Saturday, December 19, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym

This year will be my first Christmas in France at the Brittany holiday cottage with my daughter.

I can't wait to get the decorations out and pick up the tree a friend has kindly picked up for me while I was in the UK working. A local school sold the freshly cut trees to raise money for the school.

There is a wonderful large tree in the garden of La Forge and each year I use a fishing rod to send a weight over the top of the tree to hoist the Christmas tree lights up high. The tree is the first thing anyone sees entering Kerbourbon from Chapel Nerve so its a pleasant welcome into the hamlet.

I expect that straight after the Christmas holiday the enquires for the holiday cottage will come in fast, as families got together over the festive season and talked about holidays for the oncoming season. 2010 will be my 5th season running the cottage and for the last 4 seasons the cottage is fully booked by mid February.

2009 was the best year todate with 19 weeks booked, I'm hoping to book 20 weeks plus for this up coming season.

Looking forward to greeting all the new guest and old returning to the cottage.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym

Had some good work outs over the last couple of weeks within the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage and been out on the bike on a few occassions when the wind has died down.

Currently enjoying eating what ever I fancy and thankfully the weight is not going back on, as long as I remain below 15 1/2 until the new year I'll be happy and the diet begins again with the aim of being around 12 stone for next October.

If any guest staying at La Forge holiday cottage need someone to train with or simply show the ropes Im more than happy to assist

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym

With just over 5 weeks remaining before Christmas the Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym is still available to rent. The normal weekly rate is £549 but if you wish to celebrate Christmas and new year at La Forge then we offer a special 12 night deal starting 22nd December for just £649 ( reduced from £749). The cottage will be decorated for the festive season and a warm log fire awaits your arrival.

We offer special deals throughout the year for La Forge Brittany holiday cottage, keep checking this blog for regular updates.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

keeping chickens at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool

Keeping chickens at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool has been really easy and so enjoyable, the birds are currently away staying at a freinds while I'm away working until my return at the start of December.

My friends have a large garden around 2 acres in size with a chicken run about 30 meters long and 10 meters wide, using an old shed as a coup. They have geese, ducks and chickens so my birds are in great shape, especially Spike being the only cockrel amounst 15 hens.

I have asked them if they are interested in buying my 3 hens and they have agreed, next year Spike will be joined by 2 new hens and a pair of ducks.

Children enjoying there holidays at La Forge Brittany holiday cottage this year really enjoyed the chickens I'm sure the ducks will be a real treat for next year.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym

Its been 4 weeks since hitting the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage and had my first workout today. Took it very easy just doing an ak over upper body workout and some abbs to finish, it felt good being back even thow I felt extremly weak.

Ive spent the last 4 weeks resting and eating what ever Ive fancied and I'm back up to 15st 2lbs which is ok. Now Ive hit the gym, I'll restart the cardio this week and the diet tomorrow....the plan being to compete again next year.

After coming 8th or last on the 10th October I came away feeling very positive, in that I have struggled to loose weight sinse the age of 30 and yet this year thanks to getting really motivated for the competition lost a total of 2 1/2 stone as off todays weight.

The aim now is just to continue loosing a pound per week with the view of competing next October at 12 1/2 stone......here's to the next step of the journey.

Looking forward to buying a leg extension machine for the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage for next season to compleate the gym.

Friday, October 16, 2009

House hunting in France via the Brittany holiday cottage with pool

During the low season you may wish to book the Brittany holiday cottage with pool as a base for house hunting in Brittany, the normal cost per week is £249 but if you book 4 weeks then the cost is just £700.

I know from experience how frustrating house hunting can be, when I came over in 2005 I spent a week driving over 1500 miles to look at 6 properties before selecting La Forge and La Veille Maison. The cost of the trip, including hotels, ferries, food and travel was almost £1700 for my farther and myself.

It could have been a great deal more if I had not fallen in love with La Forge and had to make additional trips.

With that in mind I had an idea to help save people the same expense and heart ache as I came across when driving for over 8 hours to find a property that was nothing like the advertisement from the estate agents or the web site.

I'm not a qualified surveyor but I do have an eye for a property and have decided to promote my services to view properties for the benefit of interested parties. I will go view the property you like, take pictures of every angle and room and give my account of the area and property, saving you time, money and heart ache.

The cost for me to view your potential French dream is £195 any where in Brittany.

If your interested in the service then just send me an email via my website and I'll contact you to discuss.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym

Training came to a close at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym this weekend with the show happening on Saturday.

My target weight was 13st-13 4lbs and no matter how hard I tried the weight did not come off, even loosing 10lbs in the last week, with a show weight of 14st 4lbs.

I knew before the day that the likely hood would be last place and sure enough that was where I finished, however I'm still very positive because for the last 5 years I have failed to loose any weight, sticking at 17st 5lbs, so to loose 3 stone this year I'm thrilled.

Whats next....well the plan is to keep up with the normal diet and loose a pond per week with the aim of hitting 12st 7lbs as a competition weight next year.

I was worried before the show that because of on going injuries my legs would look small, but in fact they were bigger than most, as was my back, I just needed better condition.

Chatting to some of the guys, they compete every year and only stay a stone away from there show weights.

So I'll be back in the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage over the next 12 months and out on the bike with a view of doing so much better in 2010, the bug is back and I'm enjoying the training and the journey to competition day.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym

Well the diet is going very well while trainning in the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage, just eating boiled chicken and drinking bottled water. I'm loosing a pound per day and at 14st 6lbs this morning I think my target of being under 14st will be hit.

Started the self tanning lotion yesterday and looking very brown today.

Off too the public gym tonight in Pontivey for my final leg workout and basically for a pose in front of everyone.....well its not often you look so lean, might as well enjoy it.

Early next year I'm looking to buy a leg extension and leg curl machine to provide a greater range of exercises to be performed at the Brittany holiday cottages gym, I sill have plenty of room for some additional equipment.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym

With just 6 days before the Mike Williams NPA classic, training is at the last stages at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym.

Yesterday I went out for my longest bike ride around 25-30 miles, without any carbs it was really hard work and 5 miles from home I pinched an apple for alittle energy to get me back from a farmers field.

Today I weighed just under 14st 10lbs and tomorrow I start just eating boiled chicken and drinking just water. I will start eating carbs on Thursday and Friday will consume 10 grammes of vitamin C with black coffee which combined act as a natural diuretic.

