Putting The Spark Back In The Cottage - Doing It Ourselves

Getting the electrician (spark) back into the cottage to wire up the bedroom ready for plaster boarding. And we meet his lovely wife Janet who talks about being a new KZbinr over the age of 60, She also helps me prune my tomato plants in the greenhouse while Duncan works in the cottage. And a fun announcement for the upcoming week!
Check-out Janet's Fopy's France KZbin videos here:
/ @fopysfrance
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[@wendy-moore]

Dan The Gardener - ha, has been doing short, daily videos for well over a month, and it's been very enjoyable. I love that it doesn't take too long to get caught up on his activities. Do what you can, we'll enjoy it very much. Stop when you want. It's all good.

[@sallygardiner7150]

Dan comes across really well in the Chateau Diaries; not so well on his own vlogs. Michael has an artistic bent which is very special. Always look forward to all his content. Hope it goes well for him.

[@wendy-moore]

Tough crowd, here - ha.

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

@@wendy-moore I was just going to say the same! LOL!

[@Alex.smiffy]

@@sallygardiner7150 I really enjoy Dan's daily vlogs.

[@rowenacountryman2242]

@@sallygardiner7150 Dan and Billy have a very easy fun chemistry on Billy’s channel and I think Dan is doing much better as his channel grows. It’s not so easy to suddenly become a documentary, producer, director, editor, actor, sound guy, content writer, and psychic. It takes a minute to find a grove. You say Michael come here and just start out with ease but you 4get he had learned so much on his friends channel and the tv show he had done. It’s not easy is all I have to say.

[@TRoth858]

I was so fascinated to see those long tomatoes. What a lovely green house you have. It was nice meeting your friends. Everyone you know there is so generous with their time and talents. As are you and Billy. I'm so happy I found your vlog! 🤗

[@maryphillips5173]

I love Dan's videos. He is so authentic and funny.

[@DavidAdam666]

Dan's vlogs are brilliant. Learn from him Michael.

[@evasanchez4248]

I enjoy Dan’s Videos!!

[@susanfabian1521]

Dan the gardener does 5-7 minutes every day & I've been having fun watching him. He does a bit of fast forwarding, but covers important stuff. The music he's chosing is awesome 😎

[@lizmasi9918]

Videos less than 10 minutes is good enough for me Michael. Dan the gardner's are about 6 minutes and they are perfect!

[@patricianewton4922]

Everyone's generosity is so refreshing. Thank you for sharing.

[@dotwillcoxson5352]

The special music is back! We love the short video concept. 🦘🦘🦘

[@mrs.e3909]

I was grateful for the gardening tip for today as my tomatoes seem to be having a slow growth process. I had never heard of trimming off excess branches.

[@maymayrays]

I had forgotten about this - explains my tragic vines 🤣 my stepdad calls them “suckers.”

[@kristin_cool6537]

I’m so excited for the daily vlogs! In my opinion, 5-15 minute vlogs are plenty. They can be about the garden, the cottage, the property, cooking or anything else! Pretty much anything in someone elses life can be interesting if shown in snippets

[@valgoodridge1810]

I have heard that the KZbin ad analytics give the best return for the vlogger with videos just over 10 minutes.

[@maryoelmann6137]

Check out “Life in Rural France”, Dan the gardener’s daily vlog. They aren’t long but I look forward to seeing them every day. Just show a snippet of what you are doing each day, keep it simple and short. Look forward to seeing what you post.

[@goldenineke]

I’m sure it’s where Michael got the idea from 😄

[@sarahburton3110]

It’s actually called Escape to Rural France. 👍🏻

[@Sarcypants]

Love Dan's channel ❤

[@maryellenbruneau7528]

Good to see you back Michael!! ❤️❤️

[@shawnhammond140]

Greetings from Alaska. Another great vlog. It's good to have you taping again. I know others have said it before, but you have been missed. Love Duncan and Janet. She seems amazing. Congrats to her on surviving that horrible cancer. It was very nice of her to help you prune back the greenhouse plants. Duncan is a great worker. He seems to be very knowledgeable and a diligent worker. You and the family have been quite fortunate to become friends with so many amazing people with building skills. I look forward to your daily videos. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you out. Love to all there and stay safe. SH

[@deannamack2199]

You're my 1st Chateau subscription...which led to Chateau Diaries...then obviously to Dan the gardener, Marie & Selmar from there as well as Sadie, Ryan and Aunty Om & Sean from here. Love all of your channels and happily await the next videos from all! ❤ Janet now too!

