These are comments that have been left in our guest book by our visitors:
“Thanks John & Abi, a relaxing 2 days in this lovely setting” Francis & Micheline – August 2007
“Fantastic place to spend a really relaxing week – visits to La Rochelle and Cognac well worth it. Many thanks for having us!” John & Genevieve – September 2007
“Two weeks is a month too short! Wonderful, relaxing holiday in a lovely setting. We wish you success in the future. Hope to see you again. Give our love to the owls!” Gill & Paul – September 2007
“Relaxing two weeks, plenty to see and do” B, C & J – October 2007
“Another great time at chez Wilkin. Keep it up!” Mark – October 2007
“If you enjoyed us being here half as much as we enjoyed being here, we enjoyed it more that you!” Al & Cath – October 2007
“Thank you for your very warm welcome and helpfulness. The goodies on arrival were much appreciated. We’ve had a restful and peaceful stay and enjoyed driving around the area. Highlights were the Île de Ré, Marais Poitevin and the Valley of the Monkeys. Thank you again.” Ann & Peter – May 2008
“Wonderful setting, wonderful hosts, wonderful! We will return!” R & L – June 2008
“Many thanks to John and Abi for their great warm welcome and helpfulness. We have had a fantastic restful week in your beautiful gîte. Had some lovely days exploring the area. Particularly enjoyed Marais Poitevin, Angoulême and Cognac – great for lunch! And well worth a visit – Oradour-sur-Glane. We are returning home with our batteries fully re-charged. Thank you again.” Jackie & Neil – June 2008
“Thanks to Abi and John for being fantastic hosts and the chance to shut off from the outside world for a week of r & r. Gorgeous place made even better by the joyful kittens. It’s an ideal we’ll aim for! Good luck for the future” Nicky & Giles – July 2008
“Ambience and hospitality beyond measure in a marvelous setting” Dawn & Richard – September 2008
“Par excellence! A real tranquil retreat. Warm, welcoming hosts. The fine attention to detail makes it home from home!” Errol & Debbie – December 2008
“Lovely, fantastic relaxing time. Thank you so much for your warm and generous hospitality. When/if you’re in Spain make sure you come and stay with us!” Rigor, Gail & Ben – April 2009
“Wonderful to see our old house like we’d left it! So pleased you guys are enjoying it here, we’ll always be back! We miss the peace and quiet!” Fiona, Richard & Ollie – May 2009
“Lovely break in lovely surroundings. Enjoyed the markets – don’t miss Angoulême sunday morning and the Civray pattisserie on the market is to die for. Thanks” Eileen & Liz – June 2009
“Lovely break, good hosts and company – thanks” Paul & Louse – June 2009
“To John & Abi, thank you for the use of the lovely barn, we have had a lovely time. Your assistance with information and local knowledge was greatly appreciated. The area and location are superb, lovely rural and tranquil, a lovely change from the rat race. It’s facilities and equipment left us wanting for nothing. We have travelled over 2,000km since we arrived and have seen some wonderful places & have left several leaflets and brochures we picked up along the way. Once again, thank you John & Abi, and hope everyone else who stays has such a great time.” Mike & Rich – July 2009
“To Abi & John, thank you very much for a lovely relaxing holiday. Your welcome on arrival set the tone beautifully. We had a great time.” Kathleen & Roddy – August 2009
“So wonderful – so perfect. Chilled, slept, peace” Suz, Mick & Wills – August 2009
“To John & Abi, We’ve all had a great time staying here at La Grange. Thank you for being so welcoming and helpful. We particularly enjoyed going to Île de Ré, Cognac and St. Macoux. We enjoyed exploring the area and the market at Melle. Thanks so much for going the extra mile (to Poitiers in fact!). We will definitely recommend La Ferme de L’Église to our friends. Best wishes” Imogen, Andrew, Joe, Ruby and Frances – August 2009
“To John and Abi, thank you for the lovely time we’ve had here at La Ferme de L’Église. Your welcome and the comfortable gîte, in this tranquil pleasant area all contributed to the relaxing time we’ve had. We wish we were able to stay longer. Thank you again.” Janet & Louis – September 2009
“We enjoyed a most relaxing week in the tranquility of Vanzay. Comfortable and well appointed gîte – we lacked for nothing – thanks to the hosts! We enjoyed lovely sunshine, local markets, le vin and local produce and cuisine, and also the ancient architecture at Angoulême. Michael enjoyed discussing vintage/classic cars with John and his English visitors. Maybe one day we shall return with a Triumph TR6 (!) – wishful thinking?! – to enjoy the peaceful, rural driving in this area.” Sheila and Michael – September 2009
“Thanks so much for a wonderful, relaxing stay inn your beautiful home. We’ll be back!” Jo & Thomas – October 2009
“Thank you for having us, it’s been a great place to relax” Paul & Clare – February 2010
