Petit Longère, the perfect place for your summer holiday
Firstly, I would like to mention that we currently have a special offer for the Petit Longère. This is for 6 nights from starting from next Sunday 22 July at the beginning of the UK school holidays for up to 4 people. It really is a last minute bargain and we'd love someone to take this up, we hate seeing the gîte empty and unloved. It's the perfect opportunity to visit the spectacular sound and light show at the Château de Kergroadez,
You can find details of the special offer here.
You can find details of the special offer here.
Ty Hir's part-time chooks
Ty Hir seems to have become a haven for all the local bird life - including our neighbour's chooks! Every afternoon our neighbour Jean-Yves lets out his chickens and they gradually work their way around to the front of the gîtes. They have become so cheeky that the rooster waits by the front door crowing and flapping his wings until we come out and feed them - they really are very demanding!
It is fun to have your own part time chickens and during the course of our stay we began to understand the meaning of 'pecking order'. They all have their own personalities and whilst the rooster thinks he is in charge there was definitely one hen who obviously gave rise to the term 'henpecked'!
It is fun to have your own part time chickens and during the course of our stay we began to understand the meaning of 'pecking order'. They all have their own personalities and whilst the rooster thinks he is in charge there was definitely one hen who obviously gave rise to the term 'henpecked'!
As well as the chickens we had sparrows nesting in a hole in the stone wall at the front Petit Longère, you could hear the chorus of chicks begging for food as each parent returned from numerous and constant trips in an effort to keep their greedy bellies full. We also had a family of newly fledged swallows performing kamikaze stunts, practicing for their epic journey to Africa at the end of September.
Some of our baby swallows take a rest on our new fence
A wren had made her nest in one of the window sills of the Grand Longère. Last year we had a wren family fledge before our eyes the day after we completed our purchase of Ty Hir - there seemed to be little fluffy wren chicks everywhere, in my car, in the gites - it was lovely to see and a real privilege. We have bird feeders in the garden and a number of nesting boxes, one of which we are sure was used by a blue tit. The ravenous wood pigeons soon discovered if they waited beneath the bird feeders that the other birds would drop them some tasty titbits. It is lovely to sit on the terrace in the evening and let the birds entertain you whilst enjoying a glass of wine (or two!).
Nantes-Brest Canal at Châteauneuf-du-Faou
One afternoon we went for a little jaunt to the riverside town of Châteauneuf-du-Faou in the Montagne Noires (Black Mountains), a 15 minute drive away down quiet wooded country lanes. The Chapel of Our Lady of Doors sits on a hill in Châteauneuf-du-Faou in Brittany overlooking the river Aulne. The chapel was built in 1438 following the discovery, in the hollow of an old oak tree trunk, of a statue of the Virgin Mary to whom a number of miracles have been attributed. The statue attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The annual traditional Breton pardon takes place on the last Sunday of August.
This section of the river forms part of the Nantes-Brest Canal. The river is famous for its salmon and trout fishing and you can walk along the tow path through the green river valley, stopping a picturesque locks along the way.
Every summer, a jazz festival takes place in Châteauneuf n the banks of the river. With four stages lining the river Aulne, the Fest Jazz has a fantastic atmosphere with something for all generations to enjoy including music and dancing, picturesque scenery, and plenty of good food and wine. This year's festival is on 27, 28 and 29 July. We saw one of the act taking part in the festival, the Good Time Jazz band, on a visit in March, performing at the Tal ar Pont bar which overlooks the river. We can thoroughly recommend them!
This section of the river forms part of the Nantes-Brest Canal. The river is famous for its salmon and trout fishing and you can walk along the tow path through the green river valley, stopping a picturesque locks along the way.
Every summer, a jazz festival takes place in Châteauneuf n the banks of the river. With four stages lining the river Aulne, the Fest Jazz has a fantastic atmosphere with something for all generations to enjoy including music and dancing, picturesque scenery, and plenty of good food and wine. This year's festival is on 27, 28 and 29 July. We saw one of the act taking part in the festival, the Good Time Jazz band, on a visit in March, performing at the Tal ar Pont bar which overlooks the river. We can thoroughly recommend them!
Chapel of Our Lady of Doors overlooking the Aulne at Chateauneuf
We took a stroll over the old stone bridge which was built in 1638, when Louis XVIII was king of France. It is known as the "Old King's Bridge". We discovered a leisure area beside the river where games of pétanque were in progress. There was also a cafe where you could hire out all types of river craft including canoes, pedalos and electric boats. An indoor heated swimming pool formed part of the complex which is called Aulne Loisirs Plaisance.
The main town lies high above the river where you will find lots of shops and restaurants and the weekly market on Wednesdays in the main square. We indulged in some yummy crepes at Le Petit Rozell where they had a remarkable table made out of an old cider press.
The main town lies high above the river where you will find lots of shops and restaurants and the weekly market on Wednesdays in the main square. We indulged in some yummy crepes at Le Petit Rozell where they had a remarkable table made out of an old cider press.
Playing the traditional French game of pétanque on the banks of the river Aulne
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