Cris at Migron

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who has replied. You guys are a wealth of information, and I've followed up all suggestions. Still have the question: rather than fence in just the water, as most "pool fences" do, is is within the law to fence in a large section of the garden incorporating the pool, with a tall farmers' wire fence or similar? Securely gated, of course. Our neighbour has a wire fence 1.5m high which would keep the most tenacions child out, can we incorporate that into out defence?

I'm looking over a lovely view across the lawn to the pool at the end of the garden. I understand it needs to be fenced by law, and as we intend to rent out our house occasionally this makes sense. However, all pool fences I have seen are hideous, modern, expensive and make the garden look like Colditz. I'd like some traditional barrier in keeping with the old stone house, and to enclose a large area rather than just the pool. Anyone got any ideas for legal, traditional, good-looking fences (approx 80ms worth) that wont break the bank, and a reputable company that will install this? We're near Cognac/Saintes. Thanks

Another kiwi replies: obvious choice for a kiwi is to try to find a place by the sea. Something in the blood, most of us miss it when we're away from it. I wasted a few years looking around the coast to find "home" (part time, I'm UK based). Trying, I guess, to replicate the sandy beaches and coastal feel of NZ. However, the coast in Europe will never match what you leave behind; parts of the coast are breath-takingly lovely but crowded as hell in the summer; cars, buildings, people. So my suggestion is to go inland where you get something you can't find in NZ: old stone buildings and land which has been cultivated for thousands of years. Much cheaper, too. Also, do your research on the climate maps; we found a region (near Cognac) which has the highest sunshine hours after Provence, but also has enough rain to keep a garden and grass. You could have a great time if you rent a gite for a few months, line up 10 estate agents, and visit three houses a day until one shouts "me!" at you. You're spoit for choice in some regions, I fell in love daily. Good luck.