With our barn conversion possibly sold, we're having to think about where we will put everything that we currently store up there.
We have two ride-on mowers, ladders, children's toys, a BBQ, and goodness knows what else, and all needs to find new homes.
When I get out to France in 6 weeks time, the first thing I shall do is to buy a poly-tunnel big enough to take Rory (below), and the ordinary mower. We have 50 years worth of stuff spread about that's going to need dry storage. Having got used to the vast storage space up at the barn, we're going to find it tricky.
Most of the 'stuff' of course we don't really need, but it's knowing what to do with it all.
Everything to do with mowing is essential, so finding a home for that is a priority. Other things like ladders, wheelbarrows, piles of paving slabs, etc, can all stay outside.
Last year when we returned, I turned Rory's starter key, and he leapt into life at once, the other brand new red one didn't, and will probably require a new battery. I shall cross my fingers that Rory starts again uncomplainingly, but I quite expect he'll need a new battery too. Such things are to be expected after 9 months inactivity.
All very exciting. I thought you had a house sitter looking after the house and grounds this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do, he's been mowing with the ordinary mower; hard work.
DeleteYou spoke in an earlier post about being restricted to 90-day stays. Isn’t your wife Swedish? In which case, as the spouse of an EU national, you’re not subject to the 90-day rule. Provided you travel together and remain together for the duration of the trip.
ReplyDeleteI’m an Irish and British national and husband is British only so the arrangement will be very useful for us when we finally quit France.
My wife is a British citizen with a UK Passport. My youngest son's wife is Swedish, and holds both Swedish and Aussie Passports. We could apply for extension visas, but frankly three months is fine. Is was annoying at first, but now we quite like it.
DeleteAh OK. Sorry. For some reason I had it in my head that it was your wife who was Swedish.
DeleteShe is HALF Swedish.
DeleteI hope Rory behaves himself for you this year. Our old ride on mower was always very temperamental.
ReplyDeleteI do have one of those 'Booster Starters' but Rory's battery is under the seat which needs to be sat on to start; so unreachable. The red one IS startable with the booster, but failed to do so last year. I think it requires a viable battery. It's not really a problem; just expensive.
DeleteYou have obviously been thinking it through. Make sure the polytunnel is firmly anchored to the ground in case of storms or high winds. Maybe a large shed would be a more secure option and probably worth the extra cost.
ReplyDeleteI do have a load of old, and hefty, tent pegs that I thought would secure it. A shed would be far more expensive.
DeleteA ride-on mower - what a luxury. Two ride-on mowers - rich beyond the dreams of avarice ;-) (Just jealous, really . . . )
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a bit rash, but one needed repairs so we bought another one. Now we have two.
DeleteThe ongoing process of downsizing.
ReplyDeleteNIGHTMARE!
DeleteCongratulations on the sale. The poly-tunnels do have a tendency to shift or collapse. I have friends that experienced both problems. With your land a small to medium barn addition could be lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt would indeed, but it would cost a lot. We'll have to think about it.
DeleteBelieve me there is a 'lightening of load' feeling about downsizing - did it after the farmer died. The local auction mart took care of it for me. Do they have such things in France?
ReplyDeleteI do know of an 'antique shop' who do house clearances, but I'm sure I'd be swindled.
DeleteThat is a big change. How close is the barn with the new owners to your house?
ReplyDeleteThe actual barn is about 100 yards away, but the land comes right down to a track behind our cottage. I do hope the new people are nice!
DeleteWe left behind a very large double garage, stone outbuildings and several wooden huts when we moved, none of which we now have. The result is chaos. Hope you are better organised than we are!
ReplyDeleteOur first farmhouse we bought in France was huge, there were countless outbuildings and an enormous barn (all ancient stone built); now we have just a tiny cottage with no space at all.
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