Brittany, when it comes to RandR is spent alternating between two lakes which are pretty much equidistant from our place ... the biggest, proves to be quite a draw in the summer. Not surprisingly being 12 kilometres long, it has plenty to commend it. But - in a Breton way - it could never be called oversubscribed with those wishing to swim, scuba dive, walk, ramble, cycle, sail, water-ski, fish, windsurf, canoe, jet-ski or even enjoy a dinner cruise. All of these pastimes are there and all are used and indulged in but it's never 'full on'. It never gets so busy as to get anywhere near uncomfortable or crowded.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_RPHBwdAQ1dqvR6YW102bbfcwj3TtqCrzo5b-CZZvEMb-8H-n7v3SRwZK2pORA0i0_lYXuLD2mWfwBvp4GOPVzVACw63n1_hBXxoYpsNtIdwGTcqVxIKTkU6uUyjNlI9ROd9GsbXU706/s1600/bosmeliac2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_RPHBwdAQ1dqvR6YW102bbfcwj3TtqCrzo5b-CZZvEMb-8H-n7v3SRwZK2pORA0i0_lYXuLD2mWfwBvp4GOPVzVACw63n1_hBXxoYpsNtIdwGTcqVxIKTkU6uUyjNlI9ROd9GsbXU706/s320/bosmeliac2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a lake a short walk from the end of the garden</td></tr>
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The second lake about 6 kilometres long and a wee bit skinnier has far fewer amenities but somehow is more attractive for us at least... more exclusive supporting open water swimming, canoeing, pedalos (the pizza restaurant at the southern end of the lake has boats for hire in summer months) and there is a man made beach. We have often taken Rudy for a walk there and often felt that unbeknown to us the world must have come to an end...and that we are the only ones left alive... whether it's driving in on the approach roads or walking around the lake through woodland walks or throwing sticks into the lake for the dog to retrieve from the beach... We'll most often be alone. And it is this lake which is just a stone's throw from a property we have just been asked to market...<br />
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... It's a Manor House on the fringes of the lake's wetland area... Not an ancient manor which many think the name suggests but one which does have some amazing features going for it... Such as owner's accommodation, three Gites and, also for rental the main Manor House section, with 5 ensuite bedrooms, and huge reception room which opens on to a terrace and pool area and, beyond that, two acres of parc and gardens. <b>If home and income is what you're after - look no further. </b><br />
The whole property was built around 1985 and is therefore up to date in terms of electrical, heating and plumbing installations all being up to spec. A total of 15 bedrooms mean that there is great flexibility as regards the capacity Once new owners become used to their surroundings and the local market... they may realise the potential of another feature:- a giant marquee (stored in the full footprint basement) which also houses the banqueting tables and furnishings to enable weddings, receptions, seminars and family or business celebrations within the building as well as within the Manor's extensive grounds...<br />
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The house's proximity to the lake make this property a great potential money spinner for special interest groups of canoeists, kayak clubs, walkers and ramblers as well as family groups who will find exploring Central Brittany and the Emerald (north) coast which is less than 30 minutes drive away. All facilities:- shopping, restaurants, bars, banks and supermarkets are 15 minutes away at Quintin. If you enjoy to eat well on a budget (and who doesn't) a nearby village has two Routier (open menu) bar/restaurants where a blow-out including wine or cider will set you back just 11 Euros. That reminds me - <b><i>we must go back there soon.</i></b><br />
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If you haven't arrived at this page from our website...</div>
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then click here to see the full property details of the Manoir</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/2311-ahib-1-dn-643">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/2311-ahib-1-dn-643</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you wish to view this property then please in the first instance contact us at:- </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>A House in Brittany Limited on 01903 202272</b> or e-mail us... <a href="mailto:info@ahouseinbrittany.com">info@ahouseinbrittany.com</a></span></div>
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<b><i>Brittany has so much to offer...</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ18TSZ4ZTc87mEOaWBYaaVjI1Lhp-D3BBkfL6TFJoDVCJJ8bLcpTIV4J-WQJTifvwbnymrdBy2WZ2IUmz5hb6cmfLEn-cQ2QI8mHhFkHQFR22wVo_L-4D6SiVAeqtLPadVUzYm6ujB48/s1600/moulerie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ18TSZ4ZTc87mEOaWBYaaVjI1Lhp-D3BBkfL6TFJoDVCJJ8bLcpTIV4J-WQJTifvwbnymrdBy2WZ2IUmz5hb6cmfLEn-cQ2QI8mHhFkHQFR22wVo_L-4D6SiVAeqtLPadVUzYm6ujB48/s320/moulerie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Alfresco Moules & Frites on the north coast...<br />
right by the beach. 30 minutes away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfMwmDgi5UxDxZ3sUfk1AfmWBUqdpHwTTsHfcb0FHfa63LBds45dsWmOahpPfWEah6TIatZZawKv19OzDPnJ2s0h7CZ_eQuJsPzdAwVmRYjJSq7-JA12z_1hEELk9aVdfzMmQJMQGcXxf/s1600/IMGP0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfMwmDgi5UxDxZ3sUfk1AfmWBUqdpHwTTsHfcb0FHfa63LBds45dsWmOahpPfWEah6TIatZZawKv19OzDPnJ2s0h7CZ_eQuJsPzdAwVmRYjJSq7-JA12z_1hEELk9aVdfzMmQJMQGcXxf/s320/IMGP0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nantes/Brest Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGG7bN-XMaLEjq9UIo-HKsgVETMvaBBSExaHMYTTIYICMl9n-9qi2sxOnh3Pma8_yjtA-sCagZdSn837dcx2pdJgHDtQ0zG_ASacqE8lsBcinwtTqp_x-N_Ugt6-AWh-6bGMaotRo4Bz3/s1600/IMGP5807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGG7bN-XMaLEjq9UIo-HKsgVETMvaBBSExaHMYTTIYICMl9n-9qi2sxOnh3Pma8_yjtA-sCagZdSn837dcx2pdJgHDtQ0zG_ASacqE8lsBcinwtTqp_x-N_Ugt6-AWh-6bGMaotRo4Bz3/s320/IMGP5807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Nearby walks on the Rigole d'Hilvern</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son et Lumiere events and recitals at the Abbey of Bon Repos.</td></tr>
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-52697414340099564422018-02-08T03:09:00.005-08:002018-02-10T07:49:58.529-08:00Brittany Bound? A 3 generation family?... Or Gite letting's your thing?... then have a look!<div class="p1">
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Our satnav is not programmed to understand Breton. How very unPC! Tom-Tom are clearly not up to date (or should it be 'down' to date) with 15th century minority languages. However, once we had been lucky enough to encounter a native, local to the area, walking his dog, about a mile or so from - Berouan in the Morbihan - all became clear. There it was in full colour on our own dog-eared, hardly ever used and unfortunately small scale map (smaller communities are hardly ever marked are they?)... Anyway, we had almost made it without help because there was a shrug and perplexed look from our new acquaintance...(well he did wave a little later). </div>
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Turn right about a kilometre before you get to Caden from Malansac and there you are. The trouble is we had to drive into Caden to find out how far out one kilometre is before we could work out which would have been the right lane to turn down... None of the names on the signposts rang a bell. In any event the town's folk of Caden were getting to know us pretty well as we had now driven through the village four times, once in each direction, and so, people enjoying a Sunday lunchtime drink outside the bar or stragglers leaving church later, having stopped to chat in the sunshine, were beginning to point and wave as we passed by... <b><i>what a friendly bunch! </i></b>Suffice to say we were in the Morbihan down near to the Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan with it’s hundreds of islands and islets creeks and inlets… a lovely area evocative of Devon and Cornwall.<br />
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We were here for a family birthday party with good friends... friends of many years standing from back in the UK. And we had found Berouan (aka Brohan... a rose by any other name... etc.,) on only the fourth 'pass' and so, needless to say, we were the last to arrive at the gathering, having passed through 4 or 5 sleepy hamlets since leaving the main road. Quite a party was already in full flow... at least twenty or so, already fitting very comfortably into the main living room cum kitchen. It was difficult to tell, as the more recent building work had been so well done, that this was in fact the newest part of the house. Tables bedecked and umbrellas shading the tables on patio areas were dotted around outside the house. The last time we had seen the newest part of the property it had been little more than an inner courtyard... a ruin that had been a house <i>(in the days when the Hamlet <b>was</b> probably called Brohan)</i> and it joined the main house at the front and to the barn at the rear. Now this section (finished 7 years ago) forms a two bedroomed house with huge living room being a lounge/diner/kitchen... with bedrooms and bathroom above. Even with 20 or so guests milling around chatting with drinks waiting for the word 'Go' on the buffet, there was still space aplenty.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The transformation of this house over 15 years has been amazing. Loving care, eye for detail, the sweat of many a brow and excellent planning is obvious. The exterior of this, the mid section, which has been rescued from a ruin is seamless with both the house to the left and the barn/workshop with, above, studio apartment to the right and it looks more like a well maintained 18th Century house rather than one just a few years old.</span><br />
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The house 'to the left' has it's main front door adjacent to the front of the former 'ruin' and also has patio doors to the 'green' in front of the farmhouse (the original purchase). This has a cosy living room/kitchen with wood-burner and open staircase leading to the first floor. But, still here on the ground floor, behind the kitchen/living room is a double bedroom, flanked by a shower room with basin and toilet. Upstairs are two more bedrooms and another bathroom.</div>
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Above all...(and I'm having a mooch around whilst they are putting the finishing touches to the finger food and stuff... <i>oven required</i>) this place has become three interconnecting dwellings on one plot (with a fourth developing as a further feature)... because when you include the barn and the studio above it (where you have a gite-ing opportunity) the whole property's use presents exceedingly flexible accommodation and umpteen choices and permutations whether for extended family or using two of the properties as letting opportunities at any one time according to preference. The fourth element is a small cottage to develop across the tarmac drive which has a concrete floor and wiring... The total usable living space (for those who can visualise this kind of thing) is 257 square metres.</div>
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"Come and have a look at the garden" I heard, filtering above the bubbling conversation... I decided to tag along because I had caught sight of snippets of the outside space from various windows and wanted to see how it was all getting along. There is a total of 6,248m2... An acre of woodland is down an adjacent lane and can be seen from the house and rear garden… a ‘live’ wood store. The immediate garden wraps around 3 sides of the house and, to the side - facing the lane is an area of common open, lawned land shared by 2 neighbouring properties.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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So, if you’re looking for a comfortable 3 generation house… totalling 5 bedrooms or just one owners’ section plus 2 gite opportunities (plus a small cottage to develope across the drive) all with taste and style aplenty, It’s here at Berouan!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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If you are interested in more details of this lovely property then have a look at its page on our website: <a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/33-barn-conversion/1480-ahib-2-m2083650">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/33-barn-conversion/1480-ahib-2-m2083650</a><br />
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If you would like us to set up a viewing then send an e-mail to us at... <a href="mailto:micki@ahouseinbrittany.com">micki@ahouseinbrittany.com</a> and type <b>"Trudy and David's House"</b> in the title bar...We'll do the rest! <b><i>Thanks</i></b><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><b><i>Plenty more photographs... on the website</i></b></span></span><br />
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-51196253587608249152017-09-21T01:18:00.001-07:002017-11-02T08:01:59.557-07:00A Twelfth Century House - where the first time 'buyer' was a member of the Knights Templar... Wow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Not quite Autumn <i>(officially that is)</i> but the Swallows are fewer and those that are still around are beginning to think about the long flight South and the Virginia Creeper is turning red a sure sign that the weather is about to turn. The Maize field that surrounds the 12th Century, La <span class="s1">Commanderie at </span><span class="s2">Yvignac</span> is beginning to look as though it should already be harvested… It's honey coloured now, but the Bretons (probably the French everywhere) use it only as animal feed and so it lingers, extending the golden look in the fields until maybe mid October. The crops, here surrounding the house’s own 1,525 square metres garden, alternate each season with Maize, Wheat, Oil Seed Rape… brilliantly yellow at its most vibrant. That’s the one that best probably sets the house off against its surroundings. It’s vibrant and lush.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>A fully renovated 4 Bedroomed stone house amidst open countryside for 340,000€... Amazing? It is!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In a house hunt when the world is your oyster there are probably a few phrases that might draw you in… especially when you begin to focus on Brittany - its closeness to Britain enabling easy journeys back as often as there is a ‘tug’ and far enough away to entice friends and family to visit now and again.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">With a history, heritage and, with tales of chivalry that to this day ring with authenticity at every turn. Breton history is all around us here and hasn’t been buried under housing developments and ring roads… and references to the Knights Templar and their bricks and mortar (or rather stone and lime plaster) in a building which has stood since the end of 12th Century… <b><i>Well, it's a definite attraction and why you might want such a house on your viewing list.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It might sound a bit fanciful but Richard and Jacquie Farrant had much of the world to choose from when looking for a house after a career spent in the Arabian Gulf and West Africa... </span><span class="s3" style="font-size: small;"><i>Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, France - Provence, the Camargue, Aquitaine, Morbihan, Finistere, The Pink Granite coast; <b>all were considered</b>. They even looked into the Belgian coast… So there’s thorough! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Destiny (in the shape of a much loved pet and worn out quarantine laws) stopped them short of making the UK their home again. And, in spite of all of that by way of ‘competition’ the Cotes d’Armor won the day…Narrowed down from 'International' to <b><i>very, very interesting!</i></b></span><br />
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<b><i>"Let's try the triangle - St Malo - Rennes - St Brieuc they said</i></b>... Let's stay in a chateau they said... Let's find an apartment in a splendid chateau!” The ‘quest’ was decided months in advance and so, they flew into Charles de Gaulle armed with a long list of potential properties from our www.ahouseinbrittany.com website and they took the TGV to Rennes. They had already experienced the high season pace of peace on the roads in southern Brittany. And Richard echoes my own thoughts about the ‘under subscribed’ Breton transport network… <b><i>“Any more than 3 cars in front of you and they call it a traffic jam!”</i></b><br />
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After looking at properties morning and afternoon for two weeks they were beginning to have second thoughts; thinking that a French house was maybe not for them. But, having rejected yet another property in Dinan it was now pouring with rain. ‘Viewing weary’ they went back to the agent’s office and spent twenty minutes saying "no! no! no!" to details pulled from the files. Then after an embarrassing number of negatives…<span class="Apple-converted-space"> a definite </span>‘maybe’! “Can you please tell us where this one is? We will do a ‘drive by’, and then phone you if we think it may be worth a visit". Jacquie went to sleep in the car. Well it had been a hard and emotional day - and it was still pouring down. So... <b><i>A House in the Breton countryside?</i></b> Mmmm? The first thing that struck them about the house when they arrived at its location (apart from how welcoming it looked) was <b><i>what a joy it seemed to be!</i></b><br />
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<b style="font-size: medium;"><i>And, what a fine house it is too!</i></b><span style="font-size: small;">… the Cotes d’Armor is a wonderful area of France... The local mixed agriculture, wheat, maize, hay and the yellow rapeseed, the grazing cows; it’s always calm. There's a hush that often makes you wonder where everyone is at any time of the day, apart from those able to enjoy the advantage of leisurely lunches taken in the nearby villages.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Richard and Jacquie’s house is at Le Haut Lannouee</i></b>, just outside Yvignac La Tour and close to the Yvignac forest. Ten minutes from supermarkets and shops in Broons or Dinan. <b>Dinan!</b> When enjoying a glass of wine at sunset as the sun’s heat is reflected off the mellow stone at La Commanderie it makes you wonder, 800 years ago when this house was new and mediaeval Dinan itself, was probably regarded as a ‘new town’, the house’s owner had little idea that his creation would still be here in the 21st century. <i>Is it me or the wine?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">These days there’s a doctor’s practice 3 miles away in Plumaudan and </span><b style="font-size: medium;">all</b><span style="font-size: small;"> amenities within just ten minutes - that’s by car not on horseback! Although you could be forgiven for slipping back in time here!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<i>The house itself? <b>Ah! Yes...</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13px;">Close to historic sites, golf courses, the advantages of the sea, spa, sailing ... with possible trips on the Rance, and up to Jersey or Guernsey from St Malo. This is a calm, spacious character house dating from 12th century. 225 m2 of living space, quiet, facing south, in the unspoilt Breton countryside. A house which combines old character and modern facilities, spacious and on 3 levels.</span><br />
