Excavating of Cottage Floor Leads to a Mystery

In this video l start to dig the entrance area of the cottage floor, and unearth a mysterious void.
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Here on my channel, I am renovating a 250 year old stone cottage on my property in Normandy, France. By using traditional, low-waste and off-grid methods, I'm aiming to keep the charm and character of this old building, and turn it into a furnished, finished home for family whilst keeping environmental impact as low as possible. There will also be content on living in France, visiting beautiful rural places, hunting for antiques, gardening and more! Hit subscribe if you would like to keep up with my journey, and hit the notification bell to be alerted when we go LIVE where we have a first viewing of the video as it is published with a live chat so I can answer all your questions! See you in Sean's World.

[@debbiekalynuk4217]

Could the holes been for drainage when it was an animal shed? Back breaking work there, Sean! Stay safe and listen to your body.

[@Seans_World]

Thanks, this was never an animal shed, it's a farmhouse workers cottage

[@melissaroth4467]

The cradle is perfect for the cottage! Anything too fancy wouldn't belong. It's a cottage, not a chateau. lol

[@StonedustandStardust]

What a lovely cradle, not crude at all. Someone crafted it with love for a family member.💖

[@lisabisco3583]

Sean...you are very kind to the critters and I deeply appreciate it❤

[@lindacushing7780]

I'd Metal detect all that dirt that comes out.Never know what's in there. I just turn the stairs around.

[@lauralake7430]

Metal detecting could be fun! Maybe theres a local club that would enjoy going through the diggings!

[@katherineleavitt7275]

Sean I would save that little cradle for any grand babies you might have in the future, it's too nice to put wood in.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

It is of more use to him now then keeping it for grandchildren he may never have!

Was hoping for Templar treasure. We know, Sean, you’re a treasure for sure 💕

[@suzannepolder3929]

Your idea to have a couple stone steps, a stone landing and then the ladder up is a great plan.

[@JennyA1961]

Oh my goodness, that cradle is an amazing find. Just beautiful! ❤🐨

[@judithburke1539]

Maybe save it for a grandchild???

[@lauralake7430]

I think the kitties would enjoy sleeping on the cradle! My cats look mighty cute sleeping in an antique dolls bed with a little knitted blanket on it!

[@lorikeller7990]

The cradle is a true antique. Please do not use it as a wood box. Leave it as intended !!

[@janetpendlebury6808]

These things were made for using, nobody is going to use it as a cradle these days, so why not turn it into something usable? I have an old one that I have turned into a planter box.

[@wiggy3333]

@@janetpendlebury6808thank you Janet, I was about to type that.

[@carladejonge4951]

Sean, you are such an industrious worker! That amount of rock was a surprise! I would do some investigating other barn structures on line! The craddle is precious & I think your plans to repurpose is perfect! Maybe line it with some kind of metal, to take the beating of the wood being thrown in!❤

[@Carolbearce]

I love the little cradle. It will look amazing in the cottage by the fireplace.

[@Robin-xr2tz]

No wonder the back dirt flooring was higher. Great foundation 😂. Plan B Sean you are a funny guy!! I absolutely love that you are keeping with the age and character of the building when you decorate. I thought the cradle would make a wonderful quilt storage/showcase item.

[@Smalfry47]

Nooooooooooooooo……. That cradle needs to be left alone!

[@judithburke1539]

Just spruced up a bit, maybe for a grandchild???

[@lisadurban3525]

It's a good job you got those roofs sorted this year with the amount of rain you have had.

[@Annettekinder]

I'm intrigued about the floor. That crib as a firewood holder is brilliant!

[@lisabisco3583]

Better for the cradle to have a function and be used and enjoyed than stored somewhere. It won't be used for a baby again so let it be used for another purpose.

[@wiggy3333]

Exactly Lisa! 😊

[@Ruth-uj1dm]

Curiouser and Curiouser. What a mystery.

[@user-qv5ps5st8s]

Jean from Suffolk. SEAN MIND YOUR BACK ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@Seans_World]

Will do

[@CandaceHardy-ed7kt]

It looks like a French drain construction. Maybe bath drain?

