Getting away from it all | Leaving the Chateau 🏰

[@ericacole7102]

I laughed so hard witnessing Gerald in his tartan costume.

[@janineduclos9774]

Oh Stephanie! You looked so much happier by the end of your trip, I'm so pleased, wishing you peace& happiness! X Happy Birthday Gerry x

[@beeabser]

To all la landers: You all have a great knack of keeping things real for us. Sharing your joys and sorrows, and “carrying on” in spite of sadness, is so sincere and rare in this big world of U Tube, and vlogging. All people you have introduced…friends, guests and other chateau owners have the same traits. Keep it up. We all hope that you feel our love and support through your highs and lows. Will always be a big fan of Chateau Diaries.

[@debimacinnis5548]

Stephanie you make my heart sing, no matter where you are, ie. fancy hotel, in the desert on a camel or in a brocante you find the joy in each place. Thank you for sharing Jerry's birthday in Dubai as well as the little side trip with Michael with us.

[@Randy8923]

Happy Birthday Gerry!! We adore you. This was an amazing birthday and location for Gerry's Birthday. Beautiful accommodation's. Loved the camp also. Love to all ❤

[@irenebrown3144]

What a beautiful site from the top of the tower.😊❤❤

[@mariannewinkelman7255]

Gerry in his Abdula tartan had me in stitches 😂😂😂😂he has such a great sense of humour. Love it 🥰

[@juliehedger2377]

Tell Michael and Getry, what they need for the bread oven is a blowpipe. Take a 1/2" length of copper tubing. We flare one end and sand the sharp edges. Then smash the other end so it's an 1/8" slot to focus the air ar the base of your fire. I've watched all your shows since lockdown started. Living vicariously through you all. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Oh! Stephanie, this is just what you needed. Being with Gerry, he was so important as he was always there when you were growing up, sharing his birthday and lifting your spirits. Michael knows you so well and brings out the adventurous side of you. I do hope you will slowly return to your bubbly self again. So its Happy Birthday Gerry, well done all 💕🇦🇺

[@MichaelPottsF1]

I try :)

[@sharongaines3043]

From being in the doldrums to having a great smile, is great to see, it took 2 great men of your life to achieve this, Scotman birthday bash and Michael 's desert safari. Im just glad all is well. Great to see the where the original chapel was, Well done Philip, you have a very keen eye. I love the dresses, you looked amazing in them. You would look fantastic in a grass skirt. 💕Xx

[@gloriagavaneli9862]

Stephanie I am so glad you are feeling better. Michael is such a wonderful person and friend

[@christinevr7698]

Smart to wait until rains are more plentiful before planting the future garden. Crossing my fingers and saying prayers for refilling of your ground water supply, Stephanie. 🙏🏻☔️ beautiful cashmere jumper dress! Love Lilysilk… lovely products. I swear by silk pillowcases for my curly hair health. Michael is such a happy bright spark in this world- so great that he popped in to cheer Stephanie up! And it goes without saying that Scotsman’s superpower is his endless dad jokes and joviality! 😂 Happy Birthday Gerald!

[@jennistevenson796]

As soon as Gerry came on I couldn’t stop smiling. His zest for fun is a tonic. Loved the old CD music too. Like the good old days xx

[@figencebe9287]

Happy Birthday, Gerry 🎉 you are hilarious as usual 😂😂😂 we missed you … Stephanie, It is soo nice to see you laughing, cheering up ❤

[@katelanxner278]

How perfect that the pigeons welcome you just like in your tower at home! That second hotel has so much atmosphere. You lucked out!

[@happygarden7111]

I completely get what you said about how after losing your father people leaving made you disproportionately sad. I’ve experienced that also. Great video again , beautiful scenery!

[@paulineyork2802]

Michael is a great support for you x

[@MichaelPottsF1]

I think we all are, everyone on the channel gives her such energy!

