- 7 hours ago
A New Life in the Sun - Season 11 - Episode 22
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00:00Making a fresh start under blue skies is a dream chased by thousands of Brits.
00:06This is freedom.
00:07Pick your vista, anyone you like.
00:10Pursuing bucket list experiences.
00:14Yay!
00:15And newfound freedoms.
00:17We could walk around but naked if we wanted to.
00:19While Brexit has made it a battle.
00:22I've applied for two visas. I've been denied two visas.
00:25Many are still giving it a go.
00:27Come on.
00:28I wanted to know what else life had to offer.
00:30I like the idea of just spending every day together, don't we?
00:34We do.
00:35From launching bike tours in Spain...
00:38This is my office here. I couldn't ask for more.
00:40..to glamping sites in Italy.
00:42Build it and they will come. We hope.
00:46But will it be a smooth ride?
00:50Or their ideas come crashing down?
00:53Oh, my God!
00:55As they begin their new lives in the sun.
00:57Something.
00:58It's an adventure.
00:59Love it, life.
01:01Today...
01:01I thought we could have it going all the way down.
01:04..the owners of a French chateau roll out the red carpet...
01:09..in their next step to become an events venue.
01:12I love it!
01:14I love entertaining.
01:15I love making people happy.
01:17A couple launching wellness retreats in Bulgaria...
01:21Going deep, deep, deep down.
01:24..are forced to take their business in a brand-new direction.
01:28This used to be a hunting lodge,
01:30so hopefully we can change the decorations a little bit.
01:33And in Italy...
01:34This is waiting help.
01:36..a former soap star faces a battle to keep his dream alive.
01:40I've had several crises of confidence.
01:45Am I capable of doing this?
01:58Among the most romantic visions of a fresh start in Europe
02:02is upgrading your British suburban home for a majestic French chateau.
02:08With their grand architecture, sprawling grounds and rustic charm,
02:12these timeless estates offer not just a place to live,
02:16but a new way of life.
02:18This is the bar.
02:19It's like the old-fashioned gentleman's bar, isn't it?
02:23Yeah.
02:24Having made Chateau Le Villette's to the north-east of Limoges
02:28their new home, David and Sharon from Lincolnshire...
02:32Cheers.
02:32Cheers, darling.
02:34..opted to swerve retirement
02:36after busy careers in the packaging industry and hospitality
02:40to welcome guests staying in the chateau's
02:4312 luxurious and unique guest rooms.
02:47This is what I wanted it to look like,
02:50so people would come in here and think,
02:52oh, a wardrobe.
02:53But then when you open it...
02:56..it's the bathroom.
02:58It's a really nice space, this.
03:01After achieving success with their B&B stays,
03:05this season, Sharon's determined the chateau
03:07will finally reach its full potential.
03:11At the moment, we're just doing Chambrodot,
03:14which is like bed and breakfast,
03:16and it's working really well.
03:18We have met so many lovely people
03:20and it's becoming quite well-known now, which is nice.
03:25So we can now start thinking about holding bigger events,
03:30parties and weddings.
03:33But it's a dream David's been forced to mostly take a back seat from
03:37as he continues to focus on his recovery from cancer treatment.
03:42I have a scan every six months.
03:45Touch wood or...
03:46We have no wood.
03:50You know, it's cleared.
03:53You know, Dave does his best, and with the garden and things like that,
03:57he does what he can.
03:59Sharon can do so much,
04:03but as we get busier and we get more clients coming in,
04:07it is getting more difficult.
04:10So the main thing, I think, is to get more help in.
04:17It's now mid-March,
04:19having secured regular B&B bookings from an American tour company,
04:24bringing in crucial income to help launch events.
04:28Sharon's preparing for her next group's arrival.
04:32I'm just getting the table organised for tomorrow evening.
04:36I like to get prepared early because I've got quite a bit to do
04:40and I'm doing it on my own tomorrow,
04:43so I need to be organised.
04:47I don't want to be stressing.
