Through the twists and turns of life, fate and many adventures, I find myself running a bed and breakfast in the gorgeous Gers, a sparsely populated, idyllic area in south-west France immortalized in the Chocolat series of books by Joanne Harris. It’s a far cry from London where I spent most of my adult life and even further removed from the northern coal mining town where I grew up. But it’s now home. I love it and I’m here to stay. Giving guests a wonderful welcome and a relaxing escape from the hurly burly, joining in local village life and writing. I love writing - I'll sell you a book if you ask me! And reading. People watching. Chatting. And above all adding to the fun of other people’s adventures.

Maison Lamothe, a beautifully restored 19th Century Gascon farmhouse, with 5 en-suite guest rooms is set in 5 acres of garden, with an 11 metre long salt water swimming pool. Open all year, we offer bed, breakfast and dinner, upon request. We’re situated just below the historic tiny village of Flamarens, with its romantic tumble-down church and fairy-tale chateau. Flamarens is on the famous GR65 which begins 450kms away in Le-Puy-en-Velay; one of the principal routes of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in France. Above all Maison Lamothe is home ; my home and when you are staying with me, yours too. I try to create the kind of atmosphere you enjoy when staying with favourite family or friends and I love making your trip to this beautiful region as special as I can. That’s why more than anything, I am so proud of the growing number of guests who return again and again. Walkers from all over the world descend on us and you never know who you might meet around the communal dining table, although I can guarantee there’ll be a fascinating story or a few surprises. Especially as we’re also an ideal stopover for motor travellers too; the A62 autoroute between Toulouse and Bordeaux is only a 10-minute drive away. And of course, the sunny, golden Gers with its rolling fields of vines, wheat, sunflowers and melons and picture-perfect market towns and bastides is the perfect kick-back and do-little holiday destination. Oh and the most important thing! I love dogs. You can bring your own, but please let me know when you book. Or if you’re travelling without your best friend and missing them terribly, my Springer Spaniel, Bertie, is more than happy to fill the gap with joy.

The walled town of Lectoure is 20kms away, with its ancient bishop’s palace, cathedral and a plethora of medieval buildings, also hosts a thermal spa and many antique shops. The market which spills all the way down the main street on a Friday morning is not to be missed, nor the Monday night markets and entertainments in summer. Medieval bastide towns abound; Fleurance (29kms) has a beautiful town hall with fountain statues and stunning stained glass windows in the 13th century church; Saint Clar (19kms is famed for its garlic production; Beaumont-de-Lomagne (26kms) is the home town of mathematician Pierre Fermat and has a science museum dedicated to him; in Moissac (38kms) the stunning Roman abbey and many art-deco buildings constructed after the devastating flood of 1930. St Clar (19kms) has a lake with swimming, slides and pedaloes and Agen (42kms) has Aqualand water park. The bike hire shop in Golfech (19kms) is next to the Canal des Deux Mers. Cycling along the tow path (it begins at the Atlantic and finishes in the Mediterranean) is enough to keep the most energetic cyclist more than entertained! Nearby villages include Auvillar (14kms), known as the jewel of the Garonne, Lachapelle (5kms) with it's surprising church, Gramont (13kms) has a beautifully preserved chateau, as well as a honey museum, and Miradoux (5kms) has its own micro-brewery. La Romieu (36 kms) offers a treasure hunt for 14 stone cats and a gothic collegiate palace. Further afield there’s the Bassins de Lumiere at Bordeaux (166kms); the Space and Aeronautical museums in Toulouse (98kms); les Grottes (caves) de Presque (125km) near breath-taking Rocamadour. When it comes to art treasures; the Musée Ingres Bourdelle in Montauban (68kms), the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen (42kms), the Musée des Jacobins in Auch (53kms) and my absolute favourite, the Simonow collection at the Abbaye de Flaran (50kms). As for the food, wine and Armagnac; this area truly does delight a gourmand!