Paging the chateau owners

Well it appears I may be on the verge of joining you lot, I must be crazy.

Just for holidays/fun/weekends at the moment, but might spend longer
there as time/jobs/age/health/luck etc. go.

I've had a lifetime urge to have a place where I can justify a ride-on
lawnmower, I think I might be needing summat a bit bigger at this place.
Anybody got a tractor for sale? The ex-Brownz Beta would definitely
get exported to have some fun in the fields.

If anyone needed a stopping off place in Normandy (Manche) on their way
to sunnier climes then they would be welcome.

If we go ahead.

Still teetering atm - what say the foak, do it or not? It's not for
investment, though obviously we don't want to throw money away.

Oh, we're assured it has broadband - who to go with to get that checked
out please? Number one priority in any property of course.

 

Sounds nice, although why Normandy ?

Its nice but the climate ain't going to be that much better than Blighty
surely ?

 

Get on with it! I need a holiday retreat in Normandy

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Not just for the weather, travel time is one of the factors, much
cheapness of land and property is another.

 

Shush. The Poole/Cherbourg ferry is much more amenable for me, I like
Normandy and I haven't explored Brittany yet...

 

Trees are the answer. When we were being shown round the 'terrain'
before buying the chateau the owner pointed out that they not only suck
up water from what would otherwise be very boggy land in places, but
also don't need mowing. Even better, when they do eventually need
felling you chop them up and (after suitable seasoning) heat the house
with them. Bit of a long term strategy TBF , but he had planted them in
1984. One of those mini tractors you see in the farm machinery sales
places would still be very useful as much of the land is too sloping to
risk using the small ride on mower I have even using full 'body English'
tactics. What I really fancy is a mini digger. Good for dredging the
'English River'[1] and extending the on site enduro course. The present
one was OK for the lad's KX65 but with a bit of 'terrassement' would be
much more suited to his latest YZ85 and the faux WR250.

How far from the tunnel? You might get some regular overnight visitors!
Reciprocal arrangements by offering stays a bit further south OK? Any
trout infested chalk streams nearby?

I have never regretted it. Not for investment in my case either, though
until lately it has been nice to know it has at least holding its value.

Funny you should say that. I have managed without even a land line until
now, but am just about to make enquiries of France Telecom to see what
kind of deal I can get. Didn't fancy paying a hefty standing charge for
long periods of no use. Unlikely to be broadband where we are though.

[1] Think 'French Leave'. It is an enhanced surface water drainage
rivulet that ultimately feeds the 'pompiers' pond for the hamlet.
Crystal clear water teeming with all manner of wildlife though. It
sorely needs dredging though after the low water flow of a couple of
summers ago allowed exposed mud to be colonised by grass.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I thought Normandy was no longer that cheap (by French standards at
least). Being able to pop over for just a weekend will certainly be a
bonus. There is much more too it all than just weather, though, as I'm
sure you appreciate, or you wouldn't be teetering.

"Teeter ye not!"


--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Yes trees are in the plan. SWMBO has always wanted an orchard so that
fits well. There are plenty of fireplaces that will be opened up,
currently boarded over.

Might be too far depending upon where you're headed. About 300km
according to google. It's under an hour from Cherbourg or Caen.
Reciprocal arrangement sounds good! I'm not sure about trout but it does
have it's own little lake/spring.

I heard there was a gummint thing about everyone being able to get BB?
WiMax for the difficult areas?

 

<Perk>

Dissapears off to garage to pack up carp rods and sleeping bag......

 

I'm bewildered. One needs a nice well equipped nest at home, so one puts up
with all the overheads of time/hassle. WTF would you want all the
responsibility and hassle of a second home, particularly one abroad.

A large part of travelling away is the opportunity to experience good
hotels. If I need a house/villa I'll rent one of those too. The only
attraction I can fathom is the opportunity to be able to up anchor at a
moments notice and know you have somewhere to stay, but I have never,
anywhere, not been able to find a decent hotel.

 

There is an official "pêche de la carpe de nuit" area about 5Kms from
us. I'm not into the full bivouac and 'boilies' bit, but I had a four
pound tiddler on a worm there last summer. It isn't stocked artificially
with monsters AFAIK. I was really after a decent Perch or Sandre (yum)
while the lad roach poled.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Aye some valid points there, hence the teetering.

Tough to find a hotel/villa where you can drive your own
tractor/lawnmower/trials bike/digger around though.

 

S'wot I thought.

The villa we have in Turkey is an income and a nice place to stay when the
mood suits, but its far away enough to make it feel like a nice holiday
break.

My mates place in Bargemon is a home for him for 80% of the year which will
end up being 100% as work commitments in the City and Basel drop off, so the
flat in Basel and Flat in London will probably be sold.

I'm thinking about buying a nice little studio flat in the Var (probably
Bargemon/Callas area), again with the idea of renting for most of the year,
but having a crash pad available when I wan't - the only hotel in Bargemon
has closed along with its fabulous restaurant.

Again - that's far enough away, sunny enough, and close enough to the Med to
make it feel like a break - rather than a quick sprint across the Channel.

 

Fair enough. A bit far for our usual lateish shuttle with an overnight
stop strategy. Though we sometimes get as far as Cleon (near Rouen) if
going out a bit earlier on a Sunday.

Define little. The Limousin is scattered with thousands of ponds and
lakes (it's the winter rain/snow they tell me). I have a tiny scrape I
dug out by hand myself in the boggiest bit to encourage the newts and
dragon flies. I was going to set to with a hired JCB, but our neighbour
tipped us off about needing permission for anything larger.

Dunno, must check it out over 'whit'.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

This http://www.flickr.com/photos/58125090@N00/2421226628/ little.

 

Heh, I've seen rainbow trout fisheries with some ponds no bigger than
that. Handy for keeping the fish course fresh. Though I dare say you
aren't officially supposed to nip down to the nearest hatchery
occasionally with a large bucket.

I wonder if there are any of those naughty septic crayfish already in
there?

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Don't know - are there any telltale signs? All I saw was a couple of
frogs. I don't think it's very deep.

Is your e-mail address valid? ygm if so.

 

it'll be pretty much on my way home if i'm driving

but unfortunately not by 13 May, when i shall be napping in the car
somewhere between Calais and Saintes.

 

IME it's a bit better. Almost proper seasons IYSWIM.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Mmmm Calvados by UKRM railway.