04:51We only have four,
04:53but I still like everything to just be so.
04:55Well, I do anyway. I'm a bit like that.
04:58I really want to make myself
05:01not just a run-of-the-mill, like, hotel chateau.
05:05I want to sort of be in the top rankings.
05:08And all I've got to do is pick some fresh flowers for tomorrow
05:10and then that's done.
05:14The following day, after final checks to the accommodation...
05:19She pairs the slippers.
05:23Hairdryers in place.
05:26Dressing gowns.
05:27Sharon adds the finishing touches.
05:30What I do is I have a different fragrance for every room.
05:34This room I've chosen amber.
05:36Don't ask me why I've chosen that, but I do like it,
05:39so I always give the room a spray.
05:45So this room's complete.
05:47I've done all the others, so all rooms are ready.
05:51Just in time, too, as her American guests are here.
05:56Bonjour.
05:57Hello.
05:59Are you Sharon?
06:00I am, yes.
06:01Hi, I'm Joyce.
06:02Hi, pleased to meet you.
06:03Nice to meet you.
06:05This is lovely.
06:07Just come through in here.
06:09I'll get you all a drink.
06:10Oh, thank you.
06:12An overnight stay in a double room as part of their tour
06:16costs 172 euros each.
06:20Sharon's hard work and attention to detail...
06:23Oh, my God.
06:25I do feel like a queen.
06:26...is recognised immediately.
06:29Yeah, check out the bathroom.
06:31Oh, very good.
06:32Yeah.
06:33OK, I'm not leaving this place at all.
06:37The guests seem to be really enjoying themselves.
06:40Yes.
06:41They liked their rooms,
06:43especially the lady that's in the Madame Pompadour.
06:46I'm quite a people person, I think,
06:48and I do love it when people are here.
06:50The house feels empty when there's nobody.
06:54Which is a relief,
06:55as the chateau's about to get a lot fuller.
06:58Sharon's next booking is to host a large hen party,
07:02her first step towards achieving her dream
07:05of becoming an events venue.
07:17Beyond the vineyards and valleys of Western Europe,
07:21the road winds east to a quieter land.
07:24In the hills of central Bulgaria
07:26lies the village of Slavakovo,
07:29where time drifts at the pace of the seasons.
07:32Very quiet.
07:33That's why we like it.
07:34Which, after ten years living in London,
07:37appealed to Essex-born Nino
07:39and his Bulgarian wife Valentina.
07:42We used to live in north London
07:43and it was a lot of sirens, ambulances,
07:47people walking past your window,
07:50a lot of traffic, a lot of pollution.
07:52But, yeah, here it's very quiet.
07:54It's lovely.
07:56The couple first met
07:58while they were working on the London Underground.
08:01But as Nino's recently retired
08:03from being a project manager,
08:05they decided it was the perfect time
08:07to escape the big smoke
08:08and put down new routes
08:10in Valentina's home country.
08:14You're free from obligations
08:16of schedules,
08:18of running time to time.
08:19We create our time.
08:20And this freedom of choice
08:22is removing, like, 80% of your stress.
08:26I always wanted somewhere hot to retire to
08:28with a pool and nice weather
08:30and good food
08:31and, you know,
08:31that kind of Mediterranean lifestyle.
08:33And, yeah, we thought about Spain and Portugal,
08:35but they're more expensive.
08:36And you suggested Bulgaria,
08:37so thank you for that.
08:41They've now settled their young family
08:43into a three-bedroom villa
08:45with a swimming pool
08:46and panoramic mountain views.
08:50While Nino was ready
08:51to take a step back
08:53from the career ladder...
08:54Oh, man.
08:56Valentina,
08:57who had most recently been working
08:59as a homeopath in the UK,
09:01spotted an opportunity
09:03to launch a new wellness retreat business.
09:06I'm a Reiki master.
09:07I do special retreats
09:09for people to reconnect
09:10to their spirits,
09:11for chakras,
09:12energy healing,
09:13and everything,
09:15which is all for the well-being, really.