[@jackiebosence3217]

We did exactly the same. Great vlogs all around

[@Moni-fc9zg]

Have you seen the vlog from Ted and Lesa @Chateau de Montmagner? Their vlogs are interesting as well😉

[@jeannettecrane3571]

Thank you so much for letting us into your life great video and I have enjoy all your videos You take care and do what you want we are just happy to see you back and happy Love from the rock 💕💕🌈

[@LordBurberryGB]

Dan the gardener said the the same and next thing he is already at vlog 61 from his 100 daily vlogs he set his goal to. Bon chance Michael !!!

[@stinki97128]

I wish u could see the big smile on my face as the intro music plays and I settle in for a visit with Michael. Looking forward to ur daily vlogs.

[@twobluestripes]

I think it’s great you’re setting yourself such a challenge! Dan was apprehensive about doing it as well, and it turned out so well for him. He seems to really enjoy it, i liked what he said about it making him appreciate the small ir “mundane” moments that he didn’t previously think were vlogable

[@amandalevy1227]

@Anna Timm. Yes, loved that observation of his, that making the videos made him more mindful and aware of the value of the mundane. Thanks for reminding of that observation of his! 😘

[@moniquegin8444]

Stephanies gardener Dan on Escape to Rural France does short vlogs everyday which is nice because alot of vloggers seem to post on same day so it gives me something to watch on other days. Dead, diseased, damaged and crossing (for trees)

[@gavsintasmaina]

@@NoOneHere2Day oh really we are all different than as I love watching Dan and his family. lol

[@rowenacountryman2242]

@@NoOneHere2Day I think he has transitioned beautifully into vlogs. In one year he went from being a carpenter to being a producer, editor, director, content creator, actor, camera man, and perfect human. There are so many keyboard specialist who make sure to find something they are doing wrong and point out all there faults bc I assume they are so unhappy in their own lives so they want to lash out at people to feel better about theirselves. It quite sad how cruel people are. They then don’t understand why the vlogger starts to get salty bc they are just trying to survive all of the negativity of people who try to destroy them. So I’m done but I really hope some of y’all rude, mean, and sad umm people learn to be a better human.

[@SandraWarmbreath]

@@NoOneHere2Day Oh, I think Dan's vlogs are vastly entertaining and he has learned so much so quickly! Especially his ability to take a tiny moment and make it beautiful & interesting & his editing is top notch. I am amazed he can produce that quality what with his job, wife& kids, plus his own renovations, just amazing!

[@jessicaboyajian3542]

@@SandraWarmbreath d

[@susanfabian1521]

@@NoOneHere2Day I have to disagree as well. I like Dan's vlogs

[@sandijack6724]

It’s lovely to have the happy Michael back and to see the progress on the cottage… With hugs from Australia…🌳🦘🦘🦘🌳

[@gerardhernandez4367]

Michael, it is so wonderful to see the light back in your eyes. I am so very happy for you. Thank you also for teaching me how to trim my tomatoe plants.

[@egwebb32]

Can't wait for the daily videos, no matter the length. The cottage has come so far; it's great to see your progress.

[@Etrescot]

The "funny looking" tomatoes look a lot like a variety called Smiley Worm. I grew them as a joke last year but they're a great paste/sauce tomato and very tasty.

[@blueyzsf]

LOL...I swear I've grown these, or perhaps it was just a mutated Roma bush!! 😜😜 Just ordered seed for next year.Thanks!

[@nannieg7622]

Will look forward very much to next week Michael 🎉🎉 Dan is up to no. 61 of his daily vlogs and 5/7 minutes per day is a perfect watch.

[@sugarbomb26]

Michael, you are just so lovely! Watching you and Janet chattering away, was so charming . Gardening is my passion and I hope you make many more vlogs in your garden. Love you and your channel, just discovered you and have been binge watching for several days.

