Renovating a house in France

Before and After

The Salon at Barrusclet

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees

Would you believe me if I told you these two rooms were one and the same? When we bought Barrusclet in 2007 and started renovating we were in for a few surprises. Some were good and some were bad. This was a great discovery, and is one of my favourite details of the house. I had an inkling that there was a blocked up window behind that plastered recess, but I was really thrilled when we uncovered a beautiful arched window. (Always my favourite on Playschool). Also lurking behind all that mouldy paper and plaster was gorgeous stone wall, and a huge beam which had been plastered over was revealed in all it's glory. this is now the Salon at Barruslcet. Previously it had been used as a bedroom. There were no bedrooms upstairs when we started, in fact there weren't even any stairs.

Nerac in France

Mum and Dad are in situe at Barrusclet now until Mid October. Lucky them. They are staying in Lavender Cottage and doing pool maintenance and generally having a relaxing time. The house is for rent as  usual as Lavender Cottage is out the way at the back of Barrusclet. 

They are heading off to Nerac, about half an hours drive to get more salt and chemicals for the pool. We use Nerac Piscine for our supplies, and Giles is a really good man to deal with. He supplied us with the pool and lots of advice in the first place. 

Mum and dad are going to be tempted to lunch by the river Baise. I can't say I blame them, as it is a lovely spot.

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees

A Place In The Sun

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees

Beautiful Barrusclet in the afternoon sunshine. Summer 2012, and a great season is underway. The weather in France has been a bit all over the place this year. More rain than usual early on, but a heatwave over the last few weeks. Always plenty to do though whatever the weather.

Bike Hire in The Midi-Pyrenees region of France

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees

Bike Hire in France. Bike hire in Gascony. Bike Hire in the Gers. Bike Hire in Condom. Bike Hire in Eauze. Bike Hire in Gondrin. Bike hire in Montreal du Gers. Cycle Shop Condom. Cycle Shop Eauze. Cycle hire in Gascony. Cycling holiday in France. Cycling in the Midi-Pyrenees.

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees
AT BARRUSCLET WE HAVE BIKES YOU CAN BORROW FOR FREE.
Bike hire in The Gers region of France seems quite rare. I notice that lots of gites say you can get local bike hire, but trust me, it is not easy to find ...... I haven't found any yet that is convenient to our area. But don't worry, when you holiday at Barrusclet we have in the region of 15 bikes that you can borrow for free. There are bikes to suit adults and children.  We don't provide helmets .... bring those yourself, but we do have maps, map carriers, puncture repair kits, spare inner tubes and tool kits. The bikes are a mixed bunch, not brand new or top of the range, but they will happily take you 20, 30, 40 km through very beautiful countryside. If you prefer to bring your own bike then we have plenty of storage in the barn.

Barrusclet - French farmhouse to rent in the Midi-Pyrenees

I need to blog more often. Otherwise I forget what I am doing, and can't find my way round this blogging site again! Errrrr!