Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 3, Episode 15 - Episode #3.15 - full transcript
Dick, voice-over:
I'm Dick Strawbridge.
Along with my wife, Angel,
and our two children...
Angel: I've got it.
Dick, voice-over: ...we're
nearly 5 years into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: There's something quite
sort of majestic about it.
It's like you're in the clouds.
Dick, voice-over:
It's been demanding...
yet truly fulfilling.
Angela: This may be a bit mushy
and it's a bit emotional.
Dick, voice-over: And with
thousands of chateaus in France,
we're not the only Brits buying
into the French fairy tale.
Man: Oh, my goodness.
This is amazing.
Dick, voice-over: Angel and I
are once again helping
our fellow expats...
This is a big old build.
Dick, voice-over: ...as they
embark on a brand-new set
of chateau adventures.
Angela: Ah! Ah!
Dick, voice-over:
And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Arthur: No, monsieur Dick.
Angela: Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
It'll be a roller coaster ride.
Angela: Whoa! Ah! No. No.
Dick, voice-over:
But no matter what...
Woman: I'm just going to try
not to cry.
Dick, voice-over:
...these plucky Brits
Woman: We're doing this
with all the technological
accomplishments
of the ancient Egyptians?
Dick, voice-over:
...are determined to transform
once-unloved buildings...
into the most
spectacular homes...
Woman: That is amazing.
Dick, voice-over:
...to live the dream
as custodians of
their very own castles.
Today the heat is on....
Ithaca: So, so hot.
It's like being
in the eye of a cyclone.
Dick, voice-over: ...at a
family's big chateau fundraiser.
Ithaca: They all want to be
in the shade.
I'm just hoping that I'm going
to find a space for all of them.
Dick, voice-over: One couple
are working around the clock
to cook up a storm
for their new tea room.
Donna:
The tea room is not ready now,
but give us a couple of weeks.
We just stopped, um, you know,
sleeping and things like that.
Dick, voice-over:
We're beachcombing for treasure.
Angela: There's a certain
time of the day
when as the tide goes out
and you see all the rocks,
and then we're going to go
and look at anything
that takes our fancy.
Dick, voice-over:
And a last-minute fix...
Angela: It's not ideal
to start this kind of job
just two days before
your guests come, I suppose.
Dick, voice-over:
...leave chateau owners
to try to burrow their way
out of a hole.
Steve:
Have we reached Australia yet?
Dick, voice-over:
In western France
at 17th-century
Chateau de Sauge.
Its 45 rooms of faded grandeur
are slowly being restored
by Brits Donna and Paul,
who snapped it up
just over 5 months ago.
Donna: The bottom line is
we have fun at the same time.
When you're working
7 days a week, which we are,
it's because we're enjoying it
as well.
We're enjoying seeing
the transformation, if you like,
of each room in the chateau.
Paul: It's heading towards
the vision that we have for it.
Dick, voice-over:
Bought for £279,000,
the chateau is situated
50 miles from La Rochelle.
The couple gave up steady jobs
to make the move to France
and sink their life savings
into setting up a home, a B&B,
and a fence business.
Donna: With this project,
everything is at stake.
Paul: There will certainly be
a few more challenges ahead.
Dick, voice-over:
They've already completed
their first accommodation,
ready for paying guests.
Now they want to create
a vintage tea room,
where Donna plans to offer
tea and cakes to the public.
Donna: So do you want me to
glue them and then pin them?
Paul: Uh, yeah.
Dick, voice-over: However,
getting an old chateau
to comply with rules
for disabled access
has been a whole new challenge.
Donna: This alone
is probably a few days' work
just cutting through all this.
Paul: It is, yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
By widening a doorway
and tiling directly
onto the walls...
Paul: 1.5 without tails.
Dick, voice-over:
...they came up with a way
of creating enough space for a
fully compliant disabled toilet.
Donna: We've had to do lots
of opening of the walls,
seeing more space we have
that we can grab.
It gets to a point
where it's just all too much,
and you kind of think, my god,
what have we taken on here?
At the end of the day
as you get up and you think,
oh, how lucky are we?
And then you look at the bank
account, and then you cry.
Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over: Donna and Paul
wanted the tea room
up and running two months ago
to bring in much-needed cash.
But they're way behind schedule
so have set a new launch date
for a few weeks' time.
Donna: Extremely worried
about hitting the deadline.
And yet physically
I don't think we can work
any harder than we are.
We need the tea room to open.
Savings are sure
an all-time low.
Dick, voice-over:
Now Donna wants to practice
new baking skills.
Donna: Initially
we would like to open
probably two, 3 days a week
and serve things like afternoon
tea, you know, with scones,
with a crush of cream
and a good variety
of traditional cakes
and things like that.
There's nothing like that
anywhere around,
so hopefully
we get lots of business.
Dick, voice-over:
Despite the mountain of work
they've got to get through,
Donna's feeling upbeat.
Donna:
The tea room's not ready now,
but give us a couple of weeks.
We just stopped, um, you know,
sleeping and things like that.
All wasted time.
Ha ha!
For you?
You can have one.
He's worked hard today,
hasn't he?
I think
we'll give him a cupcake.
And?
Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
Back in the tea room toilets,
a sleep-deprived Paul has
had an awful realization.
He's forgot to check for leaks
in the pipes in the walls
before plaster boarding
and tiling over them.
Paul: The pressure here
is about 6 bars,
so if it leaks,
you'll know pretty instantly
that there's a gusher
behind one of the walls.
And if that's the case,
unfortunately it means
having to remove
the surrounding tiles,
the plaster board,
and find the offending joint.
And given that
we've proceeded in tile,
then I'm hoping
that's not the case
because that's going to be
a major problem.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, no.
Just 3 weeks before they want
the tea room up and running,
stripping the tiled walls now
is a delay they can ill afford.
150 miles south
is Chateau Caillac,
a classic French beauty
from the 19th century.
With 20 rooms and private river
access from the grounds,
it's been lovingly restored
by Angela and husband Steve,
who has a background
in engineering.
Angela: You kind of look around
and you do have
to pinch yourself.
It's just like, yeah, we've had
a really busy, hectic day,
but gosh, we're here,
it's beautiful.
The peace, the quiet.
It's just a lovely place to be.
Steve: It is a really
special thing to have.
The potential you see as well.
And it's the potential
I think we saw in this place
as we could do something with it
to make it what we wanted,
to make it really nice.
Dick, voice-over: Located
60 miles from Bordeaux,
the couple are preparing to
rent out their turgid marble
for the whole summer
to bring in essential income.
and also share the place
with others.
Angela: People that we've
never met who come on holiday
and then they send you an email
to say it really is...
Steve: A magical place.
Angela: There's no point
doing a chateau,
spending all the time
only to it be me and Steve
appreciate it.
Dick, voice-over:
Their latest renovation project
is restoring
the chateau's electric gates,
which haven't worked properly
for 12 years.
Steve: The motors on the gates
are underground and get wet.
Angela: In which case
if we improve the drainage,
hopefully...
Steve: Potentially.
Some time in the past
there was some form of drain,
but it's either
got blocked up or...
Angela: Or a mouse living in it
or something.
Steve: Probably.
Angela: Or a snake. Ha!
Steve: Well, I hope not.
Angela: I hope not, too,
because I'll probably
be down there mousing.
Steve: Well,
let's get going then.
Angela: What's the plan first,
then, love?
Steve: We've got to remove
that cover first,
and then we need to just,
if there's any water in there,
we need to empty it out.
Dick, voice-over:
If water has been getting
into the gate motors,
that could mean a lot of work
if this summer's guests are to
get a more luxurious entrance.
Angela:
There's something really special
about arriving at a chateau
and literally
as you come into the gates,
the gates open
and allow you to come in
and see the tree-lined drive.
Dick, voice-over: First
impressions are so important.
Steve: Can you bring me
a screwdriver, Angela?
This is great having a helper,
isn't it?
Angela: Gopher.
Go for this, go for that.
Dick, voice-over:
And now to discover
just how much rainwater
is collecting.
Angela: Oh, my goodness.
Oh, there's a frog!
Look at that.
Steve: This is utterly,
I think--
Angela: That was actually
a frog.
Steve: It's a pond.
Angela: We're going to need
a jug.
You can't mop that up.
Did you not bring
anything like that?
Steve: No. Do you want
to go jug looking?
And a bucket, Angela.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
it might be touch and go
fixing the gates in time
for the first rental guests.
