We had our hearts set on a charming French getaway, a spreadsheet brimming with potential properties. Spring was calling, promising sunshine and tranquillity, but then came the uninvited guest: Covid-19. Overseas travel became a distant memory, replaced by homeschooling chaos, toilet paper hoarding, and queueing to enter the supermarket.

toilet roll and covid mask

Despite the reassuring words of many agents, virtual viewings were not for us. We weren’t buying a car, we were buying a dream! So, the search hit pause, the spreadsheet began gathering dust like an old brocante find.

Cinema sign the world is temporarily closed

Twelve months later travel restrictions were still in place and changing weekly. By late spring people began travelling to some European countries again but not yet to France. The news was full of stories showing holiday makers spending their long awaited breaks in quarantine hotels or queuing for hours in airports whilst Covid vaccinations and negative tests were checked. We took the sad decision to stay at home for yet another summer. Our dream of a holiday home was fading away.

Globe with post it note saying stay home

Fast forward to 2022, restrictions easing and hope flickering. Our trusty spreadsheet was dusted off, but alas, many properties had vanished faster than a croissant in a pastry shop. Pandemic priorities had shifted, and we were now land-hungry, seeking space beyond a balcony. Back to square one (or should we say, square hectare?).

The next few months were a blur of listings, emails and photographs and as our holiday approached we had the grand total of three viewings organised. Agents warned of a post-pandemic property frenzy and house prices had risen significantly. Our inbox overflowed with listings and photos. Three viewings lined up, our hope was rekindled . But then, bam! One sold, another vanished. We were left with a single, solitary viewing, clinging on like a lone grape on a vine.

Finally arriving in Toulouse after two long years spent dreaming and subsequent Covid testing, we turned our phones on after the flight to discover that the only remaining viewing had been cancelled. The house was under offer. We were devastated. The decision was taken out of our hands and another year was about to pass us by. So we decided to just enjoy our holiday and continue with the search when we got back to the uk. It felt like this was not meant to be for us!

Sunset in Toulouse

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