A family of 14, aged between 3 and 73, were looking to rent a 7-bedroomed house of which at least 4 en-suite, plus a family bathroom, and private outdoor pool,south of the river Loire in the month of August to celebrate a Big Birthday… A tall order, but one to which Di and Graham responded straight away with a warm Yorkshire “Yes, of course!” What we, the tenants didn’t know when we booked, was that our hosts would exceed our expectations by providing not only a pool, but a heated, salt-water one, into which the 3 youngest children learned to jump, and then swim without armbands during our stay. They had free use of the many bikes of all shapes and sizes, and played for hours in the Wendy House, with the various toys and games at their disposal – as well as on the swings and slide in the hectare of garden.
Number 1 treat was going with Graham to pick up the eggs – and sometimes even the hens themselves - in the hen house, and to cook the eggs for next-day’s breakfast.
As for the birthday party, Diana arranged for a local caterer to e-mail menus well in advance, so that we could choose all the dishes – and the birthday cake – which were delivered ready to serve on the great day. She also came up with a superbly cooked 5-kilo gammon joint to accompany the eggs at breakfast…No small task in the depths of the French countryside…
Any requests for replacement light bulbs, ideas for excursions, eateries, taxi services were all met with enthusiastic and positive responses.
Once the younger generations of the family had returned home, the Grandparents dug in for another week on their own and were able to enjoy the peace and friendship offered by the house and its owners.
Thank you, Diana and Graham, for turning a unique and special time in the life of our family into an unforgettable and happy holiday for us all.
The Woolmers
Cirencester