[@CuriousCalligrapher]

What a gift Nick gave you-the advice not to plant your garden this year, with potential water rationing, saves you so many hours of work and money!!! Nick's advice was a gift and truly priceless!!!! You are blessed to have the etchings of Chateau La Lande and what a find Phillip-you should see if any of the churches or old record books for the chateau, if they exist discuss the old chapel before1860. You discussed this with Patreons, so I apologize if you've covered this before (old records if they exist).

[@Pentax47]

Michael Potts!! always a delight to see him around

[@debschmitt761]

This was a WOW! Dubai experience for Gerry was fantastic, the Tower, the hotel and the fountain. The second Hilton was magical, camel ride and scrumptious food. Well done!

[@jorothwell7908]

Thanks, Stephanie, for reading a snippet of Aloysius the Ram at the Bric-a-Brac - and for supporting this project. Special appreciation to Isabelle for all your encouragement and, of course, to the hero Scotman, Gerry, for your constant support and friendship. It means a lot and it means a lot to the charities involved. 100% of proceeds from sales go to paediatric brain cancer research and family support. Jo Rothwell x

[@mariapetras2654]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏✨💜

[@teepeeX]

Where can we get book in Australia 🇦🇺 thanksJo

[@jorothwell7908]

@@teepeeX Sorry, cannot seem to reply - it keeps disappearing.

[@lingell7428]

I got the original book when i was at Lalande , just ordered the new one . Thank You x

[@Vee-zx6eh]

Brilliant book Jo. Greetings from Acheron, Victoria

[@mcharlie260]

Great to see Nick & Michael flying in to support their friend ❤

[@PNWGardener]

It's ok to take breaks from sadness once in a while. Glad you got to have so much fun with such awesome people.

[@paulaartandmusic4412]

I admire you, Stephanie for your empathy and kindness towards others. You have a big heart, full of love. I’m so glad you took this trip with Gerald, Michael, and Ohillip and made happy memories. God bless you.💋

[@connieclum8470]

Phillip has a sharp eye for detail and color,he looks very handsome today,always smiling and happy,love..⭐️🌻🆒🥇🦋🇺🇸

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

I'm so moved by this vlog. You were feeling really down but you pushed yourself to be there for someone you love anyway. That's true ❤. And, seeing how happy Gerry was to be there with you celebrating his birthday must have made it all worth it. And your effort was paid back double because you yourself felt better at the end too. 💜

[@dorothylaplante7243]

I love your relationship with Gerry. So wonderful to see you both enjoying each other’s company.

[@dianewetherill185]

Loved watching Nick’s expertise with trees and just saw him helping Dan on his chateau videos!! New dresses, exotic hotels, camel rides in desert, cheerful Scotsman and dear friend Michael Potts joining you for another adventure. What a great experience to share with us and all your dear friends of LaLande! Enjoyed Philip’s original chapel discovery! He was so excited! 🥰🥰🥰🥳🥳👍😊❤️❤️

[@melissamohr8985]

Stephanie, Scotsman & Michael! Thank you for taking us along with you to Dubai!!!!! Incredible

[@Ruedannie]

WOW Michael and Stephanie looked so good in Dubai !

[@casaduemilia]

What can I say? You always make interesting and beautiful videos, Stephanie. Nice to see Mike with you.

[@wakahere]

Phillip is amazing with his eye for detail 😊

[@metropcs7560]

Gerald we can't do with out your great personality. Thank you Stephanie, just what the doctor ordered. Enjoyed video.

[@alisonhoyte7608]

Keep adding the wood chip to your garden beds this will hold and retain any water also look at getting aSonic Bloom machine for the garden it will help the plants absorb all the dew in the morning we use them here and never water and have droughts as well.

[@lyndablack3438]

Love Gerrys joke about the black gloves...'the last time he wore black gloves he got 3yrs'...😂😂😂

[@kristinthornton2690]

Thanks Stephanie! So fun. Of course going to the corner gas station with Jerry would be fun! He is amazing. ❤

[@Hellyers]

We have enjoyed spotting Michael in the F1 coverage this season... we've spotted him on screen twice already!

[@MichaelPottsF1]

Brilliant - my mum plays that game too :)

[@pamelaknits]

Scotsman’s Arabian tartan styling was awesome. Always full of surprises is he.

