Château de la Grifferaie: S5, E11: "Black Birds storm the Castle"

What a week, we run off to Paris for research and come back to.... more than 10 blackbirds that somehow got into the Chateau.... Leslie goes after them.... (or they go after her?). The main floor guest room gets a new ceiling, brush is cleaned up, Leslie embarks on three beautiful projects and a brief meal at the end. Enjoy:)
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[@carollloydjones5735]

Your blackbirds are called crows, rooks or ravens. Blackbirds are much smaller and sweeter too. That type of bird is known to come down chimneys!. You'll need cowls on your chimney pots to stop them from falling down into your chateau. Crows, rooks and ravens make nests on chimney tops, blackbirds nest in hedges and woodland xx

[@smokeit974]

Happy to see Jeremy, the best and the coolest electrician in town !

[@kathyvick2710]

Rob….you are so sweet! I love how you support Leslie in her profession. And sooo true…..you don’t make the big bucks when you choose to work in a ministry. My husband and I are in our 41st year of teaching at different Lutheran schools. He teaches 8th grade and I teach 4 yr olds. We knew by choosing this profession, we wouldn’t be rich because God had a plan for us. We have been blessed in many ways from the kids, parents, staff, pastors, etc. You and Leslie are doing an amazing job/service for the young adults that go through your program. I look forward each week to watch your video. Keep up the good work and you do t need to apologize for talking/analyzing/expessing your Christian beliefs…..it’s your channel. 👍🏻🥰🍷🙏

[@nikolaiho]

I find these videos so calming. As a person who is disapointed with the church I get the ick feeling easily when matters of faith are talked but have to say herenin this context i find it inspiring. 😊

[@kindlydude]

...that's because people almost never fail to disappoint. But the love of God never fails. 😉❤

[@cindydorado4718]

A personal relationship and faith are different than religion. I pray you find this. The purpose of buying the chateau is for the students. The rest is a bonus

[@carollloydjones5735]

The tree with buds looks like it could be a magnolia. The other with the leaves breaking could be a beach tree. Maybe wait until the leaves are more open and show again?

[@CrazyArtistLady]

Yes! Those do look like magnolia buds! 🤩 We will know soon!

[@deborahkennett1007]

100% agree its Magnolia.

[@HannaSnow81]

Best wishes from an Icelandic atheist who loves Handels Messiah. Beautiful music!! I really enjoy your videos, I am glad that you feel comfortable to be your faithful selves. I hope you are able to put , I think they might be called cowls or grids something, on your chimneys so you dont end up with another murder of crows in your beautiful chateau!

[@angelafraser1603]

Great progress! Ladyslippers are endangered here in Saskatchewan, native to boggy woodland areas. Prayers for continued grace and strength.

[@aprillanders8018]

Bingle is so good for any intruders. 😂!! He is on top of things!!!! The table looks amazing!! Great job Leslie! I would cap the chimneys until you use them. I use to do that cause we found out the bats were coming into the house!! My husband was screaming all the way out of the house!!😂😂😂😂😂 I think he flew down the stairwell😂😂😂 when I ask him he said he fall😂😂😂😂😂! Lordy! I know when I get a chateau, I would most definitely get solar!! My daughter is in corporate ADT solar!! It is I think a great idea!! I could see bingle being a sheep dog!! Lots of love from Tennessee!!

[@kathyrogers1703]

The framed wallpaper looks so good!

[@kindlydude]

I hope she can find that same wallpaper & replace it. It is simply EXQUISITE ...those birds and flowers. There is a guy who is friends w/Stephanie Jarvis w/Chateau Diaries who does digital reproductions of old wallpaper somehow... maybe Leslie can somehow contact him ...he & his wife also have a chateau channel, but the name escapes me right now.

[@ramonafriesen6972]

Greetings from Steinbach, Manitoba.❤ I started watching your videos in December 2023 and look forward to watching them every Sunday. My sister in law Cathy was at your Chateaux helping Leslie in the kitchen May/June of 2022.😊 Mr Bing is soooooooo cute!

[@elvaporter9111]

Loved this one. Get the solar up and working. I think it will be worth it. Things are looking great. I can't wait till Wednesday.

