We are delighted that so many Australian couples/families have chosen the Loire Valley Experience for their France holiday, we have enjoyed their company and friendship so much that it makes our 'jobs' a pleasure.
Below are some of their comments from our guestbook:
May 20th 2010
We have had a wonderful time for this our first trip to the Loire Valley. The Walnut Mill is a lovely home away from home, most welcome as we'd spent the last 6 weeks in hotels. It has been especially nice to be able to have simple home cooked meals and a comfy lounge room....You have been extremely generous hosts...All the reference material and your great websites were a great help for us 1st timers! Thanks so much for your warm welcome. Hope we can catch up again someday either here or in Australia.
Kate & Ken Damm Potsea,Victoria,Australia.
May 2010
An oasis of village calm nestled in countryside that holds many wonderful surprises. Barrou and The Old Walnut mill proved to be an inspired choice. The cosy rustic charm promised by your website was fully realised. We will recall our times here over the years and urge our friends to share the warmth of your welcome and the extent of your concern that your guests enjoy their Loire Valley Experience. We are particularly appreciative of the friendship you offered and the manner in which you readily made your home our home. We wish you every success in the future and look forward to meeting you both again down the track.
|Margaret & Brian Rogers, Canberra, Australia.
April 23rd 2010
Our first experience of a cottage stay in France and what a standard has been set! We expected a key and a place to eat - hopefully somewhere to cook a meal occasionally. What we got was not only a home ( a theme running through all comments so far) but extremely generous and delightful hosts; Although busy working on another house Jim & Pauline’s main concern was that everything should be just right for us. The Old Walnut Mill, a fine house in itself, is fitted with everything to make for a relaxing stay artistically decorated with their personal collection of artefacts, always warm and welcoming. In fact we were torn between all the delights offered by the ample ‘home tourist office’( great info. in house) and the desire to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the village Barrou style. As if that wasn’t enough there is a stunning collection of CD’s and DVD’s chosen with discrimination. Barrou itself grows on you, so that at the end of one week, it’s good to think there is another to go – then what a pity! that was not enough. No need to cook really, although there are full facilities, as there is a very French style restaurant serving terrific and great value lunches and dinners AND a top class (or ‘hatted’) restaurant ‘La Promenade’ close by which served a truly amazing meal .
Perfect fine, crisp days and as a bonus , an organised local walk with baguettes and 'le vin' served halfway.
We had Pauline and Jim’s help in hiring a local car at ‘Super U’ and with that we visited chateaux at Loches, Villandry and finally Chambord – all very different and delightful. Apart from driving we enjoyed walking around or biking to nearby villages. It has all been wonderful and a real taste of life in rural France. I so enjoyed the various markets on offer where we bought which we didn’t mind sticking on our waistlines ever ! –who cares!
Thanks so much for the great help before we arrived ,the transport, recommendations ( even down to which books to read!) and the lovely touches in the house itself - and you put on lovely spring weather. Cannot imagine we won’t be back and will certainly be recommending this or any other place of Pauline and Jim’s. Enjoy!
Kathleen and Mary Hossack, Sydney,Australia.
1st October
2009
Thank you so much Jim &
Pauline for a gorgeous week in this fabulous part of France...we had
such a lovely time. The Old Walnut Mill and Barrou were exactly what
we'd hoped they would be and more...we were all enchanted and sad to be
going. Thanks again.
Val,
Neil, Finny&Angus
Melbourne,Australia
October 2008
What a wonderful 'French' experience our
family has had staying in the 'Old Walnut Mill'. Being so far away from home
and travelling in such small accommodation over the past weeks ,we were
overwhelmed with the cottage. We are particularly grateful for how Jim and
Pauline were in regards to accommodating a family travelling with children!
Our three children not only enjoyed visiting the many tourist attractions
but were always keen to return to their 'home' to construct and design with
the 'awesome' amount of LEGO. Thank you Jim & Pauline for providing us with
a true 'French' experience and for making us so welcome.
Brad,Donna,Toby,Gabi,&Jesse Griffith
Dungos,NSW,Australia
