Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 4, Episode 3 - Episode #4.3 - full transcript
I'm Dick Strawbridge.
Along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
Dick: we're now 5 years...
Angel: Whoo!
Dick: into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
Dick: and some amazing rewards.
Angel: Thank you for my
flower garden, Mr. Strawbridge.
Dick: And across France,
there are dozens
of other Brits
who are on their own
chateau adventure.
Yay!
Dick: We'll meet
some old friends...
Woman: Smile.
Man: I am.
Dick: and new faces.
Man: These rooms really haven't
been touched in 60 years.
Dick: And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: It is so much better
in real life!
Dick: There'll be highs...
Woman: Yay!
Dick: and lows...
Both: Oh, no!
Man: God, what a disaster!
Dick: as these plucky Brits...
Woman: Time is money.
Dick: transform these
once unloved buildings
into incredible homes...
Woman: I just cannot believe
how much work
you put in for us.
Dick: as well as businesses...
[Cheering]
and get to live the dream
as custodians
of their very own castle.
Woman: Cheers, everybody!
Dick: Today...
Man: Just a whisker more.
Just a centimeter more.
Dick: these owners start work on
a new garden...
Woman: I've got to get all of my
plants around here.
I've got to get them planted.
I've got the bassin to do.
So the pressure's on for me.
Dick: which turns out to be
an arduous exercise.
Woman: Ahh, gardening aerobics.
Here you go.
Dick: As this chateau marks
a grand anniversary...
Woman: We have to have it all
nice and straight.
Dick: there's a case of confetti
cannon confusion.
Woman: Does the top come off?
Do you take the top off?
Let me take the top off as well.
You don't take the top off,
do you?
Dick: And one couple put their
new event space to the test.
Woman: Is that good enough,
do you think?
Man: It's up to you.
You're the creative director.
Woman: Oh, god, don't say that.
Dick: But will it scrub up
as well as they do?
Man: Everything seems to be
under control,
so what could possibly
go wrong? Ow!
Sorry. I could burn myself.
[Chuckles]
Dick: Making the move across
the Channel
and getting a chateau business
off the ground
is a serious challenge.
But despite the ups and downs,
it can also be incredibly
fulfilling.
Take the enchanting
Chateau de Bourneau.
Built in the 1400s
and abandoned during
the French Revolution,
it was remodeled in
the 19th century.
It boasts 50 rooms,
40 acres,
and two new owners--
former anesthetist Erin and her
French fiancé engineer JB.
Erin: I think the little girl
princess in me
has always wanted to live
in a beautiful house.
JB: When we get visited
by friends
and we see the look on
their face, we're like,
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's true."
It is a beautiful place and we
are so lucky to be here.
Dick: Sitting in the
Pays de la Loire,
Erin and JB's grand plan
is to create guest accommodation
and run an events business.
Erin: This is obviously gonna be
a challenge.
Dick: Despite an income from
4 holiday lets,
money's tight,
so they've decided to focus
on events
to get cash flowing in ASAP.
JB: I think it looks good.
Erin: It does look good,
looks really good.
Dick: They've been converting
their abandoned orangery
into what they hope will make
the perfect event space.
Erin: I think there is something
very romantic
about a ruin of a forgotten
building.
And I envisioned it with fairy
lights, some candles.
I just thought,
"Yes, this could be
a really beautiful space
for events."
Whereas JB though, "Ooh, this
would be a lovely garage."
[Laughter]
JB: I'm not giving up.
Dick: Before they launch the
orangery for paid events,
they want to give it a test run
and are planning a Midsummer
Night's Dream party
for 8 friends from the UK
in two weeks' time.
Erin: The pressure's on
a little bit
because the quicker
we get it finished,
the quicker we can host
events
and bring in more money to do up
the chateau.
Dick: With a lot of work ahead
to get the empty orangery ready,
there's no time to lose.
JB: What's happening?
Dick: And I'm glad to see
Erin's got her priorities right.
Erin: You know, I had this idea
of having a bar inside here.
Wait, just--
JB: Yeah, no, no, no.
Erin: Skeptical face.
Dick: Erin's bagged these
secondhand 19th-century
French dressers
for around £100.
A bit of a steal.
Erin: My plan is to have
the main dresser back to wall
and have, you know, whiskey
and gin bottles
and that sort of thing as
a display
and the glassware all in
that dresser.
And then I found this other
piece
which is not actually part
of the set,
but I think it kind of goes
quite nicely.
So I think that dresser is gonna
end up being the bar in front.
I've got a navy blue paint,
which what I want to do
is use that to paint
the inside
of the bit where they used to
hang up plates.
JB: Oh, OK, yeah, yeah.
Erin: And then you use
that same paint
just to accent the bar in front,
so it sort of links the two
pieces of furniture.
That's my plan.
JB: Erin is like creative
director in this project.
She's got a much better vision
than I do
when it comes to style.
Erin: What I love about
this paint
is you don't have to prime
anything.
So it just takes just
a little less time
as well, getting that paint on.
JB: It is a bit bright,
isn't it?
Erin: It actually dries a lot
darker.
JB: I trust her.
Dick: The next day, and a lot of
paint later,
Erin's creative vision is
starting to take shape.
Erin: I'm just trying to pick
out a little bit
of the detail out of these old
carvings.
We'll see if JB approves,
because I'm not sure
he was totally set on my idea
of painting this blue.
So we'll see what he thinks.
JB: Hello.
Erin: Bonjour.
JB: That's looking nice.
Erin: Oh, do you like it?
JB: Yeah.
Dick: That's a relief.
And now he's here, Erin can put
JB to good use.
Erin: [Grunts] Oh.
JB: You got it?
Erin: Yep.
So there's that little lug
there.
Yep.
OK. All right?
JB: In place.
Erin: Yeah.
JB: Cool.
Erin: It's all right.
JB: I really like the bar.
Erin has done a good job
to find
matching style of furnitures.
Bit of color makes them a sort
of bit more modern.
Erin: Good, that's what I was
hoping for.
Dick: So far so good.
But with orangery still nothing
but an empty shell,
they've got a lot to do before
the night of the party.
Nearly 300 miles south
is the spectacular
Chateau du Puits es Pratx.
Set in 7 acres of land,
it has 39 rooms and is run
as a hotel and wedding venue
by Londoners Tim and Sasha,
their daughter Lily, and her
boyfriend Luke.
Tim: We've got 6 kids
between us.
And to have just one of them
wanting to work with us is
a privilege,
absolute privilege.
Sasha: They look fabulous,
sweetheart.
Tim: Luke is incredible.
And we're very lucky that
he's come along.
Luke: There we go.
Dick: Located in the Occitania
countryside,
they've spent the down season
upgrading the hotel spa.
Sasha: We're done.
We're ready. We're ready.
I think it looks magical.
Dick: Now with this year's
wedding season approaching,
they want to finish it off by
turning the area outside the spa
into a wellness garden.
Tim: Our plan for the wellness
garden
is to provide guests with
somewhere quiet and peaceful
so they can get away
from the crowd.
Sasha: It's like a secret
garden.
It's really important we get
finished tomorrow.
We've got wedding guests
arriving,
and the spa and the wellness
garden
is something that we're trying
to attract
as an extra to everybody's
wedding.
Dick: Tim and Sasha intend
to utilize
the chateau's original
bathing pool,
known as a bassin,
which has sat empty
for the 15 years they've
been here.
Tim: The pool is the original
pool built at some point
in the 1800s.
It's quite special,
and we wanted to celebrate that
in a way with something
worthwhile.
We finally decided we're going
to buy
an ornamental olive tree
and plant it.
Sasha: The olive tree is going
to go in the middle
as a centerpiece.
I've been growing irises,
which we'll put around,
and then around the edge
of that,
I'm going to put herbs.
It's a big space to fill.
Dick: Then you better
get cracking.
And out front, Luke is already
taking delivery
of the 11 tons of gravel
that will be used as drainage in
the bassin.
Though Tim spotted a potential
hitch.
Tim: My only concern right now
is that their crane isn't
long enough
to stretch over the pool,
which could be interesting.
Luke: [Speaking French]
Dick: And sure enough...
Luke: So they can't go any
further than that.
The weight's not letting them
take it further.
So we're going to have to shovel
the gravel in ourselves
from that point onwards.
Tim: I'll delegate.
Dick: Very wise, Tim.
And as the rest is hoisted
over the wall,
the delivery crew set to work
getting the gravel in
the old-fashioned way.
A little while later,
it's time for Sasha
to check out those delegation
skills.
Tim: That's good.
Sasha: Look at that.
Tim: That's cool.
Sasha: Wow.
Dick: But there's a snag with
the next stage of the garden.
Tim: It's transpired that
the shop that sold us
the top soil that the guys have
got a vanload full of
is only one third of what
we actually need.
But because the shop is closed
today,
we can only put that first
third in,
and the other two thirds will be
picked up tomorrow.
Sasha: What's today?
Tim: Today's Thursday.
So we can't--
Sasha: And they're closed?
Tim: We live in France,
come on.
Dick: Oh, dear.
Looks like you're going to need
to move heaven
and lots of earth to get
the garden finished tomorrow.
This is the
magnificent 12th-century
Chateau du Masgelier.
