THE ACCOMODATION

We are very proud of our log cabins . We only have two because we aim to keep this holiday location as quiet and select as possible. As you can see they look like something from a fairy tale and we think they provide you with something of that magic . They are made of Canadian timber which is slow growing and, therefore, well insulated. This makes them ideal in winter as well as summer. There are 2 bedrooms in each; one containing a double bed (upstairs) and the other bunk beds (downstairs). There are two living rooms; the one on the second floor is the lounge and has a balcony which looks out over the fields and woods. The second (kitchen and dining room) is downstairs and gives access to the patio .
The kitchen area is well equipped (fridge, coffee maker, toaster, microwave and kettle) and we have tried hard to provide you with all you will need to make cooking a pleasurable affair. (Liz believes that the only pleasurable part of cooking is in the eating). If we have left anything out of the kitchen we will always welcome your comments for improvements. This applies to all aspects of our holidays.

The bathroom provides a shower, wash basin and washing machine. The toilet is separate.

For your entertainment we have included a TV/video in each of the cabins and have collected together quite a variety of video which you can borrow at no extra cost.

The whole of the orchard is available for children to use as their play area. This includes paddling pools, sandpit, swings, a fort (den), zip wire, goal post and badminton net.

We want you to be as comfortable outside as you are in. To this end we have provided some sun loungers, folding chairs and picnic table. There is also a BBQ for the more ambitious chefs. A boules court with boules and quoits are available to while away those long summer evenings .

ELECTRICITY
We have worked very hard at keeping costs down and have made maps, videos, bicycles and anything else you want to borrow, free of charge. We have deliberately not included the cost of electricity in the price of the holidays because we felt it would be fairer to those holiday makers who were environmentally aware and who kept power use to a realistic level. This allows individual families and groups to keep control over the price of their holiday and pay for the electricity as they use it. Each chalet had a separate counter which allows us to work out exactly how much electricity you have used.

SHOPPING
We recognise that you cannot just 'pop' down to the shops for the odd item you may have forgotten so this being the case please do not hesitate to ask us if we've got some of whatever it is you're short of, in store.

We will, if it will be helpful, do your shopping for you before you arrive if you send us a shopping list in plenty of time.
When we go to the bread shop in the morning we will also collect your baguette and /or croissantes if you want.

Don't worry about paying for things on the day, we'll produce a single bill at the end of the week which will also include the cost of the electricity.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
As with most holiday accommodation Saturday is the change over day and therefore rather frantic for us. To help us provide the best service for you we would ask that you do not arrive until after 2.00 p.m. and that departure is before 10.00a.m.

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENT
When booking we would like you to pay a 50% deposit to secure your holiday. The final amount needs to be paid 6 weeks before your arrival. Unfortunately failure to pay in full at this time could mean the loss of your holiday and your deposit.

GETTING HERE
There were many reasons why we settled in this area of France. When you arrive most of them will be obvious but we also wanted a location that we could easily access without driving all the way to the south of England or indeed to the South of France. This meant we could make numerous trips here from England without wasting too much time in the car. As we lived in Northumberland one of the best ferries for us was DFDS out of Newcastle www.dfdsseaways.co.uk (08705 333000/333111). Leaving Newcastle in the evening and arriving Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) the next morning. (We could be at home in France by 5.00 p.m.)

Another handy route from the north and midlands is via Hull. This ferry line is
P & O/North Sea Ferries www.ponsf.com. For booking ring 0870 777 4445. For enquiries ring 0870 129 6002. Again this is an overnight ferry which you can take to either Europort, (Rotterdam) or Zeebrugge. A good run from here could see us home by 2.00 pm.

For those who live further south, then the Chunnel or ferries out of Dover are the best way. The Dover-Calais crossing is only 1.5 hours, which for those who have no particular love of the sea (and Liz does have some sympathy with this), is the best way to go. The journey is about 200 miles on the other side.