Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 1, Episode 5 - The Baillie-Smiths and the Halpins 5 - full transcript
This is me,
Dick Strawbridge,
my wife Angel,
and our two children
in our glorious
French chateau.
We haven't ever regretted
what we've done.
It is so worth it.
We moved here three years ago
to follow our dream
of living life
in our very own castle.
Angel: Ha ha ha!
Oh, my god.
Dick: But it's not
been easy...
I think I'm a bit
too old for this.
As dozens of other Brits
know only too well.
[Crack]
Oops.
The floor needs replacing
as well. Ha ha ha!
Dick: Because it turns out
we're not the only ex-pats
who have bought
a French chateau.
Woman: Wow!
I absolutely love it.
Jonathan: 25-year-old Bordeaux.
Mother lode!
Dick: In this series,
we'll reveal
how we're running our chateau
as a business.
There's not a thing
about making sausages
that I don't find humorous.
Angel: I'm still finding things
that I haven't seen.
Dick: And see how these daring
Brits are running theirs.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
This place is done up.
As they face the ups...
Woman: It's really beautiful.
Jonathan: This is
a rare moment,
but I am genuinely
at peace.
Dick: And downs...
Phil: Um...it's
a lot worse than it looks.
Dick: Of their new lives
in these crumbling
and magnificent buildings.
Man: It is a bit of a fancy,
living in a French chateau.
We might have a few problems
on the way, but...
that's part of life,
isn't it? Ha ha ha.
Dick: Today...
Jonathan: Stop it!
Get away!
Dick: It's fun and games
at one chateau
as it's prepared for the arrival
of its investors.
Jonathan: We need to get
on top of it.
Get on top of the goats.
Dick: Until the investors
actually arrive, that is.
I was amazed
how "anti" people were.
I wasn't expecting
quite the backlash.
Dick: It's a mad rush
for one couple,
setting up an anniversary party
at their chateau.
Angelina: Loads of nails
fell into that sink because...
Just exhausted, really.
Dick: And a single mom struggles
to get her chateau ready
for a visit
from the local mayor.
Fiona: I'm rushing,
thinking about Louis.
Gravity. Stay.
[Music playing]
Dick: The beautiful
Chateau de Jalesnes.
It's managed my couple
Michael and Jonathan.
Jonathan: We were civilly
partnered five years ago,
um...on a very joyful occasion
with all our family and friends,
and everything
was going great.
Then we decided
to buy a chateau.
Dick: They bought it
for 750,000 pounds 4 years ago,
and with the help
of investors,
have transformed it
into what it is today.
Jonathan: It was great.
It was fantastic.
But then it all
started to unravel.
We knew we were
taking a risk.
We didn't think it was gonna be
this big a risk.
Dick: Located
in the Pays de la Loire,
the chateau hasn't
been making money.
If they can't make it
pay for itself
by the end of the summer,
they may have to quit.
Jonathan: This is our home.
It's all we've got.
Everything we have
is now invested in this,
so we haven't got
a fallback option.
All our eggs
are in one basket.
Dick: And over
the next few days,
these eggs could be
under threat.
Jonathan: The investors' week
is coming up.
They can vote us out
just as easily
as they voted us in.
Michael and I
could lose our jobs.
It's as simple as that.
Dick: So Michael and Jonathan
have a plan
for the chateau's
banqueting hall
that they hope
will please the investors.
We ordered some artwork,
and, uh, they delivered it
to the farm next-door.
So, the farmer's kindly said
that he'll bring it around here.
Dick: They're hoping
this artwork
will make the chateau
more appealing
to prospective
wedding clients
and in turn,
the investors.
We've had some feedback
from brides who visit the place
saying it looks a bit
of a blank canvas.
It's hard for them to visualize
what it's gonna look like.
Oh, look. Ha ha!
He's brought it
on a forklift truck.
Is it hitting the ground?
Oh, my.
Michael: How much did you say
that was worth?
Jonathan: Ten grand.
Dick: They're worth ten grand,
but thrifty Jonathan
actually got them
for five.
It's crucial
they aren't damaged.
Jonathan: Only in France.
Fantastic.
Try and get through there
with that box.
Jonathan: That's all right.
He can see it. He can see it.
Superb.
[Speaking French]
Dick: Inside are
20 reproductions
of famous French-themed
paintings,
most of them
by French artists.
I'm so excited.
I've never spent
this much money.
Can you imagine going
to the January sales,
um, with ten grand
in your pocket?
That's how excited I am.
I've never spent
that much money. Never.
Bought a house once.
Yeah, but no, that's
a paper transaction, isn't it?
What are you doing? Hang on.
You're ahead of me again.
You can't go this way.
You've got to go this way.
There's nails this way.
Jonathan: Come on.
Come on. Come on.
I just want to see
the top one.
Michael: Seen it.
Jonathan: Stop it. Get away.
You're so horrible.
I want to see
what they're like.
Oh, my god.
Pull...pull it off.
Michael: Should we be
a bit more delicate?
Jonathan: No, no, no.
Go, go, go, go, go, go.
Take it. Take it. Take it.
Take it! Oh, my god.
I want to put it
somewhere.
Absolutely magnificent.
These are digital restorations
of the original.
Now we need to get these
into the banqueting hall.
I can take two.
Dick: Tomorrow, they start
the task of putting them up.
Two and a half hours' drive
northwest of Jonathan
and Michael is another chateau,
Chateau du Bailleul.
It's the splendid home
of husband and wife Philip
and Angelina Bailey Smith.
Phil: There
wasn't an argument.
I said, "We're gonna
go live here
in a chateau in France."
"All right."
It was literally
like that.
No, it wasn't
like "All right."
It was like, "Yeah! Yeah!
I want it! I want it!"
Call them now.
I want it. I'm signing."
Dick: They're renting
the 17th-century place
in the Pays de la Loire region
of northern France
to try their hand
at chateau life
before deciding whether or not
to buy their own.
Phil: To me, the dream
of living in a chateau
and making it pay for itself
is alive and well,
and I couldn't genuinely think
of living back in London now.
Just...I couldn't.
Dick: As a first step
to starting
an events business
at the chateau,
Philip and Angelina
have taken on the challenge
of hosting a 50th
wedding anniversary party.
Over the last eight weeks,
they've cleared the grounds...
built a bar...
and even a bridge...
Last one's yours, fella.
With a little help
from yours truly.
Well-done.
Now the big day
has finally arrived.
Angelina: Looks stunning,
really, really stunning.
Dick: And Phil and Angelina,
joined by a few local helpers,
are working flat-out
to get the chateau ready
before the 50th
anniversary couple
arrive in two hours' time.
Angelina: Phil,
we're just a bit worried
about the amount
of glitter ribbon.
I just don't think
I have enough.
Dick: With 60 guests expected,
Phil wants to make sure
the way to the party
is well signposted.
Phil: It's a bit stressful
if you park in the wrong place.
French neighbors shouting,
"Why are you parking
"in my driveway?
No, this isn't a party.
This is my house." It's gonna be
a little bit embarrassing.
So, it's a bit stressful
for the start of the party.
We need to make a sign
that's nice and clear
for all the visitors,
so we found a beautiful frame
that I bought.
I think it's stunning,
really full of character,
very chateauy.
Do you have pencil?
Phil: No, I don't.
Angelina: Do you have
measuring tape?
Phil: Inside, I think.
Angelina: I'll go
and get the ruler.
Phil: I don't need a ruler.
I need a pencil.
Angelina: Yeah, but I need
straight lines.
Phil: Oh, yeah,
get the ruler.
A pencil will be
helpful. Thanks.
Dick: The pressure's
starting to take its toll.
Phil: Gonna pull
one of these out.
Give me two seconds
to cut this first. Thank you.
Put your hands on that,
like that, ok?
- Sorry, Philly.
- Yes.
[Saw whirring]
The arrow is left
for the party.
The arrow is right
for the party.
Angelina: I know
about the arrow.
Oh, my god. I just
want to kill you now.
Phil: Never argue
with a man with power tools.
I've got to go off
and get the tables and chairs,
which shows me
how far behind I am,
because it means, once
furniture starts to arrive,
it's happening, isn't it?
You know, it's not a case of
"Uh-oh. I can
get away with this."
Bye.
Angelina: Ciao.
Dick: Today's Phil
and Angelina's own
first wedding anniversary,
but there's no time
to celebrate.
If today
doesn't go well,
they may have to give up
their dream of a chateau life.
Phil: At the back
of your mind, you're like,
if I don't do it now
and get it right,
should we carry on
on this sort of thing,
or shouldn't we?
These are the tables
and chairs.
There won't be enough
to seat everybody,
but not everyone will eat
at the same time.
It's quite an informal affair
they want in the evening.
Never-ending. I hope
they appreciate it,
come the end of it.
[Crash]
Typical.
It's not glamorous sometimes.
It's just hard graft.
We're doing,
on a shoestring budget,
to try to start a business
to see if it works
on as little as possible.
So we're doing 10 people's jobs.
Dick: Seating sorted.
That's one more job done.
But Phil's got plenty more
on his plate.
If we get it 75% right,
we can carry on
with this business.
If we make a mess
of this today,
you're just...you're not cut out
for that sort of thing.
Do you know what?
Now I've thought about that,
I can feel the pressure.
Ha ha ha!
Dick: It's proving to be
one of the hottest days
of the year,
perfect for the party,
less so for Angelina.
Angelina: Because of
the scale of the place,
it's impossible.
You end up, like, running,
1,000 meters one way,
then 1,000 another,
and you're just
exhausted really.
Well, I am now.
I'm sweaty.
Look at me.
Sweaty Betty.
Dick: There's now
just two hours
until the clients
are due to arrive,
and Phil seems to have forgotten
his most pressing job of all.
