SPRING CLEANING THE CHATEAU!

Spring cleaning continues at the chateau, as all three Ians start working! A brace of Ian's clear the Room of Doom and we start planning future apartments in the outbuildings, whilst Ian the Electrician sets about improving our internet with a new, ingenious plan! Meanwhile, Matt completes the first phase of Plan: Gutter! Annelise transforms my hair and the chickens enjoy the sunshine...
The Chateau Diaries Episode 197 ✨🏰✨
Escape to the chateau with ’The Chateau Diaries’ 🏰
This channel follows the adventures of chatelaine Stephanie in her French 16th century home, the Chateau de Lalande, in the heart of rural France ❤️
We share our life in this ancient chateau in the heart of the French countryside, and show you the diy, renovations, crafts, cooking and gardening that are needed to bring a home like this to life!
A very special thank you to all of you who have become Patrons of the Chateau de Lalande. You have made The Chateau Diaries one of the top 400 Patreon accounts in the world, and have transformed not only out lives here, but the future of this beautiful chateau! I’m overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. On behalf of this beautiful chateau that will continue to survive and flourish because of you, thank you!!!
If you're interested in become a Patron of The Chateau Diaries, click here: / thechateaudiaries

[@jolynnpuente347]

Stephanie, you need to call your Bee guy and have him come catch that swarm or get a beehive box for them. They are GOLD for your garden.

[@terrigray6044]

My thoughts exactly! 🐝

[@toddekstrom7963]

Bees are just setting up a way station between the area they are suppose to be at and where they want to be. They got such little wings to get around on. Must be tiring.

[@lcg5790]

@@toddekstrom7963 Oh, is that true?

[@elewysoffinchingefeld3066]

It's about the right time of year for bees to swarm, and if the bee man hasn't been giving the hives room to expand, they're going to see more than one swarm!

[@fionaokeefe1906]

Are they honey bees? She can harvest the honey!

[@eledatowle7128]

"An absolutely delicious collection of bidets" - A phrase that never, in all of history, has been uttered in the USA. LOL!

[@marie-claudedavid3539]

That is the most hilarious comment and so true!

[@michelerandall123]

You know it is Spring, because a "Flock of Ians" have returned to LaLande and the places is buzzing with activities inside and out.

[@miss6me9]

😀

[@Helenross]

bringing with them lots of pastries!

[@dyrekvellnagel3011]

IAN ,I am loving the facial landscaping. Stephanie you are a marvel, joyful , loving , giving , obviously just what everyone needs. Thank you sweet child at heart.

[@maynewell3475]

Jenny is such a bubbly positive energy.

[@janetburridge8423]

I was just thinking the same.

[@annaibarra3447]

She is, full of energy and eager to help Lalande while "Mummy" is away. Yeah!

[@susantaylor1359]

It is lovely to see Jenny at the Chateau. Dinner look delicious. There is so many things happening at Lalande. Hope all is well with Phillip's family and yes it will be interesting to see the clothes he brings back. Safe trip Phillip

[@chasethecat3839]

Yes just loving her

[@juliegibbons5988]

@@Rochestergrad.74 maybe it's just bees collecting something from the tree also and not a hive. I have this in the Med and it can be soooo many bees visiting throughout the day but there are simply shopping for their daily groceries and then go home some to wherever they live. :-)

[@ruthpackard3080]

Perhaps Jenny could graft a couple of starts from her cherry tree for the LaLande garden?!! What a treat that would be for future generations!!

[@247crl]

Gerry's Apartment!!!!! YEA!!! I totally miss him in the vlogs. He is such a joy. I cannot wait until he returns.

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

I am so thrilled you're starting on my new private suite. A huge thank you to all of the Patreons who've made it possible. A big obvious wink and loads of hugs from an equally (today only) sunny Seattle! Cheers! Cameron

[@chrisjulian83]

Stephanie, I watched all of your episodes when you were on the escape diy shows. I have to tell you they were good, but your KZbin channel is amazing! I live in the states and when you take us around your home for an average day I feel like I’ve gone on a wonderful trip. Your charm and personality really come right through the lens. My husband and I love watching your shows, and yes your chickens are adorable . Keep the show coming, thanks Chris J.

