What a wonderful time we all had on our week's stay at Le Manoir St Sulpice - D'Excideuil. We are a family of eleven, age ranging from Granny at 71, down to Margot, the youngest, at 3. From the moment the first of us arrived and were shown the house by both Nicholas and Simon, we felt totally welcome and very much at home. Le Manoir is stunning, so much space to feel comfortable in, and every room is so beautifully and thoughtfully decorated and furnished. Every modern convenience is ready for use: the kitchen has generous numbers of devices and helpful machines, and enough cutlery, glasses and crockery to cover all requirements. We all found the beds faultlessly comfortable, and each bedroom having its own modern and well appointed bathroom made such a difference. The hot water was constant- always important where several children and fastidious adults are concerned.
But enough of the huge advantages of the house: outside- an eye watering variety of games awaited : badminton, a football goal, cricket bats and ball, croquet for the less agile and the most attractively set swimming pool, with enough good quality lounges around it for us all. An open fronted loggia beside the pool was a delight. In it a huge fireplace ( logs supplied and replenished every day) gave warmth as we sat at the enormous beautiful oak dining table for relaxed evening cocktails and meals. A barbecue and a plancha gave the men the opportunity to show off their culinary prowess and all the tableware we needed was available there in wall cupboards, above worktops and a sink. A modern loo in one corner meant leaving to go to the house was unnecessary throughout the evening.
Finally, the garden : the rose beds were glorious, the topiary clever, the lavender prolific and the vegetable and fruit gardens Chelsea ready. An unexpected extra gardening guest wandered by on our sight each evening: to the delight of us all - a hedgehog!
We cannot thank Simon and Nicholas too much for providing such a perfect place to stay and enjoy, away from our fast moving everyday lives.Their tolerance and generosity knows no bounds, such kind hosts, such interesting people - we can't wait to visit again.