Our holiday at Nicholas and Laurent's home in Cotignac began well with a bottle of rosé in a cool and shaded garden and was a sign of good things to come after a disasterous 24 hours of cancellations and delays in our travel plans.
Although the hosts showed us around the property, it was only on our own and over the next few days that we discovered how delightful our holiday home was. The weather was very warm (unusually so, I think), but there were fans in every room and one which was not working was replaced very promptly by Jerome and Christelle - a welcome rescue. The pool provided a marvellous relief when the temperature rose and I especially liked the separate and beautifully planted gardens; we moved through the partitioned outside areas as if from the dining room to the drawing room and then back to the sitting room. We have also seldom come across such a well-stocked kitchen - a place where 'proper' meals could be cooked, and they were.
The busy high street in Cotignac is lined by trees, restaurants and cafés on both sides, making you feel as if you actually have a choice in choosing where to eat. Proximity by foot to a thriving and attractive town was a must when deciding where we would go and we made full use of the freedom of not having to get everything by car. It has a butcher, a baker and, if not a candlestick maker, a decent small supermarket that contains more than the essentials and all within walking distance of the house.
All-in-all, a lovely stay which was enjoyed by the whole family.
Nick and Laurent, thank you.