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<b>Ground floor:</b> laundry room, toilet, bathroom with large jacuzzi, large fitted kitchen with oak beams and exposed stone work, with table for 6, dining room with table for 12 people, hall, lounge with fireplace and log stove.</div>
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Access via two staircases, (one with Stannah Lift) </div>
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<b>1st floor:</b> master bedroom: large bedroom with ornamental fireplace, bathroom and toilet, a 2nd double bedroom, shower and toilet 3rd small bedroom</div>
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<b>2nd Floor</b> - currently a large dressing room, but there is potential to make it a 4th bedroom.</div>
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<b>Outside:-</b> Double Garage</div>
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Large south facing terrace with wooden table, 6 chairs, parasol, swinging chair, and deck chairs</div>
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perfect for sitting out in the warm summer evenings.</div>
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There is plenty of space in the garden for Trampoline, Badminton, Table Tennis, BBQ etc.,</div>
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No doubt the house’s shape and size has been expanded, been chipped away at and remodelled countless times in its 800 years. But it underwent a complete renovation in the 1990’s, to bring it to a level with all of the modern conveniences and attributes and acoutrements that modern occupants would expect:- insulation, secondary glazing, a new roof, central heating etc. Of course, since the 90s there have been additions. And since the renovation the house has a mediterranean style patio facing south, protected from the wind. It overlooks a rear section of the mature garden. The building is in three stages; from an expansive kitchen with modern appliances (including a siemens coffee machine. It's a very efficient working kitchen with a well planned island site around which everything works.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There is large open plan lounge with ancient timber beams, and then to a stylish dining room, alongside a utilities room with an oil fired boiler. Stairs to the rear of the lounge space access the first floor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-size: small;">One of the 21st Century additions that the first time buyer (back in the day) would have thought very useful additions (there are many) is a powerful pump which pressurises water from the well for washing the car and watering the garden (water from the well is, of course yours, and more importantly FREE!). Nearby is the garage (which can accommodate two good sized cars). It also serves as a garden store with power points and lighting and for keeping lawn mowers etc. and of course as a log store. In summer the glorious catalpa tree provides welcome shade.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Originally a Commanderie for the Order of the Temple. The Templar Knights passed it to the Hospitalier Order of St John of Jerusalem, and then later, the Order of Malta. The Commanderie combined with that of La Guerche, and in the 17th century Lannouee was the preferred residence. The commander of Lannoue levied tithes on all the lands he had in his fief, but also in Yvignac, Trebedan, Corseul, Saint-Carne, Plénée-Jugon, the fief of the Temple, Bourse, the village of the Hospital, Tramain, the village of the Crosses and the former manor house of the Temple, Plouer, Taden, Plorec, manor called the Temple, Quéver and finally Dinan.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: small;"> <i>Its history is a lot to take in at first but you'll find yourself digging into when you live amongst it!</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">Richard and Jacquie’s original purchase, La Commanderie, is a great house for a couple accustomed to the space of overseas ex patriate living. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one downstairs with balneo/jacuzzi and with separate wc, the other upstairs with roll top bath and wc. The reception room here is both spacious and full of character, stunning. It features a huge fireplace with a large<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>wood-burner with glass on three sides to admire the glow… I love these; the nearest you can get to a real open fire but with a draw effect when you close the doors and the heat given off from the iron body of the stove makes a great 13kw extra radiator for hours after. <i>Cosy!!</i> The dining room runs the full length of the building and overlooks the patio.,, which is a great outdoors room in summer. The main loft has access via a proper staircase, and is currently laid out with wardrobes to accommodate as many changes of clothes as you could ever dream of having.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You could muse over the fact that if this beautiful property were to be found in the </span><b style="font-size: medium;">Home Counties</b><span style="font-size: small;"> then the price would doubtless be in excess of </span><b style="font-size: medium;">£1 million +</b><span style="font-size: small;"> and then, in bemusement, that here in rolling tranquil countryside </span><b style="font-size: medium;">in the Cote d’Armor, well, 340,000€</b><span style="font-size: small;"> (+ Notaire's Fees*) and it's yours... Quite remarkable!... Glass of wine</span><i style="font-size: medium;"> anyone?</i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b style="font-size: medium;"><i>? Hard work this relaxation!</i></b></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">If anyone gets this far down the page and would like to view this outstanding property then please, initially, click here to send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@ahouseinbrittany.com" target="_blank">info@ahouseinbrittany.com</a> with your name/phone number - landline and mobile (contact details) and the reference <b>Richard and Jacquie’s Templar House</b> and we will be in touch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>If you haven’t already… then check out the house’s entry on our website:-</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/property-for-sale-cotes-d-armor-brittany/414-ahib-1-an13050">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/property-for-sale-cotes-d-armor-brittany/414-ahib-1-an13050</a></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: small;">Notaire's Fees are payable on all property transfers in France, where Notaire's officiate for both buyer and seller. Unlike solicitors in the UK Notaire's are servants of the state and are responsible for a much wider remit than solicitors... their charges and disbursements though will include all of the familiar costs associated with house sales and purchase.</span></span></div>
Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-37478798739441626202017-09-07T10:05:00.003-07:002017-09-07T10:06:53.625-07:00NOW... That's what I Call House Prices!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4C0X4Nod1OSgE7ynm8v9rNitbk_RnMd-kZPalr9Ux735QDJLE9PeR54_njs8qeXPRTNO4tZ28DiuXUqMsyn0pwIRsaegocqpQR06whbr6k3NqS08YnAjXJWJg2ccLFyDZXqb1y9CDy4z/s1600/AHIB-SIF-00916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="700" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4C0X4Nod1OSgE7ynm8v9rNitbk_RnMd-kZPalr9Ux735QDJLE9PeR54_njs8qeXPRTNO4tZ28DiuXUqMsyn0pwIRsaegocqpQR06whbr6k3NqS08YnAjXJWJg2ccLFyDZXqb1y9CDy4z/s320/AHIB-SIF-00916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1605-ahib-sif-00916">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1605-ahib-sif-00916</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>Above: </i>Nr Mortain, Lower Normandy, 4 Bedroomed Farmhouse and outbuildings</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">with about 2.5 acres no neighbours. 106,000€ + Notaire's Fees.</span></div>
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I have been told by the Ads team at Facebook that sponsored/boosted posts, where the photographs carry text on them, are less successful than no text at all. That's just blown a 35 year career in advertising out of the water... but then 'hey', this is 'new media' where video's of kittens are viewed by millions so, <b>what do I know?</b> Actually I can't even link my iphone, ipad and laptop together successfully, so obviously... <b><i>not much.</i></b></div>
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<b>But, the way things are shaping up,</b> even though these Brexit jitters have upset the Foreign Currency Exchange rate market the reduction in property prices has created a buyer's market which balances out the cost of buying Brittany and Normandy and moving to or buying a holiday investment France. The reverse effect of the exchange rate <b><i>ie:</i></b> people selling in France to move back to UK means that they are getting a very much more beneficial rates of exchange and therefore may be prepared to accept a lower offer than they might in calmer financial times... It's something that someone like me (2% in my maths mock 'O' level) took a long time to grasp... but it's right isn't it?<br />
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<b>I am astounded at the great value and seemingly low prices of houses in Brittany and Normandy.</b> As properties come in from our agents on the ground I'm thinking... Hang on prices in the UK are still on the up whilst properties coming in to us just keep starting at lower and lower figures... I've also heard that those people in the UK who always harboured long term plans of buying abroad but who initially, stalled by Brexit and all its uncertainties, are cutting their losses and saying "Sod it... we'll go now!" It's a swings and roundabouts thing - dodgy exchange rate - <b><i>yes</i></b>... But much lower prices on the other side - <b><i>definitely!</i></b>" <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">So, here are a few ridiculously priced properties (by comparison to UK) for you to coo over... Click the link under each photo to check our site(s)</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNCCDpgB-6mbi1BEFP5PAWPFyj1FUA0fxaGlifXPs5A0m-V8MUQ-4ySrAnOA347kJ7Y3yIT4oo1qmQi6e6AhedztKSWzbXId3W8EB5Wt7jXwrk6QKEAZaiIPjjuTA8_oCdCqJaOx9J0dG/s320/AHIN-SIF-00925a.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<b><i>Above:</i></b> <b>Lower Normandy</b> • 5 Bedroomed Farmhouse on 5 Acres • Close to Mortain</div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">NEW IN! • €171,500 + Notaire's Fees</span></b><br />
Suppose it was near Steyning in West Sussex... £800,000? Probably!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1609-ahin-sif-00925">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1609-ahin-sif-00925</a></span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2D65nOLrL9eDMiYE05o98PTwoO6RMR5x9EqRsYflZHtdLLGrce1KTVQ6418KE7meWoMxPo8YDhKeLlfhgbx54gtlif9JayRzGbU1mP8r6ZAgZKcw8T-971Mvr7_Lw8AsvOa9KNIxP9-a/s320/AHIB-3-mon1825.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<b><i>Above:</i></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-weight: bold;">Commana, Finistere • </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "source sans pro";"><span style="color: #333333;">3 Bedroomed Ex-Weaver's House with 15 hectares of land - Just 3km from the Coast • </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Just Reduced</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> -</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro";"> Can't believe this astounding value for money!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">€189,000 + Notaire's Fees</span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/12-coastal/1969-ahib-3-mon1825">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/12-coastal/1969-ahib-3-mon1825</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3U0f3315KDEyOLBe69BVAh7bnw95dS9Jvg6fk7Fn9x-NQitjVG1mSlI-zq_RNIlOt_yGrf5x-ccirwnopcvg4auo8_RkRKvHLwOF5jKmv1sRhCb1Py-JVRxSXJqm5BlZvK5-JiO4acc/s1600/AHIB-1-DN-531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3U0f3315KDEyOLBe69BVAh7bnw95dS9Jvg6fk7Fn9x-NQitjVG1mSlI-zq_RNIlOt_yGrf5x-ccirwnopcvg4auo8_RkRKvHLwOF5jKmv1sRhCb1Py-JVRxSXJqm5BlZvK5-JiO4acc/s320/AHIB-1-DN-531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><i>Above:</i></b><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span>South of Lamballle, Cotes d'Armor - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Grand Manor House for renovation & 'Spruce-Up' on 1.75 Acres...."Shut the BarnDoor!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>€189,000 + Notaire's Fees </b><i>(not an error)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/1318-ahib-1-dn-531">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/1318-ahib-1-dn-531</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nBsmXMcjCq82RU0AndUYMC5jPrZegPxG1RugJn1AQWlDQrc7o2aEsTgcZIoXNFLj1p6-RQ48n0tNO7-0lJIRdtKNIpoUlgiMrnOLU7E02p-sBVWMkHbiVz-03bwDiSr6-g06wfSKQx3a/s1600/AHIB-3-mon1802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nBsmXMcjCq82RU0AndUYMC5jPrZegPxG1RugJn1AQWlDQrc7o2aEsTgcZIoXNFLj1p6-RQ48n0tNO7-0lJIRdtKNIpoUlgiMrnOLU7E02p-sBVWMkHbiVz-03bwDiSr6-g06wfSKQx3a/s320/AHIB-3-mon1802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"><i>Above: </i></b>Nr Plourin-Plougonven, Finistere, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A gorgeous 4 bedroomed Maison de Tisserand on 2600m² garden</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times; text-align: center;">€173,200 + Notaire's Fees</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/956-ahib-3-mon1802">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/956-ahib-3-mon1802</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;">So... just a few nice looking bargains and plenty more on <b><i><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center;"> and <b><i><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">www.ahouseinnormandy.com</a> </i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">• If you didn't know before you'll now be seeing what I mean about extreme value for money in Brittany and Normandy and not only are the properties amazing and amazingly priced these regions of France. I know it takes a while for it to sink in that in spite of this Brexit lark giving everyone the ab-dabs and making them put on hold any thoughts of buying in France it is the early bird that gets the worm... and you know what they say... Who Dares... Wins!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>As if this makes any difference... You want to go anyway...</b></span></i> But - If you travel to view properties in Brittany or Normandy with us then we can offer you a saving on your Brittany Ferries crossing of 10-15%... We will send you a booking reference number when you confirm your appointment to view.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Give us a call on 01903 202272 OR e-mail via info@ahouseinbrittany.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>Voila!!!</i></span></b></span></div>
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-53888249840376693762017-05-30T09:25:00.001-07:002017-05-31T08:44:44.481-07:00In Praise of The Half Price House - JUNE -<style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Home and Income at Half what such a property might cost in <br />Devon, Cornwall, Dorset etc.,<br /><b><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1544-ahin-sif-00887" target="_blank">Click to take a closer look on our website</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wonder how many of you have already clicked off to have a look at that one?! </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s2"><b>The Phenomenon of 'The Half Price House*' (or less)</b></span><span class="s1"><b> <span style="color: black;">• </span></b><span style="color: black;">It's quite something isn't it to be able to say - that just two hundred miles to the south of our shores; the UK's southern shores, where property is regarded as the most expensive in our own country... that there should be beautiful and interesting countryside, and that in or around intriguing and heritage steeped towns and villages, where properties are available</span> </span><span class="s2"><b>for half the price (like for like - if such a thing should be found) of what our domestic market offers us</b></span><span class="s1"><b> </b><span style="color: black;">and often quite a lot lower than half for comparable properties... (OK, OK... I know we have some international visitors... but I'm sure there are many points of recognition for you too). <b><i>Scroll down for some more 'Half Price' properties!</i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>This one is available for just 26,500€?!!... </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Of course, a lot less than half its seeming value...</b></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/35-house/1538-ahin-sif-00883-st-hilaire-du-harcouet"><b>Have a closer look at it on our Normandy Website</b></a></span></div>
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<i>26,500€? It wouldn't even buy you a one car garage in L.A. (Littlehampton!).</i></div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">But, "comparable properties"</i>, I hear you say. That's maybe not quite the right term to use, because often Brittany and Normandy have some houses that aren't matched or like those commonly to be found in the UK... But there are many more of the property types that 2nd home seekers or cross channel movers are looking for. Something different to what's commonly found in Britain... whether it's because of the antiquity or the location there are plenty of places in Northern France that fire the imagination as well as having an appeal to the pocket. Especially where buyers are looking to 'sell their own at the top', move on and buy lower down the budget ladder to maximise their funds in hand ... especially if it's to provide or expand a 'pension pot' - <i>the occupational or private pension that was just not affordable when you were younger or that just won't cut it when it's important that it should...</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf2n1GVhaUMuVZNxRZizS8bMRe9OwTVgOfkWwIkJC1rKpa_pBOrIzVqAU0QjuJPjfGGpzfomCvs8zRbcJbUdKp5pqJQFxOiWBBQBl9Z0zwIUiWhW03HpvJKvW8VQ_C3-iKzPvlCqLi6L6/s1600/AHIB-1-2AM+Jugon+Les+Lacs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf2n1GVhaUMuVZNxRZizS8bMRe9OwTVgOfkWwIkJC1rKpa_pBOrIzVqAU0QjuJPjfGGpzfomCvs8zRbcJbUdKp5pqJQFxOiWBBQBl9Z0zwIUiWhW03HpvJKvW8VQ_C3-iKzPvlCqLi6L6/s320/AHIB-1-2AM+Jugon+Les+Lacs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">164,000€ + Notaire's Fees</span></b> 3 Bedroomed Renovated House in picturesque village with huge municipal lake</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/19-edge-of-village/1903-ahib-1-2am-jugon-les-lacs"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have a closer look at this on our BRITTANY site</span></b></a></td></tr>
