Naivety? Not the word I would use.
But remember that the man who never made a mistake never made anything.
In 100 years time you will reflect on this whole episode and blow out your brains.
Just be so careful. This sounds like a “ring” as found in auction circles. There are clearly a mumber of people, dare I say it of different roles, ahem, all working together all expecting to profit. Some of them may have the power to limit future options if disappointed. Till you shut this down be careful, charming. Channel Hugh Grant in one of his earlier floppy English puppy dog roles ? 
Well done i can’t wait to see the end of this.
Btw you didn’t say is there a deposit they paid in April that you get to keep if they don’t come up with he full amount and complete by 30th November? Please don’t give an inch on date nor money - you’ve given them.the summer that you could have used for viewings.
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Yes they did! None! 
Thank heavens the OP posted here. TBH I don’t think I would have given them any more than 1 month, possibly 2 months, between compromis and vente especially at the beginning of summer viewing season. And certainly not without at least 5% deposit. After all, the purpose of a deposit is to prove money is available, an indication of good faith, and to put some of buyer’s money at risk in case they do not complete.
Buyer has abused on every front, haven’t they? I really am looking forward to them being seen off and wish the OP all the very best - please keep us informed
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Hum. Is there an even bigger / literally higher, development opportunity for your plot, than we’ve even begun to realise ?
Makes me say even more, be careful. A land ring could work same way as an auction ring I suppose and whilst you seeing them off will be immensely satisfying to us all, some people involved may still be around later whilst you’re sorting future options.
Oh my - never heard of a ‘land ring’ before - new one on me. Presumably happens in UK as well - but hides under the radar. Good luck scrawford - keep posting - this is very informative - and intriguing !!
Very much so - and not well hidden. Our neighbour lived on a large plot. Unfortunately she started to develop Alzheimer’s and decided to sell her large house and garden. She was advised by our local estate agent and sold to a property developer who promptly went for planning to split the plot and build two properties. Needless to say it was the same estate agent who managed the sale of the two properties. The local view was he’d behaved very badly towards our lovely neighbour.
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Right, the letter has been sent by registered post this morning. We shall see what next week brings.
So, the next day after the meeting at the Notaires office on Tuesday was “WTF happened to us yesterday”, day two (Thursday) was “Yay” with a very helpful and informed telephone call with the Notaire and then today became I went into “I am livid” mode. To which Phill gently said “just let it go”, which made me snap back “Are you now channelling your internal Idina Menzel”! He laughed, so no hard feelings.
We received a message from Scottish friends this morning that they were back in town and would love to catch up with us. They have done what we are attempting to do; downsize, sell up, get rid of the mortgage and have money in the bank and enjoying the freedom that comes with that.
Whilst waiting for their arrival at our local bar, another couple we know extremely well turned up and we had a good natter to them about everything that is going on.
Had a lovely lunch and got a taxi back to the house @ 1500 hrs. Opened the front door, walked inside and noticed that the draws of the coffee table were open in the living room. Then looking at the bathroom, all the draws of the cabinets were open. Continuing our journey into the house, all the kitchen draws and cupboards were also open. Our bedroom was an absolute mess. The back guest room window had been jimmied open and that was how they managed to get into the house. They only took the money we had in our bedroom chest of draws (thankfully not much, as I had the bulk of it in my pocket). They did not touch the computers, camera equipment, or anything else of value. But they certainly went through everything looking for any dosh that may have been hidden. Weirdly, the only item that was damaged beyond repair was Phil’s iPad – it had been bent in two and left it sitting by my computer.
Went to our local Gendarmerie to report the break in and then they came back to take pics and just before leaving they suggested that we activate our outside and internal cameras whenever we leave the property and lock all the internal doors as well.
C’est la vie – S&P 
Have you got tracking on the notaire’s letter? Does it work out that this happened the day after it was received?
This must be very upsetting, hard not to imagine somehow connected ? Did the gendarmerie recognise the modus operandi from any perpetrator known locally, or from others locally currently also being hit ?
I’m afraid that someone, rather than rob you, is trying to terrorise. If you already have CCTV, keep it switched on 24/7. Good idea to move or add one inside.
November will soon come. I wish you luck and admire your fortitude!
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I agree, druggies would have taken all they could carry to sell for money, professionals would not have bothered and opportunists would not be carrying a jemmy around with them nor kids, all of whom would have left prints everywhere that the police would dust for. To be honest, maybe prudent never to go out together for a bit until this is all over properly and you can leave. If you have a vehicle parked outside, keep a check on that too, another way to agress you by tyre slashing or bodywork damage/lights etc.
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Oh no. So sorry to hear that what with everything you’ve been going through.
Does your CCTV come with an app? Ours has a feature where if the app determines you’ve left the house it automatically enables the cameras, so you don’t have to remember to do it.
That’s not good, to say the least, what did the Police say? They must have thought it bloody odd, the iPad would be a good steal for kids/druggies, not so much for habitual thieves as they’re well aware they’re easy to track. Bending the pad in half isn’t normal and takes serious effort.
If you have neighbours or are friendly with folk around you, let them all know you’ve been broken into. You can always play it as you’re worried thieves might be in the area and they may be next, the more people around you that know the more eyes you have watching.
You certainly seem to be living an interesting life right now😵💫.
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Hi Karen. Yes, registered and tracking paid for. He will not have received the letter yet as we only posted it just before 1100 hrs yesterday (Friday).
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Hi Gareth. They have to be manually turned on. Which I have done this morning
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Whilst we were at the gendarmerie, they were very friendly and efficient, but when we got back to the house the guys that meet us at the house were not really bothered. They inspected the window, took some photos and then left. Their parting advice to us when we leave the property was to lock the place down, close the outside shutters, lock all the internal room doors and make sure our security cameras were active. No shit sherlock!
I feel like I have aged 300 years in just under a week!
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Hi Debby. Most of the homes around us are second homes, which makes it lovely and quiet, but not so good security wise…
you will get through this… just take things a day at a time.. 
Still mention it in bars, resto’s, shops etc word travels . Might be a good idea to make sure all/ any shutters are fully closed when you go out or go to bed, bit of a pain in the proverbial for you but might as well make it a lot harder for the b stewards as possible. 
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