With 13 bedrooms and 12 acres
of land,
this splendid pile belongs
to Fiona.
A property renovator back in
the UK,
she now lives here with her
11-year-old son Louie.
Fiona: What's it like living
in a chateau?
It's a privilege.
Of course it is a privilege.
But it is really hard work.
Dick: Located in the rural
Limousin area,
Fiona has spent the last 6 years
restoring the chateau
with the aim of bringing it back
to its former glory.
Fiona: I specifically wanted to
buy a medieval chateau.
They don't come up very often,
the medieval castles,
and most of them now really in
complete disrepair,
you know, like the outer walls
and no roof or floors.
So I was--I was very lucky.
Dick: The chateau's illustrious
history
is important to Fiona.
And this year she's planning
to throw the old girl
a birthday party to remember.
Fiona: Chateau du Masgelier
will be 845 years old.
845 years.
She's still standing.
She's still here.
I think she deserves a bit of
a whoop whoop whoop.
Dick: The party is in
3 days' time.
The local mayor will unveil
a plaque to mark the occasion.
And as part of her bigger plan
to renovate the chateau,
today she's converting a little
historical treasure
into something that should come
in handy on the big day.
Fiona: There's lots of escape
tunnels, lots of dungeons,
and this would have been one of
the small
holding cells in the castle.
And then doing research,
it transpires that
it was last used as a wine
cellar in the 1920s-1930s.
So I think it'd be lovely to
recreate that again.
Dick: When Angel and I moved
into our place,
we discovered our wine cellar
came complete
with racks of dusty old bottles.
Local brew here,
it's called calva.
It's like an apple brandy.
I can see these bottles
cleaned up,
filled with calva, cork in
the top, dipped in red wax,
set back on the shelf.
And I'll gradually work
my way through.
Dick, voice-over: It was one of
my favorite discoveries
of those first few months of our
new home.
Dick: I'd buy the chateau
for this place.
Dick, voice-over: Cool
and about the right humidity.
I reckon Fiona's wine
will be much happier down in
this dungeon
than some of the previous
occupants.
Fiona: Now what I want to try to
do is not make it too new,
keep it very rustic as possible.
Dick: First job--fitting
the wooden wine racks.
But it may not be as
straightforward as it sounds.
Fiona: The thing is, I've got to
drill through the granite,
which is not the easiest thing
to do.
Dick: Granite is one of
the hardest rocks.
Great for construction,
but it requires the proper tools
and appropriate safety equipment
to work with.
Fiona: Glasses over my glasses.
Dick: Fiona's up for it.
Fiona: If you were to just
try and drill into this,
probably the drill will slip,
so it's always better to try
and cut in
a little bit of a groove.
Precise.
The castle will fall down now.
Dick: By chiseling into
the rock,
Fiona will give her masonry bit
more purchase.
Fiona: Make sure the drill's
done up properly.
Don't want that flying off.
Dick: For drilling all
the holes,
she needs a decent hammer drill.
Fiona: I really want it to go in
properly
because the last thing I want
to do is have
all of the wine fall off
the wall.
Can you imagine all of the
bottles crashing to the floor?
Look at that, they're nice
and secure.
Dick: That's the wine sorted.
Now for the strong metal
champagne rack.
Fiona: So what I want to do
is because
obviously the bottles are
incredibly heavy,
I want to make sure I'm using
real big boy wall plugs.
I've already drilled the
granite.
Ahh. I've got the drinks in
for the party.
All of the invitations have
gone out.
The mayor is going to come
to present
the commemorative wall plaque,
which I'm very excited about.
Fingers crossed it will arrive
tomorrow.
Dick: Let's hope so.
Commemorating the chateau
without the commemorative plaque
would be a tad awkward.
Fiona: I'm very pleased.
These look very, very nice.
I could consider it as
another room done.
Dick: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What about the wine?
Fiona: Right.
Dick: I look forward
to seeing it fully stocked
in time for the party.
Over 200 miles south
at Chateau du Puits es Pratx...
Sasha: Is anybody coming
to help?
Dick: Tim and Sasha have a busy
day ahead.
Sasha: We've got clients
arriving
from 2:00 in the afternoon,
so I've got to get all of my
plants around here.
I've got to get them into
position,
I've got to get them planted.
I've got the bassin to do.
So the pressure's on for me.
All right, back for some more.
But hey, rock and roll.
Luke: Un, deux, trois.
Dick: First Tim and Sasha
want to make sure
the wellness garden centerpiece
is, well, centered.
Sasha: We just want it moved
just a little tiny bit more.
Tim: Just a whisker more,
just a centimeter more.
Perfect. Superb. Thank you.
Sasha: I know we're fussy,
but it's worth it.
Looks like Mount Vesuvius.
Dick: With the top soil,
which has finally been delivered
and added to the bassin,
Sasha now needs to get
the garden finished
before the guests arrive
this afternoon.
Sasha: The gardeners have
gone to lunch,
we are behind schedule,
and Tim has now disappeared.
This is going to be fun.
Dick: Before she can plant
anything,
Sasha decides to add special
crystals
to help the soil retain water
through the long
French summer to come.
Sasha: This is not going to be
dignified, but, hey.
Dick: And she's perfected her
own unique method.
Sasha: So I might as well start
stamping, mighten I?
I'd like to think that I wasn't
heavy enough
to make a difference,
but I think I am.
Ahh, gardening aerobics.
Here you go.
* Ahh, da da da da da *
What happens after this is
I fill up
with the rest of the top soil,
and we'll be planting
the irises
right the way around here.
Sort those out later.
Come on, you guys.
I can't do this all myself.
Tim: Well, you're doing fine.
Sasha: Heh. And you've not got
the right shoes, either.
Tim: You look very funny.
Sasha: I know I look very funny.
This is gonna very embarrassing.
Tim: I tell you what I've got,
I've got a stumper.
Sasha: Just get in.
Come and join the dance.
Tim: This is compact enough,
isn't it?
Sasha: * Da da da da da *
Dick: Just one last layer
of soil
and the wellness garden will
finally be ready to plant.
Sasha: But the garden as a whole
has got a long way to go.
Dick: And with those guests
arriving in a few hours...
Sasha: [Exhales]
Dick: they better get
a move on.
Back at Erin and JB's,
it's the day before their test
event in the orangery,
a Midsummer Night's Dream-themed
party
for 8 friends from the UK.
Erin: We've had a few little
hiccups.
So the first massive one is our
guests were supposed
to be staying inside the
chateau,
and we've had an enormous leak,
so that means we only have one
bathroom for 10 people.
So I've got to break the news
to everyone
that unfortunately they can't
stay in the chateau.
Really luckily our manor house
has no holiday bookings
this weekend, thank goodness,
so everyone's staying
inside the manor house.
Hopefully everyone will be happy
with that.
Because of this unexpected plan
change of sleeping arrangements,
I've had to now make up all
the beds in the manor house,
so did that this morning,
which has put us significantly
behind schedule.
We still have the orangery to
fully decorate.
We've got to find a table
to move in there.
All the chairs have got to go
in there.
Ah, lots of things.
Dick: Better make a start, then.
And first up are the
decorations.
Erin: So...
JB: What is the task?
Erin: You know how we have tons
and tons of this wisteria
from my cousin's wedding?
What I think might be
quite nice
is to make a sort of
flower wall.
So literally just hang it simply
so it drapes
just in the central portion,
otherwise you've just got this
totally bare wall.
Dick: If tomorrow's party
goes well,
Erin and JB will be able
to use it
as a template for future
paid events.
But on their shoestring budget,
they need to be resourceful.
JB: Is that all there?
Ahh. C'est bon.
Dick: And using donated
decorations
is a good place to start.
JB: So in the middle?
Erin: I want you to make it sort
of a double--
JB: It's up to you. You are the
creative director after all.
Erin: Oh, god, don't say that.
JB: Can do that all day.
What do you think? I don't know,
just a suggestion.
Erin: You know what, let's just
leave it like that.
It saves banging on the nail
against the wall, doesn't it?
JB: [Mouths words]
Dick: Another good way to
decorate on the cheap
is to forage from your
own garden.
Especially if it happens to be
40-odd acres.
Erin: The theme is a Midsummer
Night's Dream.
And I just really like the idea
of sort of windy ivy.
I think it's really romantic
and kind of understated.
And I have these lovely
candelabras,
which I think actually if I
wound these round,
they could look quite lovely
and romantic.
So that's my plan.
And also it's a good task
because this ivy is destroying
our moat wall.
So it needs to be kept at bay,
so actually, it's a double
win job here.
Dick: And she's also after
another more exotic plant.
Erin: This is the bamboo forest.
Quite a lot of it,
as you can see.
So I think it started off as
a baby patch of it,
and it's just gotten on with it.
Dick: Bamboo is one of
the fastest-growing
plants in the world,
making it an excellent renewable
resource.
Erin: There we go.
Wah!
Right. [Laughs]
Now the fun bit begins.
So my idea is to have almost
an entrance post
and adding to the wisteria
as well,
so you've got a bit more
greenery, like,
you know, you're entering
a sort of
Midsummer Night's Dream
wonderland is my idea.
This building has been so sad
and neglected
for such a long time,
I think it's really lovely
to make it look a little bit
crazy for once, actually.
