<<See StCirq, I'm learning to factor in the delays!)>>

Wise of you;) At least the 3-month waiting period to close is mandatory, so you can count on that (probably up to the very last minute of the very last day).

You would be wise to start lining up the workmen for the renovations NOW, though. If you wait until you own the house, you'll be an old man before anything gets done. Call or email if you want references.

Russ,

I finally had a chance to read your report this morning while baking Christmas cookies, was immediately absorbed and almost burned a batch, or two.

Thank you for your excellent descriptions of so many places I love plus the fabulous accounts of the gîte owners and locals you met along the way. I have read many great trip reports and travel blogs, this was by far the best.

The "ang" accent took me back to our little village of Figarol southwest of Toulouse. Demain is "demang" and the further southwest in France you are, you soon realize that it is used loosely and can mean two weeks or more where services are concerned. But, in the end, with many breaks for coffee or something stronger, lunch (dinner, actually, all local workers go home for 1 1/2 to two hours) the job will get done and you will have forged lasting relationships. Not to mention, 99% of the time it will be done "right", local artisans have a reputation to maintain.

All the very best with your house purchase. We had seven wonderful years in France and might have kept our house in France, but for various reasons, the costs and logistics seemed overwhelming. In retrospect, without saying too much about the barking mad baby in the White House, we wonder if we made the right decision. You will be amazed by the health service, the high quality and low cost as you found with your "urgence" experience.

Cath, I don't know if Russ and partner will be able to take advantage of the French healthcare system unless they decide to become residents and not just travel there on a tourist visa. But I do know that the place they have chosen to live in is gorgeous and they will have many special moments there.

You're right regarding their full access at low or no cost but even paying as you go, costs are so much lower than in the States.

We could not join the system until my husband turned 65 so for our first 2 1/2 years continued under my company's retiree health insurance, which did have overseas coverage, at a cost, or paid out of pocket, which ever made the most sense.

Hi Cathinjoetown, Thank you for the lovely comments!

I just saw these posts, 4 days later, but I'm intrigued by the fodor's deleted comment. What was that all about?

Regarding our healthcare experience, we had bought travel insurance just in case, but I found it amusing that the fee that I was charged for urgent care was actually less than the $250 deductible on the plan for emergency room visits, so even at full cost we will come out far ahead compared to the costs of similar care in the US. Now if only I can figure out how to plan my "emergencies" to occur only in France...

Russ,

I didn't see the deleted comment and am also curious but probably will never know! Could well have been a response to my Trump remark or equally might have been "junk mail".

A few people have asked if I would write about our house buying experience in France, so I've started this on a new thread:

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...rance-1649618/

StCirq, we finally rented this film as you had suggested and enjoyed it very much. It is sad to witness the disappearance of the small local farmer, but at least there is the silver lining for the ones learning to specialize in organic farming or other niche products. Still, it looks like a hard life. We were excited to catch a quick glimpse of St-Genies in one of the shots. We'll be back in 47 days! Not that I'm counting ;-)

Language teacher
 

Russ, where did you find your language teacher? Rosie

I'm glad you finally saw it, Russ. I've seen it a few times now and always find it touching.

Now you'lll have to go for a meal here and meet some of the family: Locations de vacances (cabane perchée, gîte, chalet) proche de Sarlat - Ferme auberge en Dordogne Périgord Noir

Thanks for the tip! That's about half way between our places, so maybe we should meet there for dinner this summer ;-)

Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us, russ_in_LA -- beautifully written and filled with helpful and entertaining details! I hope to follow in a few of your steps.

kja, So glad you enjoyed it and found it useful! :-)

Drove by your place the other day, Russ. Looking good, but Lord it's cold and wet here!

Next time you're here, we'll go to La Savie, our new favorite, also about halfway between us. The chef is inspirational.

Always up for trying a new place!

Nice to see this report revived.

I remember the first time I heard "vin" as "vang" made me laugh