The elegant 18th-century,
44-room Chateau Flore
sits in a 27-acre estate,
including extensive
formal gardens,
and a 3/4-of-an-acre maze.
It's home to British
events organizer Ithaca
and her French husband Alex.
Ithaca:
We're really, really lucky.
We're very lucky
to own a place like this
even if it is a complete,
you know, bottomless pit.
Dick, voice-over:
Located an hour from Calais,
Alex and Ithaca host
and antiques and flower fair
in the gardens each year
with the aim of raising funds
that help pay for vital repairs.
Ithaca: The events are crucial
for the survival of this house.
We're not millionaires.
We're just normal people,
so we need to find ways
to create more cash.
Dick, voice-over:
Over 70 stall holders
will be selling everything from
antiques to garden products.
The public pay an entrance fee.
But with a costly roof repair
underway,
they need the fair to be
more of a financial success
than last year.
Ithaca:
We didn't lose any money,
but we didn't actually gain
much money.
We're crossing our fingers.
We're hoping we're
going to have more people.
Dick, voice-over: There's now
just 24 hours to go.
And Alex, Ithaca,
and the team of 30 helpers
still have to set up
their bar and restaurant,
plus put signage
across the site.
A heat wave has sent
temperatures into the mid-30s.
At least that should be good
for takings at the bar,
where Alex is showing staff
how to work the beer taps.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca is
dealing with early arrivals
of stall holders at the now
scorching 10-acre event site.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Quite a lot of brocanteurs
are arriving now,
so things I should be doing
I can't be doing
because I'm having to deal
with people
that are arriving earlier.
This is the hottest day
of the year,
and they are arriving
in scorching heat.
I don't know why
they're arriving now
instead of tomorrow morning.
I'm a bit concerned
I might not have enough space.
Dick, voice-over: Despite
Ithaca's hard sell of pitches
closer to the bar,
the shady spots
remain in high demand.
All: [Speaking French]
Ithaca: They all want
to be in the shade,
so that's a bit of a problem.
I'm just hoping that I'm going
to find a space for all of them.
Ha!
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca's day
is not going as planned.
Ithaca: I'm trying
to map out the areas
for the antique dealers
and brocanteurs as we speak.
I keep getting interrupted.
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
The day's got even hotter,
and there's heavy lifting
to be done.
Alex: Maybe it's not ideal to
work at this time of the day
because it's so hot,
but we have to go on.
And also I have to watch
after all the people helping
so that they don't catch the sun
or they get too tired.
We desperately need them
tomorrow to be in good shape.
Ithaca: So, so hot.
I must be some kind of,
like a red lobster right now.
It's like being
in the eye of a cyclone.
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca wants
to make sure they're prepared
if the bar goes down a storm.
Ithaca: So the freezer's done,
the ice is done,
the beer taps are done,
the beer is here,
the wine is here,
that we've got running water,
we've got the bins.
Dick, voice-over:
Now they just need the crowds
so their hard work pays off.
Ithaca: We need at least 1,500
people, I think, to break even.
I'm hoping to have more.
Alex: If nobody comes,
we'll still have very good beer
and very good rose,
so we can just not do anything
and party.
Dick, voice-over: Not sure
Ithaca would agree, Alex.
Fingers crossed the sun brings
out the visitors tomorrow.
300 miles south
at Chateau de Sauge,
Paul's about to test the pipes
in his revamped toilet.
If there's a leak, it'll mean
stripping away some of the tiles
he's just put up.
So it's an anxious moment.
Paul: Pipes are in.
Right, we can switch
the water on now. Ready?
It will be a bit
of an anticlimax
if everything's ok, right?
Donna: It better be ok.
Paul: Do you want to turn
the tap?
Donna: All right,
which one am I turning?
Paul: The one on the right.
Donna: Right that way
or right that way?
Paul: Right facing the taps.
Donna: This one.
Paul: Yeah. Slowly.
Donna: Ready?
Paul: No.
Dick, voice-over:
This could be sink or swim
for the tea room launch date.
Donna: Whee!
[Toilet flushes]
I've never been so happy
to see a toilet flush.
Ha ha!
Paul: Ha ha. That's a relief.
But that's, yeah, two toilets,
two sinks.
Yeah, it seemed to be ok,
which is good.
Right, well,
that's me finished for today.
Clean up now, sweetheart.
Donna: Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over: When it comes
to finishing the tea room
in her chosen vintage theme,
Donna's been keeping the budget
down by hunting around.
Donna: To get an old style paper
is absolutely so expensive,
it's crazy prices,
so I've been dealing with
a couple of wallpaper suppliers
and some mills.
I've just been buying them
for a fraction of the price.
Dick, voice-over:
Sourcing online bargain bins
is a great way
to keep costs down,
especially when you have
an entire chateau to renovate.
Trips to the brocant means
they've been slowly collecting
enough furniture
to fill their home.
So Donna's been trying her hand
at a new skill: upholstery.
Donna: I've got actually
two chairs of this style.
Unfortunately all of
the bottoms of the chairs
have kind of deteriorated
like this.
I'm going to have to
reupholster them,
something I've not done before.
First thing I am doing is to
remove all of this braiding.
Mostly it's kind of
stuck in place.
I never imagined there would be
this many little pins.
Oh.
But now all that braid's off,
you can actually see
the amount of tacks.
There are hundreds.
Dick, voice-over: Once the
fabric is removed from the seat,
Donna uses it as a template
on her chosen
replacement material.
Donna: So my idea is
I'll kind of leave a bit extra.
That's kind of pretty central.
Dick, voice-over: To keep
the new cover in place,
Donna's reusing
the original tacks.
Donna: Right. Come on.
One nail in.
Probably another 200 to go. Ha!
Dick, voice-over:
Several tacks later,
Donna's done for the day.
Donna:
I think it's a good start.
I think they'll absolutely look
stunning when they're completed,
so it will be worth it.
Dick, voice-over:
With the tea room launch date
fast approaching
and a basement full of
brocant buys to work through,
it looks like Donna and Paul
have a very busy time ahead.
150 miles south, Angela
and Steve are racing to fix
the motorized entrance gates
before the first rental guests
of the season arrive.
Steve: Oh, great,
that's just what I need.
Angela: There you go.
Steve: Right. Let gets bailing.
Dick, voice-over:
The motor housing is flooded
so will need bailing out
along with the resident frog.
Then they can replace the motor.
Steve: I think this has been
full of water for years.
Hence the wildlife.
Here he is.
Angela: Oh! Oh!
Steve: Oh, it's gone again.
Oh, he's in there now.
We'll tip it out slowly.
Dick, voice-over:
Time to evict Kermit.
Angela: I haven't seen
anything yet.
Are you sure you put him
in here?
Steve: He might not be.
I thought he went
in the jug. No?
Angela: Nope. Nothing. He's out.
Something's in there.
No, that's a leaf. Ha!
Nope, nope. I think it's just
a leaf in there, Steven.
No frog.
Oh, there he is. He's there.
He's on the leaf.
Ah, that's gorgeous.
Steve: Can I have the bucket,
please, Angela?
We need to get this
out of here now.
Angela: Ok, ok.
Steve:
Saving the wildlife is great.
It's not getting the job done,
is it?
Angela: Here you go.
Dick, voice-over: Now to muck
away the muddy residue
and see where the water
should drain.
Steve: The good news is
I can see where there's a pipe
coming out of here.
Maybe that went off to a drain
somewhere over there.
Let's have a look.
Angela:
Oh, it doesn't go very far.
[Drill whirring]
Oh, that went further in.
That went quite a bit
further in there.
That's the most further in.
Dick, voice-over: Unable to
reach the connecting drainage
pipe this way,
it's time to bring in
the big tools.
Steve: Fire her up.
It's what happens.
Dick, voice-over: And that means
digging from above.
Angela: Ok, so you need to go
closer to that side.
Whoa! I think that's
pretty spot on. Yeah?
Dick, voice-over:
Steve's aiming his auger
hoping to hit the line
of the existing drain pipe.
Angela: Yeah, whoa, whoa.
Dick, voice-over: So they can
find where the source
of the blockage is.
Angela: What you thinking?
Steve: I think we're hitting
something really hard
down there.
We're probably hitting
the foundations for
the gates themselves.
We're going to have to move
more this way, which is fine.
Dick, voice-over:
Breaking through concrete
so they can fix the problem
will be a big job,
so fingers crossed
they can locate softer ground.
Angela:
We've hit concrete again.
Steve: Yeah, that's concrete,
isn't it?
