Who are we?

In April 2021 we had our first date….and 1.5 years later we moved to France and lived together for the first time. So exciting! It started with a dating match. How surprising life can be sometimes. On the first date it became clear that Michèle had a dream to go to France and I (Mark) did not let that deter me. A month later we went to France for the first time to visit projects. Initially we had a higher budget in mind and looked at several estates and castles. Super cool! But after a few visits and a financial reality check, we adjusted their search area and entered L’Isle-Bouzon for the first time in August 2022 and the rest is history. In addition to the fact that Michèle records our adventures on Instagram , we have also been followed by the TV program that follows people who want to emigrate abroad. We will be on TV on February 27, 2024!

For years I (Michèle) dreamed of an old building to restore. Then I could see myself renovating windows, sanding stairs, polishing floors. I would then transform barns or outbuildings into holiday homes with character and charm. How cool and unexpected it was that Mark suddenly stood in front of me. We started talking, fell in love, had a great connection, he also wanted to live abroad and renovate a project. No sooner said than done, we had only known each other for a month when we set off in France to find the property of our dreams.

About 55 viewings later we unexpectedly ended up in L’Isle-Bouzon. This house was outside our search area, but we decided to take a look anyway. We turned the corner and… I immediately felt it, this is it! Love at first sight. Now it’s been a year since we started doing odd jobs and renovating, and every day I enjoy doing odd jobs and we do everything together.

I never had any handyman experience, I learned everything here, especially from Mark because he is very handy.

Michèle

Let me introduce myself: I am Michele, 51 years old and have 2 children from my previous marriage; Manon of 25 and Hugo of 24 years old. They were both born in France. In that period my dream of historic houses and the appeal of the Gers department with its beautiful rolling hills began. I raised my children on my own and that is why the bond between the three of us is very strong. Fortunately, we often call each other and that feels very nice to me.

At the end of 2022, Mark and I signed for our farm and together we started this enormous adventure step by step. We understand each other well, although we are also very different from each other and can challenge each other in a positive way. That keeps our relationship interesting and we have a lot of fun together. Step by step we see our project progressing and it is great to see how beautiful it will be. Every morning I get up with a happy feeling of yes, I’m going to do some handy work again.

I miss my children enormously, fortunately I am often in the Netherlands for a while or they come to visit me. They think it’s cool what I do here and that gives me wings to enjoy this beautiful place every day. My father has been by a few times. I love it when he’s there. He does odd jobs, gardens, helps out, and brings fun. Fortunately, I often speak to my mother online, she still finds it a bit difficult to come. I am also very proud of her, she keeps moving and remains positive despite physical disabilities.