[Gordon Steadman]

Here in the Netherlands we have a saying: “living like god in France”.

I think you achieved that, in that situation I would stay there and not move again. 

Another saying here says that one shouldn’t replace old trees and at 72 I don’t think you’re a young tree anymore 

Not sure about the 'god' bit but it has been fun. However, a place this size - the house is big too - has become a bit much for us old gods to cope with. This is a house for the younger and energetic. We ran it as a rose nursery for a while and it would take the sort of energy necessary for that to live here.

Coming out here was a necessity as we were both starting from scratch and I was guaranteed some antique restoration work. It's done its job. We have now paid off the mortgage and have an asset.

Heavenlike France is becoming rather hellishly hot and, as Ronnie suggested, if it continues, we will become rather shrivelled prune type gods.

Anyway, more than ten years in one place is a record for both of us and our grasshopper genes are starting to kick in.

Scotland, cooler weather and a new challenge sounds good to me.