Toilets need to be
cleared up.
Yeah, uh...
It's about what, 11:00?
It's...I still haven't
quite finished the toilets.
Dick: Unbelievably, after eight
weeks to prepare for this event,
Phil still hasn't sorted out
the abomination
that is the guests' toilet.
[Music playing]
Dick: Just over
a hundred miles southeast,
Alan, one of the volunteers
at Chateau du Jalesnes,
is helping Michael
and Jonathan put up
the newly acquired artwork
in the banquet hall.
[Indistinct]
The first part is all about
measuring it out
and getting it leveled.
So, then hopefully
by the end of today,
we should have all of the...
all of those up.
Knowing Jonathan, everything's
got to be spot-on perfect,
measured to within
a millimeter.
So I reckon
the biggest challenge
will get getting
Jonathan happy.
Dick: Michael knows
his partner well,
because one hour later...
[Music playing]
Jonathan: How's it going, Al?
Oh, blimey.
[Music playing]
Well, Alan's let me down
a little bit,
because he's not
centered this picture,
and I've got a good
eight inches on one side
and a good three inches
on the other.
Shall I just mark the rest
of your work while I'm here?
And what did you have
in mind here, Alan?
Just for my amusement.
Dick: After a bit
more tweaking,
Jonathan is happy,
but will Michael be?
Michael will not...
He'll just come in
and grunt at it
and say, "It seems a lot
of money to pay for a poster."
[Music playing]
[Michael chuckles]
What are you
laughing for?
It's done, isn't it?
Wow. They look good.
Why were you laughing?
It's a lot of nudity,
isn't it? Ha ha.
Is that all
you were laughing at?
I can cope with it
if it's just the nudity.
They're cool.
They're brilliant.
They're big.
These are brilliant.
These are good.
And who's she?
Jonathan:
She's Madam Pompadour.
And why is
Madam Pompadour famous?
I know the name.
She is the mistress
of Louis the...bbblll.
Yeah, you've done all right.
You cheeky...
I like them.
I like them a lot.
- Good.
- Yeah, I do.
I'm happy. He's happy.
No row, which I thought
was coming.
Dick: They're both happy.
The question is,
will the investors be
when they arrive
in just two days' time.
[Music playing]
The 13-bedroom
Chateau du Masgelier.
Parts of it
date back to 1174.
It has medieval dungeons,
a chapel,
and a 14-bedroom
coach house,
now run as a holiday home.
It's all owned, run,
and being restored
by single mom
Fiona Jones.
Fiona: Oh, it's
the best thing I did.
Wouldn't want to live
anywhere else.
Dick: Slap-bang
in the heart of France,
she and her son live here
in the upstairs floor
while slowly renovating
the rest of the chateau
with the goal of eventually
running the restored area
as a B&B alongside
the holiday home.
Fiona: If only you had thumbs.
You could help me.
Dick: This year, she's focused
on the first floor,
and this dining room
is her last room to do.
Fiona: I've not found that one
room here has just been simple.
Dick: In one week,
she's throwing a party
for the mayor
and local community
in an attempt to start
promoting the B&B.
Fiona: The pressure's on now.
It's a very big job,
this room, to complete.
Dick: She's plastered
the room and primed it,
ready for decorating.
Today's jobs
are wallpapering
and filling in
the problematic gaps
between the ceiling beams.
I'm having a lot
of problems with bats, mice.
What's actually happening is
the bats are getting in
through all of the tiny,
little gaps
in between the beams here.
My idea...I'm going to attempt--
I think this will work--
to spray foam all
the way through there,
and then I'm going to
varnish it
so it's, um,
at least sealed.
It would take a damn good mouse
to chew through all of that.
Well, here goes.
[Foam spraying]
Dick: Hmm...
Fiona: Gravity. Stay.
Dick: That doesn't look like
it's really filling
the hole to me.
Fiona: What I'll do is I'll let
the bigger areas just dry,
and then I'll put
some more foam in afterwards
and just build it up
in another layer,
and that will be fine.
What a mess.
I've not used
this product before.
It's a lot softer.
[Foam spraying]
It shouldn't be dripping like...
not to this excess.
It's a real mess.
Dick: Fiona is going to have to
come up with another plan
if she wants to finish this job
in the time she's got.
are coming today to see
how their investment is doing.
Their visit ends with an annual
general meeting, or AGM.
The way that business
has been going,
it's likely to be
a tough one.
But Jonathan and Michael
have a couple
of treats
up their sleeves.
Jonathan: Hello.
Have you had a good morning?
[Bleating]
Dick: One of them is goats.
Jonathan: What
have you been doing?
Could you eat a little bit
more for me, please?
Because they say that
you won't eat enough.
Dick: They hope the investors
will like the clever idea
to have the grass trimmed
for almost no cost.
Jonathan: Look at that.
Somebody's been chucking
their blooming breakfast
out there for the goats.
I didn't think that...
You shouldn't be feeding goats
pizza, should you?
Dick: The other treat
is the new paintings
in the banquet hall.
It's definitely gonna be
a talking point, I reckon.
Dick: They'll show the investors
the paintings tomorrow.
Tonight, they'll
wine and dine them.
They've started to arrive
earlier than expected.
- The meal starts at...7:00?
- Meal starts at 7:00.
7:00. So, I'll go
get drinks ready as well.
So, I'm gonna get changed.
All right. Meet you
back here in...10? Done.
We've now got three investors
all arriving at the same time,
and we've got to get the drinks
ready for dinner tonight.
They were supposed
to be staggered,
but it'll just turn into
a complete mess.
[Telephone ringing]
It's never-ending.
Oui. Allo.
Chateau de Jalesnes.
Dick: It's not
the best start.
I hope tomorrow
goes better.
[Music playing]
A hundred miles northwest,
at Chateau du Bailleul,
it's the day of the 50th
wedding anniversary party
that Phil and Angelina
Bailey Smith
have spent the last two months
preparing for.
Angelina: Loads of nails
fell into that sink.
Phil: I don't care.
Dick: Today's party
is a test.
If it goes well,
they may stay in France.
If it goes badly,
they may pack up
and give up the dream
of running a chateau business.
Phil: This is the life
that I'm really happy
we're currently living
and can't wait
to continue, so...
I'd be heartbroken
if it ended.
Dick: The guests of honor
are due to arrive in two hours,
but Phil hasn't finished
fixing the toilets
he promised
would be ready.
Phil: Well, this particular
toilet is almost finished.
Once this is in,
the toilet is two screws
and one pipe connector,
and then it's done.
I think I might have to cement
the pipe to fill it up.
Dick: As Phil tests
his speed-plumbing skills,
Angelina is putting
the finishing touches
to the party signs.
Angelina: I'll just copy
the style. I quite like it.
God, all these
swirly things.
[Rattling]
That's a good arrow.
That's a good size arrow.
I mean, you know,
you can't miss
going in the wrong direction.
One of the other things
that I wanted to do,
I actually like cake-decorating
type of stencils,
kind of like fleur-de-lis.
Lovely.
A bit of little
swirly action there.
If you turn right
instead of left,
you're gonna
miss the party.
Dick: Phil's
attempting to get
at least one of the toilets
up and running.
Phil: Might as well do this.
Dick: But, unfortunately,
there's a new problem.
Phil: The actual water feed
to the toilet
has now decided it doesn't want
to play ball and is dripping.
This is
an absolute nightmare.
[Music playing]
Dick: Phil promises clients
two working toilets
to accommodate
their 60 guests,
but he's struggling
to provide one, and even worse,
golden anniversary couple
Chris and Ann are nearly here.
Ann: It just seems
five minutes ago
that I met you
and we got married.
Chris: A lot of people
who are coming today
I don't think
have been to a chateau.
Ann: We've got some
flying in from England,
and we've got some Dutch.
They've driven over 800 miles
to get here.
So that's gonna be
a special moment.
Chris: We've put our trust
in them to make sure
that they're
gonna make this
a special day for us as well,
as has been promised.
When we first saw it,
there was a tremendous amount
of work that had to be done.
Well, here we are.
[Horn honks]
[Music playing]
Phil: Ok.
Dick: With Phil
caught short
and Angelina nowhere
to be seen,
there's no one
to welcome Chris and Ann.
Ann: Gosh, I'd forgotten
how big the place was.
Chris: Yeah, I have.
I don't know where they are.
Heavens.
What a lovely way to spend
50 years of marriage.
Dick: Will they be happy
with Phil and Angelina's
preparations for their big day?
At Chateau de Jalesnes,
the investors have been arriving
through the night,
and by this morning,
they're all here.
Jonathan: Hello. How are you?
Come on. Come on in.
Dick: The key part
of the visit
is the annual
general meeting.
Jonathan: Probably
the most important date
in the diary this year.
Dick: And because the business
has been struggling,
Michael and Jonathan
are worried.
Jonathan: They could say
that they're not satisfied
with the progress,
and it's not an idle threat.
They could, um, say,
"Sorry, guys.
"You've given it
your best shot,
but now we need somebody
who knows what they're doing."
Dick: So they're hoping
to impress the investors
with their new paintings
for the chateau's banquet hall.
Thanks for joining
the tour.
What I'd really
like you to see
is what we've done
in the main gallery.
Let's go through and see
what you...see what you think.
Man: Thank you.
Jonathan:
The idea has been
to take the old traditional
oil-painting artworks
of some of the French masters,
but to display them
in a contemporary manner.
It's a huge improvement.
I think it's warmed up the room,
and I love it.
They are a bit random.
It's not my favorite.
Man: I'm particularly bothered
by this one, I must say,
because it is
a violent painting,
and this is a room that's
gonna be used for weddings,
for happy occasions.
