Love the cave!!! Think about installing a basement/sump pump with a float switch, it would empty the water and then just switch back on as the water rises. You could install a number of water tanks outside to reuse the water in the garden! The fastest way to raise the walls in the well would be to buy a precast concrete main water pipe, which once in place would dry within a day and could be covered with stone on the outside if not pleasantly to the eye. Reusing the pump within the well, to keep your water tanks topped up…
Hello Patrick and Stuart! Writing from Canada. I have been following your "journey" since your first Vlog. I comment rarely, but would like to offer my admiration to you, for the respect and meticulous care you demonstrate in your undertaking of the Chateau's restoration and the thoughtful consideration you give to the natural landscape and wildlife habitat of the Chateau's grounds. Well done!!
Oh thank you Bonnie. That is so nice of you to comment. It does mean a lot to us that you notice what we are trying to do and that we truly try to respect and protect the animal neighbours we have and cherish. Sending you love from Colombe. ❤❤❤
I like the fact that you put things up on the walls and make it into a home, because you have to live in it while all the work that needs doing is done. I helps you deal with the constant mess, and also gives you hope that one day it will be all finished and those comforting things will find their place against scrumptious decor. I think you are doing a great job. You mentioned white peaches, could you have white peach juice to make Bellini's?
Thank you for your kind words. We need to have nice things to enjoy the chateau even though it is a constant work in progress. Emphasis on progress, as you said. One day there will be renovated and sumptuous rooms. ❤❤❤ There will be white peach juice and purée for Bellinis. I love the way you think. Huge hugs and love from Colombe 💖💕💖
Oh yes.very beautiful.😍 The boys have very excellent taste and they r very interested in the closest time period furniture and decor. I love this as it does justice to the Castle to recycle everything possible and restore the buildings close to original!!! Stuart and Patrick will have a wonderful BnB business also next year plus the Farm House Gite. I truly ...may try to visit the BnB oneday??👍
Hi Susan. I was actually depressed. All the doors were open and the dust is everywhere 😱😭😱🤬. I like your focus on the jam. You are 100% spot on. Thank you. ❤❤❤
The wells! ❤ What a crazy asset! That water is indeed crystal clear! If I were you I'd have it tested. There are labs that can send you kits, vials and instructions for you to collect samples properly, then they analyze it for you. I'd do that with both water sources! If these are being continuously fed with natural Springwater, and France is actually full of springs everywhere, you may have an invaluable asset for the future. There are plenty of filtrationsystems that can turn much less attractive water into actual drinking water, and if they're springwater outlets that old, I imagine insuring it's good household water or even drinking water is absolutely doable. Guys, imagine being off grid as far as water dependency goes. Even what you're doing know is very prudent. Being selfsufficiant for irrigation is a luxury, especially as extreme weather is to be expected in the years to come. We had a dry spring, and june was much hotter than normal. Resulting in farmers desperately putting down their dairy cows, mass emergency slaughter of the dairy farms productive animals, bc of lack of both water and proper pasture and fodder, bc of the droughts, wells dried up, not enough clover, hay, etc in the country to go around. A very deep reliable watersource is a big deal. It's kind of a pity it's "only" 3 feet deep in your cave, bc if you did clean out the sediment, or filter it with some pumpsystem, it could basically be a natural pool! Which makes me wonder if it was ever used that way, for baths and hygeine...? It's not impossible. I've seen great houses that have much smaller "baths" centuries old with steps leading down.... What if its really awesome mineral rich water? You could bottle it, carbonize it! ❤What a well engineered and interesting château you have ! I feel like it holds many interesting secrets. In the meantime, consider using one of your massive outhouses/barns for cool storage? A room with thick stone walls, no big windows? There should be a structure or cave on the property once used for this, I think the old ones were rarely in the main building. Just like baking houses with bread ovens used to be separate structures, sometimes next to dry storage for grains, with millstones. The old systems of preservation and storage are so interesting and were very functional, in a sensible low tech way. My Grandmother had a little summer cottage a few centuries old with a root cellar for roots, veg, potatoes and winter apples, essentially a low door leading into the inside of a natural grassy mound on the property. Apples were set on narrow planks acrosd the walls in single rows with a couple of cm inbetween for air to circulate around and they kept fine all winter! It neither froze nor got too warm in there. Round space for circulation with tiny vents keeping mice and critters out with perforated iron and copper covers. I think we're headed for times when these old energysaving methods will be brushed off and put to use again. Peaches and figs, that's gold right there! Home made preserves and pickled cabbage and veg are the best! There's a great channel on yt with an old albanian woman making the most awsome mixed pickled salads you have to check out! Recepies and methods very clear and simple, inspiring! Fall is closing in fast here. After the drought came the floods. All through the holidays, only rain... Enjoy continental september to the fullest! ❤❤❤
This episode was "peachy keen" guys. The peach preserves look marvelous...I wish I had smell-o-vision, oh what a heaven scent must be wafting through your kitchen. Free water is always welcome, especially when you have drought. A château bonus, you have a water source at the ready to keep your crops hydrated.
Hi Edward. Yes we have water 😊🎉😊. I guess that is why they built here over 500 years ago. Makes sense. And the peaches smell Devine. And you know it. Huge hugs and love from Colombe. ❤❤
Hi Patrick & Stuart, I feel your pain about the disruption and mess from renovations. I faced the same issues back in 1998 during the Christmas season. Though I wasn't planning on entertaining that month, I had a contractor in to replace ceilings on the second floor and 3 ceilings on the first floor of my home. With two toddlers underfoot, we had plans to leave for business to be in Atlanta the Tuesday before New Year's. The final approval on the refinance came through Tuesday afternoon and we tossed out the contractor, packed the minivan, and drove overnight to get to Atlanta for the antique show, then onto Savannah, and finally to Miami if you are familiar with the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. After 7 weeks on the road, in hotels and a Florida rental, it was back home to finish the job and clean up. OMG...now we are faced with similar circumstances when we resume renovations at the house where we live now. Mark & Scott PS...Those two toddlers are now 33 & 37 and we just adopted two teens one in March, 16 years old, and one in July, 15 years old. So on we go...Mark & Scott
you have caves too! that is cool! A chapel and caves and a moat! Hopefully I will be able to watch later because a hurricane is barreling its way across land to Savannah
Wow!! I’m sneezing🤪🤧🤧🤧 on your behalf, gentlemen! Yes, you’re due for some much-deserved, long, long overdue R&R where people look after and serve you for a change. ❤
You two are doing an amazing job on this chateau, and I can see that there is a process to doing this right, which doesn’t show immediate results, but you have a super kitchen now to start with. Die Marmelade sieht so lecker aus, yummy 😋 You definitely need a break, not only are you working on this larger property inside and out, but you still have things like laundry and cooking to do plus the dogs that must take up a bit of time to look after as well. We have only 2 dogs and we think they are a lot of work, but we love our darlings 😊🐾🐾 Take care und liebe Grüße
Hallo Gerda. Herzlichen Dank. You are right, it is renovations and the regular house work, the gîte laundry on top. We love our dogs but sometimes I wish we’d have someone who has the time to come here and watch them for a week. We had that luxury in the US with our wonderful friend Sheila. 😮😊. Truly appreciate your comment. Dicke Umarmung. ❤❤❤
Patrick and Stuart, what a wonderful asset all that water is for watering your enormous ‘estate’ and I love the method of transporting the tap to the garden!😅 I wonder how many more surprises Chateau de Colombe has in store for us? How lovely having your own branded jams and preserves for the future B&B too and maybe if there is a surplus in the future, there could be a little shop selling handmade produce from the Chateau gardens? Mmmnnn I could even imagine afternoon teas served on fine china, scones, jam and whipped cream, in the summer under a shady tree and of course Stuarts sponge cakes too. You both deserve to take a holiday as soon as you can, to relax and refresh before starting another project. I hope you do just that. ❤️❤️💐🚿👏
AND we have water 💦 oh that storm was scary. My Mom used to make fresh peach ice cream. So so good. Your marmalade looks delicious Patrick 13:38 . 😋 I love your kitchen, it must be so fun for you and Stuart to cook in there. I’m hoping to come visit in the Spring. Barcelona to Saint Baudel, then Switzerland and Milan. Etc, etc, etc.
