We arrived in France in 2002 and bought Gone Fishin', the sixth house that we viewed.
Originally a farmhouse, the property is sited on a 22-acres and is over one hundred years old. It has been sympathetically renovated and brought up to date.
Our contribution to renovation has been mainly cosmetic, making it a more "cheerful house" and adding more colour and character to a wonderful established garden and orchard.
We were ready for opening proper in 2005 and fortunately with the approval of the Mairie in Aiguillon ( our local village) as our lake, land and house was designated
"private touristic"!
Because our home Gone Fishin' in the Lot-et-Garonne is so large with a separate entrance to another part of the house, we decided to turn part of the property into the self catering gîte/accommodation and we installed a new bathroom and kitchen as well as doing all the decorating. For the garden we produce 95% of all our own plants and have six hens (which we call 'the girls'!). We share the eggs and any produce from the kitchen garden or orchard with our guests,for free of course.
All this is for us a great source of enjoyment as our guests appreciate fresh food and a colourful and tidy garden.
If you are thinking about coming to live in France we would be happy to pass on any information you think you might find useful or you can just talk to us for a bit of reassurance... it's a lot easier than you might think!
We managed it, and we look forward to meeting you soon.