Great.
I'm really pleased. Simple.
Dick: And all that hard work
has earned a reward.
[Dinging]
Erin: Cocktail o'clock.
Dick: For JB, at any rate.
Erin has created a bespoke
cocktail for the party
and she needs a guinea pig
to test it on.
Erin: I made a lot of sloe gin
last year
with sloes we actually picked
from the estate.
So I'm going to use it as
a gin base,
and then topped up with
a local bubbly.
JB: Should probably take a seat.
Erin: Yes. [Laughs]
[Ice rattles]
[Pop]
Erin: Ta-da.
My idea is it's a Bourneau
Bellini.
So it's something different
for here.
JB: Great color.
Erin: Is it gonna pass
the French judgment?
What do you think?
Bourneau Bellini.
JB: [Clicks tongue] Bourneau
Bellini has been approved.
Erin: It's approved?
JB: Yep.
Erin: Oh, good. Cheers.
JB: Cheers.
Dick: Chin-chin, you two.
But go easy,
there's still a lot to do
in the orangery
to be ready for tomorrow.
In central France at
Chateau du Masgelier...
Fiona: Very nice.
Look at that.
Dick: It's just 3 days
till Fiona hosts a party
to mark the chateau's birthday.
Fiona: 845 years. That is a
really, really long time
for this castle to be standing
here.
Big medieval defense built by
the Knights Templar.
She was stormed during
the French Revolution.
The Nazis stormed the castle
as well.
Some sort of the OSE French
Resistance was based here.
Dick: If these walls could talk.
Despite its many military
skirmishes,
the chateau is still going
strong,
something Fiona plans to
celebrate.
Fiona: All right. [Gasps]
Look at that.
Doesn't that look super?
Even though it's a practical
room,
you know me, I couldn't just
sort of stick
a couple of crates
on the floor here.
I just want, you know, a little
bit of designer touches.
Dick: The new wine cellar looks
the business.
Though it's a little early for
the contents
to help calm Fiona's
pre-party nerves.
Fiona: I honestly don't know
how many people
are coming to the event,
I really don't.
All of the French people,
they don't reply.
They just kind of rock up
on the day.
They just all rock up.
So, you know, I can't be
caught short.
Dick: I don't think there's much
danger of that.
Fiona: Oh, god, I've got
so much.
The main thing is, the racks
haven't fallen off of the wall.
The girl can put up a damn good
shelf, can't she?
OK, there we go.
I am so pleased with that.
I think it looks fabulous.
Dick: And so you should be.
Fiona: Just how I imagined it
to be.
Dick: It's the day before
the party.
Fiona's invited the local mayor
to unveil a plaque
she's had especially
commissioned
to celebrate the chateau's
history,
and it's just arrived.
Fiona: Obviously everything is
centered really
around the commemorative plaque.
So I'm very excited to see how
it's turned out
from the design.
It's even bigger than I thought
it would be.
[Gasps] Wow.
Wow. Oh, wow.
It's even better than I even
imagined.
And it seems bigger than I
imagined, as well.
But that's good.
Big is good. Big is good.
Dick: Over the years,
Fiona's spent hours
researching the chateau,
and the plaque features symbols
relating to her discoveries.
Fiona: It's 845 years of
epic French history.
That's all in French.
Obviously it's 1174 when she was
first built in stone.
The fleur-de-lis, which is
King Louis XIV
who owned the chateau.
The Knights Templar.
Oh, wow.
Oh, wow, look at the eagle's
come out fantastic.
And to serve and defend
and protect
because, you know, to me, that's
what she was built for.
I think everyone at
the unveiling are going
to be really blown away.
Dick: Now to figure out
where to mount it.
Fiona: What my thoughts were
was to actually place it
somewhere here
on the king's tower,
and then the mayor will be able
to get easy access to unveil it.
It will be absolutely perfect.
Yeah, I'm liking that a lot.
Dick: It looks like
there's going to plenty
to celebrate tomorrow.
Fiona: Yeah, I expect lots of
oohs and ahhs.
Dick: Good job the new wine
cellar is fully stocked.
At Tim and Sasha's in
the South of France...
Sasha: This is a plant called
the red dwarf.
Dick: The new wellness garden is
ready for planting.
Well, almost.
Sasha: There's a lot to do, and
I'm not gonna worry about it.
[Laughs] Much.
I've been looking after gardens
and flowers for forever.
I love it.
Gets me out, keeps me fit.
Dick: Tim and Luke have been
tasked with the final prep,
but with guests due to arrive
this afternoon,
Sasha's concerned about the
amount of work left to be done.
Sasha: It's not going to be
perfect.
I can't see--
Tim: Of course it will.
Sasha: Can we get the lights up,
at least?
Tim: Oh, that's the very last
thing, my darling.
Sasha: Well, that's what I mean,
at the end of the day,
we'll get the lights up.
Tim: Of course. Yes.
Everything has to be done
a stage at a time.
Soil first, then plants,
then the statue,
and then lights.
In that order.
Sasha: OK.
Tim: We got two hours
to get it done by.
Sasha: OK.
Dick: They need to get on
with planting.
And right on cue is Lily
with Sasha's precious homegrown
irises.
Sasha: Whoo!
He's going to mark a circle
around the olive tree,
and then we'll dig
a small trench
and plant a circle of irises.
And I'm hoping that these,
because they've been grown
in compost, are going to divide
very easily. Hoping.
I will be back in a couple
of minutes.
I have to check on some
Carré d'Agneau.
Back in a minute.
Dick: While Sasha's in
the kitchen
checking on the lamb shank,
it's down to her garden gnomes
to carry on where she left off.
Luke: So what are we doing with
the irises?
Give me the lowdown, Tim.
Tim: I wish I knew.
Something about splitting them.
Dick: What could possibly
go wrong?
Tim: I've never planted an iris
in my life.
I barely know what they
look like,
but I--looks like a piece
of ginger,
but I think that's an iris.
So one iris for you, sir.
When we said "split," I'm hoping
that will be obvious.
There, like that.
Look.
Luke: OK.
Tim: That one actually split--
Sasha: No.
Tim: Oh. No? What?
Sasha: No.
Tim: You said to split them.
Sasha: No, split the whole pot.
Tim: I told you to cut them.
I told you not to go away.
Sasha: Honestly.
Tim: You said split the irises.
Sasha: No, the whole pot.
Tim: What do you mean
the whole pot?
Sasha: [Sighs] I disappear
for one minute
and he's pulling
the flowers out.
It's in compost so it's not--
look, there you go.
There, perfect. Whoo-hoo.
Dick: Horticultural disaster
averted, they can press on
and add the garden's
pièce de résistance.
Sasha: We have a very rude
statue.
Tim: I think it would be
an insult to the olive tree.
Sasha: Let's try.
Tim: All right.
Oh, that's very good.
Sorry, move to one side, will
you, please?
Don't spoil my view.
Sasha: It's a bit naff
and a bit kitsch.
I don't care.
Dick: All that's left now is to
plant some aromatic herbs.
And for Tim and Luke to add
a little bit of sparkle.
Tim: The job is complete.
Dick: Just two days ago,
the chateau's bassin
was a bit of an eyesore.
Now with the planting of the
beautiful cloud olive tree
surrounded by Sasha's irises,
the pool has been transformed
into an idyllic wellness garden
that will give their guests
a tranquil corner of the chateau
to sit and relax.
Sasha: Oh, doesn't that
look nice?
Tim: I think it's time
for a drink.
Sasha: Yeah!
How long have we waited for this
to be filled?
Tim: 15 years.
Sasha: 15 years? Wow.
Luke: Thank you very much, Tim.
Tim: Well done, guys.
Sasha: Cheers beers
to scallywags' ears.
Tim: If you say so.
Sasha: When we wanted to create
this garden,
it wasn't to financially boost
our business.
It was more to enhance the
property that we have
so that it would be enjoyable
for many people.
We've got a beautiful wellness
garden
where people can relax
and just enjoy
the surroundings.
Dick: Bravo, Tim and Sasha.
Sasha: Cheers! Whoo-hoo. Whoo.
Dick: The wellness garden will
be a fantastic addition
to the chateau.
Nearly 300 miles north,
it's the day of Erin and JB's
Midsummer Night's Dream party.
Erin: So I reckon we should
use this table for tonight.
I think it will go with
the bar look.
Dick: Most of their friends have
already arrived.
A water leak in the chateau
has forced them
into Erin and JB's gite
for the weekend.
But that hasn't affected
morale.
Erin: Backup has arrived.
Dick: Reinforcements are sent
straight to work.
JB: OK.
[Laughter]
[Indistinct chatter]
Erin: We have quite a long list
of things to do.
And our other friends are
about to arrive
in literally an hour.
So kind of need to get things
going
'cause Laura, one of my friends,
is actually an official events
planner
for a big corporate group,
so we're most nervous about what
she thinks of our
current party planning.
Dick: No pressure then.
JB: Two, one, go.
Dick: First order of business
is to get a table
JB has refurbished for the party
up to the orangery.
Erin: Where were you guys when
we moved the gate, honestly?
Dick: I suppose getting you
guests to lug
their own table and chairs is
one way for them
to work up an appetite.
