Making the move to enjoy the French way of life

WHAT to do with a room full of walnuts, drying out waiting for market, is just one of the challenges facing Philip Voice.

He and his wife Donna, and two children sold up in the UK, packed up their belongings, brought over their pet dog Hector, and moved to France two weeks ago.

They are now searching high and low for a property they can convert into gîtes as well as taking the time to enjoy the French way of life.

“Since we arrived I have been out collecting walnuts and learning from the neighbours the right ones to gather,” said Philip.

“They are all drying out at the moment and I’m hoping to find out the best way to sell them and make a bit of money.”

Philip sold his landscape maintenance business in Petersfield earlier this year and Donna left her job as an environmental health officer to try and make a success of a new life in France.

“Most of our days have been taken up looking at different properties,” Philip said.

“I have been looking on the internet and keeping in touch with estate agents for the last year, so we know what we are looking for.

“We haven’t found it just yet, but we are enjoying investigating the area at the same time.”

The couple’s two children have also taken to the French way of life with open arms.

“When we drove down I had the children in the car and Philip was in the van,” Donna said.

“I asked Henry and Fleur when they wanted to start school, expecting them to say in a week or maybe two.

“But no. Tomorrow, they both said. So within two days they had started and even though it is tiring for them they have settled in and made friends.”

Philip and Donna are currently letting a house for six months, giving them the chance to see a range of properties, and they are under no pressure to buy the first thing they see.

“Although there are many gîtes available I am keen to offer something a bit different and have a few ideas beyond just regular lets,” Philip said.

“And if it doesn’t work out exactly as planned,” said Donna.

“We will have spent the time in a different culture and the children will have learnt a second language.

“So I don’t think we can lose really.”

Phil has also started his own online diary at Perigord Vacance.