[@kimberly_erin]

I very much enjoyed tomatoe pruning

[@101life9]

Here you have a great number of fans of Dan indeed. He is getting very popular 😂😂 ! Fab to see you getting busy in front of the camera again 👍

[@libbylife7161]

BEAUTIFUL day with friends!😍

[@elainewhyte1181]

So good to have you back Michael Do what you can We all like watching the everyday stuff

[@auntytutu]

Dan the Gardner from La Lande has been doing a vlog a day. Was only supposed to be for 30 days to pay for a new camera. He really likes it and is now up to 61 days in a row. Only 5 to 10 minutes long and they are great. Good to see you Michael, glad you are vaccinated!!!

[@claireskinner9077]

Have a look at what Dan from La Lande has done with the ceiling in his cottage lounge room - you could treat and oil your beams, then insulate and plaster board the same way. It keeps the character of the room, and adds lovely features that won’t cost you much!

[@FOPYSFrance]

OMG! I almost look like I know what I'm talking about! LOL! Thoroughly enjoyed that day!

[@lindaanderson7507]

I can see you are feeling better. I am so glad.

[@trishradloff8817]

This is so much fun!!!

[@kdean9537]

Hi Michael, your friend Janet is really lovely, I will definitely check out her channel! Great vlog, thank you for sharing, look forward to your daily vlogs, do what you can, it's just really nice to have you back! Take care, stay safe! Much love Kathy x (Ontario, Canada)

[@mavep2855]

Hi Michael. I also am a fan of Dan the gardener and his short dailies. Five to ten minutes a day seems perfect and alleviates my guilty fear of not getting my own work done. You are already very accomplished at interesting content, filming, music and editing as well as possessing a vivid imagination. Good luck with your goals. Thanks🙏🏻❤️

[@SandraWarmbreath]

May I suggest one of your first vlogs include putting right that beautiful little garden that your mum & Sadie planted in front of your cottage for you while you were in Spain! It's looking very sad and there's some nice plants in there worth saving. The Chateau gardens really missed you!

[@kerriegood1046]

We look forward to the daily vlogs. We believe you can do it. Dan the Gardener has had great success, his are pretty short, but it totally works. Best of Luck.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

An entire week of vlogs! I am literally giddy with excitement! It is going to be epic! You are making amazing progress with the cottage. Thank you for the video!

[@letticason8435]

I love how very versatile you are. Cook, builder, Gardner, designer, painter, videographer, and collector. 👏👏👏

[@dawnbuxton8204]

Duncan and Janet are lovely. Your tomatoes look amazing. Cottage is coming together!

[@christinabeck9316]

Your opening music brings JOY and ELATION to my heart and soul!!!❤️💫✨

[@jackmurray7837]

So glad the spark is back!

[@marilynmees1690]

YAY ... Michael every day ... I am going for another YAY !

[@jioljo6627]

Love your videos. I especially like the gardening and restoring the cottage.

[@maryannrecht7605]

I'm revisiting past vlogs because I miss you Michael. They are still very enjoyable. I hope your are still working on the cottage. Mary Ann Recht, Chicago.

[@littleone7404]

Michael I absolutely love the chairs The tomatoes in the garden are phenomenal

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

Don't hide those beams in the bedroom ceiling! Just insulate and board in between them. They are absolutely beautiful! I know there is something you can treat them with so the don't deteriate or if there is a bit of a smell it takes care of that! Really moving along and will be so happy to see all of your vlogs! You have been so missed and I look every morning to see if you have posted! God Bless You and Keep You Safe!

[@candicechristian7344]

Exactly agree..

[@johart8922]

I agree too. You can leave them exposed. It doesn't matter if they are wonky. That's an old building. I know someone who has a longere in Normandy who did that. They also left the beams that were part of the dividing walls up and took away the wattle and daub between. It increased light in building without taking away character.

[@ruthcarter8895]

Fopy’s France now has close to 2000 followers. When I started with her she has 294 followers. Yay! 😊

[@DoingItOurselvesOfficial]

I’m so happy for Janet, she had 44 subscribers when I uploaded the video. Thanks for showing your support xxx

[@nelks1284]

I am slowly going through your older videos such as this, and I so enjoyed this one with Ms. FOPY. Just a lovely chat. Please do more Michael. I miss you and Nick putting the organ back together. I’m sure you’ll be busy on the chapel ceiling at the convent soon.

