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00:01For over 22 years, A Place in the Sun has been helping couples find their dream homes abroad.
00:07Going to be a tingly feeling. Are you? Loving it, loving it.
00:12Creating hundreds of happy households across the world.
00:15Oh, it's gorgeous. Beautiful.
00:17Shall we do it? Look, we're all welling up here.
00:20In this series, we'll be revisiting some of them to find out what happened next.
00:25Can I get a high five? Yeah. Oh, yeah.
00:29Today, Jasmine Harman is in Haute Vienne in France with Gary and Lynn.
00:33They bought a holiday home there three years ago with the help of Danny Mingez.
00:37Oh, it's lovely, isn't it? Yeah.
00:39I'm still dumbfounded when I stand here, to be fair.
00:42It was love at first sight almost, wasn't it? It's exactly what we wanted.
00:45While Lee Juggernaut is on the coast of Almeria in Spain, catching up with Lorna and Brian,
00:50who he helped find a new home for them and Lorna's son, Danny.
00:54How is life here? It's great. Yeah.
00:57It's not usually like this.
01:00Danny's here as well. You'll get to meet him later.
01:02Every day. Yeah.
01:12Sailing across the serene waters of this gorgeous lake in the Haute Vienne is an experience like no other.
01:20It's easy to see why Lynn and Gary were so drawn to this part of France
01:24when Danny went house hunting with them to find their dream family holiday home.
01:32The Haute Vienne is in southern central France, just north of the Dordogne.
01:36You can fly to its main city, Limoges, in around two hours from the UK.
01:40Or it's a six to seven hour drive from Calais, depending on traffic.
01:44The Haute Vienne gets its name from the River Vienne that runs through it and is also home to more
01:49than 3,000 lakes,
01:51leading to it often being referred to as the French Lake District.
01:54This very rural and peaceful area is quintessentially French, but still home to a sizable British community with just under
02:025,000 of us living here.
02:05It was back in 2021 when nurse practitioner Lynn and retired police officer Gary asked us to find them a
02:12holiday home in the Haute Vienne
02:13for their maximum budget of £120,000 so they could enjoy la vie française to the max.
02:20A perfect day would be walking to the village, perhaps get some fresh bread
02:24and then have all the family around for a big meal in the evening and party, party, party.
02:30Danny first met them on the banks of the River Van Coo to find out what sort of property they
02:35were looking for.
02:36We're looking for a minimum of three bedrooms really.
02:39I really want quite a big kitchen with an island.
02:41Okay.
02:42Somewhere with a little bit land if possible.
02:44I love my garden, definitely need some outbuildings.
02:47Definitely outbuildings, a workshop, somewhere to park my motor by.
02:51Danny's first place, this three bedroom house next to a church in a small hamlet close to the town of
02:56Belac,
02:56was priced a touch over budget but negotiable to the top end of Gary and Lynn's
03:01and it got them both singing from the same hymn sheet.
03:05Nice.
03:05Yeah, very nice.
03:06Nice and big, good size.
03:07Yeah, it's got a nice feel about it.
03:09Yeah, it does, doesn't it?
03:10Yeah, it feels really cosy.
03:11Very homely.
03:12Yeah, I love the fireplace and the log fire and big window with all the light coming in.
03:16Yeah, so far so good.
03:18Oh, I like this, it's quite big, isn't it?
03:20Yeah.
03:20Yeah, it's nice.
03:21Yeah.
03:21It's got, again, a real nice feel about it.
03:24So Danny was off to a flying start and feeling good as she headed to property number two,
03:29a four bedroom house built in the sous sole or upside down style, traditional to the region,
03:34which needed a bit of TLC.
03:36Yeah, definitely got the size.
03:38It's nice and big, it's airy.
03:40I'm getting quite like a good vibe off your bus.
03:42Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:43We've got the vision to be able to change inside to suit what we want really.
03:47Feels like a nice big space.
03:49I think we could do a lot with this.
03:50And the good vibes continued outside.
03:53Yeah, really lovely.
03:55The trees that bring the privacy.
03:57We've got some good sun going on.
03:59This knocked property one out of the running.
04:02And third up for Lynn and Gary was this three bedroom house with lots of outbuildings,
04:05which made a great first impression.
04:09They're absolutely fantastic.
04:10I'm liking it.
04:11It looks very pretty and I'm liking what's on the other side, all the outbuildings.
04:15Gary and Lynn started their tour inside the main house and liked what they saw downstairs.
04:21Very spacious.
04:22And we've got doors out as well.
04:24That's really good.
04:25Yeah.
04:26Fireplace is amazing.
04:27Yeah, it's really nice.
04:28Really nice.
04:28Very French.
04:30Before being blown away by the bedrooms.
04:32Yeah, it's another lovely room, isn't it?
04:34Yeah.
04:34I like these floors.
04:35Fabulous, isn't it?
04:36Yeah.
04:40Look at the size of this room.
04:41It's huge.
04:42This is a massive space.
04:43We've got a chandelier in here.
04:44Oh, yeah.
04:45And that stone wall is really nice, isn't it?
04:47So Danny had another contender as they zoomed off to property number four.
04:52A four bedroom house on the market, a touch over budget, but with a lot of flexibility
04:56on price.
04:57It came with no less than two water features.
05:00Oh, a pool.
05:01Cool.
05:02You've got the pool, but you also have your own wee lake just down the road.
05:06No way.
05:06That lake coming up the road is yours.
05:08Oh, wow.
05:09Gary and Lynn looked around the house on their own, and that wow factor stopped pretty much
05:14as soon as they snick through the front door.
05:16So this is a kitchen, dining room, living space.
05:20Mm.
05:20I don't know whether I'm that keen on that.
05:22No, I don't think it works well for us at the moment the way it is.
05:25No.
05:25This is a very small room.
05:27I just don't think it flows very well.
05:29I think that space there is a bit awkward.
05:31I'm not feeling it for this one so far, are you?
05:33No.
05:33So no contender there for Danny, but she was hoping to end the house hunt on a high note
05:38with this three bedroom house sat on an acre of land in the village of Tia.
05:43It looks like you've excelled yourself.
05:45Is it all of this?
05:46Yes, it is.
05:47Wow.
05:48It's amazing.
05:49It's perfect at the moment.
05:50I can't wait to see inside.
05:52Wow.
05:53What a great size.