I have just 2 more workouts left in the Brittany holiday cottage gym and with energy levels at an all time low I'm just looking forward to competition day.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Brittany holiday cottage with pool

Today Spike and the girls left the Brittany holiday cottage with pool for a vacation at a friends while I work. This gives me a few months to re-plant the chicken run. I popped into a garden centre this week and bought a box of Trefle Violet, a plant thats great for animal feed which I intend to sow in the run along with grass seed.

I'm looking to have just 2 hens next season with the idea of having a couple of ducks as well.

Looking forward to keeping some ducks next year and having a variety of eggs in the morning to eat and seeing the reaction of the children staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage with pool

With my girlfriend staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool we decided to have a night fish at Guidel last night.

High tide was at 2 am with a coefficient of just 30 and we started fishing at 8.30 and finished at 3am with 9 small Bass caught, all on ragg worm. I was hoping Eels would be around but alas was just left with catching the small Bass all around 10 - 15 cms in length.

It was a cold night and with 3 layers on our legs and 7 on our upper bodies we remained comfortable.......Just

I think from now on I'll concentrate on Etel for the fishing.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym




With just 3 weeks to go now before the competition training has come to a halt this weekend at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym.
I had lost 6 lbs this week doing the carb zig zagging diet but since Wednesday have been suffering headaches and today a dodgy stomach.
Just seen the enclosed pictures of the winner and runners up of the NPA south east championships and what a hard job its going to be, but what ever happens its an achievement what I've done this year and I will walk on stage feeling proud of how much Ive changed my habits and look this year.

What has made it easier is having the gym just next door to the holiday cottage, there are simply no excuses not to train.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

What a difference a week makes, I have still been training in the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and going out on the bike 5 times per week but the real change has been diet. I'm now zig zaging my carbs which is basically eating no carbs for 2 days then on the third eating them and have lost 6lbs this week.

Its not a normal diet and is purely a pre contest diet which should only be used for a few weeks as its not very healthy, I have had a few head aches this week but needs must, I do feel alot leaner now at just 14st 8lbs.

With just 3 weeks now before the show my goal is still to be between 13st 7lbs and 13st 10lbs.

Had some good workouts this week in the gym at the holiday cottage still managed to bench press 110 kgs, which is good bearing in mind my restricted diet.

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

The market town of Baud is just 3 miles from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and last night I popped out with a friend and ate in the Le Citron Vert for the first time since it changed ownership.

The food was always good there but its now even better, My mate and I cleaned our plates and throughout the couple of games of pool afterwards in the bar area commented on how good the food was.

We both had the steaks mine with the garlic butter and his with the Roquefort cheese and finished with a 3 cheese crepe for desert which was gorgeous.

Its the little things that make the difference and the small changes to be found with the meals were; rather than just a salad with the steak and chips you were now given a tube of asparagus rapped in bacon with the salad and one of my old gripes before the restaurant had changed management was butter was never served with the some what stale bread where as the bread is now fresh and butter is served.

For a relaxed enjoyable meal, a drink and a game of pool or darts then the Le Citron Vert is just the place being only 5 min away from La Forge the Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Just 20 minutes away from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and gym is the Napoleonic town of Pontivey where I train every now and then just to get the buzz of peoples reactions to how I'm looking with just 3 weeks to go before the show.

I'm now down to 14st 10lbs having lost 5lbs in the last week. I have started having carb free days, I do 2 off and on the third day have some for breakfast, after doing some reading I discovered I'm making a few mistakes, one of which is i'm not eating essential fats omega 3 & 6 and need to consume alot more water- both of which should promote body fat loss.

I also bought from maximuscle some thermobol this week that should arrive in the next few days, I'm doing every thing I can think of to strip as much fat as possible within the next 3 weeks.

I'll post some pictures next week with 2 weeks to go, the aim by next Friday the 25th will be to be below 14st 7lbs.

I'm still out on the bike 6 days per week there are some lovely routes to take with a bike all around the Brittany holiday cottage.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage with pool

Etel is just a 40 min drive from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and another fish that's available to catch is Dorrade or Bream.

To give some helpful details about this wonderful fish to eat and catch:

HABITAT:

Seeks out rocky ground, patches of boulders and rubble, but especially shallow reefs that work out at angles from the shore. Can also be found close to inshore wrecks in deep water and will cross clean sandy ground on their way to new rough ground feeding areas.

DIET:

Is a catholic feeder taking mostly shellfish from the rocks, but also small sandeels, worms and even tiny crabs.

SHORE FISHING:

Bream are not a regular shore based catch in most areas, but this is more to do with anglers being preoccupied by other species, rather than the bream not being present. If the boats in your area catch bream, then a carefully selected and suitable shore venue in the same area will, sooner or later, produce a bream for you.

MARKS AND FEATURES:

Bream will move close in to the deeper beaches, from the open beaches aim to fish close to or onto shingle banks and patches of rougher ground. Take notice of any debris on the seabed within casting range such as small wrecks.

WEATHER:

The best opportunities are during calm spells with just a gentle sea swell and no wind. Rough seas keep the bream offshore. Daylight hours give fish, but peak catches occur during the dusk and dawn periods, especially if these coincide with a newly flooding tide.
Fishing in the mid day period, try to fish under an overcast sky without any sun if the water is shallowish. On steeper, deeper beaches the sun doesn't really have a major affect on the catch.

TIDES:

From open beaches, either shallow or steep to, try only the bigger spring tides fishing from dead low water through to high. Very few venues produce fish on the ebb unless the water is over 30ft deep.
Occasionally, bream can be contacted from rock stations, but the ebb and flood will both produce, though expect bites to die as the tide flow eases. neaps can fish just as well as springs in this deeper water.

TACKLE:

You'll need true 5-6oz casting rods for this fishing as the bream tend to be mostly at a longish range. Reel line though, can be reduced to 12lbs, but keep the casting leader to 50lbs minimum.

RIGS:

The best rig is a clipped up two hook type. This needs to be about 30" long with a bead trapped swivel set in the middle of the rig taking one hook length and another bead trapped swivel placed at the base close to the weight. Use a size 4 rolling swivel at the top and size 3/0 Mustad Oval Split Ring to take the weight. The bait clips are mounted on the rig upside and should be placed between the top hook length and the rolling swivel, with the lower clip placed between the two trapped swivels.
Rigged like this you'll gain a few yards on the cast, but more importantly the small baits are compressed into the bend of the hook during the cast maintaining reasonable levels of presentation.
Hook lengths need to be about 15" long and from 25lb line. The best hook pattern is again the Mustad 3261BLN Aberdeen size 2-4.

