Tarn Owls at Bozat

Extracts from Tarn Owls Visitors’ Book during our 6 years here

(Adrian was so inspired that he made the following comment and wrote and played a piece of music to accompany his photographs of Tarn Owls and the surrounding area that you can access on the youtube link.)

“We’ve never been anywhere where the hosts were so good and the scenery so fantastic!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkXV91MXSZY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

A wonderful gite in a wonderful location in a wonderful part of France – and wonderful hospitality into the bargain. Everything we could have wished for.
John and Jean, Andy and Irene, UK.

What more can we say?! Great location, great gite, and Michelle and Mike great hosts!
Hilary and Brian, UK.

Well what does one say at the end of our fourth brilliant holiday chez Mike and Michelle.
Thanks again. We’ll be back.
John and Janet, UK.

Two marvellously relaxing weeks of sunshine. On our third visit here we have again valued the peace of Tarn Owls, the beauty of the area, and the thoughtful hospitality of Mike and Michelle.
John and Sue, UK

Our third year here and the best weather ever! Pretty much wall-to-wall sunshine. We managed to tear ourselves away from the hectic (!) life at Tarn Owls for one or two excursions – Najac (well worth a visit), Cordes and Puycelsi. Also had a beautiful walk, Chemin de Gradilles, through vineyards and cornfields. As usual, the week has just flown by – but I’m sure we’ll be back. Thanks Mike and Michelle.
Frances and John, UK.

Possibly the most comfortable gite we have stayed in: thoughtfully and tastefully equipped. Mike and Michelle delightful hosts. We intend to return! Roger and Thelma, UK.

Thanks for a wonderful stay at Tarn Owls! The place offers the unique possibility to combine historical and gastronomic experiences with absolute privacy. The Gaillac wine region was a pleasant surprise with the historic grape varieties not found anywhere else, and a lot of vineyards offering tastings. The apartment and the garden with the pool is a jewel! Thanks a lot to Mike and Michelle for their hospitality.
Helen and Hans, Houston, Texas.

Having not been to France before we have been delighted with the area, it is rich with history, beautiful countryside and tranquillity. Castelnau is a fine example of an unspoilt medieval town – and is just up the road!
The gite of Tarn Owls has been superb – lots of tourist brochures and information, and Mike’s excellent knowledge of the area made us aware of how much there is to do and see.
The gite was very welcoming and comfortable – with home-made jam (delicious Michelle!) and bread – lots of thoughtful touches. We were lucky enough to see and hear the Little Owl and deer in the countryside, but only imagined seeing a red squirrel! Thank you both for making our holiday so comfortable and relaxing.
Martin, Rosemary, Hazel and Oli, UK.

Our first visit to this part of France – and we love it! Such a beautiful, peaceful rural area.
The gite is perfect – comfortable and well equipped and we have been made to feel so welcome by our hosts.
Just two complaints:
1 A week hasn’t been long enough.
2 We can’t think of anything at all to write in the ‘Snags Book’!
Thanks you Mike and Michelle – we’ll be back.
Frances and John, UK.

This part of the Tarn is particularly quiet and beautiful and Tarn Owls is the perfect place from which to explore it.
The warm welcome and helpfulness of Mike and Michelle match the excellent facilities and peacefulness of the gite. Marvellous!
Many thanks indeed.
John and Sue, UK.

Thank you for a truly splendid week!
Elizabeth and Philip.

We have all had a wonderful time – great weather, good food, and excellent ‘hosts’! Can’t wait to come back – this is such a beautiful area. Many thanks for all your help. We all had a wonderful time, great weather, good food and excellent ‘hosts’. Can’t wait to come back this is such a beautiful place.
Gordon Anne and Lauryn, UK

We have thoroughly enjoyed this delightful part of France – we have to return.
Wonderful location. The weather has been perfect even though we are into September… I’m sure we will be back in this area, and Tarn Owls is where we would aim for! This is the best equipped gite we have ever stayed in.
Mike and Michelle great hosts – there when we needed them but respecting our privacy. I am sure we will be back.
Sel, Sue and Niki, UK

We’d have loved to stay longer in your superbly presented gite in its tranquil relaxing setting. Chief impressions of lots of yellows (abundant cowslips, bright broom/gorse, and rape) and the vibrant, fresh spring greenery.
Dennis and Joyce, UK

Thanks for looking after us so well, from the home-made jam and the croissants ready for our breakfast here to providing such a comfortable and well-equipped gite.
Tony and Laura, Tom and Millie, Roland and Marie-Helene,

A great gite – a wonderful time to be here with the vendange in full swing and the autumn colours all appearing during the week. Driving at night very interesting – 3 deer, 1 boar (big!), 1 hedgehog and 3 pairs of eyes of unknown species. Many thanks,
Liz and Tony, New Zealand.

