COVID-19 in the middle of France, day 2

It’s a remarkable time and I’m living day 2 of confinement because of a virus that could make sick, kill or worse. This isn’t Kansas anymore.

Or is it?

If we think about Kansas, we see fields of corn or some other agricultural filling, wide open spaces, loads of nothing, empty roads with that yellowy-orange American marking. And it was just this sensation I had, when I drove the 7 kilomètres to our nearby town to get diesel for my car, gasoline for my lawn mower and to send some registered mail to a company of whom I’m not sure if there will be somebody to open the enveloppe, let alone treat my dossier. There was nobody outside and it was one of the most beautiful spring-is-getting-on-days this year.

And I, I was feeling illegal. Strange. And not in a cool gangster kind of way, unfortunately. Theoretically, I was completely fine. I downloaded, printed and filled out the form of the French government on which I could cross doing essential purchases. Which I did, I was doing essential purchases. And I didn’t exceed the speed limit, I wore my seatbelt, I didn’t use my phone while driving. But still, I was being all alone in Kansas…
At the post office, there was a post woman opening and closing the door with a paper between her hand and the door handle. She was nice and smiling. There were tables in front of the counter, so you wouldn’t get too close to the other post woman, who was also kind. And when I had to fill in a form, I used my own pencil. Besides me and the two post women, there was nobody inside.

Same at the gas station. There was nobody before, nor after me, so I could calmly fill my car and a jerry can for the mower. If there would have been people, they would have thought I was building stocks filling that jerry can. But I would never. In strange times, of all things, you have to keep your morals high, right? Without them, we would be nothing more than foraging animals. And that, my friend, we don’t want to be.

Then, I visited a friend in wine. Since I have a hotel like business, I’m aloud to be open (it’s an essential thing, apparently). And when I’m open, I’m in need of wine. Honestly, I’m in need of wine for far more reasons, but the hotel excuse should work in case of the gendarme asking questions. And there they were again: my small illegal feelings… Which I ignored. Again. I’m getting better at it every hour.

After driving the empty back roads home, maybe speeding just a little, it was kind of back to normal. My mowing neighbour was happy I got him gasoline (yes, it’s my great neighbour who’s keeping my lawn), my kids had walked the dog (without a form, but I didn’t see a big control post coming on the dirt road behind our house), and my mother was putting the kettle on. Kansas. It’s a strange place.

All Saints' Day - La Toussaint - Allerheiligen

It’s the first of November and so it is All Saints' Day. For those who don’t know: “it’s a Christian festival celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown.” Yes, I copied that of wikipedia (the only website that justifies the existence of the internet - but this aside). If you’re french, you knew, because it’s a big thing here. The french go to their cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of friends and family. It’s always the first of November and it’s always (ok, almost always) the same flower: a chrysanthemum in a pot, varying in color, from white to yellow to pink to purple. Why a chrysanthemum in a pot, I’ve asked numerous french. Because I personally think a more aesthetic choice could have been made… But most answers point in a very practical direction: because they stay fresh and flowery for a long time. I dont’t know if there’s a more romantic, mythic or historic explanation (wikipedia doesn’t tell) but since a few years, I’ve also embraced this tradition.

The Bayet cemetery is small and rural and quiet and has some of those small and ancient buildings on it (that you rarely see in Holland but a lot in southern European countries) that serve as a grave. One of those keeps in memory the former family that lived at Château des Edelins for almost 300 years, the De Bar family.
It’s not my family, but I do feel a connection to those who have lived in the same rooms as my family and I. Those who’ve planted trees that are really big now. Those who’ve been lighting the same fireplaces, opening and closing the same shutters (hence the photo). And thinking about them and looking at the house, that’s founded by a De Bar in 1638, makes me humble. It’s a good feeling, knowing we’re just here to guard the house for a while. To make sure it stays in shape for the next generations to come. That I’m just a very small part of a long line of people occupying it. The house shows me, in a very practical chrysanthemum in a pot kind of way, that we’re just small grains of sand in history. It’s not that the world is spinning around me. It’s - at the most - me, who tries her best to help the earth to keep on spinning in a healthy way.
And it is that feeling, that sense of existence, that I want to pass over to my girls: be humble, take care of the world around you and don’t place yourself at the centre of things. And so every first of November, we bring those less-aesthetic chrysanthemums to our cemetery, we think about all the saints, known and unknown, and I’m honoured that I can can be a part of that tradition.

Money. And other philosophical influences on life.

