After working together running the family business, a retail camping shop, for over fifteen years Joann decided it was time to stop and retire from the business.
For years we talked about downsizing now that the children had left home to pursue their own lives. Then one day I said ok let's do it.
Joan desperately wanted to go to warmer climes, and as is not uncommon with us married folk she got her way.
So we sold the house, hooked a caravan to the back of the car, and set off to find somewhere to call home, after touring Southern Europe, Joann saw articles about the Trulli in Puglia that she just had to see.
On arriving and looking at a lot of Trulli.
We were on a Trulli tour looking at what was available to buy when we decided Trulli were not for us, we were in the estate agent's car traveling along the SP28 when we told Angelo the agent, the breaks came on with clouds of smoke and the spell of rubber with the appropriate screaming from the tyres, we were then going backwards at speed to stop outside what is now Casa di Nonna. Angelo said this property came on to my books yesterday, to be honest I haven't looked at it yet, let's see if they are in. They were, we looked, made an offer, the rest is history as they say.
So for the first five or six years I regularly travelled back and forth between Puglia and Kent to run the shop, spending approximately six months in England and the rest of the year here in Puglia.
The conversion was originally undertaken so that our children and grandchildren could have their own space when they came to stay, love your grandchildren as you do, you cannot say they are not disruptive at times. And it is nice from time to time to leave the fray in order to recapture the peace and tranquillity we have found here.
Now I have given up the shop to spend more time with Joann living full-time at Casa di Nonna. It is not in my nature not to work so I now look after and service swimming pools and keep an eye on properties for absent owners

You've heard the old saying "Happy wife easy life".
Well that's it in a nutshell.

We chose this part of Italy and in particular Puglia because it offers a way of life lost to Southeast England a long time ago. The pace of everyday life gives people the time to talk, shopkeepers are genuinely pleased to see and serve you, officials are all ready to take the time to advise on the best way forwards, you get the impression that everyone you meet is willing to help, but most of all the family here has meaning.
We think the position of Casa-de Nonna offers the best of all worlds, in so much that it is located in the heart of an olive-producing region and is set in two acres with over one hundred olive trees, we have added a herb garden and fish pond, a citrus grove, fruit trees and a vegetable garden with some soft fruit.
The villa enjoys very good access, having a countryside bus route at the end of the drive, you know the type, an infrequent although regular and reliable service to the local towns