Yea we can save quite some €$€ for water for flowers and veggies. Wonderful. Peach ice cream…. Delicious. There will be peach marmalade in the spring for you. That sounds like one fantastic trip. ❤❤❤. You rock. Love and big hugs from Colombe.
I only think a little light dusting is required!!!!! Nothing major. Perhaps the maid could do it! Seriously, you know what they say about omelettes and eggs. The mess will be a distant memory when you sit in your beautifully decorated rooms. You're doing a grand job. Well done😊
Each vlog gets more and more interesting as you move along and show us all the hidden gems such as the cave, not to forget that peach compote... yum! I want to put my order in!! Oh that word "just", doesn't it just get you????? Oh John, you "just' made a mess for poor Patrick and Stuart!!!!!
I really love that there is always one more room or place in the chateaux that we have not seen before. And I like to see the renovation project you do in it. Also it us amazing how much you accomplish yourself and I believe you really know how to extraordinarily budget every project. Y It looks to me that you can really decorate a wedding or any event beautifully without braking your clients bank! That is a gift! You have accomplished so much in the chateaux and I love to watch more of that renovation. ☺
Can not wait to see the cave's when all the water as gone but in the meantime great idea using the water for the garden's and that marmalade look's yummy. Hope you did not burn yourself too much Patrick 😢, I agree guy's take a breath and have some time off you don't want to burn yourselve's out take care and see you both next time 💕🌼🤗
Love the idea of jams and jellies for guests. Well done on utilising the stored water. I sympathise with the renovation woes on the way to make progress. And yes, take a break to replenish your reserves. You both have been working so hard on the chateau, entertaining and cake making, hosting your B&B and of course, making vlogs for us. Warm hugs from Oz! 🥰🥰
That water is fantastic. Would save a ton on water bills I suspect. The peach marmalade looked awesome. Yes, yes, yes, you need a vacation. You deserve it🥂
Is t it amazing! ❤. Will save a lot on the water bill. Next year. Yay. And marmalade is so delicious. We will stay here buy only spend time with the doggies, maybe sew and do research and visit chateaux in the region. Thank you so much for your kindness. ❤❤❤
Good morning gentlemen. I am a little behind being busy here. And I like some really nice quiet time to sit and watch your episodes. What a staggering amount of water!! I would never have thought that could be just pooling there. It is an amazing asset for sure put to good use. Love the jam making, its beautiful and I love making it as well. Such an abundance and verity of fruit you guys have. And yes, knowing you need a break is vital, please do so as you need to recharge and have a well deserved time out. I hope we see real soon that you are doing just that. 😘😘
FINALLY got time to watch! If you have frogs, you have a fantastic water quality. What a marvelous resourse to water your garden and trees with! Look forward to seeing you again in a live. ❤
Hope you had a wonderful time with your visitors (🥰😍🥰). The water is fantastic. The frogs look healthy and fat. 😂. We are using it for our veggies and flowers. It is amazing. See you soon. Hugs ❤😊❤ and love from Colombe
Vocês dois são muito simpáticos e ganharam uma inscrita brasileira, descendente de Alemães, que ama fazer geléias e pratos especiais ...e Castelos. Agradeço pelo canal , pelas receitas e pelo bom exemplo ao se esmerarem em restaurar seu Chateau. Aqui do Sul do Brasil...🥰 💙💚💛🇧🇷
Lovely as always. ❤ Oh, my dears! I could hear the enervation in your voice. You are welcome here in Colorado for as long as you like. ❤ (Though, if it were me, I’d be heading for a spa in the Swiss Alps.) A vacation is always a good idea. The projects can wait a couple of weeks. I am intrigued by your cave. I’m envisioning some sort of Greco-Roman baths, with ornate columns and tiles and lots of people lounging about in loin cloths! 😍😜😂 Please let me know when it’s ready and I’ll be on the next flight! Peach preserves are my favorite! (Plum is my runner-up). I’m looking forward to breakfast. 🍑 Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize. ❤ Big hugs to you both. ❤❤
Thank you so much dear Jayson. Life would be a bit easier, if we would have someone who could look after our fur babies. I was incredibly frustrated because John left all doors open. So in addition to the dust in one room (and he said: You don’t need to cover the chandelier…… There will be hardly any dust…..) 😮😮😮. We have to clean every room from the kitchen to the petit salon……. Completely unnecessary. Just showed me that I’m in urgent need of some days without renovations. 😮😅😮. Now you have some seriously involved images of the possibilities for the cave. Love it. We have what is called blood peaches because they are so dark red. Amazing, tasty and quite rate. Will have that for you for breakfast with fresh croissants 😊❤😊. Love and hugs to you two. ❤😊❤
Good morning Patrick & Stuart, the spring is a wonderful blessing to have on the property, to be able to pump out that water and use it in the garden is a great save, and as you say the water is crystal clear. We save as much water as we can in the house, my rinsing water from the dishes I do in a large plastic basin and when done, that water goes onto the plants and shrubs. It is amazing how much water we can save in a week. Also we have a bucket in the bath to run the hot water into, you know beforehand the water is still cold then as the hot water comes in we turn it off and then we can wash our hands etc. so that also goes into watering cans and used. I love your big tank and the Metabo pump has done a tremendous job. We cannot get Metabo in S. Africa for some unknown reason only DeWalt and Rejobi!! Not worth too much. So you are in the winners circle. Wonderful time of the year to start with your jams, compote's, pickles and chutneys. Have you tried a creamed blue cheese spread on toast and then a spread of that peach jam, oh my word, try it, the flavour is unsurpassed!! Unfortunately, you will have to contend with the rubble as John is progressing with the electrical re-wiring, it is a project that has to be done. I have an expression - I "just" want to ..... and I hate it, I do not know where I picked that up, I am losing that which I am very grateful for. I now use want and would.... I have much empathy with you, I refuse to have anymore construction done unless of a disaster, too old now for all that. What is a better option to save on your ornaments and furniture is take the ornaments out, pack into a container or loose around the chateaux, cover the furniture with plastic and hope for the best. It helps for the cleaning up later and saves the wood. I can tell a story about changing the roof structure, we had to do it, that was a nightmare in reality. It will not take too much longer and the chateaux will be the way you want it, after the electrical wiring, something else will turn up, just deal with that in your stride. Enjoy your life every day, I am sure many envy your lifestyle. Many blessings, Elize.
Oh my goodness…You guys definitely need a holiday! Time for you to have a “refresh and reboot”. It’s tough going at full tilt each and every day without taking a break. Looking forward to hearing your holiday plans… maybe a cruise?🤔😃
Ohhhhh that would be nice. We took one a long time ago. Seaborne……. Was amazing. But not now. We can’t burden our friends with all of our dogs. We will do sightseeing in the area and not renovate anything for one or two weeks….. but we will share that. Love from Colombe ❤😊❤
@@patrickjourneytothechateau9452 Good for you! We all want what’s best for you, so take good care of yourselves and be in touch with us but only now and then, and no work!👍🏻🤣
Bless your heart, what a mess. I love your Jam making you are both very industrious and I am thinking you deserve a long vacation. So have a great one and enjoy. But do come back I really enjoy watching your show.
