Life in a 600 year old château

This week we get to rescue more than just our crumbling château...
If you missed last Wednesdays episode, titled 'Our medieval château kitchen restoration', you can find it here :- • Our medieval château k...
If you are interested in helping with the renovation and historical research of this, once neglected but now much loved, 15th century château you can see us at :-
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Château Citadelle du Cavalier
6 Rue de La Citadelle
Coulonges-Thouarsais
Deux-Sèvres
France 79330
[e-mail]
Music from Epidemic Sound:-
Intro and Ending - ES_Dansez - Fasion
ES_Unlimited - Megan Wofford
ES_Startup - Auxjack

[@pattywest1]

The house is getting cozy with the fireplace burning now. You’ve come a long way. For sure…. You two will never get bored 🥰

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Patty, much appreciated. Best wishes to you, Rols

[@cgannis2251]

I like “snowdrop”. Perfect name!😊

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you. We will be giving an update on the name in Sundays episode. Have a great weekend, Suzie xx

[@agnesgosling3347]

Suzie and Rols your compassion shine’s through well done as always.👍

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Agnes, that is very kind of you. See you next time, Suzie and Rols

[@jayreed7015]

My goodness Rols, you have a spirit level for every ocassion! 😂

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hi Jay, thanks for watching. One can never have enough spirit levels, or clamps 😂😂 All the best, Rols

[@rochellenowik9875]

"Blanca" because she is such a pretty white color. Max was very loving this episode.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Rochelle, that's a lovely name so we'll give it some consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@pamelkamah6307]

@@chateaucitadelleducavalier my mums name was Blanche, always wished I’d been given such a nice name. So yes Blanca sounds good to me. 😊

[@pieteropperman4031]

It is amazing to see how everything in the kitchen are coming along. What I however, admire most, is Suzie's journey. As a survivor myself, I have a special place in my heart for you. Kind regards from Cape Town, SA.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Pieter, that is very kind of you. I'm very pleased to hear you have been able to put it behind you. Take care, Suzie xx

[@claireevans2336]

Love how everything is coming together - 😂 - that yawn at the end so funny; you clearly had a very busy day

[@batteredbacon]

Poor birdie with a bare bum and winter on the way.....(my suggestion on postcard ) fluff 😁😁😁

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Alexa, Fluff will go forward for consideration. An update on that in today's episode which will be uploaded this afternoon. Best wishes, Suzie and Rols

[@richardnault9493]

The name that comes to mind is LUCKY for obvious reasons !

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Richard, yes that would be very apt. We'll give it some consideration. Have a great week, Suzie and Rols

[@KrisanthiaMum]

I like where you put the firewood 🥰 a perfect spot 👍 Glad you could rescue the dove 🕊️ See y’all soon for more fun

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you, take care, Suzie xx

[@alaine57]

Your a lovely couple. The fireplace is cozy.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Alaine, that is very kind of you. Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@gaiayoyo]

I rescued a dove and it was a wonderful experience. I named mine Downey because he fell down out of a nest and was scooped up by a dog! A young boy pulled him out of the dog's mouth and handed him to me as I was the only adult within reach before people came because of the commotion. Downey would throw fits if not fed on his preferred time, he would stomp his feet like a toddler!! But as he was wild I gradually got him acclimated to the wild and released him in a nearby park. I left his house open on my patio and he returned often for about a year and a half. Goodluck with your new friend 💓

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Lois, what a lovely story about Downey. It's always rewarding rescuing animals in need. Thank you for sharing your story. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@trigelrice7291]

Hi Suzie and Rols, you need to get a little metal fan to set on the top of the wood burner. As the wood burner heats up, the fan blades start turning and blowing the warm air out into the room. Just a thought. Hope you have a great week.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you for watching and for your suggestion. We will be getting a fan to sit on the top, just haven't had the chance to look for one yet. Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@paulchadwick4907]

Great video again thanks very much . Have a good week xx

[@deniereynolds6119]

Everyone is getting ready for the winter, we have to stay positive and help mankind through this climate of change.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hello Denie, thank you for watching. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@maureenabray7660]