Dick: It wasn't quite
the vote of confidence
Jonathan had been
hoping for.
[Indistinct voices]
I suppose I'm disappointed
that people
were more opinionated
than they needed to have been.
It was the most momentous
thing that we've done,
cost us the most money.
Dick: And there's
more to worry about.
The investors board
has called a pre-meeting
to discuss the agenda
for the AGM.
Thank you very much
for coming.
I'll start off
with item number one.
Dick: And they aren't happy
about the goats
or the fence to keep them in
around the chateau.
Man: I think a lot of people
have the same view of...
that we're putting up
a farm fence
and farm animals
on the chateau.
I'd be seriously concerned
that's going to detract
from the...the quality of people
who want to stay at the chateau.
As with anything
that we buy or sort out,
there's normally
two or three weeks
of us getting it right.
So, point taken on board.
We'll talk to the sheep
people today,
and we'll see, um...
we'll see what improvements
or modifications
that we can make.
Michael: Three brides I have
spoken to know about it.
And they're fine with sheep,
are they? And goats?
Jonathan: Goats
in the moat, yeah.
I think a lot of people
sort of viewed the fence
and said, "What is that?"
I've said all along...
I had my reservations about it.
I said I'm going to try it.
And I said specifically
to the guys bringing it in,
"If I don't like it,
it's all coming out."
Jonathan: So, thank you
very much for...for attending,
and I look forward to seeing you
tomorrow for the AGM.
Thank you very much.
- Thanks.
- Thank you.
Dick: The board aren't keen
on the goats,
but what they really
don't like is the fence.
Michael and Jonathan
will need to think
what to do about it
before the AGM tomorrow.
I was amazed
how "anti" people were.
I wasn't expecting
quite the backlash.
So, the sheep
might have to go
if they're
voted down tomorrow.
Dick: At Chateau du Masgelier,
owner Fiona Jones
is slowly renovating parts
into a bed-and-breakfast.
She's just worked out
she's been using
the wrong foam filler to plug
the gaps in the ceiling beams
of the dining room
and has now put a type
better suited
to the task.
Fiona: Right.
Let's hope this works.
[Foam spraying]
Look at that. Fabulous.
Dick: Fiona needs
to get a move on.
This whole room needs to be
ready for the unveiling party
for the mayor
in just one week's time.
Fiona: I'm just gonna leave that
for a little while,
and then...then I'm gonna
cut it all out
so that you don't even know
that there's foam there.
I've got some
insulation foam,
which I'm going to pack the
bigger holes out with initially,
and then I'm going to
spray-foam that.
[Music playing]
[Foam spraying]
Dick: Fiona will wait
for that to dry.
Then she'll be able
to trim and neaten it up
and wood-stain it
to match the beams.
Fiona: Even if it looks
like a mess right now,
it'll be fine.
Dick: In the meantime,
she's got the wallpapering
to crack on with.
Fiona: I haven't used
this wallpaper before,
but I've got it
from England.
I was just looking for something
that was sage green
with a gold effect.
Dick: She's cutting it fine.
She needs to collect
her little boy Louis
from school
in just an hour's time.
Fiona: Oops.
[Music playing]
See, that is...
completely out. Ok.
That is completely out.
I knew it would be.
Of course it is.
Dick: The problem
with all old chateaus
is that the walls,
ceilings, and floors
are never at right angles.
So hanging wallpaper becomes
a real test of patience.
Fiona: It's just important
to get the first piece straight.
[Music stops]
Dick: If just one strip of paper
is pasted at the wrong angle,
all others lined up against it
will be wonky, too.
[Music playing]
Fiona: So, that's perfect.
Look at that.
Straight on the...bubble.
It's perfect.
Dick: She's got
the line-up right,
but the heat on this
scorching summer's day
is causing her
other problems.
Fiona: It's 32 degrees today.
The edges are drying out
too quickly and curling.
I need to go and get
Louis as well.
This is the problem.
I'm rushing,
thinking about Louis.
I can't do it.
I don't know why the edges
are drying so quickly.
I've never
had this happen.
Dick: She's only hung
two strips,
but she's run out of time and
has to go and collect Louis.
She hasn't finished
either the foam filler
or the papering she needed
to tick off today.
With the big party looming,
will she be able to finish
the room in time?
Meanwhile, back
at Chateau du Bailleul,
golden anniversary couple
Chris and Ann have arrived,
and their party is due to start
in less than an hour.
Chris: I don't know
where they are.
Should we go towards
the terrace or...
[Music playing]
Dick: But Phil and Angelina
are still rushing
to get the chateau ready.
Angelina: I hope
everyone can see this.
This parking sign
represents
that there's a very long
drive ahead,
and then you've got to
do a sharp right.
It's self-explanatory.
Mmm! We are not
doing great for time.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Angelina: Haven't
seen you for ages.
Chris: This looks lovely.
Angelina: Thank you.
Mwah.
Ann: Hello, my darling.
Angelina: You look gorgeous.
And smell amazing.
I'm sorry.
I'm...in my work mode.
Ann: That's ok. You've been
working, haven't you?
Angelina: We have
many surprises for you.
Dick: One surprise
they may not like
is Phil's still struggling
to plumb in the toilets
for their 60 guests.
Phil: I think I might
have to get Angelina
to stall them slightly.
I need gloves.
This is way too hot.
I need my gloves.
They're here.
We're trying to shepherd them
in one direction away
from certain rooms and others.
So, we're currently
playing a tag-team
of making sure
they're all right
and don't need
to go anywhere.
Dick: Angelina's hoping to buy
a few more precious minutes
by showing Chris and Ann
the bedroom she's
renovated for them.
Angelina: Ta-da!
Ann: Oh, it looks
beautiful!
Chris: Look at this.
Ann: And the butterflies
are amazing.
Angelina: I know.
It's a lovely cold room.
I've made you
lovely bath bombs
if you wish to take a bath
before the parties start.
Ann: That's lovely.
Chris: That's lovely, yeah.
A couple of questions--
Don't intend to spend a great
deal of time in the room.
And, I mean, we've not seen
around the rest of the house.
Dick: With Chris keen
to start inspecting...
[Toilet flushing loudly]
Finally there's a very welcome,
if slightly weird sound,
in the guest toilet.
It makes a bit
of a noise.
[Toilet flushing loudly]
We'll certainly know
if they get stuck in there.
They can press it
a few times
and send Morse signals,
can't they?
[Sighs]
Dick: While Phil's got one
of the toilets up and running,
Angelina surreptitiously ushers
Chris and Ann past
and outside
to the main event.
Phil: Straight
through, please.
Dick: Will they be satisfied
with the party venue?
Angelina: Well, shall we
go through the different areas?
Phil: We've got the area
for those
that want to have a fire
out of the way.
We haven't got the smoke
coming across here.
Ann: Look at your bridge.
It looks amazing.
Phil: Yeah.
We've laid out a decent
amount of seating.
The outdoor bar.
Ann: That looks amazing,
really beautiful.
Chris: Yeah, lovely.
Dick: They seem happy,
so Phil decides to confess.
Phil: I've got
one last thing.
I'm down to...
I've managed to get
one of the downstairs toilets
finished to completion.
The other one, there is
issues with the pipework.
Chris: You can only use
one at a time?
- Ha ha ha!
- Ok.
Dick: Well, that went
better than I thought.
What I'll do is I'll leave you
go and greet some guests
while I get changed.
You go and have
a shower first.
I'll deal with gates
and what-have-you.
- They've pulled it off.
- Yeah.
They've done wonders.
Absolutely.
A perfect place
for a wedding.
Chris: What they've managed to
achieve is totally delightful.
I can't sum it up
any better than that.
Dick: With the guests
starting to arrive
and after eight weeks
of hard graft,
it's party time
at Chateau du Bailleul.
Man: To Chris and Ann,
50 years!
[Cheering and applause]
Phil: It's great.
We've done that out of
literally blood,
sweat, and tears.
I'm seeing it come
to reality,
and I can see
other people right now
really enjoying
what I envisioned,
so that, actually, other people
are as wowed
as I would hope
they would be.
Maybe my crazy dream
is maybe not as crazy
as it sounded
in the first place.
Angelina: We've done
really well. Yes.
Phil: And on our wedding
anniversary.
Angelina: Yeah, that's true.
Love you.
Phil: I love you, too.
[Indistinct voices]
Dick: At Chateau
de Jalesnes,
the board of investors
aren't happy with the fence
surrounding the chateau.
[Speaking French]
Dick: Jonathan admits
they may have a point.
Jonathan: I realize
that the imposing nature
of our driveway here has been
completely compromised
by the fact that these posts
are right on the edge.
So, what was a lovely
tree-lined avenue
has now got
this sheep enclosure,
um, impinging on it.
[Speaking French]
It's our calling card,
that very first thing
that they see.
And if it's a load of rough
wooden stakes in the ground,
that's not gonna
do us many favors.
[Speaking French]
Oui. Exact.
Dick: By moving it
down the slope of the moat,
the fence shouldn't be
so prominent.
[Speaking French]
- Merci bien.
- Ok.
The plan so far is
that they're gonna finish off
doing the fencing tonight,
come and put the last bits
of that in,
and the sheep
will arrive tomorrow.
Dick: There are
six sheep arriving
in addition
to these goats,
but the board has agreed
to defer deciding their fate
until the annual
general meeting,
and there's
another problem.
[Speaking French]
They're just said
another problem we've got
is that we've put
a male and a female.
They never put
male goats with customers
because male goats
smell quite strong.
These men
can smell goats?
Michael: They can tell
a difference
between a male
and a female's smell.
But I can't smell
anything.
Now they've mentioned it,
I can smell.
That's ridiculous.
They can smell
a male goat.
