New house in Chabanais. Owl watch

Back of the house from the 100 metre long garden.

So buoyed were we with the success of the renovation we decided to buy another house to do up. Not really... when I went over in June, I realised that  though Le Moulletier is a beautiful, beautiful place, as John and I age, I think we might need to be nearer services and people who speak some English. We both spent ages researching as I had decided I wanted to be near a river. John must have seen about 400 houses on the website which he cleverly narrowed down to 4. I had first seen Chabanais on the website and went "Not really...."  but when I went to see it, it has everything we want. A river at the bottom of the garden. A train station. A small town with services. In our price range and affordable. Structurally sound but with the possibility of a whole new refit inside. So thats what we went for.

Bottom of the garden

The river at the bottom of the garden

We want to rent out Le Moulletier to those who are seeking some peace and quiet. A place to rest for a while whilst the madness of the world goes on outside.  A place for birdwatchers. A place where you can only speak French and meet  some great French people.


John has now made a little patio and a garden round the front which has herbs in it, built a seat for the elderly to come and rest a while on their walk around the hamlet.

Aussie neighbours in Le Moulletier

And here are some not so elderly Aussie visitors, sitting outside on the patio in Le Moulletier, in front of the chiminea we shipped over from Australia. A good time was had by all by the looks of them when I skyped them later on. But not the next day apparently when all the previous nights  joie de vivre had caught up with them all!!


John  has installed a camera in the barn and we are getting ready for the owls to visit which is a bit of a worry too , as our elderly neighbour tells us when owls come visiting .. a death is around the corner. I think she thinks it might be hers.. but we just think it will be the mice. Its a tricky one. You have to be sensitive. And I love her to bits, so I don't want my owl to be the cause of her demise.





Here is a picture of the house in Chabanais. Watch out for the  before and afters unfolding before your very eyes.

Back of the Chabanais House

Front of the Chabanais House