Couple’s French dream a reality

4:40pm Tuesday 6th January 2009

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AN Astwood Bank couple are offering holidaymakers a bit of fun in the sun after buying a farmhouse in France on a whim.

Clare Hazlewood and her husband Andrew have appeared in this month’s issue of Woman and Home Magazine after their lives changed beyond recognition while they were on holiday in Brittany and stopped in Dol De Bretagne for lunch.

A house in an estate agent’s window caught their eye, and later that day, they found themselves looking round and falling in love with a very run down property in need of total renovation.

Before they knew it, they were the owners of a large, granite built, six bedroomed farmhouse.

“Andrew, decided that he would like a change in lifestyle and sold his business, moving over to France to give renovating a go,” said Clare.

“He lived in a tent that we erected in a dry room in the house; we had no windows or bathing facilities but did have a loo of sorts.

“We saw each other infrequently with him either snatching a hurried weekend at home or me going out in school holidays.”

The whole family pitched in and now the house is ready for renting out to groups or families.

“Our experiences have bought us together and we are stronger as a family despite having reduced our income and lived apart for long periods of time,” added Clare.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting our guests who have been really genuine in their admiration for what we’ve achieved more or less single handedly.”

The house contains a media room, pool table, log burner and a large oak dining table with dishwasher, microwave and fridge, while there is an enclosed rear garden and play area with swings.

For more details about the farmhouse, visit www.beautifulbrittanyfarmhouse.co.uk or call 892810.