French Connection - The independence to work and explore.
Martin • September 23, 2019
Returning to Cruzy, a village situated in the real South of France. To help on a very interesting project, to turn a 1850's house in to a cycling retreat.
The river Cessea at Bize-Minervois
This adventure is to work on a grand project, in return for cycling and kayaking, that allows me to know the local area, a bit like a local. A work away holiday, I like to call mini retirement. Why wait till you are 65? Once you know money is an enslavement, that stops you from living each day with a life that has a meaning. You can change your thinking and build your own life and not one everyone else is doing. We are all individual, so start being yourself and do more of what makes you happy.
"Why not wake-up each day and make it ongoing to be happy, strong and healthy. Having a downtime or dark time is part of life that teachers us to be grateful for the small things in life. Is having the ability to live on earth in a spiritual way, as we are all connected, is to make it ongoing and learning to slow down to enjoy each day."
I made a new life changing decision. Well more of a big decision than life changing. I sold my campervan. It had done 140k miles and the insurance was due. So I hitched a lift with the owner of the house in France, who stayed for the first week to organise building materials and push me in to road cycling everyday on the lovely French roads, though the green and lush vineyards with little or no traffic, where the locals are happy to see you cycling and often wave or chat to you.
In July and August the temperature was on average 35° C +
Cruzy is a pleasant little village of around 1000 people, situated west from Beziers and Capestang where the canal de midi passes close by.
With just one Tobac (Cafe/bar) boulangerie, mini market with butcher, fruit and veg shop. Twice a week the Pizza van sets-up in the main squire during the evening and there is a market twice a week. Cruzy did have 3 restaurants, but now closed, you can still see the old signs above the closed doors.
We soon found a lovely but freezing cold river to jump in. More refreshing as your body becomes adapted to the change in temperature (Good for survival I was told while swimming) The river Cessea is found running next to the little old charming village called Bize-Minervois. The local authorities have dammed an area of the river next to the village to make a natural swimming pool and allowing the water to flow downstream and allowing the river to stay clean.
Kayaking The River Orb
Col d'Aubisque Pyrenees
Taking time out to support 7 cyclists crossing the Pyrenees with some great moments and beautiful scenery of the magnificent mountains. Mechanical support, keeping the riders topped up with water and setting up food stops.
The 1850's grand house to be converted to a cycling retreat
Yes, you may think I was only here to enjoy myself, but there was a lot of work to do and in-fact it was heard work but very rewarding.
Restoring an old French house is very much the love of many English who dream the French way of life. There are many English and Europeans who have made a life here or spend the whole of the summer enjoying what this part of France has to offer. Lot's of sun, good wine, small towns, villages, cafes, restaurants and great cycling. There are many school teachers who have property here and makes good sense.
We would start our day early with a coffee and Pain aux raisin.
These grand old houses from the 1850's mainly brought and restored by Europeans as the French like to live in a new modern houses with a garden and not have to worry about maintenance of an old house.
I imagine these old houses where built when money was made from the local wine being exported around the world.
Buying and restoring an old French house
- Do gain references of builders
- View houses that have already been restored to get a feel of what you want and how its been done
- Use local builders who have worked on old buildings and know how to restore and work to French regulations
- Have a drawing by a architect or structural engineer
- Work as project manager or find someone independent if living back in the UK
- Location & climate will reflect the house price
So after some time in France, I am now back home and converting my garage in to a hair and scalp care salon for my daughter to start her own business, before I head off on my next adventure.
I have all so been having a good old clear out and been throwing old stuff out and selling on Gumtree.
Having a clear out, means a little money for the next adventure/project and clears your mind, to have time to think and plan. That all gives meaning to life, as you have something good to work on, that removes distractions that are stopping you.
I grew up like that, I have always felt free and alive when I am in nature - At peace with the world and with oneself. I came to myself and realised: This is actually life!
Possible one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on. Hiking from Poncebos to Bulnes and back.
Mini-Adventure series With more time than money A campervan journey from High Wycombe to Murcia Spain via Gex France. .... Continued from the first leg:- https://www.losttraditions.org/back-on-the-road
With more time than money. A journey from High Wycombe to Murcia Spain via Gex France.
A delightful sequel to Spain in a campervan. Mini-Adventure series.
A week in the lakes, hitting the mountain bike trails and hiking Old Man Coniston. With wild camping spots.
A visit to Snowdonia, hiking the miners track and returning down the Pgy track. Then hitting the road South, looking for more adventure...
Charging the power station from the leisure battery in my campervan or from 110 W solar panel. To be a little self-sufficient when wild camping. Also, allows me to charge laptop and the phone for working remotely on longer trips away.
The world crisis we are all going though, will bring suffering and hard-times. This will bring a brilliant opportunity, from a good kick up the back-side to get people to work and build a better life. As we become in-tune of what's really important, we will not be able to rely on the health care system, people will have no choice but start to take care of themselves. Things will get better, but not the same as before, we will see less plastic rubbish being brought from China and more quality goods made locally.
First trip to Scotland, based at Loch Ken 1/2 hour drive from Castle Douglas.
Visiting 4 of the 7 Stanes; Kirroughtree, Dalbeatie, Glentress and Mabie, plus a days hiking up the Merrick trail.
