FAQs at Eco-Gites of Lenault

Posted by Rosie

We get lots of questions by prospective guests to Eco-Gites of Lenault so here are the answers to a few of the most common ones!

How far is the nearest beach, restaurants and supermarket?

Beach - 1hr - the Normandy D-Day Landing beaches which are wonderfully sandy and often have life guards patrolling in summer

Restaurants are in the local towns from 11kms away and we now also have a pizzeria in Lenault open every other weekend.

Supermarket - 11kms with a fabulous bakery just 5 kms away.

Is Eco-Gites of Lenault children friendly?

Absolutely and we provide loads of kit for babies, toddlers and children. Have a look at this page on our website.  We are also great for all adult groups and couples too and hide away the kiddy stuff  for these guests.

What is the nearest airport or train station?

The nearest airports is Caen, Dinard and Deauville and the nearest large train station is Caen.  You can hire cars from all these towns. If hiring a car from Caen (pronounced Con) but be careful if telephoning that they understand you want it at Caen not Cannes. Apparently it is a common problem.

This blog post here gives details of all the different ways you can get to Normandyand details are also on our website.

Do you supply bed linen, towels and loo rolls?

We supply bed linen, a bath mat and tea towels but not towels. If bringing towels is difficult for you please contact us and we can supply you with some towels although I doubt they will be matching!  We also ask that you bring bedding for the travel cot if used.

Loo rolls - of course!

How do we get the keys?

We live next door and are here to greet you.  If for some unforeseen reason we cannot be here we will liaise with you beforehand over what to do.

Is cleaning included in the price?

We offer 2 options on cleaning:
Option 1 - you can clean the gite yourself so that it is in the same state as when you arrived and ready for the next guests (all materials and equipment supplied)
Option 2 - you can pay us to clean the gite in which case we ask that you leave the gite tidy, with everything put away and the washing up done. This cost 40€ payable in cash on arrival.

Does the gite have mobile reception and internet access?

Yes to both and we will give you the WiFi code on arrival.

What is the kitchen like?

The kitchen is fully equipped and should provide all the utensils and plates etc for your stay.  It includes a fridge, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, oven, hob and kettle.  There's also a BBQ in the garden.

Is there a TV and/or DVD player?

We offer this as an optional extra with TV and DVD player for a week costing €25 or €40 for a fortnight's stay.

Is the gite smoking or non-smoking?

Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not allowed in the gite nor any of the buildings but you can smoke in your garden. Cigarette ends must be disposed of in an outside bin, not house bins.

Is electricity included in the price?

Yes.  The rental price also includes gas and logs for the wood burner.

Will I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, we ask for £100/€150 to secure the booking and full payment 6 weeks before your arrival.  For stays of 3 nights or less or when booked less than 6 weeks before your arrival we ask for full payment at the time of booking.  We also ask for a £150/€200 security deposit to be paid and this will be returned to you in the week following your departure after a positive inspection of the gite.

Is there a washing machine?

Yes

What type of beds are there? Are there cots?

There is one double bed and 3 single beds (one twin room and one bed on the mezzanine).  A travel cot is available free of charge and we may be able to source a second cot if you are travelling with 2 children under two.

Eco-Gites of Lenault website

Click here to send us an email

Or telephone: 0033 231 09 27 51 

(up to 9pm French time/8pm UK time please)

Interview with Gite Guests - Donna.

Posted by Rosie

Last summer the Donna and her family visited us for the second time and kindly said they would do an interview for a blog .... I finally got some questions sorted out and here is what Donna had to say.

1. Tell us a bit about your family

There are now 4 of us, myself and Neil who have been married for 6 years, and Alice (3½ and Daniel, 18 months).

Donna and family

2.  Have your holidays changed since having children?

Definitely! we used to go on a lot of holidays, last minute and wherever took our fancy. Now we have to plan ahead, check facilities, travel times and make sure that wherever we go is suitable for our young family. Not a relaxing process as perhaps it used to be.

3.  What advice would you give anyone heading off on holiday with babies or toddlers?

Do your research!  Spend time making sure that wherever you are going as the facilities that you and your family needs. There's nothing worse than a long journey with children only to discover that you aren't going to be able to relax on your holiday.

4.  What have been your favourite places to visit in Normandy and why? 

Honfleur (perhaps more before the children), but it does have a lovely butterfly garden to visit. The zoo at Jurques, Bayeux and Caen markets are nice. Carbourg has lovely cake shops and a nice walk along the beach.

