Short break

We are just back from a short break near Domfront.  It's not very far away, perhaps an hour-and a-half's drive; just far enough to be away from things and not so far as to be a long drive.   It was only for two nights, for various reasons including the need to kennel our not altogether fully integrated new household cat for the duration.

We chose to stay in a small gîte.  The Belle Vallée  is run by a couple of Brits, Victoria and Richard, who gave us a warm welcome.   They have both the gîte and a B&B operation.  We chose the gîte since it gave more options for catering, and made social distancing easier.  Their cats are friendly too, though you have to make sure that they are not hiding in the gîte when you go out.

Their gardens are pretty, and I was impressed that their grass was green, even luxuriant, not like the scorched earth that we have at home.  The farm is on a North-facing slope which doubtless reduces the power of the sun a bit, and any rain runs down the slope into the garden.  Richard said that the garden was a quagmire in the Spring, so I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth.

We found it to be a very nice place to stay, and the little fireplace in the corner of the gîte living/dining room added extra warmth and charm.