Guest book

Over the years our guests have written extensively
in our guest book, one of the best reads at the Barn!
We have selected a few that you may find interesting.

Peggy, Jenny, Judy and John - June 2001
Mary and Cliff - July 2001
Family Hurault Livre/Clongean - August 2002
Family Panier, Laval and Family Brutin, Angers
Famille Maroc/Farkas Jonceye
Jennifer and Ron - South Wales - Sept 2002
Sam and Janet - Vancouver , BC Canada - Oct 2002
Richard and Chris - Marlow, Buckinghamshire - June - July 2003
Carolyn and Stephen - Glasgow - July 2003
Michael, Bernie, Thomas, Katie and Frances Rose - Glasgow - July 2003
Brian, Cath, Alex and Andrew - Mellor, Lancashire - August 2003
Famille Woolel, Alsace - August 2003
David, Gateshead; Tobias, Hamburg; Stu and Graeme; Simon, Newcastle - May - June 2004
Trevor and Vicky - L. Derry, Ireland - Sep 2004
Famille Cavailles - February 2005
Judy and Peter - Beverly, East Yorkshire - April/May 2005
Famille Poza, San Sebastian, Spain - July 2005
Joergensen, Suldrup, Denmark - July 2005
Famille Le Baron - August 2005
Chris, Nick (14), Gitta, Nats (13) - Oxfordshire - August/September 2005
The Fosters and the Hills - Lincolnshire - September 2005

 

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“Have spent another lovely week here. Enjoyed the sunshine at the beginning and end of the week. Had plenty of rain in between. Celebrated Jubilee Day with a bottle of champagne and a barbeque. Went down to the coast, COLLIOURE, just as lovely without sun. Visited EUS and CASTELNOU, both delightful villages, also ST LAURENT DE CERDAGNE to see espadrille sandals and the Catalan fabric. Return journey 4.30 Friday pm, laden with a wardrobe and plants (much to John’s amazement)”.

Peggy, Jenny, Judy and John
June 2001

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“Arrived from Sussex in the UK to this lovely friendly little village of Olette. Enjoyed our stay at The Barn enormously, especially relaxing with a nice bottle of wine up on the terrace. Visited lots of lovely places and loved the coastline, in particular COLLIOURE and ST CYPRIEN – lovely restaurants. Also drove down to BARCELONA, only took about 2.5 hours, stayed overnight. Popped up to ANDORRA for some shopping. Lovely place to eat in the village of EUS on the road to PRADES. Thanks also to Sali for her kindness and attention”.

Mary and Cliff
July 2001

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We have spent two weeks in this house and have had some very good times.  We two grownups and the four children have very much appreciated this region of Pyrenees Orientales which we did not know at all before.  There is something for every taste.
First of all, walks in the mountains (as much as we could manage!), the ravishing villages of Evol, Mantet and Py, the unique site of St Martin De Canigou…  The children adored the lovely warm water of St Thomas Les Bains and the Little Yellow Train, which took us to Font Romeu.
The sea wasn’t too far away, the children insisted that we go there; a shame that there were so many people at Collioure (take the navette, it’s very practical!)
Without forgetting the more sportive moments like the attempt at canyoning (ask for Pascal at Mr Rollot in Prades)
We would love to start such a varied holiday all over again.  A big thanks to Sali for her welcome and her kindness. 

Family Hurault Livre/Clongean
August 2002

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Having arrived from the Loire Valley we have spent two very pleasant weeks in this very beautiful region.  We are very pleased to have found accommodation of such exceptional quality that has been able to satisfy our every need.  The little courtyard has allowed us to take our meals outside round the barbeque every day.  We would like to thank the shopkeepers, the people of Olette and its neighbourhood and in particular Sali who, in spite of her personal problems has always done as much as she could to keep us satisfied.

