Les Écureuils
There are electric heaters in the main rooms which can be used in addition to, or instead of, the wood-burning stove.
There is a high chair and a stair gate and a small collection of children’s books
A traditional half glazed door leads from the living room onto the large covered patio where there is patio furniture and a barbecue. The patio attracts the morning sun and is a special place for an early summer breakfast - listen to the bird song and, if you are lucky, catch a glimpse of our red squirrel (a very shy visitor to the garden). Steps go up to the large woodland garden which is shaded by a huge oak tree and surrounded by hedges. The garden is perfect on a hot summer's day if, like us, you prefer the shade - just the place to read a book or listen to the sounds of the countryside. If you prefer the afternoon sunshine, there is a picnic table in the front of the house where you can catch the full sun.
The house is set a long way back from the lane which winds through the village (there is another garden between us and the lane) and apart from an occasional tractor there is very little local traffic.
Tucked in the back corner of the garden is a shed where you will find four mountain bikes which you are welcome to use.
The cottage is deep in the countryside and inevitably some of the local wildlife finds its way inside. We occasionally find mice, so if you are terrified of them, this is not the holiday destination for you!
There are some hazards for very young children including the open tread staircase and lack of fireguard on the wood burning stove. Also, it is impossible to put a stair gate at the bottom of the stairs.
Les Écureuils (The Squirrels) is a traditional Breton stone cottage situated in a small hamlet between Ploermel and Josselin, about ten minutes by car from each town. The stone walls are thick and, in the local tradition, the windows are small giving the interior of the house a cool mellow atmosphere in the summer. The pretty windows and deep window sills are a feature of the cottage.
Downstairs is open plan - a large beamed living room with a huge granite fireplace and a wood-burning stove which heats radiators in the living room and bedrooms. The room has a tiled floor and is furnished with dining table and chairs, easy chairs, double futon (4’6”), china cupboard and bureau. There is no TV, but there is wireless broadband access and a telephone (shared with Les Hiboux next door).
The well equipped kitchen area was completely re-fitted in April 2010 and has a sink, fridge (with freezing compartment), dishwasher, cooker (with gas oven, hob and electric grill), microwave and washing machine. The cupboards and work surfaces are also new.
The ground floor shower room has also been refurbished and has new shower, basin, toilet and tiled walls and floor. Upstairs a completely new bathroom was fitted in April 2010 and has a bath with shower, basin, and toilet .
An attractive open staircase with polished wood steps leads to a large upstairs landing with wardrobe and a well stocked bookcase. The first bedroom has a double (4’6”) bed, wardrobe, dressing table and chest of drawers. The second bedroom has one single and one double (4’6”) bed plus a chest of drawers. All the beds have pillows and duvets. There are spare pillows and blankets for the futon and pillows and duvets for two folding beds which are stored on the landing.