Angela: Best laid plans
and all that.
Dick, voice-over: Let's hope
it's third time lucky.
Angela: Go back, back again
about an inch, two inch--Whoa!
That's it. How is it
going into the ground now?
Do you start to feel like
it's going in now?
Steve: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: Bingo!
Steve:
Have we reached Australia yet?
Angela: The goal?
Steve: Is it lunchtime?
Angela: No.
Dick, voice-over:
This is turning into
a bigger job than expected.
So there's no guarantee
they'll have it done
in time for rental guests.
Steve: We haven't intercepted
any pipe.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, dear.
Despite Steve's big drill,
seems this hole still isn't
deep enough to reach the drain.
Steve: If that's further deeper
than that,
then we're never going to
actually hit that pipe.
Angela: It's not ideal to start
this kind of job
just two days before
your guests come, I suppose.
Dick, voice-over:
In northern France,
it's now the day of Alex
and Ithaca's fundraising
antiques and flower fair.
And Ithaca's made
a very early start.
Ithaca: I went to bed
at half-past 4:00.
The first people arrived
at 10 till 5:00.
So I've been literally,
you know, running around
and making sure that everybody
is happy with their space.
Dick, voice-over:
Now there's less than an hour
to get all the stalls
in position
before opening the gates
to the public.
Ithaca: Making sure
that everybody is setting up
and that they've cleared
their lorries
before half-past 8:00.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Alex
heads down to the ticket desk
and prepares to open...
as Ithaca instills
some team spirit
into the army of 30 workers.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: The stalls
are ready to welcome visitors,
but there's no sign of any.
Clearly there's a problem.
Alex: [Speaking French]
They forgot to open the parking.
That is their duty.
They just forgot.
But it's fine now. It's open.
First car is coming. Ha ha!
I couldn't believe it.
It's very funny actually.
Dick, voice-over:
The car park now open,
visitors are flooding in...
leaving Alex a victim
of his own success.
Alex: There are no more tickets
down there!
They don't have
any entrance bracelets,
so that's an issue.
Dick, voice-over: It means
a race across the 10-acre site
back to the chateau.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Where is it?
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Bumper numbers
are also proving a problem
for the bar and buffet.
Ithaca: Right now I'm concerned
with the fact
that all these people
are waiting to eat.
There's a huge queue for lunch,
and I keep getting called
every single 5 minutes.
It's really frustrating because
it means you're going
to get people saying,
"Oh, we had to queue,
we had to queue."
Dick, voice-over:
Time for some damage limitation.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
The bumper turnout is great news
for the renovation fund,
but also means the next 5 hours
are going to be pretty hectic
for Ithaca and Alex.
300 miles south the grand
opening of Donna and Paul's
new tea room
is in 10 days' time,
and they've been making
good progress with the work,
but they've had
some crushing news.
Paul: We had a meeting
with the mayor two days ago...
Donna: Yeah.
Paul: ...to request his presence
at the opening of the tea room.
Donna: But to officially open
the tea room.
Paul:
Yeah, but unfortunately
he said that he'd only
received the paperwork
that we understood
had been submitted
a couple of weeks
previously.
When we mentioned opening in
10 days, he burst into laughter.
Donna: Yeah. He said, "Of course
I'll open the tea room,
I'd love to,
but not on that day."
So, yeah.
Paul: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
The application for
permission to open
is weeks behind schedule.
Donna: I was furious.
Everything was organized.
We're running on empty nearly,
aren't we now?
Paul: Yeah, we had a plan, and
this would be up and running
and indeed earning its keep
and helping us to fund
the other work,
and that's now delayed.
Dick, voice-over: That means
postponing their lunch
until the paperwork
hopefully comes through.
But at least there's time
for Donna to get creative
with the furniture they need.
Donna: I found
two sewing machines
actually in our old stable,
which I immediately
fell in love with.
Dick, voice-over:
She's already repurposed
an old cast iron oven
found in the attic
and is now
working on transforming
old sewing machines.
Donna: As we're going through
the chateau,
we're finding little
bits and pieces from history,
and what we're trying to do is
repurpose as much as possible.
There we are.
You're looking cleaner.
I think this sewing machine
will be a great addition
to the terrace.
Doesn't she look lovely?
Nearly so bright.
Paul: Watch me fingers.
Donna: I've got this end.
Dick, voice-over: It's a good
job they're getting creative
because with the opening
of the tea room delayed,
they need to keep a closer eye
than ever on their budget.
Duding up
these architectural marvels
may not always be a picnic,
so taking time to get out
and about
is one way to stay fresh
and remind us why we do it.
We're leaving our place
for a few hours to head
to the beach...
Dick: You got the door, mum?
Angela: Yeah.
Dick: Right, ok.
Dick, voice-over:
...with our children.
Dick: Grandma, granddad!
Dick, voice-over:
Plus Grandma Jenny
and Granddad Steve.
Come rain or shine...
Angel: I see a bit of sunshine
over there, Dick.
Dick: Really?
Angel: Look! Oh, look the sun!
Dick, voice-over:
...the coast at Saint-Malo
is a breath of fresh air.
Angel:
We live in a gorgeous house,
but there is just
a total different feeling
when you're by the seaside.
It's great.
Dick, voice-over:
While our children
build castles of their own,
as always,
Angel's getting inspiration
for our real-life castle.
Angel: There's a certain
time of the day
when the tide goes out
and you see all the rocks
and then, well,
we're going to go and look for
basically anything
that takes our fancy.
Dick, voice-over:
The beachcombing begins.
Dick: If you wash it,
you can see exactly what's what.
Angel: Shall we start
putting precious stones
in the container?
I've made a few things
of shells.
I covered a lion once.
It's beautiful.
Dick, voice-over: Whilst
we go home with bags of ideas,
all our natural finds
are put back
to preserve the beach
as we found it.
Angel: I'm a crab!
I'm a crab! Coming to get you!
I'm going to get you!
Dick: I can see seaweed.
Come on, mama.
Angel: What is that?
You mean seaweed? Ah!
Dick: Just keep going.
Angel: Dick,
could I just have these?
Dick, voice-over: As well as
a spot of treasure hunting,
I want to show Dorothy
and Arthur
some wildlife
we don't get back home.
Dick: It's quite tickly,
isn't it?
And see those claws?
You see those claws?
And it's not something
that wants to hurt you.
Arthur: No!
Angel: Well done.
Dick: Ok,
we have to let it go now.
Angel: All right.
Dick: You guys want to hide
this one?
Angel: Beautiful. Good-bye.
Dick, voice-over:
Marine safari complete,
it's time for my lot
to scuttle back home, too.
On the banks of the River Lot,
Angela and Steve's first
chateau rental of the season
is now less than a day away.
After lots of digging,
a new drainage pipe
has been put in place
for the electric gates.
Steve: We've managed
to get now a route
from the motor casing
in the ground
out to a land drain.
Dick, voice-over:
But if it isn't working,
they're out of time.
Steve: Now the first thing
we need to do is check
that that drain works.
I've got some water to put in.
Angela: Right.
Dick, voice-over:
If water isn't draining away,
they won't be able to install
a replacement motor.
And with Angela and Steve
due to return to the U.K.,
that means the gates won't open
automatically for paying guests
all summer.
Steve: Angela, I'm hoping
we're going to see the water
from here flowing down the pipe
and coming out down there.
Angela: Ok.
Dick, voice-over:
It's the moment of truth.
Steve: You ready?
Angela: Yep.
Angela:
I see water straightaway!
Steve: Oh, that's great.
Angela: Oh, yay!
There's hope!
Steve: There's hope!
Stage one complete.
Angela: Simple pleasure,
a little bit of water
disappearing.
Dick, voice-over:
The new drainage system
deals with the equivalent of
a heavy thunderstorm with ease.
Now they're all clear to install
the replacement motor.
Steve: Ok, it's in.
All I got to do now
is connect those to those.
And that pops in there.
That's great.
So we're all connected
down there.
Dick, voice-over: Time to hook
it up to the new entry box.
Steve: How's all that looking?
Angela: Um, it looks neat.
Dick, voice-over: And of course
engineer Steve has gone for
the latest bit of kits.
Steve: So you can either text it
and say, "Open the gates,"
you can ring it,
and it'll open the gates,
or you can actually use
the keypad and put a code in
and open the gate,
so it's quite versatile really.
Angela: I just hope it works
because if it doesn't,
then it's a couple of steps
backwards again.
Dick, voice-over:
Oh, ye of little faith.