[@marylapointe6674]

Stephanie, Stephanie......we just watched the Cadeaux at The Chateau where you presented the scholarship to that lovely young woman. I was in tears literally. Especially in her interview when she mentioned that she would take her Grandmother to a buffet so she could have meat. We are so very, very blessed in our lives as most of us are in Canada and Europe etc . Thank you so much for the goodness and light you and the LaLande gang bring to this world. You are truly an inspiration...... sending love and light Mary Lapointe

[@msb5775]

Steph has an unorthodox living situation. She has a mother but also a stepfather, a cousin who she considers to be like a brother and a family friend who’s basically an adoptive brother to her. A very loving environment, plus her friends as well.

[@salt8661]

The chicken’s ‘bottom swaying in the wind’ comment got me😆😆😆🐓😍🦋🌱💖💫💖🌱🦋💫

[@lizadams3541]

👏👏👏👏👏 to all the patrons making all these improvements possible.

[@amandalevy1227]

Ditto patrons!

[@JudyCraigDexterME]

I could just watch this activity day after day!!! So great knowing so many people are employed doing all these projects renovating the Chateau!!!! Steff GREAT JOB!!!! You should be so proud of yourself for all the hard work and organization skills and all your staff!

[@kateforsyth1133]

I like that you make me smile even when your sharing clearing trash, drain installation and your used bidet collection.

[@mariak9727]

🤣😂I agree!🥰

[@robsondog01hazel47]

"That's my Mother's blanket", reminds me of Mr. Pethericks trip to the tip, "That's my Christmas present from Stephanie Jarvis, that's my lighting for the cottage", It happens. Stephanie, your project management is second to none. :)

[@wellnone9367]

That lady who has come to help with the garden, sowing seeds, is just lovely - what a darling. And it was so exciting to hear the woodpecker drumming on the trees in the background - the most energetic sign of Spring.

[@lesanienhuis4802]

Safe travel Phillip.

[@kerriegood1046]

Safe Travels Philip, you will be missed and hopefully your trip goes well.

[@carriagecottage1257]

Jenny is so lovely! 🦚 Hopefully she’ll feature a lot during here visit and will come back often!🦚

[@gardenglam3451]

Wow! You are experiencing Spring-like weather in France! Here in Canada we are still embedded in ice and snow. But it hasn’t been a harsh winter in any way. Really pleasant, actually. Your Spring cleaning makes me believe anything is possible!!! I have so much to do here both inside and out. I love hearing about your planned projects! The Scotsman will love his appartement for sure! Your show has been a lifeline during this pandemic and speaks to many things that resonate with me; chateau, gardening, restoration, clean-outs, cooking, woodworking, . . . Thank you, Stephanie and all the wonderful Lalanders! Kerry Lynn from 🇨🇦

[@Padraigan13]

Canada covers 9,984,670 km2 (3,855,100 sq mi) and a panoply of various geoclimatic regions. Here in the South Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada: it is mild and beautiful; so not all of Canada is in a deep freeze! :)))

[@cameo403]

Here on Vancouver Island, Canada it is very mild and a lovely day. We only had about 10cm of snow where I am all winter, and it lasted only a day.. 🙂

[@cameo403]

@Shelley Poole. Small world!!

[@gardenglam3451]

I’m from Ontario. We get a winter here but this year not too harsh.

[@annawinkel6509]

Always more fun to watch someone else clean!

[@jojoply]

Why I love to watch cleaning vlogs.

[@trevorward9680]

"Delicious collection of bidet's" only Stephanie could get away with that one liner. x

[@lrlasvegas6427]

I was going to say the same thing! Lol

[@chrisbeckstrom6182]

They would be lovely potted up with flowers, displayed in the fountain garden..

[@rolo4945]

Leave one egg behind each time put a cross on it so you can rotate the day older egg, then they will go back to that one egg to lay more. Hopefully Stephanie will read this note ❤️🐔🐤🐣🐥

[@nataliaoliveto7077]

we will try that!! thanks Rose

[@terrigray6044]

I know some people use a painted wooden egg for the same reason.

