So, the Pilgrim’s House finally has a new owner.
I signed as planned on 18th July, no hiccups.

The actual keys and locks for the house have been changed over the years on the rear door to the property (although the door is original), so today there is a Yale lock and a simple set of standard door keys for access. The agent wanted to use these, but I’d planned something different.
At the signing I felt that as a symbolic changeover of ownership, the big old original front door key should be passed over by the old owner – it seemed somewhat more apt for the grand old place. Madame Doutre gladly obliged, and with a certain amount of amusement from the notaire (due to the sheer dimensions of the key), and a smile by all witnessing, she slid me the key. I couldnt help noticing a little tear in her eye as she smiled at me and said “Mr Lacey, I’m glad its you”. I was a little choked actually, knowing that the house had been in her family for at least 150 years, and that she was entrusting me with its upkeep into the 21st century. It seemed such a small price to pay for such an enormous privilege.

Her mother is buried in the cemetery in the village, so she said she would visit from time to time to see how I’m doing. “I won’t come straight away Mr Lacey, perhaps some time in the future though”.

There’s a great history to be told about this house, its purpose and its previous owners, so I’ve asked the notaire if she will do an in-depth search in the County Archives to find out who everyone was, and how the house was passed down through the generations.

The piece of land in front will be forgotten for a while……