[@athomeinfrancewithsam837]

Not likely, no sanitation in the cottage ever before.

[@ruthcarter8895]

Quick, Sean! Call Time Team! 😊❤

[@mkv1783]

Sean, please don't ruin that cradle by adding feet to it and using it to store wood.

[@GingerLeigh]

Wouldn’t that be a shame? I cringed when he first mentioned it!

[@marthalikens482]

It needs baby dolls!!

[@janetpendlebury6808]

It will not ruin it, it will give it a new lease of life.

[@mavep2855]

Unusual discovery! Will it compromise the floor? Knowing you, you will figure out a solution. Hard work but very rewarding to see it come together. The cradle will not only look good in the cottage but it will also serve a purpose-nice find Sean! 🙏❤️

[@lesley-annmaggs15]

Thank you Sam, I never knew what was originally there.

[@sharonheron7559]

Hi Sean. Why would you not switch the stairs round to have their foot near the front door cut a trap door further back so that they emerge in the centre of the upstairs? Loved that cradle! ❤

[@Seans_World]

Wouldn't work unfortunately

[@samoatodd8730]

I see the joy in your work and in your treasures! Exciting to watch you grow this wonderful place❤

[@KatherineAlfaro-zf2gk]

Sean, you are always looking for great stones. It is possible to dig up some of those newly discovered stones and backfill with the clay small stones and dirt that you removed? I think those stones were put on the floor by someone in the past. Maybe Tom could come and help you salvage the big stones. You always do such creative work with the stones you find. I hate to see them just covered up. The stones have SUCH CHARACTER!!! I volunteer Tom to dig up the big stones hiding on the floor.

[@nutti2you380]

This could be the 1st time in over 200 years (or more) that dirt has been outdoors! Wow, that vertical timber is artistically crooked! Please don't put feet on the cradle!! It can be a cute cat bed.

[@janetwhitney233]

You definitely got your exercise in today Sean.

[@stephaniegaromon3244]

You always do such good work no matter what it is you’re doing. I love the cradle and the way you’ll be using it will be creative and useful. The cottage is looking good. xx

[@claireburkus8497]

Guess your back is good and rested for this digging now!!!🎉🙏 for continued strengthening!!

[@juliemix3373]

Sean, wow! What a project. You have good ideas for the stairway and you'll make it work. Good that you can change jobs when the weather doesn't cooperate. Love the repurpose of the cradle. Neat idea. Cheers

[@kathybrunson2390]

Lots of hard work going on there!! It’s so awesome that you have the knowledge and talent to get that stuff done. Looking forward to the next video.

[@deesa3500]

With all of those rocks, you could use them to make some raised plant beds👍🏼😀

[@cathyfield4765]

SEan your ability to toggle back and forth with all of your projects and normal tasks is amazing.

[@melindaharry1852]

You need a plumber's scope to check out those holes and cavity.

[@p.stephenbowermaster7397]

How stable is the kitchen floor, is that a French Drain and is it safe? The hollow sound around the holes does sound like a very large chamber. You may want to stick an inspection camera in the hole, plumbers use them to look at sewer lines etc.

[@wiggy3333]

Love the cradle for wood storage! Awesome idea and great find!

[@katharinatrub1338]

Wow what a beautiful color this Earth is! A good Roc you are Shawn! capable of tiedious work !

[@marilynwade9448]

That beautiful cradle will get ruined using it like that

[@janetpendlebury6808]

At least it is being used, and not in land fill.

[@---Kevin-J-Ripley---]

Its great watching a plan come together-thank you .

[@annettewalter2273]

I love the cradle. Beautiful

[@nicolinavincelli9369]

Always finding new things, that is what I love about old homes, always a mystery when you go digging.

[@holymoly6829]

Good show tonight Sean 🤗🤗

[@suehall3298]

Mystery in the cottage 🤗👍 Love Sue ❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤

[@smgreenartsprivate]

Great way to make the stairs out :) similar to the stairs at the cottage at Lalacelle. Everything you painfully dug gets reused outside is a great idea :)

[@phyllisvedder3077]

The stairs look more like a ladder then stairs. If you keep the stairs in the same direction then make a landing half way up then turn right so it doesn't interfere with wall or bathroom.

