A fabulous holiday destination for all ages

Dad tells me if I practice my golf now....I
can make lots of money! Thank goodness Gran-d and Grandad have a large garden.

He also said I should practice my tractor skills now, just in case I am not a natural golfer. I am not impressed!!!

OK! I am beginning to get the hang of this tractor thing!!!

I could become a farmer, as I love the piggies at Gilberts Farm, also the fabulous food that Jan and Pete make.

Thats my Dad and me having a chat with "Sausage" the farm's pet pig. He loves children...There are also lots of other animals at the farm; goats, chickens, ducks, horses, cows, dogs and cats. I had a great day with my family. This is my uncle Matt and my Grandad enjoying a day at Saumur, in the Loire Valley. They told me the scenery, history, food and wine is fabulous. They did spend a long time in the Cave de Saumur talking to Philip and tasting lots of different wines. I heard them say they were going back there as they had so much fun..

Come and enjoy a holiday in the SW of France, where there is something to experience for everyone...... no matter what age!

à bientôt

Peter et Donna

Our youngest son Matthew FINALLY arrives in France

A picture paints a thousand words.

Matt's first visit to France after a 36 hour epic journey from Australia......

YES! I finally get to see the family home in Gourgé.

Missed you Mum and Dad xo

There's no place like home....

La Grande Tablée, Saumur FRANCE

What do you get when you have 3,000 people each night on the bank of the Loire River in Saumur, France.....2 bands, eating and drinking all the wine you want (2005, 2006 and 2009 vintage) for 3 hours? A fabulous night!! and all this for 10 euros.

It is called La Grand Tablée and it is held every year on the first Wednesday and Thursday of August. Come and join us in 2011.

so........what are you waiting for?

Book your French Country Holiday for 2011!

A bientôt

Peter et Donna

Testimonial from our very first guest, Hedy

" My memories of Gourgé are very serene and restful. I have told everyone how wonderful a few days in your establishment would be.

I am going to attach your blog to emails that I write to my family and friends, and encourage them to at least SEE what I was raving about, so that they might consider going there themselves.

Thank you both ENORMEMENT again for the wonderful time I had at your place. I loved your Australian-ness, the hospitality, the beautiful food, the little notes, the peaceful and friendly environment, the castles and your accommodating kindness and friendliness.

I am so glad I had the time in Gourgé, it gave me the needed break between the tour, and my time in Paris which was fanastic also."

Hedy - Cleveland, Australia

Our Aussie BBQ....French style!

40 people enjoyed our Aussie BBQ. Our BBQ banana, aussie music and stubbie coolers were a hit. Come on aussie come on, come on....come on aussie come on! What are you waiting for?

Come on and have a fabulous holiday in the SW of France.

à bientôt

Peter et Donna

Summer Fun!

Every 2 weeks in Summer we have an event in the Gardens. Our first event, was dinner in the garden provided by Haley and Andy's Restaurant on wheels.

Great food, drinks and laughs were had by all 75 people that attended!

Our next event will be an Aussie/Français BBQ on the 10 July. This is guaranteed to be a fun filled evening with lots of entertainment!!

Aerial shots of our property, "au pont''. Many thanks to our friend Mike for taking them:)

So what are you waiting for?....Come and visit us!

à bientôt

Peter et Donna

OK! are YOU ready for a fabulous FRENCH country getaway?

Our first guest, Hedy. What a delight it was to have you stay with us.....
So much to tell and explain, however for the next couple of days we are helping our friend tidy up his 12th century Château, tower and cottage, so......it will have to wait until after that. His place is so full of history, encompassed with an incredible tranqil ambience. Wish you were here!!!!!

Quote of the week from my dear husband who opened up the shutters one morning in our bedroom and said "what a glorious, glorious morning.....the only bad thing is that I have to get out of bed to enjoy it!!" This is a man who has got out of bed at 5am for most of his working life in Aussie, and since living in Gourgé has never slept so soundly nor experienced such amazing dreams in his entire life. Such is the way of life here..

We are here to help you enjoy a fabulous French holiday, language and all.

So start planning!!!!! We have 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets, large day room, dining room with a fire place, seperate kitchen and one acre of land that touches the river. You can BBQ, fish, play boules, basketball, table tennis, darts, walk or cycle the many tracks that are available, or.... just totally relax in serene surroundings. We sleep up to 8 guests. If you want to visit us for a couple of nights while you are travelling around Europe, or stay for a week or so, we can accommodate YOU. The closest airport and train station is POITIERS, which is a 45 mins drive. You can contact us on donnapeterhein@orange.fr for any further information.

OK, so it may not be the most attractive building around...however, it is listed as pre-Nepoleon and we are very restricted to what renovations we can undertake on the exterior, because of heritage listing. As they say "beauty is only skin deep''.
Opposite us is one of the many weirs, and after a 5 minute walk, is the first of the walking trails across the river Thouet.
Below is the very historic village of Gourgé.
Now for the interior of the guest accommodation
Chambre 1
sleeps 2 with a large alcove for a cot or a sitting area

Chambre 2
sleeps 3-double bed and single fold up bed



Living room offers a large day bed

Dining Room/Reading Room has a large sofa bed and a beautiful old fire place for winter

à bientôt

Peter et Donna