Thank you for saving the dove. As far as a name idea, maybe Lovey Dovey or just Lovee'. I missed the vlog installment where you put in the wood burner. I'll have to catch up. The glass idea is perfect. I wish you could find a glass piece as the brocante. That swinging outdoor chair is pretty awesome. The hearth looks sooooo good. All that hard work really paid off. We need to find you two very cozy chairs with footstools to cozy up around the heater.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Maureen, Lovey Dovey sounds like a very nice name. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. We will be going to Emmaus this week and they often have double glazed units for sale so we might get lucky. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@siobhanhooke8016]

From spoons to cow slippers.another amazing video

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Siobhan, bet you never thought you would be writing spoons and cow slippers in the same sentence 😂😂 Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@miriamharty5761]

Well I was going to say They were really old Flip Flops, who knew shoes for cows. I,m so envious of your wood burner. I think Max is trying to talk to yea, sooo smart, they all are. How about the name Tilly for the bird. Sure yea will get a lot of names. 🐕

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Miriam, Tilly sounds nice and we shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@merrittbaxley6032]

Everything is looking awesome. The , maybe Pearl.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Merritt, Pearl sounds like a very nice name. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@carolesmith6620]

The fireplace looks nice and tidy , it was lovely of you both to rescue the Dove ,great video Rols and Suzie see you Wednesday x 💕🌼🌼🤗

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Carole, it's one very lucky 🕊. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@gloriagavaneli9862]

Susie you are looking great. Good idea about the fire Rols

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Gloria, very kind. Take care, Suzie xx

[@paulinewilson613]

Might I suggest you call your beautiful little dove 'Primrose' or even 'Parchment' after the colour paint you've used in the chateau. I also have a wood burner and light it with kindling at the bottom, recently I've seen another person who posts on youtube light his wood burner exactly as you have just done, I was amazed, so when it comes time to light mine I am going to try this way too. Much love to you both xxx

[@hiris1903]

Cow shoes... who knew there was such a thing! That copper pot is perfect for the fire kindling and paper. Thanks for the tip on the new method of lighting the fire in the wood burner - I'm going to give it a try next time I use mine! Good rescue of the little dove too!

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you, yes we assumed the cow shoes were something to do with the soup warmer cupboard. We've lit the fire like that for the last 3 nights and definitely seems to burn longer and hotter (this is the article Suzie found - www.firewood-for-life.com/top-down-fire.html). Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@delorisjones7729]

Love you guys, be well.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Deloris, we love you too❤️ Best wishes to you, Suzie xx

[@peterwhite9261]

Oh the little dove was lucky you rescued it. I never would have guessed shoes! We learn something new every day. Storing the wood under the cabinet is a great idea. Interesting way to burn wood. We could've used that knowledge years ago! The yolk will make a great statement light. Take care guys.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Peter, yes, one very lucky dove 🕊️ Take care, Suzie xx

[@1957azerty]

Ah le potager ! I've one in my house in the basement. We took embers from the fireplace to put them in the boxes. Very efficient system. Pour faire mijoter les plats, il n'y a pas mieux :-)

[@lisaharner3720]

Blanche is a lovely name. Glad you could save him/her! Your kitchen is looking very cozy!

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Lisa, Blanche sounds like a very nice name, very apt. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@Dave_1966]

The name Florence popped straight into my mind when you said about naming the dove 🕊 😊👍😻

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Dave, Florence sounds like a very nice name. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@ce1581]

Lovey Dovey ❣️❣️❣️😊

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you, Lovey Dovey sounds like a very nice name, very apt. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@lisaakinlabi]

I never would have guessed that the metal things were for animals, interesting. It's always fun to learn something new and I think that's the best part of finding little treasures. Thanks for sharing - have a great week.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hi Lisa, thank you. Yes, we just assumed they were something to do with the warmer cupboard 😁 Have a lovely week, Suzie xx

[@karencross1964]

We burn wood for heat also. My brother just brought this method to our attention last.week. We are experiencing our first winter storm. Nov5 through to Nov7 . Not very cold -7, but 20+cm of wet heavy snow. Have the wood stove keeping us toasty warm.🇨🇦

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Karen. We've lit the fire like that for the last 3 nights and definitely seems to burn longer and hotter (This is the article found but it sounds like your brother already has it sorted - www.firewood-for-life.com/top-down-fire.html ). Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@maryb.7043]

Great vlog! What caught my eye in particular was the foliage over the windows and doors. Such beautiful fall colors and they coordinate quite well with the shutter and door colors.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hello Mary, thank you for watching. Yes, it's always a pretty time of the year. A little more of that in today's episode which will be uploaded this afternoon. All the best to you, Suzie and Rols