09:17With Nino on hand
09:19for business support,
09:20they came to this beautiful region
09:22with the plan to host their retreats
09:25from a second property
09:26they bought ten minutes away.
09:28I know what I want
09:29because I can see it.
09:30I'm the visual.
09:32I'm the, you know,
09:33I'm the...
09:33I don't want to say the leader
09:35or the boss.
09:36I don't like these words.
09:37I'm kind of the mother queen.
09:41Am I bossing?
09:42No.
09:43No.
09:47It's now early February,
09:50over a year since Valentina and Nino
09:53got the keys to their new business premises.
09:55But instead of it being full with guests on retreats,
09:59it continues to sit empty.
10:02As not only have their renovations been plagued with problems,
10:07but there are now objections from some locals
10:09about their new business.
10:11It's a very quiet village
10:13and only a few people living here.
10:15I told them my ideas,
10:17my plans,
10:17what I want to do
10:18and hearing that they're going to be like 20 plus people
10:21coming,
10:22driving here,
10:23they wasn't happy about it
10:24and that would have caused a lot of problems.
10:27As their new venture centres around good energy
10:30and positivity,
10:32this latest setback
10:33has led the couple to make a big decision.
10:36So we decided to sell it
10:38and move forward.
10:39Yeah, we were a bit sad to see it back on the market.
10:41We did want to keep it.
10:43If we didn't have to sell it, we wouldn't.
10:44But we do need somewhere for the retreats
10:47and for the business to run.
10:48So we have to really put it on the market
10:50and wave goodbye, unfortunately.
10:53While it's a wrench to bid farewell to their dream here...
10:57I'm gone, I'm gone.
10:58I'm gone, I'm gone.
10:59Bye-bye.
10:59..they remain determined to host retreats in Bulgaria
11:03as soon as they can find an alternative venue.
11:06Bye-bye.
11:09One without the costs and stress of renovation.
11:16The following month, Valentina and Nino are pursuing a lead
11:20that could get their retreat plan back on track.
11:24So, this is the foyer area of the lodge.
11:28Unable to buy a new business premises
11:31until they've sold their other,
11:32a local hotel owner has potentially come to the rescue,
11:37offering a partnership.
11:38It used to be a hunting lodge,
11:40so there's lots of dead animal heads on the wall,
11:43which is not really in keeping with a retreat, shall you say,
11:47for wellness.
11:48So hopefully we can change the decorations a little bit
11:51and make things a bit more...
11:54..weld.
11:55Welcoming.
11:56Well, yeah.
11:57Less dead.
11:58Less dead, yeah.
11:59More alive.
12:00Yeah, that was fun, actually.
12:02While there may be some quirks at first glance,
12:06the pressure to secure a new venue has never been higher,
12:10as the pair have lined up a retreat and sold tickets,
12:14taking place in less than two weeks' time.
12:20Coming up...
12:21I looked around and I was like, this is it, this is my haven.
12:26Having found his slice of paradise,
12:28will a former soap star ever be able to launch his new business?
12:32I want to be here 12 months of the year.
12:35I'm absolutely disowned.
12:37And in France...
12:38This is the first time we've ever held a hen party.
12:41Sharon raises the bar for the chateau's first big event.
12:45Everything's on time, I think.
12:48Can't believe it.
12:59Framed by the towering Italian Alps
13:02and boasting a rich farming history,
13:04Piedmont is a region where beauty and tradition go hand in hand.
13:09And for actor and former soap star Stephen Billington from London...
13:14Billy and his sticks.
13:17It's become more than just an escape from the spotlight
13:20after playing roles in soaps like Hollyoaks and Coronation Street.
13:24But somewhere, he now sees his future away from acting
13:28after buying a large secluded farmhouse
13:31with two acres of woodland close to the town of Astey.
13:38This was actually the first house that I looked at.
13:41I thought it was breathtaking.
13:43And then I walked into the glade past the well over there
13:48and I looked around and I was like,
13:52this is it, this is my haven.