05:54Yeah, amazing.
05:56It would make a lovely big kitchen diner.
05:58Living area there, kitchen over here.
05:59I think it'd be fabulous.
06:02This is a good-sized living room.
06:04You've definitely ticked all the boxes here, I think.
06:06This is fabulous.
06:07Yeah.
06:08The inside impressed, but the outside was outstanding.
06:12Oh, my lordy-loo.
06:14Wow.
06:15Oh, my gosh.
06:17We're just...
06:18We're spoiled here, aren't we?
06:20We could do whatever you wanted.
06:22How are you feeling now you've seen a bit more of the property?
06:24I think we're both pretty speechless, aren't we?
06:26It's absolutely amazing.
06:27Unbelievable, yeah.
06:28It's great.
06:28Perfect.
06:29I don't think we could ask for any more at the moment.
06:32Danny left Gary and Lynne to look around upstairs on their own.
06:35Gosh, look at this.
06:36Look at this again.
06:37It's another family room with the double bed, single bed.
06:40I like all the beams and it's just in such a good state of repair as well, isn't it?
06:43I love the floor.
06:44Yeah, it's brilliant.
06:46Gosh.
06:47It's good.
06:47It's just feeling right.
06:49The whole house is just feeling just right, isn't it?
06:51Yeah.
06:51I can see myself here.
06:53I don't know about you.
06:54Yeah, definitely.
06:55Before meeting back up to get their final thoughts.
06:58Oh, perfect.
06:59Blown away.
07:00Ticks every box for us.
07:02Absolutely perfect.
07:03What about those other two properties?
07:04We liked them.
07:05They were nice properties, but this is exactly what we're looking for.
07:08Okay.
07:09So what do you want to do now?
07:11Put in an offer.
07:12Right now?
07:12Right now.
07:13No, you don't, do you?
07:14Yeah.
07:15Do you actually?
07:16Yeah.
07:16You want to do it right now?
07:17Yeah.
07:18Well, there's nothing like striking while the iron's hot.
07:21That house was on the market for just under £112,000 and Gary and Lynn had a number
07:27in mind.
07:28So we'd be looking at putting an offer at £100,000.
07:31That offer was rejected.
07:33She's come back to me with a counter offer.
07:35£105,000.
07:37£105,000 with the lawnmower.
07:38And it's a deal.
07:39Okay.
07:40Let me call her.
07:40Yeah.
07:41And a phone call later, the deal was done.
07:44All right.
07:45Woo!
07:46Mwah!
07:47Congratulations.
07:48I'm really excited.
07:49I'm shaking.
07:50Very excited.
07:51The dream begins.
07:52Cheers to you both.
07:54And many happy memories at your new home of France.
07:56Thank you very much.
07:56Cheers.
07:57Cheers.
08:04It's been three years since Lynn and Gary were house hunting here with Danny.
08:07And I can't wait to meet them and find out what's been happening.
08:13Bonjour.
08:14Hi, Jasmine.
08:14How are you doing?
08:15Good to see you.
08:17Oh, lovely to meet you.
08:19Lovely to meet you, Jasmine.
08:21Enchanté.
08:23I saw your show.
08:25Oh, I know.
08:25It was a bit dramatic, wasn't it?
08:27Very exciting.
08:28Yeah, very, very.
08:29It was, yeah.
08:30I love the fact you just went for it straight away.
08:33I fell in love with it as soon as we saw it.
08:34Yeah, it was really good.
08:35Can't wait to see how things have changed.
08:38Well, hopefully you won't recognise the place and maybe give us a few tips as well on
08:41the way.
08:42Yeah, why not?
08:42We've been busy for sure the last couple of years, so hopefully you'll be impressed.
08:45Shall we go and have a look?
08:46I'd love to.
08:47Let's go.
08:48Come on.
08:49Coming up, I take a tour of Gary and Lynn's holiday home and find out what they've done
08:54to it in the last three years.
08:56Look at this.
08:58This is completely unrecognisable.
09:07Today, I'm in the Haute Vienne in France with Lynn and Gary.
09:11Three years ago, Danny Mingers helped them find this three-bedroom house in the countryside
09:16and I'm really looking forward to seeing what it looks like now.
09:19Oh, look.
09:20I recognise it from the show.
09:23Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
09:26Danny did a great job finding this for you, didn't she?
09:29Yeah, I think so.
09:29She worked hard to find it.
09:30I'm still dumbfounded when I stand here, to be fair.
09:33Really?
09:33Yeah.
09:34I mean, you didn't hesitate, did you?
09:35It was love at first sight almost, wasn't it?
09:37It's exactly what we wanted.
09:39The style of the house, the stories, the location.
09:42Have you made any changes to the exterior?
09:44The doors and windows at the front have been replaced with more modern double-glaze units.
09:49But still look very in keeping.
09:51Yeah, hopefully.
09:52Yeah, that was the plan.
09:52We actually sourced them back in the UK.
09:56Oh, did you?
09:56Yeah, it was quite a challenge really, because anyone would pull the old windows out and the doors.
10:01It was that moment of truth, where they're going to fit.
10:04Had you measured it right?
10:05We had a little bit of a tense moment really, but luckily they did.
10:08I mean, our measurements were good.
10:09So, have you sourced many things from the UK, or mostly in France?
10:14Mostly in France.
10:14All the flooring we got from France, but it's very hit and miss with delivery.
10:18And because we don't live here, it often can be a problem.
10:21It's all a bit laid back, and if they don't turn up and you ring them up the south, we'll
10:26come next time.
10:27Oh, I can't wait to see it.
10:29Shall we go in there?
10:29Why don't you come and have a look?
10:30Yeah, that would be great.
10:37So, this is the kitchen.
10:39Look at this!
10:41This is completely unrecognisable.
10:45Yeah.
10:45So, originally, the kitchen, it was there, was it?
10:48Yeah.
10:49When Gary took that kitchen out, the whole wall came with it, unfortunately.
10:53So, that was another big job for you, wasn't it?
10:56Yeah, it was something we didn't expect.
10:57We were here for a week to fit the kitchen, and so we ended up having to buy plasterboard and
11:00plaster,
11:01and put the new electrics in.
11:02So, yeah, it worked out okay.
11:04So, you've done all this yourself?
11:05Yeah, I've got to give Lynn credit for planning it.