Yes, I like to do what I do. I love having guests, entertaining, cooking, laughing. I love owning and sharing a way to big house where there’s always something broken or ready for renewal. And a way to big garden, with loads of greens that grow much faster than I can eat or tame. I don’t even mind the kilos and kilos of laundry my guests (and my kids!) leave me. So you can say I’m a passionate B&B-owner. Passionate…
Passion. Passion?!
I most certainly have passion, but that word just lost so much value, that I refuse to call myself passionate.
I’m not a passionate cook. Nor a passionate laundry expert. Nor a passionate whatever - #@X% (peeeep). Because, I’m a professional cook. And a professional owner of a professional B&B. When you’re my guest, you pay me. Real money (not passion). So I have to deliver. Real stuff, a big room, clean sheets, good food. We’re talking about your holiday and your money here. And stories are good and passion is fine, but we have to keep it real.

Recently a very sympathetic initiative has led to huisjes.fr.
A clear and very real website, on which you can easily find us and our sympathetic colleagues. They may be passionate, they may be professional, or maybe even both, but we all have in common that we like having you. And when you’ve found us here, you’ll book directly with us. Nobody in between. No stories. No false promisses. And at a good price! So we can avoid the big platforms (we all know them), who’s passion is not you, nor making strawberries...

Herfstvakantie = Autumn Holiday! And everybody is welcome...

Over the past 12 years, the dutch school holidays in autumn, mid-october, are always somewhat of a dutch party... You’re more than welcome to join those happy dutch families making fires, drinking wine outside, even when it might be a little too cold... Playing football in front of the house, to get warm and laugh with the kids.
Dutch people speak english. And often french and german and… We’re social people. So you won’t feel left out. And there’s loads of cool stuff to do, like roasting marshmallows over open fire in the garden, having long walks in the beautiful french country side (we know exiting walks for all ages!), doing some culture or shopping in the nearby cities of Vichy, Moulins, Clermont and Montluçon. Or enjoying a market, french food, great dinners.
The fire places are lit. The wines ready to taste. Just bring a book, your family (we have board games!), grandma, the kids, a thick wollen sweater, a pair of boots and relax. Just be you. And enjoy that beautiful autumn feeling, so often sunny, dry and not even that cold (it’s la douce France - bonjour!).
Because everybody is more than welcome to enjoy my most favorite time of the year.

And no, we don’t charge you more because it’s the holiday season, we’ll keep up our low season prices,
for exemple :
Spacious Double room for 2 : EUR 89 per night or EUR 549 per week, breakfast included.
Spacious Family room for 4 : EUR 115 per night or EUR 699 per week, breakfast included.
Spacious and lovely gite, 1 or 2 bedrooms, sitting room, bathroom, kitchen : from EUR 99 per night or EUR 549 per week.

Dinner included? Our Short Stay Special for EUR 109 per person :
Spacious Double room for 2,
2 nights,
1 dinner, wines included,
breakfast every morning.

Or ask me for a special, made to mesure your group or family : info@edelins.eu

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A pile of shit!

Since social media are ever so important, I’ve decided to make the best out of it. People check my Facebook or Instagram or that Google thing nobody uses but still is out there, to see if Château des Edelins really exist (yes, we do), if we’re nice (yes, we are) or just to say ‘hi’ (that’s what I like most).
All logical things.
But to keep the (potential) guest entertained, you have to do a little more. And since The Interest is in The Unexpected, I’m posting a photo of a pile of shit. And I even wanted it to be a beautiful picture.
Strange, you might think.
But no.
Life’s made of details. Loads of it, together, make it Your Life. To show you something of My Life (because, yes, we do exist) I’ve started this new project #lifesdetails. And since social media also try to keep me entertained they’ve provided me (and everybody else) with photographic filters that can even make a pile of shit look good. So there you go.
And honestly, the beauty here, is not only in the photo filter. It’s the morning light I had, when running trough the fields. It was the happiness of a good run. The energy. And that I realised that a lot of shit is the basis for green grass, fresh vegetables, happy cows. Actually for all beautiful things in life : #lifesdetails

So join me. Zoom in and show your beauty on instagram using the hashtag #lifesdetails

Just do it : make the world a compliment!

Sometimes, people complain. Yes. Hard to image of course, being such a great place and nice people and ever so modest… But well, sometimes people search for something they don’t find with us. A luxury 5 star hotel, for example (but we are a nice B&B). Or a waiter in a waiter suit (but here it’s only us, the owners). Or a more crowded place. Or way more quiet...
For us, being the owners, it touches us. We take all remarks very serious. And serious problems are very rare, but still… Château des Edelins as a B&B is something we’ve created, so when someone… Well… it hurts

And sometimes, people make us a compliment. Well, not sometimes, it happens quite often actually. Good for us!
It makes us proud and happy. And compliments give energy. In return, I thank people sincerely AND I try to make other people compliments too. Unexpected compliments are the best, like to the girl of the insurance company who was very helpful (although the insurance company itself completely screwed up). Or to our postwoman, who is always so cheerful.

