I moved to France in January 2000, whilst still young enough to enjoy it. I had spent most of my working life in the conference business and travelled all over the world.

Life here is wonderful - short winters and long summers. And with so much space around us to breathe deeply with no pollution. You should see the night skies!

I live a quiet life with my dog and two cats. After some reflexion I have realised that our nature is disappearing because of our gardening and farming methods. So, now, much of the garden has been left for the wild flowers and weeds to proliferate and the garden is full of tens (if not hundreds) of species of butterflies, moths, lizards etc and there are deer and hare in the garden first thing in the morning. At night, we have bats and glow worms and several species of owl. I even spotted a turtle dove last week. So, yes, I have a wilded garden - but still lots of room for badminton and croquet.

New for 2021
ovid 19 has affected everyone around the world. For many it has been devasting, with loss of friends and family, liberty and opportunities.

For some it has been a time for reflection. A time to seek alternative paths in life.

Here in rural France, little changed apart from the brief total lockdown. Of course we miss the restaurants and social gatherings which form so much of our lives here.

I for one, discovered a talent I didn’t know I had when I started painting canvases in March 2020. Now my summer visitors will be surrounded by the numerous paintings I have done and which I am now exhibiting in the gite when there is no one renting. You can see Art@AuCompte here artpal.com/alisonwright to get a flavour.

I have also converted the smaller of the two swimming pools into a wildlife pond and will be planting water lilies and other aquatic plants this spring and introducing carp etc later in the year.

I live on-site and I am here to help, but never to intrude.

A large garden with lots of grass, so easy to maintain. It's a wildlife garden with lots wild flowers - a veritable haven for butterflies, bumblebees, praying mantis, stick insects and glow worms. It's far away from any street lights so is probably one of the best areas for star gazing.

Your own art gallery!