Tag: Visitors

Better Late Than Never!

October 6, 2025 Alun No Comments

Well it has taken 18 years to get H and Clare to see the barn but it was well worth the wait….

Juggling the logisitics of having 4 kids and trying to get away to see you sister in the middle of nowhere is a challenge but THRILLED that you and Clare have now made it over to our little bit or paradise.

Rental cars were a fortune so Al and I trundled over to pick them up from Carcassone and they had managed to wangle 5 nights with us. The weather gods mainly played cricket for us and did not stop us doing too much.

We arrived in sunshine which is always great for the first time visitors for a late lunch on the terrace with the rose flowing!

The days flew by always a good sign of having fun, a hike up to Cirque D’Anglade, mushrooming and finding 1kg of ceps beauties they were too, parasols and bolets galore too. A trip to the market on Saturday and a replenish of the cellar stocks too! Before Saturday chuck on the terrace.

We had the “Dutchies” up for a fun late lunch one day, BBQ and Molkey competition followed by the orange tights game on the front terrace! Olaf and Sylvia brought wonderful marinaded meats for the BBQ and we did all the salads and dessert.

A yomp up to the Pylons above the clouds was quite specatcular looking down on the clouds. AMAZING Clare you did it. Xxxx

River dip for the hardy brother and sister!

Outdoor showers.

Games by the fire.

Plenty of fab food and wine, but above all the most amazing quality catch up time with you both. We LOVED having you to stay and you MUST come back again before tooooo long.

Party game

Categories: Summer 2025, The Project Tags: Tags: Food, Hiking, Visitors

Special guest

August 23, 2025 Alun No Comments

Linn is an old friend from Derbyshire days. Now living in Bristol and happened to be in the south of France so called in. Her first visit to the barn and she stayed for a few nights. We managed to get some quality hikes in just around the area. She also introduced us to Molkky, a Nordic skittles game. Very kindly she left her set with us and we love it.

Categories: Summer 2025, The Project Tags: Tags: Hiking, Visitors

Goodlad Family Visit the Pyrenees

August 23, 2024 Alun No Comments

The last time Kate had seen the barn only half the first floor boards were in place, no stairs or pointing was done and she ate in the Naughty Corner (small building out the front). In fact the Naughty Corner was named when Kate was here, but that’s another story.

So when Kate turned up with Bruce and the kids there was quite a difference.

A treasure hunt for the kids while we got some drinks out. Paella the first night and preparation for a hike to Spain the next day. 1000m of up would be further than either of the kids had walked to date. We set off early to beat the heat and made it to the Port de Salau for a picnic lunch. There was a shepherdess at the Col with her flock and 3 Pattu. We were introduced to Luna, Bruna and Blanca and escorted through to the Spanish side of the frontier. Breezy and 7 year old Anna raced down the hill and got the kettle going for some tea at the barn. A few games and BBQ burgers, sausages and salads.

Day two was a wet morning so games indoors and a cooking lesson from Breezy. The afternoon cleared up for a bike ride into the village, boules around the church and a drink at the bar. Duck with salad and sweet potato fries.

Sadly Kate, Bruce and the kids left the next day after gathering all their belongings and a veritable kit explosion as the camper was repacked for their next stage of their Pyrenees adventure.

Truly loved having you all; let’s make sure it’s not so long between visits.

Kids cooling off — Escort through the Pattu

Categories: Summer 2024 Tags: Tags: Hiking, Visitors