- Pianello del Lario, Lombardia, Italy
- Aug 3, 2019 - Aug 17, 2019
France - Cognac, 73k, N - House/heated pool
France - Nouvelle-Aquitaine - Cognac, 73k, N
ID : UK67663
Became a member in: 2011
Renewal Date: 20/Jun/2021
23Exchanges
96%Response Rate
We are
- 2
- 0
Contact exchange Member
We're both psychologists. Bob is an academic, a longterm professor at University of Southampton; Sue is a clinical prof, with great experience of working in NHS services for mental health, as well as honorary university appointments.
Now we're both semi-retired, but we keep our hand in very occasionally with some teaching, consultancy and writing work. Although we miss the conference travel - we loved our trips the USA and Australia! - we still get away whenever we can in Europe and further afield.
At home, we love gardening, reading, cooking, and cultural activities. At present, Bob is learning French and Sue is teaching mindfulness.
We're lucky enough to have an annex that's separate from the house that we've listed. This means that if we're not travelling, we can sometimes nevertheless make the house available, and if necessary decamp to the smaller space.
We've always done home exchanges, so we're used to hosting like-minded people: it gives us great satisfaction to hear from guests how much they have enjoyed their visit to our home.
About us
Additional languages spoken
French, German
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Cycling / Mountain Biking,
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Yoga / Meditation,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
University Professors,
Teachers / Education Professionals,
Retirees,
Seniors,
Homemakers,
Medical & Healthcare Professionals,
Civil Service Professionals,
Law Professionals,
Science / Research
MoreLessProfession
Semi-retired - consultant psychologists (Retired)
The heated pool and garden/patio - sun all day!
Garden room - plenty of sofas!
Kitchen with dining area
Well-equipped kitchen with double oven
Kitchen
Sitting room 6m x 5m
Sitting room with woodburner
Sitting room window
Master bedroom
Third bedroom - the bed converts to a double bed
Second bedroom
The garden room at night
Master bedroom en-suite with shower
Second bathroom
Garden room again
View of front garden from the mezzanine in the gar
Our garden - sunset from the pool patio
Dining patio - evening sunshine
A quiet nook in the shade of the walnut tree
Hammocks in the shade for those hot afternoons
- Sleeping capacity6
- Bedrooms3
- Bathrooms3
Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Weekend Home Exchange
Sabbatical Home Exchange
Homesit Offered
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Car Exchange is not offered
We are looking for a home exchange in ...
| Open to all dates | Italy |
| Open to all dates | Corsica, France | Paris, France | Provence, France |
| Open to all dates | Sicily, Italy | Sicily, Italy |
| Open to all dates | L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France | Avignon, France | Bordeaux, France |
Our Home For Exchange
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
Our home is in the heart of rural France, not far from the mighty river Charente, the amazing vineyards of Cognac, the green Venice of the Marais Poitevin, and the great provincial cities of South-West France. There's so much to see and do here, but the house and garden are spectacularly relaxing so it's sometimes hard to drag yourself away! Still, you'll love it, whether you want to be out and about exploring, walking or cycling, or you just want to stretch out round the (heated) pool.
The house was built in 1840 and stands in 2.5 acres of garden which we have developed over the years. The interior has been carefully modernised, and has all the conveniences you would expect, including a modern kitchen, comfortable seating and dining, satellite TV, three shower rooms, and three WCs. Outside, the pool is kept at a comfortable temperature by a heat pump, and there are several places to sit, stretch out, and eat, dotted around the garden.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Second home
Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Balcony / Deck
- Dishwasher
- Clothes Washer
- Clothes Dryer
- Microwave Oven
- Extensive Grounds
- Peaceful Surroundings
- Fireplace
- Privacy / Seclusion
- Garden
- Heating
- Garage
- Parking included
- Private Pool
- Terrace / Patio
Entertainment
- Computer available
- DVD
- Internet access
- TV
- Wireless Internet (WiFi)
Extras
- Use of bicycle(s)
Setting
- Small Town or Village
- Rural
Neighbourhood
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
We live in a rural commune, an hour or so by car from the major cultural centres of Poitiers, Angouleme, and La Rochelle. Cognac, Saintes, Niort and Melle are nearer still, and offer much. The Ile de Re and Ile d'Oleron, major resorts on the sunny west coast of France, offer leisure activities around the sea and the beach, again an hour or so away in the car.
Outdoor Activities
- Biking
- Cultural Events
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Lake
- Public Swimming Pool
- River
Leisure
- Park / Playground
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Park / Playground
Cultural Activities
- Concerts
- Museums
- Popular Monuments
Transport Nearby
- Car Necessary
Neighbourhood Services
- Bakery
- Corner Shop
Attractions
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
Clussais la Pommeraie is a small community with the village shop and bar at its centre. Everybody knows everybody else, and most are on first name terms with the mayor. Slightly further afield, the local towns are full of character; weekly markets, ancient buildings, pavement cafes, and petanque in the dusty squares. You can buy your brandy from the local distiller, and your chèvre from the local farmer. This is rural France at its most tranquil and profound.
You need a car to stay at here but, if you prefer, trains to urban centres are available from Ruffec, about 20 minutes drive. There are some lovely restaurants a short drive away too. But this is great country for cycling - open, rolling countryside with few serious gradients, but something to discover round every corner.
Our favourite restaurants
Cafés & bars
- Le Café du Boulevard, Melle
- Village Cafe, Clussais la Pommeraie
- Le Voyageur, Chef Boutonne
Special places to shop
Leisure and cultural activities
Walks or jogging paths
Interesting day trips
- Angouleme
- La Rochelle
- Poitiers
Our Preferences
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
There are few rules. We ask our guests to keep the pool clean by doing a couple of very straightforward tasks every couple of days, and in dry weather we always appreciate it if they are able to run a hose round some of the more delicate plants. If our very lovable kitten Tabitha is in residence, we ask that you set out food and water for her.
Conditions
- Children Welcome
- Pets Not Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Plant care is needed outdoors
Car Exchange
- Car Exchange is not offered
Home Exchange Type
- Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
- Simultaneous Home Exchange
- Weekend Home Exchange
- Sabbatical Home Exchange
- Homesit Offered
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