BAITS:

The same fish strips, lug, rag, cockles and crab work just as well from the shore, though crab and sandeel can often pick up the slightly bigger fish.

TECHNIQUE:

Nothing fancy! If the ground is cleanish, then allow the bait to roll and locate the holding grounds using an unwired lead. If you have other anglers near you, then stick with a wired lead, but experiment with casting distances. Fishing like this means that the bream, for once, will hook themselves.
As the tide flow eases, cast as far as you can and then retrieve the bait a foot at a time with short pauses in between. This causes the baits to flutter up an down which will help attract passing fish.

The Brittany holiday cottage with pool is in a great location for some wonderful days out fishing, either fresh water on the nearby river Blavet or around the coast for some great sea fishing marks.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage with pool


With the sun shinning at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool this morning I decided to pop down to Etel again for a try for Turbot.
Stopping off at a super market I bought 3 Mackerel and a single squid for bait and arrived at the mark at 10.30, high tide was at 14.08 with a Coeff of just 45.
I baited 1 rod with squid the other with a small mackerel fillet on an Aberdeen no 1 long shank hook on a running ledger, with a 3 foot leader from the weight. As the current was so weak today I just used a 80 gram breakaway lead.
Just as my friend reported in his last 2 fishing trips he caught his turbot during the slack water and bang on time at around 2pm I had my first and last bite of the day and caught the above small Turbot on the Mackerel.
After catching the fish I baited up both rods on the Mackerel and was only casting 20-25 meters from the shore.
All day I was hoping that elusive Bass would pick up the bait but alas not today.
Next trip will be a night fish to see if that's more productive.
I was fishing along side 3 other anglers today using beach casters and I was the only one to catch, another chap arrived at 2pm and used a spinning rod with an imitation sandeel lure but when I finished at 4pm he had yet to catch.
Etel is just a short drive from La Forge and its just one of many fishing marks scattered around the coast.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage with pool

The Brittany holiday cottage with pool is just a short drive from some lovely beaches to fish from, as an aid Ive enclosed information on the fish you may come across and give tips on how to catch them.

The first species in this series is the Bass, its great to eat and a great fighting fish.

HABITAT:

One of our most adaptable species. Found offshore over reefs, uplifting sand banks, inshore wrecks, along rough ground and surf beaches, inside harbours, and will feed to the highest reaches of an estuary and is often taken by salmon anglers fishing the junction of fresh and saltwater.

DIET:

Enjoys a varied diet and is an opportunist feeder taking advantage of what ever is easily available at the time.
Crab, prawns and small rough ground living fish like gobies and rockling are found most frequently in fish feeding over rocky ground. Estuary fish take mainly crab and sandeel, but also small flatfish. Offshore reef fish get preoccupied with sandeels or small joey mackerel. Very large adult fish are true cannibals and occasionally contain small school bass, also whiting, eels, pipefish etc.

MARKS AND FEATURE:

On the rough ground beaches, the bigger and more ill fitting the boulders are, the better the bass will work the area. Food washed down by the tide will fall in between the rocks and boulders and lodge where the bass can pick it up. Even on less rough marks where the rocks are smaller and tight fitting, if you walk the beach you will find areas where the boulders are larger than normal. These are the places to concentrate on.

Also look to weed beds, anywhere a small stream or river flows across the beach, finger like reefs that work seawards, and definite deeper gullies that come inshore from the low water line that fish will follow.
On surf beaches bass can sometimes follow a route along the slightly deeper gullies that run parallel with the beach. But they will also be side tracked by areas of boulders and weed growth, shingle banks, and again areas where a stream flows into the sea. On smaller beaches flanked by rocky cliffs it's always wise to start fishing at each end of the beach near the rocks, rather than in the middle of the beach.
Inside estuaries, bass travel as the new flood tide starts to push over the estuary bar. They will work reefy ground and the sandbanks around the bar, then use the main channel to push far up the estuary. They investigate the sides of the estuary where the weed is thick and the crabs in numbers. Also, smaller side creeks which hold sandeels and flatfish.
Harbours, piers, breakwaters and marina's all hold bass. They come in to feed on the smaller pout etc, that are feeding on the rubbish and old bait that commercial fisherman and anglers throw over the side. Also, anglers leave a trail of small pout, rockling, poor cod etc, that expire after unhooking which the bass mop up with glee.

If you would like to find out how to present Sandeel then click here.

TIDES:

Bass will work estuaries even on the smallest tides. This is because of the continued tidal run through the main channel that always displaces food items. Over the rough ground and surf beaches bass numbers will decline as the neap tides reach their lowest peak. This is because the lack of tide fails to disturb enough food forms for the bass to fill their bellies.
On the beaches the best tides are the middle sized ones and those just prior to the very biggest springs. The biggest springs themselves can be disappointing, though odd fish can still be caught.

WEATHER:

Bass like rough weather. Not full blown gales, but those days when the wind comes off the sea at a steady force 3 to 6 creating a series of rollers that push across the sand and rocks and again expose food. Winds off the land that clear the water push the bass out to deeper water where they feed on the reef sandeels etc.
The other good time is just after a strong gale when the sea has been really rough and the surf is full of weed. Bass will work within a few yards of shore in these conditions.
Bass will feed by day if the sea is coloured or carrying a good surf. Generally, the fishing is best at night, especially dusk and dawn, but bass respond more to the state of the tide than the darkness of the hour.

TECHNIQUES:

ROUGH GROUND BEACHES:

Bass show over these beaches only at set times. It's usually low water and the first two hours of the flood, then the hour either side of high water. Outside the� periods bites are few and far between.
Long casts are not necessary. Dropping a large crab bait at about 40-metres or less will usually find the fish. But you need to hold the rod at all times and feel for the bites being transmitted through the rod. Bass mostly register on the rod tip initially with a couple of gentle knocks, then pull the rod tip hard over. You need to strike as the rod is pulled away from you.

SURF BEACHES:

In rough weather and heavy surf's, use a wired lead to anchor the bait in position, but again hold the rod and feel for bites. Start by casting out to medium range, then if no bites are forthcoming shorten the casts until you're working only 40-metres out, and if this fails to produce fish do not hesitate to put a bait as far as you can. It's a mistake to believe the books and articles that suggest bass are always close to shore. The truth is that the bass are where the food is, and this may beyond even the best casters at times.
In less rough seas and steady surf's, it pays to use a plain lead and let this roll with the tidal pressure on the line in a downtide and inward arc. The bait and lead then find all the depressions and gutters that the bass are likely to be feeding in.

