We’re ba-a-ack! And, the deed is DONE! (almost)

It has been a few months since the last post and much has happened. Most recently, Oscar was “snipped” (a euphemism for châtrer…castrated) but he is doing fine. The “cone head” is an endless source of noise, mess, collisions and fun?! Just a week more of this before FREEDOM. #freeOscar

We didn’t mope for long after the “disaster in Mougnac.”  In fact, we re-started the house search with gusto. We even looked (again) in areas that we had “passed on”  before, just to be sure that there wasn’t a hidden gem out there that we had missed. Well, this “black art deco manse” was not a gem!

So, we turned our attentions northward once again to the areas around Angouleme in the Charente.  We saw a number of “interesting” places…all of them built of stone, all of them quite old and some with “water features.”  This one backed onto a stream that served as the property boundary line.

The one that had direct views onto the Charente River was charming but, because of its location, no modifications to the out building or exterior façade of the house were permitted by local regulations. C’est dommage!  Onward.

With our frustration levels rising, we got a call about a house that was “not yet on the market officially.”  It was a potential “coup de cœur” (literally “heart stroke” but used as a French expression for a house that steals your heart)…over an acre surrounded by stone walls, close to the city center and train station, with out buildings and a stream and pond/pool/?? We went to see it…in the pouring rain.  The house had/has a lot going for it–plenty of history, character and charm, multiple cheminées (fireplaces) and some great architectural details.  We gave it serious thought before

deciding to pass.  Why?!?! you may ask. Well the next place we saw was, indeed, our coup de cœur!!

The house has a name–PUYLOYER, which translates to “high thistle.” It is near the village of Mouton, which translates to “sheep.”  It was built, principally, in the 14th and 18th centuries, with a tall colombier/dove cote, an enclosed courtyard and a number dépendences (outbuildings) including a one room school, stockage for wood, a cave and a large grange (barn).  Originally, built as a noble’s

estate in the Middle Ages, it was partially destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt over a

a period of MANY years.  Happily, the most recent owners, aka the sellers, did some incredibly good and authentic restoration of many parts of the property and modernization of the kitchen and baths.

There’s much more to see and talk about…but let’s wait until after the closing.  Don’t want to jinx it!!

(Geoff)

Since the house has a name, I have created titles to go with it;

Monsieur & Madame Tête De Potiron, Puyloyer, Mouton… or

Mr. & Mrs. Pumpkinhead, High Thistle, Sheep.

(Sallie)