After having the offer accepted, and signing the Compromis de Vente back in March 2003, I returned to Poitou Charentes to sign the acte authentique in June and the house was finally mine.
 | The evening sun is shining, and the house looks good from the bench in the court yard |  | Although it still needs work, the back of the house has not got any worse since my last visit. The barn on the right will become the gite. |
 | The garden is in full flow, with fruit galore. There are peaches, plums, figs, berries and pears to choose from |  | The apricot tree has produced fruit for only the second time in 20 years |
 | The entrance to the bread oven, with the old water pump in the corner |  | The bread oven which appears to still be in working order - plenty of bread and pizzas on the menu then.... |
 | La salle á manger, with the fire place which needs to be opened up |  | The cave which hadn't been open for about 20 years - provides plenty of room for the odd bottle of wine |
 | Grenier, derriére - This should fit 3 ensuite bedrooms |  | Grenier, devant - because of the height restrictions I am still not quite sure what to do with this space. At the very least it will be good storage space |
) | Salle de séjour avec ver de bois (I spent a good couple of days treating all the wood with woodworm killer) |  | Salle de petit déjeuner - or at least it is in the current plans |
 | The room behing the kitchen which was being used as a bedroom |  | The mill stone in the kitchen |