November 2006
We all fly out to meet up with solicitor, J.B. Soury,  to sign and pay for land.
 

May 2007
Another flight out to meet up with builders, Bonne Maison.  Confirmed with them that they would get the contract to build.  All mortgage document papers filled in and posted to UCB.  Decision due by end of May.
 

June 2007
Confirmation received from UCB that we would get 85% of mortgage subject to medical reports.  Building contracts signed for Bonne Maison.  Flights booked for another trip out in September.
 

July 2007
Medical reports satisfactory and mortgage approved.
 

September 2007
Visit to France this month to sign Mortgage Guarantee papers and have a build meeting with Bonne Maison.  The mortgage guarantee was at the request of UCB and will need to be paid and signed for at the Notaires at a cost of around 1600 Euros.  Word of warning - don't forget your French account cheque book like I did! Much hassle with French bank will ensue, especially if your account isn't in the same region!

Also, met with builders to start choosing doors, roof, bathroom designs, etc. as the build should be starting mid-October.  We got a few things defined but Mrs D. had to take away a brochure to finalise her requirements.  We have also to show by end of October the socket and switch placements.
 

October 2007
Bonne Maison have received the plans for socket/ light and heating placements.  Mrs. D finalises the choices of tiles and sanitary ware from VM Materiaux - just a shower screen to choose, phew, bank balance still reasonably intact!
 

November 2007
Thanks to Penny from La Manoir for providing the photos showing work started.  Other photos arrived from builders showing concrete in place.
 

December 2007
Framework arrives as well as building blocks.  No chance of roof being on for end of year (which was mentioned).

January 2008
So far, a cement mixer has arrived... but the boys have been busy at work.  Foundations are laid.

February 2008
We arrived on a Sunday evening with a concrete base in place and leave on Wednesday with part of the roof framework up.  Six guys hard at it by the looks of things.  Met with builders in Angouleme and spent another 600 Euros on extras.  Whether we want 10 spotlights in the open plan kitchen/ living-room area at 400 Euros is another matter!  Some bills have came in too from the French government.  One for water, one for land owning and another for which I am unsure but that is being investigated.  Nothing too drastic.  Oh, and a recent 310 Euro bill for connecting to electricity.

Another bill received from builders.  Walls completed so another 15% to pay and another 15% to pay when watertight, which will be very soon.
The unknown bill from local council was for standing water charge... strange that it's not billed from same area that bill for water.

Another week on and some more photos from the builder. Doors and windows are in place.  Some work started inside on the ceiling.

March/ April/ May 2008
Work has continued though due to the builder relocating premises in Angouleme, there has been little correspondence.  Were shall soon be due another 25% of the build cost, with the last 5% being retained until our arrival in June.  This is when we expect to receive full handover to us.  Before then we have to contact EDF to switch the power on and more importantly, contact HIFX to set up a permanent monthly transfer into our French bank account. Another matter to be addressed in house and contents insurance.  This service can also be provided by HIFX so I shall obtain a quote from them.

June 2008
Final pictures have arrived prior to us going out to collect keys.
Managed to obtain a few quotes from CA Britline, Intasure, and Generali.  Decided on Generali as they were, not only cheaper than CA Britline but quicker to respond to any questions I had.  Also, they are a large French company so no worries there.
Furnishing the house is our next stage so Ikea are receiving a large order very soon.  We will get the house furnished quickly and cheaply this way.  If items break then they can be replaced easily.  Not too far to deliver from Bordeaux!
However, before we do that, we shall need to decide on paint colours... I am looking forward to that!  Think I shall leave Mrs D. with that task.  Hopefully, we may be able to start to stain and varnish the outside wood.  If not another visit will be organised for that and the Ikea delivery.  Shame eh?
Electricity is being switched on during our next visit too.  Builders organised EDF to arrive whilst we shall be in France.

August 2008
Well, just a few more pictures to finish off the build then a few of internal once it's been painted and furnished next month.   Don't expect any updates on the site for a while thereafter.

September 2008
Painter, my cousin Garry, flew over with me and completed as much of the house as we could over 2 days.  Open plan living-room/ kitchen, toilet, bathroom, hall, 2 bedrooms wallpapered (one wall each) and a coat on each other wall.  Sorted.  Available for work if required!

Furniture to arrive next week.

Met up with James Colville , landscape gardener, to create and tackle our weed jungle.

December 2008
Following a lead from my cousin, I managed to find a joiner willing to come over to France for a few days.  The purpose of this was to install a basic kitchen for us while we drove back to Ikea in Bordeaux.  Somebody had ordered a few items wrongly.. me apparently!  One and a half days saw the kitchen installed, just leaving us to find an electrician to connect up the hob and oven.   James Colville hasn't been forgotten about.. there's a recession on at the moment!

July 2009
After a couple of visits this year, it was decided to get the garden started or cleared at least.  Quotes for clearing and making the ground easy maintainable were silly.  However, after a chance talk with our neighbour we were given a contact, one of their relatives.  So, later that day, he came to look over and gave us a price.  Work starts in August.

August 2009
Stephane Chabernaud from ASC (Actions Services Chabernaud) started work. 

September 2009
ASC completed the front work and levelled the back in preparation of grass seeding and laylandii planting.  No other works but a visit took place over a two week period for the Circuit de Remparts racing and the International Boat Show at La Rochelle.

October 2009
Bushes planted around two sides of the garden.  Wall and gates for another and our neighbour is planning on building a dividing wall.  In the meantime, I will let Mrs. D. and her mum finish planting and I will watch some rugby from the patio with a small refreshment.  It's a hard life indeed!

February 2011
Some new photos uploaded of outside of house.