Well so much for putting wine in the wine cave LOL Well I can't wait for a good explore down there, I love that kind of thing! The frogs not so much LOL 🐸🐸 OMG your jams always look so yummy! Chateau - constant state of reno and fix up. Fun/not fun! Leaning more towards fun!
Oh my goodness! Smart to extract and use on your gardens. Well, the electricity has to be changed. It's a bit of a pain, but when it's done, it will be fantastic.
I have been going through the same mess for the past 7yrs. I know your pain. I have 3 more rooms to go. There's always something to clean. Dust everywhere. It's worth it but I'm looking forward to the end of the mess as I'm sure you both are. Love your videos
Thank you so much. It is worse when we are tired and exhausted. I know we a4e not alone and empathetic comments, like yours, make it a lot more bearable. Good luck with your last 3 rooms! I guess, us restoring more living space in the wings won’t bother me much, because I can just close the doors 😂😂😂. Huge hugs from Colombe ❤
Obviously some folks never survived an extensive remodel. I’m from Georgia picked many a peach for home churned peach ice cream and cobbler cooked in cast iron n skillet growing up. Yum!! So happy you have an extra water source . Hope you find a way to have your cave and your well. Love you both dearly . ❤❤❤😘😘😘😇
Hello darling. Ohhhh those Georgia peaches 🍑. Yummy. The extra water source is amazing. We are really happy. I hope so too. Love from Colombe and I hope clarity has come to you both. ❤❤❤
The cave was like an adventure into the past. Kudos for going down there and recycling the water. It is very commendable for the conservation you make part of this restoration. Every little bit helps the planet and you also. Point, in fact, all the canning you do to avoid waste for one. As always, love the videos, and, of course, all of you and dogs, at the château ❤️ V
Thank you for a wonderful episode 👏👏 You are so…hard working men!! To try to do this upkeep by yourself, is exhausting!! You need to get away 🏃 for a couple of weeks. And then come back Refreshed!! You have to….so you don’t get sick 😷 love you 🥰 🙏🙏
Hi Dodi. The jams and jellies honestly taste so much better out of the Confiturier. Or jam pot 😂🤣😂. More intense. Hope you are not buried under zucchini 😂😂😂. Love from us to your wonderful family. ❤❤❤
Wow those caves are amazing! I love the vaulted ceilings! And all of that beautiful water! You're so lucky to have such an abundant water source! Your gardens will thank you for it! Patrick, I love the lids that you have for your jars. they're so pretty!. And I see you fill your jars with a good old 2ltr Pyrex jug too, I just made a batch of Orange Marmalade yesterday, and used my jug! I love my Pyrex jugs, I have several sizes. Just so handy aren't they? I'll bet that Peach Marmalade is delicious! Big hugs, and pats for the doggies xxx
They are fantastic. So intriguing and over 500 years old. 😮. I got the jug as a gift from Florence. So helpful. The peach marmalade is truly yummy. Hugs from Colombe
So much lovely jam and such a treat for those lucky guests in the not too distant future i hope! I love that old saying ‘ its ok to write your name in the dust, but please dont dare it’😂 Cheers from Oz🦘🐨🐾🥰👋
Ah I bet the peach jam is going to be the best you ever tasted...yum. When I get good peaches I make a chicken/peach stew/casserole dish that is sooo delicious!
The smell of your jam was wafting through the screen and taking me back to happy memories of my mother s Herculaneum jamming days. I nearly put my finger in for a taste at the end. She always competed in her Scottish Women’s Rural competitions…often winning too. Nothing tastier. I’m so looking forward to the fig treatment. Thank you for sharing.💕💝💕
When you have picked the figs there is nothing nicer than a fig& goats cheese tart or figs with honey tart as a desert. Here in Spain we have fig jam with cheese etc. Happy cooking & renovating
Stuart and Patrick, Don’t cut your damaged limbs from the plum trees! You can heal them pretty easily by lifting them up into their original position and doing your best to get the broken sections to fit back together. You can purchase a breathable tape and bandage the broken area and as long as you have some portion of the trunk that is unbroken so that it can carry nutrients to the portion above the break the tree will concentrate sap and nutrients to the broken area and heal completely by this time next year and will be stronger where it was broken than before. Just make sure you brace the tree beyond the break so that it’s supported and won’t fall or put strain on the injury. There are some wonderful videos on UA-cam explaining how to properly do this and hopefully save some major portions of your beautiful trees. Good luck guys! I really love your content and wish you all the best in your new adventure.
It's a rainy SC from Idahlia but thankfully only rain. Thank you! I love to see you go to brocantes. I collect French science and spot it often. You have bought some gorgeous vases. Did you ever identify that pair?
Have you considered getting "baby" sized jars as gifts in the gette? With the amount of fruit you are getting your guests might enjoy some. Just a little thank you gift!
Well, that’s a nice idea. However, they already gift a bottle of wine, cookies, milk, sparking water and right now, tomatoes. We will have them for our B&B guests though. Hugs ❤
You really made me laugh with the dusty dining room, it is for the greater good …. your Chateau is going to be nothing short of magnificent, but definitely, definitely take a break, it’s obviously much needed. Here at La Petite Maison it’s been blackberry jam time, the hedgerows are brimming with fruit. I also have the exact funnel as you, and also always resort to a Pyrex jug as the funnel is too big for the neck of some jars, so I actually laughed out loud as I watched you. As always, take great care xx
Yes hello and I would like to say and agree with another one of your viewers. I have been following you right from the start of your living in the US and then buying the chateau and she is going to be a beauty when she is restored to her glory. Like I have referred to her before Phoenix rising from the ashes, thank you for taking me alone this journey with the two of you and the ones that help with your repairs and designs and volunteer workers. God bless you too. Will continue to love this journey. I get ideas myself
Hallo meine lieben diearmelade looks yummy und du kennst das sprichwort. Ein ohr rein und ein ohr raus es ist euer chateau und ihr wist was gemacht werden muss oh well alles luebe gute und gesundheit ps bin gespannt was ihr in dem keller findet 😊😊😊❤❤❤
I was thinking about a month ago that you both looked like needed a decent break from everything. Please go and enjoy yourselves somewhere special soon. Cheers Shirley
The cave is a fascinating feature - I hope you’re able to turn it into a wine cellar. I think you all need a break from all the renovations- we’ll be waiting for ya when you get back 😃.
Thank you so much Jeff. The cellar is so very impressive. Once we have the water under control (and we don’t want to pump it out), we can clean it out and put to some wine in there. 😊❤😊. We will vlog but mostly about our area….. like an advertisement for the Cher region of France 😂😂😂. Huge hugs.