[@davidbrosch480]

Oddly enough, my software identified both trees as Horse Chestnut, Buckeye, suggesting that the first is healthy and that the second could be better. The software is a good start but it can be glitchy. The tree can have a wide canopy, taking up lots of space. If you are intersted in a tree in that spot, you could thin to the strongest, straightest growth and thin the rest. Incedentally, in the Pacific Northwest of the US, it is described to be Exotic and Invasive.

[@jenateer2518]

Osmo is a product I am seeing used on other channels for wood furniture and flooring

[@nancylayden6871]

Glad there was lots of footage of Bingley today!

[@IPC0101]

Rob your DIY projects always seem to work out pretty well (to my surprise sometimes 😂) and the design is always very tasteful

[@kimberlyllamas5804]

The yard is simply lovely

[@cary2223]

I love the color of the bedroom! It’s going to look so good and everything Leslie does has class! My favorite channel along with the Christian talks. ❤️

[@martynpavey9914]

rob, rather then having to constantly adjust the dawn-dusk times you could add in a light level controller so that when dusk approaches the lights turn on and when dawn arrives they turn off, another option would be to add in a remote managed controller that knows when dusk and dawn is

[@DianeHeeney]

I recognized the music as soon as I heard the intro....Handel's Messiah is my favorite.

[@miket7226]

Leslie, what a wonderful job you did on the table. ❤

[@taitweigel64]

I agree, Leslie has excellent design skills and I am picky. You both do well at working hard and making a beautiful chateau even better.

[@Amishland_Chateau]

Bingley the Bird-dog!😹🫶

[@rayn8740]

I agree with Julie Chapman. The first plant appears to be a young chestnut just budding out. The other is a mystery plant. It's probably the volunteer. You could snip off a branch and walk around the yard comparing it to the foliage and bark of other trees and shrubs in the area. Once identified, you can decide which should stay or go.

[@deborahkennett1007]

I thought it actually looked like a magnolia tree. My favourite tree in spring

[@SpanishEclectic]

I adore Handel's Messiah. I play it pretty much non-stop during the week leading up to Christmas, while facing the daunting task of cleaning and decorating everything. I'm so pleased you found good pieces of that wallpaper to frame. It looks wonderful! I'm such a sucker for those old prints with birds and blossoms. Bingley is a happy boy!! Oh man, those big birds! They are intimidating enough when they're outside. I'm with Leslie...the chocolate dessert is hard to pass up! Nice spring with sprouting flowers and lots of weeds here in Southern CA as well. Very hard to keep up with, and with so much rain this year, I'm needing to weed the same areas two or three times. >:(

[@lorikeller7990]

You’re working hard. It’s so wonderful what you are doing!!

[@donnabaker6252]

Look forward to your vlogs. Your grounds are coming along nicely. Lot of work but you can see the difference you are making. God bless.

[@juliechapman-xu4if]

I personally would remove the clister of suckers. They appear to be suckers from an original chestnut and something else.

[@gingermonette7455]

Love, love the framed wallpaper!!

[@reginamcclung6477]

❤ incidentally, I enjoy your videos and talks and reflections. Keep up the good work YAY!

[@janeblandford852]

Sorry to hear about the birds.....but the room looks fabulous. The roof looks so good and love the colour of the trim. Can't wait to see the wallpaper up too. You guys are doing an amazing job!! Love your videos!! 🇨🇦

[@beverlysmith9854]

Love the framed wallpaper and the table looks great!❤

[@maisonjournals6007]

We had 2 beautiful owls stuck in or house for a couple of weeks, they come down the chimney, we also bought during covid with one problem after another but makes the victory’s sweeter, these buildings will always present challenges, that is part of the experience, the Griff is looking beautiful xx

[@TheasChristmasVillages]

I heard once that capping the chimneys on the roof with chicken wire helps. They perch on the chimney and are overcome with fumes of some kind and fall down the chimney and end up in the house. Old farmhouses here in Ontario have the same issue.

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

Have you seen where their chimneys are?

[@TheasChristmasVillages]

@@Tony-InLosAngeles yeah, but when there's poo all over the upper levels, those chimneys don't look so high anymore! 🤣

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

@@TheasChristmasVillages seriously sweetie have a look at those chimneys you need a Sherpa just to get to them and at least a two story ladder to reach the cap. This ain’t your ranch house Bebé!

