After trying to start my own business, without success, Sue and I realised we needed a new challenge and after much thought I had the idea of moving to the Loire Valley in France (much to the initial shock of Sue and all the family) and running gites.
Still - I can be persuasive and after spending over a year looking for the right place we came upon Le Bouchet. Close to Descartes, we realised that it was a great location as it was in the Loire Valley and on the border with the Vienne, making it an ideal location for holidays, having easy access to the major Loire Chateaux, the Futuroscope theme park and the Brenne National Park.
So, late 2004 we finally moved here - two kids, two cats and a dog! Since then the menagerie has grown - two goats, chickens, various hamsters and guinea pigs and even some cute and cuddly moles (!?!) which pop up far too frequently and we can't get rid of (despite the TNT!!!).

The "good life" is being had by all - we have our own vegetable garden and orchard - the wildlife and birdlife in and around Le Bouchet, the Loire Valley and the Vienne is absolutely fantastic, the weather is generally brilliant and the night sky is absolutely unbelievable with no light pollution!