I am afraid that the damp local climate quickly corrugates the materials that fridges, washing machines and dryers are made out of, although they are only a few years old. You are right to point out that the antique dining room chairs probably need the carpinter to give them a once over, which we will have done soon!

Dear Kate and Cynthia Quackenbush, I am very sorry to hear that the Gatehouse was a dissapointment. I have to say that this is the first time that our guests in the Gatehouse have ever made a complaint of this nature. The house has gotten solid five star reviews until now!I am very sorry indeed. The Palacio de Hualle and the Gatehouse are a 17th Century construction. The stones and wooden beams have been in place for four hundred years. The stones sometimes "shed" somewhat. But this is not a lack of cleanliness, but a characteristic of ancient stones and an old, historic farm house. Another consideration is that our region is very damp and this has been a particularly rainy spring. However, Mari is very dilligent about cleaning and airing the house, the latter being essential in this damp region. But we make a special effort to make the house welcoming , by lighting a wood fire for the arrival of guests, and arranging fresh flowers in a vase. Also, the Gatehouse is in a country setting, with horses and other livestock grazing in immediate area, local dogs and cats roaming more or less freely, in an area that perhaps has been muddy with recent rains. Again, I apologize if the Gatehouse was a dissapointment.