Family Panier, Laval and Family Brutin, Angers

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We have spent a very pleasant week full of surprises.  We have discovered marvels of nature as well as many beautiful mountains and rivers.  The Gorges of Caranca are magnificent.  We have been warmly welcomed in a splendid ‘gite’ where all has been perfection itself.  And I will never forget being able to rediscover my little brother who lives here with his family.  I thank Sali (and Dawn) very much for having allowed us to stay here so I could see my little brother again, who I love so much.  Take care of this beautiful nature and of all the surrounding countryside.

Famille Maroc/Farkas Jonceye

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“We felt as though we are about to be leaving ‘home’. Just spent two weeks in Olette, it’s all so delightful, walks, scenery, sight seeing, pleasant food and so wonderfully peaceful. Now heading back to roads choked with traffic and the stress that is all part of ‘another life’. Will stay in touch with Sali, she’s been so helpful. Looking forward to our return visits and hopefully permanent stay in France. Best holiday we’ve had for some years.”

Best Regards
Jennifer and Ron
South Wales
Sept 2002

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“Decided on a late holiday in our favourite part of France. The weather so far has been formidable. Love the house. Lots of space and very well equipped. We spent almost two weeks exploring the area, lots of lovely hikes around VERNET LES BAINS. CASCADES DES ANGLAIS, ABBE DE ST MARTIN DE CANIGOU, TOUR DE GOA, CANIGOU of course. Also explored EVOL and THUIR EVOL. Took the train to MONT LOUIS, hiked the trails around FONT ROMEU and the beautiful lake at BOUILLOUSES. So many places to explore. The days were mainly hot and sunny, evenings cosy with the fire. Didn’t miss the tele at all!! Had dinner LA FONTAINE, very good. Market fare is wonderful”.

Sam and Janet
Vancouver , BC Canada
Oct 2002

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“This is our third trip to the area, but our first to this house. Having experienced in 2000 the worst local weather on record (8am temperature 9C) we ran into a real heat wave this time. One restaurant even offered a ‘Menu Canicule’ (heat wave menu) thinking that steak tartare is just the thing when the shade temperature tops 37C. The house is super. The rather eccentric layout adds to the fun, and we found every possible thing provided for our comfort. We travelled a fair bit, conclusions below:
BARCELONA : fascinating city, about 2.5 hours to the outskirts, up to an hour to find the middle. Quicker on return. Due to the heat we did not stay the night, but we will be back.
PERPIGNAN: about an hour. The old city is interesting with medieval streets, and a good selection of restaurants.
CERET: About 1.5 hours, super Saturday am market, but beware it packs up at 12.30 sharp.
CANET-PLAGE: Good bucket and spade beach. Plenty of restaurants. Otherwise dull.
ROSES (Spain): super resort type beach.
COLLIOURE: Superb village, much grown and parking very difficult.
PORT VENDRES: nearby, superb fish market on quay (ignore ‘No Entry’ signs) degustation 12 – 12.30ish and 4.30 – 6ish but be on time!
LE PERTHUS: Odd wild west frontier town – petrol much cheaper 2 miles down the road in Spain.
PUIG CERDA : Everything Le Perthus isn't. Kennedy Bar Restaurant good and friendly.
TRAIN JAUNE: is a must day out. (About £35 for two all the way and back) but beware LATOUR DE CAROL is 1.5km from the station and has nothing to offer except the okay’ish station restaurant. The open carriage only takes 48, so if you want a seat in season be early at both ends of the trip. It is probably worth starting from VILLEFRANCHE, especially in season, to get a seat.
OLETTE: the locals are friendly, and the hotel restaurant is reasonable value. I have no idea why the church clock strikes the hour twice, once about five minutes early. Your guide and helper is the amazing Sali (rhymes with Charlie, not Sally) She has lived here for some time and is eager to ensure that everything goes smoothly. She is also a good source of local gossip. It was a real pleasure to meet her, and the other ex pat locals. She has been known to accept a well timed offer of un petit verre.

Odds and Ends:

• Every building and feature is a 45 ° climb from every other. The locals are of short stature because they wear down that way.
• There is no peak so rugged and inaccessible that somebody won't have popped a chapel on top of it.
• The view from EUS is stunning.
• If you go to ANDORRA ask Sali the way via Spain. The French are too proud to signpost a route through a foreign country.
• ANDORRA LA VIELLA is like a steeper version of Brent Cross shopping centre. Charmless but cheap.
• There are cheap, low-hassle emporia near the border inside ANDORRA.