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<b>Here (and below) are a few picks from this month's intake or those dropped in price</b> that, if they were on home turf, would be offered at double or more ...<br />
<b><i>Click around our sites</i></b>... <a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany</a> or <a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">www.ahouseinnormandy</a> and, if you see something that you don't want to miss... drop us an e-mail or give us a call if you want to put more equity or funds into your life. We'll fix your viewing appointment and...off you go:- <b><i>Exciting times ahead!</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMeTLkUIwKWB_qkXv0brt5efikNR9IHWtBItCO4ivhJy5Gv4hKGXo7baIz-c-IGbF8Bffvj6ap_NbLrkGAYh8_NWWmIzNdQwGMVg0PwSJM0VWSP06tagf0sz-E9YO3v6oiH6UiAjy_o-x/s1600/AHIB-2-DN-587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="700" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMeTLkUIwKWB_qkXv0brt5efikNR9IHWtBItCO4ivhJy5Gv4hKGXo7baIz-c-IGbF8Bffvj6ap_NbLrkGAYh8_NWWmIzNdQwGMVg0PwSJM0VWSP06tagf0sz-E9YO3v6oiH6UiAjy_o-x/s320/AHIB-2-DN-587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">2<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20,500€ + Notaire's Fees</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">On an island!</span></b> - Between Josselin and Loudeac<br />A 2 Bedroomed Mill House<br />on the banks of the Nantes/Brest Canal with 1035m2 of land<br /><b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/13-canal-river/1904-ahib-2-dn-587" target="_blank">Click to see this on our Brittany website</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">76,680€ + Fees</span> • La Chapelle Neuve <span style="color: #cc0000;">BRITTANY</span><br />3 Bedroomed Cottage + Outbuildings + 1 Acre</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/34-cottage/1906-ahib-1-am-la-chapelle-neuve" target="_blank">link to it on our BRITTANY site</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQHNy5IGpj5mShDYare1iNy12VezQSegEyAmPc1PJDlhQn_qHzseKt3eheokLMflezvwdODmHxNyK-3wQCBMiFZcbb9Bv_-QNeolLjxnLZncAmxqhs8jyBDDaO7qvyrGOH-WPUYNMvEp/s1600/AHIB-3-mon1815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="700" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvQHNy5IGpj5mShDYare1iNy12VezQSegEyAmPc1PJDlhQn_qHzseKt3eheokLMflezvwdODmHxNyK-3wQCBMiFZcbb9Bv_-QNeolLjxnLZncAmxqhs8jyBDDaO7qvyrGOH-WPUYNMvEp/s320/AHIB-3-mon1815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">407,500€ + Fees</span> • Morlaix <span style="color: #cc0000;">BRITTANY</span><br />5 Bedroomed House + Chalet + Pool + Garage + 4 Acres</b></span><br />
<b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1896-ahib-3-mon1815" target="_blank">link to it on our BRITTANY site</a></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96ZzOMqNw0Y2_BcrXIVFb7y8sD3XM3GFnjTF5Yv_qh126wGECkBqaWprVwHYjf6XDKPDkR1-hMOpaqz69Ez6rnhOfOoLcjUrs_gFZD6G5MEW5s353WCKqrhfC2tMiDmzQkk8lnI1hNMBo/s1600/AHIN-SIF-00863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96ZzOMqNw0Y2_BcrXIVFb7y8sD3XM3GFnjTF5Yv_qh126wGECkBqaWprVwHYjf6XDKPDkR1-hMOpaqz69Ez6rnhOfOoLcjUrs_gFZD6G5MEW5s353WCKqrhfC2tMiDmzQkk8lnI1hNMBo/s320/AHIN-SIF-00863.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">192,500€ + Fees</span> • Villedieu Les Poeles <span style="color: #cc0000;">NORMANDY</span> <br />3 Bedroomed House + 2 Bedroomed Gite + 8 Acres</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1511-ahin-sif-00863" target="_blank"><b>link to it on our NORMANDY site</b></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">90,720€ + Fees</span> • Lonay L'Abbaye <span style="color: #cc0000;">NORMANDY</span><br />2 Bed Cottage + Cottage to Renovate + 1.75 Acres</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/properties-for-sale/normandy-price-drops/1071-ahin-hrh-2832-1386" target="_blank">link to it on our NORMANDY site</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We post new properties on our sites on a daily basis as they come in...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a></b></span><br />
<b style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">www.ahouseinnormandy.com</a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>...AND the stand out properties are featured on our FaceBook page... </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>If you haven't already...'Like' us there in order </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>to see them everyday when you go online...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AHouseInBrittany" target="_blank">Check out our FB page and Like it!</a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*<b>Note:</b> I'm using the description 'Half Price House to illustrate the huge difference between prices in the Southern half of the UK and the area we cover in Northwest France where like for like properties are often half the price or less of what is available on the UK market.</span></td></tr>
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-16534219662737768662017-05-17T07:30:00.004-07:002017-05-20T00:56:02.254-07:00Property Price Drops... It's a Normandy & Breton Bonanza!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXiij2FDcIXPDU7KE_j3DtCXpMLnQ5eUIqznKPCzKqYsSkrdfZ0_KZ3frfTe_C0-stzSp49qe3Ndq7j5nK24Tz2VstQCfK-SHSWYQoSJPLprdH_fIryEl3WRMV8PEBO_XUNCPYjAQOh5x/s1600/AHIN-KR-1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXiij2FDcIXPDU7KE_j3DtCXpMLnQ5eUIqznKPCzKqYsSkrdfZ0_KZ3frfTe_C0-stzSp49qe3Ndq7j5nK24Tz2VstQCfK-SHSWYQoSJPLprdH_fIryEl3WRMV8PEBO_XUNCPYjAQOh5x/s400/AHIN-KR-1882.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">NORMANDY </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><b> Tessy-sur-Vire • 6 Bedroomed property 2 Gites nr 14,000m2 </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="s2"><b>Price </b></span><span class="s3"><b>WAS</b></span><span class="s2"><b> 360,400 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s4"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s2"><b> 299,000 € +Notaire's Fees</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1456-ahin-kr-1882-tessy-sur-vire-50420"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1456-ahin-kr-1882-tessy-sur-vire-50420</span></b></a></span></div>
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<b>Sorry about the alliteration...</b> But what's happening just now is worthy of a tabloid style headline! As we trawl our website and those of our agents and associates purging those properties that have sold and adjusting the prices of those recently reduced it's obvious that there is the atmosphere of a <b>'bargain basement'.</b> This phenomenon occurs when there is a situation of political movement... buyers are more nervous and cautious and vendors begin to wonder just when they are likely to sell and move on with their lives. So, there are price drops of properties that launched on to the market at the prices that vendors originally valued them at (often it's too high for the state of the market) and, by stealth they ratchet down and soon pass the acceptable, the intriguing toward the downright unbelievable. That's the time to strike and... when many, who have been watching the market. but maybe not quite closely enough find they have lost out and that <b><i>the bargain has gone</i></b>. It's one of those times right now...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="s2"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">BRITTANY</span> <span style="color: black;">• 3 bed House and 3 bed cottage with 1500m² with pool..</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s2"><b><span style="color: black;">Price </span></b></span><span class="s3"><b>Originally </b></span><span class="s2"><b>185,000 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s4"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s2"><b> 135,975€ +Notaire's Fees</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/28-detached/1206-ahib-2-dn-523-josselin"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/28-detached/1206-ahib-2-dn-523-josselin</span></b></a></span></div>
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There has always been an incredible contrast between prices in (say) Southern England (in fact almost anywhere in the UK) and northern France... and nowhere is it more pronounced than in Brittany and Normandy... Check out some of the latest drops that we have been able to make on our websites in just a few recent days.<br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">BRITTANY </span><span style="color: black;">•</span> Former flour mill with 3 bed house + 3 bedroomed house on 6 acres </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s1"><b>Price </b></span><span class="s2"><b>Originally </b></span><span class="s1"><b> 242,075 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s3"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s1"><b> 169,600 € +Notaire's Fees</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/1077-ahib-1-aa9223"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/1077-ahib-1-aa9223</span></b></a></span></div>
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<b>What's wrong with these places?</b> <i>Absolutely nothing!!</i>... It's just politics. And the motto has to be "Who Dares Wins!" Quite simply if you are the first amongst those interested but have been hanging on for the political gloom to clear...you will be the first one to the prize! And it's starting to happen now... After a long period of inactivity we sold two houses in just two days last week and enquiries are on the increase...<br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: red;">NORMANDY</span></b><b> • Lonlay L'Abbaye 2 Bedroomed Cottage (120m2 living space) on 7,126m2 + small cottage to renovate</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><b>Price </b></span><span class="s2"><b>WAS</b></span><span class="s1"><b> 120,400 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s3"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s1"><b> 90,720 € +Notaire's Fees</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/34-cottage/1071-ahin-hrh-2832-1386"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/34-cottage/1071-ahin-hrh-2832-1386</span></b><span class="s4"><b></b></span></a></span></div>
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<b>We're here to fix appointments for you with our agents. </b>They are all fully registered, English or English speaking and all can take you through from Maison to Manoir, Petite to Palatial, from Ruin to Renovation, And, from Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah! Compromis to Completion - <b>Oops... <i>sorry about the alliteration! </i></b><br />
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<span class="s1"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: red;">BRITTANY •</span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Lamballle - 4 Bed Manor House for Renovation 'Spruce-Up' on 1.75 Acres</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Price </b></span><span class="s2"><b>WAS</b></span><span class="s1"><b> 220,500 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s3"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s1"><b> 189,000 € +Notaire's Fees</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/31-ensemble/1318-ahib-1-dn-531"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/31-ensemble/1318-ahib-1-dn-531</span></b></a></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: red;">NORMANDY</span></b> <b>Le Teilleul 4 bedroomed detached stone house on 4800m2</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="s2"><span style="color: black;">Quiet setting in a Cul-de-sac • </span></span></span><span class="s2"><span style="color: black;">Restored habitable condition </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s2"><b>Price </b></span><span class="s3"><b>WAS</b></span><span class="s2"><b> 170,000 € +Notaire's Fees • Price </b></span><span class="s4"><b>NOW</b></span><span class="s2"><b> 160,000 € +Notaire's Fees </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1422-ahin-mf870-dm50" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/search-properties/28-detached/1422-ahin-mf870-dm50</a></b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/"><br /><span style="color: #999999;">S</span></a><span style="color: #999999;">o... Get House Hunting... <i>We look forward to hearing from you!</i></span></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a> • </b><b><a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com</a></b></div>
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<b>01903 202272</b> (when we're in Brittany it patches through) to <b>00 33 (0)296 56 39 33</b></div>
Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-8316066793028690952017-02-23T14:08:00.001-08:002017-09-23T06:36:34.075-07:00When Pets Travel Abroad....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that I'm almost two... they are letting me get involved!</td></tr>
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<b><i>At last... I have a legitimate reason for writing a (dog) blog:- one that's more about me and my own needs (and my species) rather than just 'the management' here and what THEY get up to - the uprights!</i></b>... One of the team that I 'work' with <i>(and I use the term loosely)</i> suggested that we should put out some information about the ins and outs of ferrying (literally in my case) your pets backwards and forwards across the channel to France. It's only fair to tell you how it applies to me and our own travel habits... But I will also provide links (at the bottom of this page) to other places that may be of further help. I've been to and fro between Sussex and the Cotes d'Armor around 8 times in the last 15 months so I think I qualify... n'est-ce pas?<br />
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So here goes... Rudy Slade... A House in Brittany Near Loudeac, the Cotes d'Armor...<br />
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<i><b>We almost always travel to France with Brittany Ferries.</b> </i>It's a longer sea trip across the western channel (from Portsmouth to St Malo) rather than the cheaper to travel, narrower straits further east, toward Newhaven and Dover etc., BUT the western channel makes for a shorter car journey on the other side for us...as our house is in Brittany - just 90 minutes drive from the port.<br />
A ticket for a pet costs £40 for the round trip... (other carriers may vary). That's the same whether you have a kennel or leave your cat, dog, ferret, rabbit or gerbil in the car. I travel in the van with all the comforts of home... food, water, treats and toys and that's where I stay for the duration of the voyage. The kennels, by comparison, are open fronted (although under cover) but they have metal sides, are quite noisy and the sound echoes a bit and they don't offer much by way of creature comforts... When the weather is bad they can often be windy as they are open to the air and also sometimes are wet underfoot. So, for me, the van or car is definitely the best option. It's obviously up to the pet owner to choose.<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"><i>Segregation of pet carrying vehicles.</i> </span></b>The Dockers who marshall the vehicles as they are driven on-board are supposed to make sure that vehicles carrying pets (you will be given a fluorescent sticker for the windscreen) should not be directly next to each other. We heard a story via our vet in France that two dogs parked in adjacent cars antagonised each other so much that they both, simultaneously tore the inside out of their owners' cars to shreds... upholstery, headlining... the lot! So, if you are placed next to another vehicle with a 'pet on board' sticker you may want to have a word before too many more vehicles arrive on the deck making moving to an alternative position impossible.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">Dogs DON'T GO on the Passenger Decks or in the cabins.</span> </i></b>If dogs are ever allowed on the passenger decks it is likely that they will be Guide Dogs/Help Dogs or sometimes on certain vessels when the kennels are not on the same deck as the vehicles (eg: Pont Aven). <b><span style="color: red;">Dogs are not allowed on the passenger decks WITHOUT a muzzle.</span></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">You </span><span style="color: red;">CAN</span><span style="color: purple;"> visit your pet during the voyage.</span></i></b> The ferry company will put out a call over the tannoy on board on departure and ask all pet owners to visit to the Information desk to log-in and find out what time visits will be. It is normal that this will be once on a night crossing and twice during daytime crossings. We almost always cross at night so that my uprights don't (for me) add to the trauma of just being in unfamiliar surroundings - but, if it's night time, then I would normally be asleep anyway and so life goes on pretty much as normal. Conversely a daytime crossing, with me in the van, means I will be banged up all day on the boat and then... as soon as we get home they will go to bed and I'm expected to do the same... just when I'm raring to go. So night time trips suit me best. We are very lucky; our journey on the UK side is only 40 minutes and, as long as I am allowed to go for a wee as soon as we are out of the ferry port then I can relax until we get home. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Note:-</span></i></b> In St Malo there is a parking area adjacent to the exit road right by the beach where you can park either when getting off the boat OR before getting on... where dogs can have a stretch or a run on the beach. In fact it's OK for Camper Vans to park (free of charge) for the whole night before a morning boat. If that suits your uprights better.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">So... you are travelling with your favourite pooch or moggie...</span></i></b> but - before you do - your travelling pet must be <b><span style="color: red;">chipped</span></b> and have a <b><span style="color: red;">passport </span></b>with all details of to-ing and fro-ing recorded... That's probably the easy bit... You just go to your vet and get the chip 'injected' under the skin usually on the left side of the neck - just above the shoulder... <b><i>No pain... No gain! </i></b>The vet will issue a form to complete in order for the passport to be issued. <i style="font-weight: bold;">There must also be a record on the passport of a <span style="color: red;">Rabies Injection</span> </i><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i>having been administered.</i> </span>Following the date of the jab there will have to be a wait of 21 days before you can travel. This could obviously cause a hindrance if you are in a hurry and you haven't taken the necessary steps but it's a whole lot better than having to put your special friend through quarantine for 6 months in a special designated kennels, maybe even a long way from home - which is the way things used to be ! <b>Eek!</b> <i>Some Gerbils don't even live that long!!</i><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">At each embarkation point, whether coming or going...</span></i></b> your owner will have to take a chip reader from the person manning the check-in cabin and wave it about over the area where the chip was inserted by your vet. This is not a big deal... although sometimes chips may move around a bit under the skin - and, when owners can't find the chip with the machine it sets them off into a bit of a panic but, to me, it's just a bit of fun... I'm laughing with them not AT them you understand... It cracks me up!<br />
