VISITORS BOOK
2007/2008
Read at your leisure how our guests enjoyed there stay!

All are direct copies from the handwritten entries which can be seen in the
Visitors Book at Le Clos des Guyons

VIEW COMMENTS FROM OTHER YEARS

Frederick and John Hester

(Ixelles 1050 Brussels)

Gloria and Jim Van Orsdal

Carmen and Dandy

(United States of America)

Although you didn't see us often as we traversed the Loire Valley visiting the many lovely chateaux and villages, we adored the gite very much. We had everything we could want or need for an even longer stay.  Thank you for 'bailing us out' with condiments the first morning to go with our lovely local baked goods from the boulangerie!

Spectacular  weather, a lovely region and wonderful hospitality.

Nous vous remercions de votre bon accueil

Merci.

This gite has everything you could want , rain or shine and is just the ticket!

We wish you all the best for the coming season and look forward to visiting again.

Thanks we have had a wonderful break.  Your gite is very comfortable, well thought out and well equipped.

We have been lucky with the weather and our visit to the Doué Zoo was excellent as many others have said.  We also enjoyed Montreuil Bellay and our visit to the Chateau.  Jim also enjoyed the visit to the Military Tank Museum at Saumur.  Our visit to the local vineyard with Brian was excellent and we would thoroughly recommend this - the wines are very good and Brian is very good at explaining it all to you.  Thanks again for your hospitality and it was a pleasure to meet you both.

We have had a wonderful time and many thanks for your hospitality. The drinks and nibbles when we arrived was a lovely start to our week here.

Having access to the bicycles has been great fun for us all, although we are a little saddle sore!

We particularly enjoyed the 'Wine Tour and Tasting'.  I think we now have a budding 'Master of Wine' as Joseph keeps talking about 'legs' and bottle weights!

We certainly hope to return some time in the future. 

Pete and Mel Davison
(Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, UK)
 

Just wanted to say thanks for everything over the last few days.

It was great to see France and especially the area where you are living.

The Wine Tasting was quite an experience and we both thoroughly enjoyed it!

It was so nice to see you both again after so long and to catch up with what we have all been doing.

We will be keeping an eye on your website from now on and look forward to hopefully seeing you around September time when the kids are back at school.

Have fun with the renovations. I am sure it will all look great in the end; especially as Brian is in charge!!!

Margaret and Fred Mann
 

(Little Humby, Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK)

Many thanks for a lovely holiday and your warm hospitality - the aperitifs when we arrived were much appreciated.

We were blessed with wall to wall sunshine for most of the week (albeit a bit chilly at times) which enabled us to take advantage of all this beautiful area has to offer.

We particularly enjoyed spending "St Valentines Night" with the locals in the village restaurant here - a great meal, very good value et beaucoup d'ambience!

David and Janet Allen

(Leek, Staffordshire, UK)

Thank you for your excellent service during our stay and for the lovely food and wine on our first night.

We are apparently your final guests of the 2007 Season before you close for a couple of months and we hope you can now go on a well earned round of social visits. Once again, many thanks and we look forward to returning in 2008!

A bientot, Janet and David.

Paul, Julia and Lucy Clarke

(Stoke-on-Trent, UK)

We had a lovely trip to La Rochelle on the coast. Fantastic wine and food again.

A first visit for my new partner Julia and her daughter Lucy. They have enjoyed their visit and are looking forward to returning. Best wishes for the rest of 2007!

Looking forward to a great 2008!

Steve Robertson (Los Angeles, United States of America) and Joelle Choo (Singapore)

Thank you so much for making the start of our vacation such a memorable one ..... the hospitality and attentiveness to everything have been truly unexpected.

Your generosity is much appreciated AND BEYOND our expectations we felt like we were visiting old friends!

We are excited about coming back and can't wait to bring family and friends here. We wish you well and good health.  All our love and prayers to you both.

