Wednesday, August 9, 2006

THANK YOU, KAREN


It may seem that we got a lucky break in buying this house in France, and we did, but the reality is that we could not have done it without the help, encouragement, and support of Karen Normandy. She was already on the lookout for suitable properties for us, she researched the real estate nad mortgage process, and she held our hand through a difficult process in any country or language. When we are back in the States she will sign the final papers as our proxy. We owe a great deal to Karen for all the work she did on our behalf. Thanks again, Karen.
Check out Karen's house (and make a reservation) at LaBlanchiere.

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

WE GOT IT, IT'S OURS



We had to get up early today to take the 7:30 TGV to the Loire Valley. We changed trains in Anger for a local train to Saumur. Karen picked us up in the "Jaguar" (note inverted commas) and drove us to Montsoreau for one last inspection before we signed all the papers to buy. There was a group of four women renting the house for the week but they didn't mind letting us in to take a look. We poked around for half an hour, giddily excited, checking everything out, from the top of the attic to the bottom of the cave.
Then we went for a walk in the neighborhood. Two doors down is the city hall. Across the street is the chateau and below it the Loire River. We called on our new neighbor, Patrick, who runs a B&B to invite him for lunch at the Hotel Bussey. We spent a pleasant hour there then walked back to his house for a couple of glasses of wine and to admire the view of the chateau that he has from his dining room. Then we took a ride downtown and had coffee in the main square overlooking the Loire.
We drove out to Riviere to meet the people we are buying the house from. David and Dorothy are an English couple who have bought a bigger house with a large garden. They are running their new house as a B&B. While we were there drinking champagne Karen called Jacqueline to come and join us. It was so nice to see Jacqueline again - we haven't seen her in 3 years.
At 5:00 it was time to go back to Chinon for our appointment with the bank. We reviewed the details of the purchase and the loan they were offering. We signed and initialled reams of documents and set up a bank account with them. Finally, we all shook hands and the clock started ticking on our 7-day back-out-for-any-reason period. I know this is a clock we are more than happy to let run out!

Monday, August 7, 2006

GRIANGHRAF AN LAE: FISHING WITH TIMBO IN GREYSTONES


August 3, 2006
We had a fabulous day in Greystones on the Wicklow coast. Vladimir went fishing with Timmy while Rich and I went exploring the town. We walked up through the town and had lunch. We found a beautiful church beside a monestary of some sort. In the grounds of the church there was a Circus Summer School for local kids. We saw kids learning to walk on stilts - "Whatever you do make sure you fall on your knees first".
We took a walk along the headlands rimming the beach. It was hot. We walked about 5 kilometers. If we had the energy I think we could have walked all the way to Bray.
Greystones is a pretty little Victorian-era seaside village. Unfortunately, it is not going to stay that way. The local council has plans to develop a mega-hotel, marina, and apartment complex right on the beach. When that is complete there will be no more days fishing for Vladimir and Timmy in Greystones.
Final score: one small herring, thrown back, and one small crab, also thrown back.

RADHARC ÓN ÓSTÁN: THE VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL


We are back in Paris for a few days before heading back home to California. Today we have to get tickets for the train to Saumur. We are going down there to sign the papers for the mortgage and finalize everything. I will get my first look at the property. I am excited!
We are only going to spend the day in Montsoreau. We are coming back in the evening then leaving for home the next day.