Oh you poor darlings you both look and sound done in as I’ve said before. The amount of dust is just unreal. What you need is a volunteer work party some weekend just to try and get as much done as you need. I only wish that I could come over and give you a hand out. On a positive side I loved the jam making even though I laughed at Patrick burning his fingers. Lol I actually made plum jam today after revisiting your last jam making vlog. I could not believe how clear the water in the cellar was and I agree with what you said Stuart about contaminating it. Well please please take at least one day or even an afternoon off a week and just have a nap or a couple of nice cocktails and recharge the body and soul. Big big hugs from me. Xx😙🇨🇮
Hello sweet Sheila. We were a bit down and out. Much better today after 8 hours of cleaning. 😂😊😂. We do need volunteers next spring to help with the gardens and some special projects. We will take 2 weeks off in October. Visiting chateaux and monasteries in the region, having a lunch and spending time with the dogs. A nap too. Huge hugs and ,ich love from Colombe. 😊❤😊
You clever boys, using the van to transport the water storage container to the garden area. And here I was thinking you were just gonna pump it into a storage tank right next to the garden. But noooo, it’s never easy in a château. The garden is in the back that cistern is in the front. Yummy marmalade!
Hi Mike. You made me laugh 😂🤣😂. We use the tank in he front and for the veggies. It works great. I was looking for a solution and it suddenly occurred to me. 😮😊😮. The marmalade is delicious. Hugs from Colombe ❤
Patrick, are you losing weight? You look like you have been working your butt of literally . lol I hope you two can find some really good time to just relax and enjoy all your progress since you have been in France. If I look back on your first day, wow, two dynamo's that have great work ethic 's, eye for detail and beauty and never stop but are only human . Sending you love and peace of spirit. 🐸 and a little frog to go with your other one in the cave.😊
Wow that was and is a lot of water and plants are so lucky. Peach jam/ marmalade looks divine. Love your labels. The dust got everywhere and I’m sorry you have extra work. My friend Joan tells me when the yellow dust from the Sahara gets all over her property and what a pain it is to clean up. You both def need a holiday. Time for a change of views and then home refreshed I’d say to you both. ❤❤
Isn’t that amazing to have so much free water for the veggies and flowers. Stuart created the labels. They are pretty, I agree. And that dust……. Ugh. A few closed doors would have cut the cleaning in half. So depressing. Therefore, we will take some days in early October and get back to work refreshed, like you suggested. Than’ you so much. Hugs from Colombe ❤
That is absolutely true. No matter where. Going through 400 year old walls and ceilings that are 2-3 feet thick doesn’t help 😮😂😮. So glad you are with us on this journey. Hugs ❤
You are braver than I would be when entering la cave! What about snakes? How exciting to hear your ideas for the future when you get la cave dried out! I enjoy watching your jam making projects. I need to investigate the lids that you use for sealing your jars. I use paraffin to seal the jams I make. The lids you use seem much easier and quicker than my method. (If I ever visit, you had better hide those faience candlesticks from Rouen, or they just might disappear. LOL. I've been admiring them in a couple of videos.) 🥰😍
Been there done that and for sure you need to step back and take a break. Also when you do that a fresh look at what and wear your going is a little clearer. No need to justify it just do it. What ever you spend the time doing rest up and enjoy.
Hi Patrick and Stuart. Having that well cave water is a bonus. It is more work but worth it. The marmalade looks delicious. Your kitchen must have been bursting with aroma. Sorry about the tree from the storm. John is an awesome worker. You guys are lucky to have him bring your chateau up to standard safely. The mess is overwhelming, but you both can keep up with it. You both will be so happy to have it done, I know. I notice you both look in need of a vacation, and I hope you get done soon. You both have been going non-stop and deserve a getaway. Lots of love to you both.❤
For some mysterious reason I can’t make a comment directly. As someone living in Australia, we have an extremely dry continent. Almost every summer we have water restrictions and people are generally very careful with water as it is a precious commodity. I would personally advise caution when interfering with that underground storage which is ancient. That may very well save the very livability of the chateau in the long term. The water could also be used for flushing toilets! Sacre bleu!! If you are squeamish about drinking it you could have an auxiliary tank which is treated for use as drinking water year round.
Thank you. The peaches are wonderful and the marmalade is delicious. We need a short break to get some distance. The back with fresh eyes. Huge hugs. ❤❤❤
Definitely time 4 a break...... leave all the justs for a week and go out n play! And............ plan for an official day of rest! Its fun for us to watch you but have you thought a vid once a week. I'm sure we would live.
OMG, what a mess, it will be so worth it in the end but yes it would drive me nuts to. Hope you are both well, i think I’ve given Clair the sorting bug she has got the bit between her teeth and is going for it, I’m hoping to get to meet you both next year if Richard is up for it. Buy for now Jason
Hi there Jason. We’d love to meet you and hope Richard is fit, so you can enjoy a trip to France. We need to get Claire over here to help sort 😂😂😂. Buy darling and thank you so much. ❤❤❤
Love the cave!!!
Think about installing a basement/sump pump with a float switch, it would empty the water and then just switch back on as the water rises.
You could install a number of water tanks outside to reuse the water in the garden!
The fastest way to raise the walls in the well would be to buy a precast concrete main water pipe, which once in place would dry within a day and could be covered with stone on the outside if not pleasantly to the eye.
Reusing the pump within the well, to keep your water tanks topped up…
Thank you so much. Fantastic comment. We will get there. Hugs hugs ❤
Hello Patrick and Stuart! Writing from Canada. I have been following your "journey" since your first Vlog. I comment rarely, but would like to offer my admiration to you, for the respect and meticulous care you demonstrate in your undertaking of the Chateau's restoration and the thoughtful consideration you give to the natural landscape and wildlife habitat of the Chateau's grounds. Well done!!
Oh thank you Bonnie. That is so nice of you to comment. It does mean a lot to us that you notice what we are trying to do and that we truly try to respect and protect the animal neighbours we have and cherish. Sending you love from Colombe. ❤❤❤
I like the fact that you put things up on the walls and make it into a home, because you have to live in it while all the work that needs doing is done. I helps you deal with the constant mess, and also gives you hope that one day it will be all finished and those comforting things will find their place against scrumptious decor. I think you are doing a great job. You mentioned white peaches, could you have white peach juice to make Bellini's?
Thank you for your kind words. We need to have nice things to enjoy the chateau even though it is a constant work in progress. Emphasis on progress, as you said. One day there will be renovated and sumptuous rooms. ❤❤❤
There will be white peach juice and purée for Bellinis. I love the way you think. Huge hugs and love from Colombe 💖💕💖
Aloha, a 2 week vacation/time off rest is way overdue and well deserved 🏖.
Good morning from Canada ❤❤
Hi there. Greetings from Colombe. ❤❤
The chateau is really going to be beautiful in the near future! Love watching your progress 😊
Thank you Lynn. Huge hug ❤
Oh yes.very beautiful.😍 The boys have very excellent taste and they r very interested in the closest time period furniture and decor. I love this as it does justice to the Castle to recycle everything possible and restore the buildings close to original!!! Stuart and Patrick will have a wonderful BnB business also next year plus the Farm House Gite. I truly ...may try to visit the BnB oneday??👍
The "Dust Fest" not so much, but on a brighter note the jam look totally yummy!
Hi Susan. I was actually depressed. All the doors were open and the dust is everywhere 😱😭😱🤬. I like your focus on the jam. You are 100% spot on. Thank you. ❤❤❤
The wells! ❤ What a crazy asset! That water is indeed crystal clear! If I were you I'd have it tested. There are labs that can send you kits, vials and instructions for you to collect samples properly, then they analyze it for you. I'd do that with both water sources! If these are being continuously fed with natural Springwater, and France is actually full of springs everywhere, you may have an invaluable asset for the future. There are plenty of filtrationsystems that can turn much less attractive water into actual drinking water, and if they're springwater outlets that old, I imagine insuring it's good household water or even drinking water is absolutely doable.
Guys, imagine being off grid as far as water dependency goes.
