Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
The Research Experience
Our decision to search for a property in France was both exciting and daunting. First things
first, we needed to have a proper grasp of the most suitable locations. This would be a chal-
lenge far beyond our superficial 'holiday knowledge' of the country.
Location was important, not in the traditional 'nice neighbourhood, good schools, pub
nearby' sense, but much more critically from the point of view of game rearing and hunting.
If animals and crops are to thrive, a suitable climate and habitat are needed. This includes
an abundance of natural cover and water sources. These considerations became of key rel-
evance in our property search.
It only took a moment for us to decide that this should be my job and I would then pro-
duce the property short-list. Being an inveterate 'tour-operator' I always warmed to this sort
of job and, anyway, as Jack had loftily informed me, he had a number of more important
matters to attend to. I had a sneaky suspicion that these would include his current task of
re-assembling several tiny metal sprockets. They had previously been part of some kind of
timing device, so yes, very important indeed.
Typically, however, he did find time to provide me with 'guidance' on the essentials of
my task.
“Scepticism is essential. Don't take
anything
at face value. Internet sites are likely to be
wrong and estate agents in particular are accomplished liars. Travel agencies have a vested
interest in making you want to travel to their latest best-commission area and tourist offices
have a vested interest in making you want you to travel to
their
region. Most French web-
sites are consumed by the belief that
la France
is comprehensively beautiful, unbelievably
historic and hasn't had a rainstorm for decades. They'll portray the local population as un-
conditionally friendly, completely welcoming and obsessed with the idea of attracting for-
eigners to their idyllic surroundings. Shall I write this down for you?”
“No darling. I've got the gist of it now thanks and there's a risk that I can just about
manage on my own. Just leave me to it and sort out your nuts and bolts.”
Which he did.
