Interiors
La Hannetot, a former Pressoir (Cider press) has been refurbished with care and attention to detail, retaining its original features and using appropriate finishes such as stone and wood in new areas. The house has been tastefully furnished with pieces which complement its character and provides a high standard of comfort. It is heavily beamed yet almost all the space in the rooms is accessible. Large windows allow light into the building and of course, it has all modern facilities within its 250m2 accommodation, comprising:
On the Lower Floor:
Spacious entrance hall with oak open plan staircase, large open plan sitting room with 50" tv, DVD player and ipod speakers. English SKY + and Sports package is available, although the signal is intermittent therefore not guaranteed. Also within the open plan area is an open fireplace, a large dining space and a well equipped kitchen area with small breakfast table. French doors in the dining area open to the dining patio/barbecue area.
There is also a WC, small shower room with basin, and laundry room with washer, dryer and access to back garden area with washing line. There is a utility space with a large sink and shelving.
The downstairs rooms are all tiled with rugs in the hall and sitting room and have heavily beamed walls and ceilings and are all full height rooms.
Upstairs:
There is a large galleried landing with sofa bed (suitable for teenager/heavy sleeper!), currently used as a Playstation/kids tv area furnished with a 32" flat plasma screen. Leading on from this, there are two separate wings, comprising in total five bedrooms; 3 doubles, 1 twin plus additional child's bed and 1 further twin with sink. There is a large bathroom with hand shower over and a laundry chute, a shower room and 2 WCs, 1 with sink. A cot is available if requested. It is a UK award winning travel cot and takes babies up to 15kg. Baby bed linen is not provided.
Upstairs has a laminated wood floor throughout, with tiles in the bathroom and 2 WCs. Most of the rooms have beams and sloping ceilings but have good head clearance. The double bedrooms have dorma windows facing the farmhouse. The singles and bathrooms, WCs and shower have Velux windows facing the grazing fields.
The house is not overlooked by anyone.
DOWNSTAIRS IN DETAIL
Sitting Room
Seating for approximately 6 adults with a large open fire. The sitting room has a 50" flat screen TV, a DVD player, a large selection of English DVDs and some ipod speakers. Stylish leather sofas covered with faux fur throws help you to have a comfortable evening of relaxation.
Sitting Room TV
The wall mounted 50" plasma screen with SKY TV Standard UK + Sports package. You can also watch French tv and English DVDs. There are a large selection of DVDs for use as well as lots of board games in the oak cupboard under the tv. NB the SKY signal is intermittent. We lose the signal daily at around 4pm but French terrestrial TV should be available.
Sitting Room Fireplace
The fireplace surround is made of "pierre de truffe" - a local stone - and the grate has been refurbished. Wood is provided for Xmas rents.
Dining Area
A French made oak dining table seats approximately 12 with two oak carver chairs and two table length oak benches. French doors open onto the dining patio. From Spring 2009, a wine fridge is also found in this area.
The Buffet Table
The oak buffet table and wine racks are in a handy position near the main table - a great place to serve local cheeses, patés and cider.
The Kitchen
La Hannetot has a practical, galley style kitchen with a large fridge/small freezer (new in 2010). It also has a dishwasher, single electric oven plus 4 ring gas hob, microwave, toaster, kettle and cupboards stocked with plates and cutlery, including a set for pool use. A wine fridge has also been installed in the dining area (new 2009) so the kitchen fridge is free to take all those lovely goodies you will find at the local supermarket and village markets. A new dishwasher was bought in 2011.
The Breakfast Area
The kitchen table is ideal for small, informal snacks and meals or for a kids-only supper. Seats 4 adults.
On the ground floor there is also a small shower room with sink, separate wc, laundry room with washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing board with iron and access to rear garden with clothes line. There is a utility space with a large sink and shelving.
La Hannetot is centrally heated (oil) and this heating is included in the rental. Linen (bed linen and towel bale of face, hand and bath) per person is available for hire or you are welcome to bring your own.
UPSTAIRS IN DETAIL
The Play Area
Good kids' space, situated at the top of the stairs, with Playstation 2 and 32" plasma screen, Livebox and sofabed possibly for teenage use or heavy sleeper.
Please note the French have a love/hate relationship with Livebox, as do we. It can be erratic and the signal can break down for a simple reason. We then spend hours on the 'phone trying to explain it is not a problem with our computers, but with their service but they are evasive and hours of persistence on our part and visits to France Orange in Pont Audemer is required before they agree. We are searching for an alternative ISP, so for now sadly, and not for want of trying, we cannot guarantee a wireless internet connection. There is a computer with internet in the Cohibar in the village where you can pick up emails in emergency free of charge (2011). But, it is polite to buy a drink and the Cuban bar tender serves great Mohitos. Every cloud has a silver lining?
UPDATE - France Orange agreed to change our Livebox Summer 2011 - So far, with this new box, (touch wood) we have had no connection problems.
Internet Space
The Master Bedroom
The largest bedroom has a King Size bed, a large dressing area and a cosy sleeping area. It has two bedside tables, a lamp, chest of drawers and large vanity mirror. We have recently commissioned some attractive hand-made purpose built wardrobes with a half length mirror behind one door, and various useful sized cupboards and hanging spaces. Opposite the bedroom is a toilet with basin, and a bathroom it shares with the pink bedroom
Detail
Pink Bedroom
A romantic double bedroom with a King Size bed, chest of drawers, vanity mirror, towel rail, chair, bedside table and lamp. Shared WC and shared bathroom opposite. The pink room has a hanging rail for clothes.
Silver Bedroom
A lovely sparkly twin bedded girls' room but can be made-up with boys' bedding if they object! Vanity basin & built-in hanging space. Next to shared toilet and bathroom.
Yellow Bedroom
Another double bedroom with a King Size bed, chest of drawers, chair, towel rail, vanity and full length mirror, bedside table and lamps. Hanging closet and shower room opposite
Shower Room
Opposite the Yellow Bedroom it has been designed in keeping with the period style of the property.
The Yellow Room and the Blue Room are in a separate wing of the house to the Master, Pink and 'Sparkly' room and could provide a degree of privacy for a family.
The Blue Room
A bedroom with two single beds plus a child's bed, a dressing room containing chest of drawers and shelves. Shares shower with Yellow Room.
There is a larger selection of 'boys' toys & books now in the dressing room (Lego, micromachines etc).