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.
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_01_thumb.jpg) | The evening sun is shining, and the house looks good from the bench in the court yard | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_02_thumb.jpg) | 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. |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_03_thumb.jpg) | The garden is in full flow, with fruit galore. There are peaches, plums, figs, berries and pears to choose from | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_04_thumb.jpg) | The apricot tree has produced fruit for only the second time in 20 years |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_05_thumb.jpg) | The entrance to the bread oven, with the old water pump in the corner | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_06_thumb.jpg) | The bread oven which appears to still be in working order - plenty of bread and pizzas on the menu then.... |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_07_thumb.jpg) | La salle á manger, with the fire place which needs to be opened up | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_08_thumb.jpg) | The cave which hadn't been open for about 20 years - provides plenty of room for the odd bottle of wine |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_09_thumb.jpg) | Grenier, derriére - This should fit 3 ensuite bedrooms | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_10_thumb.jpg) | 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 |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_11_thumb.jpg) | Salle de séjour avec ver de bois (I spent a good couple of days treating all the wood with woodworm killer) | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_12_thumb.jpg) | Salle de petit déjeuner - or at least it is in the current plans |
![](/images/photos/house/visit2_13_thumb.jpg) | The room behing the kitchen which was being used as a bedroom | ![](/images/photos/house/visit2_14_thumb.jpg) | The mill stone in the kitchen |
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