I think it’s time to look back and take stock.
Quite a few new folk have started following this epic saga of ours and must be wondering what kind of blog they have stumbled onto here.
Some art, some antiques, some textiles, some history, some musings on French life and culture, some good days, some bad days; having given you all a glimpse of the contents of my head I want to take you all back to where this journey began.
It began with this house.
Neglected and empty for years, before that it was rented out and before that the last family who owned it had a very, very sad story.
Bits of 20th century building work tacked around an old stone shell; it called to us “Rescue Me, Now!” I truly believe that if we had not come along to Campagne that day and put our money down, this house would never have been lived in again and would have fallen slowly into rack & ruin like so many of these old French village houses. 
Our friends & neighbours thought we were crazy, why buy this ugly, incoherent patchwork building? Why? because I am a sucker for the lost and the lonely. I have that crusading spirit that makes me believe that I can pull anything back from the brink and fix it. This house has a soul, and I want to polish that up and make it shine.
With Trevor, who could also sense the possibilities of this place, who thought we could change the spaces to suit our needs and wants and make the place work as a great house for the first time in it’s long history, we took a deep breath and jumped right in. We took a punt. A big gamble. A risk.
That’s what this blog is about. Stay with us and see what happens next.
Blog-sur-Aude 
I totally agree with you! I say this quite often: “This house has a soul, and I want to polish that up and make it shine”. Its very important to me to bring life back to a house that has been abandoned. Why build new, when there are so many beautiful old houses that just needs a bit of love and tender care. We are doing at the beginning stages of renovating our hosue! Many people think we are crazy, but it will definitely be worth it in the end.
You can see my House of Horror (aka, house soul to polish) here: http://wp.me/p28NBv-i7
Thanks for sharing!
Emma
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Absolutely! Have had a look at your “house of horrors” and it is not quite as bad as our hovel but I fully support your vision!
When we show folk the photos of what we bought they are either horrified or hysterical and it’s v amusing watching them trying to find something positive to say
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I am in awe of people who know how to DIY. I dip a toe into it from time to time, but I don’t have the expertise that you do. It’s a real art and métier.
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Thanks, I think it in my case I Do It Myself so I can control the outcome. I am always surprised when someone else reaches my standards. Oh dear, that sounds awful!
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I’m so happy to have found your blog, for all the good tips and the satisfaction of seeing each room and each piece of furniture you restore. It’s a great gift to work each day as you do to leave the world in better shape than you found it.
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Thanks Ellen, I look forward to the day when all I do is creative stuff! At the moment, it’s a critical counterpoint to the day job!
Look forward to seeing your progress too.
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Do you know the story of the people who lived there …. I’d be interested. As for your blog – well I’ve been one of the faithful for many moons and I can only recommend that the new become faithful because yours, like your house, is a jewel indeed 💫
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I know a little, but out of respect I won’t post it in case someone local picks it up.
It would be a betrayal of privacy.
Let’s just say our mission was to change the sad energy to happy energy
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I understand that completely and you are certainly breathing joy and delight and happiness back.. The locals must be delighted 😊
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Frankly m’dear, as the front of the house remains virtually unchanged most folk are wondering what, exactly, we have done to date.
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I find the French remarkably restrained in their interference – they are so laisser faire and are charmed if we invite them in to see what we are up to, whereas here a knock on the door and a pot pie is seen as enough to allow a rummage through the darkest corners of your knicker drawer. I think it’s called cultural differences 😂🇫🇷🇺🇸
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I like that polite restraint. I think the French are innately well mannered and respectful of privacy.
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Between you and I having spent a few years in France before coming out here, I find the approach here downright scary. And I’m English born, of course which adds a layer of restraint ….
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I know exactly what you mean. I am naturally reticent and take a while to be completely comfortable with people and that is, essentially, the French way.
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