Steve: Is that not nice?
Angela: I do hope it works,
though, end up nice.
Ha ha.
Steve: Ok.
Angela: Ooh!
Steve: Right.
Angela: Gate moved.
That's so exciting.
Steve: Except one's moved. Oh--
Angela: No, they're both moving.
Steve: It lets that one
get ahead of it, doesn't it?
[Gates thud]
Angela: Yay!
That's really great.
Steve: I feel like we have gone
to the future.
Angela: I think you did
a bril job, then.
Steve: Oh, thank you.
A bril job?
Angela: A bril job.
Steve: Well,
that's a compliment.
I'll take that when I get them.
Dick, voice-over: Angela
and Steve enjoy a moment of calm
after another period
of hard work.
From tricky finishing touches...
Angela:
It's absolutely beautiful.
Steve: You happy with that?
Angela: I am happy, yes,
thank you.
Dick, voice-over:
...to fixing the pool...
Steve: Can I get that in there?
Angela: Yes, you can,
yes, you can. Marvelous.
Dick, voice-over:
...creating parking space.
Steve: Voila!
Dick, voice-over: ...and sorting
out the entry gates.
They can head back to the U.K.
knowing everything is just so
for their summer guests.
Angela: I hate to say it,
but it always feels lovely as we
drive away and we look around,
and we go, oh, my gosh.
Steve: Every year we do more
and more, don't we?
And that feels really good.
We're doing it ourselves.
We've only got a limited budget,
but I think every year
it's getting better and better.
Dick, voice-over:
This dynamic duo continue
to take their chateau
from strength to strength,
and I'm happy to say their
future in France looks rosy.
In western France,
Donna and Paul are busy
decorating the tea room,
whilst awaiting crucial
permission to let them open
to the public.
Donna: I've got a couple
of mirrors to go up.
Paul: Where?
Donna: I think maybe just kind
of doing something like that,
you see.
Paul: But why?
Donna: Because.
Paul: Did vintage tea rooms
have mirrors that were
of no use to people?
Donna: I really like that.
Dick, voice-over:
No time to reflect
as the rest of Donna's
final touches are put in place.
Paul: This is our cupboard
of cake stands all ready to go.
Dick, voice-over: Donna's
been sourcing vintage china
from the nearby brocants.
Paul: Here you go.
Dick, voice-over: And perfecting
her cake recipes.
Donna: Oh. We certainly won't be
serving them in my tea room.
Paul: Oh. Oh.
Donna: The only thing that's
missing now is my flowers
in the center.
Paul: Yeah.
Donna: And some customers.
Paul: Yeah.
Both: [Laughing]
Paul: Perfect.
Dick, voice-over:
When they bought the chateau,
this room was a gloomy
and neglected shell.
Donna and Paul have stripped out
the old fittings,
replastered, paneled the walls,
and decorated
from top to bottom...
to create a bright and sunny
vintage tea room
finished with
her retro wallpaper
and filled with finds
from the brocant
and around the chateau.
And what was once
a grotty old bathroom
is now smart
and full of character
with ample space
for disabled access.
But sadly it's a case of tea
and sympathy for Donna and Paul.
Crucial approval from the fire
department has not arrived.
And they've had no choice but
to delay the opening yet again.
Paul: The biggest emotion is...
it's disappointment.
You know,
we can't open the doors.
Donna: And I'm kind of itching
to get into my lovely kitchen,
bake my little heart out,
and you know,
have some creations
for people to enjoy.
Dick, voice-over:
They may not be hosting
the launch they hoped for...
but Donna and Paul
should be very proud
of what they've achieved
since moving into this
derelictchateau just 9 months
ago.
Donna: Yeah, this is pretty bad.
Dick, voice-over: With
hard work and determination,
they've transformed
this scullery
into an impressive
catering kitchen...
turned a rundown wing
of the chateau
into a self-contained apartment
for guests...
and now have a beautiful
vintage tea room ready to go.
Paul: Chateau life is
enthralling, tiring,
emotional worrying,
but it's not something
that we want to change.
So there's no looking back.
It's only forward.
Dick, voice-over: We wish them
all the best for their future
here in France.
Donna: We're still
living the dream living here.
Our bank account
might not think so. Ha ha!
But it's still a privilege
living here.
Dick, voice-over: Near Calais
in northern France,
Alex and Ithaca's
antiques and flower fair
is seeing record attendance.
All good news
for the renovation's fund.
Alex: As you can see,
the chateau's in the rebuilding.
To maintain is
an enormous amount of money,
so we need to make events,
we need to make profit,
and that's why we need
the people to come.
Dick, voice-over:
But organizing logistics
across the busy
10-acre event site
is proving a challenge.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Last year, we only had
4 talkie-walkies,
and that was quite all right.
Now I bought 4 more,
and I don't know that everybody
wants his talkie-walkie.
Dick, voice-over:
A chateau owner can never have
too many talkie-walkies.
Alex: Look at this.
Ok.
Dick, voice-over:
To keep things moving,
11-year-old son Jules
and 14-year-old daughter Violet
have come up with a plan.
Ithaca: You're walking around
for the whole day
doing wheelbarrows,
and you're fine with that?
I think you're completely crazy.
My daughter's mad.
Anyway, she reminds me of me.
Violet: Mummy, she's been
working so hard for this,
and I think this is amazing,
and she's such an inspiration
to me.
Bye!
Dick, voice-over: No wheelbarrow
rides for dad, though,
as he makes yet another long
trip to deal with a problem
over at the entrance gate.
Alex: There's a road sign
that fell because of the wind,
so I have to get it fixed,
so I got to get a screwdriver
and stuff to get it fixed.
I have to fix it back.
Screws! Screws! Screws!
Dick, voice-over: En route,
he's diverted to fetch hats
for attendants at the car park
who are feeling the heat.
And there's another issue
at the new lavender beds
which are drawing
lots of attention.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Yeah, people
are walking in there.
They're stupid, and they don't
seem to care, and I do care.
It's a lot of work.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Hats off
to one more trouble sorted,
but the worries aren't over.
Alex: It's very windy,
and it--
I don't want to fix it really
because it won't be
that well fixed.
Dick, voice-over:
With the wind still blowing
and the fair
due to finish soon...
Alex:
I mean, maybe I can do this.
Dick, voice-over: ...Alex
decides the sign can stay down.
Alex: And that will be ok.
I'm afraid of the wind.
It's very strong.
It's surprisingly strong.
Well...now there are
lots of cars.
But now it's good that some cars
are leaving. Ha ha!
Well done!
You've done your best!
Leave now!
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca's ready
to put her feet up, too.
Ithaca: I'm feeling exhausted.
I'm really tired.
I can't feel my feet,
but I am wearing heels.
Alex: [Speaking French]
I'm kind of looking now
for 6:00.
It's over now. It's like,
ok, ok, ok, fair enough,
everybody away, come on!
Dick, voice-over:
Fond farewells.
Alex: [Speaking French]
I love to see people coming out,
packed with things.
That would mean that
everybody is happy.
Ithaca: There are lots
and lots people.
The stall owners,
the brocanteurs,
antique dealers,
the nurseries are really happy.
So it's good.
Dick, voice-over:
This year Ithaca and Alex
welcomed a record crowd
of over 2,200 visitors,
giving ticket takings
of nearly £10,000.
All great news
for the repair fund
and the family chateau.
Ithaca:
I'm feeling relieved, proud
of everything
that we've achieved.
We're a true team.
We have a lot of fun.
Alex: We do shout
at each other a lot.
Ithaca: We're still
in the same direction.
Alex: Yes, yes, still
in the same direction.
Dick, voice-over:
As well as making the annual
antiques and flower fair
bigger and better than ever,
they've created
a new planting scheme...
and started expensive work
to fix the entire
800-square-meter roof.
Now they're planning more events
for later in the year.
Ithaca: We plan to organize
an autumn fest,
more of a night event where
the whole garden will be lit up.
Let me finish my glass of beer.
Alex: Let me finish
my glass of beer, too!
Whoops!
Dick, voice-over:
I'll raise my glass to all
our intrepid chateau owners.
Donna and Paul
are still awaiting the ok
from the fire department
to open their tea room.
Angela and Steve's chateau
is booked up.
Steve: So I hope you have
a really lovely stay with us.
Dick, voice-over: And Alex
and Ithaca's epic roof repair
looks set to continue
for another year.
I'm Dick Strawbridge.
Along with my wife, Angel,
and our two children...