11:08I've absolutely got to give credit for my best friend, Peter.
11:10God bless him, he's been an absolute godsend, hasn't he, with the work.
11:13He's come over with me many times.
11:14The whole aim was to make this into a family kitchen, so that when everybody was here,
11:19we could all interact all at the same time, while I was cooking, cleaning, and all the kids were here.
11:24So, have you had all the family coming out to visit?
11:27Yeah, they've all been round. We had, what, nine of us all here in one garden?
11:31Yeah, last summer we had...
11:32We only had one baby at the time, but the family's grown.
11:35Oh, how lovely.
11:36I'm running out of picture frames.
11:38I tell you what, you might be running out of bedrooms as well soon.
11:41Yeah, well, we've got space there, don't you worry, we'll get some plans for it.
11:45They've been using the house, we've had friends over, we've had relatives coming over.
11:49That is fantastic. It sounds like it's fulfilling all of the dreams that you've had.
11:54Yeah, I can't wait to fully retire, and then we can be here for longer periods of time.
12:01So, the living room. A bit different as well.
12:05It is so different. It looks fantastic.
12:08I wanted a feature doing, first of all, so the fireplace grew.
12:13So, you've put that in? So, we've put that in.
12:15Oh, wow. Yes, we've put that in, so there was a feature there.
12:17I think they just said we.
12:18OK, then.
12:20I drew the picture of what I wanted, and Gary did it for me.
12:24Yeah, yeah, I wasn't sure, first of all, but it works well.
12:26But this room feels really nice now.
12:28I mean, initially it was... Cosy now.
12:29The best thing for me is the French doors.
12:32Were they there before?
12:33No, it was just the window, but when we first looked at the house,
12:36it just sort of lent itself to having doors out into the garden here.
12:39Obviously, it wasn't quite as easy as we thought.
12:42Quite thick stonework outside the house, granite.
12:44Oh, really?
12:45Well, I think it's transformed the room, really.
12:47It does, doesn't it? Cos you've got more light,
12:49and it's just easy access, having those French doors.
12:52Yeah.
12:53And how about the bedrooms?
12:54We've decorated them all.
12:55We've got three quite large bedrooms,
12:57so we've got a bedroom for each family.
13:00The bathrooms are definitely next.
13:02Yeah, thank you.
13:02So you've still got just bathrooms and gardens?
13:04Just the bathrooms and the gardens.
13:06The gardens not far off, you know.
13:07We've done a fair bit.
13:09Why don't you come and have a look?
13:10Yeah, let's go.
13:17It's amazing, isn't it?
13:18Yeah.
13:19So it is a blank canvas, isn't it?
13:21I mean, this is...
13:22It's a park, really, isn't it?
13:24Yeah, it's big.
13:24It's just over an acre in the whole side.
13:27Yeah.
13:27So whose job is it to mow the lawn?
13:29I remember you got a mower, didn't you?
13:31Thrown in with the house.
13:32That's the deal, yeah.
13:33We do what we're here.
13:34My son's coming over later on this week to join us.
13:37Just specially to mow the lawn?
13:38That's all he wants to do.
13:39The first thing he asked, does the lawn need cutting?
13:41Because it's a ride on mower, it's a novelty for him,
13:43so he's quite happy off on that.
13:45What plans have you got for out here?
13:47We'd like to put some sort of outdoor kitchen barbecue there.
13:50We've done the patio.
13:52If you notice, we've got all the wood edging.
13:55Now, that has come from the barn.
13:57That you've reclaimed the wood.
13:59Yeah.
13:59So this is the barn.
14:01It's absolutely huge, isn't it?
14:03Yeah.
14:03It actually looks bigger now I see it in the flesh.
14:07I know, I know.
14:07We've got the same next door as well.
14:09We've got sort of two barns.
14:10Do you have a plan for this?
14:12Because I think in here, it's got so much potential.
14:15You could make another three-bedroom house, really, couldn't you?
14:18But it depends, do you really want a project of that size?
14:21We've toyed with the idea and we may do in the long term.
14:24It may be not this one, but the next door barn,
14:26to maybe convert that to either salon or to use as a B&B.
14:31So we'd have to start speaking to the mary to see if we'd be allowed to do it.
14:37You've got options, haven't you?
14:38Yeah. But not for now.
14:40No, no, no.
14:41Well, you've seen everything we've done so far.
14:43Why don't we go and have some lunch?
14:44Would you like lunch? Yeah, that sounds lovely.
14:46I'd love to. Thank you.
14:48I'm really impressed with what Lynn and Gary have done with the property so far.
14:52And even more so that they've done most of it themselves.
14:55And there's still a lot to keep them busy.
14:57Now, I'm looking forward to finding out more about their life out here
15:00over a spot of lunch.
15:02This is gorgeous, isn't it?
15:04Heaven, isn't it?
15:05I mean, it was £105,000 you paid for.
15:08It was, yeah. The lawnmower.
15:09Including the famous lawnmower.
15:11The lawnmower.
15:12Your money goes further over here.
15:14Yeah.
15:14And we can get a nicer property.
15:16God, look at the weather.
15:17Look at the surroundings.
15:19Yeah, we'd never have got this at home.
15:20Certainly not for this budget.
15:21Absolutely not.
15:22It changes our lives, really, hasn't it?
15:23It has, yeah.
15:23I mean, I know you've been working so hard.
15:26Both of you, planning and actual physical manual work.
15:30What do you reckon you've spent on it then?
15:33I'd guess at £10,000 to £15,000 possibly.
15:36Seriously?
15:36Yeah.
15:37You've done so much.
15:39Yeah.
15:39Do you have any idea whether you've added value to the property?
15:43We've not had it valued, have we?
15:46No.
15:46But it's changed quite dramatically.
15:48And I think we've added to the value.
15:52I mean...
15:53Yeah, I like to think it'd be more appealing for sale, hopefully now.
15:57So, if that increased the value as well, that'd be a bonus.
15:59No plans to sell?
16:00No.
16:01No, absolutely not.
16:03No.
16:03We've got too much to do.
16:06So, how did you find the actual buying process here in France?
16:09Did it all go smoothly?
16:11Yeah, it wasn't too bad at all.
16:13You know, we had some good support along the way.
16:16The lady from the estate agents was very, very helpful
16:19and pointed us in all of the right directions.
