Monthly Archives: July 2015

Elie’s beach is a big success with our guests….his parasols are newly painted, the lounge chairs are in place, the water’s a perfect turquoise and he welcomes our guests from now until the end of October…all will depend on the weather but it’s looking like we’re going to be swimming at harvest time.

On the way back to La Forge from the Moulin last night I had to stop a minute to show you the sun flower showing off to the moon that was rising…

New swimming option! Two former quarries — just 2,5 kilometers or 4 minutes from the house — have been made into one large, turquoise-blue lake that looks like it came out of a travel poster for some exotic destination! I’m delighted to announce that I now have a free pass for my guests to enjoy its sandy beach and to dive into its clear blue water. Opened several years ago by French water ski champion Will Delair, the lake is maintained as a private club, which only recently began accepting non-skiing members — like us. One side of the lake is for the one and only boat and the other for swimming. However, if you’d also like to ski or ride the waves on a wake board behind the lake’s one “fairly quiet” but powerful inboard, you can reserve a tour or two with Will. The club’s restaurant and bar look out over the lake are open every day from 11 to 11.

As grandparents we’re well equiped for babys and little ones. Since the wonderful English guide Sawdays picked up on the fact that families are welcome at La Forge we suddenly have, not only our children and grandchildren on visit, but our guest’s as well. The self catering cottage is perfect for a small family and the house often rented for inter-generational vacations with grandparents, children, teens and babies. Spread the word. As the garden and fields are fenced in everyone had space for the little ones to run around and other to just relax.

Of course all ages love to visit our chickens and try to find the rabbit that hides in the garden.

The menus change with the seasons and the producers are all local…the chef too ! Xavier teaches young adults at a professional lycée for future chefs. Even if you don’t plan to become a professional a class with Xavier is a great way to learn some techniques and recipes you can do at home. It will look and taste like just like those of a pro.

The “moule frites” and music weren’t a 4th of july. special. but it sounded like it with a French group that played US 70’s music to the delight of all the French…who, for the most part didn’t even realize it was the 4th of July.  The near by village of Sadirac inaugurated a “Piste Gourmande” with food stands and music along the bike path…next month it will be Creon’s turn with local musicians and yummy food trucks and tents….and the villages put up picnic tables for all.