13:55And then I thought,
13:57well, you can't buy the first house that you see.
14:00So I saw 26 other houses
14:04and then came back and bought this one.
14:06You know when it's right.
14:10Included in the £60,000 price tag
14:13was a separate two-storey building,
14:16which Stephen is turning into a pair of self-catered guest rooms.
14:20I'm kind of liking that, actually.
14:22His plan being to rent them out year-round to tourists,
14:26earning an income to sustain his new life here,
14:30once he's got his Italian residency.
14:34I've applied for two visas so far.
14:38I've been denied two visas
14:39and even that presence in itself is expensive, you know.
14:43So, yeah, you don't do it lightly.
14:45At the moment, I'm back and forth every 90 days,
14:48which is a very challenging way
14:52to think about running a business.
14:56I want to be here 12 months of the year.
14:59I'm absolutely determined.
15:04It's now April
15:05and Stephen is within one of his 90-day trips to Italy,
15:09allowing him the opportunity to live in his new farmhouse.
15:13It is a bit...
15:15There are trip hazards.
15:16Even though it's yet to be renovated.
15:20As you can see, I've done nothing to the kitchen.
15:27This is waiting help.
15:31As you can see, the plaster is, you know, falling off in places.
15:37So we're going to expose this back to the brick
15:42and it'll be beautiful.
15:45But right now, it's a bit of a mess.
15:47It's, you know, it's functional.
15:48I'm living quite basically.
15:52Stephen plans to add extra bedrooms
15:55and reconfigure the downstairs layout.
15:57But due to his visa stay limitations
16:00and the pressure to open his business,
16:02he's had no time at all to do work on his own home.
16:06The main plan is to just make that kitchen more functional.
16:11This is probably next year, maybe even the year after.
16:16My place is secondary.
16:19I can live like this until, you know, I earn some more money.
16:24However, it isn't just securing a visa that's taking longer than Stephen hoped.
16:29The renovations of the B&B units have overrun and now further bureaucracy is preventing him
16:36from officially registering his new business, which he must do before he can open.
16:41I've had several crises of confidence.
16:46How confident am I capable of doing this?
16:50Honestly, yes.
16:51Yes, I have not been able to see a way through it because there's so much to do.
16:58It's those kind of self-doubt things that sometimes plague me.
17:05The following month, having worked hard to complete the final decorative finishes to his guest rooms,
17:13Stephen still isn't permitted to accept bookings from paying guests.
17:18So he's come up with an idea to get some feedback on his accommodation.
17:23My friend Lynn is arriving today to stay in the downstairs unit.
17:27So it'd be a nice test, actually, considering I can't get paying guests in there until I've sorted out the
17:36bureaucracy.
17:37But at least I'll get a friend in there to stay for a night and test everything out.
17:43With Lynn due to arrive in an hour, it's important Stephen makes a good first impression.
17:50I have to keep ahead of the insect population here.
17:54As securing a good review could be just the boost he needs to keep chasing his dream.
18:10Back on the outskirts of Limoges, it's now mid-May and also a milestone moment.
18:16I'm having to put more cups in the rooms because there's more girls sharing than what we do normally.
18:24Sharon wanted to open up the chateau as an events venue, and her business dream is slowly becoming a reality.
18:31Today she's welcoming 18 women from the UK for a luxurious hen weekend in the French countryside.
18:39There was a group of friends that came last year and had a great time.
18:43And this is what made them to decide to come here this year for the hen party.
18:47While it's the perfect opportunity to test out the chateau's facilities for hosting events,
18:53there is added pressure as Sharon's conscious of how important this celebration is for her guests.
19:00Hen parties in my time, when I got married, it was just like one night out.
19:05Gosh, yes, when I think back.
19:07I mean, I have been married 25 years now, so...
19:11This is the first time we've ever held a hen party, and also, I think, because they're my friends,
19:17I just want it to be really special.
19:19You know, I mean, I'm really going overboard and, you know, because the Moroccan meal is thrown in for them.