[@jodic7760]

Hi Michael. One of the things you need to do for tomatoes, is get rid of the suckers. It is important to check them at least once a week. They will produce mor tomatoes in the long run.

[@sarahpenrose9681]

Very enjoyable I also love the quick daily blogs Dan the gardener does which shows they don’t have to be too long a snippet of your day will be fun to see . Love australia 🇦🇺

[@foretb1162]

Blossom end rot also occurs when the calcium in the soil is very low. Add some dry, crushed eggshells. Should help.

[@jessicaboyajian3542]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@barbibutton9619]

@@LC-bb6jd no way...will try. TY 🤔

[@susanfabian1521]

I've used wood ash in the soil of my tomatoes. I've also used bone meal.

[@PMPatte]

Yes, it is a calcium uptake problem, but it can be solved by regular watering. Some varieties of tomatoes and eggplants are more prone to it than others.

[@Peachy08]

I buy calcium tablets and poke them in the grou d next to the roots. They disolve slowly as you water.

[@goldenineke]

Dan the LaLande gardener has been doing this for over 60 days.

[@donnaclark2832]

Good luck with the daily vlogs Micheal 😊

[@priscillacatania6340]

Don’t stress about the vlogs. We love seeing what you’re doing. 💞💓💞

[@V.Hansen.]

What a nice couple. Thanks for introducing us

[@dianebaker5243]

Amazing the amount of tomatoes 🍅 you got in the greenhouse. Your upstairs is coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing 👍 🥰

[@tisha1109]

I’m so happy when I see a new video 🍾

[@amandalevy1227]

Those videos don't have to be long Michael! Just love to see your happy smile 😁

[@N-A-uw5fp]

We love dimmer switches! We have them all over our house. They’re wonderful for the evening when relaxing.

[@heathercave]

Today’s unplanned gardening video was wonderful and I learned so much… Michael your content whether 30 minutes or 10 minutes is so very enjoyable… Looking forward to whatever you choose to share.

[@kathyrogers1703]

You seem much more relaxed in this video, Michael! It was good to see you gardening with Janet. I am glad you don't seem to be as tense as you were. Enjoy your video making. No one should be mad at you if you miss a day. 😊 Just have fun!

[@helanalurie9962]

Ah, the tomatoes grew so high in such a short time! Definitely happy plants! So happy to see you have electricity upstairs! Thinks are coming along nicely. Can't wait to see this week's episodes: always enjoy a cup of coffee or 2 while watching. Take care!

[@ClaireDeLune2848]

Michael, you seem much more chipper as of late, I'm so happy to see you happy! Hope all is as well as it seems online, sending hugs from Germany! xx

[@kathleenclark5877]

Michael: your project while ambitious will be welcomed by all of your viewers. We have missed you! And, as others have commented, the daily vlogs need to be only 10 minutes long, max. We are all interested in little life snippets as we are living vicariously through your experiences in French daily life. What about pursuing your artwork? And continuing to design your own fabrics to which you would have sole rights? You are so very talented. I am sure you must have been told this before, but I shall repeat it: your eyes are a perfect Spode blue. Your conclusion made this perfectly obvious while you were sitting in front of your collection. Your daily vlogs are going to be brilliant!

[@sherryspotts8335]

So looking forward to seeing the finished upstairs room ☺I LUV LUV LUV 💓your kitchen 💖

[@brendam5356]

Fabulous Michael look forward to daily visits hopefully we’ll see your mum and dad and wee Bertie you can do it Happy you’re back mojo intact let’s go😍❤️👏👏👌

[@roannecampagnolo4629]

Great video! Was nice watching you and Janet pruning and chatting away. Love tomatoes ❤❤

[@nualafuller7223]

I agree with Scot and Wendy, just do what you can, have a look at Dan's vlog for a few tips even though from your earlier vlog episodes you should have no problems . Some are only 7/8 mins long .. looking forward to watching them. 💪🏻💪🏻🥰

[@diamondhair11]

I wouldn't cover that stone in the cottage. I love that rough/distressed look, probably because we don't have much of it here in America. Of course there are some places where you can find old houses, cottages (I live about 10 minutes from a place called German Village in Ohio). Where a lot of Germans settled in about 1802. That is early for us...Well we do have The Roanoke colony , estab. 1585 and Jamestown in 1607. ..Oh and Plymouth Rock, 1620...... Thank you for carrying a lovely channel.