Erin: I think many hands make
light work.
'Cause that would have taken me
ages.
Well done, team.
And the legs have stayed on.
So excellent workmanship, JB.
[Laughter]
Yeah, watch the step.
Woman: Maybe come this way
a little bit.
Erin: Yeah. That's nice.
Dick: Moving furniture is
obviously thirsty work,
so it's time to hit the bar.
Erin: Is that gonna fit? No.
Dick: Erin's painted dressers
are already in position
in the corner of the orangery.
Erin: This is the first time
we've tested out
putting anything on the bar
or using it at all.
So this is really nice, seeing
it kind of getting dressed up
and actually looking what
I wanted to achieve.
Dick: With the bar almost set,
Erin has other matters
to attend to.
Erin: Hello!
Dick: Her event organizer friend
has just arrived.
Erin: Hi, Lauren!
Laura: How are you doing,
my love?
Erin: Good to see you.
Lauren: I actually can't
believe it.
Erin: Do you like it?
Lauren: I mean, yes.
It is gorgeous.
Dick: Fingers crossed she's
happy not sleeping
in the chateau.
Lauren: Oh, my god, I can't wait
to have a look around.
Erin: Slight technical hitch.
I hope you're not too
disappointed.
Well, we've had a massive
plumbing leak in the chateau.
So everyone is staying
in the manor house.
Lauren: OK.
Woman: Oh. That's fine.
Erin: All right.
Dick: All going well so far.
Lauren: Oh, this is so lovely.
Dick: Now all Erin and JB
need to do
is impress with the party.
Lauren: Erin had told me about
the orangery
and organizing this dinner
there,
and I guess I was a little
apprehensive
just hearing about it
and seeing some photos,
thinking that it was going to be
very rustic.
Maybe not the kind of venue I'm
used to working in.
Dick: Well, let's hope the
orangery passes muster.
At Chateau du Masgelier,
Fiona's big day has arrived.
Fiona: Party!
It's all coming together.
The band's arrived.
And they're just all doing
a sound check at the moment.
It's getting real exciting.
Dick: With good reason.
The new wine cellar is
fully stocked
and the mayor will soon
be arriving
to unveil Fiona's commemorative
plaque.
Fiona: Yeah, that looks
beautiful,
and I think it's in a really,
really, really good position.
Now I'm going to just get
a cover,
and then it makes it easy
for the man
to just pull off.
Dick: Fiona's rustled up
a simple curtain
to cover the plaque until
the big moment.
Fiona: So I've gone for red,
so we've got a bit of red,
white, and blue.
No one will even realize,
pay attention,
but there you go.
Need it to come off quite easily
with the mayor.
That's good. Whoops.
That works.
That's good, isn't it?
Job done.
There, we have to have it all
nice and straight.
Dick: As the band strikes up,
and after a quick change out of
her work clothes,
Fiona and son Louie
can greet their guests.
Fiona: Hello.
Bonjour. Hi.
Dick: From the steady stream of
people arriving,
it looks as though some of
the locals
did get their invites after all.
Fiona: Hello, Mrs. Lipschtik.
Woman: How are you?
Fiona: I'm good.
I'm really good.
Woman: And this is...
Dick: Fabulous turnout.
[Pop]
And the wine cellar seems to be
keeping everyone well watered.
Fiona: Evening's going really
fabulously.
We'll just fill everybody's
glasses up,
and the mayor is going to
reveal the plaque.
I think what might be quite
nice as well
if my little Louie also reveals
the plaque with the mayor
as well,
'cause he's the little master of
the house--man of the house.
And he can take on
the financial burden
after his mother's long gone.
Dick: To make sure the big
reveal goes with a bang,
Fiona's got her hands on some
confetti cannons.
Fiona: Does the top come off?
Do you take the top off?
Dick: But they're causing
some confusion.
Woman: "Right hand below
the arrow."
There we are.
Put your glasses on.
Dick: That might be an idea.
Fiona: I think you don't take
the top off, do you?
Woman: No, you don't.
Dick: The cannons are
passed out...
Fiona: Hold it in the middle
and turn.
Dick: And the big moment
is almost upon them.
Should we do this, then?
I need my little boy.
He's gone missing.
OK.
I've lost Louie.
Where is he?
Louie? We're gonna reveal
the plaque now.
So all you have to do is just
hold it and pull it
at the same time as the man.
Louie: Well, that's easy.
Fiona: That is easy, yeah. OK.
Cool. Bonjour, ladies
and gentlemen.
Would you like to gather round,
please.
Dick: Time for the mayor to take
center stage.
Mayor: [Speaking French]
Dick: And with that...
Fiona: Do you want to help
hold the plaque? Ready?
Dick: Louie gets his big moment.
[All cheering]
And with confetti filling
the air...
Fiona: Thank you so much.
Dick: Everyone seems to be just
as delighted
celebrating the chateau's
history as Fiona.
Fiona: Tonight went fabulously.
I'm really, really pleased.
I love the turnout.
Unveiled the plaque.
It's fantastic.
Really glad that I took the
additional time out
and created the new wine cellar.
I'm really looking forward
to the next stage
and moving ahead with
the chateau,
carrying on with the
restorations.
Dick: We're rooting for you,
too, Fiona.
The chateau's lucky to have you.
Back at Erin and JB's,
it's also party time.
Before the soiree begins in
the orangery,
there's just time for a few last
finishing touches.
Erin: Lot of candles to light
so let's get on it.
JB: Our friends should arrive
any time now.
So we have, what is it,
50, 60 candles to...
Erin: To light, so let's get on.
JB: What could possibly
go wrong? Ow!
Sorry.
Could burn myself.
Um, I don't know, everything
seems to be under control.
Erin: Oh, so nice, those little
twinkling lights.
Heh. But I think it's these just
little touches
which they do take the time,
[Indistinct]
but it does make it look
special.
And I really want it to be
a magical moment
for people who come all
the way to see us.
Isn't that lovely?
JB: It looks amazing.
Dick: Just 3 months ago,
Erin and JB's orangery
was a dilapidated shell.
Now, with a new concrete floor,
painted bar,
and beautifully decorated with
greenery and candles,
it's become a magical
event space
fit for a Shakespearean fairy
queen.
Erin: Bonsoir, Madame.
You're looking beautiful.
Woman: You as well.
Gorgeous dress.
Erin: Come in.
Woman: Very handsome.
Erin: You're looking fab.
Man: Wow.
Laura: This looks incredible.
Erin: Do you like it, Laura?
Laura: I love it.
I think it looks amazing.
Erin: Even, honestly, with your
events planner eye?
Laura: No, it looks amazing.
It looks really, really good.
It looks really, really
impressive.
Erin: Cool.
Laura: I'd recruit you.
[Laughter, pop]
Woman: It's so nicely done.
Erin: Well, santé.
Woman: Cheers.
All: Cheers.
[Glasses clink]
Laura: I had seen pictures, but
it just doesn't do it justice.
So pretty, so romantic.
I think this is a great venue
for someone to propose to,
do a drinks reception.
I want to get engaged here.
It's just lovely.
Really, really beautiful.
Dick: While everyone enjoys
their Bourneau Bellini,
Erin and JB are keeping things
running smoothly
in the makeshift kitchen they've
set up outside.
First up, the entrée.
Erin: Best option would be
if we had a proper kitchen here
because if it was raining,
we would be
in a little bit of a problem.
Hopefully the gin-cured
salmon goes down well.
Oh, Oscar is coming to join us.
So this is Scottish salmon.
So it's sort of a nod
to our Scottish years
and to our Scottish friends.
Bon appétit. Cheers.
Dick: Looks like someone else
has his eyes on the fish course.
JB: Excuse me, sir.
Erin: No, I don't know.
After a lot of hard work
that's gone into putting the
floor into the orangery,
doing up the bar, making
the gate,
and of all of the various little
problems
that happened along the way,
this is why it's worth it.
JB: The orangery actually is
gonna be extremely important
to support us,
and it's also such a great
venue,
and it's got the right feel,
the right tone, right vibes
that we want from this place.
Dick: The launch of the orangery
tops off
a busy few months for Erin
and JB.
They've begun renovation work
on their south wing...
Erin: Not quite screaming
chateau chic just yet.
Dick: and put on their
first-ever paid event
in the chateau itself.
Man: [Speaks French]
Dick: Now the orangery is
up and running,
hosting events is something they
hope to do much more often.
Erin: I think having
this space
now with a functioning floor,
with a proper entrance
makes this a space
that can host many events,
and I think that's really
a wonderful thing,
but also really very helpful
for our business.
Dick: I couldn't agree more.
Our orangery is really important
to our business.
I hope yours will start to
generate the income you need
to crack on with your
renovations.
Next time, one couple
has a bird brain plan
for their aviary.
Man: Water comes in through
the hole in the roof.
Woman: That's why I want you
to fix it.
Dick: But will it come back
to bite them?
Woman: What are the chances of
their being snakes
in this stuff?
Man: No.
Dick: Fiona starts a new
renovation project.
Fiona: Time is money.
Time is money, isn't it?
Dick: And as a heat wave strikes
the South of France...
Sasha: I reckon we're looking at
45 degrees.
Dick: Sasha loses her cool.
Sasha: My problem is I haven't
got enough time
to do what I need to do.