[@stephbowes7782]

The fire dogs and copper bowl look lovely x

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Steph, the fire dogs were a bargain find at the Funny Farm rescue centre and the copper bowl was left here by the previous owner, so we're very happy with them. Have a lovely week, Suzie xx

[@gillianmarsberg2339]

I would never have guessed about the oxen ‘shoes’. I thought it had something to do with scraping coals

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Gillian, yes we assumed they were something to do with the soup warmer cupboard 😂 Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@katherineleavitt7275]

I enjoy watching your vlog seeing all the work you've been doing around the Chateau especially the kitchen. God Bless you on your journey. Kathy 🇺🇸

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hello Kathy, thanks for watching, glad you are enjoying our vlogs. Take care, Suzie xx

[@jerrygodwin9084]

I never would have guessed those where shoes. Love your vlogs keep up the great work.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Jerry, yes we assumed they were something to do with the soup warmer cupboard 😂 Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@diacol1]

Lucky is a great name!

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hello Diana, thank you for watching. Lucky is rather apt. We shall give all the name suggestions due consideration. See you next time, Suzie and Rols

[@ivysavage5569]

Great idea having your firewood stack under that cupboard. Very nice fireplace setting with the fire dogs and copper container for the fire starters/ newspapers. Would be so cosy sitting around it. Thank you for the lovely video once again enjoyed all of it ❤

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Ivy, take care, Suzie xx

[@lottiekins]

Thank you for giving me a heart attack at the beginning of the video 😅 Evangeline thinks she looks like butterscotch ❤

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Our pleasure😂😂 A pure white dove which looks like butterscotch, erm ok 😂😂

[@lottiekins]

Well she said it looked yellowish 😂

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Hello Suzie and Rols, doves are so gentle, they bring such calmness with their song. Maybe "Snowball"?! The kitchen cupboard is lovely, quite spacious as well. Love that fire/heater so unusual yet very practical. Great idea about the top burn, apparently you can also top burn piles of wood on the estates, burning from the top down makes it more safe! The only way our things last if we take care of them, I agree just make a small paving and some bricks for the frame to rest on, it will keep the water away from the wood, but that is for next year to sort. It was a lovely homely video thank you for showing and sharing. The yoke story was most interesting. Kind regards, Elize.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Elize, we will give all name suggestions due consideration, Snowball sounds lovely. Glad you like the soup warmer cupboard. Have a nice week, Suzie and Rols

[@sallymoffit3751]

I hope the little dove does well.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Sally, see seems to be quite content and is feeding well. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@ritaqualter9607]

The fireplace looks lovely! Great job putting it together!

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Rita, yes, we're really happy with it, worth the effort. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@rosa-f4865]

Wow I would never have guessed a oxen 's shoe would loved to have see that . The fire looks so cosy. Lovely dove may be call it Peace and when you get another call it Harmony . Isn't it late in the year for the farmer to be cutting the field. Thank you as always for your NOT boring vlog😅 .Love to all of you Xxxx 💕

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you, Rosa, Peace sounds like a very nice name and, of course, it solves the problem of naming it's inevitable companion 😂 We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Can you believe it, some people actually find our channel boring? 😂😂 Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@patcardiff2563]

Peace what a lovely name thanks for being so kind hope Rols finger is Healingxxxx. Xxxxx

[@patcardiff2563]

To be honest I find you both very calming and a joy to listen toxxxxxx

[@janeblandford852]

I so look forward to your vlog, they are always to interesting and so up lifting. Thank you for another great one!! The kitchen is really coming along....👍💗

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Jane, glad you are enjoying our vlogs, take care, Suzie xx

[@lucyyoung5307]

Hello Susie and Rols.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Bonjour Lucy, hope you are well. All the best to you, Suzie and Rols

[@annettesharrock1236]

Bonjour Suzie and Rols why not call the dove Chanceuse {Lucky}. The kitchen is looking really good now nice and light. What a good idea to cover the stove with Glass so you still can see it and also keeping the history. Those cow hoof protectors do not look very comfortable😂. Loved Watching Rols and Suzie. Take care😘

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Annette, Chanceuse sounds like a very nice name and very apt. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. We're not quite sure how the cow shoes fitted but they obviously knew what they were doing in those days😂 Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@annettesharrock1236]

@@chateaucitadelleducavalier 🥰

[@candyphillips2642]