So, what do they say?
We should have all females?
We should have
all female.
Jonathan: Well, we need to get
on top of it, don't we?
Get on top of the goats.
Let's just see
how it goes.
Jonathan: Come on.
Michael: Where are we going?
Where are we going now? What?
Jonathan: Work.
Dick: There's no more time
for goat talk.
They need to prepare the
financial report for the AGM.
Michael: We should make
an operating profit
of around 9,000
just this year.
What's left over here?
7...5,000?
5,000, and we'd get
half of that.
Jonathan: 2,500 Euros
between two of us.
That's 1,250 Euros each
for a year's work.
Dick: As they go
through the books,
they start to wonder
if it's all worthwhile
or whether they should give up
of their own accord.
Jonathan: When do we
start to earn?
No quality of life,
working 14 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Are you game to give it a go
for another year?
Are you happy to do it?
Dick: In the heart of France,
Fiona's spent five years
renovating her chateau
in the hope of one day
running it as a B&B.
For the last week,
she's been trying
to renovate her dining room
in time for an unveiling
to the local mayor.
[Music playing]
And she's made it.
Fiona: It does give you
a nice sense of achievement,
that you've not just
gone into a room
and just decorated it.
It's really
had to be gutted,
and the whole room
has had to be reinstated
to put it back
to its originality
as best as I'm able to.
[Music playing]
Dick: Finally, the man
who she hopes
will bless
her business venture,
the mayor,
Michel Nevas, arrives.
Fiona: I'm going to
take him inside now,
just let him have a look.
[Indistinct]
Fiona: And...
I just kind of finished
wallpapering yesterday.
This is literally the last room
on the ground floor
that is complete.
Dick: What does he think?
[Mayor speaking French]
He thinks it's good.
[Speaking French]
Yes, he insisted to have it
visited with you
because he was very curious
to see how it had become,
and he's so happy
he did see it.
- It's a very nice surprise.
- Ok.
Woman: And he thinks
a lot of people
will be very pleased
to visit it one day.
Dick: It's the official
seal of approval.
But there's one thing
bothering the mayor.
[Mayor speaking French]
What's that?
Please, will you learn
the French language?
Fiona: Yes,
but tell him...
but tell him
I'm so busy working
I don't get out
to have a good time
and talk in French.
Dick: It's been
a great day for Fiona,
and what's more, the mayor
seems enthusiastic
about her plans
for a B&B.
Fiona: He's full
of excitement and ideas
for the chambre d'hote.
Gives you more motivation
to just continue.
Dick: So, what's next for this
one-woman renovation army?
Fiona: All of the windows
need to be painted,
and the panes of glass
need to be replaced,
and any of the woodwork
can be repaired.
And then I'll be finishing off
the large servants staircase,
and, um...yeah,
after that,
I'll start hitting the bedrooms
on the first floor,
get the business
up and running.
Dick: I wish you
all the best, Fiona,
and with your energy,
I'm sure you'll manage.
[Music]
At Chateau du Bailleul,
Phil and Angelina's
first-ever paid event
is in full swing.
Woman: It's just wonderful.
Second woman: I think it can be
a real business for them.
I know that Angelina,
she's just really
passionate about that.
Third woman: I've had a fabulous
time, absolutely brilliant.
A chateau is meant
to be alive,
and that's exactly
what it is tonight.
It is alive.
Dick: With the party and chateau
earning rave reviews,
Phil and Angelina
can finally turn their attention
to a celebration
of their own.
Angelina: Everyone's
having a great time.
That's only
a good sign, isn't it?
Phil: Yeah.
Angelina: Whoo! Early start.
Let's celebrate.
Phil: Hey, we've done
everything we possibly can.
Angelina: Yeah.
Everything we've promised,
which is great.
Thank you very much.
[Phil sighs loudly]
The first party,
first event.
It's the first of so many,
and I was...
I was coming close
to pulling the plug.
But you know what?
I see the future.
Nothing more
we can do tonight.
It's a great party.
- We pulled it off.
- We pulled it off.
- Well done?
- Well done.
Angelina: May there be
many more.
Phil: First of many.
Angelina: I look forward
to some sleep. Sleep 24 hours.
[Music playing]
Dick: At Chateau de Jalesnes
in the Loire Valley,
it's almost time
for the AGM,
and Jonathan and Michael
could find themselves
out of a job
if the investors aren't happy
with the way
the business is going.
The worst that could happen
in the meeting
is a motion
of no confidence
because we've not achieved the
targets that we said we would.
I'm nervous about it.
This is
a very vocal group,
and they will all
want to make their point.
Dick: And even
if they aren't pushed,
they're considering
leaving anyway.
I hate criticism, and I've
just got to bite my tongue,
and I mustn't bite back.
Preparation is the...
is the key.
If it all looks great
when they walk in,
you've got half the battle won,
because they think,
"Oh, this is gonna be
a professional do."
Dick: Jonathan and Michael know
the biggest discussion today
will be about the fence
and animals.
Jonathan: Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the annual
general meeting
of Chateau de Jalesnes.
It's come to my attention
that we might have
a contentious issue
to discuss.
Dick: This part
of the meeting
will take place
behind closed doors.
Jonathan: We have an issue
about the arrival of the sheep.
Man: If you're going to bring
the sheep in,
why do we have
such great big posts there?
Woman: You see these poles
stuck along the road
like a farm fence.
It's totally distracted
from the whole chateau.
Second man: If there are things
which come to light,
like it doesn't rain
for three weeks
and the place stinks, right,
you might do something about it.
Jonathan: Exactly.
Of course.
Overall, it's an experiment,
and if it's proved to be wrong,
it will disappear.
Dick: The investors decide
to keep the issue under review,
and if it doesn't work out,
Jonathan and Michael
will get rid of them.
Jonathan: I'd like to crack on
as quickly as possible.
Dick: The meeting
goes on,
and other chateau business
is discussed.
Third man: There was
some effort to generate
wedding-event business
from the state.
Whatever happened to that?
Fourth man: You see,
you concentrate on weddings
during the week,
isn't it?
And you want
bums on seats
during the week
as well, don't you?
Dick: After three hours,
it's finally over.
All that remains is to say
thank you very much
for taking the time to listen
to what the board
had to present to you
and for all the suggestions
that you've made,
be they difficult or easy.
[Indistinct voices]
Dick: So, how do Michael
and Jonathan feel?
[Keys rattling]
Jonathan: Thanks.
There was some discussion
about the...the sheep,
um, and as far
as I can make out,
there's only one person
who's a fan of the sheep.
The rest of them
said it was
the worst decision that could
possibly have been made,
what were we thinking of,
why didn't we get
anybody's permission,
why didn't we do this,
why didn't we do that,
and I think there wasn't
a single person in the room
that didn't have a go
for an hour
about, um...how much
the sheep have got to go.
There was very little trust
in our abilities to...
Michael: I don't care
about the sheep.
I care about that we're
supposed to have a mandate
to be the managers here.
I didn't come
out of that meeting
with a mandate to be managers
and to be, um...
take the right decisions.
Dick: It seems
the goats and sheep
are just some of the many issues
for Michael and Jonathan.
I feel as if I've got
the weight of the world
on my shoulders,
and I could do
without it really.
I've got so much going on,
and it's very difficult
to keep it all together.
Dick: So, they aren't making
any rash decisions
on their future now.
They're committed to
the upcoming summer wedding.
Jonathan: It's time to start
worrying about other things.
We have now got worrying
about our next event.
Dick: They'll decide
if they're going to stay
at Chateau de Jalesnes
after that.
This chateau lark
is not all plain sailing.
[Music playing]
Dick: A hundred miles northwest,
and it's the morning
after the big event
for Philip and Angelina,
and it wasn't
all plain sailing.
Ha ha ha!
Yesterday I caught you, and you
had your head in your hand. Why?
Were you having
a little post-meltdown?
Oh, yeah, yesterday.
Of course, yeah. I hid...
He was like this.
"Oh, let's go
and check on him."
I did it in the middle
of the afternoon.
I just ran to the back
of the garden
where no one
could see me.
Everyone else is working,
everyone else is working away
doing stuff,
and I just hid
where no one could see me
and just had my head
in my hands going,
"Why are we not gonna
manage this? Please..."
Dick: Running a chateau
can do that to some people.
You do have really,
really down moments.
That's when I have
a cry and a moan,
and, you know,
life gives you lemons...
you make...
Phil: Lemonade.
No, you make chianti.
Dick: So, decision time.
Will they carry on
with the chateau life?
Phil: I couldn't have hoped
for more out of it.
The reaction to everybody
yesterday was just...
It was the...
It was the reassurance
I think I needed to...
to carry on.
So, we'll keep the place on
for as long as we can.
Now we're looking forward,
and there's no stopping...
I hope.
Dick: Good luck,
Phil and Angelina.
With a lot of hard work,
you, too, can make it.
Next time, on the day
of the wedding,
Michael and Jonathan
struggle with one problem...
The lift has jammed itself
on the ground floor.
Dick: After another...
They don't think they've got
any more parts like it
because it's so old.
Dick: After another.
Man: I found the pipe
that's leaking.
It's got a split in it.
It looks like
it is the mains pipe.
Dick: When two new parents
face a mammoth task
trying to get the chateau ready
for the holiday season...
I don't know if we can get
everything done in time.
Dick: They call in support...
I was up at 4:00
in the morning.
I didn't know I was gonna be
moving stuff all day.
Dick: Or at least
they thought they had.
We don't actually know
if he's ever really done
a full day's work
in his life before.
Dick: And major pool
and wall problems...
Woman: Oh, my god.
That is really not good.
Dick: Threaten to scupper
a chateau's summer opening.