[@annearmagh]

Love nick. He's amazing!! Talented and unbelievable knowledge

[@skyedaisy4007]

Happy Birthday Gerry! How wonderful to spend it with Stephanie! Always great to see Michael as well. Thank you so much for taking us along on your two holidays :)

[@reremaiwhaipooti7166]

I really appreciate this post, it made me happy to see Stephanie with Scotsman Jerry and Michael. Loved the adventures, be happy ❤

[@geenagr]

I totally feel you, as I am in mourning too. A cardiologist told me (after I ended up at his office with a panic attack) that I need to go out and put on makeup, do my hair, do my nails. It helps a little. My mother, being the glamorous lady that she was, would have loved this way of dealing with the loss of a loved one. Thing is, you're not alone Stephanie! We're in this together, I hope this helps a little. It sure helps me! Sending you a massive hug

[@lauraagliata6757]

Would you consider doing some Hugelkulture? It'd be a great way to utilize debris from land clearing & help as an aid with drought conditions, too. Also, a Big Happy Birthday! to Gerry - so glad you were able to celebrate in style & take us along on one of the best adventures yet! Much love & thanks!

[@teresacarle294]

🤣Very disappointing news about drought predictions in France 🇫🇷 , but much better to discover it before the 🪴 plant 🪴purchase & labor💰. As Nick stated, new plants need a lot of water💧 at the start to fully establish them. Putting pause on plans is tough, but good in the long run. We've certainly struggled with water 💦 restrictions in the 😎Golden State. They simply come in returning cycles🔄. Although record breaking 🌨snow & rain🌧 this Winter from North to South & East to West has caused some chaos & tragedies. The good news is our deeply depleted reservoirs & lakes have topped up a bit & been replenished. 💫Hallelujah! Late last Summer we had a legion of firefighters battle a 🔥wildfire in the hills above my home🏘. 🚁Special helicoptors were forced to dredge up MUD from local reservoirs in lieu of sufficient water💧to drop on hillsides 🙉. Along with a huge contingent of brush tactical team that converged upon us. They did a phenomenal job stopping the advancement to a few hundred acres. 😮It was in the same footprint of the 2017 La Tuna Fire🔥 that destroyed a handful of homes & 8000+ acres. Even with outside help from other States, we had significantly less fire personnel 🚒 available at that time. LAFD & County were battling multiple major blazes in Brentwood, Santa Clarita, & Santa Barbara to Malibu. 🙄That was an exceptionally hard year for many Angelenos. The good news is God listens to 🙏prayers of the faithful. He brings restoration & healing of our land. 😁 You've made a brilliant suggestion👏! Much better than tarping alone. Hugelkulture is very smart both moneywise & environmentally. 🏆Excellent way to turn a drought to the ⚜️Chateau's best advantage. ♻️ Great reuse of natural & unnatural material. Dig some shallow trenches in the beds, fill with a layer of tree branch cuttings (vary pieces from 2-3"D×12-15"L). ✂️Also cut thick sheets of cardboard 📦 from 🎁Cadeau to cover that layer. Plonk good soil on top. Of course, you lay more cardboard on top of that layer to prevent the ground from getting direct sun☀️. Put yet another layer on top. This time regular garden mulch over the top to make it "pretty." 🌟 This will keep the ground cool & compost beautifully. It will enrich the soil for LaLande's future planting🌟!!! 🎉Yay!🎉 🤔They ought to consider discreetly adding (or burying) water💧catchment systems (or tanks) on all the outbuildings to catch even more 🌧rain for their future 🌱gardens🥬. The more water, the better. They have a lot of garden & ground to protect. 💚Bridget from Cali☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)

[@aliciareams3464]

Happy Birthday Gerry! So good to see him and Michael Potts! Just missing your mummy and Percy ❤

[@MichaelPottsF1]

I've just visited Isabelle and Percy in South Africa :)

[@mavep2855]

Happy Birthday to Gerald and big thanks to Stephanie for taking us along on this extraordinary adventure. Sheer joy from beginning to end. Lifted my spirits🙏❤️

[@gabschasse600]

Yes !!