5.  What do you miss most from home when you are on holiday? 

Knowing that the house is completely kid proofed!  When you are on holiday you can never relaxed completely as you are aware of dangers / things they can break etc.

6.  OK let's dream for a while. Unlimited budget - where would you go? 

For me personally, China, but that's not really child friendly. For a family holiday I guess Disney or something child focussed.

7.  You have visited Eco-Gites of Lenault twice now. What was it that made you come back for a second visit? 

The fact that everything you need for children is there, I don't need to think about taking high chairs, cots, toys and books etc.  It's in a great setting, that the children love and they can run freely around and I know they are safe.

Toys at Eco-Gites of Lenault

8.  Finally - red, white or rosé? 

Rosé :)

Thank you so much Donna for taking the time to do this little interview.  If you have visited us at Eco-Gites of Lenault and would like to do an interview please do get in touch.  You could also write your own blog post like Cheryl did.

New (ish) books and toys for the gite

Posted by Rosie

The boys have been having a grand sort out in their bedrooms.  Ben has pretty much outgrown the bunk bed he has had for 4 about years (he regularly now bumps his head on the ceiling when he sits up!) so he needs to be brought back down to earth as it were.  Tom needs to get back into his room now the wasp nest has been removed but before either of these take place we thought it would be the perfect time for them to have a sort out.  

Junk and broken things were thrown away whilst books and toys, now outgrown, were piled up on the landing.  Some of the books we will try and sell on the local expat site but if that fails we may see if the local library wants them to boost their rather meagre English section.  Within the piles of books and bags of soft toys were some though, that I just could not bring myself to get rid of.  Books I absolutely loved reading to the boys, toys that that hold special memories or just books with wonderful illustrations.  That is where having a gite is a great advantage and today I took 2 piles of books and a large bag of soft toys into the gite. Hopefully these will bring many happy hours of play and reading to our younger guests.

New (ish) books and toys for the gite

The pile to the left are all books in French and with more French guests now staying it's nice to know there will be books for them too!  And we do know that our younger visitors enjoy our books and toys: this was the comment left in our Visitor's Book by guests who stayed here this weekend:

"A lovely cosy gite is a beautiful setting and great toys and books (including Thomas The Tank Engine - all we need!). Thank you very much Rosie, Simon, Tom and Ben for such a warm welcome and delicious food ... and piglets!"

Whilst we cannot always guarantee newborn piglets there will always be a good selection of toys and books for children of all ages.

Do you find it difficult to part with certain toys and books?  Have you some favourites you just cannot let go?

Google has been down our Road!

Posted by Rosie

When we first moved to France in 2007 the Google street car taking street view pictures had only been down the main roads in this area. Now it has been down our road so the start to our front drive is there for the world to see:

Our driveway as seen on Google Street View

The date says it was taken in September 2014 and by the direction of the shadows it was taken fairly early in the morning.  Also because the dustbin lids are off it was likely to have been a Wednesday morning ... or possibly a Thursday if no-one had remembered to put the lids back on after they were emptied!  I think I may have lost my vocation as a detective!

Heading down the road a bit you can just see Eco-Gites of Lenault across the fields but with the trees still in leaf we are hard to catch a glimpse of.

In winter you do get a better view but you get  a pretty good view of us at any time of year from across the valley:

Our view from across the valley on Google Street View

Much as I am impressed with Google getting here I would have been even happier had they come in Spring when all the wind flowers are out.  Then we would have had street views looking like this, the road heading down to the valley bottom from the gite:

The valley road in March

Below is the Google image of the valley road in September - the more I look at it the more I think I am not in exactly the same place!  It took me so long to get this image though it will have to do.  It proves the point though.

Same view from Google in September

Have you had a look at Google Street View where you live? If so does the image you see have a  story to tell?

7 Reasons to take a Low Season Holiday in France

Posted by Rosie

"Where are you going on your SUMMER holidays?" is a question many of us both ask and get asked.  However holidays do not need to be limited to the summer months and there are some very good reason to take a holiday out of peak season ... which is great if you are some-one with pre-school children or a couple/group of adults without any children in tow!