ESTUARIES:

These require a mix of the latter two techniques. The bar and main channel of the estuary may need to be fished with wired leads on a flooding tide, though if you pick a place just off the main current you can choose a plain lead and let the bait move across the seabed, again finding out and resting in the food holding depressions.
The creek and estuary sides need very short casts, often less than 20-metres and putting the crab bait down into the weed and rocks where the bass are hunting. Cast beyond these edges and you'll only catch flatfish.

SPINNING:

Bass working the rough ground beaches, estuary bars and creeks will just as readily hit an artificial lure. The best are the ABU Toby spoon, the Dexter Wedge and the Redgill artificial sandeel.

Simply casting and retrieving the lure over the rough ground will catch bass, though you'll find that more fish are concentrated for this type of fishing around the river mouths and streams. Also try working the lure along the small finger reefs. Plugs work well, too, especially the slimmer bodied floating ones in silver and jointed ones that give off vibrations.
Inside the estuaries, aim to fish where the main channel has a bottleneck that forces the water through a narrow gap quickly. Bass will herd up the sandeel shoals against this passing current with three or four fish making charging runs into the sandeel to feed. A white or black Redgill can be deadly at this time.

There is a spare beach caster with reel at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool which is available for guest to use. If you would like someone to fish with I'd be more than happy to join you.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

I have had a really lovely couple staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool over the last 2 weeks, popped over for a few coffee's during their stay and had a good day out fishing with Richard down at Etel earlier this week.

I was asking them how they came across the holiday cottage and what it was that appealed to them, they said; It was so hard trying to find a cottage sleeping 6 that had 2 bathrooms and 3 separate bedrooms, as initially family members were joining us. When searching Chez Nous the majority of cottages that slept 6 just had 2 bedrooms and relied on a bed settee to accommodate the other occupants, sleeping in the living area.

Margret went on to say that us women need time to get ready and if you only have 1 bathroom it would be a nightmare with 3 couples staying in accommodation like that, hence why La Forge appealed so much to us. Plus having a private pool I felt more comfortable sun bathing because as you get older you become more self aware of how you look in your swim wear.

It was lovely getting the feed back from the guest as it made me aware of the holiday cottages strengths with a view of successful marketing for the future.

So if you dont fancy sleeping on a bed settee and wish to have 3 seperate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms then La Forge is for you, we are now taking bookings for the 2010 season, book early to avoid disappointment.

Christmas and the New year weeks are still available, so if you fancy a beamed dwelling with a lovely log burner at Christmas fully decorated for the festive season then La Forge Brittany holiday cottage is just the ticket.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Training at the Brittany holiday cottage is going very well, I'm more out on the mountain bike and going for long walks than using the Gym.

With just 4 weeks left before the Mike Williams classic I just passed another barrier today getting below 15 stone.....it may just be being 14st 13lbs but its a step in the right direction.

All week the weather here in Brittany has been fantastic and its been lovely going out doing the cardio either cycling 16 miles or power walking for 6 miles.

I have spent 4 Septembers now in Brittany and it seems to be a good month for weather, hence why I guess La Forge is fully booked this year until 26th, the pool is still open and heated so if your looking for some late sun and still able to enjoy a private swimming pool then this Brittany holiday cottage provides every thing that your looking for.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage with pool

I reported yesterday that I took a guest staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool fishing at Etel. Well they say that knowledge is power and in the case of fishing it means tight lines and a fish supper. I had contacted a friend to see if he had fished the mark over the last month to determine my tactics and have received his email this morning just a day late, with the knowledge it contained my whole tactics would have changed and yesterdays blank may have been avoided.

He stated ' I did have a few results on the two days I went fishing at Etel during the end of August. Both at slack tide. On one day I caught four Turbot about 20 meters from shore and the other day I caught a mid sized Thornback ledgering some Mackerel strips of the end of the pier. Unfortunately, I lost a monster Bass - loss of which was probably not helped by the fact that I had these three or so plonkers standing right next to me demanding all kinds of questions as i was playing it in'.

If I had received that email before my trip I would not have spent the day spinning for Bass, bearing in mind he only hooked 1 in two trips and all the fish he had caught were flat fish I would have got my beach casters out and kept fishing through the change of tide rather than finishing as we did 30 min prior to high tide.

Oh well...its all part of fishing

I will go again next week and report back how I did, Etel is just 40 min away from the Brittany Holiday cottage.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage


A guest staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool was interested in going sea fishing this week during their stay so I offered to take him to one of my favorite marks.

I last fished 3 weeks ago and only caught 1 tiny Bass so was keen to try a different location to see if the fish were there. We also had a choice of either beach casting or spinning, for a change I opted to spin for the Bass and opted to fish at Etel.
We started at low water fishing beside the tower right on the mouth of the estuary in the picture above, after a couple of hours we had to retreat back onto the beach as the tide rose and I stayed right on the end of the sea wall casting into the rough water above as it entered the estuary.
It was an enjoyable days fishing even though we failed to get a bite but Richard agreed it looked and felt like a great location to fish....just that the fish are still not around yet.
There were about a dozen fisherman lining the beach, all beach casting and keeping an eye on them, no one seemed to catch anything, so it confirms its still to early.
I will try again in 2 weeks time with a beach caster to see if the colder days have a change on the fishing, the coefficient was running at just 76 today, we stopped fishing at high tide.
Anyone staying at La Forge, the Brittany holiday cottage with pool that has an interest in fishing I'm more than happy to assist or even pop along with as I enjoy a days fishing also.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym








With just 5 weeks to go before the NPA Mike Williams classic training is going flat out at the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage.
Touched 15 stone today and hit the bike for 18 miles this afternoon while enjoying the great weather, 4 miles from home really hit a wall, just felt totally drained of energy.Having a couple of days of no carbs has really left me spent of energy.
I then hit the gym this evening to train back and abbs.
Ive enclosed pictures of all the winners of this years earlier NPA shows to show the level I need to obtain..my work has really just begun.


Saturday, September 5, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Although the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool allows me a great place to work out, for motivation I enjoy going up to Pontivey and train at the public gym once every 2 weeks to see if the lads see a difference in my physic.

