EP 4: Can I get a cosy Maison?!

In this fourth episode it's all about the heating. As a girl from the Australian tropics, I do not find the bitter cold romantic! and so this becomes our main priority. Then we hit the French Autoroutes for a road trip which includes a 1300 km round trip to Paris and back to pick up the doggos!

[@rex7486]

Wow, really enjoying following along on this journey!

[@DarleneLavett]

Thank you Glad you are enjoying it!

[@kfx216]

I loved visiting Sarlat this summer when looking for a place. My trip taught me to see things as they are, not as I "hoped" they'd be. We stayed in Marquay. Enjoying your videos!

[@DarleneLavett]

How beautiful is Sarlat!? Did you find a property whilst here? Things are never quite as they appear or you expect! :)

[@Travelling_Jonoberries]

Hi again Darlene, hope you are both well, nice place there in the country, understand why you moved there. You would be surprised how many Aussies are over there in France as well. Prenez soin de vous, soyez en sécurité 👍🙏🇫🇷🏰

[@DarleneLavett]

Merci! Tu parles français?

[@maryloukelly7696]

I had electric space heaters as back up when I lived in Bergerac. Too expense to use all the time but a life saver when the radiator system quit in below freezing weather. The house was built of limestone blocks and was about 300 yrs old.

[@DarleneLavett]

Great idea. We went and bought, borrowed and stole (ok maybe not stole) electrical heaters which are fantastic as you say as a backup.

[@lieuwina]

Glad the dogs got to France ok and they were so happy and excited to see you both again, poor babies. Your place is stunning and I think you will both be happy there.

[@suefreestun]

Really enjoying watching you and Mr Smith on your new life in beautiful France. We have house/pet sat in France a few times and love the people and life style. My husband has been learning French for 3/4 years 😊 Thanks for the beautiful scenery. Cheers sue Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@DarleneLavett]

Thank you for reaching out Sue. Do you have plans to move to France one day? It really is a dream and the summer here is stunning. I hope to adopt some little kitties next week too as sadly a lot of tourists abandon their pets in the Dordogne. 😪

[@suefreestun]

Hi D, We have friends from Tassie who own quite a few houses in France and live there for 6 months of the year. 6 months in Tassie. We house sat for them in hobart for 6 weeks this year. Im afraid I only speak a few words of French unlike my husband. Sounds like Mr Smith is fluent in French.😎😊 I look forward to seeing you working on your home and studio, gardens etc. sounds like you will have a full furry family soon.😂. Yes, we had heard that the French are not as caring of their pets. Cheers Sue

[@inabates8919]

Gorgeous, bet their noses were glued to the ground for quite awhile. All these new scents. ❤

[@mrssue9137]

Bells. I believe they ring twice so that the farmers working at a distance may not have registered hearing them the first time, so it's repeated, and then they can count the hour the second time. Anyway that's what I was told when I visited France. All the best.😊

[@DarleneLavett]

That’s exactly what I have heard. I just love that the tradition lives on, even though it was symbolic of the times when farmers and workers in the fields, and in the vineyards, we’re commonplace. Not so much now obviously. And then when the bells toll at 7 am, midday and 7 pm we call it crazy hour because they just keep tolling! I’ve actually counted over 140 tolls of the Bells at that time. Thanks for watching 😊

[@143tinaed]

I loved seeing how happy your kids were when they saw you..

[@DarleneLavett]

😍

[@suep998]

❤😊Hello just started to see your video's so I've got you on my watch list now good luck 😊

[@DarleneLavett]

Awesome thank you Sue!

[@KitLisbeth72]

Love it 😍😍😍 can’t wait to have cheese and champas on the plastic outdoor setting! That view 😍😍😍

[@DarleneLavett]

Hahaha! I so cannot wait for you to visit! As long as it's 'champagne' champagne, the cheese is tasty and the view is spectacular, than that's all that matters! X

[@virsanib]

The word "gîte" means algo a B&B accomodation.

[@jimbopicton]

Were you meant to give way? No. Gold. Driving on the wrong (right) side of the road is going to keep you on your toes!

[@tisketisja5528]

Hihihi you are driving on the wrong side. Currently, people drive on the right side of the road in about 165 countries worldwide. This includes large parts of Europe, North and South America, and Asia. However, there are also about 75 countries where vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

[@seeyayannapon6968]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your new exciting journey. we hope we could do the same thing in future, in the meantime will be following your chanel. new subscriber 😀

[@thelightning87]

Fyi you did have to stop for the yellow car ;) Notice the intersection sign 50m back

[@DarleneLavett]

That is so funny as we’ve never seen a sign there but thanks for letting me know!

[@bobolpatrick3789]

Bonjour ,vous n'êtes pas loin du château des Milandes très belle région

[@DarleneLavett]

Oui, une tres belle region! Bonne journee et merci d'avoir regarde.

[@Susan.I]

What breed is Cheewy?

[@DarleneLavett]

Chewie is a toy poddle but he things he's a cattle dog.

[@ronleetapp9300]

So lovely having your babies with you

[@DarleneLavett]

I wouldn't have come without them, much to Mr Smith's horror but it's true - they're my babies!

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

No.

[@DarleneLavett]

😂

[@Michelle-wk4ek]

Your back ground music is too loud, it drowns out your voice, it isn’t needed.