Normandy countryside in winter

7 Reasons to Take A Low Season Holiday in France

Discounted Prices

Despite what some people say about how holidays cost more in the peak summer months, it is far more likely that owners discount their holidays out of high season in an attempt to fill these more difficult weeks.  Therefore, if you can holiday in low or medium season the price for your holiday should be much lower than in the summer.  The same is true for ferry companies with considerably lower ferry ticket prices in low season.  Oh and we have a code that will give you 20% off with Brittany Ferries crossings.

Flexible Dates

Most holiday home owners will be happy to take a short booking in low season if you cannot make a whole week.  Alternatively they are generally more flexible with dates and will allow a whole week but with midweek change-over if that suits you better (and midweek ferry travel is cheaper).

Special Offers

Many holiday home owners have special offers in low season.  Here at Eco-Gites of Lenault we offer a 15% discount from September to June if just two people stay in gite.  Certain dates are excluded but couples can still bring a cot sleeping infant without losing this reduction.  We are also offering 2016 holidays at 2015 prices if you book before Dec 31st 2105.   More details of all our offers are detailed here.

Quieter Tourist Attractions and Restaurants

Here in Normandy many of the main tourist attractions are still open and much quieter.  For example you will not have to queue to get into The Bayeux Tapestry and with so few other visitors you will have plenty of time and space to admire this fabulous piece of needlework.  Some attractions are also cheaper to get into in Winter.  If you want to eat out you will also find restaurants less packed and no chance of missing out at your favourite place to eat.

Part of the Bayeux Tapestry.  Image from http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk

 

Plenty of Events, Exhibitions and Festivals

Certainly in Normandy there are things going on all year round.  For example in November there are festivals celebrating seafood and cider, in December there are Christmas markets and in January there is a huge antiques fair in Rouen.  The weekly town markets continue all year round and without so many tourists they are less crowded and you will have more time to chat to the stall owners (who love it if you try out your French).  Click here for more details of events throughout low season.

Sale Time (Les Soldes)

In France all shops have to have their sales at given times and the next major sale period is in January. Why not use some of the money you saved on your booking and splash out in the sales?  There are often huge reductions to be had and currently the Euro is weak against the pound so your money will go even further!

Log Burners and Mulled Wine/Cider

You may not have the long evenings of Summer to sit outside but what could be nicer than heading out for a bracing walk around the local footpaths or up at the coast and then enjoy the evening in.  Make yourself a mulled wine/cider or steaming hot chocolate and snuggle up in front of the wood burner.  At Eco-Gites of Lenault there are plenty of books for you to read and games to play so you won't be bored of an evening.  The wood for the wood burner is included in the price of your holiday, as are lessons on lighting the fire if you are struggling!  It's very easy once you know how though.

The wood burner at Eco-Gites of Lenault

Christmas

Finally we could not really end this post without a mention of the festive season.  Our Christmas week is priced at mid season levels (not high) and the weeks up to Christmas are low season.  So even if commitments tie you to family and home for the Big Day itself you could still fit in a sneaky French break beforehand. Come and enjoy the Christmas markets, stock up on wine and presents and enjoy a country where commercialisation of Christmas is much less but town Christmas lights and decorations are fabulous.  Have a look at our Christmas in Normandy Pinterest Board to see what I mean.

I hope by now we tempted you to think about taking a low season holiday.  If so please do get in contact with us for more details and to book your stay at Eco-Gites of Lenault.  Click here to email us or visit our website here.

Our New Magazine Advert and Website

Posted by Rosie

We have had several families who live in Paris come and stay at the gite after a recommendeation by previous guests on a Paris forum.  "Message" is a website, forum and magazine for English speaking families with young children who live in Paris. We have therefore decided that rather than relying on word of mouth through the forum (however good that can be) that we would place an advert in their magazine.

I had never made an banner advert before but a random tweet led me to a site called Canva and after not very long at all I had come up with this.

 
Reducing it down to the right size was a bit of a challenge and I am not sure I did it the most logical way but hopefully I got it right and we will soon have our first ever advert in a paper (and online) magazine.

Oh and have you seen that our new website has now gone live too? ...

http://eco-gites.eu/ 

Motorbikes at Eco-Gites of Lenault

Posted by Rosie

We have had friends arrive at Eco-Gites of Lenault by bike (brave souls cycling up the hill to us!), we have collected other friends without cars from ferry ports, train and bus stations and others have come in camper-vans and caravans.  One family did arrive with (not by) a boat but until last week all our guests had come by car.  However last week we had our first guests here who arrived by motorbike.