Sarah and Alan Burnley,
(Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Florida, United States of America)

We have been renting gîtes for many years and this is the best and the best value.  In fact we were initially concerned it was too cheap!!! We loved the village, the food, the wine and all the very friendly people.  Take the 10km. walk through the beautiful countryside, it is worth it!!
We would love to return to Le Puy and this great gîte.

Pat and Bob Semple
(Canada/Leek, Staffordshire, UK)
and
Shirley and John Rainsbury
(Preston, Lancashire, UK)

Another excellent holiday (comme d'habitude)!  Your neighbours supplied excellent wine tastings along with Brian's commentary to add colour and authenticity. Sheila, your care and attention to our various requests made everything happen and heading back now to Leek has come too soon.  Looking forward to seeing you at Christmastime!  Love Pat and Bob.

Sheila and Brian,

Julie and Dale Donovan

(Rushyford, Co Durham, UK)

We've enjoyed touring around the Loire very much. Chinon is well worth a visit and we had a great meal at the Cafe des Arts sitting in the square by the fountain on a sunny afternoon. Fantastic Chateau D'Usse is lovely. The village of Candes St Martin is a hidden gem.  The Langlais Wine Cave Tour is a must.

Le Clos des Guyons offers everything you need for a great holiday. Fantastic accommodation, lovely garden, the perfect hosts.

Lea and Andy Duffy-Kosusko

(Bremerton, Washington,

United States of America)

14/09/07

Aurore Craenhals (Belgium)

You both have been very warm and shown perfect hospitality to us all!

We are thankful for the beautiful sunny weather and the chance to spend a short week of our lives in this perfect corner of the world! 

We will hold this memory of our "9 Year Anniversary Celebration" vacation precious.

Thank you! Lea and Andy Duffy Kosusko (Washington, United States of America)

Thanks for everything! Aurore - Andy and Lea

Et maintenant une Belge
Je n'etais jamais venue dans cette région. Qui et magnifique!  Passer  cette semaine en votre compagnie et celle du soliel a fut trés agréable.  Visites des chateaux, promenade dans les vignes, goûter des norveaux vins, bronzer au bord de la piscene ont été au programme çe fut des vaconces reposontes et trés enrichissant.
Vous étes des hôtes trés accueillents et partagée au BBQ avec vous et Doreen et Geoffrey restera l'un de mes melliers souveniers.

Doreen and Geoffrey Gwyther

(Bolton, Lancashire, UK)

We did manage to get to 'La Licorne' in Fontenvraud for our "Wedding Anniversary Celebration" and it really is a lovely place to eat - you need to book.

The afternoon river trip along the Loire was also interesting and worth while even if to look at Saumur from a different angle!

The new restaurant in the village was good with quality local food.  Of course the BBQ on Thursday evening with our upstairs neighbours was an event to remember!

Brian and Sheila have been wonderful hosts, full of advice on where to go and visit and where to eat. 

We didn't manage to go to the Zoo at Doué this year  which was disappointing but Brian's guided tour around the Winery together with the 'tastings' afterwards plus the bottles we bought will bring back memories  when taking a glass or two or three even, in the weeks to come.

Back to reality next week, will miss Meg's appearances at our door! Great weather all week!

Best Wishes et Bonne Chance!

Nigel and Nicky Donahoe

(Norfolk, UK)

08/09/07

These trips inter-twined with lots of table tennis, cycle rides, the odd chill out by the pool, a few glasses of wine and the unsurpassed hospitality from Brian and Sheila here made for the most enjoyable holiday, even the weather has been kind to us.

I guess we will be back, if only to check on Brian's restauration progress - thanks for a wonderful time!

Nigel and Nicky

Carol and Chris Green

(Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK)

Take care and hope to see you again soon.  Many thanks

Sarah, David, Isaac

and Phoebe Sheffield.

(Ashbourne, Derbyshire)

It has been wonderful exploring a little of the Loire and lots of good food and wine - can't think of a better way to spend a week.  Thanks especially for making us to welcome and we hope to see you next year!

