Why this?

Why am I doing this?

I moved to France about three and a half years ago. I bought a townhouse that was right across the street from the bakery and shared a wall with the cafe. At times, it was noisy because I was in the center of all the activity in Bugeat. The townhouse was comfortable, didn't need a whole lot of work, but I was bored ... I needed a project.
I started looking for a challenge and ended up buying the house you have been reading about.
I'm not new to this renovation thing. I've built several structures throughout my life – mostly garages or workshops, but also a timber frame cabin. In addition, I've renovated several homes with new kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
Although I'm getting up there in age, I'm not sure this house will be my last renovation project, as I have been on the lookout for an old train station or crossing house to buy.
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I built this woodworking shop in the backyard of a house I owned in Salem, Virginia.

A workshop and garage I built in Colorado.

A workshop that I built in North Carolina.

A kitchen renovation in a house I owned in Texas.

Building a timber frame cabin in Colorado.

The North Carolina workshop had a deck that overlooked a stream. A peaceful place for doing woodworking.

Living on
the railroad

(Continued from above)
I've always had a love of trains and railways and such and thought it would be cool to live in an old station. In France, there are many old stations that have been converted into homes, but there are way more crossing houses available. Back before they introduced automatic crossing gates, crossings were attended by crossing guards who living in crossing houses all along the rail line. Occasionally, these abandoned houses come up for sale.
I'm still considering it if I find the right one.

This crossing house near Barsanges is ripe for renovation.

The train station in the neighboring town of Perols has been converted into a home.

This crossing house near Lacelle has been partially renovated, but still uses an outhouse.