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Saturday, 31 October 2009

Customer comment for the "Pigeonnier"

23-31 octobre 2009

Nous avons passé un agréable séjour dans le Pigeonnier. C'est un endroit magnifique, authentique et très reposant.
Merci pour votre accueil.

Corianne, Matteo et Tess d'Ajaccio

Thursday, 29 October 2009

October 29th and it's 22°C







Today was a lovely & warm sunny day so we cycled over the bridge from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré. En route to St Martin we stopped to have a picnic on a deserted beach. When we arrived at St Martin Louis decided to have a go on the Donkey's that wear trousers! Yes it is true donkey's really do wear trousers, it arrived from them working in the salt fields and the trousers protect their legs from the mosquitos.

Monday, 26 October 2009

Local images in the Charente Maritime.




Here are some photos taken from around our local area.


This is the beautiful Mairie at Soubise.

Monday, 19 October 2009

Comment taken from the Pressoir comments book

5-10-09 to 19-10-09

My wife & I have been visiting 'La Metairie' for several years now and have seen all of the hard work that Nigel & Suzie have invested to make this a truly wonderful place to stay.
We have enjoyed 'le Pigeonnier', the 'Farmhouse' & this time 'le Pressoir' all of these gites have been very comfortable, very clean and well maintained, they all have everything that you need and more for a relaxing holiday, especially with the addition of the swimming pool.
The peaceful setting being surrounded by open countryside make it the perfect base to explore the Charente Maritime.
Over the year's we have visited many places & still find new ones every visit. La Rochelle is a must, it has a wonderful atmosphere & there always seems to be something going on. The islands are beautiful, Ile de Ré for its narrow streets & lovely ports. Oleron with it's spectacular beaches accessed through wooded areas. For more beaches there is Chatelaillon and Fouras reached in less than 30 minutes. At Fouras explore the town & visit 'point fumeé'. Visit Rochefort for a great market (saturday morning) and shops, see also the 'Hermione' sailing ship being built there. On the outskirts of Chatelaillon you must visit the 'trotting races' held at certain times of the year.
Then there is the historical town of 'saintes' for its Roman ruins and Ampitheatre, the list is endless!
We have enjoyed every visit here thanks to the wonderful hospitality of Nigel, Suzie and the children.
the 2GB's

Saturday, 3 October 2009

Customer comment for the Farmhouse

19th Sept - 30th Oct 09

A wonderful two week stay at the farmhouse felt like a home away from home. Dylan (3) & Olive (1) loved the trampoline, wendy house and outdoor space (oh and the bunny), and the accomodation was perfect. We enjoyed exploring. The highlights for our young family had to be Chatelaillon - aquatic centre & beach. Ile de Ré - especially St.Martin antique shops, Fouras & La Rochelle were lovely. The market at Rochefort was a wonderful insight into the simple way of life which we miss so much in England. The pool was cold, but great fun and we could'nt complain as it is September afterall. La Bateau Lavoir was excellent, although be warned - make sure you are HUNGRY as there is so much food. Our family have had a true family holiday, two weeks with not a moment when we had nothing to do.
I will recommend to anyone coming to this part of France. Nigel & Suzanne have been lovely and more than just helpful.
Chris, Rachel, Dylan & Olive.
ps. If the bread van has coffee eclairs, try them.....!!

Friday, 2 October 2009

Customer comment for the Pigeonnier

17th September - 2nd October 09

Visited several places in the area, plus 3x longer trips. One to Oradour-sur-glane & 2 to our friends near Montendre.
Patrimoine weekend visited Chateau la Roche-Courbon.
Rochefort well worth a visit to see the frigate 'Hermione' in construction & also the maritime museum.
We treated this holiday as a 'lazy' one rather than the usual frantic ones of the past.
The bicycles are well worth using as there are several quiet lanes in the area.
Woke every morning to blue skies & sunshine, which made a change from the dreary grey sky from the uk.
Nigel & Suzanne are excellent hosts, there if they were needed & full of information.
Will miss Timmy the cat, he made himself right at home with us. Will recommend the gites to friends upon our return,
Thanks

John, Cathy & Neilson
North Lincolnshire

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Photos of the Grande Pavois & firework display
















Grande Pavois boat show & firework display

On Saturday afternoon we took ourselves off to La Rochelle to visit the fantastic 'Grande Pavois' floating boat show, there are thousands of exhibitors selling their wares from childrens dinghies, training Yachts upto £4 million catarmarins, every type of sailing and moterboat was on display, Speedboats, fishing, leisure craft for daily or to live off, sailing and moterboat lessons, boat accessories etc. Some good deals were to be had this year as the price of some were noticeably reduced.
Their was also a good display of beach equipment surf boards, Kite surfs, wind surfs, etc; and all manner of canoes, they have certainly changed since I did canoeing in my younger days, now you can get canoes with a sail or with peddles which pushes the canoe along and even with a small moter powered by a solar panal!
A great day out with thousands of visitors enjoying the sunshine.
Then early evening everybody moved around the old port facing the channel as old and new boats paraded up and down the channel, The champion of France and a disabled wave boarder gave us a display, keeping us all in anticipation for the sound and light spectacular which as the sky turned red and the sun dipped down below the horizon more and more people turned out until the crowds were 10 to 15 deep. The story teller and music started in a melancholy tone as old fashioned sailing boats came along the channel, as they floated past the night then burst into light and music as the castle walls changed colours from the glow of lights and fireworks all in time to the loud music, The air was filled with light and smoke for a good 30 minutes as the music from all eras blasted out from the speakers until the last magnificent crescendo exploded into the sky making the night feel like day.
Its an amazing show and well worth seeing.

Customer comment for the Pressoir

22/9/09 - 1/10/09

We have had a superb time here an excellent base to explore La Rochelle, Rochefort and the islands. We have been to the zoo and Aquarium, the museum of commerce & Pierre Lotis House. We enjoyed the Grande Pavois (the floating boat show) and the excellent firework display. We have enjoyed good food at the Bateau Lavoir in Landrais, Andres at La Rochelle and le Belem at St Martin on Ile de Ré to name but a few. We had fun on our return trip on the transporter, especially as it was just us and the guard!
All in all we have had a most enjoyable stay.
Donna & Paul
Cornwall