Even what you're doing know is very prudent. Being selfsufficiant for irrigation is a luxury, especially as extreme weather is to be expected in the years to come. We had a dry spring, and june was much hotter than normal. Resulting in farmers desperately putting down their dairy cows, mass emergency slaughter of the dairy farms productive animals, bc of lack of both water and proper pasture and fodder, bc of the droughts, wells dried up, not enough clover, hay, etc in the country to go around.
A very deep reliable watersource is a big deal.
It's kind of a pity it's "only" 3 feet deep in your cave, bc if you did clean out the sediment, or filter it with some pumpsystem, it could basically be a natural pool! Which makes me wonder if it was ever used that way, for baths and hygeine...? It's not impossible. I've seen great houses that have much smaller "baths" centuries old with steps leading down....
What if its really awesome mineral rich water? You could bottle it, carbonize it! ❤What a well engineered and interesting château you have ! I feel like it holds many interesting secrets. In the meantime, consider using one of your massive outhouses/barns for cool storage?
A room with thick stone walls, no big windows?
There should be a structure or cave on the property once used for this, I think the old ones were rarely in the main building. Just like baking houses with bread ovens used to be separate structures, sometimes next to dry storage for grains, with millstones. The old systems of preservation and storage are so interesting and were very functional, in a sensible low tech way. My Grandmother had a little summer cottage a few centuries old with a root cellar for roots, veg, potatoes and winter apples, essentially a low door leading into the inside of a natural grassy mound on the property. Apples were set on narrow planks acrosd the walls in single rows with a couple of cm inbetween for air to circulate around and they kept fine all winter! It neither froze nor got too warm in there. Round space for circulation with tiny vents keeping mice and critters out with perforated iron and copper covers.
I think we're headed for times when these old energysaving methods will be brushed off and put to use again.
Peaches and figs, that's gold right there! Home made preserves and pickled cabbage and veg are the best! There's a great channel on yt with an old albanian woman making the most awsome mixed pickled salads you have to check out! Recepies and methods very clear and simple, inspiring!
Fall is closing in fast here. After the drought came the floods. All through the holidays, only rain... Enjoy continental september to the fullest! ❤❤❤
This episode was "peachy keen" guys. The peach preserves look marvelous...I wish I had smell-o-vision, oh what a heaven scent must be wafting through your kitchen.
Free water is always welcome, especially when you have drought. A château bonus, you have a water source at the ready to keep your crops hydrated.
Hi Edward. Yes we have water 😊🎉😊. I guess that is why they built here over 500 years ago. Makes sense. And the peaches smell Devine. And you know it. Huge hugs and love from Colombe. ❤❤
Hi Patrick & Stuart, I feel your pain about the disruption and mess from renovations. I faced the same issues back in 1998 during the Christmas season. Though I wasn't planning on entertaining that month, I had a contractor in to replace ceilings on the second floor and 3 ceilings on the first floor of my home. With two toddlers underfoot, we had plans to leave for business to be in Atlanta the Tuesday before New Year's. The final approval on the refinance came through Tuesday afternoon and we tossed out the contractor, packed the minivan, and drove overnight to get to Atlanta for the antique show, then onto Savannah, and finally to Miami if you are familiar with the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. After 7 weeks on the road, in hotels and a Florida rental, it was back home to finish the job and clean up. OMG...now we are faced with similar circumstances when we resume renovations at the house where we live now. Mark & Scott PS...Those two toddlers are now 33 & 37 and we just adopted two teens one in March, 16 years old, and one in July, 15 years old. So on we go...Mark & Scott
So jealous of the water supply to water your gardens. Love the jam making. You guys definitely deserve a vacation. Thanks for sharing 😍😘
you have caves too! that is cool! A chapel and caves and a moat! Hopefully I will be able to watch later because a hurricane is barreling its way across land to Savannah
stay safe! 🙏
Yes, Stay Safe! ❤
Stay safe. I went through 2 hurricanes in Fort Lauderdale. Sending best wishes and prayers your way. 😊😊😊
@@rosebudame thanks, we are trying. crazy that it is coming across land and still a hurricane!
@@pamkullman8839 They are NO FUN! 🍀🍀🍀
Wow!! I’m sneezing🤪🤧🤧🤧 on your behalf, gentlemen! Yes, you’re due for some much-deserved, long, long overdue R&R where people look after and serve you for a change. ❤
Thank you so much. Having a week of no renovations alone would be amazing 💖💕😘. Huge hugs from Colombe ❤😊❤
Those tiles of flint blue and creamy off white, stunning!
Les pêches pochées au sirop et avec un magret de canard c’es délicieux ! Quelques noix caramélisées un délice !
You two are doing an amazing job on this chateau, and I can see that there is a process to doing this right, which doesn’t show immediate results, but you have a super kitchen now to start with. Die Marmelade sieht so lecker aus, yummy 😋
You definitely need a break, not only are you working on this larger property inside and out, but you still have things like laundry and cooking to do plus the dogs that must take up a bit of time to look after as well. We have only 2 dogs and we think they are a lot of work, but we love our darlings 😊🐾🐾
Take care und liebe Grüße
Hallo Gerda. Herzlichen Dank. You are right, it is renovations and the regular house work, the gîte laundry on top. We love our dogs but sometimes I wish we’d have someone who has the time to come here and watch them for a week. We had that luxury in the US with our wonderful friend Sheila. 😮😊. Truly appreciate your comment. Dicke Umarmung. ❤❤❤
Love the six bottles of peach jam behind you both. Looks delicious
You have water! You are so fortunate to have that.
We are really lucky. During the heat last week, while I was watering, I just had it run over my head to cool down. It felt amazing. Hugs
Patrick and Stuart, what a wonderful asset all that water is for watering your enormous ‘estate’ and I love the method of transporting the tap to the garden!😅 I wonder how many more surprises Chateau de Colombe has in store for us? How lovely having your own branded jams and preserves for the future B&B too and maybe if there is a surplus in the future, there could be a little shop selling handmade produce from the Chateau gardens? Mmmnnn I could even imagine afternoon teas served on fine china, scones, jam and whipped cream, in the summer under a shady tree and of course Stuarts sponge cakes too. You both deserve to take a holiday as soon as you can, to relax and refresh before starting another project. I hope you do just that. ❤️❤️💐🚿👏
That cave would make a great wine cellar! In the meantime, indoor pool!!!
Absolutely. I just need to shrink myself a little. 😂😂😂. It is truly spectacular. Huge darling ❤
I hope to find wells in our place, once the cave dried out another extra place 😊 lovely jam xx Yves
Hi from Vermont,USA. ❤
Hugs from the Chateau de Colombe. ❤❤❤
Is that the Cedar-O mop!?!?!? Best on the market!
AND we have water 💦 oh that storm was scary. My Mom used to make fresh peach ice cream. So so good. Your marmalade looks delicious Patrick 13:38 . 😋 I love your kitchen, it must be so fun for you and Stuart to cook in there.
I’m hoping to come visit in the Spring. Barcelona to Saint Baudel, then Switzerland and Milan. Etc, etc, etc.
Yea we can save quite some €$€ for water for flowers and veggies. Wonderful. Peach ice cream…. Delicious. There will be peach marmalade in the spring for you. That sounds like one fantastic trip. ❤❤❤. You rock. Love and big hugs from Colombe.
Hello from a scorching Palm Springs!