[@eleanormilbak5511]

I date my newly laid eggs with a date in pencil

[@juliaclark4520]

My sister just leaves a golf ball 🤔

[@rolo4945]

Lol, we tried a table tennis ball, a stone, a golf ball (because the hen pecked and rolled the lighter ball away) the hen saw the “egg” as foreign, that’s why we just left one of her own...”clever” hen kept coming back each day to lay more, same place 😀

[@shanecrawford6023]

Stephanie, being probably one of your first (1000) subscribers I have to say. Whoa, what a turn around, I did not think all this would have been possible. In such a short time ,you have started great projects. Now we are seeing all the work starting and coming together, all the best to your patreons. I’m sorry to say that I have not been one of them, till now.keep going, RCN Canada

[@PinkRose_1]

Lot's of love for you Steph, you have no idea how much your vlogs mean to me! Thank you! xoxo

[@carolweaver3269]

Love Swiss Chard, Whenwe lived in the country we planted it one year and did not have a fence up around our veggies and We woke up in the morning and found deer prints around the garden and the Swiss Chard was gone! W looking forward to it o much, and then it was gone just by the visit of a deer! Then my husband worked all day to place a fence up and in the evening I am in the house and looked out the window and notice a rabbit running around near the fenced area and hurrying as fast as can be and I could not figure if it as inside the garden or outside. Well, it was inside, we had to open the door to the garden and let a rabbit out that must have been watching (closely) while my husband ( Danny ) was putting it up, but little did he know the rabbit would have the first choice to all the lettuce and Swiss chard and whatever he/she pleased! Love animals, they are truly fun! Smarter than we know. They do not miss much. Take care Philip and may your travel home all come out fine and may you return safely and soon, as possible. Great Selmar is back and all of our Ian's of La Lande are very busy. So much to be done and looks like it will be absolutely fantastic with the new bedrooms and small suits( some larger than we may think, put in for so many more to enjoy!.) Jenny seems so much of a delight. Very nice to have her get some of the gardening started, that is such a help! Love your new color of hair Stephanie! It seems to always look nice on you though! You are lucky.

[@stefaniesombaty8980]

If those are honey bees in the shrub, call your beekeeper so that they can be caught and put into a proper hive. If not no one will be able to get near that bush as they will defend themselves. Free bees!!!

[@wildflowerwind6941]

Stephanie, I like how fast you make decisions.

[@maureenreid]

Can't wait till Gerry returns and has his own apartment 💚🐞🦋🐝🐾🤗

[@saraheschweiler4939]

Stephanie, it is wonderful to see all this jolly progress at Lalande! Please, here's a question for you: When you are doing all this remodeling, do you have to get permission, design approvals, & permits from the local government? Or, can you just do as you wish with your château? If anyone else at Lalande could answer this question, too, I'd welcome hearing from them, also...whomever might have a moment to reply? Thank you bunches for considering my queries! 🙏🌿🌺🌿💚💙💜🌿🌺🌿🙏

[@mrs.e3909]

With spring coming I am feeling like buying myself flowers to keep in the house until my garden blooms. Marie's bouquets inspire me!

[@eledatowle7128]

We just put a deposit on Starlink, too! SOOOO excited! We have terrible internet in Maine, US... We can't upload videos at all. I can't wait for Starlink!

[@Randy8923]

The many projects going on are most exciting! Everything is progressing splendidly! Enjoyed. Love to all ❤

[@jennimalham6381]

Wow, what a lot is going on. Looking forward to all the good things that are happening this year.

[@katieirish5765]

I can't wait for Gerry to come back!

[@bredaswitzer1948]

I can't wait to see gerrys appartment when it's all done,it's going to look fab😀hopefully we'll get to see Scotsman soon when it's safe for him to travel, it's great to see all the work being done at lalande and your hair looks fab as always, well done annalise 🤗🐝🦋🌻

[@shirleykneece5438]

The Chateau between the grounds the gardens and all the improvements is truly lovely and a testament to how much love and devotion you have put into your home Stephanie and those that love you Bravo Julia Elizabeth KNEECE GREGG

[@suetracy8760]

I feel as though I know you all! Thank you again for sharing you’re beautiful lives!!✨😊💕

[@shae5592]

This vlog was just what I needed today. It really lifted my spirit and energy, even though I started watching it as a form of procrastination I was smiling the whole way through. And i just thought after finishing the vlog, “I need more! I need more.” I seriously can never get enough of your channel stephanie. And i truly can not thank you enough for all the joy and inspiration you give me in every video. As an 18 year old university student from New Zealand watching these vlogs is such an escape from reality, and it really helps me remember my dream of someday owning a Chateau too!

[@mattlaramie5400]

"OVER THE MOON HERE IN CALIFORNIA"" with excitement watching all of the many projects & progress ! I am so happy for all of you and can't wait to come visit. Much Love ! Xoxo 🌴

[@monikastuckey8737]

Wow! How exciting to see the drainage done and the room cleared. Will be great to have the apartments started! Those daffodils were stunning! So nice to see all of the Ians working! The seedlings coming up. Yay! Safe journey to Phillip! Hope you resolve the family issue easily.