[Exhales]
Along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
Dick: we're now 5 years...
Angel: Whoo!
Dick: into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
Dick: and some amazing rewards.
Angel: Thank you for my
flower garden, Mr. Strawbridge.
Dick: And across France,
there are dozens
of other Brits
who are on their own
chateau adventure.
Yay!
Dick: We'll meet
some old friends...
Woman: Smile.
Man: I am.
Dick: and new faces.
Man: These rooms really haven't
been touched in 60 years.
Dick: And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: It is so much better
in real life!
Dick: There'll be highs...
Woman: Yay!
Dick: and lows...
Both: Oh, no!
Man: God, what a disaster!
Dick: as these plucky Brits...
Woman: Time is money.
Dick: transform these
once unloved buildings
into incredible homes...
Woman: I just cannot believe
how much work
you put in for us.
Dick: as well as businesses...
[Cheering]
and get to live the dream
as custodians
of their very own castle.
Woman: Cheers, everybody!
Dick: Today...
Man: Just a whisker more.
Just a centimeter more.
Dick: these owners start work on
a new garden...
Woman: I've got to get all of my
plants around here.
I've got to get them planted.
I've got the bassin to do.
So the pressure's on for me.
Dick: which turns out to be
an arduous exercise.
Woman: Ahh, gardening aerobics.
Here you go.
Dick: As this chateau marks
a grand anniversary...
Woman: We have to have it all
nice and straight.
Dick: there's a case of confetti
cannon confusion.
Woman: Does the top come off?
Do you take the top off?
Let me take the top off as well.
You don't take the top off,
do you?
Dick: And one couple put their
new event space to the test.
Woman: Is that good enough,
do you think?
Man: It's up to you.
You're the creative director.
Woman: Oh, god, don't say that.
Dick: But will it scrub up
as well as they do?
Man: Everything seems to be
under control,
so what could possibly
go wrong? Ow!
Sorry. I could burn myself.
[Chuckles]
Dick: Making the move across
the Channel
and getting a chateau business
off the ground
is a serious challenge.
But despite the ups and downs,
it can also be incredibly
fulfilling.
Take the enchanting
Chateau de Bourneau.
Built in the 1400s
and abandoned during
the French Revolution,
it was remodeled in
the 19th century.
It boasts 50 rooms,
40 acres,
and two new owners--
former anesthetist Erin and her
French fiancé engineer JB.
Erin: I think the little girl
princess in me
has always wanted to live
in a beautiful house.
JB: When we get visited
by friends
and we see the look on
their face, we're like,
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's true."
It is a beautiful place and we
are so lucky to be here.
Dick: Sitting in the
Pays de la Loire,
Erin and JB's grand plan
is to create guest accommodation
and run an events business.
Erin: This is obviously gonna be
a challenge.
Dick: Despite an income from
4 holiday lets,
money's tight,
so they've decided to focus
on events
to get cash flowing in ASAP.
JB: I think it looks good.
Erin: It does look good,
looks really good.
Dick: They've been converting
their abandoned orangery
into what they hope will make
the perfect event space.
Erin: I think there is something
very romantic
about a ruin of a forgotten
building.
And I envisioned it with fairy
lights, some candles.
I just thought,
"Yes, this could be
a really beautiful space
for events."
Whereas JB though, "Ooh, this
would be a lovely garage."
[Laughter]
JB: I'm not giving up.
Dick: Before they launch the
orangery for paid events,
they want to give it a test run
and are planning a Midsummer
Night's Dream party
for 8 friends from the UK
in two weeks' time.
Erin: The pressure's on
a little bit
because the quicker
we get it finished,
the quicker we can host
events
and bring in more money to do up
the chateau.
Dick: With a lot of work ahead
to get the empty orangery ready,
there's no time to lose.
JB: What's happening?
Dick: And I'm glad to see
Erin's got her priorities right.
Erin: You know, I had this idea
of having a bar inside here.
Wait, just--
JB: Yeah, no, no, no.
Erin: Skeptical face.
Dick: Erin's bagged these
secondhand 19th-century
French dressers
for around £100.
A bit of a steal.
Erin: My plan is to have
the main dresser back to wall
and have, you know, whiskey
and gin bottles
and that sort of thing as
a display
and the glassware all in
that dresser.
And then I found this other
piece
which is not actually part
of the set,
but I think it kind of goes
quite nicely.
So I think that dresser is gonna
end up being the bar in front.
I've got a navy blue paint,
which what I want to do
is use that to paint
the inside
of the bit where they used to
hang up plates.
JB: Oh, OK, yeah, yeah.
Erin: And then you use
that same paint
just to accent the bar in front,
so it sort of links the two
pieces of furniture.
That's my plan.
JB: Erin is like creative
director in this project.
She's got a much better vision
than I do
when it comes to style.
Erin: What I love about
this paint
is you don't have to prime
anything.
So it just takes just
a little less time
as well, getting that paint on.
JB: It is a bit bright,
isn't it?
Erin: It actually dries a lot
darker.
JB: I trust her.
Dick: The next day, and a lot of
paint later,
Erin's creative vision is
starting to take shape.
Erin: I'm just trying to pick
out a little bit
of the detail out of these old
carvings.
We'll see if JB approves,
because I'm not sure
he was totally set on my idea
of painting this blue.
So we'll see what he thinks.
JB: Hello.
Erin: Bonjour.
JB: That's looking nice.
Erin: Oh, do you like it?
JB: Yeah.
Dick: That's a relief.
And now he's here, Erin can put
JB to good use.
Erin: [Grunts] Oh.
JB: You got it?
Erin: Yep.
So there's that little lug
there.
Yep.
OK. All right?
JB: In place.
Erin: Yeah.
JB: Cool.
Erin: It's all right.
JB: I really like the bar.
Erin has done a good job
to find
matching style of furnitures.
Bit of color makes them a sort
of bit more modern.
Erin: Good, that's what I was
hoping for.
Dick: So far so good.
But with orangery still nothing
but an empty shell,
they've got a lot to do before
the night of the party.
Nearly 300 miles south
is the spectacular
Chateau du Puits es Pratx.
Set in 7 acres of land,
it has 39 rooms and is run
as a hotel and wedding venue
by Londoners Tim and Sasha,
their daughter Lily, and her
boyfriend Luke.
Tim: We've got 6 kids
between us.
And to have just one of them
wanting to work with us is
a privilege,
absolute privilege.
Sasha: They look fabulous,
sweetheart.
Tim: Luke is incredible.
And we're very lucky that
he's come along.
Luke: There we go.
Dick: Located in the Occitania
countryside,
they've spent the down season
upgrading the hotel spa.
Sasha: We're done.
We're ready. We're ready.
I think it looks magical.
Dick: Now with this year's
wedding season approaching,
they want to finish it off by
turning the area outside the spa
into a wellness garden.
Tim: Our plan for the wellness
garden
is to provide guests with
somewhere quiet and peaceful
so they can get away
from the crowd.
Sasha: It's like a secret
garden.
It's really important we get
finished tomorrow.
We've got wedding guests
arriving,
and the spa and the wellness
garden
is something that we're trying
to attract
as an extra to everybody's
wedding.
Dick: Tim and Sasha intend
to utilize
the chateau's original
bathing pool,
known as a bassin,
which has sat empty
for the 15 years they've
been here.
Tim: The pool is the original
pool built at some point
in the 1800s.
It's quite special,
and we wanted to celebrate that
in a way with something
worthwhile.
We finally decided we're going
to buy
an ornamental olive tree
and plant it.
Sasha: The olive tree is going
to go in the middle
as a centerpiece.
I've been growing irises,
which we'll put around,
and then around the edge
of that,
I'm going to put herbs.
It's a big space to fill.
Dick: Then you better
get cracking.
And out front, Luke is already
taking delivery
of the 11 tons of gravel
that will be used as drainage in
the bassin.
Though Tim spotted a potential
hitch.
Tim: My only concern right now
is that their crane isn't
long enough
to stretch over the pool,
which could be interesting.
Luke: [Speaking French]
Dick: And sure enough...
Luke: So they can't go any
further than that.
The weight's not letting them
take it further.
So we're going to have to shovel
the gravel in ourselves
from that point onwards.
Tim: I'll delegate.
Dick: Very wise, Tim.
And as the rest is hoisted
over the wall,
the delivery crew set to work
getting the gravel in
the old-fashioned way.
A little while later,
it's time for Sasha
to check out those delegation
skills.
Tim: That's good.
Sasha: Look at that.
Tim: That's cool.
Sasha: Wow.
Dick: But there's a snag with
the next stage of the garden.
Tim: It's transpired that
the shop that sold us
the top soil that the guys have
got a vanload full of
is only one third of what
we actually need.
But because the shop is closed
today,
we can only put that first
third in,
and the other two thirds will be
picked up tomorrow.
Sasha: What's today?
Tim: Today's Thursday.
So we can't--
Sasha: And they're closed?
Tim: We live in France,
come on.
Dick: Oh, dear.
Looks like you're going to need
to move heaven
and lots of earth to get
the garden finished tomorrow.
This is the
magnificent 12th-century
Chateau du Masgelier.
With 13 bedrooms and 12 acres
of land,
this splendid pile belongs
to Fiona.
