22.11 Day 67 . . . . House Hunt Pt 1

This morning was the first of two days on a bit of a whirlwind house hunt.
Up early and out the door at just gone 8am we headed to Souvigné . . . Souvigné 16, not one of the other probably 10 Souvigné’s in France. The hurdle we had jumped last night ensuring we had the right one.
On arrival it was raining and the house looked cold and damp - but we are used to this now and it normally not very well maintained render which has discoloured - all of which makes the house look damp.
The house was on the edge of a hamlet with fields to the side a lovely view.
After a quick five minute drive around the nearby streets we parked up and met Chloe the estate agent.
The house which didn’t look large from outside seemed huge once inside. Everything was fine - just dated due to the former occupants age and the place having been not lived in and effectively empty for 3 years.
Some lovely pieces of furniture and detailing within and plenty of rooms.
The garden was enclosed and not as large as we would probably have wanted, but that just a consideration for us. Outbuildings and a large attic (to be explored on another visit) added to its appeal. Both Tre and I took a real shine to this place.
After about an hour or so we departed and made our way via back lanes across to Civray for a grabbed lunch.
Parked up we found ourselves in a small cafe which until we entered we had not realised was an English Cafe.
Everything was in English down to the fry ups and tea!!!!!
(Mr Hollywood we have found you somewhere that sells tea) 😂
The weird thing is every time Tre and I are surrounded by English people it doesn’t feel right. It’s lovely to hear an English voice once in a while, but a cafe like this, I may as well be back in ‘Dirty Bobs Diner in Romford’.
So after a bacon bap and a sausage roll between us we were out of the door. We grabbed some bread for the evening meal together with another different bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau and then headed north west to Traversay for the next house.
Traversay is near to the main N10 so we were already concerned about road noise, so when on arrival we could see the N10 as well as hear it faintly in the distance we were not too excited. The property on arrival was . . . well being kind a wreck. More of a wreck that the photos online had shown. Four walls with soil floor and staircase was a bit more than Tre and I had wanted to take on. Across a grass area was what looked like and had signage for the ‘Chasse HQ’, a fenced off compound full of cages and abandoned equipment, a derelict caravan which was inhabited by black sheep.
Fortunately the agents mobile number was on a board outside, so as we were mega early we called to cancel the viewing - if she had not left the office. We got hold of Nathalie, explained our decision but then got offered sight of a further property 3km down the road from Traversa, which we were willing to view.
Nathalie arrived about ten minutes later and we followed her to a tiny place we think was called Maret in a area we also think is called Vauthion.
Immediately Tre and I knew this property wasn’t for us as was enclosed on all sides with no views and no land. The property was like a chalet with lots of wood inside. Quite long and deceptively large - but not for us.
We parted with Nathalie after the viewing and headed home.
A lazy evening in the warm, with a fab omelette Tre devised (which all our last bits of various cheeses went into) - which was cheese heaven. A bit of football on the TV and the Man Flu returned. So an early night for me followed somethine later by Tre.
Tomorrow we have five to view - we lost one today as it’s now under offer. It’s a field day for estate agents here - must be the easiest job in France at the moment.Read more