Richard and Chris
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
June - July 2003

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"The Bizzie Lizzie Barn is beautiful. Very impressed by the amount of work that has been done on it. Have had a very enjoyable, relaxing stay here. Enjoyed the fresh mountain air, sitting out on the terrace at night watching and listening to the birds. This is our first visit to Roussillon and we would definitely come back to this area (and the Barn!) again. The heat wave mentioned by the previous visitors continued into our visit, with evening temperatures in the high 30s towards the end of the first week, cooling down to high 20s from 16th onwards.

Highlights of visit:

• CERET : visited on Saturday 12th July, just as the Feria (annual festival with running of the bulls, etc) was getting into full swing. The locals were really going for it, with the centre of the town closed to traffic and parties on the street, etc. Also excellent Roaul Dufy exhibition at the Musee D’Art Modene.
• PORT VENDRES : a proper fishing port. Had an excellent meal here with moules, crevettes, gambas and crabes.
• COLLIOURE : Enjoyed a drink at Les Templiers Bar, full of paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Derain, Dufy, etc.
• PRADES : loved the town and the Tuesday am market. Loved the Flan Natur (custard tart) available from supermarkets, etc.
• COL DU JAU : Lovely drive through the exotic spa town of MOLIT LE BAINS and the lovely wee village of MOSSET to this mountain pass at 1,500metres. Spotted eagles soaring up there.

A special mention for Sali and the other villagers for kindly inviting us to the big July 14th celebrations in the village. We went to the laying of the wreaths in the beautiful wee village of EUS, and also OLETTE, had a Catalan style meal in the square with the other visitors (paella with fideos (noodles) – excellent), and dancing in the square. Everyone made us very welcome. We plan to learn the words of the Marseillaise for next time

Carolyn and Stephen
Glasgow
July 2003

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"The Bizzie Lizzie Barn is obviously very popular with people from Glasgow. We have spent an exhilarating week in a fascinating part of France. We all loved the Barn with its charm and idiosyncrasies - the kids were delighted it was so different from a ‘normal house’, and particularly enjoyed having their own fridge to keep treats in. We adults enjoyed the comfort and attention to detail provided. Thanks to Sali for her care and consideration, particularly in getting a high chair for Frances Rose, much appreciated. The village is full of character, we enjoyed sampling the local produce from the boulangerie and boucherie. We enjoyed a good meal in the reassuringly old fashioned La Fontaine.

Our highlights:

• PRADES : excellent market on a Tuesday with loads of tasty stuff to try. Top Tip: don't split up, it'll take hours to find your wife again.
• TRAIN JAURE : Fantastic train ride through amazing scenery. We went as far as FONT ROMEU. Found it difficult to get on at Olette and as everyone says, had to go down to Villefranche. Top tip: Take loads of water and stuff to eat. Also you can go by train to visit the interesting town of Villefrance and leave the car for a day, if you want a rest from driving (roads can be alarming!)
• LA CASCAEDS DES ANGLAIS : A great walk to lovely waterfalls – very popular with Kipling (books not cakes) don’t you know. Top Tip: take swimming costumes and towels to enjoy a refreshing dip in the falls. Thomas loved sliding on his bum down the slipper rocks!
• VERNET LES BAINS : Picturesque old part – close to the Casteil for Animal Park and walk to ST MARTIN DE CANIGOU. Top tip: good outdoor swimming pool.
• LES GRANDES CAMALETTES (great caves at VILLEFRANCHE) the prehistoric ones a bit disappointing (although the kids liked them). Most models appear to have been made in 1975 by Peter Purvis out of toilet tubes and sticky back plastic. FORT LIBERIA is quite fun as well.

Excellent week here – we hope our second week near Ceret will be as enjoyable.

