I wouldn't make a very good estate agent. It's not that I don't know the lingo. After half a dozen series of Location, Location, Location and Property Ladder, I reckon I've got that covered. However, there's no escaping the fact I have a slightly strange way of assessing properties.
Take New Year for example. We were lucky enough to be invited to our friends' chateau in France where we had such a spectacularly good time it was actually worth the 28 hours travelling in a car with three young children (on that subject, I can heartily recommend portable DVD players and a huge stack of Dora the Explorer episodes - not only will it keep them quiet, they may also learn a new language).
One day I took my now Spanish-speaking son for a walk in their garden. In estate agent terms I should have returned waxing lyrical about their architect-designed pool house, impressive courtyard or horses with paddock, but no, I stumble back into the kitchen and say "Ohhh, I love your fallen tree".
So, OK, it might not be listed in the house's particulars, but the wind blown walnut tree, fashioned into a children's climbing area was a gorgeous sight - and so much more appealing than standard play equipment. I was told that the plan is to add a new feature each year - very much as President Mitterrand did for Paris. So far there is a hammock, steps, platform and adjoining climbing log. If I'm honest I'm not sure they were playing at the top of their game when they added the cast-off plastic pool ladder, but I'm sure some of 'Les Grands Projets" were less than successful too.
Best of all, the plant still thrives and produces a crop of walnuts annually.
Come to think of it, maybe there is an estate agent angle to this after all...
"Additional accommodation to the west of the property offers open plan living on two levels with spectacular views and the opportunity to extend." Fantástico! ¿No concuerda usted?
I have never come across Dora the Explorer before but have now clicked on your link and discovered that she has one of those voices that make you want to gargle with a great deal of flaming Sambucca. When my children were younger it was the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine that had the same effect on me.
There is an ancient rhyme “An estate agent, a dog and a walnut tree: The more you beat them the better they’ll be”. Or something similar anyway.
I am heartened that you have friends with Chateaux. Hopefully you also have Italian friends with Palazzos and Germans in possession of fine Schlosses.
Posted by: JamesA-S | January 05, 2010 at 02:45 PM
James - Admittedly Dora grates - but marginally less than three whingeing kids. And yes, I only befriend people after I've checked out the accommodation and acreage on Google Earth - that's normal isn't it?
Posted by: Dawn/LittleGreenFingers | January 05, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Gorgeous tree but I sgree re the blue ladder. It must be lovely when the leaves are on it - makes you wish you were a kid again
Posted by: Helen | January 05, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Love the walnut tree and I also like the idea of adding to it every year. I like play areas generally and I think I shall have to take more seriously my half formed idea of getting my other half to build a play house on stilts. Wanders off to find pen and paper...
Posted by: elizabethm | January 05, 2010 at 08:00 PM
Happy New Year!
Good luck with the Dorset Cereals awards - I reached the heady heights of second one month. Perhaps I should have advertised the fact I was after it on my blog, but then a lifetboatman blogger won it and I suspect nothing stood a chance against him - I voted for him myself after all :O
Posted by: VP | January 05, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Hello Dawnie. As owner of the walnut tree in question (or at least part of it) thanks you for your kind comments. You're right about the old pool ladder. On reflection it was a mistake to add it but, now that we have, it's difficult to remove. It provides an additional and well-liked access route to the main platform. It's also the fire escape.
Of course, some of your readers may fancy visiting the tree house in person. They could do that by visiting www.leschapelles.com and making a booking..!
Lovely job.
Posted by: Mark | January 06, 2010 at 07:26 AM
Helen - I was actually there in the summer when the leaves were on and completely failed to noitice the tree house - so v. effective camouflage
Elizabeth - do it! ALso, it may be the only thing accessible at your place soon if this snow continues.
VP - You're right - nothing trumps a lifeboatman - that's just unfair!
Pinny - Please forgive all criticism of the steps, but given that everything else about the property and grounds is perfect, I felt like Craig Revel Horwood, desperate for a reason not to give a perfect 10!
And please people, do visit if you can - the gites, I can tell you from personal experience are the best we've ever stayed in - links above.
Posted by: Dawn/LittleGreenFingers | January 06, 2010 at 09:37 AM
28 hours? It only took us 26 to Ile de Re last summer. Never again! (ask me again in July)
The walnut tree is absolutely gorgeous. I might contact the owner and buy it, convert it into flats and go into buy-to-let. I was looking for a new career anyway. Problem solved.
Posted by: Metropolitan Mum | January 06, 2010 at 04:31 PM
How lovely, and what a great idea to add to it every year. Great to get a crop off it each year too.
Posted by: Jo | January 06, 2010 at 07:10 PM
Huge thanks! Yes, my thoughts exactly. Actually his godmother has offered a £100 bribe too! But I suspect it is all hopeless.... *rueful shrug*.
This blog is fabulous!!! Shall definitely return...am a huge believer in this malarkey.
Have you come across Wildwise btw?
jx
Posted by: Jane Alexander | January 07, 2010 at 11:55 AM