ThePineManAndy

Many thanks for all the replies everybody - what an active forum! I know this is under the wrong heading, but as you live somewhere within the Charente region maybe you could give me your opinions on something I posted in another section: "Hi everyone (anyone?), We are seriously hoping to move to either sw France or se Spain later this year, but one obvious major consideration is earning a living! We plan to visit both countries, and maybe Italy, and will have a good nose around each (good way of getting three short holidays in one year!). If we decide on France then it would probably be the southern Charente region. At present I make pine furniture, both free standing and fitted, which I have done for 20 years or so - so it can't be too bad! I'm trying to get an idea as to whether there would be a market for it there, and not just with the Brits. I would also advertise for general carpentry, tiling, decorating etc which I can do to a good standard (not trying to blow my own trumpet!). We would probably buy a renovation project and so hopefully would have a year or so in which to become known locally before needing to start work again anyway. If anyone's still awake after reading this, I'd be glad of your thoughts!"

Thanks for the info Tony and Gill. I may ask for the info on places to stop en route nearer the time - don't know what time of year just yet!

Hiya people, Firstly thanks for replies to my other recent questions. We have decided to visit sw France, probably in the summer, and wondered if someone could give me an idea of approximate distance between St Nicolas in Brittany (so we can visit relatives) and say, Cognac, and also how many hours by road in the holiday season? Many thanks in anticipation!

Hi everyone (anyone?), We are seriously hoping to move to either sw France or se Spain later this year, but one obvious major consideration is earning a living! We plan to visit both countries, and maybe Italy, and will have a good nose around each (good way of getting three short holidays in one year!). If we decide on France then it would probably be the southern Charente region. At present I make pine furniture, both free standing and fitted, which I have done for 20 years or so - so it can't be too bad! I'm trying to get an idea as to whether there would be a market for it there, and not just with the Brits. I would also advertise for general carpentry, tiling, decorating etc which I can do to a good standard (not trying to blow my own trumpet!). We would probably buy a renovation project and so hopefully would have several months in which to become known locally before needing to start work again anyway. If anyone's still awake after reading this, I'd be glad of your thoughts!

Tresco,thanks for the (speedy) info. It is much more helpful to get that kind of information first hand rather than by checking weather forecasts etc. Can I ask how long you have lived in France and are you generally glad that you made the move? I hope it warms up soon for you - it seems like most of Europe is cold at the moment, even Majorca had snow this week! Regards,

Hi people, my missus and I are planning on moving abroad later this year - as soon as we can ditch the house and the big mortgage. We plan on looking at certain areas in France, Spain and Italy, all for different reasons. One consideration is the weather -one of the big reasons for going abroad, so if any of you are living in the Charente region or not too far away could give me an idea of a typical year's climate, and how much it differs from an average southern England year, I'd be extremely grateful. Many thanks.