Its a sad day today as one of the three beautiful horses that live in the field at the bottom of our garden left us for the horses place in the sky. That however is life here in the countryside.
Les Deux Platanes
Wednesday, 24 February 2021
Sunday, 31 January 2021
February 1st 2021
Well things have certainly developed since my last post. The
UK has left the EU, we now live permanently in France as the Brexit situation
would have limited our time here to 90- days and that’s a lot of use if you are
retired. Covid 19 arrived in March 2020 and you all know the impact but we have
light on the horizon with the vaccine rollout.
The cottage is
currently hibernating for the winter and looking fine for the winter and next
summer as we painted and stencilled the shutters before the wet weather started
so they are all ready and pristine for next year.
Life here in our country hamlet continues at its gentle
pace. The horses chew the grass and the sheep, chickens, goats and ducks
oblivious to human covid problems provide a calming message to all who pass.
The local cafes and restaurants are currently closed and we have a curfew
between 6pm and 6am but the shops and markets operate to provide all the treats
we need to sustain life.
We do look forward to seeing friends and passing motorists
and motorcyclists in the future but we fear this may not be possible until
2022…but we can only wait and see.
If you need any details do not hesitate to contact Maureen
Sunday, 14 July 2019
PITSTOP for Gold Wing riders
Although we have closed our holiday cottage business in January 2019 we thought it mad not to offer the excellent facilities we have here to fellow Gold Wing riders should they be passing our location here in central France.
Goldwing riders touring France or simply passing on your way to some other destination are most welcome here at our home in central France. 325 miles from Calais (circa 6/7 hours travel).
Situated in the south Loire Valley area between the cities of Tours to the North and Chateauroux to the south we are a very convenient location for travellers (Just off D943). We have good ‘camping à la campagne’ facilities in the small field with a very good private washroom / shower and toilet.
Mains electricity available to your tent if required. Plus we can provide those small items you cannot always carry, a table and chairs, barbecue etc and other larger items such as a parasol for those lovely sunny days.
We have:
Saturday, 22 December 2018
Sad News
We have reached a point where the operation of the cottage as holiday accommodation is no longer viable. The past two years, with the very weak pound and ever rising costs has reduced the small surplus we could generate pre BREXIT referendum to virtually zero in 2017/18 and that takes no account whatsoever of the time we spend over the year. In mid December we also received details of yet another French Tax, the 'tax de sejour' , although small it was the straw that broke the camels back.
We have enjoyed welcoming our many guests over the past 8 years to our beautiful cottage. In 2018 we won 2nd prize once again for the best gite flower garden in the Indre region. However awards do not pay the bills and with so many fixed costs its less expensive to let the cottage stand empty than to run a holiday cottage business. We know of others who are in a similar situation.
However all is not lost, friends and past guests are most welcome to stay and we ask you to contact Maureen.
Hopefully this could be a suspension of activity but unfortunately we cannot see the French government removing the many taxes imposed and of course we now await the impact of Brexit which has also affected advance reservations. We are not building up our hopes.
Can we send you all our very best wishes and in this troubled world lets hope 2019 brings you all good health and happiness.
Very best wishes of the festive season
Maureen & John Hindhaugh
Sunday, 30 September 2018
At the Paddock
New businesses on the high street are very welcome indeed and everyone was very pleased when a couple from Paris took over one of the small bars and developed a bar/café/brasserie in the centre of town. The couple have a history connected with the Yamaha GP team and Nichole comes from Chatillon so the place is appropriately named 'The Paddock'. In addition to a range of simple food, beers and wine they organise a monthly concert with folk singers etc.
They are very friendly and welcoming so if you are in town relax and enjoy a coffee or a drink at the Paddock.
Holiday cottage and camping - great for bikers @ www.house-in-france.org.uk
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Maureen and me with our 1980 Gold Wing Motorcycle and sidecar at the Paddock |
Thursday, 16 August 2018
Retail Therapy
Todays bargain was a 'Dickies' waxed cotton jacket RRP £225 currently on a UK website for £175 special offer and in NOZ for 25 euro.
So you have all the French history and an opportunity for a brief session of retail therapy when on your holiday. You never know what you may discover!
😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
Sunday, 12 August 2018
Indians then deux chevaux
The sneaky animal thought its green colour would evade detection |
then there were more!!!!
And more were heading that way |
All shapes and sizes |
Its a 2CV Paris - Dakar rally route |
Eventually I tracked them down to a rest place in Clion only a few kilometres along the main road |
The local mayor had provided all manner of refreshments, including wine of course. |