[Overnight Accom, Near Cherbourg, End Aug]

We have some guests (two families of four, young children) looking for an overnight stop on their way home. The date would be 28th August for one night only, near Cherbourg. Any suggestions (email to avoid advertising hassle!) gratefully received.

Thanks, Jon

[Swimming pool in rented accommodation]

It is the owners of the property who are breaking the law and not you.

Pools have to be protected if the property is rented out, I do not understand how signing a piece of paper will change this. The security measures are designed to stop children from drowning in the swimming pool, not to stop people using the pool. Whether or not you use the pool will not prevent a child having access to the pool.

I would however suggest that anyone expecting you to sign the disclamer does not have a good attitude to letting and therefore it may not be the best place to stay.

Also have you paid for a gite with a pool? In which case you should get a significant discount if the pool cannot be used.

Julia

[Aging Trees]

Does anyone out there have a method for aging trees based on the species and diameter of trunk? Thanks, Jon

[Two Night Stop Between Paris & La Rochelle]

We have gite guests arriving in July who are spending some days in Paris before coming to us. They would like to break their journey for a couple of nights somewhere between Paris and La Rochelle and have asked for some recommendations. They are looking for hotel / B&B accomodation somewhere "interesting". The party is from Norway, and will include small children. Any suggestions of venue would be most welcome. Please e-mail to avoid ban on advertising!
Thanks, Jon

[Two Night Stop Between Paris & La Rochelle]

We have gite guests arriving in July who are spending some days in Paris before coming to us. They would like to break their journey for a couple of nights somewhere between Paris and La Rochelle and have asked for some recommendations. They are looking for hotel / B&B accomodation somewhere "interesting". The party is from Norway, and will include small children. Any suggestions of venue would be most welcome. Please e-mail to avoid ban on advertising!

Thanks, Jon

[Cherry Jam?]

We have 2 large cherry trees and so have tonnes of cherries in season.

We find that cherry jam, made like plum jam, is a little too sweet, and instead use the following recipe for cheery marmalade:

3 kg stoned cherries
2 litre rasberry juice (or substitute red grape juice or mixed berry juice)
1.5 kg sugar

cook as usual, but you do need to reduce the liquid somewhat.

Tastes great with croissant.