So if you’re still looking for some new year’s resolutions (to which I strongly advise against though, because, wasn’t the number one on your resolutions list ‘having a less stress full life’? Yes, well, in that case, you shouldn’t burden yourself with a list of resolutions to perform. But this does no good to my point here - so forget it), making compliments is a good one : after a bit of exercise (no, people won’t laugh at you if you say something nice) you’ll get the hang of it. It gives the people around you, and even yourself, loads of happiness and therefore good energy. Where you again benefit from in leading a less stressful life - which makes my side step from above less strange.

But why all this? This kitchen philosophy? Because someone paid me a compliment, not once, even twice. Not your usual casual compliment, but unexpected words I still remember.
The first one was years ago. After the first time he stayed with us, he said: Château des Edelins is not a five star hotel, but the service is much better.
My god, that’s so nice!
After this one, there where more compliments made back and forth: about doing sports and loosing weight, about running our own businesses, about the family. And recently, he came out again, with some great words written at one of those despicable social medias. That’s why I’ve put that dialogue above this post. He says: The B&B where my inspiration began for Dividere (a great fashion brand you should really check out: dividere.nl). The perfect place to become more than yourself.

What a great line!
It really means something, when you can inspire someone. It makes us happy. And therefore, we can make you happy! So, my patient readers who managed to finish this blog post all the way to the end: spread the word, make compliments and make the world a better place.

Best Christmas Present: a book about food, of course!

Will it be socks again? Or another cook book he’ll never cook from…? For the foodies around us, and I’m definitely one of them, a book about food is always a good idea. But since you’ve gave him a cook book last year. And also something about pigs and pork for his birthday, a robust thing with bearded men in leather aprons hanging around fires with logs in their hands (thank god he never cooked something from this one)... You might want to come up with something original this year.

Of course, the best Christmas Present is a stay at Château des Edelins, such a wonderful place (yes, you can ask us for a gift voucher if you need one). And food will be involved, because at Château des Edelins, we grow, we cook, we eat, we serve.

But if you still need a book, and of course you do, because, what’s Christmas without books, get him Julian Barnes! He’s one of Britains best writers and as all good people, he likes food. Although he has written “The pedant in the kitchen” in 2003 already, everything is still relevant: his wonders about cook book writers and cook book recipes, and how weird they sometimes are. About his (and your!) kitchen drawer, all those utensils you have but never use. But more important, read it for some good end-of-the-year-reflections, that will keep you going after struggling in the kitchen or really, after whatever struggle you’re in :
”How did it taste? Bloody marvellous, actually, though I say it myself (…) Then why all this fuss? Because, well, that’s what cooking’s about, isn’t it? It’s practically a dictionary definition. Cooking is the transformation of uncertainty (the recipe) into certainty (the dish) via fuss.”

So my friends, let’s have some good fuss this year. Get the book. And the socks, of course.

Street Art City : go see this!

Beauty is even more beautiful there where you least expect it. It was the surreal combination of the french country side with the work of big city street artists that made me very excited. Situated in an old factory hotel (it used to be a training centre) with its surrounded buildings, walls, fences, hotel rooms (bathrooms included!) are each changed into a cavas for wild wild works of art. It’s great, with or with out kids (my girls loved it and my mother (81) did too). The atmosphere is laid back, the art full of colour, surprisingly detailed sometimes and the energy is all over. Go see it : https://www.street-art-city.com
And stay with us, it’s a very scenic drive between our classic château de chasse (hunting lodge) and this classic street art.

Cycling in France, for the best possible cycling holiday!

Yes, I admit, I'm prejudiced, I live and ride here for over ten years now, but I do honestly believe that cycling is very good in France! And definitely in the centre of France, the Allier. Either on a race bike (that would be me), a mountain bike or a road bike, maybe with a battery even, there are loads of nice roads, more or not so 'hilly', beautiful views... and small restaurants during your ride!

Since a couple of years, we have the same groupe of Belgians, staying with us for a week, doing every day something between 60 to 120 km. Recently, their wives are aloud to come with them and now they're having a 'group inside the group', on bikes with batteries! They're great people, getting along in a great atmosphère. Check their photo diary to see how such a cycling week rolls :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/V9trHeKtMZhBcscH6

And if you don't want to bring your own bike, you can also rent, also with a battery, at a new company close by with the perfect name A bike at the Countryside, Un vélo à la Campagne :
www.unveloalacampagne.fr

Champagne! Or: Do get your Sword out!

