News from Le Paradis - January 2008
Chers Amis,
Wishing you a very Happy New Year with all our best wishes for an outstanding 2008.
No sooner had we waved our Christmas and New Year guests goodbye and put the present wrappings and the turkey bones in the bin than the workforce were back again and the concrete mixer started turning once more.
Just as well, because at Christmas Ryanair announced their long-awaited service from London Stansted to Angouleme commencing 1st April and now The Times plans an article to be published in their Travel section on Saturday January 12th which should give you one man’s insight into life here at the Logis du Paradis.
2007 has seen lots of progress happening here to prepare for all this. The 5 Chambres d’hote in the 18th century part of the Logis were essentially ready for the beginning of the year. Nick was eventually budged from his temporary office in Bedroom 5 and on to a landing for the rest of the year. The guest’s dining room is resplendent in its new yellow and the portrait of Susanna Gay has beamed down ever more benevolently on a succession of diners.
Our new "ouvrier", Jean-Paul, has done a man-sized job over the year, firstly finishing many details in the garden and then helping Sally lay out her new raised “potager”. The swimming pool garden is now looking properly established and already there are all the aromas of lavender and roses we have wanted coming from there.
Our own house is now really comfortable and pretty smart with all new windows and doors made by the wonderful Gerard Henry and fitted by him during the heat of August. We have been amazingly snug and draught-free this winter as a result.
The walled parc was given a fantastic tidying up by the members of the Comite des Fetes in preparation for its use for the village fete in June. The trees have recovered to a large extent from their initial dramatic pruning after so many years of neglect and the new ones to replace those too far gone have taken well during this fairly wet year. A section of the wall is now awaiting repair after an involuntary ramming by two ladies from Lignieres which caused a large breach, although their vehicle was less repairable, one fears.
However the really big stuff has taken place in the south east corner of the main Cour Charentais (courtyard). In partnership with two families of friends who have taken 10 year leases, we have undertaken the conversion of two Cognac chais into two self-catering cottages and our company has undertaken the renovation of a third into the heated car storage plus Nick’s new office and motoring library upstairs. Jean Paul has taken the lead together with our many and excellent local artisans to complete all this in 12 months.
The two houses are really great and are being finished at this moment to a very high standard and will be ready before Easter. They are planned to offer lots of space and exceptional comfort for 2 couples each and between them they will have 6 bathrooms and 7 W.C.s, for a total of 8 persons… Since our friends are also keen cooks, the kitchens have been designed to offer the maximum space and facilities for visitors when we let them out.
The third chai, which is a particularly fine building, has been largely re-roofed (like the others beside it) and a new floor put in. The garage will have lovely pierres apparentes, which are being lovingly pointed by two elderly macons who are great characters, and with central heating for the most pampered motor cars. Above it is a splendid mezzanine with glazed front, for the new office and library. Nick can’t wait to be installed up there with all his copies of “Motor Sport” going back to the 1950’s...
So, in summary for 2008 we will be able to offer guest accommodation for up to 18 people all in bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Also professional car storage for up to 8 cars in the heated garage, plus another 8 in ordinary locked storage. Then there is a choice of 10 classic cars available for rental by the day.
Now we are planning to crack on with the Cognac and piano bar in the former distillery. Then we have to consider creating the possible function rooms in the remaining Chais.
Come and see us in 2008 to give us encouragement that it is all worth the effort and expense!
Very best wishes,
Sally & Nick Brimblecombe
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