[@susantaylor1359]

The cottage is coming along nicely

[@jacquelynhollinger4006]

Brilliant!! Looking forward to your daily videos!

[@FruHansen1957]

Michael , just do short videos 8 - 10 min , just take your camera with you and show us some of your daily stuff, stop to look at a Flower, a nice scenery, and what ever you are doing at your cottage, it do not need to be "in debt" videos, as it is not "how too" videos, just to show some progress of what you are doing there. Just show us whatever you fancy 🤩 In other words, you have "grown" on us spectators, and we like , as much as you will allow us, the "peek" into your life. Stay Safe🙏 , do not get stress 😉👍

[@marielcalder103]

You've summed up nicely what I was thinking Pia. ☺️

[@lisaakinlabi]

Glad you seem to feel better - looking forward to your future videos :)

[@susancollado5290]

💕Your looking so much better💕I/we look forward to seeing your daily videos💕

[@wendydennis9127]

Great to see you happy again. Great tomato crop. Well done👍

[@sharon9399]

Yes Michael a daily video, I am here for it.

[@suefrantom6355]

Love whatever you do Micheal, always look forward to watching your vlogs. Thanks for the escapism. 🥰🇬🇧🥰

[@hazeltourabaly5202]

Hi. I’m Janet’s sister Hazel! I’ll be watching the video(s) later! 👌🏼🙂

[@karenh7537]

Dan the gardener from the chateau started doing daily vlogs to pay for a new camera and has enjoyed it! So has continued doing it

[@desirepflugbeil8986]

How nice it is to see the progress and the pruning. 😁

[@AuntieDeb71]

Lovely to see the kitchen shelving styled and all the extra visually distracting stuff removed from them. Letting that Spode keep pride of place. Good luck with that daily plan!

[@sanyaomerovic1659]

We’ll love your vlogs, it’s given, whatever you record. I like diy and gardening, and just seeing all that beautiful, green, lush nature surrounding historical buildings is a high for me. Thank you !

[@TheBereangirl]

Michael! You are a mad mad MAD man!😂 I'll pray for you that you have the STRENGTH to do a video every day.💕

[@archiebald4717]

Love you, love your family, love your videos, love the intro music.

[@jeanblyth6095]

Great to see you back Michael 😙bring on next week look forward to your daily vlogs 👌you have been missed ❤❤❤❤

[@cherylmcgrath9081]

So happy your home is coming together. Looks GREAT! LOVE from Chicago

[@janekeleher3090]

looking forward to daily vlogs!

[@KrisanthiaMum]

Good to see work done in the cottage and cleaning up the tomatoes in the greenhouse 🥰

[@Rebekahlow]

I just signed up for Janet's new channel. Thanks for introducing us to Janet!! Love from Vermont

[@helloworld5182]

Lots of energy in the vlog today! 😊

[@francetellier7489]

so looking forward to the daily videos....😃

[@RTCPhotoWork]

You can take the suckers you cut off a tomato plant and replant it directly or put it in a glass of water to grow roots before planting it. You get more plants and fruit that way, without taking away from the "mother" plant and its fruit.

[@christopherstottart]

I think the daily vlogs could be great! It'll be nice to get daily snippets of what's going on. Even if they're only 5-10 minutes long. Make them rough and ready and have fun!

[@elizabethcunningham2829]

Michael is a million miles away from rough and ready

[@angelapogue2666]

People really don't pay attention, do you seriously think he hasn't seen anyone else's videos get real. They all show support great for each other. Good vlogs Michael :)

[@roxanneparisher6698]

Looking forward to the videos! ❤️

[@daniellereid01]

Hello Michael! I loved this vlog and really enjoy just everyday, puttering around the house stuff, too. Don't worry about making long videos as 5 minutes is just great, plus don't stress about needing to keep up the everyday commitment. It's just really nice to see you back 💕

[@patriziadelorenzis378]

Cottage Is looking beautful, happy chickens, ( make great eggs) , lovely moment with Janet wonderful tomatoes.Nice to see your serene self. Bravo ragazzo!