By Chance to Live in Central France: A move to France, renovation, conversion and running a successful Gite

Rhae Elliott and her husband Keith did what most of us imagine doing when watching the TV programmes telling the stories of people who sell up and leave all familiar things to start life in a new country. They made the decision to move to Central France making the dream of a life abroad a reality. After several visits investigating different areas of France they bought a wonderful 200-year-old farmhouse and dilapidated cottage in the Berry Creuse region and began a new life. In a year they redecorated the farmhouse, renovated the cottage and ran a successful gite business. The story tells of the necessary steps to get health cover, problems with local builders and dealings at the Maire. It tells of marathon lunches and continues with tales of visits to local fetes. It explains the difficulties encountered mastering the language and the way the British network to help each other in a Foreign Land.