[@briansullivan7398]

Preach it Brother! The Chateau's we see were built by Christians. Lived in by them and the architecture of them often revolves around Christian symbols and architecture. Chapels were used by the owners and the workers. To fully enjoy a chateau includes sharing in the faith of those who went before and made the beautiful work as a testament of their faith. In many ways your work and school is returning Chateau de la Grifferaie to its very core. Best, Brian

[@kindlydude]

How very interesting when you put it that way. Stephanie Jarvis is restoring her gorgeous Chapel that is like a jewel-box of color and flair at almost every inch of it ...stained glass too. Does Chateau Grifferie have a chapel? One thing I have always noticed is the windows in many chateaus have tall windows with many panes, but the main two 'arms' that hold the panes are always a tall white cross. Even the faux chateau that was built across the street from me has this feature in at least one large window facing the front. Now I think it's on purpose!

[@terriesakrueger7745]

The room is looking great. Lots to do, but you are doing a little of everything and that's good. ❤

[@margaretfrosst575]

Another great video. Another full damp day here thanks for sharing the pretty colourful flowers they were so pretty.

[@annetowner5447]

The birds are leaving you the gift of free fertilizer for your roses! 😂

[@teresaosthus7186]

The tree on the right of the clump looks like a magnolia.

[@JeannieMitchellMyers]

@3:37 it did look like the birds were in that room...look on the bedspread as soon as you open the door... Bless your hearts, having to deal with the birds!! Love your videos and your beautiful Chateau! 😘God is an awesome God and you two are very blessed!

[@Ron_Robertson]

Of the two trees together, I think they may both be Horse Chestnuts (what they call them in the UK, I believe), and are known in French as "marronier". However, that's not the tree that produces "marrons" that we eat, those are chataigner. Not sure why they do that for the names of these. Usually the fruit/nut name goes into the name of the tree, too, like pomme is an apple that you eat, and the tree is a pommier. A pear is poire, and the tree is a poirier, etc. I kinda think both are the same, one just comes out later, possibly it's a different colour of them, as they can be white (the typical ones), pink or red. I love them. Cool to see you in Fontainebleau, I know that restaurant, and lived a block away from the chateau. It's a wonderful town.

[@deb.m.7458]

I love the framed wall paper❤ I don’t know if you have considered this….some people will pay you to stay at your chateau and weed, garden, do other things. The Sawridges did it with their walled garden. Basically the charge covers the cost of their stay and food. It makes for an interesting vacation experience. If we’re too old for bible studies, maybe a work abroad program for adults. It would be fun 😊

[@The_Travelling_Jonoberries]

Rob good follow up investigations into the your power supply issues and some good solutions with solar and even wind generation. Lesley did a fantastic job with the shadow box frames and to determine where those Crows-Ravens were coming from, thank you for a pleasant and constructive episode, take care, god bless and until next week 🙏🇫🇷🏰😇

[@lynnlewis9938]

Noticed the RH+ LH...sweet. :)

[@PeasCyberDancer]

love your vids from a fellow canadian in Alberta

[@debreid3366]

Y’all are doing an absolutely beautiful job of restoring this magnificent property! ❤ God bless you.

[@wimvanmoerbeke]

You could get a drone up there and check out if the flute which is on the roof and goes to the chimney is open, then you would need to get a mesh up there so birds can't fall in

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

Have you seen where the chimneys are?

[@wimvanmoerbeke]

@@Tony-InLosAngeles yes, on the roof 🙂 they enter trhough the hole on top. Hence the drone.

[@RaySqw785]

Corbeaux , or Raven in your tongue , there's a flap into french chimmeys to close it, birds tends to invade warm places ! its fontainebleau fontaineblo in your tongue, voltaic panels would have to face the southern part of your roof!

[@tonyawilliams9433]

Another thought...a lot of people have been successful in painting the fabric on chairs, etc. with Annie Sloan chalk paint until they have the time or funds to reupholster them(thinking of the chairs you are about to steam clean. Just a thought. 🙂

[@rt3box6tx74]

I loved seeing the different rooms we seldom see. I guess those birds were a blessing. 😉 I totally recognise and appreciate Leslie's talents. Maybe because I'm a bit "artsie" myself. My business experience is the same as yours. There's always a major challenge around the corner, but one at a time allows us to cope... PTL!

