Short(er) top & sides!

A break in the weather today meant that our lovely lime tree at the front of the property could get a good thinning out and trim, the first its had since our 2nd year of residence 5 years ago. Amazing to watch as the tree surgeon (above) climbed up and walked on the branches from the very top down. The picture below gives a much better idea of the size and height that the work was undertaken, not a job I'd even think of trying!

2017 starts with a shiver!

 A very happy new year to all of you!

Once again a little late as we have been to England to be with family for the festive period, returning a couple of days ago to sub zero temperatures but lovely clear blue sky.
Just before we went away I managed to complete another part of our list of 'to do's' which was a new barn loft entry door, complete with a small cut out for wild life access, mainly for the birds that roost in the barn during this very cold time and a few bats that I see every now and then!

So it's back to getting prepared  for this new year and all that it brings, we already have a record amount of bookings so far for the year ahead, it's going to be another busy one!

Le Tour 2017 is coming through!!

At last I've found a decent map on the internet of the 10th stage of the 2017 Tour de France which very much confirms that the race is passing in front of Le Manoir des Granges on Tuesday July 11th.

The map above shows the route from Perigueux to Bergerac passes through Montignac on its way to Les Eyzies via the D706 and I'm pretty sure the red dot between the two towns is Le Moustier......can't wait!!

One step at a time!

Since our return from Portugal, we've been busy on improving the steps that lead from the courtyard up to the Haybarn gite. The original steps (above) we're very uneven, steep and really not very user friendly.

So first thing, knock out and move debris from the offending area and plan the way forward, or upward in this projects case!

Four simple and straight forward steps leading down from the existing path above was our decision and after laying concrete and building the walls to the left and right of the new steps, yesterday we finished off using local stone (the same as used on the patio in front of the house). After 2 weeks hard work, we're very pleased with the final result and are looking forward to hear the thoughts of our guests when they see them!  

A change of scenery!

Tuesday November 2nd saw our last customers of this year leave, so we decided that after a very busy 9 months since our first guests of the year arrived it was time to head south as we usually do for some r&r! Rather than Spain where we've been for the last 3 years, we decided to go a bit further and drove to the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal.

Carveiro, a beautiful seaside resort, is a place we visited with our daughters probably about 20 years ago and it was a bit of a surprise that after all that time we had actually booked into the same villa complex that we had stayed in all that time ago. Great weather for all of the 10 days there and plenty of rest plus local food & wine did the trick of recharging our batteries ready for another winter of renovations and decorating.

We're back home in France now and already the first project is underway, pics to follow soon of the gite courtyard improvements, it already seems a long time since we were sitting on the balcony watching the sun set from our apartment (above), here's to next years possible visit!

Lazy river, Dordogne style!

A couple of weeks ago we took a day off and as it was such a nice day decided to do what most of our guests do whilst staying here, canoe (for the first time for us) on the Dordogne river. Starting at Vitrac we meandered with the strong river current taking in all the major sights that are on show. La Roque-Gageac (above) with its houses clinging to the side of the sheer cliff face being the first.

After over 2.5 hours, the finishing point of Beynac (below) was in the distance with its magnificent Chateau perched on top of the hill. It certainly is no surprise why this is one of the major 'to do's' for all whilst in the region!

A big thank you to all of you who follow this blog, we have now gone over 20,000 viewings of the blog since I started it many years ago!

Big news!

The route for next years Tour de France was announced at lunch time today, great news for our area is that the tour has a stage starting in Perigueux, ending in Bergerac and is passing through Montignac, our nearest town, in July 2017. We're not sure at the moment but we think the route is passing very very close to Les Granges but this has not been confirmed yet....watch this space again soon for more information as we find out!