Hi to my favourite CA destination. Loved hiking the Indian canyons. Stay cool and huge hugs from Colombe. ❤
I only think a little light dusting is required!!!!! Nothing major. Perhaps the maid could do it! Seriously, you know what they say about omelettes and eggs. The mess will be a distant memory when you sit in your beautifully decorated rooms. You're doing a grand job. Well done😊
Thanks for another wonderful video, gentlemen. These bring joy into the world, and for that, we are all extremely grateful.
Each vlog gets more and more interesting as you move along and show us all the hidden gems such as the cave, not to forget that peach compote... yum! I want to put my order in!! Oh that word "just", doesn't it just get you????? Oh John, you "just' made a mess for poor Patrick and Stuart!!!!!
“Just” jobs like Terry, Ash and Tracey do at La Lacelle
That's right!
I really love that there is always one more room or place in the chateaux that we have not seen before. And I like to see the renovation project you do in it. Also it us amazing how much you accomplish yourself and I believe you really know how to extraordinarily budget every project. Y It looks to me that you can really decorate a wedding or any event beautifully without braking your clients bank! That is a gift! You have accomplished so much in the chateaux and I love to watch more of that renovation. ☺
Can not wait to see the cave's when all the water as gone but in the meantime great idea using the water for the garden's and that marmalade look's yummy. Hope you did not burn yourself too much Patrick 😢, I agree guy's take a breath and have some time off you don't want to burn yourselve's out take care and see you both next time 💕🌼🤗
Love the idea of jams and jellies for guests. Well done on utilising the stored water. I sympathise with the renovation woes on the way to make progress.
And yes, take a break to replenish your reserves. You both have been working so hard on the chateau, entertaining and cake making, hosting your B&B and of course, making vlogs for us. Warm hugs from Oz! 🥰🥰
I wish I could pop over this weekend and clean the dining room and surprise you while you two go to a Paris for a long well deserved weekend ❤️
We adore you. All clean again. We have a fun weekend already of us….. I’ll tell you when we talk on the phone ❤😊❤
Please take time for you. We all need to relax and decompress
Thank you sweetheart. You are so very kind. Love from Colombe. ❤❤❤
That water is fantastic. Would save a ton on water bills I suspect. The peach marmalade looked awesome. Yes, yes, yes, you need a vacation. You deserve it🥂
Is t it amazing! ❤. Will save a lot on the water bill. Next year. Yay. And marmalade is so delicious. We will stay here buy only spend time with the doggies, maybe sew and do research and visit chateaux in the region. Thank you so much for your kindness. ❤❤❤
That sounds like fun😉@@patrickjourneytothechateau9452
Good morning gentlemen. I am a little behind being busy here. And I like some really nice quiet time to sit and watch your episodes. What a staggering amount of water!! I would never have thought that could be just pooling there. It is an amazing asset for sure put to good use.
Love the jam making, its beautiful and I love making it as well. Such an abundance and verity of fruit you guys have.
And yes, knowing you need a break is vital, please do so as you need to recharge and have a well deserved time out. I hope we see real soon that you are doing just that. 😘😘
FINALLY got time to watch! If you have frogs, you have a fantastic water quality. What a marvelous resourse to water your garden and trees with! Look forward to seeing you again in a live. ❤
Hope you had a wonderful time with your visitors (🥰😍🥰). The water is fantastic. The frogs look healthy and fat. 😂. We are using it for our veggies and flowers. It is amazing. See you soon. Hugs ❤😊❤ and love from Colombe
Thanks so much for sharing a part of your lives with us.😊
You are so welcome!😊
Thank you Lynda for being here with us. ❤❤❤
Vocês dois são muito simpáticos e ganharam uma inscrita brasileira, descendente de Alemães, que ama fazer geléias e pratos especiais ...e Castelos. Agradeço pelo canal , pelas receitas e pelo bom exemplo ao se esmerarem em restaurar seu Chateau. Aqui do Sul do Brasil...🥰 💙💚💛🇧🇷
Oh my goodness! You poor things with all that dust ! It must just get exhausting sometimes with all the work !
Time for a vacation.
Lovely as always. ❤ Oh, my dears! I could hear the enervation in your voice. You are welcome here in Colorado for as long as you like. ❤ (Though, if it were me, I’d be heading for a spa in the Swiss Alps.) A vacation is always a good idea. The projects can wait a couple of weeks.
I am intrigued by your cave. I’m envisioning some sort of Greco-Roman baths, with ornate columns and tiles and lots of people lounging about in loin cloths! 😍😜😂 Please let me know when it’s ready and I’ll be on the next flight!
Peach preserves are my favorite! (Plum is my runner-up). I’m looking forward to breakfast. 🍑
Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize. ❤
Big hugs to you both. ❤❤
Thank you so much dear Jayson. Life would be a bit easier, if we would have someone who could look after our fur babies. I was incredibly frustrated because John left all doors open. So in addition to the dust in one room (and he said: You don’t need to cover the chandelier…… There will be hardly any dust…..) 😮😮😮. We have to clean every room from the kitchen to the petit salon……. Completely unnecessary. Just showed me that I’m in urgent need of some days without renovations. 😮😅😮.
Now you have some seriously involved images of the possibilities for the cave. Love it.
We have what is called blood peaches because they are so dark red. Amazing, tasty and quite rate.
Will have that for you for breakfast with fresh croissants 😊❤😊.
Love and hugs to you two. ❤😊❤
Good morning Patrick & Stuart, the spring is a wonderful blessing to have on the property, to be able to pump out that water and use it in the garden is a great save, and as you say the water is crystal clear. We save as much water as we can in the house, my rinsing water from the dishes I do in a large plastic basin and when done, that water goes onto the plants and shrubs. It is amazing how much water we can save in a week. Also we have a bucket in the bath to run the hot water into, you know beforehand the water is still cold then as the hot water comes in we turn it off and then we can wash our hands etc. so that also goes into watering cans and used. I love your big tank and the Metabo pump has done a tremendous job. We cannot get Metabo in S. Africa for some unknown reason only DeWalt and Rejobi!! Not worth too much. So you are in the winners circle. Wonderful time of the year to start with your jams, compote's, pickles and chutneys. Have you tried a creamed blue cheese spread on toast and then a spread of that peach jam, oh my word, try it, the flavour is unsurpassed!! Unfortunately, you will have to contend with the rubble as John is progressing with the electrical re-wiring, it is a project that has to be done. I have an expression - I "just" want to ..... and I hate it, I do not know where I picked that up, I am losing that which I am very grateful for. I now use want and would.... I have much empathy with you, I refuse to have anymore construction done unless of a disaster, too old now for all that. What is a better option to save on your ornaments and furniture is take the ornaments out, pack into a container or loose around the chateaux, cover the furniture with plastic and hope for the best. It helps for the cleaning up later and saves the wood. I can tell a story about changing the roof structure, we had to do it, that was a nightmare in reality. It will not take too much longer and the chateaux will be the way you want it, after the electrical wiring, something else will turn up, just deal with that in your stride. Enjoy your life every day, I am sure many envy your lifestyle. Many blessings, Elize.
When I saw the word cave in the title of the video, I wondered if Tony was involved! LOL!
Oh my goodness…You guys definitely need a holiday!
Time for you to have a “refresh and reboot”.
It’s tough going at full tilt each and every day without taking a break.
Looking forward to hearing your holiday plans… maybe a cruise?🤔😃
Ohhhhh that would be nice. We took one a long time ago. Seaborne……. Was amazing. But not now. We can’t burden our friends with all of our dogs. We will do sightseeing in the area and not renovate anything for one or two weeks….. but we will share that. Love from Colombe ❤😊❤
@@patrickjourneytothechateau9452 Good for you!