[@donnaflower6164]

Lovely Stephanie, I’m so glad you got to have some time away to mend your heart, and head, after the recent sad times you have been going through. It’s so good to see your spirits boosted by your old and true friends, and family, who are there for you when you need them. You are much loved, and rightly so, you give so much of yourself to others x

[@deirdreball3731]

Beautifully said

[@sidoniejansson403]

What a joy to see you being happy, Stephanie, with Gerry on his birthday- He smiled all the time- The storybook reading for goodnight was unique. And with Michael- such a great friend!- in this beautiful city and desert surroundings. Thanks for showing your quality time journey.

[@augustasimone9323]

I hope you can check into the possibility of having Rain Water collection systems all over the property especially for the garden ! I hope you look into the possibility of collecting rainwater from the the chateau roof ! I hope you will be able to have a small garden closer to the kitchen and use the collected rain water. Small gardens work as well. Or container gardens.

[@uscitizen898]

Where I live, we still have about 2-3 feet of snow on the ground! It's supposed to be about 40-50℉ degrees this time of year, but we are still only in the mid-20's! Spring is here on the calendar in theory....certainly not in reality....yet. 😉 Your rain can be a bit depressing but much nicer than drought. 👍

[@katherinecormack5727]

Not my kind of trip given issues of human rights and things, but I am so glad it was special to you and brought you joy. I mean that. I wish you and all Lalonders all the very best during these challenging times. Thank you for sharing!

[@cherylhardeman7189]

Thanks, Stephanie. What a trip to share with us. Just beautiful. Gerry makes my day! He is a gentleman and an outstanding Scott.

[@TarnishedTreasures1]

Lovely clothes. The striped dress is the perfect spring dress

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

Well that was incredible!! Happy birthday Gerald and so glad to see Michael!

[@janeblandford852]

Wow Stephanie....what a wonderful trip....thank you for taking us along with you....amazing!

[@melissawhitehead363]

Abdula MacGrady! 🤣 I love Gerald so much! Gerald, Michael Potts and the elusive Nick. The family is back together!

[@sallysampson628]

Happy Birthday to Gerry (belated) what a lovely place for a birthday treat! How is Gerry related to Stephanie? Glad you cheered up at the end of your trip Stephanie. You do have some stark contrasts on your travels! Thanks for taking us along 😎🌻🥰🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️🍦🍦

[@irenebrown3144]

It was good for you to see Michael he does cheer you up.😊

[@MichaelPottsF1]

At least I give her someone to laugh at :)

[@juliebrown8381]

🎉Happy Birthday Gerald from Queensland Australia 🇦🇺. So nice to see you and Steph off on a trip together I think it was a great way to uplift the energy of the vlog that we all need at the moment. Life personally and Globally is particularly difficult so it is great to see some love and light again. Just keep moving forward Steph ❤❤

[@charleswalker1185]

This was swell, it actually does help to leave the day to day for another place...I loved your trip with Jerry to Dubai. Michael was a huge treat..bless your joy!!

[@ritareynolds6868]

Thanks Stephanie for sharing your trip so eloquently. You are class , also Gerald and Michael…….wonderful.

[@juliatownsend2324]

Wow that was a great trip. Thank you Stephanie for talking us along. Gerald had a lovely time for his birthday so it looked. Michael handsome as ever. Xx

[@carolehanrahan]

Happy birthday Gerald!!! I'm glad to know that you are aware of the connection you have about your state of mental health and how it's a similar feeling to what it was like after your father's death. Too many of us don't take the time to recognize why we are feeling a certain way and are just confused by strange feelings. It looks like your trip helped you pull out of that point but it's still okay to grieve when those feelings hit.

[@courtneyeilerts5120]

I thought this exactly and how wonderful to Openly share❤

[@melindaduncan3073]

What an amazing adventure and what great people to be with. You are blessed with great family and friends for sure! I can’t wait to see Michael’s pictures of the trip.