We had a wonderful time. I loved the gite. Our breakfasts and evening dinners under the pergola were delightful and relaxing. We appreciated the supplies of food that were here when we arrived, and Mike was always very helpful in his advice.
This is a great area for hikers – just go to the local tourist office and get the maps – be ready to get lost though, unless you can translate better than we did! The pool on a hot day was a perfect cool-down.
Lynda and Gaalen, Vancouver.

While visiting our son and brother on the mountains of Ste Cecile we stayed here at Bozat, where we met some very friendly people. We enjoyed being here and we thank you for your kindness and your friendly and fine company.
We thank you very much, we send you many regards. Live well and stay very happy in this lovely house.
Patrick and Maryse, Roger and Martha, Belgium.

Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful gite. We have never been to this part of France before but we shall return. We have enjoyed our holiday immensely and the two weeks has gone by so quickly!
The gite has provided us with an excellent base from which to explore this stunningly beautiful region and we thank both of you for your advice on places to visit. We have seen some of the most beautiful villages – Puycelsi, Cordes, Castelnau and Albi, to name a few, and have been impressed by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Most of all we would like to thank our hosts, Mike and Michelle, for being warm, welcoming and always there when we needed advice. We all wish you continued success and a wonderful life. Many, many thanks.
Patrick, Jane and Elliot, UK.

Thank you again Mike and Michelle for making us so welcome in your beautiful home. We have done most of the walks in the RandoFiches in the folder, and met almost nobody else on any of the routes. Very peaceful, good scenery – and good exercise. We had a good meal at La Verrerie in Gailac, which has a pleasant ambiance.
John and Sue, UK.

A beautiful relaxing time – we will definitely return. The gite is comfortable, welcoming and delightful. We wish we could stay longer.
David and Nicki, UK

We have stayed in this area twice before (but) Tarn Owls is the most well-equipped, spacious and private gite to date. It suited all our needs and more. We had good weather, visited great places, adventured down the river in a canoe and still managed to sunbathe, buy wine and eat loads of cheese. To Mike and Michelle – thanks for being informative, entertaining, answering our questions and not being intrusive. We can’t believe we have only been here for two weeks – it seems much longer! It’s been a great 2008 holiday – we hope to come back!
Julian and Kay, Stephanie and Hamish, UK.

Thank you once again for a super holiday. We’ll be back I’m sure for holiday no. 4 chez Fitzsimons.
John and Janet, UK

We were so delighted with our visit last year that we have returned.  Michelle and Mike helpful and very considerate hosts.  We hope to see you next year.
Roger and Thelma, Suffolk

All we had hoped for and more.  Relaxing by the pool, long candlelit dinners on the patio, drives and villages.  Grapes and Sunflowers being harvested and sun, sun, sun almost the whole two weeks.  Thanks Mike and Michelle for making our holiday so memorable.  We hope we shall visit again.
Tony, Helen and Paul, St Ives

The gite is very well-equipped and the pool is fantastic!  We very much appreciated the warm hospitality of Mike and Michelle and would definitely recommend this to our friends.  The scenery is quite breathtaking as is the peace and quiet.
Adrian, Sonia, Chris, Maria, Northampton

A perfect week in a perfect location.  Thank you for the use of beautiful Tarn Owls.
Jim and Debbie, Benfleet

This has been our fourth fortnight at Tarn Owls and it has been just as good as the other three.
John and Sue

We have had the most wonderful week at Tarn Owls!  The gite was exactly what we had hoped for and more – the location and the weather have been perfect.  We have had a wonderful holiday.
Stephan, Juliana and Christopher, Guilford.

Thank you for a wonderful week.  We discovered an oasis of peace and calm.  Thanks for making our holiday so relaxing.
Donal and Patricia, UK

Tarn Owls is in a perfect setting with some spectacular Bastide towns within an easy drive.  Décor and appliances in the gite show excellent taste.
Tony and Maxine, Austrailia.