16:23We had now a couple of people who had worked with over the years
16:26who are living out in France
16:28and then obviously meeting people over here has really helped.
16:31But the whole process, six months.
16:33Yeah.
16:34Was it?
16:34Yeah.
16:35Have you got any tips for anyone else, maybe,
16:38who's thinking about doing the same thing?
16:41Apart from do it,
16:43because it was the best thing that we've ever done really,
16:46we had a notary in England that was English-speaking
16:50that helped us with all our documents that we got.
16:53So, we got all the documents over to us
16:55and they translated it all and stamped it all.
16:58So, that was really helpful as well.
17:00The beauty now with the internet is, you know, there's advice on top.
17:04You know, you can go on.
17:05There's lots of groups, local groups, for finding about the area.
17:09And that's been really helpful.
17:12Lots of help from a legal perspective if you want any advice there.
17:15Again, you know, you'd have to get that confirmed by a legal person.
17:17But if you were going to do it, speak to people who've already done it
17:19and find out the pros and cons.
17:21And so, do you think you'll keep this as a holiday home
17:24or will you start spending more time out here in the future?
17:28At the moment, we've not got plans to come here permanently,
17:31but I retire now in two years' time.
17:34Okay.
17:34Well, 18 months and counting.
17:36So, hopefully, we can spend a good longer stretches of time here.
17:42Once you've finished the main house, do you have plans for how you'll enjoy this house in France
17:50and the location all around?
17:52I've just bought myself a new push bike.
17:54Have you?
17:55And there's some lovely cycle rides.
17:57Oh, that sounds gorgeous.
17:59You're quite welcome to come with us.
18:01We can go on a bike ride.
18:02What, today?
18:03Yeah, if you fancy it.
18:04I'd love to.
18:05Super.
18:05Yeah, well, let's finish up here and then let's go.
18:08Yeah, yeah.
18:08Perfect.
18:09I know Gary's a big motorbike fan, but a push bike is definitely my preferred two-wheeled mode of transport.
18:16We're going to the Lac de Saint-Pardieu, which has lots of off-road trails.
18:20This is beautiful, isn't it?
18:22It is lovely, yeah.
18:23It's actually the perfect weather for going out for a nice bike ride, isn't it?
18:27Yeah, it is. It's lovely.
18:28Yeah, we've been intending to cycle around the lake.
18:30I think it's about 20 kilometres all the way around the outside.
18:33Oh, yeah, it's a long way.
18:34This is the sort of thing we want to be doing more often.
18:35Yeah, this is lovely and also perfect when you've got family visiting.
18:39Yeah.
18:39There's a lot more to do here.
18:41There's lots of activities as well for them.
18:43For both the big ones and the little ones.
18:44Yeah.
18:45So we should be able to make everybody happy.
18:48Well, it looks great.
18:49I'm up for a little ride.
18:50Super, yeah.
18:51Should we go around the lake?
18:51Are you up for the whole 20 kilometres?
18:53Oh, maybe.
18:55Yeah, let's do it, yeah.
18:55Let's see how far we get along.
18:57Let's go.
18:57Let's go.
18:59If you don't have a nice new bike like Lynn, it costs around £20 an hour to hire an electric
19:05one here at the lake.
19:07Ooh.
19:09Ooh, this is a bit bumpy.
19:12Tell me about some of the trips you've had out here.
19:14Have you done much else apart from renovating?
19:16No, not an awful lot really.
19:18We've most of the times been getting the house to where it is now, but obviously the plan
19:22is now to use it as a base when we're over here and sort of get out and see different
19:26places, different parts of France.
19:28So tell me about coming out motorcycling in France.
19:31Yeah, the plan is I'll probably bring a bike over here, leave it here.
19:35Me and Lynn, Lynn likes to ride on the bike as well.
19:38Do you have your own bike or do you go to Lynn?
19:39I have got a bike licence and I did pass my test.
19:42Yeah.
19:43But on my first run out, I went and did a right hand bend and clipped the kerb and
19:47fell off.
19:47I got behind the bike, of course, but then I was too frightened to do any right hand
19:51bends.
19:52Oh, you poor thing!
19:53Me 20 minute journey to work took about an hour and a half.
19:56On the way to the right, on the way to the bike.
19:58You had to go on left bend.
19:59Oh my goodness.
20:01It is such beautiful scenery here, isn't it?
20:04Shall we stop off so we can enjoy it?
20:06Great idea.
20:07OK, let's go.
20:14Oh, it's been so lovely exploring a little bit of the lake with you guys.
20:20And it's been so nice to meet you as well.
20:22Yeah, it's been good.
20:22Yeah, you too.
20:23It's just been so incredible seeing all the fantastic work that you've done on the house.
20:28And we found you.
20:29Yeah.
20:29I just love to see, you know, how it's all taking shape.
20:35And you two are obviously people who are, you know, up for an adventure.
20:39Because not everyone would take on a project like that overseas.
20:42It was good.
20:43It was exciting.
20:44It makes it all the more worthwhile when it's finished, you know.
20:46Yeah, it does, yeah.
20:47We get that satisfaction out of seeing the end product.
20:49It's not quite there yet, but, you know, we're getting there as you can see.
20:51It's great to see how you both work as a team.
20:55And it must just feel so nice to know that for forever now, this is something that not only you
21:02two,
21:02but the whole family and all the generations of the family can enjoy.
21:06It's a good bolt hole for everybody, isn't it?
21:08Yeah, absolutely.
21:09And we do hope that everybody will come out and enjoy it with us.
21:12Any regrets?
21:13Oh, no.
21:14None at all.
21:15None at all.
21:16No, not at all.
21:17Everything's gone really well for us.
21:19It's all been good.
21:20Yeah.
21:20If anyone was thinking about buying a holiday home in France, a renovation project,
21:27what tips would you give them?
21:29Speak to place in the sun.
21:30Yeah!
21:32They found us a fabulous house.
21:34The other thing I would say, we moved into our house the first day and it was,
21:38we didn't have any furniture, it was cold.
21:40It would have been nice to go into a furnished house.
21:42Yeah.
21:43But that wouldn't have put us off our place.
21:45So just to be prepared for that first day or that first night.
21:49Yeah.
21:50Yeah.
21:51And you soon get to know your way around.
21:52You very quickly get to know people.
21:54You know, Lynn's learning the language now.
21:56She's doing a grand job for us.