We all want what’s best for you, so take
good care of yourselves and be in touch with us but only now and then, and no work!👍🏻🤣
Love all your vlogs
Thank you darling Angela. 💖🥰💖
Thank you for your really interesting vlog. 😊
Bless your heart, what a mess. I love your Jam making you are both very industrious and I am thinking you deserve a long vacation. So have a great one and enjoy. But do come back I really enjoy watching your show.
Well so much for putting wine in the wine cave LOL Well I can't wait for a good explore down there, I love that kind of thing! The frogs not so much LOL 🐸🐸 OMG your jams always look so yummy! Chateau - constant state of reno and fix up. Fun/not fun! Leaning more towards fun!
Marmalade or jam looks so delicious. Yummy 😊❤
Thank you 😋
Oh my goodness! Smart to extract and use on your gardens. Well, the electricity has to be changed. It's a bit of a pain, but when it's done, it will be fantastic.
Love your blog and yes take a break.
I have been going through the same mess for the past 7yrs. I know your pain. I have 3 more rooms to go. There's always something to clean. Dust everywhere. It's worth it but I'm looking forward to the end of the mess as I'm sure you both are. Love your videos
Thank you so much. It is worse when we are tired and exhausted. I know we a4e not alone and empathetic comments, like yours, make it a lot more bearable. Good luck with your last 3 rooms! I guess, us restoring more living space in the wings won’t bother me much, because I can just close the doors 😂😂😂. Huge hugs from Colombe ❤
Obviously some folks never survived an extensive remodel. I’m from Georgia picked many a peach for home churned peach ice cream and cobbler cooked in cast iron n skillet growing up. Yum!! So happy you have an extra water source . Hope you find a way to have your cave and your well. Love you both dearly . ❤❤❤😘😘😘😇
Hello darling. Ohhhh those Georgia peaches 🍑. Yummy. The extra water source is amazing. We are really happy. I hope so too. Love from Colombe and I hope clarity has come to you both. ❤❤❤
The cave was like an adventure into the past. Kudos for going down there and recycling the water. It is very commendable for the conservation you make part of this restoration. Every little bit helps the planet and you also.
Point, in fact, all the canning you do to avoid waste for one. As always, love the videos, and, of course, all of you and dogs, at the château ❤️
V
Thank you, Gloria! Love and miss you both. ❤️
Thank you for a wonderful episode 👏👏 You are so…hard working men!! To try to do this upkeep by yourself, is exhausting!! You need to get away 🏃 for a couple of weeks. And then come back
Refreshed!! You have to….so you don’t get sick 😷 love you 🥰 🙏🙏
Thank you so much!
I love the jam recipe and your copper pan. ❤
Hi Dodi. The jams and jellies honestly taste so much better out of the Confiturier. Or jam pot 😂🤣😂. More intense. Hope you are not buried under zucchini 😂😂😂. Love from us to your wonderful family. ❤❤❤
Wow those caves are amazing! I love the vaulted ceilings! And all of that beautiful water! You're so lucky to have such an abundant water source! Your gardens will thank you for it! Patrick, I love the lids that you have for your jars. they're so pretty!. And I see you fill your jars with a good old 2ltr Pyrex jug too, I just made a batch of Orange Marmalade yesterday, and used my jug! I love my Pyrex jugs, I have several sizes. Just so handy aren't they? I'll bet that Peach Marmalade is delicious! Big hugs, and pats for the doggies xxx
They are fantastic. So intriguing and over 500 years old. 😮. I got the jug as a gift from Florence. So helpful. The peach marmalade is truly yummy. Hugs from Colombe
So much lovely jam and such a treat for those lucky guests in the not too distant future i hope! I love that old saying ‘ its ok to write your name in the dust, but please dont dare it’😂
Cheers from Oz🦘🐨🐾🥰👋
This is just the beginning of the jams. More peaches to come. 😊
We didn’t dare 😂😂😂. Thank you so much. 😊
Ah I bet the peach jam is going to be the best you ever tasted...yum. When I get good peaches I make a chicken/peach stew/casserole dish that is sooo delicious!
Peach jam looks delicious!😋
The smell of your jam was wafting through the screen and taking me back to happy memories of my mother s Herculaneum jamming days. I nearly put my finger in for a taste at the end. She always competed in her Scottish Women’s Rural competitions…often winning too. Nothing tastier. I’m so looking forward to the fig treatment. Thank you for sharing.💕💝💕
When you have picked the figs there is nothing nicer than a fig& goats cheese tart or figs with honey tart as a desert. Here in Spain we have fig jam with cheese etc. Happy cooking & renovating
Stuart and Patrick, Don’t cut your damaged limbs from the plum trees! You can heal them pretty easily by lifting them up into their original position and doing your best to get the broken sections to fit back together. You can purchase a breathable tape and bandage the broken area and as long as you have some portion of the trunk that is unbroken so that it can carry nutrients to the portion above the break the tree will concentrate sap and nutrients to the broken area and heal completely by this time next year and will be stronger where it was broken than before. Just make sure you brace the tree beyond the break so that it’s supported and won’t fall or put strain on the injury. There are some wonderful videos on UA-cam explaining how to properly do this and hopefully save some major portions of your beautiful trees. Good luck guys! I really love your content and wish you all the best in your new adventure.
That is a great idea. The red peach is too damaged I fear but we will try the second one. Going to investigate now. Huge thank you. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hello lovely friends❤❤❤❤
Hell there. It was so nice to see you in the chat. Hugs from Colombe. ❤❤
Given the danger of unpredictable wildfires, it’s good to know about that water reservoir.
That is so true. ❤❤❤
Hello, or Bonsoir from South Carolina, USA.
Hi Doris. Greeting from Colombe to SC and hugs too ❤❤❤
It's a rainy SC from Idahlia but thankfully only rain. Thank you! I love to see you go to brocantes. I collect French science and spot it often. You have bought some gorgeous vases. Did you ever identify that pair?
That is French faience. I hate this auto correct.
Have you considered getting "baby" sized jars as gifts in the gette? With the amount of fruit you are getting your guests might enjoy some. Just a little thank you gift!
Well, that’s a nice idea. However, they already gift a bottle of wine, cookies, milk, sparking water and right now, tomatoes. We will have them for our B&B guests though. Hugs ❤
You really made me laugh with the dusty dining room, it is for the greater good …. your Chateau is going to be nothing short of magnificent, but definitely, definitely take a break, it’s obviously much needed. Here at La Petite Maison it’s been blackberry jam time, the hedgerows are brimming with fruit. I also have the exact funnel as you, and also always resort to a Pyrex jug as the funnel is too big for the neck of some jars, so I actually laughed out loud as I watched you. As always, take great care xx
Yes hello and I would like to say and agree with another one of your viewers. I have been following you right from the start of your living in the US and then buying the chateau and she is going to be a beauty when she is restored to her glory. Like I have referred to her before Phoenix rising from the ashes, thank you for taking me alone this journey with the two of you and the ones that help with your repairs and designs and volunteer workers. God bless you too. Will continue to love this journey. I get ideas myself
Hallo meine lieben diearmelade looks yummy und du kennst das sprichwort. Ein ohr rein und ein ohr raus es ist euer chateau und ihr wist was gemacht werden muss oh well alles luebe gute und gesundheit ps bin gespannt was ihr in dem keller findet 😊😊😊❤❤❤
I was thinking about a month ago that you both looked like needed a decent break from everything. Please go and enjoy yourselves somewhere special soon. Cheers Shirley
You have come such a long way.Thank you for taking us on your journey.❤❤❤
Thank you so much!