Angel: I've got it.
Dick, voice-over: ...we're
nearly 5 years into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: There's something quite
sort of majestic about it.
It's like you're in the clouds.
Dick, voice-over:
It's been demanding...
yet truly fulfilling.
Angela: This may be a bit mushy
and it's a bit emotional.
Dick, voice-over: And with
thousands of chateaus in France,
we're not the only Brits buying
into the French fairy tale.
Man: Oh, my goodness.
This is amazing.
Dick, voice-over: Angel and I
are once again helping
our fellow expats...
This is a big old build.
Dick, voice-over: ...as they
embark on a brand-new set
of chateau adventures.
Angela: Ah! Ah!
Dick, voice-over:
And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Arthur: No, monsieur Dick.
Angela: Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
It'll be a roller coaster ride.
Angela: Whoa! Ah! No. No.
Dick, voice-over:
But no matter what...
Woman: I'm just going to try
not to cry.
Dick, voice-over:
...these plucky Brits
Woman: We're doing this
with all the technological
accomplishments
of the ancient Egyptians?
Dick, voice-over:
...are determined to transform
once-unloved buildings...
into the most
spectacular homes...
Woman: That is amazing.
Dick, voice-over:
...to live the dream
as custodians of
their very own castles.
Today the heat is on....
Ithaca: So, so hot.
It's like being
in the eye of a cyclone.
Dick, voice-over: ...at a
family's big chateau fundraiser.
Ithaca: They all want to be
in the shade.
I'm just hoping that I'm going
to find a space for all of them.
Dick, voice-over: One couple
are working around the clock
to cook up a storm
for their new tea room.
Donna:
The tea room is not ready now,
but give us a couple of weeks.
We just stopped, um, you know,
sleeping and things like that.
Dick, voice-over:
We're beachcombing for treasure.
Angela: There's a certain
time of the day
when as the tide goes out
and you see all the rocks,
and then we're going to go
and look at anything
that takes our fancy.
Dick, voice-over:
And a last-minute fix...
Angela: It's not ideal
to start this kind of job
just two days before
your guests come, I suppose.
Dick, voice-over:
...leave chateau owners
to try to burrow their way
out of a hole.
Steve:
Have we reached Australia yet?
Dick, voice-over:
In western France
at 17th-century
Chateau de Sauge.
Its 45 rooms of faded grandeur
are slowly being restored
by Brits Donna and Paul,
who snapped it up
just over 5 months ago.
Donna: The bottom line is
we have fun at the same time.
When you're working
7 days a week, which we are,
it's because we're enjoying it
as well.
We're enjoying seeing
the transformation, if you like,
of each room in the chateau.
Paul: It's heading towards
the vision that we have for it.
Dick, voice-over:
Bought for £279,000,
the chateau is situated
50 miles from La Rochelle.
The couple gave up steady jobs
to make the move to France
and sink their life savings
into setting up a home, a B&B,
and a fence business.
Donna: With this project,
everything is at stake.
Paul: There will certainly be
a few more challenges ahead.
Dick, voice-over:
They've already completed
their first accommodation,
ready for paying guests.
Now they want to create
a vintage tea room,
where Donna plans to offer
tea and cakes to the public.
Donna: So do you want me to
glue them and then pin them?
Paul: Uh, yeah.
Dick, voice-over: However,
getting an old chateau
to comply with rules
for disabled access
has been a whole new challenge.
Donna: This alone
is probably a few days' work
just cutting through all this.
Paul: It is, yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
By widening a doorway
and tiling directly
onto the walls...
Paul: 1.5 without tails.
Dick, voice-over:
...they came up with a way
of creating enough space for a
fully compliant disabled toilet.
Donna: We've had to do lots
of opening of the walls,
seeing more space we have
that we can grab.
It gets to a point
where it's just all too much,
and you kind of think, my god,
what have we taken on here?
At the end of the day
as you get up and you think,
oh, how lucky are we?
And then you look at the bank
account, and then you cry.
Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over: Donna and Paul
wanted the tea room
up and running two months ago
to bring in much-needed cash.
But they're way behind schedule
so have set a new launch date
for a few weeks' time.
Donna: Extremely worried
about hitting the deadline.
And yet physically
I don't think we can work
any harder than we are.
We need the tea room to open.
Savings are sure
an all-time low.
Dick, voice-over:
Now Donna wants to practice
new baking skills.
Donna: Initially
we would like to open
probably two, 3 days a week
and serve things like afternoon
tea, you know, with scones,
with a crush of cream
and a good variety
of traditional cakes
and things like that.
There's nothing like that
anywhere around,
so hopefully
we get lots of business.
Dick, voice-over:
Despite the mountain of work
they've got to get through,
Donna's feeling upbeat.
Donna:
The tea room's not ready now,
but give us a couple of weeks.
We just stopped, um, you know,
sleeping and things like that.
All wasted time.
Ha ha!
For you?
You can have one.
He's worked hard today,
hasn't he?
I think
we'll give him a cupcake.
And?
Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over:
Back in the tea room toilets,
a sleep-deprived Paul has
had an awful realization.
He's forgot to check for leaks
in the pipes in the walls
before plaster boarding
and tiling over them.
Paul: The pressure here
is about 6 bars,
so if it leaks,
you'll know pretty instantly
that there's a gusher
behind one of the walls.
And if that's the case,
unfortunately it means
having to remove
the surrounding tiles,
the plaster board,
and find the offending joint.
And given that
we've proceeded in tile,
then I'm hoping
that's not the case
because that's going to be
a major problem.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, no.
Just 3 weeks before they want
the tea room up and running,
stripping the tiled walls now
is a delay they can ill afford.
150 miles south
is Chateau Caillac,
a classic French beauty
from the 19th century.
With 20 rooms and private river
access from the grounds,
it's been lovingly restored
by Angela and husband Steve,
who has a background
in engineering.
Angela: You kind of look around
and you do have
to pinch yourself.
It's just like, yeah, we've had
a really busy, hectic day,
but gosh, we're here,
it's beautiful.
The peace, the quiet.
It's just a lovely place to be.
Steve: It is a really
special thing to have.
The potential you see as well.
And it's the potential
I think we saw in this place
as we could do something with it
to make it what we wanted,
to make it really nice.
Dick, voice-over: Located
60 miles from Bordeaux,
the couple are preparing to
rent out their turgid marble
for the whole summer
to bring in essential income.
and also share the place
with others.
Angela: People that we've
never met who come on holiday
and then they send you an email
to say it really is...
Steve: A magical place.
Angela: There's no point
doing a chateau,
spending all the time
only to it be me and Steve
appreciate it.
Dick, voice-over:
Their latest renovation project
is restoring
the chateau's electric gates,
which haven't worked properly
for 12 years.
Steve: The motors on the gates
are underground and get wet.
Angela: In which case
if we improve the drainage,
hopefully...
Steve: Potentially.
Some time in the past
there was some form of drain,
but it's either
got blocked up or...
Angela: Or a mouse living in it
or something.
Steve: Probably.
Angela: Or a snake. Ha!
Steve: Well, I hope not.
Angela: I hope not, too,
because I'll probably
be down there mousing.
Steve: Well,
let's get going then.
Angela: What's the plan first,
then, love?
Steve: We've got to remove
that cover first,
and then we need to just,
if there's any water in there,
we need to empty it out.
Dick, voice-over:
If water has been getting
into the gate motors,
that could mean a lot of work
if this summer's guests are to
get a more luxurious entrance.
Angela:
There's something really special
about arriving at a chateau
and literally
as you come into the gates,
the gates open
and allow you to come in
and see the tree-lined drive.
Dick, voice-over: First
impressions are so important.
Steve: Can you bring me
a screwdriver, Angela?
This is great having a helper,
isn't it?
Angela: Gopher.
Go for this, go for that.
Dick, voice-over:
And now to discover
just how much rainwater
is collecting.
Angela: Oh, my goodness.
Oh, there's a frog!
Look at that.
Steve: This is utterly,
I think--
Angela: That was actually
a frog.
Steve: It's a pond.
Angela: We're going to need
a jug.
You can't mop that up.
Did you not bring
anything like that?
Steve: No. Do you want
to go jug looking?
And a bucket, Angela.
Dick, voice-over: Looks like
it might be touch and go
fixing the gates in time
for the first rental guests.
The elegant 18th-century,
44-room Chateau Flore
sits in a 27-acre estate,
including extensive
formal gardens,
and a 3/4-of-an-acre maze.