Anytime you are visiting North Staffordshire we will repay the hospitality! (not in quite such a beautiful environment!!!!)  With our best wishes. Sarah, David, Isaac and Phoebe.

Ruth and Stuart Wright

(Twickenham, Middlesex, UK)

A fantastic friendly welcome and support throughout the week as we have eaten and drunk our way around the local area.  We love the village and will have many happy memories.

Wendy and Clive Webb

Roy and Sue Howett

(Auckland, New Zealand)

Kind Regards. Roy, Sue, Wendy and Clive, Auckland, New Zealand.

Louise, Rosie and Andy Jenkins

(Cardiff, Wales)

Fantastic two weeks - thank you very much. Hope we didn't drive you up the wall. We'll be back in 2009.

Carol, Robert and Dan, Foster

(Walsall, Birmingham, UK)

This is our third time and it was still BRILLIANT! We've had a fabulous time .. and it's down to you.

The hosts are still sparkling despite the injuries, the apartment still inviting, the wine as tempting and the poolside a haven to relax in - yet again - SHEER BLISS! In fact, it's so tranquil it is quite difficult to motivate yourself to move although as it's the third visit the pressure for sightseeing is off!

The BBQ, our re-union with old friends and wine tasting  was memorable, the following headache best forgotton - but our very first meal in the village restaurant was a triumph!

Thanks again - it's been fantastic. Until August 2008 and take care!

Lots of Love, Carol, Robert and Dan Foster xxx

PS I never did get to dip in the heated pool! 

Bill and Teresa Mackenzie

(Dursley, Gloucestershire, UK)

We have had a wonderful holiday at Le Clos des Guyons. A splendid setting and a warm welcome. 

We will return if you will accept us!! 

Gerald and Anne Davies

(Chepstow, Monmouthsire, UK)

Highlights include the wine tasting in the village with Brian (obviously) and a visit to the effigies  of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II at Fontenvraud Abbey.

Also relaxed chess with my son and darts with my daughter!

We have already talked of returning with friends next year for a relaxing time cooking and drinking.

NB - I have used the word relaxed several times: Sums it up!

Gaynor, John and Laura Cobb

(Berkshire, UK)

The old cars and motorbikes racing around the village when we arrived were a sight for sore eyes!

We visited several chateaux, Angers, Chinon and its lovely 'old town' also Chenonceaux - a longer trip but well worth it for it splendour and history.

Thanks Brian for the wine tasting. A very interesting tour and explanation of the wine flavours - must spend more time 'savouring' and less time drinking - some hope!

Paul, Faye, Matthew Clarke and

Charlotte.

(Stoke-on-Trent, UK)

A great night out at Saumur for the Fete 'Grande Table de Saumur Champigny' with a wide variety of music and dancing for all to enjoy.

Once again it is a chore to leave and now looking forward to a return visit!

Lynn and Jim Forbes

(Belleville, Ontario,Canada)

We have had a wonderful time. It's hard to leave. Your place is marvellous!  We enjoyed the village wine tour.  A great place for biking! 

Take good care both!

Denis and Karen Robinson

(Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. N.Ireland)

Tell Brian to take care on that scaffolding!

Donalda and Jeff Simmons

(Belleville, Ontario, Canada)

Your enthusiasm and hospitality was a memorable addition to a great holiday.

All the best!

Stephen Hunter

(Belleville, Ontario, Canada)

On my four month 'Tour of France' I have never enjoyed better facilities, location; times ......... and, above all, HOSTS!

You have made my stay fantastic and I know all my friends who visited agree. Hopefully, I can return some day ... and bring my wife Cathy with me this time!

Gemma and Will

(Didsbury, Manchester, UK)

Had a great time on Bastille Night joining in the dancing with the locals in the square and drinking lots of red wine!

The restaurant in Puy Notre Dame is a must, the food was excellent (best créme brulée ever) and its great value at 16,00 Euros for four courses!

The city of Angers is lovely with great shopping. The gardens at Chateau Villandry are stunning also; we drove there alongside the Loire and passed through Montsoreau, Usse, etc., all beautiful villages.