Michael, Bernie, Thomas, Katie and Frances Rose
Glasgow
July 2003

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This is our second visit to Olette and our first visit to this Barn. This is a wonderful base for walking in the Pyrenees and for exploring this region. Some of the things we have done:

• Walk to EVOL, where there is the Ludovic Masse Museum, unflinching novelist of Pyrenean rural life. There is an excellent church only open 3 to 5 Wednesday and Friday. This is a charming ancient village and an easy walk.
• Visit to PRADES market on Tuesday morning. Get there good and early to find somewhere to park (before 8.30 if possible) Excellent fresh and organic produce. NB: Super U in Prades is better than Intermarche except perhaps for the fish counter, which is excellent at Intermarche.
• CERET: in the Tech Valley, has a serious modern art museum with some fantastic permanent exhibits by Picasso, Maillol, Dufy and Herbin and many others. Ceret has a very high Brit count.
• BELESTA DE LA FRONTIERE: Up in the hills to the north of ILLE SUR TET, has a very good restaurant. Family run and very welcoming, with a fantastic view of Canigou. We found this place last year but with some difficulty. However, it is the only restaurant in town (possible not now) It is called Chez Piere and is well worth a visit for those with large appetites. Even Alex and Andrew (15 year old boys growing like weeds) found the quantities quite adequate.
• COLLIOURE and BANYULS: We set off early so as to avoid the well known parking problems at Collioure. We arrived on 26th August at 10.15 but even so the place was heaving and there was nowhere to park. Went on to Banyuls, which is less posh but still very attractive. Parked in a free car park next to the Hotel Elmes and right by the beach. Hotel Elmes does a very good but not cheap lunch. NB: it takes up to 1.5 hours to get to Collioure but the trip is well worth the trouble. Also, we went through THUIR, which is a very attractive town with a winning combination of French and Spanish influences.
• VILLEFRANCE: Charming walled city. Excellent lunch at the Auberge de St Paul, pricey but serious food and excellent service. The place to go for tat in the area - so many tourist trap shops. Avoid the busker with the amplified pan pipes outside the church. From Villefranche there is a 1000 step climb up to Fort Liberia, £5.50 each for the privilege – challenging but well worth the view and a café at the top if needed
• MOSSET: setting for Rosemary Bailey’s ‘Life in a Post Card’. It is a lovely village, classic hill town with a fascinating perfume museum.

Many thanks to Sali for all her help, and to Dawn. We especially appreciate the flexibility of being able to come here mid week and so to avoid the hellish traffic jams on Saturdays in August. We found the Barn very comfortable and well equipped and we’ve very much enjoyed sitting in the shady courtyard in one of the hottest Augusts on record. The grapes have been delicious and the fresh herbs are much appreciated. We have had an outstanding holiday and we have found the local people to be exceptionally friendly and welcoming. On our last visit, staying with friends up the road in Rue de la Liberation we drank tap water before being told that the locals do not, on the whole, drink it. We were all ill and this time we have stuck to mineral water. We hope that all subsequent visitors will have as good an experience here as we have had.

Brian, Cath, Alex and Andrew
Mellor, Lancashire
August 2003

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We have spent a very pleasant stay here in this house.  We did not know the region before, but now we will remember it very well.  We had a busy and sportive programme (Pic De Carlit, Pic de Canigou, the Abbey of St Martin, without forgetting of course the thermal baths at St Thomas, the L’Orry refuge, etc.  In fact we have hardly begun discovering this magnificent and wild region at all.

Famille Woolel, Alsace
August 2003

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I didn’t have the use of a car for half the time I was here, so much of what follows is about how to go on brilliant walks from the door and/or using the bus/train:
Unofficial hot springs; take D28 from FONT PEDROUSE towards PRATS-BALAGUER; at the second hairpin bend that juts out over the valley (X marks the spot on the BLB copy of Map 2249 (Font Romeu) you can park; there is also a JP symbol in red on the rock there. Take path down towards stream (path is occasionally marked in red paint), cross the stream, follow obvious path till you reach a stream that crosses it which is giving off steam and sulphur fumes. There are three or four little pools down the hillside in which you can wallow, plus a pipe which provides a strong jet of hot water for back massage or whatever. Fabulous, amazing views, and hopefully you will get the whole place to yourself, though that might be over optimistic in high season.

