II
That is what state of mind they are in early summer 1988, when they receive mail from the bank. Very excited, they open and they have the joy to learn of the loan is granted. They are so happy !
Finally, their projects will be able to achieve ! They know it will not be easy, the first month will be rather uncomfortable, they have a lot of work. However, they are confident and determined to carry out their business. They are confident that, by working and doing their best, they can succeed.
They know that their project is atypical, but they do not aim to make a fortune. They just want to live in harmony with nature, without being traditionalists or "babas-cool", they also want to integrate into local life, while maintaining contacts and relationships with the capital, this through the two activities in which they thrive.
They have both been trained and different paths, so that today they have complementary skills that will be very useful throughout the project, where they will be versatile. They will complement each other, in fact, while ensuring their personal share of each project. They will also demonstrate a flawless organization. They are aware that they have good numbers of problems, big and small, to solve everyday.
Their son, Boris, is a little sad to leave his friends, but he knows he will return from time to time, which will give him the opportunity to see them again ! He also knows that he may make others in his new school. Like all children of his age, he is concerned about the change of life, while being happy at the prospect of living in the countryside, he prefers to the city. He projects, imagining future games. However, in the meantime, he takes full advantage of his summer vacation.
It is a quiet child who is interested in many things. Having often spent his holidays with his grandparents, he knows the country, the life we lead. He dreams of a swing, a slide, maybe a pony .... He is told that the first time will be a little difficult, they will have less comfort. He also knows that his mother will not be there during the week due to his professional duties, but the weekend they spend time together.
They prepare, in fact, to live differently, their son and Peter in the countryside during the week that Monika will be in Paris, but all gathered together on the weekends at home. Until then they were never separated except for very short periods. They plan their future lifestyle, how they work, assign tasks.
As at the date of signing of the final approaches, they feel caught in a whirlwind of things to do, things to remember, emergencies, priorities and ideas, but also questions of expectations. Their lives are changing and they plunge into the unknown. A yet unknown a priori relative, they are preparing for several years now.
One, Peter, following training in agricultural techniques, by documenting, by preparing activity that will create and live. He will also need to use other skills he has acquired throughout his unusual career. He has good skills and knowledge in the various disciplines required to restore the buildings. He is also capable of maintaining vehicles, tractors, etc. He also has enough contacts to ensure unblocked to future productions.
The other, Monika, studying the specific management of agricultural activities. But, also, prospecting for new unstopped. At that time, the economy was renewed feverish prosperity, so that the consulting business was thriving. Contact by bringing another, it seemed to strengthen day by day, with strong growth prospects.
It was decided, at first, to keep the apartment they rent in the Paris region to move their business according to the progress of the renovations. Moreover, it is necessary to have a base for the consulting business. When the time comes, they will advise on finding another location, if necessary.
Here, their project starts to take shape ! With a touch of nostalgia, they begin to pack their cases will be needed to organize their country life. They store their memories, recent as oldest in cartons. At the same time they are preparing the new school year, which will shortly follows their installation.
Of course, they are eager to start their new life, but at the same time, they have stage fright before the unknown. At times, they seem to be at the edge of a cliff while they must embark on a bridge over the void. They continue unless their preparations.
Boris also falls into boxes his toys, books and all that fills his childhood. Then he went to his grandparents where he finds his friends. Historically, Boris spends his holidays in Peter's parents, who live in a small town, as their ancestors had done for centuries. Other children are on holiday with their grandparents, year after year they have become accustomed to play together.
Peter and Monika benefit to recent purchases, which occupies all their free time. They need the tools for cleaning and materials for the early work of their first installation, in order to introduce a minimum of comfort. Soon autumn will be quickly here with the bad weather, fog, rain, cold.
Given the magnitude of the task ahead in the first week, they set priorities, in particular to ensure the comfort of Boris. When they install the new school year will be close, so Boris will be installed properly to live this important event of his life in the best conditions. It was then only eight years.
August advances and boxes piled in the entrance of their house, with suitcases and bags. Then comes the time to get Boris, a week earlier than in previous years. Upon their return, they put the cartons, sacks and bags for their first installation in a trailer with tools and materials they have purchased recently.
The apartment seems empty, yet the furniture did not shake any more than trinkets and other objects of everyday life. The decor is the same, they do not carry so much more than if they went camping for a vacation, yet the parts take on the appearance abandoned ...
During the last days that separate the signing of the final act, it seems to them that their lives are in suspension. They arranged for subscriptions electricity, telephone and water are open for their arrival. Monika prepares the necessary documents for registration of Boris to school in the neighbouring village. On the eve of the "great start», everything is ready.
They are sitting down to their last dinner, all three sets in this apartment. A little nostalgic for an era that is ending, full of memories, some happy and pleasant, some not so good. They are also excited, worried at the prospect of which opens to them.
They discuss the final details of their organization for the next few days, and they divide tasks. Boris, with his parents will not have much time to devote to him, prepared a small bag with his toys and his favourite books, which he keeps close to him.
The last night they all three difficulty sleeping. However, they are a bit tired from the excitement of the last few days. The hours pass while each of them sees a lot of scrolling images, between memories and projects.
When the alarm sounds, they hurry to get ready to face the long day. The latter baggages are placed in curly cars. Therefore, with a bit of sadness, but also a lot of joy and hope, they look around one last time before they close the door.
At the appointed hour, they are at the notary to sign the act, the beating heart : this is the first time they become owners ! They wait, and hope, this moment for many months. They now look forward to back home.
It is hot in the sun of the last day of August. When brought in the notary's office, they discovered a small room where sellers are already installed. They also take place on uncomfortable chairs. The notary did not finish reading the document, comment.
The more time passes, the more heat is stifling ! Vendors they leave an impression very mixed. They have the look a bit vulgar and take some rather petty. However, like the notary, who seems much appreciate them, they make great efforts of seduction !
Finally, the "ceremony" ends : they can breathe out ! It was time, they all started to run out of air ! Boris, who, despite the discomfort, remained prudent during this time, is delighted to be able to stretch his legs. He cannot wait to get home to discover that property he has never seen.
They hit the road again, happy. As they approached, they seek to find the path that leads to what is now their home. They have not returned since the last visit in May, so they are reluctant, and eventually make a few detours before finding their way.
When they back path to the buildings, they are moved, and so naively proud to say that they are at home, along the fields they are their own ! Until then, they had never summers owners, and they had worked so hard to make this possible !
Peter is very happy, but almost intimidated, by opening the door with a certain solemnity ! The sun is low on the horizon when they complete unload their business. They discover with delight, the splendour of the sunset they can now enjoy. They fall boxes and bags on a tarp in the room where the door opens, then they cover it with another sheet, places are rather unhealthy.
The first night of their new life, they will pass away. They will return to clean and organize the first "camp". In the evening, during dinner, they consider the scope of the first cleaning needed, both in the home and in outbuildings.
The building remained unoccupied for several years, and it shows the volumes of cobwebs, the thickness of the dust layer, ... among others. Therefore, they plan to stay at the hotel for several days yet, the time to clean their new home.