Spring is coming

It's so wonderful to feel the sun again at this time of year. Temperatures are now regularly above 15 degrees during the day, and it truly feels like spring. Of course, the weather can still change suddenly, but for now, it's a joy to be outside. Especially when we see the cranes flying north. It's amazing—you could set your clock by it. Every day between 4 and 5, you can hear them from a distance, and when you look up, you see them flying over in large numbers. We are clearly on their migration route, as this is a yearly spectacle in both autumn and late winter. You can also tell by all the birds singing enthusiastically, and butterflies already flying about and by the first spring flowers that have already appeared.

There is always something being repaired or gardened here, mostly by Herman. It's a never-ending story in a place like this! But it's fun to do and rewarding to see the results. Barcarolle is now winterproof, with a pellet stove and double glazing. Arabella already had a pellet stove, so now we have two rooms that can be kept comfortably warm. And if needed, the other rooms can be heated with electric heaters. In February, we had a few guests who got to try it out, and they were happy with the temperatures. The nights were cold, but the heating worked well. We even managed to play pétanque—with our jackets on! This will be a fun activity in the summer, too. We’re still deciding whether to create an official pétanque court or keep it as a natural playing field with obstacles.

The outdoor kitchen in the grange is also coming along. Just a few finishing touches, and our guests will be able to use it this summer. Of course, we hope that everyone will join us for the table d'hôtes evenings, but this summer, we will only host them five times a week instead of daily. On the other days, guests can explore the local restaurants—we have compiled a great list and can give plenty of recommendations. Or, they can prepare something themselves in the grange. We're curious to see how that will work out!

April can still be chilly, but it could also be surprisingly warm. Let’s hope for good weather because we are expecting guests for a non-naturist yoga retreat, organized by our English-speaking yoga teacher from Maple Tree Yoga, Jo Pratt. There are still a few spots available! The retreat lasts three days, but of course, you can extend your stay into a little vacation. Let us know if you're interested, or you can contact Jo directly.

We already have quite a few bookings for the summer. It feels amazing to receive so much trust from guests returning for the third time! And we’re also welcoming many new guests who are booking early. It’s a shame that we already have to tell some people that certain periods are fully booked—June and July, in particular, are filling up fast. So, if you're considering a stay during those months, check soon to see if we still have availability.

In the meantime, we will continue with our renovations, and Johannetta has some projects in the Netherlands. In May, we’re taking a little holiday ourselves. After that, we hope to (re)welcome you here. See you in a few months!