Walnut Store freshen-up!

Whilst re decorating the lounge & kitchen of the Walnut Store gite, I took down the lounge oil painting and was interested in the notices that were stuck to the back of the picture. A lovely old Boots label when they actually had an in store picture framing department (from 1894 to 1963) as well as another label telling the purchaser to wear gloves to handle the gilt frame, too late for me but did have a look to see if any of the gold had rubbed off....which it hadn't!

Re-decorating now complete and ready for another full season of visitors!

A good day for.....geese, or was it?

Well, maybe not such a good day for geese, or even humans. Last weekend was the annual goose fair in Sarlat so as we've already missed all the previous events it was decided that whatever the weather we really should go and see what goes on.Unfortunately, as the picture below taken at 11.30am shows, it was all a bit of a wash out! There was a band playing (under the right hand marquee), stalls with everything made that can be made from a goose and even very interesting demonstrations of where all the bits are to be found for the production of all the different delicacies.

After a good look around the fair and the wonderful deserted back streets of the old town (below) it was off to our favourite cafe/cake shop for a warming coffee & chocolatine plus the purchase of 2 mini caramel & walnut tarts for later!
The good news for humans was that by early afternoon the weather had much improved for the event, but for the geese, the day didn't get any better!

2016 - it was a great year!

A customary look at last years visitor numbers shows where our guests all travelled from to spend time with us here in our little corner of the South West of France.

Visitors to Les Granges (by their country of residence) were:-
                 2011     2012    2013   2014   2015   2016
Australia      27       35        11       23       10      39
Belgium        -          1         2         2         -       -
Canada        8          2         10       19        9        4
Catalonia     -          -          -           2         -       -
Denmark      -          2         -           -         -        2
England       87      133       116      95      112     119
France         38       19        20        52       16      83
Germany      25       21        11        7        12      13
Greece          -          2        -           -         -        -
Ireland         3          4         6          2        4        2
Israel            -         -          -          -         5       18
Italy              -         -          -          2         -       -
Malta            -         -          -         10        -       -
Netherlands  12        1          9          4        -       17
New Zealand 6         5          2          -        3       -
Northern Ireland       -          -          -         4        -
Norway         -         -         -           -         1        -
Philippines     -         5         -          -         -        -
Poland          6          -        -           -         -         -
Portugal        -          3        -           -         -        -
Scotland       4          7        5         14       14       9
South Africa  -         -         -           -         12       -
Spain            -          -         -           7         -        -
Sweden        -           -        5           -          -        1
Swiss            -          1        -           1         -        3
U.A.Emirates -          -        -           -         4        2
U.S.A.         43       25      21        53        24       22
Wales           2          4        2          2         -        4

A total of 338 guests came and stayed with us in 98 groups, in 2016 no new countries were added to the list.

We're looking forward to another busy year and to welcoming new & returning guests from all parts of the world.

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!