I went up there for a leg workout last Wednesday and was thrilled with the response of the owner and some of the lads on how lean I was looking and yesterday a friend commented on how good I was looking.

I have 5 weeks left before the show and the intention is still to get down too 13 1/2 stone meaning I need to loose 1 1/2 stone. Ive started having carb free days now, still eating 5 times per day of protein but now my daughter has returned from her holiday Ive got to really hit the bike as well.

I'll post some additional pictures once Ive reached 14 1/2 stone ideally before 20th September.

My mate down the road is going to re-start training once a week at the Brittany holiday cottage gym so I'll get some heavier workouts in.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool


Just 20 minutes away from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the lovely town of Hennebont. It is situated about ten miles from the mouth of the Blavet, which divides it into two parts: the Ville Close, the medieval walled town, and the 17th century Ville Neuve on the left bank and the oldest site: the Vieille Ville on the right. The old walled town (Ville Close) still has traces of its 13th-15th century ramparts as well as a large, fortified 15th century gatehouse complete with double-doors with drawbridge slots (known as the Porte du Broërec.)

I popped down to the town today to see how good the Thursday market was after guest of La Forge had said how good it was. I did enjoy the market but for me the best market is still at Auray and the old port of St Goustan which is so hard to beat for a location to enjoy a coffee and crepe.

The enclosed picture was of the old gatehouse at Hennebont.
There are so many great places to visit while staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool to ensure a great holiday.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Just got back to the Brittany holiday cottage with pool this evening after taking my daughter back too England. It was fantastic having my daughter over, looking forward to her next visit in October.

I got the ferry from La Harve too Portsmouth at 5pm yesterday and caught the noon ferry from Portsmouth back, for a return fair of £118 plus as a frequent traveler I gained points which will be used later this year for another return trip which after 12 months traveling via L & D lines will be free.

It was a wonderful crossing this afternoon, it was a glorious day and I sun bathed on the deck for the last few hours arriving at La Harve at 18.30 to see the temperature at that time still at 33 degrees.

Got back to the holiday cottage just before eleven, its so nice to get home.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Although while my daughter has been staying with me during her summer holiday I have kept up the weight training at the Brittany holiday cottage gym, the cardio has suffered.

With the sun shinning today we got a call from friends down the road inviting Amie over for the afternoon to play with her children, so with a free afternoon I managed to take the mountain bike out for 1 1/2 hours doing just over 16 miles up to Locmine and back.

I have not gained any weight during Amie's stay but managed to loose an additional 3 lbs, currently 15st 3lbs although I did hit 15st 1lbs earlier in the week, so fingers crossed its the sign that soon I'll shed a few extra pounds.

Two days this week I have had carb free days just consuming protein with the hope it will kick start the next loss of weight.

Id love to hit under 15 stone by the start of September and from next week back to bike work 5 or 6 days per week to really start cutting up.

September always seems to have great weather here at the Brittany holiday cottage so not only enjoyable bike rides but start topping up my tan, ready for the show. I do use fake tan the week prior to the show but the darker I am before the first application the darker I'll get.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Have a lovely couple staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool this week with their two children who are loving the pool and especially the chickens.

The dad has borrowed my river Tarun fishing rod, bought especially to tackle the tree lined river, with licence in hand is going to have a crack at the river tomorrow using fly fishing tactics.

They enjoyed a day out today visiting the beautiful walled city of Vannes and loved the market in Aurray on Monday.

Its been a great year this year running the Brittany holiday cottage, Ive had some wonderful guest that I have really enjoyed chatting with and with full occupancy its been a great year all round.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Just 3o min away from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the bouncy park just before Carnac. I took my daughter there for a day out and met up with her friends at the Park.

It was nice to see more inflatables installed within the park and the adventure area in the woods had also been revamped. In addition to the above there were pony rides available, a Pygmy goat petting area and crazy golf, we arrived at 10.30 and stayed until 4.30 mainly because I wanted to leave rather than the children.

If your staying at the Brittany holiday cottage and want a great day out for the children then I'd always recommend a trip to the inflatable park.

The cost per person is 7 euros.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Just 3 miles from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the market town of Baud, last week I reported my daughter started a swimming course at the public pool in Baud.

She enjoyed every day of the 5 day course which concentrated on performing the Brest stroke, each child was initially given buoyancy aids no matter if they could swim or not and initially the leg technique was practiced, as time went bye depending on the ability of the child buoyancy aids were reduced and by the third day the arm movements were started.

Although I was initially despondent with the feeling that my daughter who could swim had buoyancy aids on, after the first session I could see the reasons why and liked the way the swimming was being taught.

I would recommend any child learning to swim to attend the course, even though my daughter could not understand French the instructor was extremely good in using body language to express what he wanted to see from her in the way she swam.

After attending the course having private use of the swimming pool at the Brittany holiday cottage is a great opportunity to put into practice what was learnt during the course.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Popped down to my favorite fishing mark today with my daughter which is just 30 min away from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool. Its going to be a very short report due to the results but a good lesson learnt.....wait until mid September.

It definitely seems to be as recommended from an ex pat that's been living and fishing in Brittany for the last 10 years, which is to fish between September and January.

I started fishing 5 hours before high tide with a Coeff of 108 which is high and as expected on every retrieve brought back clumps of weed. I let the bait stay out for 20 min each time and reel back to find weed and no bait left on the hook.

I had just the 1 bite and could not believe how small the Bass was, about 10 cms. I used rag worm on a sliding ledger.

I think now I will wait until the end of September before going again, when I'm told the big fish are back.

I'll post more fishing reports via the Brittany holiday cottage throughout the year.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

The Brittany holiday cottage with pool has been great for guest wishing to teach children to swim, but one thing I have found with my own daughter is that sometimes no matter how much encouragement or bribery she digs her heels in and refuses to try new swimming strokes. With that in mind just 3 miles away from the holiday cottage is the market town of Baud with its own public swimming pool and slide.

The summer school holidays in France lasts 8 weeks and during this period swimming schools are run at the public pool, its a 5 day course, 45 minutes each day for 35 euro's for the course. With a qualified instructor plus the competition of other children my daughter this week started the course today and began learning the leg movements for breast stroke, she said afterwards that she enjoyed the class and is looking forward to tomorrows.

