Finally signed

Finally all the pieces of the jigsaw seem to be slotting into place. We arrived in France on Thursday morning (without a mishap this time - well only a small one!) and spent what was left of the morning having a leisurely stroll around Riberac and a cold beer before going to the bank for our appointment. We signed all the mortgage paperwork and the bank gave us a quote for buildings insurance (which we must have before the Acte de Vente can be signed).

From there we headed to Bordeilles to Jean-Claude and Corine. Unfortunately no-one was at home when we arrived so we continued a little further to Brantome. The weather was beautiful and we hd a very pleasant stroll and lunch by the river. From there it was back to Bordeilles. It was lovely to see them both again and we shared a joke over the lost passport incident. We were to have stayed in the Lavande room as our usual room wasn't available but it seems the other guests hadn't shown so we were given our old room.

Dinner was lovely - with drinks in the garden before hand (Jean Claude's vin de noix!) and chatter with the other guest who was from Paris, retired and on a trip cycling from Paris to Spain! It was really nice to use our French again and so good to natter to Corine.

Friday morning we went to the notaire to sign the 'Communaute Universalle' and power of attorney. I drove - which was abig deal as normally Richard insists on doing all the driving. However, the likelihood is that I will be going to France on my own / with the boys so its something I need to get confident about doing. After groping on my left for the gearstick and handbrake a few times I finally relaxed and it was OK.

When we arrived at the notaires office (having to ask a few times for directions - easy to find huh!) the notaire told us the vendors were still making threatening noises - and wanted money for 'lost bookings'. I'm not sure who they were planning to let the house to but full of cobwebs, with ivy growing across all the shutters and doors and paper hanging off the walls I wasn't entirely sure it was fit to be let. Notaire told them to feel free to sue - they had Jack hope of getting anything from us! Particularly as they had taken four weeks to sign the compromis and we were only 13 days late in completing! We got the impression he just wanted to see the back of them.

After signing the notaire explained all the tax issues that would and could affect us - both now and when we move to France permanently. We were then presented with the keys - all 20 of them and that was it. Before we headed to the house we stopped for a drink. Ironically we had signed at the notaire's office in Neuvic rather than at his normal office in St Astier. Ironic because this is where we had visited many times with the children before the house hunting started in earnest. It was also where our first house hunting trip had started. So it was fitting really that we came full circle to sign there.

After a drink of beer in our favourite bar (not the champagne we had talked about - but nevertheless it went down just as well on a hot lunchtime) we headed straight to the house. It was frustrating because as it isn't technicallly ours until Wednesday the water and electricity are not connected so we couldn't actually do anything - but nevertheless it was a good feeling. Finally there.