It's so lovely how you are always rescuing something. The dove is so sweet. The kitchen is lovely. Great job! The shoes for oxen are cool. That yoke is cool.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Candy, yes, one very lucky dove 🕊️ Take care, Suzie xx

[@Daihatsu_Hijet]

Well I never thought they were strainers but never would have guessed a shoe for a hooved animal. Interesting about burning the wood but when you think about it🤔it all makes sense.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Tony, lots of weird and wonderful things here 😂 and the fire is definitely burning hotter and slower now. Take it easy, Suzie and Rols

[@cherylstraub5970]

I would call the Dove Paloma

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Cheryl, Paloma sounds nice and we shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@benitacope7797]

Thank you for your blog , I really enjoy them . Love to you both x

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Benita, Glad you are enjoying our vlogs. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@ocanadastandinguard6840]

Another option is a heat activated fan which is placed on the stove top. The fan distributes heat farther into the room.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Ocanada, yes we will be getting a fan, just haven't had time until now. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@janegendreau6595]

What a remarkable thing...shoes for oxen!! Never would have guessed that!! Wonder if the holes are for nails to shoe oxen like horses are? 🇺🇸

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Bizarrely the holes are for laces, you can't nail into their hooves apparently

[@christinegreenhill540]

I love all the interesting bits and bobs your finding, such a lot of fun finding out their history.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Christine, glad you are enjoying watching our vlogs. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@gillianmarsberg2339]

So interesting about the wood burner. We also go through a lot of wood. We will also try this new way

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Gillian, we've lit the fire like that for the last 3 nights and definitely seems to burn longer and hotter (this is the article Suzie found - www.firewood-for-life.com/top-down-fire.html). Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@cathyagain5841]

Such a lovely video as usual ❤ as always so interesting full of history, mystery and massive amounts of caring.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Cathy, glad you are enjoying watching our vlogs ❤️ Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@helenhelps9619]

🏰🏰

[@creativecottage6137]

I’ll try that on my fire tomorrow, thanks for the tip. Do you have a fan that sits on the top ? It’s like a 3 prong propeller that pushes the heat out, it conducts as it’s made of metal then starts spinning great gadget. Lovely vlog.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you. We've lit the fire like that for the last 3 nights and definitely seems to burn longer and hotter ( www.firewood-for-life.com/top-down-fire.html ). We will be getting a fan to sit on the top . Best wishes to you, Suzie and Rols

[@LCamp-cr7fs]

That settee is gorgeous! Is it possible to put it on pavers next year to prevent the rot?

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hi, thank you. Yes, once i've repaired it we'll placing it on pavers or similar. Have a great week, Rols

[@dianerayburn1728]

Try half a lemon dipped in salt. Or something like HP sauce. Or the metal polish but using OO grade wire wool [that used to be my preference]

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thanks Diane, it came up a bit cleaner and polished but it's going to sit in the corner behind the logs most of the time so is satisfactory but thanks for the tip i'll try the lemon and salt next time. Have a lovely week, Suzie xx

[@patcardiff2563]

Fire lighters are the best kindling is ok once the fire is lit

[@sallystanley4526]

If you had some hard wood like oak, it would build up a good bed of coals. The wood will last longer and it will be a hotter fire.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Sally, all the wood left here in the barn is hardwood, probably oak. The biggest problem is splitting it, it has been there for years. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@delorisjones7729]

call her Lucky, Lucky to be alive.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Deloris, Lucky sounds like a very apt name. We shall give all suggestions due consideration. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@thechatelaine]

💛💛

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed it. All the best to you, Suzie and Rols

[@skrtskit1521]

💖💖🌹🌹

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you. All the best to you, Suzie and Rols

[@christinescouller3833]

Their shoes for Bulls.

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hi Christine, thanks for watching. Yes indeed they are shoes for cows/oxen. Have a lovely week, Suzie and Rols

[@coby6417]

🌟👍🍀💐

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you. See you next time, Suzie and Rols

[@keithberry6289]

Ah I thought it was a smoking cupboard for meats

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Hi Keith, thank you. They may well have smoked some food whilst the embers were lit. Have a great week, Suzie and Rols

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

It looks like an old part off a shoe ?????

[@chateaucitadelleducavalier]

Thank you Glenys, you are very warm the question is what type of shoe? The answer is at the end of the vlog. Have a lovely week Suzie and Rols