Time flies!

It’s the beginning of June, and the move is suddenly getting very close.

Time feels like it’s flying by.

Danny spends a weekend in London with his sisters, while Dad and I head “for a quick trip” to France with a trailer and a roof box packed full of belongings.

We leave at midnight, and after a long, rainy day on the road, we arrive in Riguepeu at 14.30. It’s still raining heavily, and we can’t get the car up the muddy little hill. After a few attempts, we decide to drive to Celine’s place instead, where we finally enjoy a warm shower.

Dad takes a few hours to sleep, and I catch up with Celine over a nice chat.

At 7 p.m. we head into Vic-Fezensac, grab a quick hamburger, and then return to the B&B. We end the day by going to bed early, tired but relieved to finally rest.

The next day we visit four different construction stores to request quotes for the renovation of the roof.

At the first location, the woman working there is not very helpful at first. I try to ask in French whether she speaks English, but she replies (in French) that we are in France and therefore speak French here.

I have a detailed overview on my laptop in French of everything we need, and I show it to the young man who is also working there. He studies the list and says something to his colleague. Most likely along the lines of us being serious customers who might place a large order.

Suddenly, her attitude changes and she does speak a bit of English. She tells us she will call her boss, who will arrive in about fifteen minutes.

He speaks some English, and with a mix of ChatGPT, gestures, and broken language skills, we manage to understand each other. He promises to prepare the quote and send it by email.

At the next three locations, everyone is very helpful, and by 11.00. we have submitted requests at all four suppliers. Four is enough, and we decide to head to the house.

By then the weather has improved; it is sunny with a light breeze, perfect conditions.

The house looks like it has been taken over by a jungle, and we immediately start mowing and trimming. To be honest, Dad ends up doing most of the work, since my back still doesn’t allow me to do much.

After a long day of cutting back and trimming, it suddenly feels like we’ve “unpacked” the house. Everything becomes much more visible, and the property starts to reveal its true shape.

Marco and Dad also clear the staircase from all the overgrown vegetation, which completely transforms the view. It already looks like a very different place.

That evening, the five of us go out for dinner at Betty Beef, and Celine joins us as well. Once again, it turns into a warm, relaxed and very pleasant evening.

On Sunday morning, before breakfast, I drive back to the house alone with Pumba to take a photo of the number on the internet box. It is wonderfully quiet there, only the sound of countless birds fills the air.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Marco, Nina, and Celine. Then we get in the car and start our journey back to the Netherlands.

With an empty trailer and much better weather, the drive goes a lot smoother, and we arrive home just before midnight.

Now the countdown really begins. On June 22nd we hand over the keys to our house in the Netherlands, and a week later we will receive the keys to our house in France.

Exciting times ahead.