19:25But I'll be amongst it all anyway, so...
19:28Which, that's what I want to be, and this is why we've got staff coming in to help and, you
19:33know,
19:33so I can be part of it as well.
19:36With all the chateau's rooms booked and a jam-packed three-day schedule of meals, drinks and activities,
19:43Sharon's hired in help, finally resolving her staffing issues.
19:47We'll serve the drinks when they arrive.
19:50OK, Sharon, I have the drinks ready to serve.
19:52Yes.
19:53Angie is the lady that started working with me, and she's absolutely great.
19:57She's actually taking care of the charcuterie.
20:00She's really helping me.
20:01Also chipping in across the weekend to ease the load are some of Sharon's local friends.
20:08I feel as though we need another feather there.
20:12That, yeah.
20:13That looks OK, yeah.
20:14What do you think?
20:15Oh, as usual, spot-on job, Syl.
20:19Looks great.
20:19Looks really nice.
20:20It looks really nice, doesn't it?
20:22Everything's on time, I think.
20:24Can't believe it.
20:26But before the hens arrive,
20:28Sharon's had a last-minute idea to bring an extra sense of occasion to the weekend.
20:34It might look naff, but...
20:37I thought we could have it, like, going all the way down.
20:40Yeah.
20:41Strattled.
20:43We could put some stones in.
20:46I mean, it does look quite effective, doesn't it?
20:49I'll tell you what I have got.
20:50What about if we put some lanterns?
20:52Yeah, good idea.
20:54With the red carpet rolled out...
20:58Having made the short drive from the airport,
21:01bride-to-be Sally and her French hens have arrived.
21:05Look at the red carpet!
21:08I thought you'd love the red carpet!
21:11I love it!
21:13Thanks for my VIP guests!
21:16Sharon, that is insane!
21:19As the chateau's first event of the summer kicks off...
21:23The mood is high!
21:25We're so glad to be here.
21:27For a start, just look at the view.
21:29And the beautiful chateau.
21:31And it's just idyllic.
21:33Just peace and...
21:34Well, I don't know about peace and quiet, with 18 others.
21:37It's absolutely beautiful.
21:39Yeah, and that's why we like being here.
21:41And we're here for our beautiful friend Sally, for her Hindu.
21:44And very dear friend Sally, who I had actually forgotten the reason I was here.
21:51They're all very happy, and they all seem to like the place.
21:54I'm just relieved everything's all done and dusted.
21:57And I've not got a lot to do now.
21:59So I'm going to join the party!
22:04For once, Sharon can let her hair down,
22:06as Angie is on top of the catering for the evening.
22:10All quenched, all ready to go.
22:12Everything's set up nicely.
22:14We've had really good health.
22:16They're great.
22:18Don't know what I'd do without them, to be honest.
22:21It's been great.
22:22It feels like Sally at this.
22:24It's been great.
22:25It was very stressful, first thing.
22:28But now all the girls are here.
22:30It's great.
22:31I love entertaining.
22:33I love making people happy.
22:34And I like to see that they're enjoying this all.
22:38But this is just the beginning.
22:41Can Sharon and her team keep the hen party going all weekend?
22:49Coming up, Valentina and Nino's Bulgarian retreat business
22:53hits another major setback.
22:56When they first tested this system, one of the pipes broke.
23:00There's a lot of things to go wrong.
23:01And in Italy, Stephen's guest accommodation
23:04has some unwelcome visitors.
23:06We've got some ants.
23:08Hmm.
23:09And that's happened in the last couple of days.
23:11Nature is very strong here.
23:22In central Bulgaria, it's early March,
23:26and Valentina and Nino are looking around a former hunting lodge
23:30that's now a hotel.
23:31This is the restaurant area.
23:33With a view to booking it as a venue for their new wellness retreats.
23:39We can fit up to 40, 45 people here
23:42from...
23:43We've got the bar.
23:44On the left-hand side, we've got the kitchen area.
23:47We'll see our breakfast we do here.
