We are Jane and Ron Bennett (ex banker and medical receptionist) formerly from Gloucester and previously N. Wales and Shropshire. My husband is a keen birdwatcher and has enjoyed developing a database of birds of the Autignac area and I love to play with decorating, soft furnishings and in the kitchen! We have a daughter, Laura currently living in Leeds, also, a very friendly lurcher dog, Cleo, who accompanied us here.

It had long been a “pipe” dream of ours (following numerous family hols) to retire in France. In May 2000 we decided to explore various regions of the country, ending our holiday in the south west, an area, with which, we both fell in love.

During August 2000 for many reasons, notwithstanding a particularly grey British summer(!) our minds were made up; we decided to “go for it” and seek retirement in France, viewing, in one week, 36 properties. On our return to Gloucester, we concurred that the “view had it” together with proximity to coast, mountains etc., plus located in a very tranquil typical French village. La Charrue (the plough; we found one in the garden), and Autignac were to be our future, and our piece of paradise.

Sounds simple? It wasn’t! Various problems both sides of the channel and to cut a very long story short we left Gloucester on 11th Oct 2000 in torrential rain, arriving here on 13th Oct – the same weather had followed us throughout France and to our new location, all in all, what had we done ??!!!

Many trials and tribulations later, for example, imagine purchasing fridge, cooker and dishwasher, not to mention a car ! with very limited language skills and a giant sized dictionary! However, we are now firmly ensconced in our new life with many “native” friends, still battling to learn French. But, life is good and whatever problems we encounter there always remains that view …. ( we would love to share it with you!!)

We toasted our 5th year as residents in Autignac in October and thought a small update would be appropriate. Our chambres d'hotes has seen many super guests and we now have invitations to visit America, Norway, Ireland and Belguim. Some comments from our visitors book "home from home, fantastic hosts, superb food", and.. many people have returned!!!!

Summer 2003 was very hot with June July and August seeing record breaking temps. Subsequently November and December saw the worst rain ever and for the first time a red flood alert was issued, many villages were evacuated where rivers had burst banks and sea walls crumbled in coastal areas. However, apparently the grape harvest was good, despite the abnormal weather

One sad note in 2003 was having our dear dog Cleo put to sleep, she was 15 and much enjoyed her last 3 years wallowing in the Autignac sunshine.

Early 2004 saw more changes, Ev, Jane's mum's, apartment she/we had constructed at the side of our house, was finally completed; this, following many headaches, problems and delays. It is now available for her and family holidays and also for renting. In January we acquired Maddie a French gun dog who was found with 2 broken legs in a very sad state - adorable, but following her traumatic life is terrified of thunder and gun shots so sleeps in the wardrobe!! When she hears these noises!.

Summer 2005 our pension en famille continued to thrive with us making more worldwide friends and acquaintances. The weather was typical of the region with (yes some!) rain, pleasant and more predictable temperatures for the season. Delightful Autumn too with us having lunch on the terrace most days, clear blue skies and no rain, early October followed by a week of torrential rain, unpredictable even here !!.

Ron keeps busy with gardening projects and some swimming pool maintenance, of course free access to the pools as a bonus! Enquiries keep coming for further work too.

We have made so many new friends and shared numerous memorable soirees with good company, wine and food, not to mention the four day Autignac fete held in July, music/entertainment commences at 10.30 p.m normally finishing at 4,30 a.m. and culminates in a grand meal for around 400 people in the centre of the village on bastille day.

We would indeed find it difficult to return to our previous way of life… in conclusion, 5 years on, life is good and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have discovered Autignac, it's people and our new lifestyle