Its a great opportunity to entertain the younger children, improve their swimming then to come back to the cottage after the lesson and put into practice what was learnt in the private pool of the cottage.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

An extremely hot sunny day here today at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool, it was a changeover day with the guest from Wales leaving very early this morning to catch the St Malo ferry departing at 10 am.

They had some great days out while staying at the holiday cottage, two to mention are a cruise starting at St Goustan going on too the Ile Aux Moins, it was a lovely 2 hour cruise going around all the many Islands of the Morbhian then staying 5 hours on the Ile aux Moins where they had a picnic and spent the day on a wonderful beach.

Another great day out was a day hire of a motor boat from La Gacilly.

Its lovely hearing about all the great days out that the guest enjoy while staying at the Brittany holiday cottage and they confirmed how ideally situated the cottage is to explore all the delights of southern Brittany.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Just 3 minutes from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is an extremely good Pizzeria ' La Gigale' situated in Camors. Its run by a husband and wife team, with Stephanie looking after the service and providing a very warm welcome while her husband creates some wonderful pizza's back in the kitchen.

The restaurant provides some great tasty thin based pizza's that can be eaten within or taken away.

Opening hours are:

September till June: Monday closed,Tuesday and Wednesday lunch time only,Thursday, Friday and Saturday open for lunch and evening while Sunday just the evening.

July & August:Monday closed, Tuesday through too Saturday lunch and evening service, Sunday evening only.


I'm only recommending restaurants that I regularly eat at because the food is always good and the service excellent. Its all part of making your stay at the holiday cottage a great time away.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

I have some friends living just 5 min away from the Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and they told me today they have found a new great day out for the children. Just over an hour away from the holiday cottage is an adventure park that has a little of every thing for a great day out Armoripark.

My daughter is currently over for a 3 week holiday, so Im sure I'll check the park out and report back my own findings.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

New guest arrived on the 1st August at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool, they are staying for 2 weeks and love the pool. For the last 2 nights they have enjoyed a night swim under the stars, I switch the pool lights on as soon as its dark at 10pm and they have enjoyed an hours swim.

I always recommend guest enjoy a night swim but not many take the plunge due to the cool evening air, but once in the water the temperature difference is greater than a day time swim hence why its so enjoyable.

Its a great experience, so when your here for a holiday just let me know when you want a swim under the stars and I'll keep the pool open, that's the great thing when a holiday cottage has a private pool you don't have to worry about other guest.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym




Training in the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage with private pool is going well, with 9 weeks left before my competition the NPA Mike Williams classic held up in Sheffield, all is going to plan.
My daughter is over for her 3 week summer holiday from this Sunday, so that's going to be the real test, to still get the cardio in and keep up with the diet while cooking her normal meals.
The pictures above were taken in 1994 at the Stans Gym annual natural body building competition, weighing in at 11st 5lbs. I placed 2nd for that show to the previous years winner, the judges did say it was an extremely close decision between first and second place. Its the above condition that I'm hoping to achieve on the 4th October.
New guest arrived at the Brittany holiday cottage last Saturday and they to have enjoyed using the gym.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Its the 1st August at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool and only 10 weeks away from the NPA Mike Williams classic being held in Sheffield. With that in mind I have started the Creatine today, I'm using maximuscle's Creatamax 300 which I bought at the start of the year and brought over to France on a return trip as Muximuscle are not allowed to send in the post to France.

I have just noticed the best before date is August 09 so hopefully it wont effect its use up till the show date. Its been a year since I have used Creatine so I should get a good result from its use, the intention is to try to prevent muscle loss over the next 10 weeks as the diet really gets serious.

The normal procedure is to load it for 5 days using 20 grams per day followed by a maintenance dose of 10 grams per day for 6 weeks, Im looking to load for 9 days then continue the maintenance dose right up to the show. So I expect my workouts to increase in intensity over the weeks in the Gym at the Brittany holiday cottage and start doing longer bike rides.

I will post new pictures at the end of the first week of September when hopefully I'll be under 14 stone and starting too get defined.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym


Its amazing just how many different exercises can be performed just with buying one additional piece of equipment for the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage. Having now a set of heavy dumbells has really provided an opportunity for a diverse range of additional exercises and I'm seeing the benefits just 10 weeks away from my show.


After the pictures were taken last Wednesday, I need to make adjustments to everything I am doing, just one thought I had was to stop having milk in my coffee, It may not sound much but doing the maths it makes great sense. One cup with milk 15 calories, ten cups per day 150 calories, over a week 1050 and over the next 10 weeks that's an amazing 10,500 and with 3500 calories per pound of fat that would mean loosing 3 pounds just with cutting the milk out.
So with cut backs in diet and additional cardio, fingers crossed I'll get down to the condition that I need to be,I'll have some more pictures taken within the gym at the end of the first week of September when my goal is to have reached 14 stone.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym




Had a good workout this evening in the Gym at the Brittany holiday cottage with my training partner. As Ive only got 10 weeks to go now before my competition decided to get some pictures taken, it really hit home that I need to do more cardio, at 15st 6lbs I really need to get down too
13 stone. The creatine starts Saturday, I really need to get out every day on the bike or for a walk and start getting very strict with the diet. I have a feeling its going to be boiled chicken and water for the last week prior to the show. My next goal is to be under 14 st by the end of the first week of September, leaving 4 weeks to drop the last stone.

Guest staying at the holiday cottage for the last 2 weeks have been using the gym during their stay and have enjoyed the fact the gym is just next door to the cottage.

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Le Citron Vert is a Bar-Restaurant located just 3 miles from the Brittany Holiday cottage with pool in the market town of Baud. Its located behind the church near the public swimming pool.

When ever I have friends stay with me I have always popped down too Le Citron Vert for a bite to eat or for a drink and a game of pool in the Bar area. The restaurant also has a terrace area to eat alfresco of to enjoy a drink.

Ive personally tried all the main course dishes over my time at the Brittany holiday cottage and enjoyed them all;

Entrecote: ( Sauces aux choix) 13.00 euros

Sauces: Beurre Maitre d'hotel, au poivre vert ou roquefort

Escalope de dinde a la creme champignon 11.50 euros

Cotelettes d'agneau parfume au romarin 13.00 euros

Magret de canard et sa sauce aux airelles 13.00 euros

All the dishes are accompanied with fries and salad

In addition to the main courses there are 4 different salads for starters and as expected from a creperie a wide choice of sweet and savory crepes plus a menu for children at 6.50 euros

The new owner of the restaurant Frank is extremely welcoming and will ensure you enjoy a nice meal at his restaurant, cooked by his wife, during your stay at La Forge Brittany holiday cottage.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

Another great day out via the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the Branfere animal park, situated just 20 miles the other side of Vannes. Walking along paths in beautiful surroundings you come across various animals and in particular children love the petting zone and I really enjoyed the bird display, what made it so different were the types of birds being used in the display and Id certainly return again for another day out.

