Hoping not to retire at 60, Ellen buys a house in South West France with views of the Pyrenees. Living on a shoestring, she describes the day to day dilemmas of life as a second homer, with an aged cat. A tantalizing picture is painted of a world where spin is not yet King and traditional values linger on in a community close to the earth beneath vibrant skies. Delightfully frank about her feelings, she describes how a sense of deep belonging blends in with a sense of loss and separation in a way which is ultimately healing. Not a ’how to do it manual’ exactly yet an entertaining guide for anyone who shares a similar dream.