We decided on northern France as we wanted easy access to England to see our families and to do some work if the opportunity arose. Since I planned to expand my quilt teaching activities, I also wanted somewhere easily accessible for quilters travelling from Britain and perhaps other parts of western Europe.

We moved into our house in Aix en Issart in February 2003. We searched long and hard for somewhere that had the potential for creating gîtes (for self-catering holidays) and a quilt workshop, as well as a house for us. The first job was to renovate the little cottage next to our house. The second, and far bigger, was to convert the old barn into a larger cottage. This proved to be a year’s hard work for Peter but the finished result is impressive.

The next job was to convert the stable into a workshop suitable for groups of quilters. It was completed in time for two introductory retreats in the autumn of 2004.

I return to England to teach and my designs are starting to be featured in quilt magazines. I'd like to publish more but haven't much time as I am concentrating on Needle & Thread. Peter is working on our own home, which has remained untouched while the other work has been underway.