Winter arrived again at La Roche Hue, loaded with snow, cold, but, oh so pretty!
Our french was really improving and we found that we could both converse now without difficulty, and make ourselves understood! I found that, sometimes, I would dream in french - that felt weird. The love we felt for France ensured our well-being , and in spite of missing our children and grandchildren , it really felt like home. We would take time out each year to visit our family and loved being with them , but, every time we stepped back onto french soil we would smile, breathe deeply, and be so glad to be back after the hustle and bustle of England!
Passing those Winter months was fun with all the jobs around the property to do, plus the upkeep of the animals and the marketing of the business, but the initial buzz of the huge transition we'd made, had disappeared , and Alex and I began to get itchy feet with a desire to break into another venture! But what? We didn't know what!
Every time I went out riding on my beloved Hortensia,
I used to leave Roche Hue by the bottom gate, take a track through the farmers crop field , cross a road and take a lane through farmland on which stood a derelict farmhouse and outbuildings.....
The lane was about 1.5kms long which led to over a 100ha of woodland , scattered with bridal paths -- great for hacking out!
The farmhouse and 170 acres of farmland belonged to our neighbours, whose ancestors had previously owned Roche Hue, and had , at one time, all had belonged to the Chateau.
Talking to Jean, the farmer, one day he mentioned that he was thinking of selling the farmhouse with the 170 acres of land, and suggested that it would be an ideal situation for a golfcourse!!
DING!!
The idea was born!
A GOLFCOURSE -- BUT......we didn't have the cash!!
....but we did have the enthusiasm-- a lot of serious thinking was neededand A PLAN!
OMG!! I TRULY admire your vision and your fortitude! A golf course and no money!
ReplyDeleteLove your story, Delphine!
and the story goes on...and keeps us in its thrall...
ReplyDeletehappy days Delphine
Thanks Cottage Girl, I like " vision and fortitude", but some would call it ' stupidity':-)
ReplyDeleteHappy days to you too, Delwyn.
ReplyDeleteDelphine,
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to meet you. What a fairytale! I'm green with envy!
Plans turn into actions that work out most times. I really enjoyed your pictures and story. Dreaming in french after learning to speak and be understood sounds like an adventure.
ReplyDeleteDelphine your 'birthday' post didn't make it through.
ReplyDeleteIf it is your birthday today HAPPY HAPPY DAYS
Thanyou for dropping by Rebecca. I'm also green with envy that you have written a book- I would like to, but am not sure where to start!
ReplyDeleteBrenda , HMMN some don't work out that well, but you never know unless you try!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Delwyn, I have discovered what I am doing wrong! I have been hitting the publish button instead of the preview button, whilst compiling the post ,aren't I a twit!
ReplyDeleteI just adore these images of the derelict farmhouse. If I ever ride a horse, this is the kind of thing I'd want to see.
ReplyDeleteGood suspense once again!
And oh! The snowy chateau is heavenly.
ReplyDeleteRuth -I like old farmhouses anyway they have a certain sense of freedom about them! Have you never been on a horse?
ReplyDeleteOh this was enjoyable!! and a golf course...what an idea...you certainly had the room for it.
ReplyDeletei admire your vision thanks for sharing this article to us
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