NORMANDY GITES

WELCOME TO THE ORCHARD GITES BLOG!
Delightful self catering holiday accommodation located on the border between the departments of Calvados and Orne.
Within easy reach of the popular destinations of Mont St Michel, the D-Day Beaches and Bayeux , Orchard Gites make a great base if you want to discover a little more of this delightful part of France. Whether you are visting the area with your family, as a couple or a single guest you can be sure of a warm welcome! Follow our blog to keep up to date with our news and to find out about the latest special offers.





Sunday 6 December 2009

The Extraordinary Garden

Just turn right out the gates of Orchard gites, follow the grassy lane and within moments the view changes and you are looking out across rolling farmland bordered with the ancient hedgerows so typical of the bocage area of Normandy. Turn back and look across a valley that apppears particularly magical early on an summer morning when the mist hangs in the low lying areas.
A little further along and the track becomes a mysterious tunnel of beech trees. These trees always remind me of picures from fairy stories, where the gnarled trunks appear to have the faces of wizened old men. The leaves of the beech trees are a beautiful vibrant green in Spring and blazing coppery, orange in October and November.
The track joins the tarmaced road and here you turn left and head in the direction of St Quentin les Chardonnets. Where the road bends sharple to the right you will see a columbage (half - timbered) house with several painted animal models in the garden but once around the bend you you will pass 'the extraordinary garden' on your right.
Here whales frolic with giraffes and peacocks roam under the palm tree. All rather bizarre!! Who made them and why? It must surely have started out quite innocently but seems to have turned into something of an obsession!

Take the turning on your left and continue along the road into the village. At the church turn left and head back to Orchard Gites, following the signs to La Foucaudiere.

This walk takes approx 40 minutes.

VIEW map