[@MichaelPottsF1]

I am in the middle of editing those - there are some lovely ones :)

[@vikki839]

Stephanie another example of how selfless you are that you filmed and shared this, you are a legend. Michael your description of the balls of joy was adorable. X

[@juliakneecegregg3825]

Great video

[@annemaxwell9975]

Wow that was some episode. I could visibly see your spirits lift over the few days away. Just what you needed before the return and start of the season. Life is so short, and spending time with loved ones is the greatest gift.

[@murielwilson3148]

Lovely to see you smiling and in joying your self just what you needed for sure it's great to see Michael you both were having a great time

[@MichaelPottsF1]

It was brilliant!

[@sandrapugh1373]

I can see Nati doing the hair swish dance as she has beautiful long dark hair too. Glad to see you, Gerry and Michael having a wonderful time in Dubai 🤗

[@solfridkaba533]

How could I have missed this??? Wonderful and fun!!! Gerald’s epic tartan kaffiyeh/headgear made me laugh out loud 😂 This brought back wonderful memories as I lived in Dubai for over 30 years! Thank you for your fun and uplifting videos!

[@1231ms54]

Thanks for taking us along.

[@chantalblake-milton5702]

Dearest Stephanie, I live on the Palm just over the road from the Hilton, and would have loved to show you around the country I love so much and have lived in for 23 years. Dubai is soooo beautiful, the desert, the Hajar mountains and the mangroves in Abu Dhabi. Come back soon, I would love to show you around the souks. Those towers are Windtowers, used as early air conditioning by drawing down the breezes from the creek when the Summer temperatures hit 50 degrees. There is so much more to Dubai than most tourists see, and I would love to show you around next time xx

[@christina_papou]

I’m so happy the trip made you feel better. It’s never easy losing someone you care for. I’m glad you’re getting back the sunshine we all love but know it’s ok to be human. We all can relate xoxo

[@terantruitt66]

What happened? Who did she lose?

[@melissamoore1648]

????

[@janettegates8351]

She didnt know her at all.

[@christina_papou]

@@terantruitt66 I can’t remember how you write the girl’s name and I mean no disrespect in that but it was the girl the gave the scholarship in Africa. She died unexpectedly and it’s shaken the entire household. We don’t know details and it’s not our business to know. I just know when losing someone so young is definitely hard.

[@christina_papou]

@@janettegates8351 how do you know what their relationship was like? Pls have empathy when people are going through hard times.

[@lifeatcottagetranquillite]

Hopefully all the recent rain we have had including this morning we will be okay planting this year. I'm looking forward landscaping my place, but that will be a few years in the making. I love taking a break from my renovations by watching you all there. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤ Yay for Michael being back too 🎉😊

[@tkarichey3]

A lovely journey, it lifted my spirits as well! Thank you for taking us all along with you.

[@Helene2367]

Happy Birthday Gerald , thanks for taking us along . Truly is a spectacular magical place.

[@bonavistaoptics]

The sunnies looked awesome with the striped silk!! xo

[@jefffleet9546]

Loved this episode . Cheered me up on a grey London evening .

[@metropcs7560]

Nick is a true Tree Doctor, does he have a blog? Yes isn't it amazing there are two chaples, thank you Phillip for your work, yes help Stephanie with style. You have the taste of fashion to me. Yes Mr. Micheal Potts the photographer. Yes awesome!!!

[@dinahreyes4947]

Happy Birthday Gerry! It's wonderful that you were able to spend some quality one on one time with Gerry and Michael. Your holiday was well deserved and much needed!

[@GrandmaRM]

Yay, it’s Michael Potts! 🙌 Happy Birthday Jerry! 🎉🎉

[@robinhewitt]

You cheered me up, Stephanie. I had a great belly laugh at your quad montage with Michael. I hope you are feeling better soon, too.❤

[@debraforbes6857]

I also laughed out loud literally, when I saw Gerald in his tartan headdress. Too funny! Glasses were the perfect touch too.

[@lafranglaise3399]

I love how Philip gets so excited at discovering the location of the original chapel. Also, the Dubai Tourist Board should sponsor you as you've sold it to me & I have always said that it's not a place that appeals to me in the least ! Love to you all from the French Pyrenees.