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><b>Coming Back to the UK from Europe...</b> </span></i>Your pet <b><i><span style="color: red;">must</span></i></b> attend a vet before the return journey <b><span style="color: red;">between 24 hours and 120 hours </span></b>prior to embarkation in order to have a <b>Tape Worm tablet</b> administered <i>(perish the thought)</i> and to have his/her passport stamped to declare that they are fit to travel. The cost of this is is between 35 and 45 Euros. <b><i>I know, I know</i></b>... it seems like a licence for them to print money. It takes a very short time and the cost of the medication is really minimal. But, <b>most vets will give your pet the once over</b> and may offer some advice on anything that looks like it could be trouble... My upright says it's a bit like 'advisories on an MOT' whatever that is! And the passport stamp is something you can't avoid so why not just chill out and make the most of the experience.<br />
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That's just about all I know about the ferry thing really... It may sound a bit long winded and somewhat complicated affair but, as you go through it step by step it's all very logical and straightforward. Obviously if you are traveling by air there are additional pro's and con's but I didn't have a lot to do with that when I first took up this traveling lark - even though I did fly from Athens to Brussels (it doesn't half make your arms ache! <i>arf!!</i>) before I took up with this mob... So you're on your own with that side of things... It's life on the ground and crossing the channel that I'm into these days! Cheers for now... <i>Rudy x</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview">https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/pets-travel-scheme">http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/pets-travel-scheme</a><br />
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btw... Here's a site we came across which offers some advice about pets traveling by air:-<br />
<a href="http://pet-express.com/plan/commonly-asked-questions/">http://pet-express.com/plan/commonly-asked-questions/</a><br />
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If you're HERE and you don't have a house THERE... Look for one! - <a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugAaxhFxZm09tvowcbYIu3BW-4ZaYKsMQE4O2GK9umnVroT-2ly6Lv2faUVvSO4QkrgLI-i0rKwz1g2Yho35OeLoxstDJtYIERSrmAUp6AYrIbFq22GqXVYutRcrLEud9qTdQ2wk6o6rQ/s1600/IMGP4920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugAaxhFxZm09tvowcbYIu3BW-4ZaYKsMQE4O2GK9umnVroT-2ly6Lv2faUVvSO4QkrgLI-i0rKwz1g2Yho35OeLoxstDJtYIERSrmAUp6AYrIbFq22GqXVYutRcrLEud9qTdQ2wk6o6rQ/s1600/IMGP4920.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was me on my first trip to Brittany... How young do I look here? Amazing!!</td></tr>
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Take it from me... it's not a complicated process... <i>I've done it loads of times now</i>... including the time when I first came over to the UK from Greece as a scruffy rescue mutt... and look at me now - <b><i>Seasoned international traveller!</i></b><br />
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<b>Take it easy... <i><span style="color: purple;">and Bon Voyage!</span></i></b><br />
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-11998539214538131632017-02-20T11:49:00.002-08:002017-04-30T08:08:03.473-07:00Snapshots of A House in Brittany <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've watched a load of 'Do Up' TV programmes (who, buying 'here' in Brittany hasn't?) but we have never seen that what we have been up to in Brittany is anything like any of these shows - with or without an audience... But, after a few 'mooching' trips we found this little beauty and paid just £12,000 for it. What many people would have regarded as, pretty much a ruin - perhaps, but rather than being able to compact our work on the house into just a few months in an intensive way... or a year or two, perhaps more realistically, we have chugged our way through 17 years of ownership meandering through bite sized pieces of renovation with a few intense phases that have involved a few other trades along the way. </div>
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In the beginning we were flabbergasted; couldn't believe...that a couple of Brits could, with the greatest luck, just breeze in and pick up an 18th Century farmhouse with three barns a well, a bread oven and the three quarters of an acre of land that were left close around it for such a pittance. Even now I have to pinch myself when we are approaching the house as we do 6 times a year journeys there...<br />
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The only reason that a house and land like ours could be offered for the price of a Fiat 500 is if there were ongoing plans for a new housing estate to be built. And, I have seen this happen in Sussex; that a house can be blighted by plans for a nearby development... but, as with many things here in the UK they were still asking far too much for a house in the country which was due to be hemmed in by not very nice neighbouring properties... actually though in France new Lotissement (estate) houses are just awful... and far worse than most things built in the UK tend to turn out. So here's a series of before and after photo's of our own project in Brittany along with a continuation of the blurb about the work which still, after all these years is still on-going!</div>
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Yes, we've been slow to renovate our house. Family commitments clipped our wings to some extent and, fairly early on in our ownership of Le Roz... (Ker Leroy as the house was known - in Le Roz the hamlet ) we took an opportunity which presented itself to get involved in a business start-up introducing folk to Brittany property which we run from the UK and which, because we always need to be on our toes, we also update things on the sites whenever we are there, also taking opportunities to meet agents and enjoying a low key...very nice time... It has to be said it's an ideal form of semi-retirement.<br />
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Occasionally people have eyed, with mistrust, the role we play in making introductions to property in France.... Our position is one I see as an altruistic one. Place before some punters a bargain and they regard you with the scorn they normally reserve for car dealers or double glazing salesmen. Our motives in starting our business at <b><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a></b> was not money (heaven knows we could have worked out a dozen other ways of doing that more quickly and in greater amounts) and our passion for Brittany is verging on sycophancy. But we wanted to provide a parting in the long grass; a straightening out of what we found was a quite confusing system to those familiar with buying property in the UK. The system in France was not at all well defined back then- at least not for those coming to it from outside. In our own search in 1999 we identified 3 routes to goal and tried them all over the space of 3 trips.<br />
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<b>Firstly </b>via Notaire's - those well respected employees of the state, entrusted with the transfer of property from seller to buyer - dotting the 'I's and crossing the 'T's... Even if you find your house through <b><i>any</i></b> other means the Notaire is an essential link in the process... but they are obviously not the only means of finding the right property. The way I sum up a Notaire's role to the uninitiated UK buyer is to say that he/she is like a solicitor <i>(but with knobs on)</i> and even if you have a linguist's 'grip'...you don't have to run around after them trying to speed things along and/or agonise over when the process stalls or goes into free-fall because someone fails to get mortgage funds or a buyer dies mid-process. And... you only need one Notaire for each transaction - not one for each side of the deal as here in Blighty.<br />
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<b>Secondly</b> there are, of course, Estate Agents in France (Immobilieres) although back in 1999 they were (to my way of thinking) very low key. I'm not demeaning the profession by any means - especially as the rules and regulations governing involvement is much more stringent than in the UK. But national chains were by no means as well established and seemed to hang back in terms of projecting French property to the potential UK market. And, <i>I may upset all those hard working Immos</i>, Marketing (note I used a capital 'M') was not a huge skill on the French side. It's improved in leaps and bounds and now gaining real ground... Thanks, I'm sometimes thinking, to the cross-over of UK buyers in France who have become commercial agents and have seen the rise and demise of the early leaders in the business who offered French property to the UK market - principally with the massive assistance of the internet. Without this it would have been impossible.<br />
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<b>Thirdly</b> there are brokers, portal sites and forwarding agents <i>(which is what we have become)</i>. And, in a sense this is the way in which we found our own house. When we hit the buffers with the two former methods.... we tried this latter method and, because it went so spectacularly wrong we ended up finding our house from the debris of the failed forwarding agents efforts. So, when an unwitting Chambres d'Hotes owner pointed us in the direction of a neighbour in the valley who had just come back from a property exhibition at Birmingham's NEC we accepted the offer of some late evening hospitality, drank some good wine enjoyed bread and cheese, met new friends and... the following morning... bought a house! Obviously it obviously wasn't that simple - there were plenty of twists and turns and all sorts of messing about - but that's why when a further opportunity presented itself to get involved in offering Brittany property to predominantly the UK market we took it and have been making the introductions now for 15 years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First bucket of water from the rebuilt well! It's better than the mains!!</td></tr>
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<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-54320255380493555172017-02-06T12:48:00.001-08:002017-05-20T00:39:23.195-07:00In a world of uncertainty a HALF PRICE HOUSE is always of interest... n'est pas?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-GHlMh8cMPh2Fwget44b7tjWzHElekgnELRgxp2xYLYA1i-UeSd3aO4or1k7pYz6nkCV94EQYdhQBkfjcrAqyBe6ShsBDh9B1RHfKt1BaG7Ts2FYP2yYsjRfAij2FwBimuQrpxpdBJg1/s1600/DSC00765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-GHlMh8cMPh2Fwget44b7tjWzHElekgnELRgxp2xYLYA1i-UeSd3aO4or1k7pYz6nkCV94EQYdhQBkfjcrAqyBe6ShsBDh9B1RHfKt1BaG7Ts2FYP2yYsjRfAij2FwBimuQrpxpdBJg1/s320/DSC00765.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our House in Brittany • Summer 2016</td></tr>
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It's 17 years now since we stumbled across our house in Brittany. In retrospect it was a gift, of course, at such a seemingly very silly price of just £12,000 plus Notaire's Fees and then a commission to the agent who introduced us to the property. Needless to say we were happy to pay a fee for him opening our eyes to what seemed like such a rare find.<br />
Back in 2000 the system of buying in France was somewhat haphazard and, fortunately, things have formalised to make it as simple as buying in the UK (simpler in fact). Although, the reality that you may be buying in another country, where one might imagine difficulties; where you are unfamiliar with customs that full timers over there take for granted - but for you there may be a language barrier for a start - and unfamiliar procedures and systems etc., it's wise to rely on advice from those who have trodden the path before you and who can help to clear up any potential pitfalls.<br />
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Our 'agent', back when we bought, was a builder who had moved over from UK to the Cotes d'Armor. Probably more by good fortune than by a well formed plan - he had begun to buy and develop bargain priced houses - do them up - and sell them on. He realised that he was governed in this by the fact that he could only renovate one or two properties at any one time and so decided to build a portfolio of his favourites from the local market and to offer them to an intrigued UK market which he tapped atoverseas property shows in the UK. Then, we happened along right on his doorstep.<br />
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We had kicked the wheels on properties found on websites which were (by comparison to to the sophistication of today's world wide web) very fledgling and some extremely rudimentary. And we had already made two journeys across the channel - very much combining enjoying time finding out that Brittany is very much 'the land that time forgot'; empty roads, sleepy villages, great food and drink and properties that would make your head spin in terms of beauty as well as value for money. Our third trip over was via one of the early and, for a while, largest player in the French property market, where almost every buyer with them became an agent... By default, because of a lack of communication and co-ordination we discovered Hal through the B and B owner we stayed with on the night before we were about come back to UK 'empty handed'. Our host, Richard, when we told him that we had had no luck, suggested we should meet Hal, 'He's just come back from the NEC French Exhibition and he's got a book with about 50 properties in it... Half an hour later we were in the vast kitchen of Hal's mill (he'd bought it for £10,000 with 10 acres of woodland and pasture) and subsequently, when he had done the required amount of work and installed a heated pool etc., he would go on to let it for £1,500 per week during the summer months.... So, yes there is money to be made from letting well prepared gite properties to the widening market out there!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first viewing was in March 1999...</td></tr>
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These tales of cross channel bargains beg the comment... "OK, but that was a long time ago"... and "Things are changing within Europe, so what does the future offer for those buying from <b>outside</b> Europe?" <i>Which, of course, is what those within the UK will be in a couple of year's time</i>.... <b>outside Europe!</b> And, of course, no one can truly predict the future. It's true our buying experience was a long time ago. I have to promote my own thoughts based on common sense and what's been gleaned from our experiences in dealing in French property. True, prices have gone up with inflation over these intervening years. But there are still some extreme bargains.<br />
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The one below is currently available - a 4 bedroomed detached house on 1,276m2 of land in the Cotes d'Armor... 105,995€ + Notaire's Fees - Have a look by clicking the link below the photo...<br />
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<b>A 4 Bedroomed Detached Longere on 1/3 of an acre for under £90,000 </b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(exchange rate as at 8th Feb)</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5fkB8MIqK5a_im5w4gu0wWmzCPS3rdD9rozoVzTKoQnjrfKv8aYFphkw4ztvaW-jaIngA6KHw0FkJ-NF0H4REVaY4nNfo7kC6Fj_HA29RiRy6p52VpllRkoAO8L7C5bFYcpaSii22uDW/s1600/1c92381064b1ad42d44ccf78a2dffe92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5fkB8MIqK5a_im5w4gu0wWmzCPS3rdD9rozoVzTKoQnjrfKv8aYFphkw4ztvaW-jaIngA6KHw0FkJ-NF0H4REVaY4nNfo7kC6Fj_HA29RiRy6p52VpllRkoAO8L7C5bFYcpaSii22uDW/s320/1c92381064b1ad42d44ccf78a2dffe92.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1755-ahib-1-js8157186">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1755-ahib-1-js8157186</a></td></tr>
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I'm sure most people reading this can plainly see that any rural property but near a thriving town, with four bedrooms and a large garden in southern England (pretty much <i>anywhere</i> in the UK) is going to be double/treble... plus plus plus this price- in spite of dodgy exchange rates... <i>Food for thought eh?!</i><br />
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Prices are lowering because houses have stuck on the shelf due to erratic currency exchange rates and political scares and surprising developments Brexit, Trump, ... and the longer term concerns; what about healthcare provision overseas for ex-pats once we are outside Europe?... Seriously, does anyone expect, after all of the hard work of establishing reciprocal healthcare for our (what will be) previous European partners, that these common sense agreements will come to an end? Surely not! And, when it comes to being out of Europe, as a major purchaser of French/Spanish/Italian properties, then prices of already seemingly bargain properties... will fall still further in order to maintain an attraction for buyers from the UK. Right now there are houses for sale within Brittany and Normandy at what might very realistically be regarded as half price.... and lower than like for like in, say, Southern England and even lower than those further north or in Wales.<br />