[@christinahumphrey9143]

Great idea to put a flower bed there. Will look great!

[@jeniferpollonais6546]

Interesting! That’s some really hard work, Sean, maybe you should get some help from the young ones with the digging.

[@sniderspider7034]

That little cottage is a gift that keeps on giving. I remember a few weeks ago when you were building the outdoor patio/walkway, you mentioned you were out of nice stones and now look what neat stones you're digging up from the floor.

[@deannfausett3923]

It really does look some type of drainage system. I had no idea.

[@fifilaflamme2]

This is probably a dumb question, but can you move the stairs away from the front door area and put them on the opposite side of the room? Seems like that would give more flexibility with the bathroom lay out and open up the front door entryway.

[@Seans_World]

Chimney in the way

[@dyannejohnson6184]

That sure is a beautiful stone - the first one/. But what an interesting find

[@karenmorrison8112]

Beautiful wee cradle. Looks Mid evil. A great find Sean.

[@vc4154]

This is going to be epic.

[@cherylmessaros2552]

Love the reimagining of the cradle.

[@coletteretif6316]

The slope of the floor might have been for drainage even in a cottage. I am watching another vlog where two brothers made a dugout cabin. They made the floor completely flat and didn’t install any drainage outside the walls. If the floor slopped to the front the water could have exited the house. The cottage back of the cottage is/was in the ground. The wise people of the past may hav included the slope for occasional rainwater ingress.🤔🤓😊

[@Seans_World]

Could be

[@timothyeldridge6822]

Great work, video, and progress!

[@dorinclarisa2732]

Can't you get yourself a back support while you are doing bendy work?. The little crib is beautiful. Sends you back in time, a little white bonnet gently rocking her baby to sleep. Perfect for a log box. Could the little holes be rat/snake runs. The cottage is coming along nicely. Good exersize as well. ❤❤

[@birgittamagnusson-reid6738]

If the front door opens outwards you will have a large accessible space under the stairs.

[@user-ke2qo9ky8y]

I suspect your back maybe compressed fractures and if it is, you have my sympathy. One thing I do know it doesn’t matter what you do, ultimately it hurts, so take care. Love the cottage. Do not put a bath, just put a 1X1mtr shower and put in SPA for all your guests.

[@tinadavis5626]

Sean, have you decided where you are going to relocate that staircase to? Every time you get close to it, I have to hold my breath! 😂

[@Shadowmanbluesbluesman]

May be the remains of an old veg storage cellar

[@gingerschatshow]

Hi Sean- I love your multi tasking skills. :D it is coming along. it is amazing what you find when you start renovating. Take care :D

[@CharlesMcDermott-se9bl]

Sean! While you are working on these “cottages”, do you ever wonder about what it was like to live in them when they were built?

[@helenbrown-om1ee]

Sean, when I saw the crib I thought " That would make great coffee table"

[@wrenwest4887]

I still think if your staircase is parallel to the angle of the roof rising in the same direction, you could keep from bumping your head, hopefully avoid the front door. It is quite amazing how the room slopes so much - did you say 20 inches from the back to the front? or 20 centimeters? Still a big job to work around those contingencies. A slug damages all kinds or LIVE plants, your favorite vegetables and flowers!!

[@Seans_World]

It will have a 1/4 turn at the top

[@judyfudge2458]

20€ ! What an awsome find. Could use it for fire wood.

[@barryholstine3899]

The layout of the entry door and the stairs is a tough one. One solution, that would be extra work but might be worth it to give you more room in the corner would be to move your entry door to the existing window spot and put the window where the door currently is. That would open up options for stair designs. Just a thought...

[@katherineb6102]

Love your New York cap!

[@Chubbsinfrance]

Great work on your floor .we have got all that to do on our renovation. I am watching how you do your roof window because I've got two to put in great work sean

[@nelleg152]

I was cringing every time you went near the stair well. ❤

[@suecrane3987]

Id just place some pieces of wood (not attached) under the rocker outside edges to keep it fm rockin, if that's your preference. Seems sacrilegious to modify it at all, given how old it is. Maybe use it for linens?

