It would seem that we have gone on a real-estate frenzy lately as we have purchased yet another property this month. No, not another house, but a property. In France. Our villa there is on a double lot, and five years ago we saw a vacant lot next to ours that was owned by our homeowners association but was not being maintained. We were up to our eyeballs in alligators at the time but I casually asked one of the representatives if they would be interested in selling it. He didn’t take me seriously and we did not pursue it.
Four years ago, we complained that the unfenced property was abandoned looking and was being used for little more than people dumping trash, teenagers drinking or dogs doing their business. So, we offered to buy it. As things were and where it was located, it could serve no one any purpose as it could not be attached to anyone’s property but ours. It was not being used in any manner and was not only an eye sore but a liability to our homeowners association. Perfect! For us, it could add a third ocean front lot to our villa and provide an additional buffer on that side of our property with a neighbor who owns 5 adjacent acres. It would add tremendous financial value to the villa for our kids when we are pushing up daisies. We submitted an official offer but being neophytes to the process it was dismissed out of hand.
Being nothing if not determined, we returned three years ago, armed to the teeth with documents, pictures and all manner of official charts, graphs and the like. Being foreigners and not present at the association's yearly meeting, it was easy for the homeowners voting on our request to blow us off for any number of petty reasons, and they did.
Two years ago, we were at it again, offering a little more in price each time. The associations narrowly voted in our favor but it lacked a quorum so it could not pass. We returned again last year, with the intention to grind them down year after year until they saw the light and agreed to see things our way. I can take a lot of different answers, but NO just doesn't seem to be one of them. The vote was virtually unanimous in our favor but once again, lacked a quorum so could not pass.
This year we made a real effort and went door to door to introduce ourselves and lobby anyone we could find at home, but the most significant change occurred when a few influential friends went to bat for us. Also, our homeowners association lost a lawsuit and suddenly needed cash and finally had their come to Jesus moment. Again, the acquisition now gives us a triple lot, with the ocean at the bottom of our garden with no ability for anyone to build and block the view. A swimming pool and pool house should round things out quite nicely on our new property as soon as Janice saves her allowance and I get a job as a gigolo to pay for it.
Ironically neither won, but the British took possession of all North American lands that the French had claimed. Some American colonists decided to fight with the Brits and were called "Loyalists" in Canada. We had a different name for them in the US.
The bachelor
Well, it happened again. Janice ran off and left me with no adult supervision. She flew to Astoria Oregon for over two weeks to allow Cassie and her husband Art a little time off and to visit with her mom while corralling 3 kids and 3 dogs.
She got the easy job. Me? Well I had to take care of myself. By myself. All alone. How hard can it be? I was in charge of watering all our many flowers and would face her wrath if any died during her absence. I also had my work cut out for me with docks that my friend Brad and I built for several of our small islands we are trying to sell. Brad was an indispensable help and spent days and days helping me with all manner of chores to get these islands sold.
And for good measure, I invited a couple of friends to come visit for several days so we could put our drinking pants on, scratch and spit and catch up. First, Dan showed up and we swapped stories, some of which were true. Then John followed.
John at the start of his visit
On the last day I was taking John back to his car on the mainland when unfortunately, he slipped getting out of the boat and ruptured a quadricept tendon in his knee. We called an ambulance where he was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Once released, I drove him home. He is now out of commission for several months while it heals.
Next I had my friend and former flight instructor Claude 'drop in'. As both our planes were identical he was able to dock on my aircraft carrier. When he left, he did a few low level passes over the island on his way home. You can see all the action here.
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