This wall fell down,
and we need to put it up
before the guests come.
[Music playing]
Dick Strawbridge,
my wife Angel,
and our two children
in our glorious
French chateau.
We haven't ever regretted
what we've done.
It is so worth it.
We moved here three years ago
to follow our dream
of living life
in our very own castle.
Angel: Ha ha ha!
Oh, my god.
Dick: But it's not
been easy...
I think I'm a bit
too old for this.
As dozens of other Brits
know only too well.
[Crack]
Oops.
The floor needs replacing
as well. Ha ha ha!
Dick: Because it turns out
we're not the only ex-pats
who have bought
a French chateau.
Woman: Wow!
I absolutely love it.
Jonathan: 25-year-old Bordeaux.
Mother lode!
Dick: In this series,
we'll reveal
how we're running our chateau
as a business.
There's not a thing
about making sausages
that I don't find humorous.
Angel: I'm still finding things
that I haven't seen.
Dick: And see how these daring
Brits are running theirs.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
This place is done up.
As they face the ups...
Woman: It's really beautiful.
Jonathan: This is
a rare moment,
but I am genuinely
at peace.
Dick: And downs...
Phil: Um...it's
a lot worse than it looks.
Dick: Of their new lives
in these crumbling
and magnificent buildings.
Man: It is a bit of a fancy,
living in a French chateau.
We might have a few problems
on the way, but...
that's part of life,
isn't it? Ha ha ha.
Dick: Today...
Jonathan: Stop it!
Get away!
Dick: It's fun and games
at one chateau
as it's prepared for the arrival
of its investors.
Jonathan: We need to get
on top of it.
Get on top of the goats.
Dick: Until the investors
actually arrive, that is.
I was amazed
how "anti" people were.
I wasn't expecting
quite the backlash.
Dick: It's a mad rush
for one couple,
setting up an anniversary party
at their chateau.
Angelina: Loads of nails
fell into that sink because...
Just exhausted, really.
Dick: And a single mom struggles
to get her chateau ready
for a visit
from the local mayor.
Fiona: I'm rushing,
thinking about Louis.
Gravity. Stay.
[Music playing]
Dick: The beautiful
Chateau de Jalesnes.
It's managed my couple
Michael and Jonathan.
Jonathan: We were civilly
partnered five years ago,
um...on a very joyful occasion
with all our family and friends,
and everything
was going great.
Then we decided
to buy a chateau.
Dick: They bought it
for 750,000 pounds 4 years ago,
and with the help
of investors,
have transformed it
into what it is today.
Jonathan: It was great.
It was fantastic.
But then it all
started to unravel.
We knew we were
taking a risk.
We didn't think it was gonna be
this big a risk.
Dick: Located
in the Pays de la Loire,
the chateau hasn't
been making money.
If they can't make it
pay for itself
by the end of the summer,
they may have to quit.
Jonathan: This is our home.
It's all we've got.
Everything we have
is now invested in this,
so we haven't got
a fallback option.
All our eggs
are in one basket.
Dick: And over
the next few days,
these eggs could be
under threat.
Jonathan: The investors' week
is coming up.
They can vote us out
just as easily
as they voted us in.
Michael and I
could lose our jobs.
It's as simple as that.
Dick: So Michael and Jonathan
have a plan
for the chateau's
banqueting hall
that they hope
will please the investors.
We ordered some artwork,
and, uh, they delivered it
to the farm next-door.
So, the farmer's kindly said
that he'll bring it around here.
Dick: They're hoping
this artwork
will make the chateau
more appealing
to prospective
wedding clients
and in turn,
the investors.
We've had some feedback
from brides who visit the place
saying it looks a bit
of a blank canvas.
It's hard for them to visualize
what it's gonna look like.
Oh, look. Ha ha!
He's brought it
on a forklift truck.
Is it hitting the ground?
Oh, my.
Michael: How much did you say
that was worth?
Jonathan: Ten grand.
Dick: They're worth ten grand,
but thrifty Jonathan
actually got them
for five.
It's crucial
they aren't damaged.
Jonathan: Only in France.
Fantastic.
Try and get through there
with that box.
Jonathan: That's all right.
He can see it. He can see it.
Superb.
[Speaking French]
Dick: Inside are
20 reproductions
of famous French-themed
paintings,
most of them
by French artists.
I'm so excited.
I've never spent
this much money.
Can you imagine going
to the January sales,
um, with ten grand
in your pocket?
That's how excited I am.
I've never spent
that much money. Never.
Bought a house once.
Yeah, but no, that's
a paper transaction, isn't it?
What are you doing? Hang on.
You're ahead of me again.
You can't go this way.
You've got to go this way.
There's nails this way.
Jonathan: Come on.
Come on. Come on.
I just want to see
the top one.
Michael: Seen it.
Jonathan: Stop it. Get away.
You're so horrible.
I want to see
what they're like.
Oh, my god.
Pull...pull it off.
Michael: Should we be
a bit more delicate?
Jonathan: No, no, no.
Go, go, go, go, go, go.
Take it. Take it. Take it.
Take it! Oh, my god.
I want to put it
somewhere.
Absolutely magnificent.
These are digital restorations
of the original.
Now we need to get these
into the banqueting hall.
I can take two.
Dick: Tomorrow, they start
the task of putting them up.
Two and a half hours' drive
northwest of Jonathan
and Michael is another chateau,
Chateau du Bailleul.
It's the splendid home
of husband and wife Philip
and Angelina Bailey Smith.
Phil: There
wasn't an argument.
I said, "We're gonna
go live here
in a chateau in France."
"All right."
It was literally
like that.
No, it wasn't
like "All right."
It was like, "Yeah! Yeah!
I want it! I want it!"
Call them now.
I want it. I'm signing."
Dick: They're renting
the 17th-century place
in the Pays de la Loire region
of northern France
to try their hand
at chateau life
before deciding whether or not
to buy their own.
Phil: To me, the dream
of living in a chateau
and making it pay for itself
is alive and well,
and I couldn't genuinely think
of living back in London now.
Just...I couldn't.
Dick: As a first step
to starting
an events business
at the chateau,
Philip and Angelina
have taken on the challenge
of hosting a 50th
wedding anniversary party.
Over the last eight weeks,
they've cleared the grounds...
built a bar...
and even a bridge...
Last one's yours, fella.
With a little help
from yours truly.
Well-done.
Now the big day
has finally arrived.
Angelina: Looks stunning,
really, really stunning.
Dick: And Phil and Angelina,
joined by a few local helpers,
are working flat-out
to get the chateau ready
before the 50th
anniversary couple
arrive in two hours' time.
Angelina: Phil,
we're just a bit worried
about the amount
of glitter ribbon.
I just don't think
I have enough.
Dick: With 60 guests expected,
Phil wants to make sure
the way to the party
is well signposted.
Phil: It's a bit stressful
if you park in the wrong place.
French neighbors shouting,
"Why are you parking
"in my driveway?
No, this isn't a party.
This is my house." It's gonna be
a little bit embarrassing.
So, it's a bit stressful
for the start of the party.
We need to make a sign
that's nice and clear
for all the visitors,
so we found a beautiful frame
that I bought.
I think it's stunning,
really full of character,
very chateauy.
Do you have pencil?
Phil: No, I don't.
Angelina: Do you have
measuring tape?
Phil: Inside, I think.
Angelina: I'll go
and get the ruler.
Phil: I don't need a ruler.
I need a pencil.
Angelina: Yeah, but I need
straight lines.
Phil: Oh, yeah,
get the ruler.
A pencil will be
helpful. Thanks.
Dick: The pressure's
starting to take its toll.
Phil: Gonna pull
one of these out.
Give me two seconds
to cut this first. Thank you.
Put your hands on that,
like that, ok?
- Sorry, Philly.
- Yes.
[Saw whirring]
The arrow is left
for the party.
The arrow is right
for the party.
Angelina: I know
about the arrow.
Oh, my god. I just
want to kill you now.
Phil: Never argue
with a man with power tools.
I've got to go off
and get the tables and chairs,
which shows me
how far behind I am,
because it means, once
furniture starts to arrive,
it's happening, isn't it?
You know, it's not a case of
"Uh-oh. I can
get away with this."
Bye.
Angelina: Ciao.
Dick: Today's Phil
and Angelina's own
first wedding anniversary,
but there's no time
to celebrate.
If today
doesn't go well,
they may have to give up
their dream of a chateau life.
Phil: At the back
of your mind, you're like,
if I don't do it now
and get it right,
should we carry on
on this sort of thing,
or shouldn't we?
These are the tables
and chairs.
There won't be enough
to seat everybody,
but not everyone will eat
at the same time.
It's quite an informal affair
they want in the evening.
Never-ending. I hope
they appreciate it,
come the end of it.
[Crash]
Typical.
It's not glamorous sometimes.
It's just hard graft.
We're doing,
on a shoestring budget,
to try to start a business
to see if it works
on as little as possible.
So we're doing 10 people's jobs.
Dick: Seating sorted.
That's one more job done.
But Phil's got plenty more
on his plate.
If we get it 75% right,
we can carry on
with this business.
If we make a mess
of this today,
you're just...you're not cut out
for that sort of thing.
Do you know what?
Now I've thought about that,
I can feel the pressure.
Ha ha ha!
Dick: It's proving to be
one of the hottest days
of the year,
perfect for the party,
less so for Angelina.
Angelina: Because of
the scale of the place,
it's impossible.
You end up, like, running,
1,000 meters one way,
then 1,000 another,
and you're just
exhausted really.
Well, I am now.
I'm sweaty.
Look at me.
Sweaty Betty.
Dick: There's now
just two hours
until the clients
are due to arrive,
and Phil seems to have forgotten
his most pressing job of all.
