Ashley Tinker DIY Stores and Builders Merchants in France February 1, 2017It can be difficult to find stores near you in a foreign country. Your common knowledge of simple store names just isn’t there. If you’re renovating a house in France, depending on where you’re located, this is where you’ll find your building materials: DIY Stores (French equivalent of B&Q or Wickes (England) Electrical and plumbing …Continue Reading
Ashley Tinker Our Renovation in Provence: The Builders Arrive May 24, 2016Up until now, Robin has been doing all of the renovation to standard building codes (he has done some serious homework and seems to be the only person around here actually following the rules). We knew we would always need a little help with one thing – knocking down the wall that separates the kitchen …Continue Reading
Expat Living and Real Estate · Sophia van Woensel-Mose How to Avoid Being Gazumped in French Real Estate January 20, 2016Buying Real Estate in France In London, the conversation during after-work drinks inevitably turns to house hunting frustrations. There is always someone drowning their sorrows after just having been outbid at the last minute. No surprise that the English adopted the satisfyingly resonant Yiddish expression gezumph to name the devastating experience of having your dream …Continue Reading
Ashley Tinker · Markets in Provence and Cote d'Azur · Taste The Freshest Veggies Near You February 3, 2016Fennel bulbs are in season and looking good! I must admit, and you’ve probably noticed, that I am obsessed with markets. Despite generally scheduling my entire week around whichever market I would like to visit, I sometimes just can’t get to the market I want to with the best produce. …Continue reading here. Ashley explains …Continue Reading