"You have succeeded in giving us one of the best holidays we have ever had due entirely to your welcome & never ending consideration of your guests needs & comfort. Bill your gluten-free cooking is a dream!"

   "Merci d votre accueil hyper sympa! La Dordogne est un superbe département riche an couleurs et en sites… Bill est un ‘super chef’… Kevin toujours souriant et qui se met a la portée de tout le monde… Dans mes moments de ‘cafard’ je penserai bien a vous et a toute l’équipe." (de Paris, 2008)

   " The little taste of France that this holiday has given us has only made us thirst for more and what better place to do that than to return to the safe haven of the Chateau"

    "Delicious gluten-free food (Bill you are truly an inspiration!!) has been such a treat, and knowing that everything is “safe” to eat has been a holiday in itself. Coeliac Heaven!! I will look back on this week with pleasure and am already looking forward to the next visit."

   "This holiday has exceeded all our expectations. From the peaceful surroundings of the Chateau to the wonderful, inspired food"

   "Happy to Meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again"

   "We have been in many places all over the world but have rarely felt so welcome"

    ""We cannot thank you enough for our wonderful holiday – we both agree it was the best holiday we have ever had. Beautiful food in the warmest of homes & blessed with wonderful people and the bonus of canine company.

   "Thank you for such a wonderful week. We could never have chosen a more beautiful place to spend our honeymoon and we will never forget it."

   "Our fellow guests have given us heaps of laughs plus those little touches of luxury have made Villars a special place. Thank you both for your patience and kindness and for giving this family a little corner of heaven to recharge."

   "In the rhythm of life governed by church bells & times to eat – with the anticipation of lovely food, we have found rest & relaxation for our souls. This place has a tranquility & peace that is refreshing. May God bless the creators of such a heaven."
(Joan & Frank, 2008)

   "We will return. In fact how can one not return to paradise. Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. We all met as strangers and leave as friends. And the cooking? How could we not mention those gourmet meals. Just wonderful."
(John & Lesley, 2008)

   "Two very special people – you bring sunshine to the lives of the people you touch – such a gift! It’s the second time we’ve stayed with you and the care and effort you have put into making our stay special is greatly appreciated."
(Fiona & Paul, 2008)

    "Vous êtes des gens très humains et pleins d’attentions et de petits soins pour vos invites….nous sommes très heureux d’avoir passe une si belle vacance avec vous." (de Trois Rivières, Québec 2008)

~

Villars – Early Morning

Barry Norris, August 2007

The air is sharp and clean –
and the sounds of morning
cling and accumulate
like calcite drops –
a scrape-throat crow,

the long, lonely bellow
of a hound, a cockerel,
the crunch of gravel.

By the pool, the sun-shades
slump their heavy shoulders.
the trees drip their early dew,
their shadows shivering on the lawn.
flowers, each day brighter,

open their petals and yawn.
and slowly the urgent clocks
forget to tell the time.

The sun slips slower
across the expanding sky.
the hours of each day
fall like tired leaves
into the Trincou and the Dronne,

and the tranquil minutes
trickle slowly to the sea,
irretrievable and gone.

~