A property renovator back in
the UK,
she now lives here with her
11-year-old son Louie.
Fiona: What's it like living
in a chateau?
It's a privilege.
Of course it is a privilege.
But it is really hard work.
Dick: Located in the rural
Limousin area,
Fiona has spent the last 6 years
restoring the chateau
with the aim of bringing it back
to its former glory.
Fiona: I specifically wanted to
buy a medieval chateau.
They don't come up very often,
the medieval castles,
and most of them now really in
complete disrepair,
you know, like the outer walls
and no roof or floors.
So I was--I was very lucky.
Dick: The chateau's illustrious
history
is important to Fiona.
And this year she's planning
to throw the old girl
a birthday party to remember.
Fiona: Chateau du Masgelier
will be 845 years old.
845 years.
She's still standing.
She's still here.
I think she deserves a bit of
a whoop whoop whoop.
Dick: The party is in
3 days' time.
The local mayor will unveil
a plaque to mark the occasion.
And as part of her bigger plan
to renovate the chateau,
today she's converting a little
historical treasure
into something that should come
in handy on the big day.
Fiona: There's lots of escape
tunnels, lots of dungeons,
and this would have been one of
the small
holding cells in the castle.
And then doing research,
it transpires that
it was last used as a wine
cellar in the 1920s-1930s.
So I think it'd be lovely to
recreate that again.
Dick: When Angel and I moved
into our place,
we discovered our wine cellar
came complete
with racks of dusty old bottles.
Local brew here,
it's called calva.
It's like an apple brandy.
I can see these bottles
cleaned up,
filled with calva, cork in
the top, dipped in red wax,
set back on the shelf.
And I'll gradually work
my way through.
Dick, voice-over: It was one of
my favorite discoveries
of those first few months of our
new home.
Dick: I'd buy the chateau
for this place.
Dick, voice-over: Cool
and about the right humidity.
I reckon Fiona's wine
will be much happier down in
this dungeon
than some of the previous
occupants.
Fiona: Now what I want to try to
do is not make it too new,
keep it very rustic as possible.
Dick: First job--fitting
the wooden wine racks.
But it may not be as
straightforward as it sounds.
Fiona: The thing is, I've got to
drill through the granite,
which is not the easiest thing
to do.
Dick: Granite is one of
the hardest rocks.
Great for construction,
but it requires the proper tools
and appropriate safety equipment
to work with.
Fiona: Glasses over my glasses.
Dick: Fiona's up for it.
Fiona: If you were to just
try and drill into this,
probably the drill will slip,
so it's always better to try
and cut in
a little bit of a groove.
Precise.
The castle will fall down now.
Dick: By chiseling into
the rock,
Fiona will give her masonry bit
more purchase.
Fiona: Make sure the drill's
done up properly.
Don't want that flying off.
Dick: For drilling all
the holes,
she needs a decent hammer drill.
Fiona: I really want it to go in
properly
because the last thing I want
to do is have
all of the wine fall off
the wall.
Can you imagine all of the
bottles crashing to the floor?
Look at that, they're nice
and secure.
Dick: That's the wine sorted.
Now for the strong metal
champagne rack.
Fiona: So what I want to do
is because
obviously the bottles are
incredibly heavy,
I want to make sure I'm using
real big boy wall plugs.
I've already drilled the
granite.
Ahh. I've got the drinks in
for the party.
All of the invitations have
gone out.
The mayor is going to come
to present
the commemorative wall plaque,
which I'm very excited about.
Fingers crossed it will arrive
tomorrow.
Dick: Let's hope so.
Commemorating the chateau
without the commemorative plaque
would be a tad awkward.
Fiona: I'm very pleased.
These look very, very nice.
I could consider it as
another room done.
Dick: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What about the wine?
Fiona: Right.
Dick: I look forward
to seeing it fully stocked
in time for the party.
Over 200 miles south
at Chateau du Puits es Pratx...
Sasha: Is anybody coming
to help?
Dick: Tim and Sasha have a busy
day ahead.
Sasha: We've got clients
arriving
from 2:00 in the afternoon,
so I've got to get all of my
plants around here.
I've got to get them into
position,
I've got to get them planted.
I've got the bassin to do.
So the pressure's on for me.
All right, back for some more.
But hey, rock and roll.
Luke: Un, deux, trois.
Dick: First Tim and Sasha
want to make sure
the wellness garden centerpiece
is, well, centered.
Sasha: We just want it moved
just a little tiny bit more.
Tim: Just a whisker more,
just a centimeter more.
Perfect. Superb. Thank you.
Sasha: I know we're fussy,
but it's worth it.
Looks like Mount Vesuvius.
Dick: With the top soil,
which has finally been delivered
and added to the bassin,
Sasha now needs to get
the garden finished
before the guests arrive
this afternoon.
Sasha: The gardeners have
gone to lunch,
we are behind schedule,
and Tim has now disappeared.
This is going to be fun.
Dick: Before she can plant
anything,
Sasha decides to add special
crystals
to help the soil retain water
through the long
French summer to come.
Sasha: This is not going to be
dignified, but, hey.
Dick: And she's perfected her
own unique method.
Sasha: So I might as well start
stamping, mighten I?
I'd like to think that I wasn't
heavy enough
to make a difference,
but I think I am.
Ahh, gardening aerobics.
Here you go.
* Ahh, da da da da da *
What happens after this is
I fill up
with the rest of the top soil,
and we'll be planting
the irises
right the way around here.
Sort those out later.
Come on, you guys.
I can't do this all myself.
Tim: Well, you're doing fine.
Sasha: Heh. And you've not got
the right shoes, either.
Tim: You look very funny.
Sasha: I know I look very funny.
This is gonna very embarrassing.
Tim: I tell you what I've got,
I've got a stumper.
Sasha: Just get in.
Come and join the dance.
Tim: This is compact enough,
isn't it?
Sasha: * Da da da da da *
Dick: Just one last layer
of soil
and the wellness garden will
finally be ready to plant.
Sasha: But the garden as a whole
has got a long way to go.
Dick: And with those guests
arriving in a few hours...
Sasha: [Exhales]
Dick: they better get
a move on.
Back at Erin and JB's,
it's the day before their test
event in the orangery,
a Midsummer Night's Dream-themed
party
for 8 friends from the UK.
Erin: We've had a few little
hiccups.
So the first massive one is our
guests were supposed
to be staying inside the
chateau,
and we've had an enormous leak,
so that means we only have one
bathroom for 10 people.
So I've got to break the news
to everyone
that unfortunately they can't
stay in the chateau.
Really luckily our manor house
has no holiday bookings
this weekend, thank goodness,
so everyone's staying
inside the manor house.
Hopefully everyone will be happy
with that.
Because of this unexpected plan
change of sleeping arrangements,
I've had to now make up all
the beds in the manor house,
so did that this morning,
which has put us significantly
behind schedule.
We still have the orangery to
fully decorate.
We've got to find a table
to move in there.
All the chairs have got to go
in there.
Ah, lots of things.
Dick: Better make a start, then.
And first up are the
decorations.
Erin: So...
JB: What is the task?
Erin: You know how we have tons
and tons of this wisteria
from my cousin's wedding?
What I think might be
quite nice
is to make a sort of
flower wall.
So literally just hang it simply
so it drapes
just in the central portion,
otherwise you've just got this
totally bare wall.
Dick: If tomorrow's party
goes well,
Erin and JB will be able
to use it
as a template for future
paid events.
But on their shoestring budget,
they need to be resourceful.
JB: Is that all there?
Ahh. C'est bon.
Dick: And using donated
decorations
is a good place to start.
JB: So in the middle?
Erin: I want you to make it sort
of a double--
JB: It's up to you. You are the
creative director after all.
Erin: Oh, god, don't say that.
JB: Can do that all day.
What do you think? I don't know,
just a suggestion.
Erin: You know what, let's just
leave it like that.
It saves banging on the nail
against the wall, doesn't it?
JB: [Mouths words]
Dick: Another good way to
decorate on the cheap
is to forage from your
own garden.
Especially if it happens to be
40-odd acres.
Erin: The theme is a Midsummer
Night's Dream.
And I just really like the idea
of sort of windy ivy.
I think it's really romantic
and kind of understated.
And I have these lovely
candelabras,
which I think actually if I
wound these round,
they could look quite lovely
and romantic.
So that's my plan.
And also it's a good task
because this ivy is destroying
our moat wall.
So it needs to be kept at bay,
so actually, it's a double
win job here.
Dick: And she's also after
another more exotic plant.
Erin: This is the bamboo forest.
Quite a lot of it,
as you can see.
So I think it started off as
a baby patch of it,
and it's just gotten on with it.
Dick: Bamboo is one of
the fastest-growing
plants in the world,
making it an excellent renewable
resource.
Erin: There we go.
Wah!
Right. [Laughs]
Now the fun bit begins.
So my idea is to have almost
an entrance post
and adding to the wisteria
as well,
so you've got a bit more
greenery, like,
you know, you're entering
a sort of
Midsummer Night's Dream
wonderland is my idea.
This building has been so sad
and neglected
for such a long time,
I think it's really lovely
to make it look a little bit
crazy for once, actually.
Great.
