It was undeniably going to be the hardest project Clare & I were ever going to do. We had some block work and masonry experience and just expected this project to be 'a lot more of it' !! But in reality it took over 5 months to achieve, virtually the entirety of our out of season closure and still the masonry around the exterior is to be started Autumn/Winter later this year and next. Everybody suffered the ... [ More ]
News
A new outdoor area for cooler evenings
There is never an idle moment during our Winter closure and this project most certainly made sure of that ! Our new ‘Fire Pit’ spent several years on the ‘to do list’ and we knew it was an area that needed to be renovated, as it was a space very much on view to our customers. It was created opposite the terrace on the remains of an ancient ‘dependance’ - an outdoor utility building from many years ago (probably a ... [ More ]
A little sun-trap with fountain and trough
A year ago we decided that our little gravel-lined ‘sun-trap’ ~ that is part of the old bread oven, deserved the installation of an antiqued metal wall ‘gargoyle’. In such a relaxing space that catches the last of the evening sun beams there had to be the gentle background trickle of water to soothe away any stresses (with the assistance of a glass of something equally relaxing), and the labour of love was ... [ More ]
Bedroom Van Gogh ~ re-insulated and updated!
It was a job that we were not looking forward to doing during our Winter closure, but we knew it had to be done. Bedroom Van Gogh was only redecorated and upgraded five years ago and still looked super. However, having endured two consecutive Summers with temperatures over 40ºc, the roof and wall insulation were not effective enough to withstand the intensity of this heat. So, with a heavy heart we had to cut into ... [ More ]
Introducing Isaac, our new general manager !
As COVID numbers started to rise alarmingly in late September / October 2020 and a lockdown was imminent, we said it was time to find another canine companion to fill the hollow left from our dear Bramley’s departure earlier in the year. We had always adored Briards, they are a magnificent (and rather large) breed and with absolute fortune, a group of them became available for adoption from the SPA in Périgueux ! We ... [ More ]
The delights of the Cèpe!
Warm weather with sudden bursts of copious rain can provide a lucky woodland walker with some of our most celebrated gastronomic fungi on their travels. The Cèpe mushroom - boletus edulis, round and muscular in shape, has that magical ability to lift any simple mushroom accompaniment or sauce to a stellar height. It’s rich scent and ‘meaty’ savoury flavour adds not only that gourmet touch but also a textural ... [ More ]