Mick and I were reminded of the saying “saving the best for last” when we agreed to do this sit in Normandy in between the towns of Rugles and L’Aigle. We will spend 12 nights here – three with the owners (we have already spent two nights before they left and we will spend one before we leave.)

While every ‘sit’ has its positives, this one is located in an amazing home (which is currently for sale – click on the link if you are interested in buying it). The home is located in between two good sized towns, yet is very private. Mick and I have the whole top floor for our bedroom and bathroom and then the rest of the house is beautifully appointed, and beautifully warm. We noticed the dramatic difference between the weather up here compared with that we were experiencing in Fenouillet (in the south of France) – at least 12C degrees difference.

The view from our floor is quite spectacular too – the one on the left is the front of the house and the other the backyard.

We have three dogs to care for, and it did not take Mick too long to make friends.

There are two small dogs and one very big dog – all girls, and all rescue dogs. I told the owners that these dogs are in ‘Doggie Heaven’ as they are so well cared for and so loved.

As with many ‘sits’, the owners take time to ensure we know the routines for the animals and are familiar with the home. During the two evenings we had with them, and one full day, we were absolutely spoiled – treated like special guests and showered with food and good French wine and some treats from other parts of the world, as they have lived in many different countries.

After being taken out for dinner on the day before they left, where we started with a glass of champagne and then the menu du jour (comprising three courses) with a bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé (a Chardonnay from the Loire Vallé), we returned home to prepare for dinner – we were told we were to cook our own.

During the evening, we were treated to some French dishes, French wine and French treats that we had not tasted before, despite us having been in the country since last December.

Our first course was Coquilles St Jacques (scallops) with leeks and orange sauce.

That was followed by foie gras and two different chutneys. It was served with toast and a sweet white wine (Sauterne).

By this stage, Mick and I were full. But, there was more. We were about to taste raclette, with a twist!!

The centre of the table had a heating device that we were to use to cook our own meal. It did involve cheese (called raclette), but it was different to a fondue.

We each had a small pan into which we placed some raclette cheese slices, this was then placed under the heating element, and once the cheese was soft we poured an egg and bacon mixture (similar to that used for omelettes) on top of the soft cheese. The pan was placed under the heating element again and as it was cooking we took an already cooked jacket potato and cut it before tipping out the finished cheesy omelette.

We were also able to select some meats from a chacuterie plate if we wanted to vary the meal. It was a lot of fun and tasted very nice, although it would have been nicer if Mick and I were actually hungry. This course was served with a Côte de Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Now for dessert….

Thankfully there wasn’t any, however there was an amazing plate of beautiful, coloured macaroons surrounding a selection of handmade Belgium chocolates.

As you would expect, Mick and I did not want to appear rude, so we tried one of each. (I first saw macaroons about 10 years ago in Bordeaux, but up until this meal, I’d resisted the temptation and had never eaten one. Perhaps I shouldn’t have eaten one on this occasion, because it was delicious.)

We then moved into the salon / music room and listened to some French music and tried some of the liqueurs housed in the host’s bar. Our hosts had lived in China for a few years and Monsieur JP wanted Mick to try a special wine from China.

Mick was on to him though, because as soon as he smelt it he recalled tasting a wine very similar to this when we visited China in 2015.

But again, Mick did not want to be rude so he drank the small glass he was offered.

Luckily our hosts were expecting that reaction, as in some cultures Mick’s reaction could have been taken as an insult.

To make up for that, the host then offered Mick a (larger) glass of Armagnac as Mick had mentioned how much he had liked it when we bought some earlier in the year when we were in the Gers undertaking our second house sit for this year in France.

It was a late evening for us, as the dogs go outside for the last time of the day at 11.30pm. Mick and I are going to have to take a little nap in the middle of the day as the first ‘outing’ for the girls is 6.30am.

A small price to pay fo such an amazing experience.