Ann has given us directions to their house, which we find without trouble. As with most hamlets, it’s very small, which doesn’t leave much margin for error. As we park the car next to a large hedge, a big gate opens to reveal Ann. She invites us into the garden, where we are greeted by three exuberant dogs.
Jack, Beau and Rusty
Jack is an 8 year old Cocker Spaniel. He’s the colour of chocolate. His coat has been cut short because of the heat, except for his head and ears. The hairs on his head look a big like a big Moustage, which gives him a quirky look.
Beau is a 2 year old French Spaniel (Espagnol Breton). She’s the boss of the pack. We’re warned that she will steal anything left on the kitchen work top. Rusty is a 1 year old French Spaniel. She has tons of energy, which she shows us from the very first moment we walk through the gate. They are all friendly dogs and we don’t expect any trouble with them.
We sit down in the shade with Ann and have something to drink while we get to know each other. Meanwhile, the dogs are always near and show us how well they can play together, which is very amusing. Who needs television when you have dogs playing?
The house, garden and the rest of it
We are shown the house and garden, which are both big. The house is a renovated old farm house. Half of it is in use and has been properly renovated, and the other half is not really in use, except for storage and as a garage. Ann and John plan to renovate that part in the future. They’re expecting their first child in December, so they are going to need the space at some point in the future.
The garden is huge; 2 hectares. There are several outbuildings and part of it is in use as a pasture for the donkeys, Rintintin and Joseph. There’s also an orchard with all sorts of fruit trees (apples, pears, figs, plums, etc.). And there is a badminton net, a table tennis table, a jeu de boules terrain and… a pool 🙂
The next day, Ann and John show us all their routines for taking care of all the animals (three cats included), the garden, house and pool. This morning at 8 o’clock, we waved them off on their holiday to Italy. They’ll be back at the end of the month, which gives us plenty of opportunity to profit from the tranquility of their property and the company of their animals.
