As well as exploring out and about whilst on holiday in France, we have been exploring a bit more of the house we are staying in.
It has been owned by the same family for five generations and is over 300 years old. We have had great fun trying to work out how it looked originally. It is clear that it hasn’t always been one dwelling. And in fact started its life as a forge and mill. The old mill pond is still evident, though now drained as the river was diverted. And has lots of nooks and crannies and rooms off rooms, some of which are not yet converted. Locked from the inside and only accessible to noses pressed up against windows outside.
Just off the kitchen though is something that really caught my eye. An old cold store, or antique fridge. I love things like this. It is easy to imagine that the hunters came back from a day in the woods, prepared the day’s catch in the room that is now utility room, and then hung everything in the cold store. Smaller compartments possibly holding cheeses.
One of the joys of staying in an old house rather than a hotel is getting little treats like this, and an insight into times gone by
It almost seems wrong to be standing next to this as I shove another load of towels into the washing machine. Or put the over fraise tart back in the second fridge that stands beside it.