To say the boys were excited was a slight understatement and they were itching to sit on the bikes.  Our motorbiking guests had made the decision to see as much as possible of the region during their stay here so whilst the boys left for school before they were up, it was after the boys were in bed before they returned from their travels.  Luckily on one night though they did return just a bit earlier and despite being in PJs (well Tom should have been and Ben already was) they got the chance to sit on one of the bikes.  Two very happy boys went to bed that night!

 

There was also the friend of guests who flew into Caen airport and the couple who were walking across northern France with their donkeys and dog who spent the night camping here. I wonder what other means of transport our guests might chose to arrive by.  On horseback maybe?  Have you ever arrived somewhere in an unconventional manner?  Do let us know if you have.

June Weeks Available at Discounted Price

Posted by Rosie

We are now offering a special discount to couples wishing to stay at Eco-Gites of Lenault this June.  If just 2 people stay at the gite we will reduce the price from £400 to £375 (and you can bring a cot sleeping infant and still be eligible for this offer!)

We also have a code giving 10% off crossings with Brittany Ferries.  Please ask for details 
 
The price includes electricity, gas, wood for the fire if needed, bed linen, a generous welcome box and vast amounts of baby and toddler stuff!  We can also provide a simple first night supper, on arrival shopping, BBQ packs, home-made cakes and jams and other produce from our smallholding. 

June is a wonderful time to visit Normandy - green fields, abundant flowers and so much quieter than before the rush of school holidays.  This year it is even more special as 2014 sees the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.  Throughout the summer and especially in June there are all sorts of events, exhibitions and ceremonies celebrating what ultimately was the beginning of the end of World War II. There are further details of events here and here.

Photo from Brittany Ferries

However of WWII is not of interest to you there are still masses of things to do around and about including open gardens, art exhibitions, horsemanship displays, music festivals, street art, Viking Festival and so on.  This page gives far more details than I could list here.

Short and week/longer bookings are possible in June.  For further information and to make a booking about the gite please click here.  You can email us by clicking here or telephone 0033 231 09 27 51 (Up to 8pm UK/9pm French time please).

A biêntot!

Toddlers VERY Welcome

Posted by Rosie

Toddlers are VERY Welcome at Eco-Gites of Lenault

 

We are the parents of 2 boys very close in age so we have done the whole "holidays with two tiny children malarkey" and to be honest they were not always as stress-free as we would have liked them to have been. There was the gite where we were met with the owners mopping a soaking wet and very slippery floor and bedrooms were damp (they were advertised as toddler friendly!). There was the gite where there were no comfy sofas to relax on once the children had gone to bed and to be honest there was rarely a gite that provided many of the things toddlers need, so we had to pack travel cots, booster seats, potties, changing mats, toys etc etc. It was a long list and we therefore needed a roof rack to get everything in, promptly lining the pockets of the ferry companies who charge extra for cars with roof racks.

When we set up Eco-Gites of Lenault therefore, we were able to draw long and hard on our experiences and provide you and your family with a toddler-friendly holiday that hopefully makes things much easier for you. Here's just some of the things we think will make your holiday here pass without some of the stress we have previously suffered:

1. The gite is kitted out with much of the stuff that you need for your toddlers. From high chairs to children's crockery and cutlery to stair gates; from a large outdoor play area to toys and books we hope we have covered just about everything.

Toddler toys

2. We are your only neighbours and the walls between us are very thick so don't panic if your little ones decide to have the screaming heebie-geebies at bedtime. We won't be disturbed.

3.  There is a large play area with equipment and toys for all ages and just a few metres away from your private garden. Mum and Dad can relax with a glass of wine whilst the children wear themselves out on the trampoline, in the sand pit or on the swings. This area also includes a hard-standing area, great for learning how to ride a bike or playing boules.

Our toddler friendly play area

4. Our front drive is over 300m long and the road it joins is incredibly quiet. Traffic noise is most definitely not going to be an issue on your stay here.

5. We supply and use eco-friendly cleaning products in the gite that are safe for everyone and safely stored away in a toddler-proof cupboard.

6. Heaven forbid you or you children are ill or hurt whilst on holiday but it can happen. We can direct you to the nearest doctor or hospital and are here to help you in the best way we can with any eventuality that may cross your path during your stay with us.

Learning about chickens

7. We can hopefully provide memories of a holiday that your children will remember forever - collecting eggs, seeing newborn animals, cuddling a piglet or eating fresh fruit and veg freshly harvested from the garden are just some of the things that stay with children a long time.