23:48They're going to organise all the food.
23:50All we do, we just give them the menu.
23:52We want to be cooked for us.
23:54And, yeah, they're taking over and doing everything for us.
23:58Along with on-site catering for their retreat guests,
24:02there are also spa facilities for relaxation,
24:05a choice-of-function rooms for Valentina
24:08to run her wellness and meditation sessions...
24:11At the moment, we are at the top floor of the property.
24:14..and 16 comfortable en-suite bedrooms.
24:18This is best because everybody has their own bedroom.
24:21Big rooms, as you can see, so we've got a lot of space for guests.
24:25You can accommodate up to maybe 40, 45 guests here.
24:29Being on the edge of the Central Balkan National Park
24:32also makes it the perfect setting for some R&R.
24:37At the moment, it's a bit cloudy, but it's so beautiful.
24:39You've got all these big mountains, the protectors, the guards,
24:43and we've got so much land outside.
24:45You can walk outside as well.
24:47The land is going much back there.
24:49This is actually everything we need and more because...
24:54..yeah, it's just...it's perfect.
24:56However, there is a catch.
24:59While the hotel is available for the dates of their retreat
25:03in less than two weeks' time,
25:05and they've been able to negotiate a reasonable hire fee,
25:08the property has recently been undergoing some essential maintenance,
25:13including to the heating system, which remains unfinished.
25:19This is like the boiler room.
25:20All the water filtration, all the heating, the thermopumps,
25:24everything is here.
25:25So when they first tested this system, one of the pipes broke,
25:29so now they have to find the fault, fix the fault.
25:33Hopefully, if everything is OK,
25:35they can start to heat the rest of the hotel.
25:38As you can see, there's a lot of pipes, there's a lot of things to go wrong.
25:41Having faced heating issues at their first retreat venue,
25:45there's a feeling of deja vu.
25:47It's massive.
25:48While they remain hopeful the problems here can be resolved soon,
25:53there's also a risk that they won't.
25:56We're not sure it can all be done in time.
25:59We have a retreat booked for ten days' time.
26:01It's kind of 50-50 at the moment.
26:03They're inside working, trying to fix everything,
26:05but there's no heating, it's very cold.
26:07Obviously, we have guests coming, they've already booked their flights,
26:10and they're coming regardless somewhere.
26:12So, fingers crossed, the retreat will go ahead on the 11th.
26:18The following day, Valentina and Nino are back at home.
26:23Thank you, my love.
26:28Working on the basis that they will be able to provide a warm welcome
26:32to their retreat guests next week.
26:38And with the help from Valentina's assistant, Zaprina...
26:42This morning, they're going to run through a practice meditation.
26:55Are you ready, guys?
26:56Yeah.
26:57So, I would like you to close your eyes.
27:01Hands around, yes, next to the body.
27:03Turn them around, sweetie.
27:05It's not fencing up, so you can receive.
27:07And I would like you to gently close your eyes and think of an intention.
27:12With the next breath, I would like you to breathe the energy of the root chakra from your feet.
27:21A session like this would form just one aspect of what Valentina has planned for her guests
27:27over the upcoming five-day retreat.
27:31I just would like you to see a deep root coming from your feet.
27:37Going deep, deep, deep down into the Mother Earth.
27:44Her goal is to take her clients on a journey to discover their inner selves,
27:49using a combination of meditation, sound baths, tarot readings, and other relaxation methods.
27:56And now, with the power, we're going to cut this black cord.
28:02At the end, there's an immediate sense of enlightenment for Zaprina.
28:08Do you want to share?
28:10Yeah, it was really deep.
28:12You connect to your soul.
28:14That's a big healing for you.
28:16A big jump.
28:18Get it out.
28:20Get it out.
28:22And after the stress of venue searching,
28:25it's just what Valentina and Nino needed too.
28:33Feeling confident, they have all the elements to offer the perfect retreat.
28:38We had the gongs, we've got the bows, we've got blankets, Buddha statues.