It's home to British
events organizer Ithaca
and her French husband Alex.
Ithaca:
We're really, really lucky.
We're very lucky
to own a place like this
even if it is a complete,
you know, bottomless pit.
Dick, voice-over:
Located an hour from Calais,
Alex and Ithaca host
and antiques and flower fair
in the gardens each year
with the aim of raising funds
that help pay for vital repairs.
Ithaca: The events are crucial
for the survival of this house.
We're not millionaires.
We're just normal people,
so we need to find ways
to create more cash.
Dick, voice-over:
Over 70 stall holders
will be selling everything from
antiques to garden products.
The public pay an entrance fee.
But with a costly roof repair
underway,
they need the fair to be
more of a financial success
than last year.
Ithaca:
We didn't lose any money,
but we didn't actually gain
much money.
We're crossing our fingers.
We're hoping we're
going to have more people.
Dick, voice-over: There's now
just 24 hours to go.
And Alex, Ithaca,
and the team of 30 helpers
still have to set up
their bar and restaurant,
plus put signage
across the site.
A heat wave has sent
temperatures into the mid-30s.
At least that should be good
for takings at the bar,
where Alex is showing staff
how to work the beer taps.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca is
dealing with early arrivals
of stall holders at the now
scorching 10-acre event site.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Quite a lot of brocanteurs
are arriving now,
so things I should be doing
I can't be doing
because I'm having to deal
with people
that are arriving earlier.
This is the hottest day
of the year,
and they are arriving
in scorching heat.
I don't know why
they're arriving now
instead of tomorrow morning.
I'm a bit concerned
I might not have enough space.
Dick, voice-over: Despite
Ithaca's hard sell of pitches
closer to the bar,
the shady spots
remain in high demand.
All: [Speaking French]
Ithaca: They all want
to be in the shade,
so that's a bit of a problem.
I'm just hoping that I'm going
to find a space for all of them.
Ha!
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca's day
is not going as planned.
Ithaca: I'm trying
to map out the areas
for the antique dealers
and brocanteurs as we speak.
I keep getting interrupted.
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
The day's got even hotter,
and there's heavy lifting
to be done.
Alex: Maybe it's not ideal to
work at this time of the day
because it's so hot,
but we have to go on.
And also I have to watch
after all the people helping
so that they don't catch the sun
or they get too tired.
We desperately need them
tomorrow to be in good shape.
Ithaca: So, so hot.
I must be some kind of,
like a red lobster right now.
It's like being
in the eye of a cyclone.
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca wants
to make sure they're prepared
if the bar goes down a storm.
Ithaca: So the freezer's done,
the ice is done,
the beer taps are done,
the beer is here,
the wine is here,
that we've got running water,
we've got the bins.
Dick, voice-over:
Now they just need the crowds
so their hard work pays off.
Ithaca: We need at least 1,500
people, I think, to break even.
I'm hoping to have more.
Alex: If nobody comes,
we'll still have very good beer
and very good rose,
so we can just not do anything
and party.
Dick, voice-over: Not sure
Ithaca would agree, Alex.
Fingers crossed the sun brings
out the visitors tomorrow.
300 miles south
at Chateau de Sauge,
Paul's about to test the pipes
in his revamped toilet.
If there's a leak, it'll mean
stripping away some of the tiles
he's just put up.
So it's an anxious moment.
Paul: Pipes are in.
Right, we can switch
the water on now. Ready?
It will be a bit
of an anticlimax
if everything's ok, right?
Donna: It better be ok.
Paul: Do you want to turn
the tap?
Donna: All right,
which one am I turning?
Paul: The one on the right.
Donna: Right that way
or right that way?
Paul: Right facing the taps.
Donna: This one.
Paul: Yeah. Slowly.
Donna: Ready?
Paul: No.
Dick, voice-over:
This could be sink or swim
for the tea room launch date.
Donna: Whee!
[Toilet flushes]
I've never been so happy
to see a toilet flush.
Ha ha!
Paul: Ha ha. That's a relief.
But that's, yeah, two toilets,
two sinks.
Yeah, it seemed to be ok,
which is good.
Right, well,
that's me finished for today.
Clean up now, sweetheart.
Donna: Ha ha!
Dick, voice-over: When it comes
to finishing the tea room
in her chosen vintage theme,
Donna's been keeping the budget
down by hunting around.
Donna: To get an old style paper
is absolutely so expensive,
it's crazy prices,
so I've been dealing with
a couple of wallpaper suppliers
and some mills.
I've just been buying them
for a fraction of the price.
Dick, voice-over:
Sourcing online bargain bins
is a great way
to keep costs down,
especially when you have
an entire chateau to renovate.
Trips to the brocant means
they've been slowly collecting
enough furniture
to fill their home.
So Donna's been trying her hand
at a new skill: upholstery.
Donna: I've got actually
two chairs of this style.
Unfortunately all of
the bottoms of the chairs
have kind of deteriorated
like this.
I'm going to have to
reupholster them,
something I've not done before.
First thing I am doing is to
remove all of this braiding.
Mostly it's kind of
stuck in place.
I never imagined there would be
this many little pins.
Oh.
But now all that braid's off,
you can actually see
the amount of tacks.
There are hundreds.
Dick, voice-over: Once the
fabric is removed from the seat,
Donna uses it as a template
on her chosen
replacement material.
Donna: So my idea is
I'll kind of leave a bit extra.
That's kind of pretty central.
Dick, voice-over: To keep
the new cover in place,
Donna's reusing
the original tacks.
Donna: Right. Come on.
One nail in.
Probably another 200 to go. Ha!
Dick, voice-over:
Several tacks later,
Donna's done for the day.
Donna:
I think it's a good start.
I think they'll absolutely look
stunning when they're completed,
so it will be worth it.
Dick, voice-over:
With the tea room launch date
fast approaching
and a basement full of
brocant buys to work through,
it looks like Donna and Paul
have a very busy time ahead.
150 miles south, Angela
and Steve are racing to fix
the motorized entrance gates
before the first rental guests
of the season arrive.
Steve: Oh, great,
that's just what I need.
Angela: There you go.
Steve: Right. Let gets bailing.
Dick, voice-over:
The motor housing is flooded
so will need bailing out
along with the resident frog.
Then they can replace the motor.
Steve: I think this has been
full of water for years.
Hence the wildlife.
Here he is.
Angela: Oh! Oh!
Steve: Oh, it's gone again.
Oh, he's in there now.
We'll tip it out slowly.
Dick, voice-over:
Time to evict Kermit.
Angela: I haven't seen
anything yet.
Are you sure you put him
in here?
Steve: He might not be.
I thought he went
in the jug. No?
Angela: Nope. Nothing. He's out.
Something's in there.
No, that's a leaf. Ha!
Nope, nope. I think it's just
a leaf in there, Steven.
No frog.
Oh, there he is. He's there.
He's on the leaf.
Ah, that's gorgeous.
Steve: Can I have the bucket,
please, Angela?
We need to get this
out of here now.
Angela: Ok, ok.
Steve:
Saving the wildlife is great.
It's not getting the job done,
is it?
Angela: Here you go.
Dick, voice-over: Now to muck
away the muddy residue
and see where the water
should drain.
Steve: The good news is
I can see where there's a pipe
coming out of here.
Maybe that went off to a drain
somewhere over there.
Let's have a look.
Angela:
Oh, it doesn't go very far.
[Drill whirring]
Oh, that went further in.
That went quite a bit
further in there.
That's the most further in.
Dick, voice-over: Unable to
reach the connecting drainage
pipe this way,
it's time to bring in
the big tools.
Steve: Fire her up.
It's what happens.
Dick, voice-over: And that means
digging from above.
Angela: Ok, so you need to go
closer to that side.
Whoa! I think that's
pretty spot on. Yeah?
Dick, voice-over:
Steve's aiming his auger
hoping to hit the line
of the existing drain pipe.
Angela: Yeah, whoa, whoa.
Dick, voice-over: So they can
find where the source
of the blockage is.
Angela: What you thinking?
Steve: I think we're hitting
something really hard
down there.
We're probably hitting
the foundations for
the gates themselves.
We're going to have to move
more this way, which is fine.
Dick, voice-over:
Breaking through concrete
so they can fix the problem
will be a big job,
so fingers crossed
they can locate softer ground.
Angela:
We've hit concrete again.
Steve: Yeah, that's concrete,
isn't it?
Angela: Best laid plans
and all that.
Dick, voice-over: Let's hope
it's third time lucky.