8. Finally, as I said earlier, we have done the holidays in France and at their youngest Ben was 3 months and Tom was 19 months. We had some great holidays but we also had problems and emergencies so we've used this experience to provide what we hope will be a great toddler friendly holidays for you here at Eco-Gites of Lenault.  A holiday you and your children will remember long after you have gone home and the holiday where you didn't need a roof rack and a trailer to get away to France with your toddlers.

For further details on toddler friendly holidays please have a look at our website Eco-Gites of Lenault or email us here

Publicity

Posted by Rosie

 

publicity

pəˈblisətē/

noun: 

the notice or attention given to someone or something by the media.

As a complete change to what I was going to write my word of the week is publicity and for one simple reason - Eco-Gites of Lenault is this week's featured blog in The Guardian's Sustainable Living section. 

It makes the hard work, first building and then running the gite, all the more worthwhile.

Click here to read the full article 

Our Website

Outdoor Fun at Eco-Gites of Lenault

Posted by Rosie

One of the things we made sure we had when looking for a place to turn into a gite was that it would have enough space for our younger guests to play outside.  As parents of 2 young boys we knew that sometimes on holiday you just wanted to relax in the garden where-as the boys wanted to run around and play!  We also realised we needed to build something pretty quickly for the boys because despite all the space here at Eco-Gites of Lenault there were mutterings that they had had to leave their wooden tower and slide back in the UK :(  

Did we succeed?  Is there space for children to play outdoors!  Can the adults sit and relax?  Read on and you can make your own decision.

Play Area at Eco-Gites of Lenault

The play area Simon built comprises a large hard-surfaced play/boules pitch (boules supplied) and a grassy play area where you'll find the double play towers, covered sand-pit, swings (including a baby swing), rope-ladders, slide, mini climbing wall and connecting bridge.  But I haven't finished - there's the covered play barn (useful if the weather does turn wet as I blogged about here), other outdoor toys and the large netted trampoline (although you do sometimes have to ask the cats to get off before you can go on!).   If there is one wail we hear from children staying with us, it's "Do we HAVE to go out, we're having such FUN here!"  But fear not, all this is within view of the gite garden with it's patio area, garden furniture, sun parasol and bbq - perfect for the adults to relax in whilst the children play to their heart's content nearby.

Has anyone seen the ducks?

Learning about chickens

Do you and your children like animals? We have plenty.  There are our 2 dogs, Poppy and Saari, our 4 cats (Henry, Firkin, Foggy and Fumée) and a variable number of ducks and chickens, pigs as well as turkeys and sheep in the summer and autumn.  The pigs are Kune Kunes (a rare New Zealand breed) who love nothing more than having their tummies tickled but you might find the sheep a bit more wary.  Firkin is the really friendly cat and Poppy loves having sticks thrown for her ... where-as Saari prefers to sit and watch her friend haring about!  Children are welcome, when-ever possible, to come and help us feed the animals and collect the eggs.  You can then buy those very eggs and enjoy their lovely fresh taste.

If you and your children like walking there are miles of local footpaths that start right at our back gate.  You can take bikes along them or just wander around at a leisurely pace admiring the wild flowers and local wildlife. You'll see loads of birds and if you are lucky possibly even a red squirrel.  There's one squirrel we regularly see down the valley but Saari STILL hasn't realised that if you chase a squirrel it will dash up a tree and for all intents and purposes disappear into thin air!

So?  Did we succeed?  Will both adults and children enjoy a bit of outdoor living whilst staying at Eco-Gites of Lenault?  I think so!  If you think so too why not visit our website for further details on everything we have to offer and how to book a countryside holiday here.

Once again I'm linking up with Coombe Mill to see what other countryside activities children have been up to this week.

Chickens in the Naughty Corner

Posted by Rosie

It's been a while since I posted this lovely little video on our blog so with lots of new readers now seemed like a good time for a re-run. Taken by guests who have now been to the gite twice it sums up beautifully how much fun children can have out and about here, whether it is summer or winter.

Oh and be sure to look out for when Santi, the star of the video tells the white chickens to go into the Naughty Corner ... and they go!!

Dates for your Holiday Diary - 2014

Posted by Rosie 

Summer is booking fast with all of August gone and much of May.  I thought then I would take this opportunity to let you know a few significant dates that are still available to book in 2014:
 

Wine in front of the fire - that's romantic

• For the romantics among you Valentine's week-end is still free with prices starting at £65 per night (min stay 2 nights).