Each year I go to all the local tourist information offices in the surrounding towns and gather all the years details so guest staying at the holiday cottage have all the information at hand and can just get on with enjoying their holiday and making the most of there time at La Forge.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Brittany Fishing via the Holiday Cottage


I have reported a guest of La Forge Brittany holiday cottage had a go on the Tarun with a fly rod during his stay on an earlier post, this is his report of how he fished the river plus a picture of one of the wild trout he caught.
As far as tactics are concerned it was caught on a size 12 Kate Mclaren (anyone who fly fishes should know the pattern but it is very much a scottish loch fly) and i fished it on a floating line in the runs of water at the heads of the pools. Cast the fly at 45 degrees across the current , let it drift round and then a slow figure of eight retrieve. I only fished the single fly on a 6 foot leader because the conditions limited the use of a longer leader and I would have just have had tangles with two flies as the casting technique was somewhat unorthodox.
I would have to say that casting isn't easy as the river is covered in trees and the river has a lot of slow water which is good for spinning or bait fishing but a waste of time for fly and you really do need at least waist waders , my wellies just about did , only one wet foot !
Best wishes
Paul
The other tactic I see the French fisherman use is to spin a dead bait, they have several cast in one spot before moving along, during a session they might fish over a kilometer of the river, because of all the trees I purchased the shortest rod I could find just 1.8 meters which allows me to cast the bait 8 or 12 meters along the river before the retrieve without getting snagged. The rod set up is available for guest of the Brittany holiday cottage to use during there stay.
Ive had meny an enjoyable hour walking along the river bank in search of that elusive trout seeing the odd Otter during my session.

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

For some holiday makers nothing beats wandering around the local French markets sampling the local produce and soaking up the lively atmosphere, during your stay at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool its easy to visit a different market every day if you wished.

Monday: Auray has a lovely market in the morning that inter winds along all the streets and the old port of St Goustain is a great place to catch lunch or simply have a nice cup of coffee overlooking the river.

There are also markets in Pontivey and Gourin.

Tuesday: Arzon, Damgan both have morning markets

Wednesday:Vannes has a lively market in the morning and Damgan during the summer months has an arts and crafts evening market.

Thursday: Just down the road from the Brittany holiday cottage is the market of Locmine or a recommended market by guest this year in Hennebont.

Friday:La Trinite sur mer has a morning market.

Saturday: Baud, Damgan, Josselin, Vannes and Lamou Plage all offer morning markets

Sunday: A great morning market in Carnac.

All the markets offer local grown produce, fresh fish, bread and some offer live stock.

What ever you want from a French holiday the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is ideally situated.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Just 3 miles from the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the market town of Baud, located behind the Intermarche supermarket is Le Podium night club. To be honest at 42 I felt rather old in the club when ever Ive been there, although it does not open until midnight the majority of the patrons are between 15 and 19 with a scattering of older people and it does feel more like a school disco, hence Ive only been twice on different nights to see if the age range changed alas not.The only other time Ive been was when I went with a group of French friends after a night out just to continue the night further and again our group of 20 were the oldest in the club.

Ive been there 3 times now and have never seen any trouble and it does feel a very friendly place to have a dance and boogie.

The entry fee is 10 euro's but with that you get a free drink of your choice.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

The Brittany holiday cottage with pool is surrounded by some great tourist attractions and some wonderful coast line. Just 20 min away from Carnac is the headland of Quiberon, the main beach is above and from here you can catch a ferry to the Belle de Isle ( The Island of beauty). Last year guest of the holiday cottage visited the Island and said it was indeed very beautiful and worth the trip.

While the east coast of the peninsular is very calm the west coast is more rugged and wind swept and is very popular with wind and kite surfers.

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool


Another great day out for the children staying at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool is the Pont Scoff Zoo located just the other side of Lorient. Ive been there several times with my daughter and she has always enjoyed it as I have, the Zoo has several displays during the day with the Parrots, Sea Lions and Seals.
I will post different tourist attractions close to La Forge the Brittany holiday cottage with pool over the next few weeks.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool


The Brittany Holiday cottage with pool is situated within a beautiful location and is surrounded with great things to do during your stay.
Carnac beach was voted one of the best 20 beaches in France and is a half hour car journey from the Brittany Holiday cottage. Just outside Carnac is a great day out for the children in the form of a bouncy castle park, there are over 20 bouncy castles including a couple of water ones, so please take swim suits and towels. Also within the park is an obstacle course for the children.
I spent a great day there with my daughter and her friends and they had a great time, It does get very busy in the summer but there are loads of benches and seats within the park to enjoy a picnic.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Just 7 miles from the Brittany Holiday Cottage with pool is the lovely town of locmine, I'm now riding my bike there and back 5 times per week to try to shift the weight. Last Friday I was 15 st 7lbs and after doing cardio 5 times per week and having a restricted diet the weight seemed to stop coming off. I decided to have a binge day eating as much fatty food as I could eat.

I started with a tin of beans, 3 whole fried eggs and a steak, lunch 250 grams of cheese and a pack of ham with a whole French baguette and butter, dinner was steak, eggs and chips plus I managed to get through a litre of Ice cream (1000 calories in the tub) plus some chocolate.

On Saturday morning I weighed in at 15st 11lbs, from Saturday the diet recommenced plus the cardio and today I weighed in at 15st 6lbs. The hope is I will be at least 15st 4lbs by Friday.

I have also increased my weight training by an additional day therefore training 4 times per week in the Gym.

New guest arrived at La Forge last Saturday and are using the gym themselves during there 2 week stay at the holiday cottage, both were impressed with the standard of equipment and the versatility of what exercises can be performed.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

long term rental at the Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool


During the low season the Brittany Holiday cottage with pool is available for long term rental during the month of November and from January until the end of March. The normal cost per week during the low season is £249 if you book 4 weeks the cost will be £700, which includes electricity and water cost but not heating.


