Cold, dark and with a strong smell of damp was our first impression of this property. On arrival (Sat.) we were met by a pleasant young woman, who spoke no English and who took away the voucher with the owner's telephone number (my oversight, should have made a copy).
The hob had three gas burners and one electric plate: there was no way to light the gas (we don't smoke) and the electricity to the plate was turned off at the socket with a key. We spent a cold and uncomfortable first night partly due to the unusually poor weather for June. Next morning (Sun.) I tried to send an e-mail to Belvilla to get a phone number but there was no wifi in this property. I had to stand outside the house next door but one to get any reception, fine if the weather were nice and it was daylight. We did eventually find the owner's numbers in the house. One was unobtainable the other went to voicemail and I left a message. We bought some matches so in the evening we lit the wood burner.
In the bathroom the shower ran hot and then cold and the water did not drain properly. There was a crack in the sink and the cistern was very noisy. The towels had seen much better days.
The indoor furniture was old and some of it was broken. The wardrobe in the rear bedroom had no back in it and no handles on the doors so we had to be careful not to close them fully, the wardrobe in the other room smelt strongly of mould. The outdoor furniture looked new and of good quality but we did not use it because of the weather.
On Tuesday morning we had a visit from the owner, Joanna, who had not retrieved the voicemail. She denied that the property was damp but on our return in the evening the fire had already been lit and two space heaters had appeared. We did not see her again. We heard from Belvilla later that day.
The gardens and pool area were lovely and well maintained. The house is well situated in a rural location but close to a fast and noisy road.