Ok, life's not always the big party you want it to be... You have to wash dishes, pay taxes, talk to people you dislike. But Beware! If you think about those things too much, you'll loose time you can spend with your loved ones. You'll loose time to do stuff you DO like. And you'll get nasty wrinkles into the negative direction. You'll need to laugh, to get those wrinkles up! And sometimes, even after you've paid a speeding ticket (beware again: it's 80 k p/h on the Route National now) or Especially(!) after you've paid that speeding ticket..., you have to make the party yourself.
Life's to short!
And what helps to get the party started? Champagne! Or, the local bubbles from our Saint Pourçain Cave. And to make you laugh even louder... open your bottle with sword! Yes, a Sword! It absolutely is over theatrical and unnecessary, but so much fun.

Often, you choose friends that think alike. So, no surprise, we have friends in food, in wine and in Champagne. And in Champagne Swords (it's actually called a 'saber'). And this friend was so cool to dedicate a box to our Château des Edelins: a box with a Champagne Saber, a good bottle to test your skills and (no worries) a manual 'How to do it with a Saber'!

So if it's one of those days... (I personally recommend mondays) and your planning doesn't allow you come to Château des Edelins, get you Saber out and drink Champagne!
And to make that even easier for your, here's the link to the friends web store:
driebergenwijn.nl

The family has grown!

All bad things come with good things. At least, the art is to try to see the good things coming. Right?!
Well, this june my father died. But since, my mother lives here with us, at Château des Edelins. Which, yes, is a very good thing! So we now have an even bigger kitchen table. She works her ass off (oups, sorry mom) in the garden! And we serve loads more home made jam! Thanks!

Just another note, to share

We are half way through the 2017 summer season and still happy, energetic and fine! A great family, new guests in our house, left this note after a few days with us. So nice! It's those little things that really touches you, isn't it?!

Minimalism: go see this documentary

We sometimes live a strange life that allows us to watch television at the middle of the day. So Wrong! During the day, you have to be useful and work and make things happen or fix stuff or whatever... watching tv is so absolutely not on that list. But if we've started very early and if we have to work till late, we've adapted to the southern european life style and we've became very good siesta-makers (you have to adapt to your new home country, dont't you?!).
And yes, watching television can be part of an afternoon nap. Especially, when you watch a documentary. A good documentary is useful, makes things happen, will fix you or at least a small part of you and so you're absolutely allowed to watch it, whenever you want. 

Why this explanation of how we spend our siestas (don't worry, I won't do more details)? We've seen MINIMALISM: the story of two guys who've decided to live a more simple life. Because, in short, without clutter and stuff and things, you've much less to worry about.

It's something we all know. But still. I liked how logic they've made it feel... Says she, who has a house with more rooms she can count, more grass than she can mow and more books than she can reed (probably... but, you know, you can't run out of books, right... right?!). 

So I was impressed. And one day, maybe, I'll live in a 'Tiny House' too.
Go see this doc, it's on Netflix (are we allowed to have Netflix?) and let me know what you think. Could you do this? Would you?

People are nice. Yes. They really are.

Did you know that there are a lot more nice people in the world, than mean criminal awful ones? Even the grumpy ladies and gentlemen around us are nice, somewhere inside - although some take a real moment to show that inside to the outside... 
And some nice people leave comments. They say lovely things when they're here with us. They write me afterwards. They put it out on the internet (I'll come back to this one, in another post). Or they leave notes. And I love notes! Look:

About Us, a blog in English

In English?

But you're in France? Why not in French?
And you're Dutch? Why not in Dutch?
Or German? Since you were not to bad at it, at school...
Or Spanish?! Italian?! Fries?!

Of course there's no reasonable answer to this. I Try to have an international website, that fits our international clientèle. We have guests from all over the world and we love it! We've had great people from South-Afrika, Dubai, the United States and even Australia. And closer, of course : loads of Dutch people, the French, English couples, Italians, travelers from Spain, Belgium, Zwitserland, you name it. 

All very different people, with very different languages. But they all have one thing in common: the world is not that big and let's try to take care of it, together. With respect. Interest in each other. And thats not hard at all. 

So let this blog be not only 'about us'. We are not THAT interesting you know... Let it be about the good things in life. About good people. To make the world a better place (and yes, in English, just to reach more people).