Alternatively, especially if you have no car, take bus/train to FONT PEDROUSE and head down to the campsite by the river. After crossing bridge you need to take a path more or less directly up the hillside (i.e. not the well marked path which follows the contours of the valley). This path is very little used, but does have some red markings. After a more or less vertical climb, you emerge onto a spur (fabulous views) and need to continue with the path alongside the steep little valley until you reach the hot springs. Map 2249 might be of some assistance with all this, or might not.

GORGES DE LA CARANCA: if you take the ‘passerelles’ route up the gorge, via ROC DE LA MADRIEN, it is very steep in parts (as well as narrow). But the views are stupendous. After 1.25, 1.5 hours you reach the first of the metal walkways/suspension bridges, etc. The Corniche route is not so up and down and takes less time (about 1 hour to the fun bits of this walk), but there are sheer drops down to the valley floor far below. Not recommended if you get vertigo. The exciting section with suspension bridges, etc takes about half an hour to cover. After the last bridge the path just carries on rising gently (presumably all the way up to the refuge). The gorge is much deeper and more dramatic than I expected – stunning. And I have never seen so many cowslips in my life.

Walk to and around JUJOLS: leave Olette in direct of VILLEFRANCHE then take your life in your hands by walking for about 200m on the N116 till you reach the turn off on the left (D57 towards Jujols). Assuming you haven’t been run over by a coach of tourists on their way to Andorra, and that you are not speeding in an ambulance towards Prades, suffering from multiple injuries, continue up the D57 till you get the chance to take a path off to the left (yellow signpost). This cuts up hill to Jujols, avoiding the necessity of walking up all the hairpin bends on the road. I made it from Olette to Jujols in one hour (just under). But one and a half hours might be more realistic if you have kids or a hangover. A trail marked in yellow begins in Jujols - it is the SENTIER DE DECOUVERTE DE LA RESERVE NATURELLE DE JUJOLS (footpath to discover the Jujols Nature Reserve), and is featured as Walk No. 3 in the booklet, “Rondees en Haut-Conflent” which is here at the Barn. Basically you should just follow the yellow markings, which are clear enough, though beware when the narrow path (having crossed a couple of streams) eventually merges with a wide track. After French guidebook exquisitely calls a “pubescent oak wood”. Don’t carry on the wider track marked “Sentier des Carriers”. After the viewpoint of ROC DE LA CASTE you reach the highest point of the walk and start descending back to Jujols. Bearing in mind that Olette is 600m high and this walk reaches 1200m, it is actually quite a steep climb in places, and maybe the guide book is a bit optimistic in giving it as “Facile”. Or the French are a lot fitter. I took a circuitous route back from Roc de la Caste which involved getting totally lost and ending up at a mountain refuge at 5000ft, but I finally found my way back via EVOL (don’t ask!) It helps if you have a sense of humour as well as a sense of direction.

RESERVE NATURELLE DE MANTET
Walked up from MANTET towards the Spanish border but my faint hearted companions refused to go on as we sunk waist deep into the last of the melting snow at BARAQUE DES ALLEMANDS at 1970m. No lammergeiers were tempted down by our cheese and tomato bocadillos. Carpets of gorgeous crocus vernus at this altitude, speckling the melt water plus one or two other lovely treasures such as the endemic Pyrenean glacier buttercup and the softly hairy almost animal like, pulsatille printainiere at the foot of a juniper, growing exactly as the book says “souvent pres de la neige fondante”, fan-tas-tic.
As you descend, the flora changes, mid altitude clusters of spring gentian, the bluest thing in nature. Gagees (yellow stars of Bethlehem) and fabulously scented mezereon, which seems to grow mostly poking up through a juniper bush, though why it needs this protection when it is deadly poisonous remains to be seen. We also saw the odd pink flower spikes of Corydalis Solida, two or three early snowbells, populage (march marigold) and aconite leaved buttercup in the flushes; the woods were spread with Hepatica Nobilis, which, just like the crocus, seems to come in blue and white flavours. Botanising and bird watching (or admiring the scenery) is a very rare skill as the botanist looks down and the bird watcher up. (True lovers of the countryside must look down, as this is the only way of gauging the health of a semi natural ecosystem). Lecture over! The only birds we saw were (crested) tits and an (alpine) chough. Ha! Ha!
A propos of bird watching, on 27.5 we had the great pleasure of a whole orchestra of nightingales in the dunes south of ST CYPRIEN, beside the mouth of the river Tech in the early evening. In common with the other denizens of the cane-thickets, the light-winged dryads were doing their stuff with full throated ease.

