Our car had shown an engine management issue since we landed in Normandy – combined with a knocking noise from the engine – the online advice is to stop at the earliest opportunity to rectify the situation. Being in France, with a schedule, stopping has not been practical – and on the basis the light…

We have spent today exploring the beautiful city of Dinan, with its well preserved city walls, castle buildings, medieval houses, cobbled streets and attractive river front. Searching for breakfast, and fitting in work around our explorations, proved the most difficult part of the day. After catching up with emails and customers in the morning, we…

Whatever I write about today’s visit to the Bayeux Tapestry would not do it justice. The pure imagery, colour and vibrance of the 70m narrative embroidery is something hard to convey in words; the skill, (and dare I say subtle humour) of the nuns who worked on the tapestry is worth more than the half…

How many scallop shells does it take to make a beach? This was my first thought on our return to Port En Bessin in the day-light. I have no idea how deep the beach of shells is, but I can guess it takes a lot of scallops to generate such an impressive and captivating mound…

A fantastic stary sky greeted us as we packed the last few items into the car at 6am today. Not a cloud interrupted the view of the dark sky, and the simple beauty of Oakhanger with its open common, lovely community, and warm pub was again refreshed in my heart. Clear sky did mean a…

Annabel POV – the day was a whirlwind of cleaning, folding clothes, and, (following our three week stay) locating the various discarded items from around the house – charging cables, watches, books, glasses, food, et cetera. We packed our bags and tried to see what else we could trim down from the car, by preparing…

We found it – heaven – a shop dedicated to the retail of gin and chocolate. We have ended up in Farnham to purchase some bits for the car, and collect some items for the owners of the house we are staying at. Farnham is a typical Surrey town on the main road south from…

With one dog to look after, but two incapacitated home owners, who are beginning to turn the house into an outtake of Dr Kildare, Annabel and I have had a day of managing the canine, preparing food, and gathering supplies where required. Annabel has expressed an interest in seeing the beaches at Normandy, and I…

Tuesday saw us preparing for the owners of our tearaway Jack Russell terrier to arrive, and collect their adorable, if not mischievous dog from us. Having found a turkey in the freezer, we decided an early Christmas dinner was in order for the little dog’s owners, and a couple of other guests who were also…

Morning walk, work and lunch done, Annabel and I ended up in Petersfield picking up ingredients for tomorrow’s dinner – as a house we have decided to use a turkey from last year – to do an impromptu Christmas meal for some guests coming to collect the little dog, tomorrow. Petersfield gave me a chance…