I used Google translation so I apologize for all spelling errors or strange sentences!

Why this blog? For a number of reasons, the first is because I like to keep track of my work as a sort of diary. Often when you are doing a job you quickly forget what you were doing before and your work disappears under the floor or behind a wall.

Secondly, I often get the question what I actually do in France, well this, among other things.

And last but not least I often work alone and then it is so nice to be able to share with family and friends, in good and bad days and hope for reactions and perhaps tips!

I hope it will be worth following.

It works pretty simple, if I have written a blog I put a link on Facebook and so you can follow me.

C'est Claire

It is still exciting whether it all goes through but in principle I have bought a house in Cavigny, Normandy.

About a month and a half ago I saw it on the internet. A small house but big project for a good price. Because I was not in Normandy myself, I asked friends to go and see. I completely relied on their advice, completely confident in their view of the state and the possibilities of the house.

Except for the 10 photos, I made an offer and after 2 phone calls, the seller agreed!

If all is well, I will go there at the end of January to really go inside for the first time. Hopefully it feels good and it is not too bad.

On this blog I want to defeat the ups and downs of the renovation / renovation and share the progress with anyone who likes it. Me in any case!

C'est Claire

You bought it blind?!?!?! ????

Several times I have heard this question in recent times when I told anyone who wanted to hear that I had bought a house that I had not yet seen.

Last Wednesday, together with Vera, Wiebe and Otje, the bus set sailed with danger for our lives.

It was fortunately everything, only in Belgium quite a pack of an inch or 8 but the closer we came to Normandy the more the sun came through.

On arrival warm reception by Kaye, beer, wine and delicious food.

Dogs and we went to bed early because the next day was the big day,

the big surprise, will I like the cottage or do I think OMG what have I done?

Thursday morning at 11 o'clock appointment with John, Sue and Tenno in Cavigny, to vieuw the house, exciting!

We found it, Number 17,

La Mare aux Angots, Cavigny.

First view, first time through the door, well door, half door that is always open!

First time through my (almost mine, I haven't signed yet) house.

It feels good right away.

A lot of junk and a lot of work but fortunately I can easily see through.

I especially see the possibilities and feel that it is a good place, especially after the first conversation with my beloved future neighbor of whom I unfortunately forgot the name. After that a conversation with a passerby who turns out to be my back neighbor, Phillip and his dog Jules are also very friendly.

I'm sure, I'll do it!

That afternoon at four o'clock on the road with Vera and the dogs to the notary at Pont Hebert.

The lady at the desk had no idea and was busy to find out what went wrong, I had no appointment.

After about 10 minutes it turned out that I had to go to the Agent, so fulle speed to St Lo and an hour later the compromis de vente was read and signed, Lu et Signé

C'est Claire

Back in Den Bosch immediately started drawing and sliding, a lot of sliding. The house is not very big and can be divided into two parts.

You have on the left side the old house and right with the corrugated iron roof a luxury barn, luxury in the sense of beautiful old stone walls and partly a concrete floor.

I call that luxury.

Above the map as it is now. I am now busy thinking about how I want to renovate and am making an inventory list with what I need.

Doors, windows, plumbing, heating, boiler, etc.

I have already started collecting, I already have a bathroom (including shower, bath, toilet), an (old) toilet door with bakelite latch and rotate lock a large washbasin with rack for in the pantry. Of course also things that you do not need but are nice like old porcelain drawers for in my herbal rack. I hope they fit.

In the meantime, while I was busy with all this fun, I was also waiting for my mortgage deed from the bank, which would not be a problem according to my last visit to the bank, says Monsieur Martin.

Unfortunately, we have been talking and e-mailing for 2 weeks because he kept coming up with new questions and I had to go through the mangle again.

I had assumed that I could start drawing and start work in mid-March. Nondedieu, what a setback, slept not well because I wasn't sure it will continue anyway?

It was Friday 5:55 PM that I received the redeeming mail with the deed,

YES !!! Or better in this case OUI !!!!!

He had already forwarded it to the notary, so I got the confirmation that March 15 will be signed at half past five.

So I can finally count down, it is really going to happen now.

C'est Claire

Friday, March 15 (continuation)

Then suddenly it is so, I am the proud owner of number 17 La Mare aux Angots in Cavigny.

Quite crazy but also very nice!

Walked around with Vera once more and again (it's not that big) and planning. Where do you start?

With a photo to capture it,

it is mine and from now on my responsibility.

First good to toast and drink!

Saturday, March 16

That morning without a hangover to Cavigny because I have a appointment at 11 a.m. with the roofer. While I am making a round with him we hear approaching a tractor my garden with a large mower. It's Guy the farmer's workman. He started his job without saying a word.

Two hours later we were able to walk into the garden for the first time and see how big it really is.

What nice neighbors !!!!!

That afternoon we also visited the Bed & Breakfast further down my street, the owner Siegried, an elderly English lady.

She was very welcomming and friendly.

What a nice neighborhood !!!

Monday, March 18

Yesterday I went to a Brocante with Vera and cleared the shed so that I can unload the bus today.

Today we get up early because at 8.15 Vera has the train from Lison to Paris, from there the bus to Breda. Goodbye my dearest friend, bon voyage and see you soon!

For the first time alone in the house, tu commence ou?

Install the mailbox? As if it has been there for years, love it.

Fortunately John and Sue arrive soon to help me unload the bus,

pretty heavy, especially the washing machine but it is inside.

Now we need just water and drainage.

That afternoon I brought the first load, more rides will follow that's sure. Tidy up nicely. Went to the farmer for the costs for the mowing and he made me a good price.

Tuesday I bought a mobile home and on Wednesday the bricklayer visited. I realize that I have to engage people because I can never do all this on my own. I go through all my plans with him and I have a good feeling about him, we'll see.

Better a good neighbor ........

Thursday, March 21

Today started mowing / sawing around the house, the ivy of the walls a very satisfying job.

Meanwhile, I made a fire to burn everything, including the pile of branches that lie in the pit where the old owner said the septic tank would/could be.

Around half past one I stop by the farmer (Eduard) because I have a few more questions for him.

When I arrived, they were eating dessert with the five of them, whether I also want something? Before I could answer, I was on a chair eating a fresh creme brulée, very nice! I declined the wine nicely.

I tell him about the septic tank but he is convinced that there is one but that is broken and not in order and that the old owner has certainly not placed one. I ask him if he can remove the branches because I have been burning for two hours but it is not really getting along. Pas de problème! I also tell him that I have bought a mobile home and that the ground must be leveled for that, aussi pas de problème!

Just an hour later, Guy comes cheerfully round the corner again with this time an even more impressive machine. 

Septic or not, that's the question.

That same day hung another temporary front door and ended the day with a ride to the dump.