David, Gateshead
Tobias, Hamburg
Stu and Graeme
Simon, Newcastle
May - June 2004

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Arrived after a week travelling in Spanish Catalunya to find the charm, sunshine and good food continued here in French Catalunya! We were warmly welcomed by Sali to the pretty Bizzie Lizzie Barn, which has all the sun, shade, and lounging space you need.
Lovely walks, especially to EVOL, and the PRADES market is a must on Tuesday morning. Only disaster was a trip to CARCASONNE - lovely town – but we optimistically tried a short cut over the foothills. One and a half hours of twisty roads later we were no nearer home. Keep to the main roads or buy a good map! We tried the TRAIN JAUNE, lots of fun but beware still very busy in September and the open carriage was full by Olette. Moreover, the midday train was booked solid leaving us stuck in VILLEFRANCE until the evening. Heading for home now but we will be back!

Trevor and Vicky
L. Derry, Ireland
Sep 2004

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We decided to have a winter sports holiday this year but we hadn’t looked for accommodation until the week before we were due to leave.  In spite of leaving it so late we had the luck to find this very agreeable house.  We have most of all appreciated the first floor full of light during the day and the cosy atmosphere in the sitting room in the evening.

We went to Font Romeu, Bolquere, Pyrenees 2000, Eyne – the last at the suggestion of the village butcher in Olette.  A family ski resort, slopes not too dangerous for the children, magnificent view of the whole mountain range, 45 minutes’ drive from Olette if the roads are clear, nice little railway station.  We would very much like to come back in the Spring to discover all the wild flowers.

Famille Cavailles
February 2005

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Bizzie Lizzie Barn – What a gem!

Having just sold our old stone holiday cottage in the Vegere Valley, we appreciate the hard work and time taken to restore this property (not to mention the TLC). We promised ourselves a holiday in rural France without building maintenance, painting, cleaning, etc, and we certainly found the right place. Peace and tranquillity - to rest, read and recharge our batteries (being both retired now we never have a minute to spare at home!) We arrived here in Olette via D623/D118 Limoux, Quillan, Axat, Mont Louis, a very winding road with stunning scenery.
We ventured over the borders to Spain to buy garden pots and visited the market in Prades on Tuesday. FONT ROMEU is a purpose build ski resort – most facilities closed when we visited (May 3rd) Our favourite spot was COLLIOURE on the coast – seaside with a difference – lots of narrow streets with individual shops - paintings, crafts, etc. We found parking easier by taking the first signposted exit from the N114 – plenty of spaces in the park at the top of the hill. The main town is only a short walk downhill - but remember the climb back is steeply up hill! Many thanks to Sali for all her help and kindness. Our long conversations with her revealed many shared interests. Place and people! We will keep in touch. Merci encore et a bientot.

Judy and Peter
Beverly, East Yorkshire
April/May 2005

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A very pleasant house to stay in, a very good idea to put it on the internet.

We have seen some very marvellous Romanesque churches and Nature in all its savagery but in places which have  been easy to find.  We went to St Martin de Canigou, climbing on foot from Casteil through the woods, superb columns.  Serrabonne is so marvellous that you never get tired of looking at it, St Michel De Cuxa is a bit sad in that it seems lost, robbed, pillaged and too reconstructed.

 We made a tour of the Cathar castles on the way from Mont Louis to Quillan, Paylaurens, Peyrepertuse (by way of the Galamus gorges) and Queribus.  Spectacular scenery especially after Queribus.