Hello John. Thank you very much. We need a little time to reset and maybe visit some chateaux and see Bourges’ attractions. ❤😊❤. Hugs from Colombe
The cave is a fascinating feature - I hope you’re able to turn it into a wine cellar. I think you all need a break from all the renovations- we’ll be waiting for ya when you get back 😃.
Thank you so much Jeff. The cellar is so very impressive. Once we have the water under control (and we don’t want to pump it out), we can clean it out and put to some wine in there. 😊❤😊. We will vlog but mostly about our area….. like an advertisement for the Cher region of France 😂😂😂. Huge hugs.
Oh you poor darlings you both look and sound done in as I’ve said before. The amount of dust is just unreal.
What you need is a volunteer work party some weekend just to try and get as much done as you need. I only wish that I could come over and give you a hand out.
On a positive side I loved the jam making even though I laughed at Patrick burning his fingers. Lol I actually made plum jam today after revisiting your last jam making vlog.
I could not believe how clear the water in the cellar was and I agree with what you said Stuart about contaminating it. Well please please take at least one day or even an afternoon off a week and just have a nap or a couple of nice cocktails and recharge the body and soul. Big big hugs from me. Xx😙🇨🇮
Hello sweet Sheila. We were a bit down and out. Much better today after 8 hours of cleaning. 😂😊😂. We do need volunteers next spring to help with the gardens and some special projects.
We will take 2 weeks off in October. Visiting chateaux and monasteries in the region, having a lunch and spending time with the dogs. A nap too. Huge hugs and ,ich love from Colombe. 😊❤😊
The original Intro language order is better, however I'll get use to it nevertheless! Great video 😃👍
😂. I know, I agree 100%. Don’t get used to it. We will be back to normal. Than’ you 😊😊😊
You clever boys, using the van to transport the water storage container to the garden area. And here I was thinking you were just gonna pump it into a storage tank right next to the garden. But noooo, it’s never easy in a château. The garden is in the back that cistern is in the front. Yummy marmalade!
Hi Mike. You made me laugh 😂🤣😂. We use the tank in he front and for the veggies. It works great. I was looking for a solution and it suddenly occurred to me. 😮😊😮. The marmalade is delicious. Hugs from Colombe ❤
The skills you have between each other is amazing!
You are too kind Sir. Love from us ❤❤❤
Ingenious.
Waiting on tenterhooks for the fig jam 😋
You can dry and freeze the figs too. I did that last year and they both were delicious.
Love your style😂😂😂take a holiday
I feel for you about the constant mess...do take a vacation...or a long weekend soon
Patrick, are you losing weight? You look like you have been working your butt of literally . lol I hope you two can find some really good time to just relax and enjoy all your progress since you have been in France. If I look back on your first day, wow, two dynamo's that have great work ethic 's, eye for detail and beauty and never stop but are only human . Sending you love and peace of spirit. 🐸 and a little frog to go with your other one in the cave.😊
Wow that was and is a lot of water and plants are so lucky.
Peach jam/ marmalade looks divine. Love your labels.
The dust got everywhere and I’m sorry you have extra work. My friend Joan tells me when the yellow dust from the Sahara gets all over her property and what a pain it is to clean up.
You both def need a holiday. Time for a change of views and then home refreshed I’d say to you both. ❤❤
Isn’t that amazing to have so much free water for the veggies and flowers. Stuart created the labels. They are pretty, I agree. And that dust……. Ugh. A few closed doors would have cut the cleaning in half. So depressing. Therefore, we will take some days in early October and get back to work refreshed, like you suggested. Than’ you so much. Hugs from Colombe ❤
Brilliant 👏
Thank you for the video! The dust is amazing, but impossible to avoid in a renovation, whether it is a chateau or a flat!
That is absolutely true. No matter where. Going through 400 year old walls and ceilings that are 2-3 feet thick doesn’t help 😮😂😮. So glad you are with us on this journey. Hugs ❤
I love that pot. I NEED a pot like that!!......and I'm gonna find one. The jam looks marvelous.
In France they call it a confiturier. The copper pot intensifies the flavours of the fruits. Absolutely recommend by me. 😮😊. Hugs ❤❤
You are braver than I would be when entering la cave! What about snakes? How exciting to hear your ideas for the future when you get la cave dried out! I enjoy watching your jam making projects. I need to investigate the lids that you use for sealing your jars. I use paraffin to seal the jams I make. The lids you use seem much easier and quicker than my method. (If I ever visit, you had better hide those faience candlesticks from Rouen, or they just might disappear. LOL. I've been admiring them in a couple of videos.) 🥰😍
👍👍❤️
Boys you should go on holidays somewhere!! And take us along of course. I am sure we would enjoy it.
I think a holiday also would need to include NOT vlogging. 🤣
@@JourneytotheChateau well you are absolutely right of course (;
Been there done that and for sure you need to step back and take a break. Also when you do that a fresh look at what and wear your going is a little clearer. No need to justify it just do it. What ever you spend the time doing rest up and enjoy.
Peach jam...yum..a little dust video..lol
The peach jam part is soooo much nicer. 😂😊😂. Hugs ❤
Hi Patrick and Stuart. Having that well cave water is a bonus. It is more work but worth it.
The marmalade looks delicious. Your kitchen must have been bursting with aroma. Sorry about the tree from the storm.
John is an awesome worker. You guys are lucky to have him bring your chateau up to standard safely. The mess is overwhelming, but you both can keep up with it. You both will be so happy to have it done, I know.
I notice you both look in need of a vacation, and I hope you get done soon. You both have been going non-stop and deserve a getaway.
Lots of love to you both.❤
For some mysterious reason I can’t make a comment directly. As someone living in Australia, we have an extremely dry continent. Almost every summer we have water restrictions and people are generally very careful with water as it is a precious commodity. I would personally advise caution when interfering with that underground storage which is ancient. That may very well save the very livability of the chateau in the long term. The water could also be used for flushing toilets! Sacre bleu!! If you are squeamish about drinking it you could have an auxiliary tank which is treated for use as drinking water year round.
Fab vlog. The water is so clear, amazing. Loved the jam making. Defo take a break guys will give you energy and inspiration to keep going ❤
Thanks so much! 😊
Love you both very much excellent videos!
Thank you 😊❤😊 so very much.
Hi Patrick and Stuart, the marmalade looks delicious. ❤
You guys deserve a break. Don't over do it ,Rome wasn't built in a day . ❤❤❤
Thank you. The peaches are wonderful and the marmalade is delicious. We need a short break to get some distance. The back with fresh eyes. Huge hugs. ❤❤❤
Definitely time 4 a break...... leave all the justs for a week and go out n play! And............ plan for an official day of rest! Its fun for us to watch you but have you thought a vid once a week. I'm sure we would live.
I adore you my friend. We need to recharge. Can’t tell you how much this means to me. Sending you love and hugs from Colombe ❤❤❤
Oh my 😱🫣. Go take some me time guys, you more than deserve it.
such an interesting vid to watch
OMG, what a mess, it will be so worth it in the end but yes it would drive me nuts to. Hope you are both well, i think I’ve given Clair the sorting bug she has got the bit between her teeth and is going for it, I’m hoping to get to meet you both next year if Richard is up for it. Buy for now Jason
Hi there Jason. We’d love to meet you and hope Richard is fit, so you can enjoy a trip to France. We need to get Claire over here to help sort 😂😂😂. Buy darling and thank you so much. ❤❤❤
So for now you have a interior pool, lucky you! Have a nice day!
😂