“Lovely – lovely week. Beautiful and quiet surroundings, just what we were looking for! Beautiful cosy house, fantastic food and markets. Thanks to John and Abi for being such fantastic hosts. Hope to see you again! All the best” Connie, Juan & Tomas – April 2010
“Couldn’t have been more helpful and calming in the midst of madness. Best welcome box ever, ever, ever” Joyce & Quentin – April 2010
“Lovely cottage, very comfy bed! Thank you for a lovely week!” Rachel & Ian – April 2010
“We have had the most wonderful time staying in your lovely gite. When we arrived there was everything we needed to get us started and we haven’t wanted for anything during our stay. We’ve really enjoyed being in ‘the middle of nowhere’, where in reality we’ve had excellent access to many regions and places – you are very well located for exploring a very large region of France. One of the highlights of our stay was to ride in a DS ‘Goddess’ and the MK2 Jaguar. We’ve also enjoyed trips to Cognac, Ile d’Oleron, Poitiers, Angouleme and Limoges (didn’t quite make it to the Loire or Bordeaux – next time?!). Thank you again, it’s been fantastic” Katherine & Simon - May 2010
“We have enjoyed so much the calm tranquility of La Grange, Vanzay. Such a warm and friendly welcome and the basket of ‘goodies’ greatly appreciated. It has been a pleasure to wend our way along the quiet country roads to lovely villages with busy markets and cafes where we could enjoy an espresso and watch the world go by. We particularly enjoyed our visits to the Abbey at Celles sur Belle and Coulon in the Marais Poitevin. Thank you very much for a gorgeous week” Di & Bruce – June 2010
“We have enjoyed the peaceful rural setting, bike rides on the network of quiet little roads, exploring the local towns and villages. La Vallee des Singes was a highlight – recommended. Thank you Abi and John for a comfortable and relaxing stay” Jill & Andrew – June 2010
“Great holiday for a car mad husband and sanctuary for a wife! Thank you Abi and John for the warm welcome, cosy gite and excellent ‘Welcome Basket’. The day out with the Citroen DS was wonderful, and a head turner where ever we went. Admired by French, Germans and Brits alike” Dick & Anne – June/July 2010
“Great hol, classic car fun, must try the DS next trip” Bertie, Emma & MG – June/July 2010
“Thanks for a great time – sorry about the window – and the table! See you next year! Rob & Claire – June/July 2010
“Another fabulous stay, quiet, relaxing, beautiful weather. Top tip – lovely drive to Cognac on the D19. Thanks John and Abi for a wonderful time” Francis, Micheline & Miranda – July 2010
“Thank you Abi and John. We’ve had a fabulous time in Vanzay, perfect setting for our son’s wedding. You are warm, welcoming and generous hosts. We’ll be back. xxx” Elizabeth, Angel, Philippe, Olivier and Alex (London) & Ewa & Voytek (Los Angeles) – August 2010
“Thank you for a fantastic stay. It was a wonderful trip! Peace, calm, beauty, great hosts. Thank you again.” Mary and Mike, Los Angeles – August 2010
“Fantastic holiday! We had a wonderfully chilled out time in beautiful surroundings and the gite was everything we could have wished for. Thanks to Abi and John for making us so welcome, and the cats, if Eddie has been cat napped he may have gone the the UK with me! Thanks again.” Sue and Russ August 2010
“Thank you for a pleasant couple of weeks. From Abi’s initial welcome to the “fond farewell”, hosts have been most accommodating. The gite had everything (incl. true “calme”) and the stay was very restful. Highlights of the visit included La Vallee des Singes (great for children & adults alike), the Medieval City at Chauvingy, the Marais Poitevin and Poitiers (unfortunately did not make it to the Ile de Re or Angouleme). It was great to meet parents and friends. Good luck in all your future projects.” Greta and Roger (Norfolk) September 2010
“Another wonderful holiday – shame only 1 week this time. Perfect for relaxing on the new decking. Glad to see the owls again. See you again, thanks.” Gill and Paul September 2010
“Abi and John, feel very bad that we are away too early to say a proper goodbye and thank you. We’ve really enjoyed our 2 weeks here and will be recommending the cottage and area to friends. Many thanks.” Hannah, Mark and Emma September 2010
“Thank you so much for a wonderfully relaxing week. We have loved it here.” Emily, Darren and Patsy October 2010
“John & Abi – thank you both for making our stay even more enjoyable.” Jill, Angela and Bill April 2011
“Thanks so much for a wonderful stay. Lovely area and beautiful home. Can’t wait to come back!!” Pete and Kathleen April 2011
“Thanks for a fab week! The DS est une vrais DEESSE! Unforgettable 50th! Wonderful, chilling break – we needed the peace & tranquility – excellent hospitality and loved my nightly owl watch from the bedroom window!” Richard, Alison, Rob & Ruth April 2011
“Had a wonderful time, never had such good weather before. Nice to meet a fellow car fanatic. Hope you get some rain!” Russell and Audrey May 2011
“Just had a fabulous week in La Petite Maison, very comfortable indeed.