[@maureenhyslop9125]

I love your little Christian insights, l am a Christian too, l am loving the journey you are on too, l am in England

[@hollykeller1545]

Ooohhh! I love that blue flowered wallpaper in the bedroom with the red bed!!!

[@margievaneijkern4172]

Love your video. And your beautiful dog. I have mentioned it before that I had one like that . They are so adorable ☺️ Enjoy your Easter. God bless🇨🇦

[@dennisswan4982]

No idea what kind of trees they are but the first clump looks like suckers, those big evergreens are beautiful, as is your home.

[@PeasCyberDancer]

everyone needs Jesus, please do not apologize for your faith!!! they can simply just leave but at the end of times EVERY KNEE will bow

[@tonyawilliams9433]

I love that your chateau is used to glorify God!🙂 I like to use floral botanical prints or birds(like pages from a book)to hang in groupings of two to ten, etc. They are economical, classic & fill a nice size space very well. The fabric you framed is lovely!

[@natasha1369]

I am no electrician but since in the past they needed so much power, hence the big transformer, could not get a smaller one put in, or work out a deal with the city to cut yours and they put one of theirs on the road. I know it all takes money but what you are paying each month, it would be helpful. Also you probably can hire a translated for when you need one.

[@susanamann1806]

Either put hat on chimney or fancy cover in fireplace opening if can't close flue. It also stops drafts.

[@kindlydude]

If they don't put mesh over the tops of the chimneys the birds will fall down and just die ...even if that didn't bother some people, it would make a stink!!

[@christiericci6209]

There are plant identifier apps you might find helpful. Some offer care tips as well. Love the pheasant wallpaper you framed!

[@bethcervenka1813]

Check out Chateau de Ferte. Carole uses sugar soap to scrub that black stuff off the walls. Also check out their staircase. Painting the rings on the balustrades gold would look good.

[@lindamounts2193]

Carol's a little crazed with that gold.

[@tammyatkinson3685]

The second cluster of bushes/trees are pussy willows . They looked fuzzy when they first come out and in Indiana the sort of flower then leaves , you can propagate them also

[@ingerwhist4979]

He was Despised is possibly my all-time favourite song for decades now. Good timing with this as today, a bit too late for Palm Sunday in English in Languedoc, I cleaned instead thinking is not cleanliness next to Godliness?

[@jenateer2518]

It’s about how we respond to the challenges. God is wanting our praise in the difficult situations. He doesn’t create the bad stuff (the enemy does that Jn 10:10). but He does test us to see how we respond. 1 Thes 2:4. And 1 Pet 1:7

[@lizmasi9918]

Another enjoyable video!

[@anitawoods7174]

Tree game. The two first looks like chestnut and the cluster might be magnolia. Have both here in Sweden and thatś how they look at the start of spring.

[@kelliehille3550]

you are doing a good job😇🥰

[@HoltEllen]

I loved this video so much. I know having birds in your house is not fun, but watching it is hilarious. Good job Mr Bingley!

[@renatadennis777]

Mr. Bingley is on his J-O-B!

[@FLgurl100]

Just found channel! Lovely what your doing. ! 👍🏼

[@juliefrench1594]

Not sure about the first tree, but the second with the buds may be a magnolia?

[@nancywind2638]

Love the blue wallpaper in Amy’s room! Is it old or new? Beautiful 😍Thanks for all the great videos! I really enjoy watching all the things you do.

[@dorisjonsson7653]

Birds juse to came in by 19:26 19:29 chimney in spring. Looking fore somewere to make a Bird nest

[@user-xq4qt9kb3s]

Sugggestion: why not start a separate fund raiser to replace your windows, 'Buy a window'. You could have contributors replace a window, then put a small plaque with the contributor's name.

[@that_guy_again5212]

I would shut down the transformer and have the electrical company pull a new smaller line either straight to the chateau or to the unused transformer box and then tap into the line feeding your chateau. Has to be cheaper in the long run. $3000 for solar panels sounds good but they don’t produce enough and what problems will follow them with falling branches and trees? Then if you decide to install a train and Farris wheel you can always get the transformer up and going again? 🇨🇦

[@CrazyArtistLady]

Your shrubby things: the first one looks like the leaves might be a chestnut ( it reminds me of horse chestnut in Ontario)

[@CrazyArtistLady]

Tree of Gondor! 🤣🤩

[@truthdeception4818]

God is faithful

[@izby2652]

chestnut? and...can't think of flower buds one. I love chestnut trees, but it will absolutely dwarf the flowering trees

[@jeanetteeast7343]

The battle is real🙏

[@Amishland_Chateau]

❤

[@carolranes91]

Okay let your patrons and viewers know next project is to save on electricity. Everyone can pitch in to help. Set up a go fund me or buy me a coffee. People like to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. God loves a cheerful giver. Let us be cheerful givers!