Elizabeth, Steve and Alison Parkes

(Seaford,UK)

Paul, Del, Kathy, Marie, John and David Taylor

(Queensland, Australia)

Have enjoyed exploring neighbouring areas and the castles.

Sarah and Dominic Hollingsworth

(Crewe, Cheshire, UK)

Jenny and Ernie Wells

(Rochester, Kent, UK).

Dawn and Denis
 Denereax

(Victoria, Australia)

Gillian and Mike Kirby

(Surrey, UK)

23/06/07

A week to recommend to our friends.  Best Wishes.

Peter and Sue Bufton

(Adelaide
South Australia)

They were to:-
1. Enjoy the pace, fashion and history of Paris.
2. To spend considerable time in the countryside, the smaller places, to absorb its history, ambiance and "la campagne" itself.
3. To mix with French people and understand their culture as best we could.
 

After a month on the road we arrived at Le Clos des Guyons, to a wonderful welcome, and (to us) the new thing of "aperitifs".  We soon felt, in some small way to be joining in the rhythm and lifestyle of Le Puy Notre Dame.  The morning trips to the boulongerie, then off to the boucherier, the supermarket, the restaurant, bar/tabac and, malheuresement - an amende! (parking fine)
Everyone in the village so friendly and smiling.  Meeting a wonderful family and being very privileged to spend some time with them and another "aperitif", a new custom for us to take back to Australia.  Such a fantastic French family. This will probably be our only trip to France and we are taking back wonderful memories of a place so different to ours.  In the years to come, we will be directing people who wish to see France to Le Puy Notre Dame and to 'Le Clos des Guyons'.

And so, for the future, we wish Sheila and Brian all our very best. We hope that Sheila is able to go from strength to strength and that with Brian's able assistance they are able to cope and carry on with an endeavour they both truly enjoy and are so very capable, and with the flair they demonstrate with such ease. 

With all our best wishes!  Les Australians Fous, Peter and Sue Bufton, Adelaide, South Australia.

Allan & Margaret Thomas
(Birmingham, UK)

M. Mme Jean Jacques Lataillade et Rosa!

(78990 Elancourt, France)

20/05/07

Paul Clarke and Glenis Taylor

(Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire,UK)

Ray and Pam Daniells

(Portsmouth, UK)

06/05/07

Rich and  Louise Tandy

Kath and Ryan Tandy

(New Jersey and New York City, United States of America)

Your charming hospitality has proved to be the piéce de resistance and we are sad to leave here now.   Our best regards to you both until we return some day.  Rich and Louise, NJ, USA.

Thank you for being such wonderful hosts - next time we will stay a month!  All the best for the place. Le Clos des Guyons gave us a rustic feeling that we DON'T get in New York City.  A great week!  Thanks again.   Ryan and Kath, NYC, USA.

Bernard and Jan Lawson,

Morris and Sue

(Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK)

We've been to lots of places but we think we have found the perfect place to unwind and recharge our batteries.  There are lots of beautiful chateaux to visit and we really enjoyed the Zoo at Doué but the best part for us was sharing the warm, friendly French way of life.

Martyn and Beth Elzer

(Richmond, UK)

We've had a wonderful time exploring the region and sampling its delights.  Thank you for all your help and advice, you've been excellent hosts.  The highlights of the trip were the Oriental Gardens at Maulevrier, Cholet, and the conservation Zoo at Doué.  We also went to visit Futuroscope.

(South Africa)

The highlights of our trip was a guided tour in English around Chateau Brissac, the conservation Zoo in Doué, sightseeing around the pretty villages of Montsoreau, Candes St Martin and the lovely timber framed buildings of Chinon.  Our last day spent on Brian and Sheila's bikes around Le Puy Notre Dame on the recommended trails through the vineyards was absolutely heaven!

Bob and Sue Smart

(Lincoln, UK)

Mick and Gill Callaghan,

Pete and Shaz Gresswell

(Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK)

Kind regards.