Thirty years ago–about this time of the year–we walked into a courtyard and fell in love with a house.
Well, I did, for sure.
It was second coup de foudre (thunder bolt) for me in four years–guess who was the first..!
Four hours later, in the retirement home of Meredith’s ex–ABC TV colleague, the veteran anchor and correspondent Hughes Rudd, I phoned the owner of the breathtaking, life-altering, irresistible home and agreed to pay the asking price.
Back in London I heard myself telling brother Jack I’d bought a house in France.
This was the courtyard and this the house.
(Cover photo Meredith Wheeler!)
We are still here and I have never regretted the impulse to buy.
My fourth cookbook (all written in this house) is scheduled for publication in late June.
Robin Ellis’s Mediterranean Vegetarian Cooking
Delicious Seasonal Dishes for Living With Diabetes
(available on pre-order now on Amazon.co.uk)
(Little, Brown UK)
Here’s the link to the magazine (there is no free link to the article itself).
Robin Ellis 
Goodness, Robin, we’re twins! (well, nearly). Just a little more than 30 years ago (in October 1989) I walked into a courtyard and fell in love with a house. The owner and I agreed a price, I popped into the estate agent in Albi (in the cathedral square) and signed a ridiculous piece of paper (certainly not a ‘document’), about a quarter of A4, which said I agreed to buy the house and paid some kind of a fee of 500 French francs (£50). Clutching my scrap of paper, we got straight on the ‘Train-auto’ to Calais and when I got home to London, I rang up a friend who is an architect and said (as he frequently reminds me): “Malcolm, I’ve just done something I would never allow a client to do! I’ve signed a totally mysterious piece of paper and bought a house in France!”
The piece of paper turned out to be meaningless but (after a number of unexpected difficulties), I bought the house and likewise have never regretted it. And it turned out that Chris loves it I think even more than I do!
And for being locked-down, it’s a good place to take cover and wait …..
Vive la France.
Ruth
Wow!
Well done–all those years ago.
Sometimes you just have to do what you feel you have to do.
Vive la France!–indeed.
Congratulations! What a grand memory and an anniversary worth celebrating. Someday, I hope to enroll in one of your classes and see this haven for myself. Until then, keep those posts coming! They inspire. Be well.
Robin, will your new book be available on Amazon in the US?
Eventually–in August I believe.
Happy memotors!
Congratulations on the new book!
Thanks.
More, more please.
Be careful what you wish for!
Ca va?
I will not stop wishing for the moon! We’re fine just frustrated!
Such a lovely home! I lived in France with my parents in the town of Chaumont for 2 1/2 years in the mid sixties. I was 12 years old when I arrived from America. Later as an adult i lived in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands. Would often travel to France for our holiday as well as going to Paris many times. France has always held a special place in my heart. I hope G-d willing that I am able to return to France in the near future. Kind regards, Karen
Sent from my iPhone
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Hope so too, Karen.
Looking forward to your next cookbook!
Oh the beautiful garden! I miss France! My French in-laws had a beautiful house in Brittany with a spring, vegetable garden and honey bees. Such happy memories. Thank you both so much for sharing the many joys of your lovely world – and the wonderful cats. Your recipes are my favorites. Looking forward to your new book. Marking my calendar for August in the U.S. Happy Days ! You, Meredith and the “kids” – please stay safe and well…all of us out here love you.
You too–stay safe, Jean.
Good to see you post. Finding lockdown in England very tough…I miss freedom and seeing people. There is a strange eeriness through the streets…
It will pass!!
Thank you. Hopefully, yes. I keep thinking of these epidemics in history like the Spanish flu after the First World war and that fizzled out eventually…
Stunning looking house, I can see why and how you get your inspiration. I frequently visit a friend of mine who moved to Beaulieu Sur Mer many years ago and look forward to going back there when this nightmare is behind us. In the meantime I enjoy space in Co. Meath with dogs and chickens. Looking forward to the book, well done, stay safe.
Co. Meath with dogs and chickens will do for now!
Can’t wait to see the house and taste the food IN France!! X
I’ll bet, Susie.
A lovely story as always Robin! My spirits raise when I see a message from you. A treat in these rather strange, difficult days.
With regards to you and Meredith. Stay safe
Fran.Shaw
And you too, Fran.
Felicitations on a GOOD DECISION.
And aren’t we all so thrilled that you followed your heart in BOTH respects!! Coups de foudre do not occur often (sometimes never) but they shouldn’t easily be ignored. So happy you are both safe in your sanctuary…as are we. Fingers crossed and sending love xx
And stay safe and well, Rachel.
We signed on the line for our own house exactly 31 years ago YESTERDAY, Robin! It was a hectic time; we were also planning our wedding while looking for a house! We still love it. The sun was out & grass noticeably greener yesterday, so we did some yard work. But today we awoke to 3 inches of snow….rather late in the season! But aren’t we “country-dwellers” lucky to live in beautiful areas where we can still go outside and walk around?? I would go mad if we lived in a place where they can’t even walk outside. Gene’s aunt & uncle in Warsaw said they can’t leave the apartment building (except to buy groceries). Looking forward to better times! Stay safe! Hugs, Dianne & Gene
We are SO lucky!
Robin,
Nice! Lucky you!
Best wishes from Southern California
Look forward to getting the new book, with all those delicious and healthy recipes.
Thanks, Vicky!
Happy day. Then happy days followed. Nice story. Look forward to buying your new book- I already have 2 others- I have to say I was influenced to buy them because the Poldark connection, in the first place!! OKKO
Thank you, Kathleen.
When is your cookbook available in US? I’m half Greek and want to check it out and make sure you used enough olive oil! 😉
It is due out in the UK in late June and in the USA in August–but the coronavirus may alter the schedule.