Toilets need to be
cleared up.
Yeah, uh...
It's about what, 11:00?
It's...I still haven't
quite finished the toilets.
Dick: Unbelievably, after eight
weeks to prepare for this event,
Phil still hasn't sorted out
the abomination
that is the guests' toilet.
[Music playing]
Dick: Just over
a hundred miles southeast,
Alan, one of the volunteers
at Chateau du Jalesnes,
is helping Michael
and Jonathan put up
the newly acquired artwork
in the banquet hall.
[Indistinct]
The first part is all about
measuring it out
and getting it leveled.
So, then hopefully
by the end of today,
we should have all of the...
all of those up.
Knowing Jonathan, everything's
got to be spot-on perfect,
measured to within
a millimeter.
So I reckon
the biggest challenge
will get getting
Jonathan happy.
Dick: Michael knows
his partner well,
because one hour later...
[Music playing]
Jonathan: How's it going, Al?
Oh, blimey.
[Music playing]
Well, Alan's let me down
a little bit,
because he's not
centered this picture,
and I've got a good
eight inches on one side
and a good three inches
on the other.
Shall I just mark the rest
of your work while I'm here?
And what did you have
in mind here, Alan?
Just for my amusement.
Dick: After a bit
more tweaking,
Jonathan is happy,
but will Michael be?
Michael will not...
He'll just come in
and grunt at it
and say, "It seems a lot
of money to pay for a poster."
[Music playing]
[Michael chuckles]
What are you
laughing for?
It's done, isn't it?
Wow. They look good.
Why were you laughing?
It's a lot of nudity,
isn't it? Ha ha.
Is that all
you were laughing at?
I can cope with it
if it's just the nudity.
They're cool.
They're brilliant.
They're big.
These are brilliant.
These are good.
And who's she?
Jonathan:
She's Madam Pompadour.
And why is
Madam Pompadour famous?
I know the name.
She is the mistress
of Louis the...bbblll.
Yeah, you've done all right.
You cheeky...
I like them.
I like them a lot.
- Good.
- Yeah, I do.
I'm happy. He's happy.
No row, which I thought
was coming.
Dick: They're both happy.
The question is,
will the investors be
when they arrive
in just two days' time.
[Music playing]
The 13-bedroom
Chateau du Masgelier.
Parts of it
date back to 1174.
It has medieval dungeons,
a chapel,
and a 14-bedroom
coach house,
now run as a holiday home.
It's all owned, run,
and being restored
by single mom
Fiona Jones.
Fiona: Oh, it's
the best thing I did.
Wouldn't want to live
anywhere else.
Dick: Slap-bang
in the heart of France,
she and her son live here
in the upstairs floor
while slowly renovating
the rest of the chateau
with the goal of eventually
running the restored area
as a B&B alongside
the holiday home.
Fiona: If only you had thumbs.
You could help me.
Dick: This year, she's focused
on the first floor,
and this dining room
is her last room to do.
Fiona: I've not found that one
room here has just been simple.
Dick: In one week,
she's throwing a party
for the mayor
and local community
in an attempt to start
promoting the B&B.
Fiona: The pressure's on now.
It's a very big job,
this room, to complete.
Dick: She's plastered
the room and primed it,
ready for decorating.
Today's jobs
are wallpapering
and filling in
the problematic gaps
between the ceiling beams.
I'm having a lot
of problems with bats, mice.
What's actually happening is
the bats are getting in
through all of the tiny,
little gaps
in between the beams here.
My idea...I'm going to attempt--
I think this will work--
to spray foam all
the way through there,
and then I'm going to
varnish it
so it's, um,
at least sealed.
It would take a damn good mouse
to chew through all of that.
Well, here goes.
[Foam spraying]
Dick: Hmm...
Fiona: Gravity. Stay.
Dick: That doesn't look like
it's really filling
the hole to me.
Fiona: What I'll do is I'll let
the bigger areas just dry,
and then I'll put
some more foam in afterwards
and just build it up
in another layer,
and that will be fine.
What a mess.
I've not used
this product before.
It's a lot softer.
[Foam spraying]
It shouldn't be dripping like...
not to this excess.
It's a real mess.
Dick: Fiona is going to have to
come up with another plan
if she wants to finish this job
in the time she's got.
are coming today to see
how their investment is doing.
Their visit ends with an annual
general meeting, or AGM.
The way that business
has been going,
it's likely to be
a tough one.
But Jonathan and Michael
have a couple
of treats
up their sleeves.
Jonathan: Hello.
Have you had a good morning?
[Bleating]
Dick: One of them is goats.
Jonathan: What
have you been doing?
Could you eat a little bit
more for me, please?
Because they say that
you won't eat enough.
Dick: They hope the investors
will like the clever idea
to have the grass trimmed
for almost no cost.
Jonathan: Look at that.
Somebody's been chucking
their blooming breakfast
out there for the goats.
I didn't think that...
You shouldn't be feeding goats
pizza, should you?
Dick: The other treat
is the new paintings
in the banquet hall.
It's definitely gonna be
a talking point, I reckon.
Dick: They'll show the investors
the paintings tomorrow.
Tonight, they'll
wine and dine them.
They've started to arrive
earlier than expected.
- The meal starts at...7:00?
- Meal starts at 7:00.
7:00. So, I'll go
get drinks ready as well.
So, I'm gonna get changed.
All right. Meet you
back here in...10? Done.
We've now got three investors
all arriving at the same time,
and we've got to get the drinks
ready for dinner tonight.
They were supposed
to be staggered,
but it'll just turn into
a complete mess.
[Telephone ringing]
It's never-ending.
Oui. Allo.
Chateau de Jalesnes.
Dick: It's not
the best start.
I hope tomorrow
goes better.
[Music playing]
A hundred miles northwest,
at Chateau du Bailleul,
it's the day of the 50th
wedding anniversary party
that Phil and Angelina
Bailey Smith
have spent the last two months
preparing for.
Angelina: Loads of nails
fell into that sink.
Phil: I don't care.
Dick: Today's party
is a test.
If it goes well,
they may stay in France.
If it goes badly,
they may pack up
and give up the dream
of running a chateau business.
Phil: This is the life
that I'm really happy
we're currently living
and can't wait
to continue, so...
I'd be heartbroken
if it ended.
Dick: The guests of honor
are due to arrive in two hours,
but Phil hasn't finished
fixing the toilets
he promised
would be ready.
Phil: Well, this particular
toilet is almost finished.
Once this is in,
the toilet is two screws
and one pipe connector,
and then it's done.
I think I might have to cement
the pipe to fill it up.
Dick: As Phil tests
his speed-plumbing skills,
Angelina is putting
the finishing touches
to the party signs.
Angelina: I'll just copy
the style. I quite like it.
God, all these
swirly things.
[Rattling]
That's a good arrow.
That's a good size arrow.
I mean, you know,
you can't miss
going in the wrong direction.
One of the other things
that I wanted to do,
I actually like cake-decorating
type of stencils,
kind of like fleur-de-lis.
Lovely.
A bit of little
swirly action there.
If you turn right
instead of left,
you're gonna
miss the party.
Dick: Phil's
attempting to get
at least one of the toilets
up and running.
Phil: Might as well do this.
Dick: But, unfortunately,
there's a new problem.
Phil: The actual water feed
to the toilet
has now decided it doesn't want
to play ball and is dripping.
This is
an absolute nightmare.
[Music playing]
Dick: Phil promises clients
two working toilets
to accommodate
their 60 guests,
but he's struggling
to provide one, and even worse,
golden anniversary couple
Chris and Ann are nearly here.
Ann: It just seems
five minutes ago
that I met you
and we got married.
Chris: A lot of people
who are coming today
I don't think
have been to a chateau.
Ann: We've got some
flying in from England,
and we've got some Dutch.
They've driven over 800 miles
to get here.
So that's gonna be
a special moment.
Chris: We've put our trust
in them to make sure
that they're
gonna make this
a special day for us as well,
as has been promised.
When we first saw it,
there was a tremendous amount
of work that had to be done.
Well, here we are.
[Horn honks]
[Music playing]
Phil: Ok.
Dick: With Phil
caught short
and Angelina nowhere
to be seen,
there's no one
to welcome Chris and Ann.
Ann: Gosh, I'd forgotten
how big the place was.
Chris: Yeah, I have.
I don't know where they are.
Heavens.
What a lovely way to spend
50 years of marriage.
Dick: Will they be happy
with Phil and Angelina's
preparations for their big day?
At Chateau de Jalesnes,
the investors have been arriving
through the night,
and by this morning,
they're all here.
Jonathan: Hello. How are you?
Come on. Come on in.
Dick: The key part
of the visit
is the annual
general meeting.
Jonathan: Probably
the most important date
in the diary this year.
Dick: And because the business
has been struggling,
Michael and Jonathan
are worried.
Jonathan: They could say
that they're not satisfied
with the progress,
and it's not an idle threat.
They could, um, say,
"Sorry, guys.
"You've given it
your best shot,
but now we need somebody
who knows what they're doing."
Dick: So they're hoping
to impress the investors
with their new paintings
for the chateau's banquet hall.
Thanks for joining
the tour.
What I'd really
like you to see
is what we've done
in the main gallery.
Let's go through and see
what you...see what you think.
Man: Thank you.
Jonathan:
The idea has been
to take the old traditional
oil-painting artworks
of some of the French masters,
but to display them
in a contemporary manner.
It's a huge improvement.
I think it's warmed up the room,
and I love it.
They are a bit random.
It's not my favorite.
Man: I'm particularly bothered
by this one, I must say,
because it is
a violent painting,
and this is a room that's
gonna be used for weddings,
for happy occasions.
Dick: It wasn't quite
the vote of confidence
Jonathan had been
hoping for.