[@PMyers-nn5cz]

Lovely to see an earlier morning sky, more of this please. You have wonderful tradespersons they are all a blessing to you.

[@mavep2855]

Spring cleaning, daffodils and gardening 🧑‍🌾, doesn’t get better than that. The ghost of Lalande is true to his word-attracting good people to the chateau.❤️🙏🏻

[@rockinneverrollin8979]

Lovely! I would love to see how that new French drain alongside of the foundation is working. Keeping water away from buildings is a never ending process. Thank you Stephanie!

[@brownetesa]

Loved this vlog. I had such a wonderful variety of things going on. JENNY is so joyful and nice. We would have a great time gardening together. So nice of her to cook that super dinner for you all. Ian is going to be a busy man with all of the renovation plans.

[@joechristmasdk]

So much action, don't forget the footage of the rest of the Ians

[@joechristmasdk]

Perhaps it has not been featured here on youtube?

[@geenagr]

I don't know why renovations make me so happy. Very excited to see an update on the downstairs loo as well.

[@AvaT42]

Wow! Gerrys room will look fantastic! It already looks fantastic, I love the height and the beams and the views❣️😍. I look forward to watching this renovation.

[@toddekstrom7963]

Let’s all get together and buy him a trampoline.

[@chasethecat3839]

@@toddekstrom7963 ha!!

[@nuttisniche1717]

!!YAY!!! another piece of Lalande to be restored for the future!! A perfect perch for Scottman who could not deserve it more! I may not be anything but a viewer who...likes.share and comment but I still feel connected to this magical place not just Lalande but this little part of France...with Stephanie to bring us into her dream with her and Selmar's country side visits. you dont find all these simple yet memorable history in any travel brochure/video! THANK YOU!!

[@mariak9727]

🥰SO TRUE!!🥰

[@hatshepsut8329]

It is so great to see so much happening at the chateau! It is so nice having Jennie there...she seems like a gal who knows how to get things done. Annalise did another magnificent job on Stephanie’s hair. Can’t wait to see Scotman in his new digs when it is ready!

[@christophercunningham3679]

I am watching all these wonderful (but money consuming things) happening in the last few episodes and have to thank all the patreons for the assets that make this work happen. To Phillip best of with your family problems. They can range for "how can I be related to these people" to genuine problems. Lets all hope for the lesser and our thoughts are with you what ever it is.

[@Ab0m1nable]

The old hangar would make such a lovely semi outdoor theatre, performance, events, wedding space as well.

[@estherquezada9054]

Watching all the progress happen so fast is such a dream! Especially looking back to how slow everything lulled to. Such a magical time!💙 We will all miss Philip for sure!

[@jennifersclubhouse6516]

That groundfloor room is huge, heated floor will be good. Just discover Your videos and its very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@julielozano1852]

Gonna show the chickens your hair 😂😂 I love it when you feel that good after a hair do 👍👍

[@patdowney4984]

It will be great for Gerry to have his own apartment .Stephanie your hair is beautiful x

[@LCM8992]

Seeing that almost empty room is so satisfying. I've watched this so many times. I don't like cleaning, but other ppl cleaning is another story

[@kimba80]

I rarely comment on appearance, but can't help myself... Annalise is such a beautiful Soul and simply has a magic touch! Your Hair Stephanie has never looked better since she has taken over. What a delight and such a heavenly luxury during these times :) Much Love to all you gorgeous Souls at LaLande from California

[@juliegibbons5988]

I want to go just to have my hair done by her!!! ;-)

[@rhondacrosswhite8048]

We haven’t heard from Gerald our favourite Scotsman. How is he coping with lockdown in the U.K.?

[@lcg5790]

Yes! I would love to see his adorable face and hear his cheeky voice to know if he is well. Good luck Phillip, sorry for your difficulty.

[@karinbergman1646]

We MISS YOU, SCOTMAN!!! 🙏🏻💗❣️💗🙏🏻

[@chasethecat3839]

Loving Jenny. I think Mummy will feel the garden is in capable hands between Jenny and Dan. We hope. 🙂 was wondering if chickens and peacocks get a long

[@gardenglam3451]

Also, I love seeing Phillip at the chateau and hope he returns very soon. He has such a charming personality and has a great sense of humour. He definitely brings the je ne sais quoi to the party and should be a permanent fixture--as should Selmer! Both are such gentlemen with such gentle spirits! Love and hugs to all!

