THE GROUNDS

Les Preaux stands in 1 hectare of private grounds and is split into various areas.

FISHING LAKE The small fishing lake is fully fenced it is well stocked with carp to 12lbs, tench, bream, roach, goldfish, & pumpkinseed. Fishing is free & tuition is available from an experienced match angler. Fish are easily caught & tackle is widely available for under £10 .All fish must be returned to the water; we do cater for fishing parties & can advise on where to go & licenses req’d. Tame ducks also swim on the lake.

PLAY AREA The fenced play area is entered over a small wooden bridge. The swings / slides are suitable for 9 yrs. and under. Various peddle cars / tractors for the 5 yrs. and under, for the older children & adults we have a table tennis table, badminton / volleyball net, football nets, boules, croquet, Breton pallets; for security reasons all balls, toys and games must remain in this area We also have a selection of bikes to hire (1 with child’s seat); please bring your own safety helmets.

SWIMMING POOL The covered swimming pool is accessed by an attractive floral entrance; heated to 28° between May – sept. It is 7.3m by 3.7m, above ground for children’s safety, with a removable ladder for climbing in / out, allowing bathing in all weathers. Due to the new French regulations it is the responsibility of the hirers to ensure the ladders are removed, after use, from the pool to a specified area. .Spot checks are expected and the fine is a hefty €45000; (Due to these regulations and the dangers of unattended water we cannot allow paddling pools). The owners clean & check the water quality daily and for that reason the pool opens between 09h.00 – 21h.00. Outside are tables, chairs & sun loungers.

THE MENAGERIE We have a selection of small animals housed in buildings or in separate private runs: free range hens & cockerel (eggs can be bought), rabbits, doves, quail, & other occasions there maybe turkeys & a pig; also Rocky, a very friendly rough collie dog. He has his own compound, but is available for walks! & lastly Rica, a sturdy small pony available for short rides under supervision, lead by the owners. Due to our animals guests pets cannot be accepted & also for the hygiene in the gites.

We breed & sell all our own produce & also incubate duck & hen eggs. We are aware some children (and adults) see animals as pets & we do encourage feeding & touching under our supervision. We do not upset anyone & we are very discreet with any disposals. Our fruit & veg is usually in abundance, surplus are given free to our clients.

Our local farmer accepts visits at milking times & tractor rides can be arranged, which is proving more and more popular each year.

OUR SURROUNDINGS is mainly arable land, forests & quiet country roads suitable for cycling& walking with a possibility of seeing wild boar / deer, birds like hoopoe, oriels & buzzard. We have also interesting insects- stick insects, preying mantis, giant grasshoppers, colourful butterflies & glow worm also reptiles- wall lizards green lizards, large toads green tree frogs & salamanders. We can give aid with identification.

Normally the summer is hot 2003 being an exceptional 43° this gives rise to superb sunsets at night & benefiting from being in the countryside with no light pollution allows superb clear starry night skies & clear views of shooting stars & occasionally the northern lights can be seen.

We are situated in an area full of rivers & lakes

The 2 closest lakes are under 5 miles away both over 200 acres in size & full of fish, as expected in France large carp dominate the catches but sport for other fish is prolific, bream, tench, black bass, roach, rudd, pike & others specials like catfish & pumpkinseed.

The rivers of the area are diverse in size & flow & offer all the species found in the lakes, but, are dominated with carp & huge slabs

Local anglers go fishing for the table & only the small & too large are returned to the water or in the case of bream have too many bones for the French palate, hence why many specimens are found as are trout which are introduced for the 2 hour French matches. If here when a match is scheduled please take part as it is so different to what we are used to even a brass band playing at the end of the match

Advice on licences, venues & tactics given freely.