A short interlude!
With the days getting hotter and hotter in Corfu, we have been glad to have an excuse to escape for a few days. We returned to our apartment in Ste Foy, mainly to complete the purchase of our neighbour’s apartment, which we did on the 24th of June. It is a dream come true for us: we had been sneakily eyeing the adjacent apartment for some time, idly dreaming of the possibility of buying it then converting the two apartments into a single, larger chalet. This February, and out of the blue, our neighbours told us they wanted to sell, and we jumped at the chance! Property purchase in France seems to be much more straightforward than in the UK. Both us and the sellers share the same notaire, deposits are put down, which makes the contract binding and, after due process, we became the proud owners of next door!
Inevitably, much of our time in France was taken up with the purchase and related matters. We saw the builder who is going to do the conversion, and discussed our plans with him. We have already got a structural survey and bought the requisite RSJs to support the building. We’ve bought a new patio door, bathroom stuff, sorted a plumber, etc., etc…
Thankfully, there has still been time to relax. The weather was stunning and just cool enough after the heat of the Mediterranean. Our first walk was around the Sassiere lakes in a Valley that faces Tignes. At this time of year the land is lush with wild flowers everywhere and Marmottes popping out of their burrows.
We took in second walk: this time above Val d’Isère to the Gorge du Maupassant, and on to the Prariond refuge that comes into view as you exit the gorge and enter the high valley. More wildlife, including a couple of chamois on the path! The walk is dramatic and not without effort, so the beer in the refuge was most welcome!
Our time in France was too short. After just a few days we flew on to London – a chance to see family and friends. Cate has been visiting her Mum, whilst I went sailing with my brother on the Medway – a far cry from Mediterranean sailing, though we managed to dodge the rain clouds!
Cate’s old university friend, Anita, who emigrated to Australia, had returned to London for a visit, providing an opportunity for a general reunion of old friends – many not seen since pre-Covid. The twin girls (Lily and Orly) of Gill (another old university friend of Cate) and Amir were celebrating their Bat-Mitzvah, giving us a chance to learn some Hebrew traditions with fabulous music, food and dancing.
Just a few days later, and we are back on the boat. Over the next few weeks we will be sailing from Corfu to Athens, with my brother and sister-in-law joining us for a week in the Southern Ionian islands. The heat is back with us, and we will doubtless spend a lot of time in the sea just trying to keep cool!