21:57I'm just being a bit lazy, but I will do.
21:59You've been far from lazy.
22:00Give yourself some credit.
22:02I've seen all the work you've done.
22:05Good luck with the rest of the renovation.
22:07I might be back again in a few years to see what's happened with the bar.
22:11See the bathroom.
22:11You're always very welcome.
22:13When you're passing, you're always very welcome, Poppy.
22:15That's so kind.
22:16Thank you so much.
22:18Oh, lovely to meet you.
22:20You take care.
22:21Nice to meet you.
22:22Bye-bye now.
22:23Enjoy.
22:24Bye now.
22:25Take care.
22:29Taking on an overseas renovation project is not for the faint hearted, but Lynn and Gary
22:35have risen to the challenge in spectacular style.
22:39It's amazing to see all the work they've done on their French home, not just for them,
22:43but for their whole family to enjoy too.
22:48Coming up, Lee Juggernaut is on the Costa Almeria in Southeast Spain, catching up with Lorna
22:54and Brian, who he helped in 2001 to find their dream forever home.
22:58And inside has been modernized top to bottom.
23:02See a similarity.
23:03Have you got a favorite color by any chance?
23:05Your trousers, your shirt, this kitchen is your favorite color.
23:11It's a fantastic color.
23:13I love this color.
23:24I just love the sound of the crashing waves and smelling the salty breeze in the air.
23:29It's like nature's own energy drink.
23:31Who needs a treadmill when you have that scenery?
23:35Lorna and Brian discovered this particular region of Spain after some extensive online
23:39research, and on their first visit, I found them their forever home.
23:47Just a two and a half hour flight from the UK.
23:50Costa Almeria has a stunning coastline complete with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
23:56With popular resorts such as Mojaca, as well as urbanizations, fishing porch, traditional villages and towns further inland,
24:02such as Ture to explore, the area is a haven for holidaymakers.
24:07And with the contrasting desert landscape on the doorstep too, it's also been the backdrop to hundreds of Hollywood films.
24:15Back in November 2021, Lorna and Brian had been married for six years and had big dreams.
24:21They wanted to move permanently to Costa Almeria with Lorna's son Danny, plus their dog Angus, and had a maximum
24:28budget of £160,000 to find a home that would work for all of them.
24:33Keen to spend their free time cooking and integrating with a new community, there was one other pastime that had
24:39to be included in the wishlist.
24:41We're both quite confident bowlers. We've been county champions a number of times.
24:47You know, she doesn't like talking about it, but you know, she is an ex-international bowler.
24:53She's played for Scotland in the home international. She's been a Scottish champion in the past as well.
24:58With retirement on the cards, this pair meant business.
25:02It doesn't really get much better than this, does it?
25:04Not much. Not much.
25:06How soon are you looking to make this move?
25:09Soon as... I've started packing.
25:14So I got cracking. The first property I showed them was in Mojaca.
25:18A three-bedroom house just over their budget, but negotiable to within their maximum spend.
25:23I thought the solarium would wow them.
25:25Take a look at this. Nice size.
25:28Solarium up here.
25:29Yep.
25:30Some of the sea.
25:31Yeah. You get the best of both worlds. You get the sea and the hills.
25:34But after seeing it all, they were a bit underwhelmed.
25:38All the rooms are good sizes with plenty of storage, but it just...
25:42It doesn't feel like a place that we would make our home.
25:47So, putting that behind us, I took them to an urbanisation close to Venner.
25:52With two pools, one in and one out, this three-bedroom house got a much better reaction from them.
25:59Oh, wow. Yeah, I love this.
26:01Yeah.
26:02Yeah.
26:02I love it.
26:03Yeah, I know.
26:04How great is that?
26:06That's brilliant, yeah.
26:07Fantastic. We wake up in the morning and out we go with a cup of coffee.
26:11And after they'd seen it all, they were still smiling.
26:14Truly modern and fresh, but still got the Spanish style of the yellow colour and the traditional tiles.
26:21So, it sounds like this could be a potential contender.
26:26Could be, yeah.
26:27Potential's there, yeah.
26:28Potential's there, yeah.
26:29Potential's there, yeah.
26:30Gordon, maybe slightly small.
26:31The second bedroom upstairs, which would be Danny's bedroom, maybe just slightly on the small side for permanent living for
26:40Danny.
26:41It was a contender, but with room to improve.
26:44So, I took them to the coastal town of San Juan de los Terreros to a pretty three-bedroom house
26:50with a front yard as well as one at the back.
26:53Nice. Yeah. Good size.
26:55I'm getting a good vibe, yeah. I quite like this.
26:58Yeah.
26:58Yeah.
26:59Good.
27:00Looking forward to seeing the rest.
27:01Yeah.
27:02Yeah.
27:02She says if she peeks along.
27:05And with every part they peaked, they liked it more and more.
27:09Oh, it's amazing.
27:10Go on, tell me I'm good.
27:12Yeah, look at the views.
27:13Look at this.
27:14Yeah.
27:15This is what the dream is made of.
27:17Best vibe so far.
27:22It was a clear front runner.
27:24So, for my next property, I thought I'd try something a bit different by taking them inland to the town
27:29of Ture, where the budget would stretch further, and to a really good-sized three-bedroom house on a complex
27:36that was more than £30,000 below their maximum budget.
27:39But while they loved the space indoors, for them and for Danny, the outdoors left them cold.
27:45Oh.
27:47No.
27:48This is not going to work, I'm afraid.
27:50No.
27:50You can't swing a cat.
27:51Never mind a dog.
27:54So, for my last property, I pulled out all the stops on a detached villa that had just come onto
27:59the market that day in Ture.
28:0115 minutes walk from the town centre, and the biggest house so far, with a wraparound garden, stunning views, and
28:08a private pool, I was keeping everything tightly crossed.
28:12Danny will be over the moon.
28:14That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
28:16Yeah.
28:17He just wanted a pill, that's all he wanted.
28:20You've got a wraparound garden all around the property.
28:23We talk about outside space.
28:25Angus, how do you feel about that?
28:27Great.
28:28Yeah.
28:28Perfect.
28:29Excellent.
28:29Perfect for him.
28:31And downstairs, the huge basement was also a winner.
28:34Oh, yeah.
28:35Oh, what a size.
28:36Yeah.
28:37Could certainly do something with this.
28:39Yeah.