[@catherinesmyth4979]

Can you turn the crib upside down, ready made legs and move the slats. Just an idea. Love the cottage renovations.

[@janehoward1950]

Back breaking work Sean, just take it steady and listen to your body. Great idea with the stone steps for the stairs. Look forward to the progress.

[@lisajahn6839]

Great progress! 😊❤

[@sandylee9564]

Hey Sean, have you ever considered using a metal detector over that dirt you removed from the cottage floor....just wondering if any little tid bits of metal could be found. You never know,

[@CptCrackers]

A spiral staircase would be fantastic instead of the ladder style one.

[@sallyannefrancis8647]

It may have been a hearth before the roof was replaced !! How exciting !!!

[@Giraffelover54]

@seansworld You are almost always keen on keeping items true to their original composition….. please figure how you can get use of the “rocking cot” without adding feet/legs to it. I feel if it was crafted to rock and that’s how it should stay. Sorry, just my thoughts about it. And let me just say I have been watching you for a very long time and love your videos and all that you share with us as you continue your journey! 💙

[@andy2950]

Someone went to a lot of bother facing those rocks. I'd guess hardcore to stabilise a rocky base for the impacted mud floor. Maybe they found the flooring was holding too much moisture. These gaps would certainly improve the drainage of the watertable.

[@archiebald4717]

Brilliant!

[@jennyvanderwesthuizen4321]

As you come in the front door 3 steps then a landing stairs up to left..wich will be in the passage next to the bathroom..use a pocket door for the bathroom

[@normamurray4450]

I love the cradle...my kind of antique! It would look perfect as a wood holder in the cottage!

[@ginatiano1034]

Slugs will eat your crops too if they can’t find anything else to eat. Keep an eye out for them.

[@dragonflyhill5748]

Better fix those stairs while you can. Age changes our ability to climb steep stairs without handrails.

[@lauralake7430]

Whatever you decide for stairs, please do consider handrails for those of us that are not so steady on our feet! We come in all age groups!

[@cheskydivision]

Can you flip the stairs so the bottom step is facing the door? Will enlarge the room and more head space as you go up.

[@lyndalawrence9870]

Using that handmade cradle for fire wood will bang it up. How about a different use for it. Maybe a dog or cats bed. Maybe a linens storage if it could get tall legs or be attached to a wall. Or a clothes hamper.

[@karenmorrison8112]

Think I would be digging it all out ? May be interesting. Was going to mention your back? Take care.

[@chellerowe9390]

Maybe an old well at some point

[@gregbolitho9775]

Nice goin Sean, remember where they came from so you can put'm back if need be?Nice job, thanks Sean, stay vertical Eh!

[@vickyoakes4584]

Hauling dirt is hard work. And having to use the pick ax makes it harder. You must have been very tired after that day.

[@megmills4798]

Evening😊

[@carlaaijtink2586]

Could there have been a shalow basement once??

[@Seans_World]

Possible

[@lauralake7430]

Oh, like a potato cellar? Wait, root cellar.

[@peterwhite9261]

Sean, I find the prolonged bending really hard on my back also. You are doing an awesome job. When the rain starts, you stay busy inside. I wonder what that hole was used for?

[@sshaw4429]

I’m thinking drainage as well.

[@sweetsweetcandy3889]

Maybe, drainage holes for cleaning the floor.

[@GreatScot48]

It's too bad that you could not find used circular steps! That would solve your encroachment problem, giving you more usable footage, and since you have the upper loft door you could maneuver furniture to the upstairs that way.

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Maybe the pipe brought rain Waterloo the interior. Can you align the pipe direction to the rear of the building and look for clues on the cottage exterior?

[@user-vp2qf8qr1m]

Progress, bit by bit. I’m wondering what or if you will use something on the woodworm damage on the lovely cradle? They spread if not killed.

[@Seans_World]

It's old woodworm not active