Farmhouse de Aunty Di & Chris

After a thorough inspection of our property, our last carousel ride, park play and drink at Cafe de Paris, we set off journey to Mache (a small village) in the Vendee region.

My aunty Diane and her husband Chris purchased the property 'Petit Guyonnaire' a year ago and we are so lucky to be visiting them for the week.

Di and Chris live in a beautiful 200 year old barn which they are gradually doing up and we had the farmhouse, while they had guests in the other small cottage.

The property is set on 5 acres and is absolutely beautiful - the kids are having a ball running free, the highlights include:

• The huge dome vegie garden which the kids go in and collect tomatoes, beans, snowpeas, cabbages, beetroot and the list goes on.

• Madeleine collects warm fresh eggs each day (Hudson opens the gate for the chickens)

• The kids feed the chickens each day (spaghetti is the funniest as the chickens think they are worms

• Swimming in the pool each day (even Noah had a little pool)

• Feeding the fish

 

• Relaxed dinners over looking the gardens and 200 year old property

The Tour de France is at our doorstep.  Chris and Trav went to the time trial on Sunday when Garmin won and on Monday the tour went to Mache (our village) so we were all able to spectate and be part of the amazing race.  Trav and Madeleine walked down earlier and were involved in the caravan give aways, Maddie had a ball. We all walked down a little later to catch the race and attended a local BBQ after.

Locally we have also walked through Aizenay forest and seen goats and deer with their recent offspring.

Had a day at St Gilles Croix-de -vie on the coast (unfortunately has been no surf for Trav), the kids enjoyed the old carousel.

Relaxed at Appremont with its beautiful Chateaux and lakeside beach.

Yesterday the weather was a little cooler so we took a drive back to a lovely little town Marans (in the Marais) that we passed through on the way to Di's.  Here we had a local 'Plat du Jour' (3 course lunch) while the rain ceased and then hired a little motor boat and cruised up the canals while the kids took it in turns to drive.

Today we are just resting and organising ourselves for our big train trip to Paris tomorrow.  The kids will enjoy all the property has to offer and a farewell BBQ tonight.

Upcoming: PARIS and reunited with Bev

A plus tard
Melanie, Travis, Madeleine, Hudson and Noah