28:40For sure.
28:41It's a guest bedroom, or Danny could come down here.
28:44Danny's own.
28:44Danny's own room.
28:45Yeah.
28:47They loved it, and it was now the only property in the running.
28:50They still wanted the evening to mull it over.
28:52But in the morning, I had news from the estate agents that put a spanner in the works.
28:57Someone actually saw the property online and has put forward an offer of the full asking price, which was just
29:06under £157,000.
29:08Now, I've spoken to the agent.
29:11Because you guys are cash buyers and in a good position, they would consider your offer over the one this
29:19morning, should you make an offer around the asking price.
29:23Yeah, we'd still like to make an offer.
29:26Because we're cash buyers, I've come in at £155,000.
29:32£155,000.
29:32Yeah.
29:33So I put in the offer and we held our breath.
29:38Stephen, it's Lee.
29:42Thanks a lot.
29:47You got the house!
29:49Well done!
29:50You got the house!
29:51Excellent.
29:51Good.
29:52You got the house.
29:53They accepted your offer of £155,000.
29:57Well done.
29:58Yeah.
29:59Listen, I wish you both and your family and little Angus the very best in your new property here.
30:05Congratulations again.
30:06Cheers.
30:07That's incredible.
30:07I'm so glad you got it.
30:10After never having set foot in the area before, I was so excited I'd help them find their dream home.
30:16I'm now back in Costa Almaria to find out what Lorna and Brian have been up to since I last
30:21saw them.
30:22It's not quite beach weather today, but it's a great spot to meet them.
30:25Oh, there he is, yeah.
30:27Hello.
30:28Look at you guys!
30:29Hello!
30:30How are you?
30:31You look really well.
30:32Good.
30:32Hi, how are you doing?
30:33Good, yeah.
30:34Good to see you.
30:35I've flown in here with this wind.
30:38How is life here?
30:39It's great.
30:40Yeah.
30:40It's not usually like this.
30:43It is a little bit windy, isn't it?
30:44Oh, a little bit.
30:45Yeah.
30:45But it looks great on you.
30:47Enjoying it?
30:47Yeah.
30:48Great.
30:49I mean, it is paradise here, isn't it?
30:51Oh, yeah.
30:52I see the sun is coming out ever so slightly.
30:55I mean, it's got to with this outfit, hasn't it?
30:57I'm so excited to hear about life here for you guys.
31:00Yes.
31:00Complete transformation.
31:02Yeah.
31:02We're retired.
31:03Retired.
31:04Moved here permanent.
31:05Down east here as well.
31:06You'll get to meet him later.
31:07Oh, really?
31:08Yeah.
31:09Quite a few changes to the house, so I'll be excited to show you.
31:12I'm desperate to see it.
31:13Shall we get going?
31:14Yeah.
31:14Let's go.
31:15Get out of this wind before we fly away.
31:16Good.
31:16That way?
31:17Yeah.
31:17Come on, let's go.
31:20Coming up, I get to check out the villa and there have been some big changes.
31:25Wow, wow, wow.
31:27It's good to be back.
31:35Today, I'm in Costa Almeria, catching up with Lorna and Brian.
31:39Back in 2001, they wanted to start a new life here, so I helped them find a detached villa
31:43with a private pool.
31:44A huge basement big enough for Lorna's son, Danny, to hang out and a wraparound garden
31:49for their collie, Angus.
31:51Angus is at Doggy Dare Care today, so I won't get to meet him.
31:55But I'm so excited to see what Lorna and Brian have done to the place and hear about their
31:58new life in Spain.
32:03Wow, wow, wow.
32:05It's good to be back.
32:06Yeah.
32:07I remember that view and one of the things I do remember when we stepped in, the first
32:12thing you said Lorna was Danny would love that pool.
32:16Pool, yeah.
32:16Does Danny love that pool?
32:17Oh yeah.
32:17He does, yeah.
32:18Every day he's in it.
32:19Where is Danny?
32:20He's off shopping for some tapa and then he'll join us for lunch.
32:23Lovely.
32:24I mean, I love what you've done to the place.
32:26Yeah, it's painted the whole house all around the pool.
32:29I mean, it looks lovely, fresh, bright.
32:32Also what I've noticed, that solar panel up there.
32:3512 solar panels.
32:3612?
32:36Yeah.
32:37And was that something that you did kind of as soon as you came in?
32:39Well, we always wanted to do it in the UK, but obviously you don't have the sun in
32:43the UK as much as you have here, so we did it after about a year.
32:47Yeah, it was about May time.
32:49Yeah.
32:49Was it a lot to install?
32:51It was about £7,500 to install.
32:55But we went from around about £130 per month to just about £8 or £9 a month for our monthly
33:04bill.
33:05Wow!
33:06Yeah.
33:07So you really benefit from that during the hot peak summer months?
33:10Yeah.
33:11These changes inside.
33:13You want to see?
33:14I do want to see.
33:14Please.
33:15Have a look.
33:15Okay.
33:17Looks great.
33:25Ah, I remember this.
33:29Love the furniture.
33:30It looks fantastic.
33:32That wood burn is still there.
33:34Yeah.
33:35Do you use it much?
33:36Yeah.
33:36We use it in the winter.
33:37Night times.
33:38Yeah, night times.
33:39Yeah.
33:40What's great is you've really added your own touch to this space.
33:43You can tell it's your home.
33:45Really nice family space.
33:47I love it.
33:48Something that's slightly different.
33:50Uh-huh.
33:50It's right ahead of me.
33:51Yeah.
33:52Very, very different.
33:54Please show me.
33:55Okay.
33:55Let's go and see.
33:56Come on in.
34:00Wow.
34:00This is the kitchen.
34:03Wow.
34:05What about these changes?
34:07Hold on.
34:08First things first.
34:09I see a similarity.
34:10Have you got a favourite colour by any chance?
34:12Yeah.
34:12Your trousers, your shirt.
34:14This kitchen.
34:15Yeah.
34:16Is your favourite colour.
34:17Yeah.
34:18If I recall, that wasn't there.
34:21The sink.
34:22No.
34:22It was underneath the cupboards over in the corner.
34:25When Brian was doing the dishes, he was just looking at a cupboard.
34:28When Brian was doing the dishes.
34:29I gave him a nicer view.
34:31How much did this whole refurb cost you?
