Wednesday for windows - an autumn dressing...

Taken last night in the courtyard at the end of a beautiful day weather-wise, with the temperature hitting an unusual high of 26 for the time of year 🌞

For our eyes only...

 

Still plodding away with my wall building behind the Old Walnut Mill - above are example of the peonies and roses that guests do not get to see as we do not allow access at the moment...for obvious reasons,hopefully next season!

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"

Bloomin' marvellous...

From a single rose back in the 7th may our guests at the 'Old Walnut Mill' watched as our climbing rose came to full bloom during their stay.

Awaiting new arrivals -the Old Walnut Mill

This was the Old Walnut Mill and Barrou as we awaited new guests on Saturday afternoon.

Looking to relax in the Loire Valley

The charming couple who left the 'Old Walnut Mill' last Saturday were well acquainted with France,having had a holiday home in Normandy for 20 years but they were looking for a relaxing stay in another part of the country...and choose Barrou.

Here is their comment from the house guestbook:

24th August 2017

We came away for a relaxing week and that is what the 'Old Walnut Mill' gave us. It is extremely spacious and well equipped .Pauline & Jim were the perfect hosts - so  infectiously enthusiastic about the region. We were fortunate to have some glorious weather so enjoyed eating our evening BBQs in the lovely, peaceful courtyard. We had some great days out and planned our days around Jim & Pauline's recommendations and also other guests comments. The chateau at Villandry was spectacular and the gardens were immaculate. Other visits included Amboise, Chenonceau, La Roche Posay,Angles-sur-l'Anglin,La Guerche and Le Grand-Pressigny.

We've enjoyed two superb lunches at 'Chez Grand Ma' in Le Grand-Pressigny (€13 pp) the food was freshly prepaired and of excellent quality and the sevice was very attentive. This is indeed a beautiful area of the Loire Valley and well worth exploring some more. If we are around this area again we'd love to catch up with Jim and Pauline to see how all there developments are progressing. Thank you again for the welcome drinks in the fridge - much appreciated. Many thanks for everything to make our stayso enjoyable

Glenys & Peter,

Nr. Burton on Trent,

Staffordshire,UK

Australians sample the delights of the Loire Valley

Latest comments from the guestbook at the 'Old Walnut Mill' in Barrou

28th May 2017

"We have had a very pleasant week in what has turned out to be the hottest week of the year so far. The house is comfortable and well equipped, thank you and after a couple of weeks in much smaller places we enjoyed the space. Thanks for the strawberries - what a crop you have! The cherries will be ready to take over in a week or two.  Trips to Chenonceau and Villandry were long days but worth it to see these two very spectacular places. More locally Loches, Chedigny (with all its roses) La Roche Posay, Angles-surl'Anglin all had their attractions. We were grateful for the recommendations to restaurants Le Gerbe d'Or (Loches) and Chez Grand Ma (Le Grand-Pressigny) and are happy to commend them to future travellers. It is pleasant to explore the local area, the small roads, the villages and hamlets that are so typically French. Thanks again Jim & Pauline."

Geoffrey & Margaret Grinton,

Melbourne, Australia

Another sweltering day in the Loire Valley...

Yesterday,Sunday,we welcomed new guests to the Old Walnut Mill in temperatures 30+ fortunately they have some shady spots in the courtyard and a salon that provides some welcome relief from the blazing sun. 

Because of the sunshine our roses are beautiful at the moment

We are so glad that to have adopted a flexible arrival day policy as we managed another changeover at 'Le Bourg' yesterday...two in one day would have been impossible in this heat.

Shower room upgrade...

Seems ages since I posted on our small project here at the house (Old Walnut Mill) in Barrou but happy to report that we are actually nearly at an end, to this part anyway.

The new shower room is finished...

and a new corridor formed so it can accessed from both bedrooms.

Christmas day in the 'Old Walnut Mill',Barrou...

The beautiful morning we had yesterday meant we could get outdoors and  enjoy a lovely Christmas day walk around Barrou.

 

We went along Grande Rue

and the banks of the Creuse...

through the village square...

and up behind the village.

Looking back down towards the village...

and west along the Creuse valley.

Back into the village past the church...

into 'The Old Walnut Mill'

and a reward of a sparkly apero before heading over to friends in  Le Grand Pressigny for Christmas lunch.

When does a small job become a big job?

Reconfiguring upstairs shower room at the 'Old Walnut Mill' here in Barrou and making new corridor to allow access from both bedrooms.

On the face of it a fairly small job but...

had to make a little repair to the floor which meant bringing out the big guns.

Acro prop in place in salon below...nice feature!

It also meant undoing work I did 7 years ago to gain access to our main soil pipe.

We are doing the work as the 'Old Walnut Mill' is coming back onto the holiday rental market next season with Pauline and I moving to our next 'project'...crazy or what!

Old Walnut Mill courtyard at night