I am so excited - I have not posted for ten days or so, because I had a sudden call to go to France and see a house that my friend thought would be perfect for me and the cats. In fact, that one wasn't, but I saw another and have put down a deposit and signed contracts, and it is great. It is an old farmhouse and barn which have been extended and knocked into one house, and when I have done a bit of work it will have four bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus one ensuite shower. I can shut off half the house as a self-contained gite or holiday cottage, and have something to do in summer. It is a mile from the nearest road, but in a small hamlet of 6 houses, so I won't be lonely. And it has two large fields and a good stable for ponies and fantastic views over the valley. 4 minutes drive gets you to the river Orne where you can hire canoes etc, and there is an equestrian club a mile away. And best of all, it has a cat, a little ginger feral who followed me everywhere as I looked around the property. The present owner will make sure a neighbour feeds him till I take over. So this summer I will be leaving Sarajevo and retiring at last to Normandy.