[@hollyssimplelife1634]

Hopefully he will return

[@gardenglam3451]

I’m from Ontario! 😁

[@gardenglam3451]

I hope so. All the Lalanders seem to have a special touch to bring to different aspects of the chateau and chateau life! 😊

[@jmk1962]

Wow, what an action packed episode and a plethora of Ian's once again. You really have to rename the Ian's Stephanie so I know which one is which. Ian B - (the builder), Ian P - (the plumber) and Ian E - the electrician). I was the person who suggested the names for the female peacocks, Gill-ian, Lill-ian and Viv-ian, so maybe IanP, IanB and IanE?

[@MP-js5ro]

So exciting!! Since a French Chateau doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me any time soon, you’ve inspired me to start turning my run of the mill Florida home into a chateau! I think white oak floors will be first 🤞 Also, can we get a Mummy & Gerry update? Much love from FL

[@linedallaire9631]

Hurry back Philip.... we miss you already...hope everything is ok back home xxx.

[@terricheney1724]

I'm so excited to hear and see all that is going on in the Chateau...I can't wait to see all the work coming together.

[@harrytuttle0]

Hair looks amazing as always! 💇👱‍♀️

[@zulemaalamo4863]

What a nice bunch of help and it is great to have Jenny help out, since we will all miss Philip very much.

[@kellyc1327]

You know you’re a loyal fan when you can recite the intro word for word😂

[@danaholt1720]

My favorite videos are of the renovations inside , outside and all around !!!!

[@kerryowen-holmes3719]

All so exciting 😊 Can’t wait to see Gerry’s apartment and all the other projects! Even the French drain made me happy 😃🇦🇺

[@robinchurch5658]

Hoping and praying your family situation will work out well and you can hurry back to LaLande, Phillip! Will so miss your puns, snorts, kindness and love of woodland creatures. My dear brother David passed away the first of February and I now have his 11 year old golden retriever Cooper to help comfort me. In honor of Philip, the first toy I bought him was a squeaky hedgehog and he carries it with him everywhere. A big thank you to the entire LaLande family for the love and laughter they have continually brought to my life during this incredibly sad time.

[@mariak9727]

😢I’m so sorry for your loss!💕

[@letacarr6121]

Yay for the Ian’s!! Jenny is a lovely lady.

[@kathyhurst4159]

I know your thinking ground floor apartment however it might make a. Great studio for Xmas and when Chateau is full as well as parcel storage, office and projects/ framing area.

[@jacquelinereynolds2934]

Another apartment can be rented out.

[@jennimalham6381]

Dahlias grown from seeds are bedding plants an will usually only last for one year. They're great for colour in the borders .

[@judithp8552]

Nice to know

[@NYMusic89563]

“Picasso with her magnificent bottom waving in the air “ best quote of the day 😊

[@cheriesharp234]

Love to see all your projects coming along, your hair looks fabulous thanks to the lovely Annalise. I hope everything is ok for Philip back home in Holland. Isabelle will be dying to get back to play in her green house, you’ve done a great job with the seedlings. Xxx

[@marleyburkhardt3714]

Phillip is such a nice guy. I bet it'll be so weird without him there.

[@rosestefonowich1163]

What has happened to Phillip

[@valeriejohnson5283]

I thought Philip was staying for longer! Oh, Philip had a family matter to attend to. He will be back in a week! 😊😊🤗🤗🤗🐝🐝🐝

[@fayecox9401]

I’m glad he be coming back ,have a safe journey Phillip and hope what ever it is be ok 🙏

[@fayecox9401]

@@valeriejohnson5283 I’m glad he be coming back

[@dawngough1133]

IANVASION!!!!!!!!

[@letacarr6121]

Hahaha! 😂

[@sullivantan6838]

Lol

[@msilas5577]

Good one! Hahaha

[@theresaromero2855]

Sigh 😌 What a fulfilling LaLande dose. 💗☺️🙏

[@marchjescanlin7436]

What a joy to see all this cleaning out and to actually see a space wow... will make lovely apartments. Hehe I'll have one of them. Yeah should be so lucky. Makes one feel really good that things are going forward Steph. But a lot to do. And all the moisture taken care off. Spring coming and everything going forward. Yeah fab. So good to see. Xxx western australia

[@scooman]

I love the work outside, clean out, developing Scotsman’s apartment etc. Very exciting!