Angela: Go back, back again
about an inch, two inch--Whoa!
That's it. How is it
going into the ground now?
Do you start to feel like
it's going in now?
Steve: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over: Bingo!
Steve:
Have we reached Australia yet?
Angela: The goal?
Steve: Is it lunchtime?
Angela: No.
Dick, voice-over:
This is turning into
a bigger job than expected.
So there's no guarantee
they'll have it done
in time for rental guests.
Steve: We haven't intercepted
any pipe.
Dick, voice-over: Oh, dear.
Despite Steve's big drill,
seems this hole still isn't
deep enough to reach the drain.
Steve: If that's further deeper
than that,
then we're never going to
actually hit that pipe.
Angela: It's not ideal to start
this kind of job
just two days before
your guests come, I suppose.
Dick, voice-over:
In northern France,
it's now the day of Alex
and Ithaca's fundraising
antiques and flower fair.
And Ithaca's made
a very early start.
Ithaca: I went to bed
at half-past 4:00.
The first people arrived
at 10 till 5:00.
So I've been literally,
you know, running around
and making sure that everybody
is happy with their space.
Dick, voice-over:
Now there's less than an hour
to get all the stalls
in position
before opening the gates
to the public.
Ithaca: Making sure
that everybody is setting up
and that they've cleared
their lorries
before half-past 8:00.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Alex
heads down to the ticket desk
and prepares to open...
as Ithaca instills
some team spirit
into the army of 30 workers.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: The stalls
are ready to welcome visitors,
but there's no sign of any.
Clearly there's a problem.
Alex: [Speaking French]
They forgot to open the parking.
That is their duty.
They just forgot.
But it's fine now. It's open.
First car is coming. Ha ha!
I couldn't believe it.
It's very funny actually.
Dick, voice-over:
The car park now open,
visitors are flooding in...
leaving Alex a victim
of his own success.
Alex: There are no more tickets
down there!
They don't have
any entrance bracelets,
so that's an issue.
Dick, voice-over: It means
a race across the 10-acre site
back to the chateau.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Where is it?
Man: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Bumper numbers
are also proving a problem
for the bar and buffet.
Ithaca: Right now I'm concerned
with the fact
that all these people
are waiting to eat.
There's a huge queue for lunch,
and I keep getting called
every single 5 minutes.
It's really frustrating because
it means you're going
to get people saying,
"Oh, we had to queue,
we had to queue."
Dick, voice-over:
Time for some damage limitation.
Ithaca: [Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over:
The bumper turnout is great news
for the renovation fund,
but also means the next 5 hours
are going to be pretty hectic
for Ithaca and Alex.
300 miles south the grand
opening of Donna and Paul's
new tea room
is in 10 days' time,
and they've been making
good progress with the work,
but they've had
some crushing news.
Paul: We had a meeting
with the mayor two days ago...
Donna: Yeah.
Paul: ...to request his presence
at the opening of the tea room.
Donna: But to officially open
the tea room.
Paul:
Yeah, but unfortunately
he said that he'd only
received the paperwork
that we understood
had been submitted
a couple of weeks
previously.
When we mentioned opening in
10 days, he burst into laughter.
Donna: Yeah. He said, "Of course
I'll open the tea room,
I'd love to,
but not on that day."
So, yeah.
Paul: Yeah.
Dick, voice-over:
The application for
permission to open
is weeks behind schedule.
Donna: I was furious.
Everything was organized.
We're running on empty nearly,
aren't we now?
Paul: Yeah, we had a plan, and
this would be up and running
and indeed earning its keep
and helping us to fund
the other work,
and that's now delayed.
Dick, voice-over: That means
postponing their lunch
until the paperwork
hopefully comes through.
But at least there's time
for Donna to get creative
with the furniture they need.
Donna: I found
two sewing machines
actually in our old stable,
which I immediately
fell in love with.
Dick, voice-over:
She's already repurposed
an old cast iron oven
found in the attic
and is now
working on transforming
old sewing machines.
Donna: As we're going through
the chateau,
we're finding little
bits and pieces from history,
and what we're trying to do is
repurpose as much as possible.
There we are.
You're looking cleaner.
I think this sewing machine
will be a great addition
to the terrace.
Doesn't she look lovely?
Nearly so bright.
Paul: Watch me fingers.
Donna: I've got this end.
Dick, voice-over: It's a good
job they're getting creative
because with the opening
of the tea room delayed,
they need to keep a closer eye
than ever on their budget.
Duding up
these architectural marvels
may not always be a picnic,
so taking time to get out
and about
is one way to stay fresh
and remind us why we do it.
We're leaving our place
for a few hours to head
to the beach...
Dick: You got the door, mum?
Angela: Yeah.
Dick: Right, ok.
Dick, voice-over:
...with our children.
Dick: Grandma, granddad!
Dick, voice-over:
Plus Grandma Jenny
and Granddad Steve.
Come rain or shine...
Angel: I see a bit of sunshine
over there, Dick.
Dick: Really?
Angel: Look! Oh, look the sun!
Dick, voice-over:
...the coast at Saint-Malo
is a breath of fresh air.
Angel:
We live in a gorgeous house,
but there is just
a total different feeling
when you're by the seaside.
It's great.
Dick, voice-over:
While our children
build castles of their own,
as always,
Angel's getting inspiration
for our real-life castle.
Angel: There's a certain
time of the day
when the tide goes out
and you see all the rocks
and then, well,
we're going to go and look for
basically anything
that takes our fancy.
Dick, voice-over:
The beachcombing begins.
Dick: If you wash it,
you can see exactly what's what.
Angel: Shall we start
putting precious stones
in the container?
I've made a few things
of shells.
I covered a lion once.
It's beautiful.
Dick, voice-over: Whilst
we go home with bags of ideas,
all our natural finds
are put back
to preserve the beach
as we found it.
Angel: I'm a crab!
I'm a crab! Coming to get you!
I'm going to get you!
Dick: I can see seaweed.
Come on, mama.
Angel: What is that?
You mean seaweed? Ah!
Dick: Just keep going.
Angel: Dick,
could I just have these?
Dick, voice-over: As well as
a spot of treasure hunting,
I want to show Dorothy
and Arthur
some wildlife
we don't get back home.
Dick: It's quite tickly,
isn't it?
And see those claws?
You see those claws?
And it's not something
that wants to hurt you.
Arthur: No!
Angel: Well done.
Dick: Ok,
we have to let it go now.
Angel: All right.
Dick: You guys want to hide
this one?
Angel: Beautiful. Good-bye.
Dick, voice-over:
Marine safari complete,
it's time for my lot
to scuttle back home, too.
On the banks of the River Lot,
Angela and Steve's first
chateau rental of the season
is now less than a day away.
After lots of digging,
a new drainage pipe
has been put in place
for the electric gates.
Steve: We've managed
to get now a route
from the motor casing
in the ground
out to a land drain.
Dick, voice-over:
But if it isn't working,
they're out of time.
Steve: Now the first thing
we need to do is check
that that drain works.
I've got some water to put in.
Angela: Right.
Dick, voice-over:
If water isn't draining away,
they won't be able to install
a replacement motor.
And with Angela and Steve
due to return to the U.K.,
that means the gates won't open
automatically for paying guests
all summer.
Steve: Angela, I'm hoping
we're going to see the water
from here flowing down the pipe
and coming out down there.
Angela: Ok.
Dick, voice-over:
It's the moment of truth.
Steve: You ready?
Angela: Yep.
Angela:
I see water straightaway!
Steve: Oh, that's great.
Angela: Oh, yay!
There's hope!
Steve: There's hope!
Stage one complete.
Angela: Simple pleasure,
a little bit of water
disappearing.
Dick, voice-over:
The new drainage system
deals with the equivalent of
a heavy thunderstorm with ease.
Now they're all clear to install
the replacement motor.
Steve: Ok, it's in.
All I got to do now
is connect those to those.
And that pops in there.
That's great.
So we're all connected
down there.
Dick, voice-over: Time to hook
it up to the new entry box.
Steve: How's all that looking?
Angela: Um, it looks neat.
Dick, voice-over: And of course
engineer Steve has gone for
the latest bit of kits.
Steve: So you can either text it
and say, "Open the gates,"
you can ring it,
and it'll open the gates,
or you can actually use
the keypad and put a code in
and open the gate,
so it's quite versatile really.
Angela: I just hope it works
because if it doesn't,
then it's a couple of steps
backwards again.
Dick, voice-over:
Oh, ye of little faith.
