A Garden In Sarlat: Fulfilling an ambition to run a bed and breakfast in The Dordogne

by David Prothero

When David and Wendy made the decision to sell almost everything they owned and walk away from the businesses they had spent years building up they never doubted for a minute that their new life running a bed and breakfast in the Dordogne valley, South-West France would be harder work than anything they had tried before. They knew that it was a massive gamble. Their friends called them brave. Their families thought that they had either gone completely mad or were dreaming of a delusional easy life in the sun. In the event none of these assumptions were completely accurate. Moving and funny, this is the story of the trials and tribulations involved in buying and converting their new house. The challenges of starting a new business in a foreign land, speaking a language they had struggled to learn thirty years previously and had since forgotten. But ultimately of fulfilling their ambition to work, laugh and play in the beautiful town of Sarlat.

Genres: Nonfiction

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2016

Reviews

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, quick read. Read it in one sitting on a flight from Hawaii to Seattle. Was just what I needed to get my mind off the doom and gloom of the Coronavirus.

[Olga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt as if I was reading an early draft, one in which the author had just started writing by jotting down his rambling thoughts and memories. There isn’t much attention paid to paragraph development or run on sentences or even punctuation. Some sections obviously belong elsewhere in the book, for example the paragraph after: “Bloody Hell we had bought a house in France”. All of this takes the enjoyment away and makes the book hard to read. I think with some careful editing, this could be a great book.

[T Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable page turner

Enjoyable page Turner written in an easy style, Anyone who has visited the area will identity with and perhaps wistfully look back on memories of previous holidays

[Laura Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the adventure

Amazing what human contact and kindness can pull forth! Enjoyed your writing and Wendy’s approachability with her guest.
Keep enjoying your paradise

[Eb Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dordogne is one of my most favorite places, and that’s why I have been eager to read this book. For me, it was a chance to return to an area I love. I would love to visit the B&B on my next visit to Sarlat!

[Nigel Kirton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasant read and the perfect length.

[John Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is okay, a bit dry. The author's got a huge wall to climb named Peter Mayle. Didn't work this time.