After two years of searching for a house to purchase in France in September 2020 we found the perfect property but unable to view due to travel restrictions from London, so.... we signed by proxy in June 2021 without viewing the house. I am not sure if this makes us mad or adventurous, (I like to think somewhere in the middle). We have some huge challenges ahead. Had we viewed the property, in person, we may not have had the courage to take it on, but I am so glad that we did. Finally getting to see the property in September 2021 with visions of popping open the Farrow and Ball to start painting!!! well the reality was very different, we lasted one night at the property and ran to the nearest gite and I cried for a further two days (and nights), what had I done!! But as the mist started to lift and the cobwebs were cleared, I started to see the beauty. A huge contrast between East London and Central France, the challenges are huge but the rewards hopefully greater - time will tell