[@tammyayson4003]

I just couldn’t love Jerry more 😂 What a character ❤

[@scoliesimpson4773]

Happy Birthday Gerald ,what a birthday you had in Dubai ,beautiful memories with Stephanie. Love the book. Would love to buy one. And Gerald I love it when you are on.

[@maryjanekolesar8325]

Happy CAKE Day Scottman! Ahahahaha Stefanie's sunglasses look good on Michael. Amazing fun in the desert.

[@peterwhite9261]

What a wonderful gift for Gerarld and yourself. Great time to get away. So nice to see Micheal and the elusive Nick.Great food and activities. So sorry you been advised by Nick to hold off on full planting due to water shortage. Maybe it will be a rainy spring to help. I love your new dresses but really Stephanie, you would make a garbage bag look like it was made by a fashion designer. Phillip due have a very keen eye and what a revelation on the original chapel. Kudos to him. Happy Spring to you all.

[@andreagoodman1636]

Thanks for taking us along with you, Stephanie! I loved seeing your vacation! And I’m really glad you got some happiness after some low periods!

[@SweetOne.]

Love this so much I've watched it 3 times. Happy Birthday Gerald! Safe travels all!

[@jeanmkaufmann]

Beautiful dresses. It was so nice to see Michael. Happy Birthday Gerald!!🎉 It is so nice to see you smile. Dubai is quite pretty at night. I love the older part of the city. It is so beautiful. 🙂🇨🇦

[@MichaelPottsF1]

Thanks Jean!

[@DumplingsToGo]

One of the best ways to navigate grief or depression is to change your environment through travel or furniture rearranging. Dubai is beautiful. Glad you're feeling a little better. P.S. a new puppy can help with grief.....just saying...😂😂❤ (Ppsttt. I got your back, Philip 😉)

[@annaibarra3447]

😊😅❤

[@JustSaralius]

Any age dog really! 😉🐕

[@jomeyer13]

love that. that was mine rearranging the furniture, it was part of my way of cleaning too. until pieces got too heavy

[@3_3645]

Kinda like Vegas but it's the real real thing. Fascinating place, would have liked to see the outskirts for a little more of a realistic view of the area. Or is it all as pretty

[@3_3645]

Funny as they did get a puppy

[@baylorsailor]

The red cashmere dress is so nice! I definitely want one!... I've been to Dubai three times. It's such a fun place! The shopping is my favorite part. The fabric shops are full of jewel-like fabric from floor to ceiling. I spent hours looking at fabric alone!

[@katherineleavitt6335]

Stephanie, thank you for taking us along on your fabulous trip to Dubai. Jerry looked so happy to be celebrating his birthday in such a fantastic location with you and of course we all enjoy seeing Nick every time he is available to visit with you and the gang. Have a wonderful trip home and give everyone our best wishes. Hugs, Kathy USA

[@philphil6006]

Old Dubai at the Creek is awesome, great insight to how they lived. Loved the old markets and the gold strip.

[@menohippiesoul5148]

Micheal Potts ,What a ray of Sunshine 🌞🌞🌞🌕🌕🌕

[@kellylarson3020]

That was so much fun, thanks for taking us along. You are so good at editing your videos, I loved it.

[@angieflynn5354]

Nick does such a good job

[@juliamcgrath3364]

This made my heart ache a little yearning for the balmy scented air of Dubai. The fountains at night, the shopping! The spice and gold souks. It’s a lovely place!

[@charmainejfritz]

omg jerry is hysterical - the tartan headdress!!! hope is brithday is a great one!

[@savedraven5096]

Oh my goodness Stephanie! You and Michel have the most amazing life! I love these adventures you go on. Thank you so very much for sharing them with us, half way around the world!!! Jerry is such a joy to watch , he really enjoyed his birthday !!! RAVEN ❤️🌞❤️

[@caroletownson1525]

Happy birthday Gerald 🎉what a fantastic present from your sister ❤

[@robynforman1978]

Thank you Stephanie for the enjoyable video. Sending peace and love from England