[@arlenaroche4960]

I was getting so excited when Ian and Stephanie were planning out the changes coming. There was a hub of activity going on! We are seeing the first signs of Spring where I live and I am just itching to get out into my garden.

[@kinou_clem__6366]

Same ! I only have a tiny terrace with just 2 hours of direct sun during the spring and summer. But you better believe I make the most of it and I did grow a few veggies last year. What do you grow in your garden ?

[@arlenaroche4960]

@@kinou_clem__6366 I have about 3 acres so I grow alittle bit of everything vegetable wise. I am experimenting with creating a cut flower garden this year so that probably what I am most excited for!

[@kinou_clem__6366]

@@arlenaroche4960 wow that is amazing! I know one day I will have a big garden like yours. It is definitely a dream I want to make a reality. Do you live in Europe ?

[@penihavir1777]

Our snow is finally starting to melt. So lovely to see spring elsewhere! ♥️

[@MarciaLeeful]

It is still winter here in Northern Michigan USA (12F) and it is so very lovely to see your spring begin in France. Such an exciting time to see all the projects begin! So very happy for you! I have really loved watching your blogs! It brings light and joy to my snowy day!

[@tootsla1252]

Greetings from Oregon, USA!

[@Msfinable]

Was I a builder/someone else who could work restoring the chateau, I’d love that! Imagine having a full career (or many years of work, at least) working there and seeing your work really have an impact on something so beautiful!

[@edsamson8916]

Annalise is a woman of many talents

[@AmmaLove24]

"*what* a chicken" -Stephanie 😄🤣

[@dougl945]

Call a Bee Keeper. They can capture the swarm and you can have amazing honey.

[@versatile6664]

Wow everybody so busy including the chickens. I love this vlog but, I'm going to miss Philly, hoping everything goings well with him and family ❤️🌷🏵️🌼🌺

[@rolo4945]

A much loved Chateau, restored with ❤️

[@cynthialuna5786]

I love that your Chateau always has some kind of flowers. Depending on season. It totally describes it is own and run by a Lady. It is you Stephanie. Can't wait to see the design of future rooms. Enjoyed this vlog. Thank you , take care and God bless all of you.

[@tinathene]

I really enjoyed your following the fluffy chickens around and admiring the beautiful eggs collected so far! Congratulations on a substantial 3 loads of junk removal, proper (French) drainage and prep to start renovating 2 new studio apartments! Suggestion: how about sculpting the giant boxwood bush into a beehive dome? (Ha) If, however, the bees have to be moved, I hope you can establish your own apiary!!! One day, I can imagine your shop selling pretty postcards, local honey, mistletoe and all sorts of chateau-grown tea and herbal blends!

[@bethanya99]

I have to say, I am a huge fan of the Ian's. The jolly one, the sweet one, and the cheeky one.

[@kinou_clem__6366]

I was just able to become a Patreon yesterday after watching the vlogs for a year ! I am so excited !!! This spring clean is giving me so much joy and hope. It feels so good to see everything happening and the château improving bit by bit.

[@BlackDino468]

Yay! I'm happy for you, I felt the same way when I joined. Really, for a minimum of $5 a month, you get 4 to 5 extra full pieces of content. Like the price of a coffee. More than reasonably priced, by a margin. I know that money on Patreon goes toward renovations but honestly I'd be more than happy whatever Jarvis did with the money, because she's working hard. It's her work, blood, sweat, and tears, plenty of reason just like anybody else to make an honest living whether it's for a historic building or just their life and days. Anyway. You've got so much new footage to watch now! Exciting

[@kinou_clem__6366]

@@BlackDino468 Thank you! That’s true, and it adds so much joy into my life, it is more than well worth the money. Being French I am also very glad I can help restore such a beautiful piece of the history of my country. I do have a lot of footage to watch but I have been very naughty the last two days and I have already watched a lot of the videos ...