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I suppose it's wise to say, fortunately, that things have changed a lot in the way that properties in France are marketed, although back in the day there was always a job satisfaction element of the 'pioneer' about taking the car ferry and travelling around checking out locations and calling in at Notaire's offices or estate agencies for details of local properties on their books. But these days the quest often starts with searching the web for what lights your lamp... But <b><i>nothing</i></b> lights your lamp like a bargain and there are some radical bargains just now... True there are some political and economical elements that maybe dull the get up and go....but there's nothing like a half price house to sharpen the ambition!!<br />
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Chris and Micki Slade have run the property finder sites www.ahouseinbrittany.com and www.ahouseinnormandy.com since 2002 • 01903 202272<br />
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<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-6976488371791453152017-01-24T10:12:00.002-08:002017-01-24T11:06:54.851-08:00What's happening in the Brittany Property Market just now? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfS8tNjmvjLgLI9sz0MxBgTMuDN6yYOiGPDGIYYbdIo_a_XkT8vtNXhaS6fSy3PiJFSpVBWg_xPdGv9s1b_sXu_m2B61Ln9ZRF-M1-LKMoGbLhqI9uhWTypp5DMyce0XCa23caPp3JtMn/s1600/AHIB-1-PI-1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfS8tNjmvjLgLI9sz0MxBgTMuDN6yYOiGPDGIYYbdIo_a_XkT8vtNXhaS6fSy3PiJFSpVBWg_xPdGv9s1b_sXu_m2B61Ln9ZRF-M1-LKMoGbLhqI9uhWTypp5DMyce0XCa23caPp3JtMn/s320/AHIB-1-PI-1934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1739-ahib-1-pi-1934-laurenan">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/1739-ahib-1-pi-1934-laurenan</a><br />
THIS 3 BED HOUSE IN A COTES D'ARMOR VILLAGE IS JUST €157,500 + Notaire's Fees </td></tr>
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<b>Well, things are surprisingly good... with some minor reservations... Here's why...</b> It's a given - for the short term future that the Sterling to Euro rate has been yo-yoing which has worried some amongst would be buyers, but - taking comfort every time there is a glint of good news and, raising itself up on to one elbow just to drop down again when someone makes a negative statement about Brexit or Calais migrants or Syria or even (heaven help the yanks)... 'The Donald'... because maybe some politico has told a fib about how good things might be within his first 100 days... the market is fickle... <i>very fickle</i>. But, currently, as I'm giving this a read through... the Sterling rate against the Euro has continued a positive creep. Over decades this kind of thing forms a sometimes confusing waveform. It's all about picking your time and being bold! I'm not trying to dispirit those who have always had an ambition to buy overseas property prices on the fringes of the "let's buy a property abroad world"... Turkey, Greece, Tunisia... all very much cheaper than they have been for decades). Excuse the hint of sarcasm but it was ever thus and, with the world in a state of flux because of continuing referenda, warfare, worrying election possibilities and results - it's something we all begin to recognise as the 'norm'. For my money France, especially Brittany, is looking better than ever from a value for money point of view...</div>
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<b><i>Brittany's just over there...</i></b> (a relaxing 'cruise' on Brittany Ferries will get you to St Malo overnight... Dieppe is just 4 hours and Caen is 6 hours) the natives are friendly (my neighbour's dad has been eternally delighted to be liberated by my dad and and his comrades in 1944/5... and they seem even to admire that les Anglais have voted to leave Europe... I think many of them wish they had had the opportunity too... In fact I think they might... who knows what the French elections this coming May will present us with. And having visited France a good number of times (and Brittany several hundred) I can honestly say that a majority of Bretons do not regard themselves as true French but Bretons first and French second. And long ago there was a Celtic and Gallic infusion from Cornwall, Wales and Ireland which means we are all brethren!<br />
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<b><i>But more seriously the prices, which have always looked ridiculously low by comparison to those in the UK, are falling further</i></b> as vendors realise that they are not likely to get their ideal price whilst things are the way they are. And so they are reducing their asking prices when there have been fewer takers of the bait found on any of the many property websites that abound.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGTZf7KdgtL6XVUJSHvOB6LU-zk7BTBl7p6M1Jdi_hGpWjHcA740tGvzPubjaxa-CurkfgjnM9qrtjsIBsdTUXbsuadvK-meobLvy1iiEPmS-c0jcMCQbIWGaIt1lK93tf7Kgu3Op9BJ4/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGTZf7KdgtL6XVUJSHvOB6LU-zk7BTBl7p6M1Jdi_hGpWjHcA740tGvzPubjaxa-CurkfgjnM9qrtjsIBsdTUXbsuadvK-meobLvy1iiEPmS-c0jcMCQbIWGaIt1lK93tf7Kgu3Op9BJ4/s200/1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9JV0U_lhTiQaXCYYQncsI2eoFnvOoh9QOXY2rZm3RH3033wehPK-shG-KrOEdwxDpuaVU7DpBQ-FJ-oRIklmFDgIgDMnaD3OJekhrQfjMvXoSTVG-LeCg9VHRUAjFaFfatckMGNcCbji/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9JV0U_lhTiQaXCYYQncsI2eoFnvOoh9QOXY2rZm3RH3033wehPK-shG-KrOEdwxDpuaVU7DpBQ-FJ-oRIklmFDgIgDMnaD3OJekhrQfjMvXoSTVG-LeCg9VHRUAjFaFfatckMGNcCbji/s200/2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Take this one for example...</i></b> admittedly still not in the 'small change from your pocket' league... But, with 12 bedrooms in total on 7 Hectare of mixed land, it is a head banging bargain for anyone fed up with life in the UK who wants to venture out into the Leisure, Equestrian, Holiday, BandB, Chambres d'Hotes market or to just pootle around whilst cutting wood for the log burner in winter - or mowing the 7 hectares - why not introduce the French to 'Pick Your Own'... 'Le Car Boot' or just rent out as Gites in the Spring and Summer. An 8 bedroomed Manor House plus a Four Bedroomed Farmhouse all on 7 Hectares of woodland, pasture, garden and parc... is one where there is a human story responsible for the perrennially falling asking price...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqcBMPfTE1u3ffCpIzexX2yRMqDBV-HcTKPN9x7O7ZlXRqG3XUtwqqgAXjj2QB9kNYWSDBAKz3YcR9a2FlfjbPheaYAXOs-T-hPDULslSTaj1IHbwcpIcvssgiT96kCs-XsuWbLgZtbD/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqcBMPfTE1u3ffCpIzexX2yRMqDBV-HcTKPN9x7O7ZlXRqG3XUtwqqgAXjj2QB9kNYWSDBAKz3YcR9a2FlfjbPheaYAXOs-T-hPDULslSTaj1IHbwcpIcvssgiT96kCs-XsuWbLgZtbD/s200/3.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0uoEwkNzKoqZCjtxA5Glp83e3JwUsNXM3pnwBnV_rKTQdryqcKDJMyADiI7q10BDvrN7aGnvzymXDvH6zYMmHlC80gNdLHcyau5k5kB3c2a6FZMkX3kyxpPta_vO62V_Pi3ts9yXdfck/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0uoEwkNzKoqZCjtxA5Glp83e3JwUsNXM3pnwBnV_rKTQdryqcKDJMyADiI7q10BDvrN7aGnvzymXDvH6zYMmHlC80gNdLHcyau5k5kB3c2a6FZMkX3kyxpPta_vO62V_Pi3ts9yXdfck/s200/4.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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A musician who enjoyed life in Brittany between touring stints had bad news about his health and can no longer work or even comfortably travel to this idyllic hideaway... But you can. The property, which originally floated on the market at 650,000 Euros, is <b><i>now available for just 300,000 Euros</i></b>. Not just well worth the money but something of a giveaway...<br />
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<b><i>To see the details as listed on our site...Click the link below</i></b> </div>
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<a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/6-corps-de-ferme/425-ahib-1-7538ct">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/search-properties/6-corps-de-ferme/425-ahib-1-7538ct</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDUjLJbgn_JGlRiP-eyBwl-r3UDAbSa9p85xbU9tOsovAqoeCAq4z7FanSLcwV7HmDGKMfiWiBzVLKfecLWgkv9BybczfxGyT9dHXqKgyLGlrU3tYkEsTT0AoSmxlIAnojHKIB5t_J0tJ/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDUjLJbgn_JGlRiP-eyBwl-r3UDAbSa9p85xbU9tOsovAqoeCAq4z7FanSLcwV7HmDGKMfiWiBzVLKfecLWgkv9BybczfxGyT9dHXqKgyLGlrU3tYkEsTT0AoSmxlIAnojHKIB5t_J0tJ/s200/6.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGvLQ29ciSwAQRQB0Z23OC0MVIDtjPfJvQLGnSB-yAq5s2ZhZpRzFvqAW2recnSJrPfBtQgAkeA80ozkiy_MHKkDUMJXMJmt_9mZdll7Yk0h_OSWZVngdK44z6z0ccZtJSiQWsQGtcvZt/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGvLQ29ciSwAQRQB0Z23OC0MVIDtjPfJvQLGnSB-yAq5s2ZhZpRzFvqAW2recnSJrPfBtQgAkeA80ozkiy_MHKkDUMJXMJmt_9mZdll7Yk0h_OSWZVngdK44z6z0ccZtJSiQWsQGtcvZt/s200/7.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><i>By the way</i></b>... If you view properties via us then <b>use our discount code</b> to cut the cost of your crossing! Just Quote:- <b>Club Voyage Membership Number</b> <b>F35595 and... <i>Votre oncle de Bob!</i> </b><br />
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<span class="s1"><b>Book on line via</b> <a href="http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/"><span class="s2">www.brittany-ferries.co.uk</span></a>, or telephone from the UK <b>0871 244 0744</b></span></div>
<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-11543494656029205862016-10-15T05:43:00.002-07:002017-03-07T05:49:17.148-08:00 The Rich Religious Patrimony of Brittany <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8gFYp9sHaEesEc0RgKikCQA-AB6CfjD9hnpzYUyKo8ovT1g7tM9hISlD0XxsFLlyj7pcNSiVmD5-exYjb4FjDaq8ey0RSJLvhcm8tCLA6BbjzzL0OxW-2LALNQkrXBI_ng39pdYE5HPq/s1600/ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8gFYp9sHaEesEc0RgKikCQA-AB6CfjD9hnpzYUyKo8ovT1g7tM9hISlD0XxsFLlyj7pcNSiVmD5-exYjb4FjDaq8ey0RSJLvhcm8tCLA6BbjzzL0OxW-2LALNQkrXBI_ng39pdYE5HPq/s320/ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is a respectful observation of religious heritage in Brittany which is to be admired. I'm not a religious person so, to be honest I don't go scouting too far off the beaten track in the UK... but I've certainly developed a curiosity about the spiritual experiences I've had over the last 15 or 20 years... and I've always been respectful about the religious followings of others... You have to admit there was definitely something going on when these chapels and churches were built with such passion, belief and dedication and back then journeymen; masons, carpenters, heraldic artists, stained glass artists and others...travelled far and wide over their careers as indentured apprentices and adult artisans working on ecclesiastical buildings for the glory of God...<i>and probably, if money ever changed hands, it was far less than the minimum wage!</i><br />
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We took to exploring churches and chapels quite a few years ago. It began when Micki was undertaking a project to explore the heritage of her mum's side of the family... My Mother in Law's cousin, Basil, had been a partner in what became one of the biggest stained glass companies in the UK - Heaton Butler and Bayne...supplying religious glass not just to the UK but also to the English speaking world... <i>'the Dominions'</i>... Canada, New Zealand and Australia (we restricted our own tour to Sussex, Hampshire and Kent) and Micki 'got' her certificate and practices as a stained glass artist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31pwN28EEIcogJeTX7kc7WHzITO3muU8-oIYK0UgenkEXqGP2OkzIY8VEKQqP_oIHlvuN5IvrBp6gfKOFhJU_UCCcrIntvS5_FsZkihNAGNfA1HTOia4zLmL3fiAnb8Bmdt25FEN6h3w5/s1600/abb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31pwN28EEIcogJeTX7kc7WHzITO3muU8-oIYK0UgenkEXqGP2OkzIY8VEKQqP_oIHlvuN5IvrBp6gfKOFhJU_UCCcrIntvS5_FsZkihNAGNfA1HTOia4zLmL3fiAnb8Bmdt25FEN6h3w5/s320/abb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So... the pastime of visiting churches, cathedrals and chapels is a given and we tend to do much more of it in France than in the UK... In fact, when we are cruising the lanes and by-ways of Brittany, if we see a sign that points to a chapel... it's a detour that's guaranteed to add an extra hour to the journey - <i>but time well spent</i>. A few weekends ago was no exception... We had planned just to park by the banks of the Nantes Brest Canal south of Lake Geurledan - have a picnic and walk the dog along the tow-path. That's always great but we decided to turn off the main road a little further south after our walk and found a hamlet called Carmes... A weekend to encourage visits and support for the local chapels had been the weekend before. Somehow this one seems to have enjoyed its special weekend of Patrimony (where every church, chapel and remotely religious building is open for locals and tourists to have a closer look at these preserved treasures)... and Carmes it seems was enjoying a second 'Open House'... an extra opportunity for a chosen few. So we were very lucky to come across a group of people taking a glass of wine outside the church... It was a beautiful autumn day with no hint of the cold snap that would remind us that winter was just around the corner. We knew nothing more than what presented itself and, as we were walking with Rudy down the lane we were doing the 'Bonjour... Ille fait beau' routine, I drew the short straw and hung on to the dog whilst Micki went into the church to have a shufty and to take some photo's. I wandered further down the lane beaking into farmyards and the front gardens of enchanting cottages... I turned around as the ancient houses gave way to open countryside and walked back toward the disbanding group of visitors. The stalwarts were left folding up the trestles and chairs... Just as I arrived at the church door Micki emerged and said... "You've just got to have a look in here. It's just amazing!" Obviously I did and it was... An amazing experience...<br />
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Having passed through the building being amazed by the stained glass and ornate ceilings I stumbled squinting out into the light... there were by then just 2 or 3 of the organisers of this small event packing up the hardware... So, when you are of a limited vocabulary you offer "C'est magnifique... tres beau, merci pour le opportunité... etcetera... "Would you like to follow me and have a look at our piéce de resistance?"... offered our emerging new host - a silver haired man in his 70s. "Of course" we both said... "et la chiene?"... Rudy looked worried he might miss out... The keeper of the keys said it was no problem... so off we all went. We'd marvelled over the church interior... now for the extra revelation that lay treat behind the altar<br />
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A winding staircase entered via a small gothic stone arched doorway to the rear of the building revealed, after about thirty stone steps, was a 10m x 6m room with wide planked flooring and soaring walls lined with wooden panels which must have come originally from the main body of the church... The wall paintings are from the 15th Century... and the removal of these from the naive enabled the existing church interior to be emblazoned with illuminations for the glory of God. The whole place is quite sensational... How lucky we were to take the decision to turn down this lane and take a look... I've no doubt we will return the next time we wander along the tow path toward Pontivy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">• The Church of Notre Dame de Carmes... Wall and Ceiling paintings from the 15th Century • </td></tr>
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Each year each commune or church community across the whole of France holds what are known as 'pardons', a get together where funds are raised to support the outlying chapels of any village where the main church has soaked up a more mobile community... These days those outlying hamlet chapels are not regularly used for regularly services. Some are grand affairs and some more humble. The chapel's upkeep needs a nudge now and again and the pardon process does the trick. Locally to us are three chapels and funds raised help with the buildings' maintenance needs. Ten Euros per head buys a ticket and local farmers donate their produce be it animal or vegetable free of charge. There is usually a baptism or two in the chapel before lunch and then the folk of the parish descend on the marquee decked out with trestles and benches with gingham cloths and bunting flapping gently on a warm July breeze. Four course partaken amidst a hubub of animated conversation... Some people don't get to the nearest town, the coast or even the local lake and this is one of their very few excursions!<br />
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When lunch has settled it is a live version of 'It's a Knockout' - with all manner of féte style fun and games and drinks at the bar... Some pardons extend into the evening with music and dancing... All in a very good cause.<br />
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Witnessing the wonders of this particular chapel and the enthusiasm of our host on this particular visit... It's money well raised and very well spent!<br />
<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-83507171306790546722016-10-14T09:12:00.003-07:002017-02-09T08:39:23.768-08:00Harvest Brittany Style...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brittany's a tough,, ramped up agricultural environment. Even the strimmer we bought from the local DIY shop turned out to be 'Commercial Strength', so it's not surprising that when the local farmers here set about the annual Maize harvest in late September or early October... they have to do it 'big style'. The fields are huge and the task is gigantic and hectare upon hectare for miles around here are planted with sweetcorn. I can't imagine how this task would have been completed before mechanical equipment came into everyday use. It pulls into perspective why there are so many farmsteads and tied cottages making up the thousands of hamlets and many hundred villages across the peninsula so that anything on this scale could be carried out with anything like the same precision manually.<br />
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It's extremely rare to find fresh maize for sale in supermarkets as a commodity for human consumption ... It's just a big 'Non' from the natives it seems (parsnips take on the same rarity value too). And the reason that all the fields of maize you'll see are dull russet and very uninviting is that the whole plant as it's sheared from the earth is, within a wink, shredded, stalk and all... into tiny pieces... Shredded to make flakes for animal feed. It rests for seconds within the combine before being blown in a tight streaming cloud through a chute and out into the air directly into a fast moving mobile bin the size of a shipping container. This is being towed behind a 'pumped up' tractor - the whole rig is a cross between a veloceraptor and something out of Transformers . The tractor follows the giant shredder in a ballet round and around the field in a clockwise direction as the crop diminishes noticeably in size... As the bin passes the half full mark another identical rig appears as if from nowhere and latches on to the rear of this mechanical hokey-cokey... Following close behind, the driver awaits his cue. The full bin peels away at a signal from the combine's 'pilot' and the empty one shimmies up to replace it in an instant. He hardly let's any drop...<br />
