What is new in Saint Maurice du Dessert for 2019?

For people who might want to or are staying at the house:

New Television, over 100 channels on cable TV mostly in French, watch on the brand new 32 inch TV.

High Speed WiFi, use LeScoobyDoo it is open, Orange is the neighbor. Ask for the access code offline.

If you want to call home the call to the US is free, dial 001 and then the number. Although its free, it is a limited number of minutes so please no hours long calls.

If you have never stayed at the house please be aware of the following:

Kitchen has:
4 burner gas stove
Electric oven
Dishes for 4 people
Coffee maker
A couple of pans and pots for cooking
All required cooking utensils
Standard refrigerator for a small french home (its small)
There are some spices & condiments in the cabinets, you are free to use them but if you use the last of it please try to replace.

Kitchen does not have:
A dishwasher,
Microwave

Clothes washer is small, but works well -
There is some laundry detergent in the kitchen under the sink, but if you use the last of it please replace.
We recommend you hang dry your clothes on the line attached to the house.
On a nice day your clothes will be dry in 20 minutes, if its raining you can use the clothes rack in the bathroom, that takes longer but a good solution if its raining.

Getting in and out of the house.
If you are staying at Maison McDonough we gave you 2 keys.
One for the kitchen door (lower level) one for the main door.
French locks work differently, you must move the handle 90 degrees to lock and unlock the door.
Be gentle and insert the key and move the handle up to unlock, down to lock.
Please make sure you lock the door when you leave.
Normandy and Saint Maurice are virtually crime free, but if the front door is not locked it could blow open in a storm.

Fireplace - 
Like the house the fireplace is over 400 years old and it has no flu, but this is greatly improved with the new chimney caps Mde Suzanne requested in 2018.
If you are not experienced in starting and maintaining a fire in a fireplace without a flu you will fill the house with smoke, so be careful.
If you are fire building savvy you can enjoy an amazing, warm fire.
Wood can be pricey at the supermarkets, but there are few choices, feel free to grab some fallen limbs and branches from the large yard, but please do not cut down one of the Apple trees to warm you up.

Please clean up the fireplace a bit before you leave, scoop up some of the ashes, as long as they are cool you can toss them in the yard.

Air Conditioning -

Its France, no one has it.
In the summer it can get warm but not humid, open the windows or the doors or the skylights.
Just make sure to close them all if you go out.
The area is full of birds, small birds will sometimes fly in the house through open windows or doors. They will leave soon enough.

The neighbors have a very friendly dog, he may come over looking for a treat. He will let you know where they are in the foyer, but give him one and he wont leave!
A gentle push out the door and close the door and VOX will  leave, until the next day.

Leaving:
After your relaxing visit there are a number of things you should do.
They do not pick up trash, it has to be dropped at the start of Le Parc Galet, we think its picked up Thursday mornings.

You must use the bags we provide in the kitchen draw, look in the draws we leave plenty of trash bags.
Do not leave food in the house when you leave.
Our wonderful housekeeper Fatima is not available everyday as she has a full time job, please throw away any food you do not eat. If it is stable (in a can or package) just put that in the cabinet for someone else to  enjoy, but meats, open drinks, fruit and veggies must be disposed of.

You can throw veggies and fruits in the backyard, the huge array of local animals will thank you for a free meal.

If you cannot get rid of the last bit of trash, Fatima will take care of it.

Don't worry about bed linens, but if you used some towels for your shower right before you left please place them in the washer.

Just like for your arrival Fatima makes sure that clean bed linens and towels are available for any future visitors.

And please make sure you leave the cleaning fee for Fatima in an envelope with her name on it in clear site in the living room.
 She worked hard to prepare for you and clean up after you. Envelops are in the desk in the foyer.