The La Vielle Pierre gite is quite simply
sumptuous, compared to other places we have stayed in. Jane was
instantly impressed with the dishwasher and washing machine, while
Andy and Rob set up the patio into wine drinking and BBQ mode. The
rooms were quite newly decorated with a nice warm feel of wood
upstairs. The bathroom and loo were nicely appointed and bright,
also easy to keep clean. The phone was a great boon as was the wifi
which worked well on all our laptops, even Andy’s steam driven
version.
The first two weeks we explored the
area, focusing on Avallon, Marigny l’Eglise and Quarre les Tombes
for the basics, like wine, bread and loo paper! Distances in the
forest are greater than we are used to in the UK, so petrol stations
and restaurant opening times suddenly take on a new significance.
The forest is idyllic and extensive, with many lakes to swim in (yep
– we did often) or go kayaking. We were made very welcome at Cyril
and Karine’s restaurant "Le Crescent" in Marigny l’Eglise and had
lots of excellent meals there over the five weeks. They were working
very hard sometimes, but it was the height of the season and they
always seemed to fit everyone in somehow.
With the warm evenings and excellent local wine, the BBQ came into
its own and we were notably rowdy and noisy sometimes, disturbing
the peace of Courotte but having a ball! After the Dudley family
left, the remaining three weeks were much quieter, but so relaxing.
The Gite has a massive living room and the odd day of rain was not a
hardship.
We especially liked the towns of Auxerre, Avallon, Semur en Auxois,
Saulieu, Vezelay and Autun, but even though we were around for 5
weeks, we could have spent 5 months and barely scratched the
surface.
Andy Bowerman
