Guest Comment

Helen Skelton, Richie Myler, Ernie (2) & Louis (5 months) – 2017

20 Nov 17
RaziaCol
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Fantastic place, fantastic people, fantastic experience. Every detail and need thought of. Every eventuality catered for. Our time here has been way more than a holiday. Thank you for your expertise and warmth. Look forward to seeing you again

You could easily be wowed by the warm as a bath pool, the fine food or the grand home and views but in truth it’s the people that make Artagnan truly special.

Soon I will revisit the emotional and logistical chaos of the last few weeks that saw us arrive at the door of this fine French home mildly hungover, after an emotional goodbye to friends, and with our underwear and crockery falling out of the car as we opened the doors. But right now I am too content, relaxed and full to talk about anything other than the positive experience we have had here.
It’s hard to fully portray the effort and energy that has gone into making this a relaxing holiday for parents in one blog. Every detail from bath toys, cupboard locks, play pens and toys is in place to distract children and reassure parents. Even the pantry is stocked full of wet wipes, calpol and cutlery for toddlers. My two year old wasn’t even interested in the mountain of tractors he was too interested in feeding the chickens and tormenting the sheep. Travel cots and play pens were strategically placed so my 6 month old could be safely with us when playing outside and in the pool.
On our first night we accepted an invitation to have a drink with the owners Razia, Tim and their son George, who was terrorised by my two year old until the teenager had to retire to bed for a rest. The cheese was good, the trout tasty, the foie gras surprisingly edible and the wine even better. My eldest could get where water couldn’t. He is an escape artist but here he is fenced in by animals and fields of sunflowers, slides and a lily pond (behind a fence). The garden is extensive and safe. Which meant we could relax. My husband and I actually ate, drank and talked to each other.
We thought it was just a pleasant evening but in truth it served as the ice breaker that meant my two year old, the child who has never had a baby sitter and screamed so much at a creche he and I were both asked to leave, actually ran out of the door the following day to play with Tim and Razia. They looked after the children for two hours, singing, baking and playing with them. We felt guilty for handing them over on our family holiday, …… Listen to me trying to justify it! We felt guilty for five minutes, then we actually talked, and drank our coffee hot! We haven’t been on our own for months, we have no babysitters or family on hand in France, we share our bed every night with the children, we go everywhere with the kids and it was nice to have two hours to do whatever we wanted. I forgot I quite like his company. Granted we sat in the garden meters from them and able to hear them most of the time, we could even see them. But that’s not the point. They went somewhere without us and they were fine! They loved it.
When they came back we were even keener to play dinosaurs than when they left. Recharged. That’s how we will feel leaving this place. A few days of family time, playing in the garden and the pool until bed time. Using the local cook who provided meals, reading seven books to the children because we have no time pressure to be anywhere. Making precious memories before in the blink of an eye they turn into teenagers who don’t want to talk to me.
Full marks and appreciation to the Coleman family who have turned their home into luxurious haven. Thanks for having us.