 Another day we made a journey into the Alberes passing through Elne and its superb cathedral (don’t miss visiting the ramparts)  St Genis-les-Fontaines (sad tale again of pillaging, of lack of knowledge of our heritage and of the shameful sales of the wealth belonging to us all) and a discovery:  Santa Maria del Villar (Villelongue dels Monts) – a Carolingian temple marvellously restored.  Another example of pillage – of treasures sold and now in New York!

 We had two days of walking in the Nature Reserve of Bouillouses.  The first day from the navette parking to the lake… with the three children six hours with stops.  The second, the walk round the lakes and this we did in three hours without stops, then we had the time to stop and admire the view.  The flowers and insects were spectacular. 

This house is very pleasant, we have eaten our evening meal every day outside on the terrace and also in the morning had great breakfasts there.  Bravo to Sali and Dawn for the house, the guides and the maps all very well arranged.  Thanks for everything.

Famille Poza, San Sebastian, Spain
July 2005

 

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We have had a lot of fun here at Bizzie Lizzie.  Sometimes we have been eating out at restaurants and we took the yellow train up into the mountains and back to Villefranche.  Try to spend a day in Villefranche, it is a pretty town but don’t go into the caves nearby, it is quite boring.  (Go to Les Canalettes caves, magnificent).  Anyway, thanks for a good holiday here at Bizzie Lizzie Barn, Sali and Dawn.  (Hello from Nikolaj 15 years old one year after!)  (Translated on brief visit in August 2006 – staying nearer the coast this year!)

Joergensen, Suldrup, Denmark
July 2005

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Thank you for the very pleasant welcome in your little house full of charm.  The children very much appreciated the little nooks and crannies – the courtyard, terrace, TV corner and the  - wash house!  We have discovered Pyrenees Orientales with all its multiple facets, mountains, valleys, gorges, Cote Vermeille and we will probably come back one day.

Famille Le Baron
August 2005

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The Swallows Fly South…………

Armed with Tesco vouchers/air miles we booked our stay at BLB. Arrived in a Nissan Micra from Barcelona Airport. This proved to be our downfall. NEVERTHELESS – the highlights of our stay were:

PIC DES CANIGOU, starting from the car park at MARAILLES REFUGE (Vernet onwards to Casteil and Col Du Jou. You wait 45 years to see an eagle then eight arrive together!!! Breathtaking views. Fantastic day out, start early. Deserted Cove/Beach at Cap Bear. If you want to go to the sea, COLLIOURE and PORT VENDRES are nice, but why not get a beach to yourselves? Drive to the second lighthouse at Port Vendres - easy, free parking. Walk south on coastal path. Find a nice cove and be the only ones there for the entire afternoon (in August!) P.S. The anchovies like ham and bread from hooks and swim right up to you in shoals. Also enjoyed GORGE DE CARANCA, EVOL and JUJOLS NATURE RESERVE. BLB is extremely comfortable, well equipped and we would love to come again (in a 4x4!!).

Thanks
Chris, Nick (14), Gitta, Nats (13)
Oxfordshire
August/September 2005

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Enjoyed Bizzie Lizzie, well equipped, enjoyed eating in the courtyard and sunbathing on hot afternoons on the terrace. Great fun shopping with our poor French. I think we caused some amusement for the locals. Nice warm welcome from Sali. Enjoyed walks to EVOL and beyond and the drive to JUJOL and the walks up the valley.
VILLEFRANCHE is lovely, PORT VENDRES and COLLIOURE were difficult to park in but ended up on a lovely clean beach with free parking, right behind it at ARGELES PLAGE, LAC DES BOUILLOUSES was lovely but no-one mentioned the herds of horses there. My husband is petrified of them, so I enjoyed protecting him. Even the cows up there tried to muscle in on our picnic!! A couple of showers in the day, and lots of rain at night, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the area. It is an area we will come back to as we didn’t get to see all we hoped - so until then.

The Fosters and the Hills
Lincolnshire
September 2005