Mocking in the courtyard...

Our 'Mock Orange' in the courtyard of our rental cottage.

A walk in the park...

On Sundays we recommend that our guests at our holiday cottage visit the morning market at Descartes and follow it with a walk through their beautiful public gardens...a walk we do often ourselves. The gardens are a credit to the town and their talented gardeners.

World travellers stopping in at Le Grand-Pressigny

The lovely courtyard at 'Chez Grand Ma'

Said goodbye yesterday to our Australian guests who loved Le Grand-Pressigny especially the restaurants...they used all three! We enjoy exposing world travellers to our beautiful part of France. After a changeover we welcomed a charming American couple who are on a mission to find a home for themselves here...exciting times!

The welcoming 'Chez L'

'La Savoie Villars' dining room

Our Australian guests comments:

14/09/18

Thank you Jim & Pauline for a wonderful stay at 'Les Balcons', gracious hosts providing  lots of information...great stay!

Lyn & Carrick,

Rhonda & Robert,

Australia

Rewarded for our efforts...

Last nights sunset here in Southern Touraine

Greeted two new sets of guests yesterday from UK and Australia, getting both the 'Old Walnut Mill' and 'Les Balcons' ready was hard work but when we get comments (albeit we think, too generous) like the one below it reassures us that we are doing a good job!

7th September 2018

Dear Pauline & Jim what can I say that hasn't been said already? The Old Walnut Mill is fabulous! Barrou is quaint with all the facilities we have needed. The local people are friendly but most of all the friendship and help of you two has been wonderful! The emails that Jim sends with suggested highlights were most helpful and directed us to some of the highs-spots of our holiday.

All in all a splendid gite run by two splendid people . Many thanks again!

Jean  & Ian Thompson,

Kath & Barry Ashurst,

Sutton Coldfield,

UK

Worth the work...

Working in sweltering heat is worth it when your efforts are appreciated...latest comment from our guestbook at the Old Walnut Mill.

4th August 2018

Thanks to Pauline & Jim for settling us into this lovely, quirky holiday home, it is full of charm! We also found it very comfortable and well equipped. The pool at Descartes was great for children plus the local river 'beaches' were good. It was a good jumping off point forisiting Villandry (beautiful gardens), Chenonceau (beautiful architecture and lovely interior) and  Azay-le-Rideau. The local prehistory museum at Le Grand-Pressigny was well worth a visit - very extensive and well thought  out  for children. Thank you for a lovely stay

Mel, Mike & Lily
Gloucestershire / Scotland / Australia

Self raising flowers...

Welcomed new guests to the Old Walnut Mill,Saturday and returning guests to Les Balcons on Sunday. Love the fact that we can provide fresh cut flowers from the gardens.

Bringing people together...

Said goodbye to guests yesterday at the Old Walnut Mill, lovely Scottish couple now living in Bath who, after meeting up to watch the World Cup final with Pauline and I and our guests at Les Balcons, formed a new friendship with them. They shared a couple of lunches at their respective 'homes' and went on a joint outing to Chenonceau.

Although changeovers are difficult in +30 degree temperatures good departing guests make our lives a little easier especially green-fingered ones!

The 'Old Walnut Mill'...a very warm welcome!

We welcomed new guests to the 'Old Walnut Mill' yesterday under a blue sky and a temperature of 30+

The spell of Southern Touraine

Our departing guests at 'Les Balcons' had 'done' the major chateau and sites on previous visits to the region and wanted to sample the delights of Southern Touraine...they left happy!

Here is their comment from the guestbook

"Jim & Pauline thanks for a lovely stay, 'Les Balcons is a very fine 'gite'. everything we needed,all perfect. Our time was very tranquil and relaxing, just the job!"

A welcome ready in Centre-Val de Loire

The Old Walnut Mill holiday cottage in Barrou welcoming at any time day or night! 

Recent guest comment " We dream to return one day"

Hedging my bets

Spent yesterday cutting the Laurel hedge in front of 'Les Balcons' as we prepare the house for guests arriving on Friday. With the uncertain weather we are currently experiencing we took advantage of a fine day to concentrate on outside work.

First rose...

This is the first rose to open on our climbing rose at the 'Old Walnut Mill' last week...perfect timing for our guests arriving.

Blue sky and bright sun for first guests of the season...

We welcomed our first guests (Australians) of the season under a blue sky and bright sunshine yesterday to the 'Old Walnut Mill'. This is the second last leg of a seven week stay in France - just hope we add another positive Loire Valley experience for them.

Prepairing for first guests at the Old Walnut Mill

We have had some glorious weather while getting the 'Old Walnut Mill' ready to receive its first guests of the season (Australians) and it is set to continue for their visit, which is great!

Now that's more like it!

Pauline and I were busy at 'Le Bourg' again yesterday preparing it for our first guests of the season. We were actually able to enjoy a tea break alfresco for the first time this year, has spring actually arrived at last? Almost there, with just a little more to do. Still have 'Les Balcons' and 'Old Walnut Mill' to do.

More on the promise of what spring will bring

With the weather slipping back to slightly chillier times it is worth remembering that spring flowers are just around the corner like the tulips at Chateau de Cheverny which are so popular with early guests at our vacation rentals here in the Loire Valley.

Are we in the wrong business? Renting gites in the Loire Valley

Pauline and I have been successfully renting out properties in the here in Centre-Val de Loire  (the Loire Valley) for 10 years and in that time we have seen the rise of the number of accommodation places on offer grow year on year, whether listed as a gite, a vacation rental, holidayhome, holiday rental and now holiday apartment/room. Out of interest I checked on a major listing site and narrowed it down to our little part of beautiful Southern Touraine. Above is a screenshot of the result, with the furthest north around 30km from Barrou. 

If you expand it north by 15km it is even scarier and this is without including any large town or city! The official site for Touraine lists 975 properties under 'gites', then there are all other accommodation types!! We often wonder how anyone narrows down their choice when face with so many options.

'Gobbleisation' as I like to call it has meant that every man and his dog seems now, to be offering some form of accommodation to the traveller. Having so many options is no doubt good for them but I wonder if, after all the listing sites take their cut as well as driving down the price, is it sustainable?

Returning to the Loire Valley

Took a booking this week for the Old Walnut Mill from guests who stayed last year,always reassuring when people return! We are lucky to have returning guests (new friends) who have returned to the three houses year on year.

All roads lead to Barrou...

End of another successful season renting out holiday homes the  'Old Walnut Mill' and 'Le Bourg' in Barrou with visitors from Australia,Canada,the UK and the USA...it was a delight to have them!

Americans enjoying the Loire Valley

Comments from our departing guests at Les Balcons  vacation rental in Le Grand-Pressigny:

20/09/17 to 06/10/17

Enjoyed driving all the small back roads into villages. Especially liked Angle-sur-l'Anglin and Loches. Very comfortable home with outstanding CD collection and furnishings. We appreciated Jim's daily tips on recommended sites.

Thank you.

Mark Fleming, Beth Andrus, Dean Fleming

Seattle USA

Angles-sur-l'Anglin

Loches