Frequently asked questions

MUST READ!! Instructions on how to use the oven, fire, etc. AND
Hints, Help & Answers about pets, disabled, children, plugs, etc.

Pictures and description of our gite. What do other people say about it? All sorts of emergency and general information (the first "at gite" page). A whole inventory!

Frequently Asked Questions

Neighbours

Behind us are 'Nos voisins du nord'. They are from Brittany and speak quite a different language. Very difficult to understand not least because he mutters and talks non-stop in this different dialect. Nevertheless his wife and son are easier to talk to I find. They sell free range eggs and fresh milk.

Across the valley to the south lives Bernard and his wife Marie-Therese. Wonderful people - over 80 and still going strong. Makes every effort to understand even the worst French, enjoys it if you visit and will help you if he can. Several of our guests have been and shared an aperitif with them. Good friends.

Nearest shops

It's 2km to the nearest boulangerie and shop/bar, which ever way you leave the cottage. Left to Maisoncelles or right past the Chateau, then right again.
The boulangerie van comes by at about 10am on Tuesday and Saturday. You'll see it stop at Bernards and then come on round. Latest news is that the Boulangerie in Maisoncelles has closed - and I don't know who did the van round, so that may have gone too. Probably be open again, so do check! Latest, latest news. The local council decided to subsidise the running of the boulangerie because it was a vital necessity, especially for older people. It is open again, and a van seems to do the rounds. Just such a wonderful country!

It is 7km to Vire which has supermarkets down on the edge of town and many of the little wonderful shops (charcuteries, boulangeries, epicieries etc) in the town centre - and a big, old market on Friday. Plenty of food, olives, breads, rice puddings, etc. Food shops are open every day of the week. Supermarkets are shut Sundays.
Sourdeval is a small town close by that people like a lot.

Disabled?

The cottage is fairly suitable for disabled people, though I'm not sure you'd get a wheelchair into the bathroom. Also the cottage doesn't have grab bars etc. But it is all on one level, except for the back bedroom which does have a small step up and the dining room which has a small step down (we hope to eliminate this step when we do the through lounge).

Children?

The cottage is set back off the road with it's own gate. The road itself is very very quiet. The grounds are hedged from the neighbouring fields. There is a small brook trickling across the land and a duck pond - at its worst I've seen it about 50cm deep; in summer, much less. It's circular, about 3m across. Please investigate the brook and pond yourself and be aware of it. The ducks daily arrival may be too exciting an opportunity to miss.

There is no garden, as such. It is a large field that slopes down to the bottom of our little valley. Bernard, our neighbour to the south, keeps the grass down with his cows for us. They will be kept away by an electric fence just the other side of the stream during your stay or they may be somewhere else entirely!

Smokers? Pets?

Things we haven't even though of??
As long as you leave it as you found it - not smelling of smoke, not covered in dogs hairs, then we - and the guests following you - will be happy!

Plugs

All French, of course, but I have left 3 adapters for British plugs. Also an extension lead (British) with a French end. Try to remember to take them off your appliances and leave them behind!! Also - and I didn't realize this before - British two pin appliances don't easily fit French two pin sockets. Therefor, there is also a British two pin adapter.

When you arrive

The grass is cut every couple of weeks in the growing season. But it is NOT a lawn! If it is very long, do tell me - it's difficult keeping tabs on things from England. In 2003 it wasn't a problem. In 2004 it was! Constant rain meant the grass kept growing and there was hardly a dry moment to mow it.

The house IS in the countryside. There will be spiders, flies, moths etc. Spiders can spin webs overnight - that's just the way it is. There is a hoover if needed to hoover nasties up. We have never had a mouse!

The house is cleaned by the previous guests and Mascha does other essentials. Be reasonable, but phone me if you're not happy!

When you leave, please

1 Sweep and/or mop right through
2 Put all the linen, towels and bath mat in a large BLUE bin bag
3 Rubbish in a BLACK bin bag.
4 Leave the front door key under the mat

During your stay, and especially on the last day, open a window or two ESPECIALLY if you smoke or have had pets. Please leave the place clean and tidy for those following you.

When you return please advise me if you have broken anything (so I can replace it, not necessarily charge you!), if you used the phone a lot - and if you have any comments (email is fine but you can comment on my Blog). I can then return your deposit.

If the new guests truly believe the place is a mess, our cleaner will assess it and maybe do a thorough clean/sweep and mop through (which costs us £25 extra which we will knock off your deposit). Sorry! It's only common courtesy and I hope it doesn't sound too heavy.

The sound of English

The hifi (that's what it was when I bought it!) does get Radio 4. Mind you there are British everywhere if you get homesick! Any annoying clicking on the radio is due to the plethora of electric fences around the countryside. If you know of a solution, please tell me (apart from the one with wires from radios to earth pins in sockets).