I'm really pleased. Simple.
Dick: And all that hard work
has earned a reward.
[Dinging]
Erin: Cocktail o'clock.
Dick: For JB, at any rate.
Erin has created a bespoke
cocktail for the party
and she needs a guinea pig
to test it on.
Erin: I made a lot of sloe gin
last year
with sloes we actually picked
from the estate.
So I'm going to use it as
a gin base,
and then topped up with
a local bubbly.
JB: Should probably take a seat.
Erin: Yes. [Laughs]
[Ice rattles]
[Pop]
Erin: Ta-da.
My idea is it's a Bourneau
Bellini.
So it's something different
for here.
JB: Great color.
Erin: Is it gonna pass
the French judgment?
What do you think?
Bourneau Bellini.
JB: [Clicks tongue] Bourneau
Bellini has been approved.
Erin: It's approved?
JB: Yep.
Erin: Oh, good. Cheers.
JB: Cheers.
Dick: Chin-chin, you two.
But go easy,
there's still a lot to do
in the orangery
to be ready for tomorrow.
In central France at
Chateau du Masgelier...
Fiona: Very nice.
Look at that.
Dick: It's just 3 days
till Fiona hosts a party
to mark the chateau's birthday.
Fiona: 845 years. That is a
really, really long time
for this castle to be standing
here.
Big medieval defense built by
the Knights Templar.
She was stormed during
the French Revolution.
The Nazis stormed the castle
as well.
Some sort of the OSE French
Resistance was based here.
Dick: If these walls could talk.
Despite its many military
skirmishes,
the chateau is still going
strong,
something Fiona plans to
celebrate.
Fiona: All right. [Gasps]
Look at that.
Doesn't that look super?
Even though it's a practical
room,
you know me, I couldn't just
sort of stick
a couple of crates
on the floor here.
I just want, you know, a little
bit of designer touches.
Dick: The new wine cellar looks
the business.
Though it's a little early for
the contents
to help calm Fiona's
pre-party nerves.
Fiona: I honestly don't know
how many people
are coming to the event,
I really don't.
All of the French people,
they don't reply.
They just kind of rock up
on the day.
They just all rock up.
So, you know, I can't be
caught short.
Dick: I don't think there's much
danger of that.
Fiona: Oh, god, I've got
so much.
The main thing is, the racks
haven't fallen off of the wall.
The girl can put up a damn good
shelf, can't she?
OK, there we go.
I am so pleased with that.
I think it looks fabulous.
Dick: And so you should be.
Fiona: Just how I imagined it
to be.
Dick: It's the day before
the party.
Fiona's invited the local mayor
to unveil a plaque
she's had especially
commissioned
to celebrate the chateau's
history,
and it's just arrived.
Fiona: Obviously everything is
centered really
around the commemorative plaque.
So I'm very excited to see how
it's turned out
from the design.
It's even bigger than I thought
it would be.
[Gasps] Wow.
Wow. Oh, wow.
It's even better than I even
imagined.
And it seems bigger than I
imagined, as well.
But that's good.
Big is good. Big is good.
Dick: Over the years,
Fiona's spent hours
researching the chateau,
and the plaque features symbols
relating to her discoveries.
Fiona: It's 845 years of
epic French history.
That's all in French.
Obviously it's 1174 when she was
first built in stone.
The fleur-de-lis, which is
King Louis XIV
who owned the chateau.
The Knights Templar.
Oh, wow.
Oh, wow, look at the eagle's
come out fantastic.
And to serve and defend
and protect
because, you know, to me, that's
what she was built for.
I think everyone at
the unveiling are going
to be really blown away.
Dick: Now to figure out
where to mount it.
Fiona: What my thoughts were
was to actually place it
somewhere here
on the king's tower,
and then the mayor will be able
to get easy access to unveil it.
It will be absolutely perfect.
Yeah, I'm liking that a lot.
Dick: It looks like
there's going to plenty
to celebrate tomorrow.
Fiona: Yeah, I expect lots of
oohs and ahhs.
Dick: Good job the new wine
cellar is fully stocked.
At Tim and Sasha's in
the South of France...
Sasha: This is a plant called
the red dwarf.
Dick: The new wellness garden is
ready for planting.
Well, almost.
Sasha: There's a lot to do, and
I'm not gonna worry about it.
[Laughs] Much.
I've been looking after gardens
and flowers for forever.
I love it.
Gets me out, keeps me fit.
Dick: Tim and Luke have been
tasked with the final prep,
but with guests due to arrive
this afternoon,
Sasha's concerned about the
amount of work left to be done.
Sasha: It's not going to be
perfect.
I can't see--
Tim: Of course it will.
Sasha: Can we get the lights up,
at least?
Tim: Oh, that's the very last
thing, my darling.
Sasha: Well, that's what I mean,
at the end of the day,
we'll get the lights up.
Tim: Of course. Yes.
Everything has to be done
a stage at a time.
Soil first, then plants,
then the statue,
and then lights.
In that order.
Sasha: OK.
Tim: We got two hours
to get it done by.
Sasha: OK.
Dick: They need to get on
with planting.
And right on cue is Lily
with Sasha's precious homegrown
irises.
Sasha: Whoo!
He's going to mark a circle
around the olive tree,
and then we'll dig
a small trench
and plant a circle of irises.
And I'm hoping that these,
because they've been grown
in compost, are going to divide
very easily. Hoping.
I will be back in a couple
of minutes.
I have to check on some
Carré d'Agneau.
Back in a minute.
Dick: While Sasha's in
the kitchen
checking on the lamb shank,
it's down to her garden gnomes
to carry on where she left off.
Luke: So what are we doing with
the irises?
Give me the lowdown, Tim.
Tim: I wish I knew.
Something about splitting them.
Dick: What could possibly
go wrong?
Tim: I've never planted an iris
in my life.
I barely know what they
look like,
but I--looks like a piece
of ginger,
but I think that's an iris.
So one iris for you, sir.
When we said "split," I'm hoping
that will be obvious.
There, like that.
Look.
Luke: OK.
Tim: That one actually split--
Sasha: No.
Tim: Oh. No? What?
Sasha: No.
Tim: You said to split them.
Sasha: No, split the whole pot.
Tim: I told you to cut them.
I told you not to go away.
Sasha: Honestly.
Tim: You said split the irises.
Sasha: No, the whole pot.
Tim: What do you mean
the whole pot?
Sasha: [Sighs] I disappear
for one minute
and he's pulling
the flowers out.
It's in compost so it's not--
look, there you go.
There, perfect. Whoo-hoo.
Dick: Horticultural disaster
averted, they can press on
and add the garden's
pièce de résistance.
Sasha: We have a very rude
statue.
Tim: I think it would be
an insult to the olive tree.
Sasha: Let's try.
Tim: All right.
Oh, that's very good.
Sorry, move to one side, will
you, please?
Don't spoil my view.
Sasha: It's a bit naff
and a bit kitsch.
I don't care.
Dick: All that's left now is to
plant some aromatic herbs.
And for Tim and Luke to add
a little bit of sparkle.
Tim: The job is complete.
Dick: Just two days ago,
the chateau's bassin
was a bit of an eyesore.
Now with the planting of the
beautiful cloud olive tree
surrounded by Sasha's irises,
the pool has been transformed
into an idyllic wellness garden
that will give their guests
a tranquil corner of the chateau
to sit and relax.
Sasha: Oh, doesn't that
look nice?
Tim: I think it's time
for a drink.
Sasha: Yeah!
How long have we waited for this
to be filled?
Tim: 15 years.
Sasha: 15 years? Wow.
Luke: Thank you very much, Tim.
Tim: Well done, guys.
Sasha: Cheers beers
to scallywags' ears.
Tim: If you say so.
Sasha: When we wanted to create
this garden,
it wasn't to financially boost
our business.
It was more to enhance the
property that we have
so that it would be enjoyable
for many people.
We've got a beautiful wellness
garden
where people can relax
and just enjoy
the surroundings.
Dick: Bravo, Tim and Sasha.
Sasha: Cheers! Whoo-hoo. Whoo.
Dick: The wellness garden will
be a fantastic addition
to the chateau.
Nearly 300 miles north,
it's the day of Erin and JB's
Midsummer Night's Dream party.
Erin: So I reckon we should
use this table for tonight.
I think it will go with
the bar look.
Dick: Most of their friends have
already arrived.
A water leak in the chateau
has forced them
into Erin and JB's gite
for the weekend.
But that hasn't affected
morale.
Erin: Backup has arrived.
Dick: Reinforcements are sent
straight to work.
JB: OK.
[Laughter]
[Indistinct chatter]
Erin: We have quite a long list
of things to do.
And our other friends are
about to arrive
in literally an hour.
So kind of need to get things
going
'cause Laura, one of my friends,
is actually an official events
planner
for a big corporate group,
so we're most nervous about what
she thinks of our
current party planning.
Dick: No pressure then.
JB: Two, one, go.
Dick: First order of business
is to get a table
JB has refurbished for the party
up to the orangery.
Erin: Where were you guys when
we moved the gate, honestly?
Dick: I suppose getting you
guests to lug
their own table and chairs is
one way for them
to work up an appetite.
Erin: I think many hands make
light work.
'Cause that would have taken me
ages.