Made even better by friendly hosts, Abi and John and the suprise completion of the pool-wasn’t even ‘on the horizon’ when we booked-so a big plus… A very peaceful and relaxing place to stay, happy memories…
Thanks guys…” Alan et al… May 2011
“Great holiday. Loved all the sights especially the Ile de Re, Marais Poitevin and all the markets. Have enjoyed the accommodation very much. Abi & John have been wonderful in all our needs. Will certainly tell all our friends about this restful and quiet village.” Beryl & Alan, Hilda & Rodney June 2011
“Thanks! Hope to see you again sometime!” Adrian & Mark June 2011
“Had a wonderful stay. Hospitality was excellent. Thank you for making our stay so enjoyable.” Cyndy & Stephen July 2011
“What a wonderful place for this birthday celebration! You have well accommodated all 16 noisy celebrants!” Anna & Robin July 2011
“Thank you. We’ve loved staying here, listening to Beatle music, admiring the architecture of the beams and reading Lord of the Flies” Pauline & Colin July 2011
“What a great place for a 70th birthday party. I’ll never forget it. Just perfect in every way. Thank u so much A & J. We loved your cars too.” Sue & Kevin July 2011
It didn’t take us long to return, after our first visit in February! This time we had the added pleasure of knowing exactly where we were going, and that we’d receive a warm welcome from John and Abi, when we arrived.
We were busy house hunting in the area, which can be quite stressful and certainly tiring; so the knowledge that we were going to be able to relax each evening in the gite was the perfect antidote.
As I have an interest in classic cars (owning one or two myself), it’s an added pleasure to see John’s MK2 Jaguar and, of course, the Citroen DS’s; and it’s great to see that he’s started to take bookings to hire these archetypal french cars. I can’t think of a better way to waft along quiet French roads – a great combination of style and comfort.
So, if you want to make your stay at La Ferme de l’Eglise even better, consider hiring one of John’s cars for the day.
Paul & Clare Leek
Hi Paul and Clare,
Thank you for taking the time to write, it was great seeing you both again, and we plan on taking friends and family to the Café de la Poste in Couhé, that was a fantastic find! 10 euros for a three course lunch, what more can one ask!
Hope to see you both out here in the not too distant future.
Abi & John
Hi John & Abi,
We made it home to Exeter last night and just wanted to thank you again for a truly relaxing and memorable stay in Le Grange. We really enjoyed meeting you both, chatting over a couple of glasses of wine and fine food. Your knowledge of the area and pointers about where to go and what to do were invaluable. You really are ideally located in the centre of lots of areas and we still can’t believe we managed to visit so many different places.
Of course as we booked through Welcome Cottages the classic cars were a great surprise and we will always remember the drives in the Mark 2 Jag and the black DS – as Simon said it felt like the first day of our holiday rather than the last!
You’ll be pleased to know we timed the return journey to Roscoff just about right, arriving about 45mins before the check in deadline. We ran into long tailbacks at Nantes, due to an accident and sat in traffic for about 40mins.
Needless to say we’ve arrived back completely envious of the life you’ve created in Vanzay, and who knows what it may encourage us to do in a few years time…needless to say we’ll follow your blogs with interest.
Thank you once again,
Katherine & Simon
Hi Katherine & Simon,
Good to hear that you made it back! We’re really pleased that you had a good time, it was a pleasure to meet you both.
You know where we are if you are ever driving past, so feel free to drop in for a glass of something!
Thank you again for the two wisterias, they are planted and I feature them in the blog.
À bientôt!
Abi & John
Dear Abi & John
I can’t believe we forgot to write to thank you both for our holiday last year. Please accept our sincere apologies. We had such a fantastic time and have spoken about it many times since (and recommended it to many friends!).
The gite was perfect; a tranquil location, homely and welcoming. A perfect respite to a busy life and such wonderful hosts!
As to the DS…what can I say. David booked this as a surprise for my birthday as I have always wanted one and it certainly didn’t disappoint!! The day out to Anguoleme with both of you and your friends was one to remember, as was the admiring looks to see three DS’ in convoy!
Thank you again so much – a fantastic and memorable holiday.
Kind regards
Sandra and David
Dear Sandra and David,
How lovely to hear from you! We too remember your visit often, and funnily enough, our friends Pete & Lindi are arriving here today with their Pallas!
Have you seen the video just posted on our facebook page? It was put together by the son of a visitor, who was here a couple of weeks ago, they had booked the DS as a birthday present for him!
http://vimeo.com/23150077
Have you found the DS of your dreams yet?
All the very best, Abi & John