This is a shameless plug for my friends Ana-Luisa and Simon Scrutton who recently moved to South West France to open two exquisite, traditional gites for idyllic holidays. As soon as I am properly settled back in England, I shall be booking myself in for a restorative break, of that you can be sure.
‘We offer the visitor the most wonderful and unique experience in the tranquillity of a beautiful traditional Charente village of Lesterps, which is famous for its bonhomie, 11th/13th Century Abbaie (which can be seen from our garden) and the Richard Coeur de Lions trail which begins nearby. Lesterps has many public events including a famous accordion festival. The gardens here are extensive, We offer two splendid gites, Garden Gite, opens directly onto the landscaped grounds, from its beautiful kitchen, equipped with a splendid cooker range and log-burner. It has its own dining terrace which invites the visitor to…’
Source: Traditional Charente Holiday Cottages
Take care and keep laughing!
![Romance in Stone [framed] © Sarah Vernon](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/romanceinstoneframed.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "romanceinstoneframed")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Green-painted fence https://unsplash.com/photos/FxeeNx_yMpw Lake Annecy by Mindy Sommers Celestial Eruption by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/NvesrDbsrL4](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/v057fb.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Valentine Blush")
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![Yacht: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zakhark/572331622/in/faves-83665426@N05/ Texture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kerstinfrank-design/19581317079/in/faves-83665426@N05/ Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/e303blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Sailing to the Moon")
![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Vintage Henry Irving and Ellen Terry as Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing from The Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/97514042/ The background is a blend of the interior of The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851 from an old encyclopaedia — the venue was originally built in Hyde Park and the exhibition was organised by Prince Albert and Henry Cole — and textures from “2 Lil’ Owls”:http://2lilowls.com. http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/g/great-exhibition/](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/e284blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Beatrice and Benedick")
![Butterflies from China, Japan, and Corea: “Biodiversity Library”:http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/45490916 Texture: “Kerstin Frank”:https://www.flickr.com/photos/kerstinfrank-design/9181048645/in/photostream/ Flowers: “Rijksmuseum”:https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/my/collections/150967--sarah-vernon/mijn-eerste-verzameling/objecten#/SK-A-3899,0 Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com]](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/e309blog.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "‘Happiness is a Butterfly’")
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16 comments
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09/06/2016 at 17:12
janemorley2014
I hope you’ll let me know when you do book in to visit your friends – I’m in Charente too in the south part and I shall be baking you a Victoria sponge specially anticipation of afternoon tea with you! 🙂 😀
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09/06/2016 at 17:16
First Night Design
I wondered if you were nearby. I will definitely see all of you!
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09/06/2016 at 17:18
janemorley2014
It’s a date! 😉
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18/05/2016 at 14:42
Violet of Violet's Veg*n e-comics
It looks wonderful
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18/05/2016 at 15:07
First Night Design
Go on – treat yourselves!
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18/05/2016 at 15:28
Violet of Violet's Veg*n e-comics
You should definitely treat yourself! 😀
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18/05/2016 at 15:31
First Night Design
I will be. 😀
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18/05/2016 at 15:32
Violet of Violet's Veg*n e-comics
Excellent 😀
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18/05/2016 at 12:26
olganm
Gorgeous indeed. Taking note too. Thanks, Sarah and good luck to your friends.
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18/05/2016 at 12:46
First Night Design
Thank you – I hope they see your comment but I shall certainly tell them.
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18/05/2016 at 12:19
Mary Smith
It looks wonderful, Sarah. I’m ready to pack my bags!
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18/05/2016 at 12:45
First Night Design
Go!
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18/05/2016 at 10:51
beetleypete
Nothing wrong with a shameless plug for something worth plugging. I have looked at the link, and the area looks idyllic. I hope that your friends enjoy a fully-booked season.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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18/05/2016 at 11:19
First Night Design
Indeed no!
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18/05/2016 at 10:10
janetweightreed10
Good morning Sarah….looks lovely….I will pass on the word. Just returned from a wonderful trip to Wales…will write about it tomorrow….and have been thinking about you. Talk soon and of course keep smiling….Janet. xxx
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18/05/2016 at 10:15
First Night Design
Bless you. xx
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