• Couple's Winter Discount - if just 2 people stay in the gite before the end of March we will give you 15% off the full price (some dates excluded)

• Easter - all Easter weeks are still available at £400 per week.

• May Half Term - despite 2 weeks in May being booked, half term week is still up for grabs.

• 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings - whilst the main celebrations will take place on June 6th (already booked) there will be events throughout June so anyone with an interest in the history of WWII might like to book at this time.  We are about an hour from the nearest D-Day Beaches and this whole area is full of cemeteries, memorials, routes to follow and museums relating to this the war.

Photo from WEG website

• World Equestrian Games - these are taking place in and around Caen from 23rd August to 7th September - there are 8 equine competitions and 2 demonstration events (including my favourite - polo).  The first week is already booked but the gite is still available from Aug 30th.  http://www.normandy2014.com/

• Christmas 2014 - I know, I know, we have only just bid farewell to the last Christmas but with New Year 2014 already booked we would not want you to leave it too late and miss Christmas.

• Any other time that suits you! (including short breaks (min 2 nights) outside of peak season and Easter).

It would appear then that there are plenty of great reasons to visit Eco-Gites of Lenault in 2014.  I know some of you have already booked or only recently visited but perhaps you have friends and family who would like to come to Normandy for a holiday.   Please do let them know about us!  And don't forget if you are crossing to France with Brittany Ferries we have a code that will give you 10% off your crossing.   For further details about the gite and to make a booking please click here or email us here.

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter - @EcoGitesLenault and also on Pinterest. 
Now we look forward to seeing YOU here in 2014!

Happy New Year!

For further details about Eco-Gites of Lenault and to make a booking please visit our website here or email us by clicking here

Beach, Boxing Day Dip and BBQ

Season's Greetings to all

With similar weather patterns to the UK, but only catching the edge of what the UK caught, we had rather a wet and blowy Christmas period and did not expect any let up. 

But yesterday turned out sunny and mild, with a chilly wind.  So we decided to take the dogs up to Ouistreham beach for a bit of an 'apres' Christmas exercise, and the clients staying in the gite joined us.

It was very pleasant at the beach.  The sun shining and the tide not out too far - just how Saari likes it - she is very fussy about the height of the tide and if it is fully in she sulks and doesn't want to be on the beach!.  The  dogs, therefore, had a good run around, especially Poppy who insisted that her ball was constantly thrown for her. Although she is a little stiff today and taking it easy in front of the wood burner at this moment in time.

The boys have decided that they are starting the Ouistreham Boxing Day Swim Club.  And after being on the beach a few minutes headed back to the car, put on their wetsuits and in they went. They had a great time running in and out of the waves.

Now when we went to the beach a couple of weeks ago (tide in, Saari sulked) and the boys decided going in the sea fully clothed, even though they had their wetsuits, was a good idea. Unbeknown to Rosie and I, Tom had not put in a spare set of clothing as told too, so had a bit of a cold ride home dressed in his wetsuit and a pair of Rosie's socks! (he has banned us from showing the photo!).  So at least this time, having learnt his lesson, he was fully prepared.

We had a lovely couple hours at the coast and then after a cup of hot chocolate, headed home for a BBQ.  

A BBQ - not the usual thing for a Boxing Day and it was all started off a little 'tongue in cheek'. I had been landscaping the front of our house (future post) and said to Rosie that now the patio area is finished we need to have a BBQ. When the gite guests arrived the husband (Pablo) saw the BBQ and said wouldn't it be great to have a Christmas BBQ.  With the weather being as it is none of as expected it to happen.

So the weather still sunny and mild we decide to go ahead and have a Boxing day BBQ.  A joint effort with the gite guests. Chops, sausage and ribs, ratouille and other veg and of course mulled wine.  Although the temperature dropped, we piled up the logs and wrapped up warm, and with help from the mulled wine had our Christmas BBQ.

Rainbow over the Play Area at Eco-Gites of Lenault

Posted by Rosie

Gite "beach"

Posted by Tom

Today we had fun at at our own "beach".  It has a water slide, the sea (paddling pool), bar and deck chairs.

It was awesome and only a few steps away from the house!!!

Water slide ..... the sea!

The bar!

Relaxing with a drink!