One of the world’s great complainers is silenced – his wife is very happy!  This is a wonderful place, both the gite and the area. Mike and Michelle could not have done more for us during our stay.  We can’t wait to return.
David and Julie, UK

A very comfortable gite, wonderful area and warm welcome from Mike and Michelle.  We have had a great holiday and felt very much at home at Tarn Owls.
Ken and Angela, Rochdale

All the comments below are from our visitor’s book 2011

Thank you Michelle and Mike for a delightful stay in your lovely gite … your warm and friendly help … the weather has been very kind to us.

April 2011

Barbara and Allan, Melbourne, Australia

(Tr. From French)

A big thank you for your warm welcome – we have had a lovely weekend in this very charming gite and this beautiful area.  See you very soon!

Frederic and Natalie and family, Toulouse  May 2011-11-30

 

We have had a lovely weekend  … we were taken by the beautiful hilltop towns and villages, to the point where we were describing some as ‘relatively ordinary’ – anywhere else and they would have stood out!  Scenery, tranquillity, nature, make this a relaxing place to visit – helped by the comfort of the gite and the friendliness of Mike and Michelle.

Michael and Julia, Oxford June 2011

 

Thank you for a wonderful stay, your warm hospitality and your excellent local advice on excursions, visits and shopping.

Steve and Chris, Wakefield July 2011

 

Mike and Michelle were unobtrusive but very friendly and pleasant hosts, always ready to offer advice regarding visits.  The gite is well-equipped and we enjoyed many lovely meals washed down with the excellent local wine.

Sara and Ian, St Albans, July 2011

 

Well we made it back, and it’s just as marvellous as before! A good holiday for us all, and we will be back …thanks for making us so welcome – see you again …

 

Julian and Kay and family, Oxford July/August 2011

 

Our fifth visit. .. we again enjoyed the Fete des Vins and an evening of jazz and wine at Mas Pignou vineyard …we have enjoyed severa of the excellent Randofiche walks around the area, our annual visits to Albi, Sunday lunch (12 euros!) at La Bonne Auberge, a very good brass quintet concert in Castelnau, and the annual opera concert at Cahuzac … little owls very much in evidence, a barn owl too …

 

John and Sue, July-August

 

Our first visit here, to celebrate and introduce our first grand-child to such a relaxing and comfortable stay.    Both parents and grand-parents enjoyed the unique accommodation and the wonderful history of the surrounding area.  Thank you to our hosts for your kindness and support.  Would recommend to our Australian friends, as the weather in the 40s was just like a  summer at home.

 

Barbara, Bob, Michael, Delphine and Miss Lily, Melbourne and Bordeaux, August

 

Enjoyed a relaxing and peaceful week at Tarn Owls.  Wonderful weather and wonderful location.  Mike and Michelle have been excellent hosts. Many thanks.

Chris and Roz , Hove , September

We have had a wonderful fortnight, totally within our comfort zone in the most friendly parto of France I have experienced.  We have followed your advice, Bruniquel, Puycelsi, Cordes, etc. Favourite would be difficult but Bruniquel takes some beating.  Little touches like herbs on the doorstep have made our stay memorable – happy days, thanks.

Clive, Mary, Geoff and Gill, North Yorks. and Devon, September

 

This was very much a last-minute holiday and we are amazed at how beautiful the area is.  There is so much to see within ½ hour radius including beautiful villages and towns.  The weather has been superb and we have been very comfortable in our accommodation.  Many thanks to Mike for being so helpful with his tips for places to visit and restaurants.

With many thanks and best wishes, Graham Liz and Susanne, September 2011

 

A week jut isn’t long enough, but the ferry is booked … We were enchanted by the area – so much to see, so little time – and be the poolside/barbecue life, especially being able to sit out in the warm after dark.  A perfect gite in a perfect setting; it’s going to be very hard to leave this beautiful place, so tranquil. Have really relaxed and unwound.  Love the meadows and the pool, and sitting at night under a star-studded magical sky.  And we think e spotted the two Little Owls silhouetted on the street lamp at dusk!  Au revoir!

Jonathan and Trish, September 2011

We have rambled through spectacular countryside, marvelled at the architecture of medieaval villages, walked through pages of history, sampled gastronomic delights, and ogled at the bounty displayed on the supermarket shelves!  Mike and Michelle thank you so much for your help and kindness and for sharing your patch of paradise with us!  We will treasure these wonderful memories for ever.  Look after your precious selves, great big hugs –

John, Trish, Jono and Gary, October 2011