[Indistinct voices]
I suppose I'm disappointed
that people
were more opinionated
than they needed to have been.
It was the most momentous
thing that we've done,
cost us the most money.
Dick: And there's
more to worry about.
The investors board
has called a pre-meeting
to discuss the agenda
for the AGM.
Thank you very much
for coming.
I'll start off
with item number one.
Dick: And they aren't happy
about the goats
or the fence to keep them in
around the chateau.
Man: I think a lot of people
have the same view of...
that we're putting up
a farm fence
and farm animals
on the chateau.
I'd be seriously concerned
that's going to detract
from the...the quality of people
who want to stay at the chateau.
As with anything
that we buy or sort out,
there's normally
two or three weeks
of us getting it right.
So, point taken on board.
We'll talk to the sheep
people today,
and we'll see, um...
we'll see what improvements
or modifications
that we can make.
Michael: Three brides I have
spoken to know about it.
And they're fine with sheep,
are they? And goats?
Jonathan: Goats
in the moat, yeah.
I think a lot of people
sort of viewed the fence
and said, "What is that?"
I've said all along...
I had my reservations about it.
I said I'm going to try it.
And I said specifically
to the guys bringing it in,
"If I don't like it,
it's all coming out."
Jonathan: So, thank you
very much for...for attending,
and I look forward to seeing you
tomorrow for the AGM.
Thank you very much.
- Thanks.
- Thank you.
Dick: The board aren't keen
on the goats,
but what they really
don't like is the fence.
Michael and Jonathan
will need to think
what to do about it
before the AGM tomorrow.
I was amazed
how "anti" people were.
I wasn't expecting
quite the backlash.
So, the sheep
might have to go
if they're
voted down tomorrow.
Dick: At Chateau du Masgelier,
owner Fiona Jones
is slowly renovating parts
into a bed-and-breakfast.
She's just worked out
she's been using
the wrong foam filler to plug
the gaps in the ceiling beams
of the dining room
and has now put a type
better suited
to the task.
Fiona: Right.
Let's hope this works.
[Foam spraying]
Look at that. Fabulous.
Dick: Fiona needs
to get a move on.
This whole room needs to be
ready for the unveiling party
for the mayor
in just one week's time.
Fiona: I'm just gonna leave that
for a little while,
and then...then I'm gonna
cut it all out
so that you don't even know
that there's foam there.
I've got some
insulation foam,
which I'm going to pack the
bigger holes out with initially,
and then I'm going to
spray-foam that.
[Music playing]
[Foam spraying]
Dick: Fiona will wait
for that to dry.
Then she'll be able
to trim and neaten it up
and wood-stain it
to match the beams.
Fiona: Even if it looks
like a mess right now,
it'll be fine.
Dick: In the meantime,
she's got the wallpapering
to crack on with.
Fiona: I haven't used
this wallpaper before,
but I've got it
from England.
I was just looking for something
that was sage green
with a gold effect.
Dick: She's cutting it fine.
She needs to collect
her little boy Louis
from school
in just an hour's time.
Fiona: Oops.
[Music playing]
See, that is...
completely out. Ok.
That is completely out.
I knew it would be.
Of course it is.
Dick: The problem
with all old chateaus
is that the walls,
ceilings, and floors
are never at right angles.
So hanging wallpaper becomes
a real test of patience.
Fiona: It's just important
to get the first piece straight.
[Music stops]
Dick: If just one strip of paper
is pasted at the wrong angle,
all others lined up against it
will be wonky, too.
[Music playing]
Fiona: So, that's perfect.
Look at that.
Straight on the...bubble.
It's perfect.
Dick: She's got
the line-up right,
but the heat on this
scorching summer's day
is causing her
other problems.
Fiona: It's 32 degrees today.
The edges are drying out
too quickly and curling.
I need to go and get
Louis as well.
This is the problem.
I'm rushing,
thinking about Louis.
I can't do it.
I don't know why the edges
are drying so quickly.
I've never
had this happen.
Dick: She's only hung
two strips,
but she's run out of time and
has to go and collect Louis.
She hasn't finished
either the foam filler
or the papering she needed
to tick off today.
With the big party looming,
will she be able to finish
the room in time?
Meanwhile, back
at Chateau du Bailleul,
golden anniversary couple
Chris and Ann have arrived,
and their party is due to start
in less than an hour.
Chris: I don't know
where they are.
Should we go towards
the terrace or...
[Music playing]
Dick: But Phil and Angelina
are still rushing
to get the chateau ready.
Angelina: I hope
everyone can see this.
This parking sign
represents
that there's a very long
drive ahead,
and then you've got to
do a sharp right.
It's self-explanatory.
Mmm! We are not
doing great for time.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Angelina: Haven't
seen you for ages.
Chris: This looks lovely.
Angelina: Thank you.
Mwah.
Ann: Hello, my darling.
Angelina: You look gorgeous.
And smell amazing.
I'm sorry.
I'm...in my work mode.
Ann: That's ok. You've been
working, haven't you?
Angelina: We have
many surprises for you.
Dick: One surprise
they may not like
is Phil's still struggling
to plumb in the toilets
for their 60 guests.
Phil: I think I might
have to get Angelina
to stall them slightly.
I need gloves.
This is way too hot.
I need my gloves.
They're here.
We're trying to shepherd them
in one direction away
from certain rooms and others.
So, we're currently
playing a tag-team
of making sure
they're all right
and don't need
to go anywhere.
Dick: Angelina's hoping to buy
a few more precious minutes
by showing Chris and Ann
the bedroom she's
renovated for them.
Angelina: Ta-da!
Ann: Oh, it looks
beautiful!
Chris: Look at this.
Ann: And the butterflies
are amazing.
Angelina: I know.
It's a lovely cold room.
I've made you
lovely bath bombs
if you wish to take a bath
before the parties start.
Ann: That's lovely.
Chris: That's lovely, yeah.
A couple of questions--
Don't intend to spend a great
deal of time in the room.
And, I mean, we've not seen
around the rest of the house.
Dick: With Chris keen
to start inspecting...
[Toilet flushing loudly]
Finally there's a very welcome,
if slightly weird sound,
in the guest toilet.
It makes a bit
of a noise.
[Toilet flushing loudly]
We'll certainly know
if they get stuck in there.
They can press it
a few times
and send Morse signals,
can't they?
[Sighs]
Dick: While Phil's got one
of the toilets up and running,
Angelina surreptitiously ushers
Chris and Ann past
and outside
to the main event.
Phil: Straight
through, please.
Dick: Will they be satisfied
with the party venue?
Angelina: Well, shall we
go through the different areas?
Phil: We've got the area
for those
that want to have a fire
out of the way.
We haven't got the smoke
coming across here.
Ann: Look at your bridge.
It looks amazing.
Phil: Yeah.
We've laid out a decent
amount of seating.
The outdoor bar.
Ann: That looks amazing,
really beautiful.
Chris: Yeah, lovely.
Dick: They seem happy,
so Phil decides to confess.
Phil: I've got
one last thing.
I'm down to...
I've managed to get
one of the downstairs toilets
finished to completion.
The other one, there is
issues with the pipework.
Chris: You can only use
one at a time?
- Ha ha ha!
- Ok.
Dick: Well, that went
better than I thought.
What I'll do is I'll leave you
go and greet some guests
while I get changed.
You go and have
a shower first.
I'll deal with gates
and what-have-you.
- They've pulled it off.
- Yeah.
They've done wonders.
Absolutely.
A perfect place
for a wedding.
Chris: What they've managed to
achieve is totally delightful.
I can't sum it up
any better than that.
Dick: With the guests
starting to arrive
and after eight weeks
of hard graft,
it's party time
at Chateau du Bailleul.
Man: To Chris and Ann,
50 years!
[Cheering and applause]
Phil: It's great.
We've done that out of
literally blood,
sweat, and tears.
I'm seeing it come
to reality,
and I can see
other people right now
really enjoying
what I envisioned,
so that, actually, other people
are as wowed
as I would hope
they would be.
Maybe my crazy dream
is maybe not as crazy
as it sounded
in the first place.
Angelina: We've done
really well. Yes.
Phil: And on our wedding
anniversary.
Angelina: Yeah, that's true.
Love you.
Phil: I love you, too.
[Indistinct voices]
Dick: At Chateau
de Jalesnes,
the board of investors
aren't happy with the fence
surrounding the chateau.
[Speaking French]
Dick: Jonathan admits
they may have a point.
Jonathan: I realize
that the imposing nature
of our driveway here has been
completely compromised
by the fact that these posts
are right on the edge.
So, what was a lovely
tree-lined avenue
has now got
this sheep enclosure,
um, impinging on it.
[Speaking French]
It's our calling card,
that very first thing
that they see.
And if it's a load of rough
wooden stakes in the ground,
that's not gonna
do us many favors.
[Speaking French]
Oui. Exact.
Dick: By moving it
down the slope of the moat,
the fence shouldn't be
so prominent.
[Speaking French]
- Merci bien.
- Ok.
The plan so far is
that they're gonna finish off
doing the fencing tonight,
come and put the last bits
of that in,
and the sheep
will arrive tomorrow.
Dick: There are
six sheep arriving
in addition
to these goats,
but the board has agreed
to defer deciding their fate
until the annual
general meeting,
and there's
another problem.
[Speaking French]
They're just said
another problem we've got
is that we've put
a male and a female.
They never put
male goats with customers
because male goats
smell quite strong.
These men
can smell goats?
Michael: They can tell
a difference
between a male
and a female's smell.
But I can't smell
anything.
Now they've mentioned it,
I can smell.
That's ridiculous.
They can smell
a male goat.
So, what do they say?
We should have all females?