Steve: Is that not nice?
Angela: I do hope it works,
though, end up nice.
Ha ha.
Steve: Ok.
Angela: Ooh!
Steve: Right.
Angela: Gate moved.
That's so exciting.
Steve: Except one's moved. Oh--
Angela: No, they're both moving.
Steve: It lets that one
get ahead of it, doesn't it?
[Gates thud]
Angela: Yay!
That's really great.
Steve: I feel like we have gone
to the future.
Angela: I think you did
a bril job, then.
Steve: Oh, thank you.
A bril job?
Angela: A bril job.
Steve: Well,
that's a compliment.
I'll take that when I get them.
Dick, voice-over: Angela
and Steve enjoy a moment of calm
after another period
of hard work.
From tricky finishing touches...
Angela:
It's absolutely beautiful.
Steve: You happy with that?
Angela: I am happy, yes,
thank you.
Dick, voice-over:
...to fixing the pool...
Steve: Can I get that in there?
Angela: Yes, you can,
yes, you can. Marvelous.
Dick, voice-over:
...creating parking space.
Steve: Voila!
Dick, voice-over: ...and sorting
out the entry gates.
They can head back to the U.K.
knowing everything is just so
for their summer guests.
Angela: I hate to say it,
but it always feels lovely as we
drive away and we look around,
and we go, oh, my gosh.
Steve: Every year we do more
and more, don't we?
And that feels really good.
We're doing it ourselves.
We've only got a limited budget,
but I think every year
it's getting better and better.
Dick, voice-over:
This dynamic duo continue
to take their chateau
from strength to strength,
and I'm happy to say their
future in France looks rosy.
In western France,
Donna and Paul are busy
decorating the tea room,
whilst awaiting crucial
permission to let them open
to the public.
Donna: I've got a couple
of mirrors to go up.
Paul: Where?
Donna: I think maybe just kind
of doing something like that,
you see.
Paul: But why?
Donna: Because.
Paul: Did vintage tea rooms
have mirrors that were
of no use to people?
Donna: I really like that.
Dick, voice-over:
No time to reflect
as the rest of Donna's
final touches are put in place.
Paul: This is our cupboard
of cake stands all ready to go.
Dick, voice-over: Donna's
been sourcing vintage china
from the nearby brocants.
Paul: Here you go.
Dick, voice-over: And perfecting
her cake recipes.
Donna: Oh. We certainly won't be
serving them in my tea room.
Paul: Oh. Oh.
Donna: The only thing that's
missing now is my flowers
in the center.
Paul: Yeah.
Donna: And some customers.
Paul: Yeah.
Both: [Laughing]
Paul: Perfect.
Dick, voice-over:
When they bought the chateau,
this room was a gloomy
and neglected shell.
Donna and Paul have stripped out
the old fittings,
replastered, paneled the walls,
and decorated
from top to bottom...
to create a bright and sunny
vintage tea room
finished with
her retro wallpaper
and filled with finds
from the brocant
and around the chateau.
And what was once
a grotty old bathroom
is now smart
and full of character
with ample space
for disabled access.
But sadly it's a case of tea
and sympathy for Donna and Paul.
Crucial approval from the fire
department has not arrived.
And they've had no choice but
to delay the opening yet again.
Paul: The biggest emotion is...
it's disappointment.
You know,
we can't open the doors.
Donna: And I'm kind of itching
to get into my lovely kitchen,
bake my little heart out,
and you know,
have some creations
for people to enjoy.
Dick, voice-over:
They may not be hosting
the launch they hoped for...
but Donna and Paul
should be very proud
of what they've achieved
since moving into this
derelictchateau just 9 months
ago.
Donna: Yeah, this is pretty bad.
Dick, voice-over: With
hard work and determination,
they've transformed
this scullery
into an impressive
catering kitchen...
turned a rundown wing
of the chateau
into a self-contained apartment
for guests...
and now have a beautiful
vintage tea room ready to go.
Paul: Chateau life is
enthralling, tiring,
emotional worrying,
but it's not something
that we want to change.
So there's no looking back.
It's only forward.
Dick, voice-over: We wish them
all the best for their future
here in France.
Donna: We're still
living the dream living here.
Our bank account
might not think so. Ha ha!
But it's still a privilege
living here.
Dick, voice-over: Near Calais
in northern France,
Alex and Ithaca's
antiques and flower fair
is seeing record attendance.
All good news
for the renovation's fund.
Alex: As you can see,
the chateau's in the rebuilding.
To maintain is
an enormous amount of money,
so we need to make events,
we need to make profit,
and that's why we need
the people to come.
Dick, voice-over:
But organizing logistics
across the busy
10-acre event site
is proving a challenge.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Last year, we only had
4 talkie-walkies,
and that was quite all right.
Now I bought 4 more,
and I don't know that everybody
wants his talkie-walkie.
Dick, voice-over:
A chateau owner can never have
too many talkie-walkies.
Alex: Look at this.
Ok.
Dick, voice-over:
To keep things moving,
11-year-old son Jules
and 14-year-old daughter Violet
have come up with a plan.
Ithaca: You're walking around
for the whole day
doing wheelbarrows,
and you're fine with that?
I think you're completely crazy.
My daughter's mad.
Anyway, she reminds me of me.
Violet: Mummy, she's been
working so hard for this,
and I think this is amazing,
and she's such an inspiration
to me.
Bye!
Dick, voice-over: No wheelbarrow
rides for dad, though,
as he makes yet another long
trip to deal with a problem
over at the entrance gate.
Alex: There's a road sign
that fell because of the wind,
so I have to get it fixed,
so I got to get a screwdriver
and stuff to get it fixed.
I have to fix it back.
Screws! Screws! Screws!
Dick, voice-over: En route,
he's diverted to fetch hats
for attendants at the car park
who are feeling the heat.
And there's another issue
at the new lavender beds
which are drawing
lots of attention.
Alex: [Speaking French]
Yeah, people
are walking in there.
They're stupid, and they don't
seem to care, and I do care.
It's a lot of work.
[Speaking French]
Dick, voice-over: Hats off
to one more trouble sorted,
but the worries aren't over.
Alex: It's very windy,
and it--
I don't want to fix it really
because it won't be
that well fixed.
Dick, voice-over:
With the wind still blowing
and the fair
due to finish soon...
Alex:
I mean, maybe I can do this.
Dick, voice-over: ...Alex
decides the sign can stay down.
Alex: And that will be ok.
I'm afraid of the wind.
It's very strong.
It's surprisingly strong.
Well...now there are
lots of cars.
But now it's good that some cars
are leaving. Ha ha!
Well done!
You've done your best!
Leave now!
Dick, voice-over: Ithaca's ready
to put her feet up, too.
Ithaca: I'm feeling exhausted.
I'm really tired.
I can't feel my feet,
but I am wearing heels.
Alex: [Speaking French]
I'm kind of looking now
for 6:00.
It's over now. It's like,
ok, ok, ok, fair enough,
everybody away, come on!
Dick, voice-over:
Fond farewells.
Alex: [Speaking French]
I love to see people coming out,
packed with things.
That would mean that
everybody is happy.
Ithaca: There are lots
and lots people.
The stall owners,
the brocanteurs,
antique dealers,
the nurseries are really happy.
So it's good.
Dick, voice-over:
This year Ithaca and Alex
welcomed a record crowd
of over 2,200 visitors,
giving ticket takings
of nearly £10,000.
All great news
for the repair fund
and the family chateau.
Ithaca:
I'm feeling relieved, proud
of everything
that we've achieved.
We're a true team.
We have a lot of fun.
Alex: We do shout
at each other a lot.
Ithaca: We're still
in the same direction.
Alex: Yes, yes, still
in the same direction.
Dick, voice-over:
As well as making the annual
antiques and flower fair
bigger and better than ever,
they've created
a new planting scheme...
and started expensive work
to fix the entire
800-square-meter roof.
Now they're planning more events
for later in the year.
Ithaca: We plan to organize
an autumn fest,
more of a night event where
the whole garden will be lit up.
Let me finish my glass of beer.
Alex: Let me finish
my glass of beer, too!
Whoops!
Dick, voice-over:
I'll raise my glass to all
our intrepid chateau owners.
Donna and Paul
are still awaiting the ok
from the fire department
to open their tea room.
Angela and Steve's chateau
is booked up.
Steve: So I hope you have
a really lovely stay with us.
Dick, voice-over: And Alex
and Ithaca's epic roof repair
looks set to continue
for another year.