[@user-il5yv2kd6y]

God is good ❤

[@dianefrazier7789]

Rob, this may be a dumb question but couldn’t you just get rid of the transformer?. You’re not running an amusement park anymore. So why can’t they let you go back to a normal service? Really enjoy your videos and your adventures. God is good all the time. Following you from Carson City, Nevada!

[@clairemoyle3502]

where is your chateau? I am traveling to Paris in 2 weeks...First time abroad! Since I have watched all your videos, so I have seen much of the area around you, just wondering if you are close to PARIS or Bordeaux, where we are going to visit for a couple days.

[@Tmurphy623]

I heard that there is a app you can use to identify flowers and trees

[@jenateer2518]

Well the black birds fed the prophet. Maybe they are just trying to bring you meat and bread sandwiches

[@lynnlewis9938]

Leslie, could the first tree--the one with leaves hanging down--be a common or European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus--a type of birch)?

[@lynnlewis9938]

As far as the budding one, I really want to guess it's a type of magnolia, but I can't see it well enough. I bet it's going to pop out some beautiful blossoms! My opinion would be to remove the birch and keeping the blooming tree. Odd that they are so close together. Maybe planted by a squirrel?

[@cherylkurucz8852]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jackieboudreaux6339]

So did you block the chimney?

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

The Birds…that’s ridiculous, but not as much as this nonsense with the electricity, you’re not running an amusement park you don’t require that kind of demand, if you own all of it then you can change it. 🤦🏻‍♂️ yeah you definitely need to add some solar to offset both peak rates and the kids and the perfect place in the restaurant roof. French electrics frustrate me to no end.

[@CarolLoch-ww7po]

Can you turn the transformer off if you get solar x

[@sandystidham2554]

At the 37:39 minute mark on your video Is the tree on the left leaning toward the Chateau or is it just the way the camera's angle is?

[@kindlydude]

It leans quite dramatically.

[@debbiecagliarini4421]

I think the plant is a magnlia

[@cindydorado4718]

It would be nice to see more of the student activities, Bible study and historical places instead of spending so much time on painting and repairs which you can do when the students aren't there. Thank you

[@lorassorkin]

I'm sure you understand this, but I don't. Is there an option to remove the old transformer and downgrade to one that's not meant to run an amusement park? If you could do that, and attach it only to the chateau usage, then maybe solar could be used for when electricity is needed at the old restaurant?

[@delphzouzou4520]

From what I understand changing the transformer would be good but far more expensive, if 3000€ is ok for their budget. That seems the bigger issue. Since the electricity price will still go up it's probably a good idea to use solar panels to produce at least part of your own

[@keithoneil9274]

To bad the regional electricity board couldn't add a transformer of the size you need where the power comes onto your property, then your transformer can be disconnected. But solar panels are a good choice to help lower your electrical bills.

[@jerrielindsey5939]

I wonder if there isn’t some sort of a sustainability program that would help offset the cost? Surely the Gov’t isn’t supportive of wasteful electronics. You would offset to some extent with the solar but still that transformer is whirring away for no good purpose?

[@evelyndunham5135]

Who pays for all the food for the students at the Chateau and when you take them out sight seeing?

[@chateaudelagrifferaie953]

they do, they pay tuition to cover costs.

[@elaine22jj]

Great video~having a little difficulty with the audio.be loud enough.

[@jpmcrft]

solarrrrrrrr☀☀☀☀

[@kimberlyllamas5804]

Birds yuck! Stair spendils and painting look great.

[@carolranes91]

Plus free energy and utilities is coming. Watch for an announcement about GESARA, NESARA in the USA!!! Coming soon and gold backed currency no more federal dollars only gold backed in all countries! Canada, Australia and all former commonwealths of the UK have amazing wonderful news coming! Watch for it!!!!!!!

[@kindlydude]

Sounds like a fantasy ...but that would be nice.