We should have
all female.
Jonathan: Well, we need to get
on top of it, don't we?
Get on top of the goats.
Let's just see
how it goes.
Jonathan: Come on.
Michael: Where are we going?
Where are we going now? What?
Jonathan: Work.
Dick: There's no more time
for goat talk.
They need to prepare the
financial report for the AGM.
Michael: We should make
an operating profit
of around 9,000
just this year.
What's left over here?
7...5,000?
5,000, and we'd get
half of that.
Jonathan: 2,500 Euros
between two of us.
That's 1,250 Euros each
for a year's work.
Dick: As they go
through the books,
they start to wonder
if it's all worthwhile
or whether they should give up
of their own accord.
Jonathan: When do we
start to earn?
No quality of life,
working 14 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Are you game to give it a go
for another year?
Are you happy to do it?
Dick: In the heart of France,
Fiona's spent five years
renovating her chateau
in the hope of one day
running it as a B&B.
For the last week,
she's been trying
to renovate her dining room
in time for an unveiling
to the local mayor.
[Music playing]
And she's made it.
Fiona: It does give you
a nice sense of achievement,
that you've not just
gone into a room
and just decorated it.
It's really
had to be gutted,
and the whole room
has had to be reinstated
to put it back
to its originality
as best as I'm able to.
[Music playing]
Dick: Finally, the man
who she hopes
will bless
her business venture,
the mayor,
Michel Nevas, arrives.
Fiona: I'm going to
take him inside now,
just let him have a look.
[Indistinct]
Fiona: And...
I just kind of finished
wallpapering yesterday.
This is literally the last room
on the ground floor
that is complete.
Dick: What does he think?
[Mayor speaking French]
He thinks it's good.
[Speaking French]
Yes, he insisted to have it
visited with you
because he was very curious
to see how it had become,
and he's so happy
he did see it.
- It's a very nice surprise.
- Ok.
Woman: And he thinks
a lot of people
will be very pleased
to visit it one day.
Dick: It's the official
seal of approval.
But there's one thing
bothering the mayor.
[Mayor speaking French]
What's that?
Please, will you learn
the French language?
Fiona: Yes,
but tell him...
but tell him
I'm so busy working
I don't get out
to have a good time
and talk in French.
Dick: It's been
a great day for Fiona,
and what's more, the mayor
seems enthusiastic
about her plans
for a B&B.
Fiona: He's full
of excitement and ideas
for the chambre d'hote.
Gives you more motivation
to just continue.
Dick: So, what's next for this
one-woman renovation army?
Fiona: All of the windows
need to be painted,
and the panes of glass
need to be replaced,
and any of the woodwork
can be repaired.
And then I'll be finishing off
the large servants staircase,
and, um...yeah,
after that,
I'll start hitting the bedrooms
on the first floor,
get the business
up and running.
Dick: I wish you
all the best, Fiona,
and with your energy,
I'm sure you'll manage.
[Music]
At Chateau du Bailleul,
Phil and Angelina's
first-ever paid event
is in full swing.
Woman: It's just wonderful.
Second woman: I think it can be
a real business for them.
I know that Angelina,
she's just really
passionate about that.
Third woman: I've had a fabulous
time, absolutely brilliant.
A chateau is meant
to be alive,
and that's exactly
what it is tonight.
It is alive.
Dick: With the party and chateau
earning rave reviews,
Phil and Angelina
can finally turn their attention
to a celebration
of their own.
Angelina: Everyone's
having a great time.
That's only
a good sign, isn't it?
Phil: Yeah.
Angelina: Whoo! Early start.
Let's celebrate.
Phil: Hey, we've done
everything we possibly can.
Angelina: Yeah.
Everything we've promised,
which is great.
Thank you very much.
[Phil sighs loudly]
The first party,
first event.
It's the first of so many,
and I was...
I was coming close
to pulling the plug.
But you know what?
I see the future.
Nothing more
we can do tonight.
It's a great party.
- We pulled it off.
- We pulled it off.
- Well done?
- Well done.
Angelina: May there be
many more.
Phil: First of many.
Angelina: I look forward
to some sleep. Sleep 24 hours.
[Music playing]
Dick: At Chateau de Jalesnes
in the Loire Valley,
it's almost time
for the AGM,
and Jonathan and Michael
could find themselves
out of a job
if the investors aren't happy
with the way
the business is going.
The worst that could happen
in the meeting
is a motion
of no confidence
because we've not achieved the
targets that we said we would.
I'm nervous about it.
This is
a very vocal group,
and they will all
want to make their point.
Dick: And even
if they aren't pushed,
they're considering
leaving anyway.
I hate criticism, and I've
just got to bite my tongue,
and I mustn't bite back.
Preparation is the...
is the key.
If it all looks great
when they walk in,
you've got half the battle won,
because they think,
"Oh, this is gonna be
a professional do."
Dick: Jonathan and Michael know
the biggest discussion today
will be about the fence
and animals.
Jonathan: Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the annual
general meeting
of Chateau de Jalesnes.
It's come to my attention
that we might have
a contentious issue
to discuss.
Dick: This part
of the meeting
will take place
behind closed doors.
Jonathan: We have an issue
about the arrival of the sheep.
Man: If you're going to bring
the sheep in,
why do we have
such great big posts there?
Woman: You see these poles
stuck along the road
like a farm fence.
It's totally distracted
from the whole chateau.
Second man: If there are things
which come to light,
like it doesn't rain
for three weeks
and the place stinks, right,
you might do something about it.
Jonathan: Exactly.
Of course.
Overall, it's an experiment,
and if it's proved to be wrong,
it will disappear.
Dick: The investors decide
to keep the issue under review,
and if it doesn't work out,
Jonathan and Michael
will get rid of them.
Jonathan: I'd like to crack on
as quickly as possible.
Dick: The meeting
goes on,
and other chateau business
is discussed.
Third man: There was
some effort to generate
wedding-event business
from the state.
Whatever happened to that?
Fourth man: You see,
you concentrate on weddings
during the week,
isn't it?
And you want
bums on seats
during the week
as well, don't you?
Dick: After three hours,
it's finally over.
All that remains is to say
thank you very much
for taking the time to listen
to what the board
had to present to you
and for all the suggestions
that you've made,
be they difficult or easy.
[Indistinct voices]
Dick: So, how do Michael
and Jonathan feel?
[Keys rattling]
Jonathan: Thanks.
There was some discussion
about the...the sheep,
um, and as far
as I can make out,
there's only one person
who's a fan of the sheep.
The rest of them
said it was
the worst decision that could
possibly have been made,
what were we thinking of,
why didn't we get
anybody's permission,
why didn't we do this,
why didn't we do that,
and I think there wasn't
a single person in the room
that didn't have a go
for an hour
about, um...how much
the sheep have got to go.
There was very little trust
in our abilities to...
Michael: I don't care
about the sheep.
I care about that we're
supposed to have a mandate
to be the managers here.
I didn't come
out of that meeting
with a mandate to be managers
and to be, um...
take the right decisions.
Dick: It seems
the goats and sheep
are just some of the many issues
for Michael and Jonathan.
I feel as if I've got
the weight of the world
on my shoulders,
and I could do
without it really.
I've got so much going on,
and it's very difficult
to keep it all together.
Dick: So, they aren't making
any rash decisions
on their future now.
They're committed to
the upcoming summer wedding.
Jonathan: It's time to start
worrying about other things.
We have now got worrying
about our next event.
Dick: They'll decide
if they're going to stay
at Chateau de Jalesnes
after that.
This chateau lark
is not all plain sailing.
[Music playing]
Dick: A hundred miles northwest,
and it's the morning
after the big event
for Philip and Angelina,
and it wasn't
all plain sailing.
Ha ha ha!
Yesterday I caught you, and you
had your head in your hand. Why?
Were you having
a little post-meltdown?
Oh, yeah, yesterday.
Of course, yeah. I hid...
He was like this.
"Oh, let's go
and check on him."
I did it in the middle
of the afternoon.
I just ran to the back
of the garden
where no one
could see me.
Everyone else is working,
everyone else is working away
doing stuff,
and I just hid
where no one could see me
and just had my head
in my hands going,
"Why are we not gonna
manage this? Please..."
Dick: Running a chateau
can do that to some people.
You do have really,
really down moments.
That's when I have
a cry and a moan,
and, you know,
life gives you lemons...
you make...
Phil: Lemonade.
No, you make chianti.
Dick: So, decision time.
Will they carry on
with the chateau life?
Phil: I couldn't have hoped
for more out of it.
The reaction to everybody
yesterday was just...
It was the...
It was the reassurance
I think I needed to...
to carry on.
So, we'll keep the place on
for as long as we can.
Now we're looking forward,
and there's no stopping...
I hope.
Dick: Good luck,
Phil and Angelina.
With a lot of hard work,
you, too, can make it.
Next time, on the day
of the wedding,
Michael and Jonathan
struggle with one problem...
The lift has jammed itself
on the ground floor.
Dick: After another...
They don't think they've got
any more parts like it
because it's so old.
Dick: After another.
Man: I found the pipe
that's leaking.
It's got a split in it.
It looks like
it is the mains pipe.
Dick: When two new parents
face a mammoth task
trying to get the chateau ready
for the holiday season...
I don't know if we can get
everything done in time.
Dick: They call in support...
I was up at 4:00
in the morning.
I didn't know I was gonna be
moving stuff all day.
Dick: Or at least
they thought they had.
We don't actually know
if he's ever really done
a full day's work
in his life before.
Dick: And major pool
and wall problems...
Woman: Oh, my god.
That is really not good.
Dick: Threaten to scupper
a chateau's summer opening.
This wall fell down,
and we need to put it up
before the guests come.
[Music playing]