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There's not a moment of hesitation. The full bin is hurried from the field and the rig heaves its way down narrow lanes (nothing can pass - even Cornwall can't compete with the narrowness of some round here)... off to the co-operative's silos to be weighed, logged and stored. Then it's straight back to the fray. This activity is being played out by dozens of teams across the Breton peninsula and the combine and tractor drivers are, for a month or so, the champions of the Bretagne Champs (fields). They are obviously the same people who a month earlier take on the wheat for the flour mills... They are the cowboys, the plainsmen of Breton agriculture... They are the same harvesters who clear the fields of wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, carrots, cabbages, sprouts, oil seed rape... you name it they cut it!<br />
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This vulcanised dance marathon goes on from early morn - moving from field to field - and often through the night according to the weather forecast. Night time goings on, if you are lucky enough to see them are amazing. We're lucky. Right outside our back window is a 5 Hectare field and, when you're just about to turn in for the night it's a privilege to be able to stand at the window with an extra glass of wine or pommeau hooch and watch the late night moon-lit ballet begin where the daytime polka left off!<br />
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<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-44228845098492808722016-07-29T01:43:00.001-07:002016-07-29T01:43:38.458-07:00The Son et Lumiere at Bon Repos.... I'll say it again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a must if you are in Brittany during the first two weeks of August... And, if you're not it's a good reason to make sure you are! And, with this annual event...another year's passing has been marked. August 4th was actually the anniversary of the Acte Finale - the signing of the finalisation of our contract to buy our house at Le Ros back in 1999. To celebrate the passing of 17 years stewardship of our house in Brittany, we are going, again, to the Abbey of Bon Repos to see 'Le Pays de Conomor'. It's a son et lumiere spectacle (a sound and light show) that is both stunning and heartwarming, illustrating a passion that the townsfolk of Gouarec have for just being Breton. Three hundred and fifty of them - mums, dads, kids, grans and grandads, over a two hour period, re-enact, in front of laser projected backdrops, the history of their region... tinged with good humour and expert timing, the story of Brittany unfolds. It's all about Chivalry and Patriotism and fending off those who would invade their lands... (curiously it sounds like our world today) but in those days it was mainly the Romans and, of course, the Brits...<br />
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I, in my amateurish way, have turned up five or six times with my camera to this event and hope each year that I will get something worthy of representing the show. It's never easy - what with the speed of the players, the changing scenes and the foibles of modern cameras on auto... Don't ask me to go on 'manual' when the action is fast and furious... (I've already made a mental note that next year at least we'll sit toward the front). Using flash for filling in or arresting movement would quickly get you removed from an arena that depends on total and constant darkness for its success.<br />
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If you are anywhere near the Cotes d'Armor in northern Brittany you must get there... The event has gained size and status as the years have passed and technology, with laser effects and projections, enables it to improve year on year. The 'fringe' element has also grown to include a market, street entertainers, hog roasts, bars and a sense of mediaeval mayhem... a brilliant complement to an excellent night out. Last year we rolled up in our VW camper and, as they do, the French had allocated a separate parking area free of charge (for camping cars) so that visitors caould extend their stay to the daytime before and also to sleep the night - so, enjoy a drink or two with your night's entertainment.<br />
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<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-63563891346715811572016-06-13T08:30:00.001-07:002020-06-27T09:32:20.337-07:00The Fosse Man Cometh!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those who don't know, those who haven't enjoyed or endured the experience - having your fosse septique emptied gives you a feeling akin to filling your car's fuel tank to the brim after you've been inexplicably and continually driving past petrol stations when you know you are running on fumes (Never done it? - I'm not sure I can wholeheartedly believe you). "Let's be daring and pass just one more garage"... and then, when you succumb... that strange euphoria. Yeh! That about sums it up... That sense of freedom. Facing the open road again with relaxation and the confidence that nothing can stop you now!<br />
When it comes to the emptying of your fosse the rehearsals of the conversation you are going to have when you telephone to book the appointment for the 'sludge gulper' to roll up are all worth it. Fora start there's the language barrier and the esoterics of it all. Although, when you hang up the phone... because it was in fact so simple, you wonder whether they <b>will</b> actually turn up! It's the numbers in a foreign language that make you doubt yourself. The fact that the French bunch them up in pairs whereas I am used only to remembering and delivering them one at a time... <i>I know</i> - pathetic! And, being on the phone, rather than being there in person there is no opportunity to resort to sign language... the flapping of the arms or generally gesticulating in what afterwards seems like a rather pathetic pursuit and looking quite ridiculous - like some giant erratic scratting chicken. Even toward the end of the conversation, when it was almost 'in the bag' I had to hand the phone over to Micki because the poor girl at the fosse company asked me a question just a little too quickly for my tardy, slow to respond, 'English only' brain to grasp. It was just to say that they would call back after lunch to confirm the day and time... Damn it! I <b><i>am</i></b> getting there but - inside - when one half my brain confidently opens my mouth the other half just splurges a random stream of unintelligible ectoplasmic nonsense! <b><i>Ah well... maybe next time...</i></b><br />
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Maybe even deciding to write a blog about something as mundane as fosse emptying may seem odd to the average mains drainage devotee or even a regular septic tank full time house dweller - one who is resident all of the time... but - we have a house in Brittany which gets just sporadic use and which, at visits of just 2 weeks out of every 8, means that in 17 years we had spent many a visit over the last couple of years wondering just how close our last visit to the loo would be to being the last one that the system could actually cope with!!! How far away, or how near still, whilst you are sitting on the throne, is your last poo? I have to say that we had got it spectacularly right - I reckon there was just room for say 20 further visits to the loo before it would have begun to travel back up the tube toward the house...Yes, quite! Great timing! <i>(apologies to the more sensitive reader).</i><br />
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Turn up? Well <b><i>they</i></b>, or rather he... did! A nice very cleanly turned out young man... <i>Mind you we <b>were</b> the first call of the day.</i> Bang on time and with a truck that leaves one in absolutely no doubt that they were the right people to call in and that they can definitely cope with all eventualities. In fact their truck was too large for the entrance to our drive and several boughs and branches had to be sawn from the trees along the drive in order to squeeze the leviathan through the gap. Affable young man whose procedure was measured and methodical as he went through his set pieces... from donning his 'zoot-suit' overalls and full face helmet... until he waved us goodbye he was very disciplined. His truck, having been deftly reverse through the very narrow gap between lane and courtyard, stopped just short of the telephone cable which hung perilously close to the hatches on the tanker top. which meant that he had to stop short of the fosse around 30 metres. Pierre carefully stepped out the distance (reminiscent of Basil Fawlty in full flow) from the back of his truck to the septic tank and the filter chamber and then walked back grinning whilst holding thumb and forefinger only slightly apart and saying..."juste ce beaucoup à épargner" which I guessed was 'just enough'. And so with confidence he proceeded to unravel 5 or 6 chunky looking corrugated tubes which, when screwed, clamped and locked together neatly connected with the business end of the siphon tube already laid by the open subterranean tank. Just a few centimetres to spare... "Parfait!" He said.<br />
He pressed a button on the rear of the truck and it triggered a noise like a Jumbo jet taxi-ing for take-off which filled the courtyard and a triangular warning sign raised itself swiftly and eased itself into position just nudging the telephone cable out of the way suggesting that Pierre was right to stop the truck exactly where he did.<br />
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Ten minutes of great sucking force and then, apart from some very handy cleaning up of our volcanic rock filled filter basket with an industrial sized pressure washer, he was done! He spent around as long divesting himself of his protective clothing, hosing each piece as he removed it... gauntlet, boots and overalls... So, back in his now lighter weight and impeccable uniform, he proffered his clipboard with his facture and delivered his parting shot... I have no doubt he learned this especially for the UK owner's abroad market... He held his forefinger to the side of his mouth coughed gently and said "I see that you only use white toilet paper!" We laughed on cue and I said... "Let's make sure we don't leave it for another 17 years until the next time!" 174 Euros well spent - And, when you have it done, as we did, after 15 years it works out to just to €11.60 each year... <b><i>Bargain!!</i></b><br />
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<b>Triskel </b>: Based in Loudeac... <b><i>Magnificent in their efficiency:</i></b>- Tel: 0296 28 64 17<br />
<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-25051770450489466702016-06-13T02:43:00.003-07:002016-06-13T02:49:34.863-07:00So glad to be back in Brittany in one piece... he built a chapel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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298 metres above sea level may not seem that high in the overall scale of mountain peaks but that's where, in 1380 a local Knight with his home at Le Quillio ('crest' in Celtic) in the Cotes d'Armor, had decided he would build a homage... the first Chapel of St Lorette. The spot had previously been used as a burial site in Neolithic times (10,200BC) and is marked by 28 stones… There must be some significance in that the stones in a line to the North are of white Quartz and those to the south are of schist or slate. </div>
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So it was that in the 14th Century a then Count of Uzel (a hilltop village, 6km from our house in Brittany) who significantly became Constable and leader of the armies of the King of France <i>(top job)</i> was fighting in Italy and was close to Ancona where the original chapel to Our Lady of Lorette is sited… He vowed, at this his darkest moment, that if he survived and won through during this, his worst ordeal, that he would build a chapel at the highest point on his land and dedicate it to Our Lady of Lorette… He and his men must have pulled through because here is the current chapel. It's setting is stunning and the views are spectacular :- the chapel sits amidst pine trees next to the Neolithic burial stones. Modern accoutrements of picnic benches do not detract from the serene atmosphere that is quite palpable. </div>
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In 1854 the local town council decided that the original chapel was in too bad a state of repair to be restored adequately and should be replaced by a new building. A shame they didn't leave the ruin for all to see and build the new one as a neihbour. Although it seems unlikely, because of its hilltop position, the site is in fact a natural area for the catchment of rainwater and feeds several springs further down the slopes that shelve away from the site. One spring, about a quarter mile down the hill and within sight of the chapel down a straight lane, wooded on each side, is capped with an ornate monument dedicated to Our Lady of Lorette. The water is considered miraculous. Micki dipped her hands in the water and was immediately relieved of a' locked' finger which for years clicked in and out of place each time she opened and closed her hand. That was a moment of amazement. Unfortunately it was back to normal the following day… So filling a few bottles might be an option. The waters have been specifically noted for the relief of ear infections and hearing problems. "Sorry?… What was that?</div>
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If you're passing and are in need of a cure... <i>(to be honest just being up there makes you feel good) </i>then traveling through Le Quillio from east to west toward Mur de Bretagne… pass the 'end of the village' sign… (Its name with a cross through it) then keep a look out for a right turn up the hill which is signposted "ND d'Lorette"… follow the signs until the ornate well monument appears on your left… the turning for the chapel is immediately opposite - to the right. There is random parking amongst the tress… nothing formal and on the occasions we have been there we have been virtually alone… Enchanting. The chapel is open with some very attractive stained glass windows. It is a place of noticeable calm. And it appears to be well supported by the local community.</div>
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<b>Note:- </b>For those who don't know, across France there is a custom of communities, centering on their local church of course, supporting outlying chapels via the holding of 'Pardons'. The day often begins with a baptism or two…Local farmers donate the food for the communal meal (a friend calls them pig & potato functions)… but it's a 4 course meal with coffee to follow and plenty of wine And the long lunch is often followed by typical village fete attractions. Villagers pay 10 Euros each… Everyone has a good day out, a hearty lunch with good conversation and the chapels have their maintenance funds for another year… Voila! </div>
Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-22694663216121724252016-04-13T08:10:00.001-07:002017-02-10T03:13:15.088-08:00Brittany Bound? With this level of value, style & potential - at 238,000 (GBP)* why not? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>An 8 Bedroomed Manoir, PLUS a 4 Bedroomed Longere/Farmhouse on a large courtyard, with stables, outbuildings and 7 Hectares of land - divided amongst parkland, woodland, grazing and gardens close by the house. Sounds idyllic, ne fait-il pas? Well it is... and it's now available for just 300,000€ + Fees! (£238,000*) <i>Exceptional it certainly is and deserves to be seen! If this was in the Home Counties you wouldn't see change out of £1.25 million - but in Brittany at today's prices they are just this side of 'hen's teeth in terms of their rarity!</i></b><br />
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At A House in Brittany we don't often publish blog posts about individual houses - but now and again there is a good reason to buck that trend... and this house deserves it in spades. It has been on the market for a good while now and started off, as you can imagine, at a much higher price - some 650,000€ + Notaire's Fees. The current owner, from the UK had the misfortune to have a successful career cut short by illness and, not surprisingly, priorities as regards owning a house in France as well as maintaining a home in England changed things somewhat. <i>The price of property in Brittany has always offered life changing opportunities at fairytale prices...</i><br />
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So this property has been reduced once more and is now priced 'to sell' and really just requires to be seen by the right prospective buyer to strike a chord with their future plans. Plans that will allow the complex to realise its true potential. It has possibilities as a leisure, wedding or holiday venue, a residential course centre or equestrian venue or, simply, a large family home with Chambres d'Hotes and Gite possibilities. The commercial uses are many and varied, as wide as your imagination in fact...and the price is definitely right, having just been reduced to *<b>300,000 € plus Notaire's Fees!... <i>Last one to click the link loses out!</i></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/425-ahib-1-7538ct">http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/properties-for-sale/brittany-price-drops/425-ahib-1-7538ct</a><br />
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Originally built as a hunting lodge and country residence for the Count Lanlay de Landemond, with a farm to support the manor house's gastronomic requirements... it sits between St Nicholas du Pelem and Rostrenen in the Cotes d'Armor, approximately 35 miles from St Brieuc (the Cotes d'Armor's departmental capital) and the beautiful Emerald Coast... 70 miles from Roscoff (ferries to Plymouth/Cork and 68 miles from St Malo (ferries to Portsmouth)... Air services are available at Dinard (73 miles) and Brest (74 miles).<br />
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All in all this complex exemplifies the difference in property value between the South of England and the Northwest of France with the added difference that a real human story and a desire to sell quickly can make. Not withstanding that it is an investment that can earn its new owner a new life, a new project at a price that makes it a reality and not merely a dream!<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">*The price of 300,000 € equates to £238,000 (GBP)</b><span style="font-style: italic;"> at Currency FX rates as at 13th April 2016 (rates vary according to market fluctuation).</span><br />
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<i>If you are interested as a potential purchaser or as a publisher wishing to feature this property then e-mail <a href="mailto:chris@ahouseinnormandy.com">chris@ahouseinnormandy.com</a> or telephone us, Chris or Micki on 01903 202272. More photo's and details are available.</i><br />