So if your looking for a base to explore Brittany for house hunting or just to get away for a month or two La Forge can provide what your looking for.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

I have been at the Brittany holiday cottage with pool since 2006 and April every year has had great weather a fact that seems to be undiscovered by holiday makers until this year when the cottage was booked for April. This year we had great weather in March also.

I open the private swimming pool mid March with the heater warming the water up ready for the start of the main holiday season starting in April. Special deal for the month of April:The normal cost per week is £549 from April through too end of May, but as a special price book 2 weeks for just £699 plus enjoy the flexibility of having a flexible start date.

Why not enjoy the Easter school holidays enjoying the French weather at the Brittany holiday Cottage and enjoy the private pool.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

The Brittany holiday cottage with pool is available to rent all year and at Christmas the cottage will be fully decorated for the festive season with a warm log fire awaiting your arrival.The cottage is available from 22nd December to celebrate the Christmas period, the normal cost per week for this holiday period is £549 but you can book 12 nights to enjoy Christmas and the new year in France for a special price of £749.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool

New guest arrive today via Guernsey for a 2 week holiday at La Forge Brittany Holiday Cottage, the previous guest that stayed this week had to leave a day early due to work commitments, there comments from the guest book:Fabulous relaxing time.Kids loved the pool and chickens. Good luck with your life in France.

The family loved the pool and enjoyed it each day, 2 of the children were competitive swimmers and the Dad said it was nice just to see them play and have fun in a swimming pool rather than the hours of training that they do back in the UK.

The holiday cottage is available to rent all year long and the private swimming pool is open from the start of April until the end of September and is heated throughout the time.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Just 5 minutes away from La Forge Brittany Holiday Cottage lives some friends Emma & David who bought the other 2 cottages that the previous owners of La Forge had owned and now run them as holiday cottages.

Today they have given me a call to say that they have the month of September still available to rent. Both cottages sleep 6 and have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and come with a swimming pool that is shared.

If anyone is interested to book just contact me through my email address:laforge@hotmail.co.uk and I'll pass your details onto Emma.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Brittany Holiday Cottage with Pool and Gym

Voted one of the top twenty beaches in France; Carnac is just a short car drive from the Brittany Holiday Cottage and with my love for ice cream I always pop into my favorite ice cream parlor with over 125 flavours.

One of my hobbies is Scuba Diving but I must confess I have been limited to the types of diving I've done. All my dives have been in nice warm water over 27c with good visibility of over 30 meters and only 30 dives logged.

Last year I had a friend over for a holiday and I decided to go for a dive via the dive school based at Carnac while he went sailing. It had been 2 years since my last dive holiday in Egypt and always in the past if its been over 6 months from my last dive I have always had a check dive with an instructor to make sure I was confident in the water.

Now totally my own fault because as a diver the only person you can trust for your own safety is yourself and this particular day I failed big time, I told the dive instructor that it had been 2 years since my last dive but I am a very confident diver and asked 'do I need a check dive?'The instructor said that it was not necessary and he and I would buddy up for the dive and he would keep an eye on me.

I had told him what my past diving experiences were and he said no problem.

Firstly I was given a full dive suit as the water temp was 16c and was asked how much weight I needed for my belt, I said I had no idea as wearing a shortie in the past I was down to 4 kilo's and had no idea of the buoyancy of a full colder water dive suit.

On the boat out to the dive site I discovered that the dive instructor was not just looking after me but he was diving with a group of 7, we put 10 kilo's on the dive belt and he said he had an additional few kilo's on him if I required additional weight.

So with 10 min to go before we reached the dive site we all got kitted up, my gear was not checked by the dive instructor and I did not check him as he was busy sorting out the party.

When we entered the water I could not believe the visibility it was like pea soup down to 5 ft and being one of the last to start my decent everyone had disappeared before I had got down to 5 meters. At that point I was struggling with my weight belt, it was basically slipping off my waist and sliding down my legs, struggling to sort the belt out I was now all alone, 20 seconds later the dive instructor came back up to me but indicated for me to surface and he was being followed by the rest of the party.

When we were back on the boat he said he could see I was having trouble but the anchor had come loose and he decided to save the boat first from drifting off rather than assisting me. We then re-positioned the dive boat and this time my equipment was checked.

Once in the water everything was fine and we got down to the bottom at 20 meters and started to swim along the sea wall, the instructor was leading the party and I found myself at the back of the party. I decided to try and get closer to 'MY BUDDY' only to find it impossible as all the other divers were blocking my way, I then moved up a little to swim over the pack to get close to the instructor but when I was hit with all the bubbles from the tanks below started to go up.

That's when to be honest I don't know what happened apart from panic, the dive party disappeared, my mask was clouding up and I had no idea if I was stationary or drifting upward until it was to late and I had started to accelerate upwards as I became more buoyant and broke surface a few seconds later. I was disgusted with myself because I have never before done that and knew how dangerous it was.

I had to make a decision because I knew I must now be missing from the dive party and after sorting myself out went down again to join them. At 20 meters I located 2 divers and joined them thinking they were my party only to find they were a separate pair that were on the same boat...now what to do, I stayed there for 30 seconds to see if I could find my guys but no joy.

Now were they still down here or had they surfaced to find me, I decided to go up and sure enough the whole party were near the boat, they had been down for only 10 min in total and now the dive had ended due to me getting lost.

It was a very quite boat ride on the way back.

Back at the dive club I booked a check dive for the following day and just said that I was not used to the diving conditions. The next day I arrived back in Carnac to be told that due to bad weather the visibility was to bad to dive, I said I thought the previous day was bad at which point they said 'no that was ok'.

In front of all the other divers I said to the dive instructor I had a confession to make, he asked what. I said sorry I lied, I'm not actually a qualified diver, I just wanted to have a go yesterday. The dive instructor could not grasp exactly what I had said so after repeating it his mouth dropped with shock, he realized his mistake. Even though I had them in my bag he did not ask to see my licence or Dive log before I dived with them.

The thing that really hit me after the dive the previous day was if I had died no one had my details, no one knew who I was and it really hit home the lack of professionalism.

Hence a very important lesson was learnt, never forget your training and speak up if your not happy with the situation.

Talking to some of the other divers there are some good dive sites around Carnac but as yet I have not had the urge to go back....I think I need a few dives in comfortable surroundings to regain my confidence.

What ever your sport or hobby your sure to find it close bye the Brittany Holiday Cottage and I'll be happy to assist to find out details of what you are interested in prior to your holiday at La Forge.