Unable to realize their plans of becoming homeowners in the UK due to housing prices, Yip Ward and Paul Mappley took an unexpected step while looking for a solution in the French countryside. Initially planning to buy only a small cottage, the couple became the owners of multiple structures in a settlement called La Buslière in Normandy over the years.
The couple, who were living in a caravan in the town of Tunbridge Wells, learned about the area through a friend in 2020. After a short scouting trip, they first purchased a cottage for 12 thousand pounds. This money was covered by selling old belongings and Paul Mappley's tractor.
THEY BOUGHT THE VILLAGE STEP BY STEP
After the initial purchase, Ward and Mappley began to take an interest in the surrounding buildings, spending a total of 26 thousand pounds to acquire seven cottages, two barns, a workshop, a traditional cider press, two bread ovens, and various outbuildings. This amount corresponds to approximately 1.5 million Turkish Lira.
Most of the purchased structures required serious maintenance as they had not been used for years. It is noted that some roofs were covered in ivy, and some buildings had almost disappeared into nature. Instead of working with professional teams, the couple aimed to reduce costs by undertaking most of the restoration themselves.
Ward and Mappley's plan is not to open all seven houses in the village for tourist rentals once the renovation is complete. The couple wants to preserve the quiet nature and historical texture of the settlement. Transforming other buildings into workshops and organizing summer fairs, markets, open-air cinema, and pizza events in the traditional ovens are also among their plans.
News Source: 12punto