Well done, team.
And the legs have stayed on.
So excellent workmanship, JB.
[Laughter]
Yeah, watch the step.
Woman: Maybe come this way
a little bit.
Erin: Yeah. That's nice.
Dick: Moving furniture is
obviously thirsty work,
so it's time to hit the bar.
Erin: Is that gonna fit? No.
Dick: Erin's painted dressers
are already in position
in the corner of the orangery.
Erin: This is the first time
we've tested out
putting anything on the bar
or using it at all.
So this is really nice, seeing
it kind of getting dressed up
and actually looking what
I wanted to achieve.
Dick: With the bar almost set,
Erin has other matters
to attend to.
Erin: Hello!
Dick: Her event organizer friend
has just arrived.
Erin: Hi, Lauren!
Laura: How are you doing,
my love?
Erin: Good to see you.
Lauren: I actually can't
believe it.
Erin: Do you like it?
Lauren: I mean, yes.
It is gorgeous.
Dick: Fingers crossed she's
happy not sleeping
in the chateau.
Lauren: Oh, my god, I can't wait
to have a look around.
Erin: Slight technical hitch.
I hope you're not too
disappointed.
Well, we've had a massive
plumbing leak in the chateau.
So everyone is staying
in the manor house.
Lauren: OK.
Woman: Oh. That's fine.
Erin: All right.
Dick: All going well so far.
Lauren: Oh, this is so lovely.
Dick: Now all Erin and JB
need to do
is impress with the party.
Lauren: Erin had told me about
the orangery
and organizing this dinner
there,
and I guess I was a little
apprehensive
just hearing about it
and seeing some photos,
thinking that it was going to be
very rustic.
Maybe not the kind of venue I'm
used to working in.
Dick: Well, let's hope the
orangery passes muster.
At Chateau du Masgelier,
Fiona's big day has arrived.
Fiona: Party!
It's all coming together.
The band's arrived.
And they're just all doing
a sound check at the moment.
It's getting real exciting.
Dick: With good reason.
The new wine cellar is
fully stocked
and the mayor will soon
be arriving
to unveil Fiona's commemorative
plaque.
Fiona: Yeah, that looks
beautiful,
and I think it's in a really,
really, really good position.
Now I'm going to just get
a cover,
and then it makes it easy
for the man
to just pull off.
Dick: Fiona's rustled up
a simple curtain
to cover the plaque until
the big moment.
Fiona: So I've gone for red,
so we've got a bit of red,
white, and blue.
No one will even realize,
pay attention,
but there you go.
Need it to come off quite easily
with the mayor.
That's good. Whoops.
That works.
That's good, isn't it?
Job done.
There, we have to have it all
nice and straight.
Dick: As the band strikes up,
and after a quick change out of
her work clothes,
Fiona and son Louie
can greet their guests.
Fiona: Hello.
Bonjour. Hi.
Dick: From the steady stream of
people arriving,
it looks as though some of
the locals
did get their invites after all.
Fiona: Hello, Mrs. Lipschtik.
Woman: How are you?
Fiona: I'm good.
I'm really good.
Woman: And this is...
Dick: Fabulous turnout.
[Pop]
And the wine cellar seems to be
keeping everyone well watered.
Fiona: Evening's going really
fabulously.
We'll just fill everybody's
glasses up,
and the mayor is going to
reveal the plaque.
I think what might be quite
nice as well
if my little Louie also reveals
the plaque with the mayor
as well,
'cause he's the little master of
the house--man of the house.
And he can take on
the financial burden
after his mother's long gone.
Dick: To make sure the big
reveal goes with a bang,
Fiona's got her hands on some
confetti cannons.
Fiona: Does the top come off?
Do you take the top off?
Dick: But they're causing
some confusion.
Woman: "Right hand below
the arrow."
There we are.
Put your glasses on.
Dick: That might be an idea.
Fiona: I think you don't take
the top off, do you?
Woman: No, you don't.
Dick: The cannons are
passed out...
Fiona: Hold it in the middle
and turn.
Dick: And the big moment
is almost upon them.
Should we do this, then?
I need my little boy.
He's gone missing.
OK.
I've lost Louie.
Where is he?
Louie? We're gonna reveal
the plaque now.
So all you have to do is just
hold it and pull it
at the same time as the man.
Louie: Well, that's easy.
Fiona: That is easy, yeah. OK.
Cool. Bonjour, ladies
and gentlemen.
Would you like to gather round,
please.
Dick: Time for the mayor to take
center stage.
Mayor: [Speaking French]
Dick: And with that...
Fiona: Do you want to help
hold the plaque? Ready?
Dick: Louie gets his big moment.
[All cheering]
And with confetti filling
the air...
Fiona: Thank you so much.
Dick: Everyone seems to be just
as delighted
celebrating the chateau's
history as Fiona.
Fiona: Tonight went fabulously.
I'm really, really pleased.
I love the turnout.
Unveiled the plaque.
It's fantastic.
Really glad that I took the
additional time out
and created the new wine cellar.
I'm really looking forward
to the next stage
and moving ahead with
the chateau,
carrying on with the
restorations.
Dick: We're rooting for you,
too, Fiona.
The chateau's lucky to have you.
Back at Erin and JB's,
it's also party time.
Before the soiree begins in
the orangery,
there's just time for a few last
finishing touches.
Erin: Lot of candles to light
so let's get on it.
JB: Our friends should arrive
any time now.
So we have, what is it,
50, 60 candles to...
Erin: To light, so let's get on.
JB: What could possibly
go wrong? Ow!
Sorry.
Could burn myself.
Um, I don't know, everything
seems to be under control.
Erin: Oh, so nice, those little
twinkling lights.
Heh. But I think it's these just
little touches
which they do take the time,
[Indistinct]
but it does make it look
special.
And I really want it to be
a magical moment
for people who come all
the way to see us.
Isn't that lovely?
JB: It looks amazing.
Dick: Just 3 months ago,
Erin and JB's orangery
was a dilapidated shell.
Now, with a new concrete floor,
painted bar,
and beautifully decorated with
greenery and candles,
it's become a magical
event space
fit for a Shakespearean fairy
queen.
Erin: Bonsoir, Madame.
You're looking beautiful.
Woman: You as well.
Gorgeous dress.
Erin: Come in.
Woman: Very handsome.
Erin: You're looking fab.
Man: Wow.
Laura: This looks incredible.
Erin: Do you like it, Laura?
Laura: I love it.
I think it looks amazing.
Erin: Even, honestly, with your
events planner eye?
Laura: No, it looks amazing.
It looks really, really good.
It looks really, really
impressive.
Erin: Cool.
Laura: I'd recruit you.
[Laughter, pop]
Woman: It's so nicely done.
Erin: Well, santé.
Woman: Cheers.
All: Cheers.
[Glasses clink]
Laura: I had seen pictures, but
it just doesn't do it justice.
So pretty, so romantic.
I think this is a great venue
for someone to propose to,
do a drinks reception.
I want to get engaged here.
It's just lovely.
Really, really beautiful.
Dick: While everyone enjoys
their Bourneau Bellini,
Erin and JB are keeping things
running smoothly
in the makeshift kitchen they've
set up outside.
First up, the entrée.
Erin: Best option would be
if we had a proper kitchen here
because if it was raining,
we would be
in a little bit of a problem.
Hopefully the gin-cured
salmon goes down well.
Oh, Oscar is coming to join us.
So this is Scottish salmon.
So it's sort of a nod
to our Scottish years
and to our Scottish friends.
Bon appétit. Cheers.
Dick: Looks like someone else
has his eyes on the fish course.
JB: Excuse me, sir.
Erin: No, I don't know.
After a lot of hard work
that's gone into putting the
floor into the orangery,
doing up the bar, making
the gate,
and of all of the various little
problems
that happened along the way,
this is why it's worth it.
JB: The orangery actually is
gonna be extremely important
to support us,
and it's also such a great
venue,
and it's got the right feel,
the right tone, right vibes
that we want from this place.
Dick: The launch of the orangery
tops off
a busy few months for Erin
and JB.
They've begun renovation work
on their south wing...
Erin: Not quite screaming
chateau chic just yet.
Dick: and put on their
first-ever paid event
in the chateau itself.
Man: [Speaks French]
Dick: Now the orangery is
up and running,
hosting events is something they
hope to do much more often.
Erin: I think having
this space
now with a functioning floor,
with a proper entrance
makes this a space
that can host many events,
and I think that's really
a wonderful thing,
but also really very helpful
for our business.
Dick: I couldn't agree more.
Our orangery is really important
to our business.
I hope yours will start to
generate the income you need
to crack on with your
renovations.
Next time, one couple
has a bird brain plan
for their aviary.
Man: Water comes in through
the hole in the roof.
Woman: That's why I want you
to fix it.
Dick: But will it come back
to bite them?
Woman: What are the chances of
their being snakes
in this stuff?
Man: No.
Dick: Fiona starts a new
renovation project.
Fiona: Time is money.
Time is money, isn't it?
Dick: And as a heat wave strikes
the South of France...
Sasha: I reckon we're looking at
45 degrees.
Dick: Sasha loses her cool.
Sasha: My problem is I haven't
got enough time
to do what I need to do.
[Exhales]