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Saturday, 31 May 2008

Meet the natives


I've just bought a delicious freshly baked pain aux raisins, pain au chococlats, and a baguette from Gérard our bread man, he comes everyday except Mondays. He bakes the bread during the early hours of the morning and then delivers to the local villages in this area near La Rochelle. What a lovely start to the day here in the Charente Maritime!

Monday, 26 May 2008

Sylvie and Kevins Images of our place


On Saturday we escaped to the country side, half an hour drive away from la Rochelle to visit our friends Nigel and Suzie. I love the place, it oozes serenity and beauty. They moved here in Landrais a few years ago with their three children. We stayed there once on holiday before we made the move to France ourselves and have become friends ever since. They have renovated their house and gites totally on their own . I have nothing but admiration for the standard of their work and sheer dedication. A swimming pool is next on the cards no doubt Nigel will be building that too.

Sunday, 25 May 2008

Saintes and île d'Oléron by Rosie

The other week I went to Saintes with my latin class. We went to the roman ampitheater and the remains of the roman bridge that used to cross the river charente, after we visted a museum in Saintes. We all had a great day out.
And last week I went to île d'Oléron, with my class, to learn to sail for 3 days with my school (André Dulin in Aigrefeuille near La Rochelle). We stayed in Boyardville on the island of Oléron. It was really fun, we did cycling, a treasure hunt in the forest and sport. On the 3rd day we sailed around Fort Boyard, it was amazing to get so close, it's really big. I really enjoyed learning to sail. I had a great 3 days with my friends.

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

review, the sound of silence

The Netherlands
date of arrival: May 1,2008
"During the first ten days of May 2008 my wife and I stayed in the Pigeonnier of La Metairie de Monlieu (near La Rochelle). The cottagy gite, set in a lovely rural area, has been beautifully done up by Nigel and Suzanne. It provides everything you need for a holiday to explore the lovely surroundings of the Charente - Maritime. Both Suzanne and Nigel are perfect hosts. For an escape to the country, away from all the noise and stress of busy citylife, this is the place to be. Thanks again for a wonderful stay !

NB: All comments left by our guests regarding our gite near La Rochelle will be added with permission here on our blog.

Monday, 12 May 2008

Fouras Grand plage

This is the Grand plage at Fouras (30 min from La Rochelle) You can see one of the old Forts named fort Vauban, also if you look out to the sea from this beach you can see fort Boyard. Fouras is a quaint french sea-side resort, it has three main beaches and some lovely shops and restaurants. You can also buy fresh oysters from la Fumée in Fouras.

Vergeroux near Rochefort


For Pentecôte bank holiday monday here in the Charente Maritime, we went to to one of the biggest vide grenier (car boot)/brocante (antique fair). There was around 500 exposants, we must have walked miles and miles! We bought a lovely shopping basket and he gave us a small one free for a present.
After the brocante we decided to go to Fouras beach (30 mins from La Rochelle) because again the weather was fantastic. The tide was out today, but it was ok because on the Grand Plage (beach) there is a sea water swimming pool, which is great for swimming.

Sunday, 11 May 2008

Show jumping competition


Today we spent all afternoon at a local show jumping competition at Toucherit near La Rochelle. Rosie entered the competition and came 6th, and won a brush, a pen and a rosette. The weather was really hot and all the horses were really sweating and tired. It was a great afternoon and I think everyone got sun burnt!

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Guests this week


This week we have a lovely couple from Holland, staying in the gite called the Pigeonnier. Last Tuesday night we enjoyed their company and also our friend Valérie and her daughter Alice, instead of bringing a bottle of wine or a dessert Valérie brought an unloved guinea pig! It was a beautiful sunny evening here near La Rochelle so we decided to have a BBQ and several bottles of good local wine and a drop or two of pinot. After watching the sun go down, the sky became full of stars as there is no light pollution here.


Our new lodger, Sushi the guinea pig.

Saturday, 3 May 2008

New Website

Today we have launched our new website you can click and visit here. We'll be updating our blog at least twice per week from now and hopefully our guests won't mind us adding their photo's to this blog.

La Rochelle is roasting hot this weekend and the beach is calling. We have still some availability in our gites so feel free to take a look around and ask us any questions.