[@BlackDino468]

@@kinou_clem__6366 Oh definitely, I can see the French connection would carry the personal meaning. I think I'd feel the same. I hope you go and make a visit, and we see you in the vlog! :D It would actually be really to cool hear what a French person thinks seeing all the activity and English spin. Did you watch that French TV show where Lalande won the bed and breakfast competition? I don't think we're able to see it easily outside of France xx

[@kinou_clem__6366]

@@BlackDino468 I actually would love to go in July to help for 2 weeks. I’m a pastry cook and chocolate maker, I’ve also worked as a cook and love to garden. But I’m not sure they need any more people this summer. I still have to send a mail to Nati. I have not seen the French TV show because I’ve been living in Brussels (same city as Nick, Marie and Antoine) for a few years. And I don’t actually have a TV. Are you planning to go to the chateau someday ?

[@BlackDino468]

​@@kinou_clem__6366 oh. my. gosh. That would be so cool for them to have you, and that you're a fan who actually makes pastry and chocolate. That's like a match made in heaven....Lalande could have some chocolate making vlogs, which of course would be wonderful. I will say, as you are a chocolate maker, I used to live in Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica (my #1 place in the world to live, and I traveled for 10 years, so that's saying something). And Puerto Viejo is slowly building their Chocolate Festival, focusing on full bean-to-bar chocolate making. Talamanca chocolate will be world-famous, some day I believe, and it's all due to a really wonderful and specifically humble man from the American midwest who recognized all the wonderful knowledge of the indigenous from generational chocolate plantations being LOST (rumor has it chiquita banana company brought a fungi to kill the chocolate trees in early 1900s, to buy out the plantations for bananas cheap). He PAID the indigenous for their invaluable knowledge to help rebuild and work his plantation, to rebuild their own plantations, paid better than any other agricultural job in the region, he knew they were valuable and needed to be compensated for the future. He leant 5 other families his $10k and $20k pieces of chocolate making equipment that they'd never have otherwise, just to grow the industry and make sure he had competitors, and the knowledge of chocolate plantations in Talamanca wouldn't be lost. I've worked in one of the buildings with this man, he is not focused on being rich, he is focused on enriching where he lives and on enriching the lives of the people where he lives. They even do chocolate crawl with maps during the festival, where you get a map and go around to each and every chocolate maker....it gave so many local families jobs. All the kids make skits to perform dances during the festival. Truly a wonderful thing, and I love how he wasn't afraid to embrace competition....he deliberately built it, knowing it would better his town and region. I really hope you check it out some day as a chocolate maker. It's the spirit of the chocolate tree. Bean-to-bar is really important since only about ~1% of chocolate makers are bean-to-bar or even see the farms of where they buy their beans. Puerto Viejo has chocolate tours throughout the year, too. Very fun, with chocolate flavor mixings with spice. Also, the band Sublime actually wrote some of their songs for one of their last albums while there, if you can catch them talking about Costa Rica in some of the lyrics...it's Puerto Viejo! Puerto Viejo is one of the only fully Caribeno places in CR, everything else is largely Spanish heritage, now being overtaken by Americanism. It's an interesting vibe in the town. I would like to go to the chateau some day, maybe even June as a chambre dote guest? We'll see how flights are allowed into France at that time? (Sorry for the long reply, I felt it was a perfect time to talk about Talamanca!)

[@maryg.249]

Would love it if you could do a FaceTime with Scotsman and mummy and Percy, then record it for us. All the business going on at the chateau is exciting. Flowers, renovations, haircuts! Bye Philip, hope all goes well at home. Hopefully you can get back into France ok. Mary

[@susanbender2953]

When the vid ends I always want more. I'll have to try to become a patron. I never had any interest in France , but Stephanie you have taught how to appreciate and enjoy French culture. Thank you.

[@elisabethderu1817]

Lots going on. Hope everything is OK for Phillip. Safe journey!

[@janegendreau6595]

Philip will be sorely missed while he is in Holland!! Praying all is well for him there!!! USA

[@hilltopgirl2665]

its coming autumn here in Australia, so I'm already grieving the sunshine going away. So watching you step into yr magnificent spring is very welcome.

[@michellezevenaar]

I always remind my self in fall that it's time to enjoy all sorts of winter foods like hot chocolate! That helps winter feel more like a happy time of year.

[@christinesavage4837]

Given it was 37 degrees on Sunday Feb 28 in SE Qld, summer still a bit of sting yet 😎

[@LCM8992]

@@christinesavage4837 in Perth we had a months worth of rain in about an hour. It went from 32 and sunny to grey and 18 for about 2 days.

[@NatiHerron]

So fun seeing all the activity happening! Oh and the sunny weather, delightful almost feels like I'm on vacation 😎