34:34It was our most expensive outlay.
34:36It was £13,500.
34:38Yeah.
34:39I mean, it's totally worth it though.
34:41Yeah.
34:41If I recall, you do love your cooking, right?
34:43Yeah, we both do.
34:44You both love cooking.
34:45Do you think your cuisine has changed now?
34:47Oh, yeah.
34:48For sure.
34:48Really?
34:49Oh, yeah.
34:49Into what direction?
34:51Kind of more Mediterranean?
34:52Yeah.
34:52Yeah.
34:53For sure.
34:53Yeah.
34:54Cold meats and...
34:55Salads.
34:56Salads.
34:56Fresh olives from my market on a Friday morning.
34:59Wow.
34:59Yeah.
35:00I love that.
35:01You can see it's such a great change in your house.
35:03Have you made any other changes?
35:05Yeah.
35:05We've put two new bathroom sweets in.
35:07Wow.
35:08So, if you'd like to go and see them...
35:09I would.
35:10I would.
35:11Is that back there?
35:12Yeah.
35:12Yeah, lead on.
35:14Yeah.
35:15So, through here.
35:16Right?
35:18Ooh.
35:21I love what you've done.
35:23Again, colour.
35:24Yeah.
35:25You've turned it into a home because I think when people are buying a holiday home, things
35:30like the kitchen and the bathroom kind of gets overseen.
35:33It doesn't really matter because a lot of the time you're spending outside.
35:36But when you are buying a home permanently, you want to make these changes.
35:41Yeah.
35:42Because you have to use this day in, day out.
35:45That's right.
35:46Yeah.
35:46Everything was white.
35:47Everything.
35:48And you had to make that change.
35:50Just to add a bit of colour.
35:51Yeah.
35:52Which one's your bedroom?
35:52That one?
35:53Yeah.
35:53And that one's Danny's?
35:55Yeah.
35:55There's also the studio downstairs.
35:58Yeah.
35:58What do you use that for?
35:59I use that for Danny's children.
36:01Okay.
36:02So, if you want to go and see the changes.
36:03I do.
36:04Down there, we can go and have a look.
36:05Yes, please.
36:06Yeah.
36:07Okay.
36:10And this is the studio here, Lee.
36:12Ah, this wasn't here before, right?
36:14No.
36:15Great stud wall.
36:16What was the purpose of that?
36:18It's just to give him a bit of privacy.
36:19Brian's workshop's there.
36:20So, it just gave the split between the both of them.
36:23And he could come in here and listen to his music.
36:26Yeah.
36:27We're subjected to it.
36:29So, he can come in here, blast his music.
36:31Yeah.
36:31Because that was one of the key requirements for you guys.
36:34Yeah.
36:34When we were looking for a property, was to find a den for Danny.
36:38Mm-hmm.
36:38Yeah.
36:39He'd come down, just chill out in here.
36:41Mm-hmm.
36:41And also, if you have guests, do you use this as a space for them?
36:45Yeah.
36:45Got a sofa bed.
36:46Yeah.
36:46So, he just comes down here and they move into his room.
36:49So, yeah.
36:50Yeah.
36:50I can see the trophies in the corner there.
36:52Are they yours?
36:53No, they're Danny's.
36:54Bowling trophies.
36:55Yeah.
36:56Danny plays as well.
36:57Mm-hmm.
36:57Yeah.
36:58Wow.
36:58It's a whole family affair.
37:00Yep.
37:01Great.
37:01Oh, my God.
37:02I'm keen to meet him.
37:04Well, he should be back by now.
37:05Yeah?
37:05Yeah, he should be back by now.
37:06Yeah.
37:07Let's go and see.
37:09I honestly didn't expect Lorna and Brian to have made so many changes.
37:14They've totally transformed this villa and it's so good to see them settled and happy here.
37:19I've heard so much about you, my friend.
37:22How are you doing?
37:23I'm good, thanks.
37:23Are you well?
37:24Did you prepare all this?
37:26I did, yeah.
37:27It looks incredible.
37:29So, you've been keeping busy all morning.
37:30I have been, yeah.
37:31Wow.
37:32I mean, what have we got here, Danny?
37:34He's got hay splatter.
37:35He's got croquettes.
37:35He's got olives.
37:36He's got tortilla and salad.
37:38Oh, my God.
37:39I am hungry.
37:40Wow.
37:40The Spanish life.
37:42How are you enjoying it?
37:43I like it very much here, yeah.
37:45It's really nice.
37:46Enjoy it.
37:46Much different from back home?
37:48Definitely.
37:49There's a lot of outdoor life out here.
37:51Everybody's tucking.
37:52Let's start from the beginning because you got this property for a really good price.
37:56We secured it at around, you know, $155,000.
38:00How much do you think you spent doing up the property?
38:04£30,000, yeah.
38:06Wow.
38:07It's about £30,000.
38:08The bathrooms, the new kitchen, the painting.
38:10What do you think it's worth now?
38:13Well, the same estate agent that sold us reckons between £215,000 to £220,000.
38:19Wow.
38:20I know.
38:20That's a significant increase in two years.
38:24Wow.
38:25That's amazing.
38:26Great investment in itself, right?
38:28Yeah.
38:29And what about meeting locals since you've been here?
38:32How's that been?
38:33Well, Brian was a bit unwell when we first arrived, so I didn't know what to do, so I
38:39just went on the local forum and asked what to do, and everybody was really good.
38:44Really?
38:44People ran us to hospital, took me shopping because we had no car and he wasn't able
38:48to drive, and we stayed friends with all those people.
38:52Wow.
38:53Yeah, that's good.
38:53Sometimes when you're forced into these negative situations, a positive comes out of
38:58there.
38:58Yeah, for sure.
38:58So everything, you know, that you're faced with, you overcame really, right?
39:02I think so, yeah.
39:03Any regrets?
39:04Do you miss Scotland?
39:05Certainly not the weather, just the people.
39:08That's your friends and family.
39:09Yeah, really, yeah.
39:10Yeah?
39:10Have friends been able to come out?
39:12Have your family been able to visit?
39:14Yeah, a few people came and visited.
39:15Mum and Brian went to the UK last summer, and my dad and my brother came out and visited.
39:22And was that nice to have your dad and your brother here as well?
39:24It was, yeah.
39:24Show them your new life?
39:26Yeah.
39:26So how do you feel your time, Danny?
