Quick update.
Friday was the hottest day of the year. 42 degrees as Sophie is loaded into the back of the car. It's also peak French vacation time so the autoroute is busy - as in bumper to bumper busy. After two hours we try to find a service area for a comfort break. The first four we try are so crowded we find ourselves circling the car park looking, unsuccessfully, for a parking spot, Our fifth attempt finds us parking on the side of an area of what might have been, pre heat wave, grass. It serves Sophie's purpose.
There is a God. The hotel we've chosen for the night is near Limoges airport. As we drive through endless suburbs and past the control tower our hearts shrink. No need to worry. The suburbs give way to woodland and fields of corn. Nestled by the side of the road La Chapelle Saint Martin. A place for dog owners travelling through France to enter in their address books. Lawns, lakes and shade from ancient oaks. In the room a letter from the owners welcoming us and our lady dog to the hotel.
Dinner at the outside bistro, Sophie under the table, nose twitching with delight. She ignores a well behaved German couples Schnauzer and a Belgian Labrador that is clearly taken with this long haired beauty.Overnight we all enjoy air conditioning that despite the torrid heat manages to maintain a cooling 23 degrees in the garden level bedroom. This morning freshly baked croissants outside on the breakfast terrace. Sophie thinks they're to die for. The family diva is quite simply in heaven. The stress of moving replaced by the joy of new sights and scents. You can see her absorbing this fresh and unexplored world. She quickly learns the quickest way from the room to the kitchen . Before we head off there will be an hours walk to the lakes before returning to the room for a quick pre journey napette. Dog owners this place is a 10/10.
Will tonights hotel choice be as dog friendly ?
19 comments:
Sophie, would a well travelled cat like it there too? xxx Mr T
Sounds an excellent first choice. May your journey continue to delight with other hidden gems.
I was worried that the massive fire on the coast would mean heavy traffic but you seem to have missed it... Lovely woods and pond and a welcoming hotel. My goodness, it looks a bit like the tiny village in France profound. Continued safe travels. Wishing you cooler weather.
Lizzie
YES! A good start and the Diva is doing well. Sigh. XXX
Hari OM
Glorious!!! YAM xx
The adventure has begun and it is wonderful that you arrived at such a welcoming hotel.
The perfect place made better by air conditioning
I would say that both dog and owners needed a 5-star respite after the events of the last several weeks.
All our continued best to you all for safe travels and continued 10/10 accommodations.
A welcome surprise after a difficult day. In one of our many moves, we left Washington DC, after a year there, and drove south on a 43 degree day. Sadly, we had opted for no air in our car, purchased in cool northern California....
So glad Sophie is traveling well. When we traveled with Jake I would have to hand feed him as he was sure his usual bowl was not his bowl. Just Harry, however, would hop up on the bed and ask, so, what's next? And how deserving that your hotel provided all one could ask for after your extreme efforts of the last few weeks. Ear chocks to the lady and continuing God speed to you both.
Perfect first choice!
Wonderful first night away! And morning croissants. Almost but not quite like home. A change in a big way.
We were very pleased to see the bonus post from this morning.
I found it interesting how quickly Sophie has transitioned with her family to the next adventure.
I am also certain that the Villagers will awaken today with a huge sense of loss.
Onward, happy journey, God speed.
JoAnn in Maryland
Smiles all round!
x
Air conditioning, YAY! What a lovely property. Safe travels.
An inspired choice of hotel, may the following stops be equally successful. I’m glad Sophie could find her way to the kitchen - a girl needs sustenance after all!
Safe travels.
Now Sophie has experienced what 5-star hotels are like (and a road trip with her loved ones) she will not want to be sent to k-e-n-n-e-l-s ever again!
Nobby hopes for a future trip to France and La Chapelle Saint Martin is duly noted.
Wonderful and duly noted!
x
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