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<i>Chris Slade • A House in Brittany Ltd., <a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a> • <a href="http://www.ahouseinnormandy.com/">www.ahouseinnormandy.com</a></i><br />
<i>01903 202272</i><br />
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<br />Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-58257044289579956682016-04-13T03:35:00.004-07:002016-08-11T07:12:02.055-07:00Rain... but No Clouds... Now that's a Weird Start!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There was no inkling when we rolled up that anything was unusual about Le Roz... 'The Rose'... an 18th Century Corps de Ferme (the heart of a farm with all but 3,000m2 of it's land redistributed amongst neighbouring working farms) we plucked it from dereliction. And from under the noses of some local would-be buyers, who we pipped to the post; those who might have had a weather eye on the place themselves...but bought by this barmy couple from England. Since March 1999 and the signing of the Compromis <i>and the paying of 10% deposit</i>, we had eagerly awaited the call to say that all the documentation was complete and we were ready for the Acte Finale... Balance wired to the Notaire for placement in his clients' holding account, we were on the blocks and ready for the 'off' when Russell (who had introduced us to the house in the guise of introducing agent) called to give us the preferred date for the transfer of ownership. He suggested that we should meet him at 3 O'clock outside the Notaire's office in Uzel, a small hilltop town, more suitable maybe as a location for a1960s Eastern European movie with grainy, moody shots and subtitles rather than the place where our Brittany property ownership saga might begin. He also suggested that we should 'swing by the 'ouse' before hand just to be sure that everything is as we might want it to be before signing the paperwork. Uzel is around 6km down windy lanes (Cornwall style) from Le Ros.<br />
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It was August 4th and everything had gone well on the channel crossing. Once again there was no shortage of enthusiastic chatter and, laughably, we had packed the interior of our (2+2) Audi soft top with all manner of nonsense... A Gaz Lantern, a miniscule camping stove, Lilo airbed and even a petrol strimmer poking through the hole above the rear seat armrest through to the boot where Audi designers intended us to store our skis! (lol)...I'm not sure that feature was included with us in mind... maybe wood from a DIY store or today the trusty strimmer - but not skis. There may even have been a spade and a garden fork in there too... All the required paraphanalia for our first night's stay before we made a more lasting base camp from which to tackle some meaningful renovations.<br />
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As we rolled to a stop in front of the house there was not a lot to separate this visit from the view we had looked at the last time we were there... The garden (that's a laugh)... was severely overgrown in front and to the sides of the house. Undergrowth of fairytale proportions engulfed the house and outbuildings and the house itself looked as neglected now as it had done four months earlier but the windows that had been open and that had allowed us to take a look round were now locked shut. The barn opposite was accessible - someone had obviously opened the doors as the grass had recently been laid flat in two arcs... like sections of a mini corn circle; windscreen wiper sweeps of flattened straw - for the summer sun had dried the grass. When we had viewed the place back in March opening the barn's doors revealed two old trailers tents, an upright freezer topped off with a cow's skull complete with horns... there was all sorts of detritus, hay bales, rotting timber, - bits and bobs you might expect to find in places like this scythes, sickles, pitchforks - even an adze and the rustiest old plough... All of the tools and implements to work a fermette were there. And everything had been covered with layers of dust.<br />
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The sun was shining (see pics from the day)... bright white clouds, just a few, skirted the valley beyond the drive in from the lane and they moved smoothly and gently on a warm breeze. So, engine off and, looking round over my shoulder for my camera...reaching for the door handle to go and explore. And suddenly - a clap of thunder preceded an instant downpour... No messing! Stair-rods that punched the ground and machine gunned the windows of the car and beat on the roof like a phalanx of Japanese drummers... It sounds hysterical but the deluge onset so fast and was so furious and unexpected that we could not get out of the car. Restricted to looking out of the window at what was going on and having to wipe the windows clear of condensation, puddles were forming on the mud and grass driveway within just a few seconds. The rain persisted for 30 minutes and hardly changed its pace or consistency. But, as if on a timer, it stopped as just as quickly as it had begun. Just as instantaneously as switching off a power shower. 'Click' and it was gone... leaving just a steaming landscape... but after emerging from the car, avoiding the standing water and having a cursory wander around it became obvious that only the house and garden had actually been affected by the rain. Walking back toward the lane and having a look at the road's surface itself it was completely dry.... A further cautious walk around - because now it was beginning to feel a bit spooky... across the garden in front of the house - peering through the dripping foliage to the adjacent field... the wheat growing there was as dry as a bone and rustling in the slight breeze that still blew gently. Walking right around the perimeter as best one could because the place had not been maintained and was a mass of brambles and undergrowth, it became obvious just the land on which the property we were about to buy stood - was wet...! The neighbours' house, which backed immediately onto land beyond our two barns, was completely dry... not a drip mark on it. It did seem very odd but it couldn't be said that it wouldn't be possible. So, returning to normality but now pressed for time we had a closer look at the house but without proper access we were restricted to squinting through the ground floor windows. It appeared to have been emptied of some of the nicer bits and pieces that we remembered... We were even able to recognise some fire damaged hinges from some cupboards we had admired (there had been some really handsome looking items and we had passed a message that was not heeded) and we recognised them as having been attached to items in the house when we had scurried from room to room when we had our impromptu viewing in March. Right now there were still puddles around the car and the grass steamed across the drive. "Shall we go"?<br />
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When we arrived at Uzel Russell was leaping from one foot to the other outside the Notaire's office. Maitre Didier Pencemont was waiting for us at his other office in Loudeac... rubber stamp poised. Loudeac is a larger town some 10 kilometres away. So, off we went... Russell was not the slowest of drivers so it was an eventful journey. The signing of the Acte Finale went smoothly with plenty of nodding and occasionally some explanation of clauses that either he or Russell felt that we might not comprehend. Having worked our way through the initial Compromis where simply we agreed to buy at 120,000 Francs and they agreed to sell at the same price and what exactly was included... this was not a surprise - nor was it that difficult to follow. We merely had to place our initials... all of us... at the foot of each page, indicating that we agreed to all of the points hitherto and then sign in full and date etc., on the final page. Representatives of the LeRoy family, the vendors, engaged the Notaire to sign the documentation on their behalf. The transfer of funds had been received and, indeed, we were given a cheque for the equivalent of £175 to represent, I think, the discrepancy in funds between Francs and Sterling since the first document had been signed back in March. This came in handy in the bar round the block to which we repaired immediately after we had done all of the forelock tugging that was necessary as we backed out of the Notaire's office, keys to Le Ros in hand!<br />
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As I said it was August 4th and, as the deed had been done, we booled round the corner and watched Russell burn rubber out of the town centre car park (it's always free to park) and we headed toward a hotel which we had spotted a few times as we'd passed through Loudeac - and asked if we could have a room for the night. "If you have not a reservation - then I am afraid we have nothing" said the concierge. "It is August and hotels everywhere are complet" he said with glee. We hadn't booked and so having tried also the hotel across the town square too to no avail, we quickly realised that the tiny stove we'd brought with us and the Lilo were about to come in very handy. We popped back to the bar that we'd been in with Russell and enjoyed our first meal out as French property buyers! Then we headed in a winding back roads kind of way back to our very own house in Brittany!<br />
It was still way before night fall, being only around 7pm so after letting ourselves into the house we pulled a couple of unmatched chairs out of the barn and a circular folding metal table, patterned with holes and enjoyed a fine sunset and a bottle of red... but not before we had set up camp on the first floor and had an opportunity to have a look round at our bargain buy... Biggest moan? Obviously one of the team who had cleared the house of all the decent stuff and burned what they didn't want for themselves... they had taken the plastic tap tops from the kitchen sink - so turning taps on (sorry, tap singular) and off was a mole grip job. That night, because we'd had a fair bit to drink, sleep came quite easily amidst the excitement of realising we had a house in France... but, at around 3am I reached the floor with my bum and my shoulder blades as I realised we had a slow puncture. Foot pumped back to full pressure took us back to sleep state until morning proper.Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-85911904331565122732016-04-12T02:51:00.000-07:002016-04-12T02:51:27.949-07:00The Grass Really IS Greener on the Other Side! • Brittany & Normandy!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our £12,000 house when we first saw it in 1999.</td></tr>
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Have you outgrown life in the UK? or almost anywhere else for that matter… Apart from all the hype and hyperbolé about Europe the 'are we in', are we out - is it good, is it bad?... How could <b><i>we</i></b> have turned this down at £12,000 back in 1999? Maybe you're empty nesters - We were in our time, 'rattling around' in a house that is getting a bit baggy now that the kids have left home. OR, you're younger possibly… and maybe technology has set you free and - <i>lucky you </i>- you can work from home…wherever the difference between income and expenditure is the widest (George Osborne - take note) - anywhere at all in fact. You are, as were are - and still are, 'have laptop… will travel' and all that,. Brilliant! But, whatever makes you footloose, you might just want to take a look at North West France. Out of reach - but not out of touch. Brittany and Normandy have plenty to offer apart from Moules Mariniere, Crepes and Galettes, Calvados and Croissants. Economically speaking property in France hasn't been better value for money for years than it is right now. The UK economy has made your existing house worth more than you might have imagined and the Sterling-to-Euro exchange rate that has been through some stormy times has settled on a very positive note for those thinking of buying in Euroland. Recently it's the best that it has been for years but it's walking the high wire at the moment because of referenda and Euro - tensions etc., Good time to make a silly offer in my book!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My but the wisteria has grown - 2014</td></tr>
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We're not all renovators… Some of us wouldn't even class ourselves as DIYers. But that doesn't mean you lose the ability to take advantage of the increased value wrapped up in buying an 'ugly duckling' that can be turned it into "a very fine swan indeed". There are still great bargains to be had because of the undulations of the market. The European market - the Euro specifically, and within France too and this has meant that vendors are lowering their prices to appeal to the UK market which is set a rung or three above.</div>
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Speaking for ourselves we were lucky enough to happen upon a house in Brittany on our 3rd leisurely viewing trip. Toward the very end of our time and right out of schedule (we should have been on our way to the Channel port when we viewed 'our find') when we happened upon an executor's sale - that of a Corps de Ferme. The land holding had been pared down to leave the 3 barns, the well, the bread oven and three quarters of an acre Brilliant!. The ridiculous price meant that we were at the house - big scale map in hand at 9am on the day of our trip home. The check-in time for our boat back to Portsmouth was to be 3:30pm but the drive to Caen would be more than three hours (St Malo is just 75 minutes)… well we couldn't just walk away and put it down to bad timing. Something had to be done…So there we were on the doorstep…well, getting through the kitchen window actually!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lounge Fireplace... uncovered. Not the monumental original...<br />
that was ripped out in the 1960s...</td></tr>
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On climbing out of the car we knocked on the door, we walked back to the car and sounded the horn, we waited, we wandered up and down the small patch of grass that hadn't given way to undergrowth. We knocked… we sounded the car horn again, we waited. And, throughout this carry on our attention kept being diverted to an open ground floor window. After a long silence poised… like a diver on the high board I climbed in! I'll admit to just a little apprehension. No actually - quite a lot! And then, having decided I'd 'crossed the Rubicon', I launched into a zoom, careering around the house like a thing possessed - with a video camera clasped to my shoulder… </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">This is how the lounge looks today</td></tr>
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I was very taken with everything that I saw and it wasn't just the price talking. Upstairs on the higher side of the house, two bedrooms, one, worringly, with beds unmade even with items of clothing scattered around… Like the Marie Celeste. They coild be back any moment! I didn't hang around. Back downstairs on the lower end another staircase led to a huge open loft area… all manner of detritus there - even a pair of skis… and more amazingly, water skis. the amount of seemingly useless stuff, bales of moth eaten material, hundreds of polystyrene ceiling tiles, about ten pairs of patent leather shoes - assorted colours… Market traders? Hoarders? It wasn't possible to tell. But as a house for sale it looked like … well, like a bargain! When I emerged blinking into the sunlight I encouraged Micki to make the same trip around the house. Hesitating at first she decided to give it a go too and must have got as far as the lounge (we used the term loosely) at the opposite end of the house before a second open window in an upstairs room, it's angle, disturbed by the change in air pressure, clattered and slammed shut giving her a jolt - at which she rushed headlong back to the point of entry. Feeling all the while that we were trespassing (actually we were!) we determined that this place, at just £12,000 in 1999, was just what the doctor ordered at our time of life. Kids off our hands and the sails set fair for an adventure discovering the delights of Brittany and Normandy…</div>
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These two regions of France are pretty much the nearest 'abroad' you can get to on either a permanent or dip in, dip out basis without the need to fly (for those bothered by that kind of thing)…and also, to give you that delightfully out of the country, but not totally out of touch feeling. Relatives - if you are daft enough to tell them exactly where you are - can visit and you can nip back to UK at the drop of a beret… provided you can find someone to look after your dog, cats, geese and donkeys… No? Oh… well that's what I have talked myself into, when I'm there long enough to put down roots. But each to his own. </div>
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There is (why use a few words when a thousand will do?) a longer version of our story which includes much excitement, misunderstandings, tales of hapless Brits buying abroad finding the most incredible bargains, how we came, as a result of a ragged system (in those days) to be running a business dedicated to creating a better path for those who but thus began a journey that we are still very much on and which has given us entry to the most exciting chapter of our lives. I must admit that the prospect of downsizing/relocating in the UK, spending more time in Brittany. There is always plenty to do there… The Forth Bridge analogy springs to mind and soon, with the acquisition of a camper van, the prospect of exploring more of Brittany, France, Spain, Italy… the world - when the schedule of life allows sounds just great to me... Forgive me if I don't come back quite all the way to UK </div>
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We are renovating, in bite sized chunks... and for me :- the grass is still greener on the other side</div>
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-83403439322827288782016-03-14T13:10:00.002-07:002016-03-31T08:13:16.525-07:00Is A House in Brittany a Good Investment?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>....You bet it is!..</b></span></div>
