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I can fully understand your motivations. I know of a few Dutch farmers that have established themselves in France and they wouldn't go back (or run 2 farms).The one and only reason I came to france was to buy more hectares than I could afford in the UK, in a country where property rights were well established and I could farm more or less as I did in the UK. When I moved out here eastern europe looked too risky. I did go out to Australia but found the farming too different so we chose France.
We have a sympathetic government here, loyal customers and a generous subsidy system. When I moved out I got a young farmers grant, drainage grants, building grants and cheap finance for stuff like lime. All of these are still available. My area has some of the cheapest land in western europe and as the SAFER is not strong here I can continue to expand if I want to.
My Dad sold our place in the UK and moved to France to retire... He is only 57 ish. At the time, I was really hacked off. If I'm honest, I think Im still a bit hacked off but I cant really work out why. It's weird - he has turned into exactly the type of person that winds me up. The two of them bought a small farm with a MASSIVE house and they renovated it and made it EVEN BIGGER. Now he is talking about putting in electric gates! They have 20 hectares, which he mows for hay each year (the neighbouring farm does). They now live in a beautiful place, rattle around in a huge house and drink from about 12pm each day. Dad struggles to find anything to do all day so he dreams up new projects which usually include building new barns or extending the house. When we visit, he spends all of his time telling us how happy he is while he wonders around with a face like a slapped be-hind snapping at everybody....
My Dad sold our place in the UK and moved to France to retire... He is only 57 ish. At the time, I was really hacked off. If I'm honest, I think Im still a bit hacked off but I cant really work out why. It's weird - he has turned into exactly the type of person that winds me up. The two of them bought a small farm with a MASSIVE house and they renovated it and made it EVEN BIGGER. Now he is talking about putting in electric gates! They have 20 hectares, which he mows for hay each year (the neighbouring farm does). They now live in a beautiful place, rattle around in a huge house and drink from about 12pm each day. Dad struggles to find anything to do all day so he dreams up new projects which usually include building new barns or extending the house. When we visit, he spends all of his time telling us how happy he is while he wonders around with a face like a slapped be-hind snapping at everybody....
Don't think I will ever be fluent but I prattle away. Talk with the neighbours and go to all the French meetings. Read Ok but writing it is where I fall down. Phone and meet who I want now but we faxed our way through the first few years. Never be as good as nxy but he knows big words in English too.I speak pretty good French (especially after a glass or two of Merlot) but I know I still wouldnt be able to get all the subtleties and nuances that we take for granted here when dealing everyday with those around us, so how does it work for you that have made the move ? Were you fluent before you went ? Married to a native speaker ?
It's great that many have made the move successfully but I can quite see why so many move and then come back !
Well, I lived in Switzerland for a year, so my accent is decidedly sing-song and definitely not Parisian
(ou Parisienne?!)....
A David Wilson client or am I mistaken ?
I am in the little league compared to you guys. Love the pictures.
We are lucky enough to have an auction market like in the UK close to us that we use to sell all our cattle through. Which is one of just a hand full of such markets France. Must cattle are traded through dealers,buying groups or coops.What's SAFER and what markets do you sell your produce into?
Yes, the contractors/ Cuma here have big kit. I try and do it all myself as the previous Frenchman did. Bought a JD935 combine with mate up the road. Can't get contractor to come on time, he was 3 weeks late one year, for my 6 Hc. Bought an Aitchison DD with 4 others. Got all my own baling, wrapping, grassland kit. Muckspreader, Bobcat, 2 tractors Etc. All old kit though, except Aitchison. If I can't do it myself, I change it so I can, exception being Vets.The Claas combine in my pic belongs to my local contractor. We only do about 25h of cereal each year and he can cut that in a few hours.
Grain moisture well under 15% and the best that i have seen is 11%.
Most of the agri contractors in this area just have the big machines like combines or SF silage harvesters with the neighbors helping out with tractors and trailers.
Well, at least someone agrees with me about something....north shore of lake geneva is the best place in the world to live
it s southern aspect overlooking the lake onto the alps beyond
oh and the fact that the neighbours mostly own countries means you are incredably rich
and the high walls and security gates mean you can keep out marauding welshmen trying to service your daughters
Also notice the quantity of small vans rather than 4x4s in use. .
Interesting.My Dad sold our place in the UK and moved to France to retire... He is only 57 ish. At the time, I was really hacked off. If I'm honest, I think Im still a bit hacked off but I cant really work out why. It's weird - he has turned into exactly the type of person that winds me up. The two of them bought a small farm with a MASSIVE house and they renovated it and made it EVEN BIGGER. Now he is talking about putting in electric gates! They have 20 hectares, which he mows for hay each year (the neighbouring farm does). They now live in a beautiful place, rattle around in a huge house and drink from about 12pm each day. Dad struggles to find anything to do all day so he dreams up new projects which usually include building new barns or extending the house. When we visit, he spends all of his time telling us how happy he is while he wonders around with a face like a slapped be-hind snapping at everybody....