39:28Because obviously, you know, your parents, they're retired.
39:30So I go to a couple of Spanish asses every week.
39:34And also, over there, the animal sanctuary, I go there to volunteer a couple of days a
39:41week with the animal sanctuary.
39:43Is that fun?
39:44It is really fun, yeah.
39:45Yeah.
39:45Do you feel happier here than you were back in Scotland?
39:48I definitely do, yeah.
39:49A friend of my mum built a house with a swimming pool when I was about 12, and I used
39:54to
39:54want a swimming pool, but didn't think I'd ever get one.
39:58It's like a bit of a dream, isn't it?
39:59Yeah.
39:59It's a dream for everyone to have a house with a swimming pool, and you get to live in one.
40:03Yeah, I know.
40:04Definitely settling here, not going back to the UK anytime soon?
40:07Not anytime soon.
40:08Never say never, but definitely not anytime soon.
40:10I love that answer.
40:11Never say never, but definitely not anytime soon.
40:14What do you do during your social times when you, you know, kind of want to relax,
40:18want to kick back?
40:19There's just the most amazing live music scene here.
40:22They're so good.
40:22So many different bands, different kind of bands.
40:25Doesn't matter who you are, what you're doing, there's normally always going to be music
40:28somewhere, you know?
40:28Yeah.
40:29And also, we've been to various different classes.
40:32I did some art classes learning, did some cooking, then we did cooking once together.
40:37I've done the cooking classes with Brian, but bowling's my main thing.
40:41So the bowling is a big thing?
40:42Oh, it's a main hobby, yeah.
40:44Yeah.
40:44Are you competitive amongst each other?
40:46Oh, yeah.
40:46Yeah.
40:47Too competitive.
40:48You can see, because we're planning on going there this afternoon, if you care to join
40:51us.
40:52At bowling?
40:54Yeah.
40:55Why not?
40:55We'll give you some tips.
40:56Yeah.
40:57I'm game.
40:57If you can teach me a thing or two.
40:59Maybe you can win a trophy too.
41:01Well, okay.
41:02Let's just crawl before we can walk.
41:05But I'm game to learn.
41:06Yeah.
41:07Why don't we tuck into more of this great food?
41:11Uh-huh.
41:11And then you can challenge me to a game of bowls.
41:14Excellent.
41:15Yeah?
41:15I think you'll blend in well with the green.
41:18Let's finish this and we'll get off.
41:21Okay.
41:21Okay.
41:21Me and my green outfit.
41:27This is the kind of lunch I could get used to.
41:29The three of them are definitely embracing the Spanish lifestyle.
41:32I don't mind admitting I'm a bit nervous to head to their bowls club though.
41:36But I'll give it a go.
41:37Especially when the backdrop looks like this.
41:40It's a great setting.
41:42What is it that you love so much about this one?
41:44I mean, I love the pool behind us.
41:45That's great.
41:46Mm-hmm.
41:47Just a fact.
41:48It's got a restaurant there, a bar.
41:51It's all there for you, you know.
41:53So how often do you play down here?
41:56Well, two or three times a week.
41:58Oh.
41:58So have you been in any competitions here?
42:00Yeah.
42:01We just won the league on Wednesday.
42:04The Almeria league.
42:05No way.
42:06Our team, the Gunners.
42:07Yeah.
42:07Second year in a row.
42:08Second year in a row.
42:10So basically you guys have been here for two years and they've won it for the second year in a
42:13row.
42:13Sorry.
42:13Does that mean?
42:15That's just coincidence.
42:16Is it really?
42:17Lee, are you ready for the challenge?
42:19Am I ready for the challenge?
42:21I think so, but I'm going to need you to stay right by me because I'm scared.
42:26Okay.
42:29Right.
42:29Should we do this?
42:30Yeah.
42:30Yeah.
42:31This way?
42:32Yeah.
42:32Okay.
42:33So this is what you need to get closest to.
42:35Mm-hmm.
42:36Must be 23 meters from the front of the map.
42:41Oh.
42:43Guys, I feel like this is going to work well for me.
42:46Yeah.
42:47I've got a good feeling.
42:48You've got a good feeling?
42:49I've got a good feeling for that one, yeah.
42:50Danny's got a good feeling.
42:52Nice and gently.
42:53Nice and gently.
42:55Whee.
42:57Oh.
42:58You had the perfect line you hit after throat a bit harder.
43:02Maybe I need to see an award winner do it.
43:06Lorna, you're up.
43:07Put me to shame.
43:16I mean, that's definitely much better than mine.
43:21You know what?
43:22You're a good player.
43:23You're a good player.
43:24What can I say?
43:25I mean, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
43:28I mean, it's a little bit daunting.
43:29My old back is a bit painful, but this is actually really fun.
43:33Yeah.
43:33It's great to come down here sharing the hobby that you love,
43:35but it's more about a hobby for you guys, isn't it?
43:39Yeah.
43:39It's more than that.
43:39It's about a lifestyle.
43:41It's about community.
43:42Yeah.
43:42Have you got that since you've been here?
43:44That's certainly how we make most people was through the bowling.
43:47Yeah.
43:47What would you say to people?
43:49What advice would you give to people?
43:51Do your research.
43:53Even maybe visit different places to make sure that it suits you.
43:58Yeah.
43:58We were lucky.
44:00You brought us to a fantastic place.
44:03We've fitted in and settled in really good.
44:06Yeah.
44:06You guys seem so happy.
44:09It's so great to see your dreams come true in such a beautiful place.
44:13Yeah.
44:13I've slowed you down enough here.
44:15I think I'm going to let you play your game.
44:18Keep in touch, but it's been great to reconnect.
44:21Lovely.
44:22Lots of love.
44:24Keep on smashing those competitions.
44:26Take care, my friend.
44:27Lovely to meet you, yeah?
44:28Yep.
44:28Make sure you keep on winning.
44:30I will, yeah.
44:30See you later, guys.
44:31Bye.
44:36It's been awesome catching up with Lorna and Brian and finally meeting Danny.
44:40They've totally nailed their new life here in Almeria.
44:43Seeing them so happy makes my day.
44:46And knowing that I helped them find their dream home, I'm thrilled.
44:51If you'd like to be on a place in the sun to find your own dream home, go to channel4
44:55.com
44:55forward slash take part.
45:17Bye.
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