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I'm starting 2016's posts off with a quick appraisal of a few properties that show what a stonking investment a house in Brittany can be... according, of course, to what sort of buyer you are... Don't be insulted, but some people are just nutters (in fact this is the category I probably fall into myself)... We, that's Micki and myself, in 1999, bought a dream of a house for just 12,000 of our English pounds (plus Notaire's fees of course). <b><i>I know</i></b> - amazing isn't it! We have since proceeded to visit the house 6 times each year for around two weeks each trip and, up to this point, never spent any more time than this over there together. On two or three occasions I have spent a few weeks more than that over at the house when major works were on the agenda - such as when two rooves were replaced... bathrooms created from scratch; including floors, walls, wiring (there's one bloody light fitting still doesn't work properly) plumbing etc., and an emergency kitchen (year 2000) which unfortunately (<i>"maybe next time"</i> is my mantra) is still in use have made longer stints essential.</div>
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But (you see I've already digressed)... the point is that today it would sell (if we wanted to let it go) for around maybe £150,000). If we had been speedier in our renovation/restoration, it could have been earning us a tidy sum in gite rental. Forget that neither of these have been the eventuality... either would have shown us a tidy profit so "Yes' a purchase such as our own would have been a great investment... And anyway we do enjoy our trips to the house - especially those in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Winter? Well a trip in January this year was miserable because cold, wet, quagmire goes to make a combination that is downright opinion forming shite (excuse me).<br />
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<b><i>Of course if you are the second kind of buyer... </i></b>one who has had that 'renovator gene' burnt from your brain and all you want to do is walk in flick the heating and the kettle on - sit down and watch TV., then you are obviously going to pay substantially more for whatever you buy... But then again you will also get much more back... You can be giting and reaping an income before you can say 'underfloor heating' (now there's something I wish I'd said in the right shop before we laid tiles on the ground floor!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkB6lMYQ5XRWfeMnQQiKzPuLxayKmzxflqNhK63WLCLsbVromAGWME-i2xfODPQIGkkeGcemcv7DChntMqabEw9cw8zPW4GbAE48uPpwJqbKPlJfUc3G-5UnZKrOR0sfMqhAPqVMOdicN/s1600/trishmick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkB6lMYQ5XRWfeMnQQiKzPuLxayKmzxflqNhK63WLCLsbVromAGWME-i2xfODPQIGkkeGcemcv7DChntMqabEw9cw8zPW4GbAE48uPpwJqbKPlJfUc3G-5UnZKrOR0sfMqhAPqVMOdicN/s200/trishmick2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mWSicIV34QBFZGrtb1OHu5fwOAHsLvWDVoHhZ5qOg8t0szwXKo9X_Q-wPHd_3BLmGVPT-OJdd7T0PK_pNtddhprweymQapP7Q5Z7ne3WL_yTBjY0_kf9wKJDIczfVTyt5lNIPxp4dTK5/s1600/trishmick1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mWSicIV34QBFZGrtb1OHu5fwOAHsLvWDVoHhZ5qOg8t0szwXKo9X_Q-wPHd_3BLmGVPT-OJdd7T0PK_pNtddhprweymQapP7Q5Z7ne3WL_yTBjY0_kf9wKJDIczfVTyt5lNIPxp4dTK5/s200/trishmick1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Anyway, friends we made only recently said that they were interested in buying a house in Brittany and we were able to introduce them to one of our agents who had been contracted to sell the property above. They travelled to view and... <b><i>get this</i></b> - they have bought two houses (from one vendor) offered in one lot on a private courtyard... One house has three bedrooms the second two. They share 3,000 square metres of land (3/4 acre). By the gates leading into the courtyard is a double open fronted stone garage with a loft above... There is a barn with workshop, a summer kitchen - plus a separate outbuilding and another closed garage. After an almost cheeky offer and a very well timed currency exchange, the price of the house distilled down to just £103,000 (that's pounds sterling)... Astounding value for money!... No-one north of the English Channel would argue with that. In fact many are in disbelief... If this property were to be in the Home Counties of England then £750,000 (Iknow, it sounds incredible but the UK property mrket is quite mador even more might not be out of order and here we have an instantly letable pair of gites which might command £350 to £400 a week each between them from May to September. At the bottom of the garden is a gate which opens onto a path which skirts the wetlands of a 5 kilometre lake which has its own beach and a bar/pizza restaurant... And, even if you get tired of a cook-out on your alfresco summer kitchen and dining area the coast is just a 20 minute drive away, where wide open beaches offer superb sandy beach or craggy cliff-top walks or evenings whiled away over Moules and Frites downed with a beer and they are all just a spontanious <b><i>'let's do it'</i></b> away... So it's a resounding "YES"... <b>A House in Brittany is a very, very sound investment.</b>Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-44433098623780443792016-02-23T03:38:00.001-08:002016-02-23T03:47:17.719-08:00A House in Brittany... Buying into a dream... and providing for a rainy day...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtECZvpcI8x2uDbeZs3SYI1kz8Hw-b_CiC76yC2yJPX1YG81Zy5DUqvKKcabFBHvUinDmInjDlnX6ZbdVyERhepcbxQ7x0uYjzKcW177V3K4tNzteASdeEyGBo5JJQOclYEc7SQrDpINqS/s1600/ahouseinbritpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtECZvpcI8x2uDbeZs3SYI1kz8Hw-b_CiC76yC2yJPX1YG81Zy5DUqvKKcabFBHvUinDmInjDlnX6ZbdVyERhepcbxQ7x0uYjzKcW177V3K4tNzteASdeEyGBo5JJQOclYEc7SQrDpINqS/s320/ahouseinbritpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12,000 English Pounds got us this place in 1999!</td></tr>
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Though, of course it NEVER rains in Brittany! <i>But that's probably as true as the one about how it ALWAYS rains in Manchester!</i><br />
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The first thing to say is... we have been very, very lucky with property over the years. I'm not sure that I should carry on buying lottery tickets... because I'm certain we have had a lifetime's luck in the surprisingly few houses that have marked out our lives. In 1999 we bought, in addition to our house in West Sussex, what is known as a 'Corps de Ferme' in Brittany, in the northwest corner of France. We had been on a couple of viewing trips and seen some frightening stuff, some total ruins where a complete rebuild would be the order of the day and, on one occasion, whilst holding on to the local Immobilier's details which showed a reasonably maintained and attractive looking property we drove round and round the village for so long that the locals were gathering and commenting, beginning to point and some even wave each time we passed by... It was only on the ninth circuit of the winding lanes that we realised the house we were looking for had recently parted company with its roof since the agent's photo had been taken. So we drove off slightly deflated to our Chambres d'Hote for the last night before our journey home. The lack of a roof put that house outside our comfort zone from a level of renovations point of view, although at £9,000 it did tempt someone else just a few days later!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMwSMvakDLgoQuerBpfn0Zyp9VkNyJ81eo-TH9JsA7QEXEh2Zl6r4U9XZE1vY-UfzmllkoEsQTCKgfQiX-iiyYgzmY4c348ATyWsFHpLu-iZjjzjrvOKwTPtlWXZXHOatJzrvfzg7fewy/s1600/A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMwSMvakDLgoQuerBpfn0Zyp9VkNyJ81eo-TH9JsA7QEXEh2Zl6r4U9XZE1vY-UfzmllkoEsQTCKgfQiX-iiyYgzmY4c348ATyWsFHpLu-iZjjzjrvOKwTPtlWXZXHOatJzrvfzg7fewy/s320/A3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...The price looked like a typographical error....<br />
No! just another barmy bargain!</td></tr>
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But little did we know that Le Ros, our 'Body of the Farm', would fall into our lap on that final night of our third Brittany viewing trip - when bad things, like the lack of a roof or being threatened with a shotgun by a shy and retiring would be vendor (we didn't have an appointment to view) were becoming commonplace so, when our BandB host suggested we go and visit a neighbour (half a mile away) who had just returned from exhibiting at property exhibition in the UK it seemed like a no-brainer... we turned up with wine aplenty and Micki and I curiously earmarked the same three properties from the fifty houses on offer. and one in particular. We should I suppose sign up as contestants on Mr and Mrs. We have always shared the same taste, in fact often would choose to launch into the same subject at the same time with the same point to make... <i>That's what 46 years together will do!</i><br />
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So, at 9am on the following day, we were in the courtyard of an18th Century Farmhouse with 3/4 of an acre of land with three barns, a well and an ancient bread oven. The price of this gem was just £12,000. This was looking like another easy decision. There is little doubt that if this house were to be picked up and dropped in the Home Counties it would not disgrace the pages of Country Life at an asking price of a quarter of a million or more just for the opportunity of developing its potential. Nowadays? The mind boggles - but this is the nature of the economics of cross channel house purchase. Our BandB host had loaned us a large scale map in order that we should find this remote gem more easily and so we felt we should return it as it was on our way back toward the port. Rather than just accept his map Rick encouraged us to play the video we had just shot of the house and, when it came to an end - he said, "so how much is this place?".... "Twelve thousand quid" I said. "So obviously you're going to buy it then!" He pointed to the fax machine... gave me a pen and paper saying - "If you offer the asking price the place is yours". He pointed to the Notaire's fax number on the details (I know... 'fax' - <i>well it was a few year's ago!</i>). So... the fax was sent...<br />
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Our ferry crossing home was filled with <b><i>the</i></b> most animated stream of conversation of our married life. I'm sure that we didn't really believe that the place was actually going to be ours until - bags unpacked and back at work on the following day, we received a call from the Notaire to put the wheels in motion... con firmation that our offer was accepted, documentation, 10% deposit wired and, then a 3 month gap between signing the Compromis de Vente and the Acte Finale, we were back in Brittany - bank account opened balance transferred signing the paperwork and the place was ours.<br />
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We have now been to-ing and fro-ing between Le Ros and Sussex for 16 years - renovating by stealth rather than speed and we also became involved in the property market a year or so after buying the house... straightening out the buying system for other would-be purchasers of similar bargains - because the systems and means by which it is achieved have changed dramatically since our own haphazard experience. In this day and age, in fact at a certain age it is a good idea to put something away for a rainy day - We have found that by buying a house in Brittany and downsizing in the UK we have been able to do that - augmenting what (low) provision we were able to provide for ourselves in a pension. <b>But </b>a<b>re there still bargains in Brittany</b> that, given the passage of time, are still as barmy as our own? Surprisingly... "yes". Admittedly it calls for a close watch on what's becoming available...but certainly there are. <b><i>Here was one such property...</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jFsyMJzUGnvAF9gaUPgTOvGu-z1eJ9DBbBTgRbyAXHnLS3NoQMLNdzpp74pLU-xq6fFw6RvjiFYa99fqxeKAZWGtJf9tWAU-uMe2pZtleglWo-Pin2cF2UAkjV9U0Zay2uPD8asLYERE/s1600/03+%25E2%2580%25A2+AHIB-1-JM616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jFsyMJzUGnvAF9gaUPgTOvGu-z1eJ9DBbBTgRbyAXHnLS3NoQMLNdzpp74pLU-xq6fFw6RvjiFYa99fqxeKAZWGtJf9tWAU-uMe2pZtleglWo-Pin2cF2UAkjV9U0Zay2uPD8asLYERE/s400/03+%25E2%2580%25A2+AHIB-1-JM616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-fg9tgW-N7vAivQW3IN9flo6Jso3SwMFOHG-Dtk5TkgDBhmWAWPYI9Fo9csAHnNBrjeavIbGUdXsi0aRYYzdM_mfzAKMB1Xt_jQoVwIu7m-VJLTxw2HefI5VsIdMueKL7ZAsa3zIjztL/s1600/c56aacb5e40ba61c9016aafd61a81b07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-fg9tgW-N7vAivQW3IN9flo6Jso3SwMFOHG-Dtk5TkgDBhmWAWPYI9Fo9csAHnNBrjeavIbGUdXsi0aRYYzdM_mfzAKMB1Xt_jQoVwIu7m-VJLTxw2HefI5VsIdMueKL7ZAsa3zIjztL/s400/c56aacb5e40ba61c9016aafd61a81b07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>Two adjoining hamlet houses - </b>one with 3 bedrooms, one with 2, on an exclusive (you have the outside space all to yourselves) enclosed courtyard with two stone garages, a workshop and barn plus an outdoor kitchen for summer dining with a 3/4 acre garden. It was snapped up after it came in to us from an associate in central Brittany... just an easy woodland stroll from a 5 kilometre lake; a fishing and bird-watching paradise (a back garden gate opens onto a path overlooking the wetlands). <b><i>It did sound too good to be true. </i></b><br />
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<b>The price?</b> Well, after an almost cheeky offer and positive currency exchange.... £100,000! Internally both houses are very habitable with heating and up to date wiring and plumbing. At a very attractive extra negotiation were all white goods, some very nice traditional furniture... Oh and a ride on mower and a vintage cider press (sounding more annoying by the minute eh?)... The buyers may need to make your own mark on the decor - but the property can immediately provide an income as two gites, or as your own permanent or holiday home with earnings potential... A thousand miles nearer to 'comfy-cosy' than Le Ros on the day we took possession. All I can say is... because if the new owners hadn't - then I might have.... is <b><i>Good hunting!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><a href="http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/">www.ahouseinbrittany.com</a></i></b><br />
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630403092389984683.post-89946899931299494022016-02-17T11:47:00.000-08:002018-12-07T02:43:38.212-08:00More Spooky Stuff in Brittany... This time my Mother in Law finally made it out there!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So here's a mystical blog/post from Micki...</i></div>
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<b>My mum never came out to our beautiful farmhouse in Brittany. </b>She always used to say " I’ve been to France” <i>(with the implication that she never wanted to again!)</i>…and would sometimes follow it up with "Anyway...I don't like the French!" at which Chris would often say... "That's great - because neither do the Bretons!" And, to be honest, Brittany is not at all like the rest of France and I think she realised by denying herself trips with us that she had missed out on many things that we are certain she would have loved. We used to regale her with stories of what we were doing, places we had visited and how lovely the lakes, the seaside and all the forests are. </div>
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When I was a child we used to live in a wonderful Queen Anne cottage in West Chiltington, in Sussex, with a beautiful garden & paddock and - our house in Brittany has a similar charm, feel and character and a wonderful feeling of peacefulness…. where summers are about hollyhocks, wisteria, where suppers are enjoyed in the garden, barbecues and evening drinks enjoyed in the open air and autumns and winters mean Chestnuts roasting in a pan on the wood-burner and at Christmas time its log fires are pretty perfect... especially when there is snow on the ground outside.</div>
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We've always known that Le Ros is blessed with spirits of those passed and the presence of what our Breton neighbour, Jean Noel, calls "Le Fantome!"... so, for it to be a comfortable environment for our own family members <i>- those who have passed over,</i> should be no surprise...</div>
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Mum died in April 2015 and not long afterwards we went to Brittany for our usual 2 week stint of renovation, gardening and maintenance - mixed with the attendant relaxation and exploration of general enjoyable stuff. On one day I was totally absorbed in what I was doing.. and felt very relaxed. I went from the lounge through to the dining room/kitchen and suddenly felt very warm - like walking through a greenhouse in the sunlight... whereas Le Ros, inside the house, is hardly ever like that… so warm that I felt my arm and thought that it was odd… turned round and went back and my other arm felt warm… Wondering what was going on, I realised that I was passing mum’s lovely old carriage lamp. The lamp was cool but I was convinced that she was sending me a message.</div>
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A few months later (again in Brittany) we had friends round for supper and, after the meal, we all sat in front of the roaring log burner, nicely relaxed and having a glass of wine, music playing quietly in the background - and a easy banter about this and that... when, out of nowhere, something flew across the room and landed at our feet. Sounds quite implausible already, I know. But Chris bent down and retrieved whatever it was that had stopped the conversation so abruptly. It was an open packet of Setlers <i>(antacid tablets)</i>. This might not sound remarkable in itself if you thought that they may have rolled off the table or the mantlepiece for example.... but we don’t use Setlers and did not have any at the house as far as we knew - but, what was remarkable was that before mum died and most often when we used to visit her in the nursing home - on what was to become a virtually daily basis…whenever we asked her what she needed - what she might want the next time we visited... she would only ever say one or other of just a very few things... a lipstick say, or a sausage roll. But almost always she would ask for a packet of Setlers - principally because she didn't enjoy the food in there and knew she would need something to settle her stomach after meals. We did not talk about this phenomenon any more than in passing that evening because our friends were there and probably would not have understood what on earth we were on about or our reaction to it. But, after they left we talked about it at length and became convinced that it was mum’s way of letting us know she was there after all and that she was OK! She was quite mischievous and would have delighted in causing a stir and knowing that we knew she was there too....<br />
<i>Micki Slade</i><br />
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<i>During this year (2018, the year I started painting) I have done a portrait of Micki's mum... It's good to have her around! - Again!!). See also: <b><a href="http://chrisslade.blogspot.com/2018/08/ive-started-painting-but-is-it-me.html">http://chrisslade.blogspot.com/2018/08/ive-started-painting-but-is-it-me.html</a></b></i><br />
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Ooh and Ahh to Ooh-la-lah!http://www.blogger.com/profile/07975925445606107479noreply@blogger.com1