Constant-ly busy, consistently upbeat: the dynamic Dominique

But what's Dominique's background? How did she come across HPB - and what keeps her so enthusiastic for the Bond? HPB's doyenne of the Dordogne tells her story...

I was born in Nantes, Brittany’s old capital, where I did all my studies. I have an honours degree in psychology, with specialities in counselling, psychology at work, experimental psychology and social statistics.

While still a student, I went to Aberdeen for a working holiday as a French assistant, but then stayed on – having met an attractive Scotsman – and went to work for Total Oil Marine as a French tutor. We then moved down to Edinburgh and I worked in shop management for many years while eventually earning a diploma in management studies at Napier College. Nine years later, however, my Scottish sojourn came to an end and I came back to France, to Bordeaux this time, and a further stint at university – computing and local management studies this time.

Shortly afterwards I came across an advert, written in English, that attracted my attention. It was, of course, the Holiday Property Bond, looking for a site manager in the Dordogne. I did not know this part of France well, but I fell in love with it straight away. And I was absolutely delighted, having been away from the UK for two years already and missing it so much, to have the UK coming to me! So that is how I became Constant site manager, on 13th March 1989.

In those early days, HPB was not as sophisticated as it has now become, but that was nice too. The expectations were different. It has been very exciting to see HPB develop the way it has and to be part of it. There is a continuing commitment to moving forward, which is very challenging; but I regard routine and monotony as soul-destroying, and there is no risk of that with HPB! There is always scope for new ideas and new projects. Just now, a lot of effort is being put into renovation –the oldest part of the site is 23 years old – but this has not stopped us from developing on-going new activities or outings or Theme Weeks: massage and shiatsu, archery, painting, guided walks, horse carriage trips, bird watching, French classes, tennis…**quote**

As for outings, the Dordogne has got everything. This is not an empty word: food and wine, castles and forests, medieval villages, rivers, history and prehistory, red squirrels and deer. With so much choice, many visitors have been back many times to Constant, some almost every year; so it does feel like a big family, with many shared memories.

I have been so busy over the years that I have only managed one daughter, Axelle, a dancer. My partner Claude and I are very proud parents... and also of two adorable dogs, a golden retriever and a Bernese mountain dog.

Being a book-a-holic I read all the time. I counted once: I get through some 90 books a year. My other passion is drawing and painting, mostly portraits, but also trompe-l’oeil. In short bursts only though, as this requires a lot of energy that’s sometimes in short supply after a busy week…