28:45All that's missing is confirmation that their new venue will be ready in time.
28:51Ready?
28:51Yeah.
28:52Ready.
28:52But despite a recent spell of bad luck,
28:56they're manifesting a turn of fortune for their new business.
29:10Back in northern Italy, ahead of his friend Lynn arriving as a trial guest...
29:15Hmm, they've gone a bit brown in this one.
29:20Oh, yeah, they're a bit old.
29:22Stephen's hunting for the finishing touches to his accommodation.
29:27Maybe this one as well.
29:29It's not what I imagined when I set off to try and find flowers,
29:36but I think it's still nice.
29:38I don't have any potted plants in there or anything,
29:41because obviously I can't be here 12 months of the year at the moment,
29:44so they would just, yeah, they would just die.
29:48So it's nice to have a bit of green in there.
29:50And some nice flowers, which are very scented.
29:55While there are perks of having woodland on the doorstep,
29:58there are also a few drawbacks to being surrounded by nature.
30:02We've got some ants coming in.
30:06Hmm, I've not noticed that.
30:08And they've brought with them all this light, organic material.
30:13I guess there must be an ants' nest just outside and they've somehow found their way in.
30:19Nature is very strong here, and that's happened in the last couple of days.
30:24Yeah, I'm going to have to deal with that.
30:27Half an hour later, with the ants cleared, the bed made...
30:32..these are freshly laundered.
30:34..and some essentials added to the kitchen.
30:37Some milk as well in the fridge.
30:40The fridge has never been used, so...
30:43..just take the packing tape out.
30:48Stephen is ready to welcome his first-ever guest.
30:52Yeah.
30:54All ready for her.
30:57Later that afternoon, after collecting Lynne from the airport...
31:02Is that beauty?
31:03Hello!
31:06It's amazing.
31:08Wow.
31:09Yeah.
31:10That view's amazing.
31:11Following months of renovation, Stephen can finally switch into hosting mode.
31:18No steps for me.
31:19No, this is the accessible unit.
31:22It's much better.
31:26Oh, gosh, it's absolutely lovely.
31:30Just amazing.
31:32I'll just put your case up here for now.
31:35I'll get it down for you when you want to unpack.
31:38It's a comfy bed.
31:40Makes all the difference.
31:42Yes, it is.
31:43Oh, it's just fantastic, Stephen.
31:45I'm so...
31:46Honestly, it's come so far.
31:48I'm just so blown away by it.
31:50It's fantastic.
31:51It's lovely.
31:54You've worked so hard.
31:57Yeah, I'm really pleased with the result.
31:59And hopefully you'll have a good night's sleep.
32:06The following morning...
32:08Hey.
32:09How are you doing?
32:10Good.
32:10You slept as well as me.
32:12You're doing good.
32:14I love this mattress.
32:16Yeah?
32:16And just waking up to calm, just quiet.
32:20I'm really pleased.
32:21The praise continues, especially for the accommodation's accessibility.
32:26Just easy, you know, just no stairs.
32:29There's no clutter.
32:31Floors aren't slippy, which is even more helpful.
32:33And there's room to manoeuvre.
32:34It's just what I need, and I'm sure it's what a lot of people need.
32:37So, good job.
32:40The only thing, you know, is perhaps to put a file together.
32:44Yeah.
32:44With everything in, like, Wi-Fi codes and bus times,
32:47just because it'll make it easier for you as well.
32:50So maybe get some stuff from the Tourist Information Centre.
32:54While it may have only been a one-night stay...
32:58I'd like to come back tomorrow, please.
33:00You're welcome any time.
33:03..it's proved to be just the boost Stephen needed
33:06as he anxiously awaits his business licence.
33:09I'm really, really pleased that she had a perfect night's sleep.
33:14I've always been someone who's taken feedback as a positive thing.
33:18Being an actor by directors and teachers,
33:20you're always being guided and all of that,
33:22and so this is no different.
33:28Coming up...
33:29Belly dancing belts, so they can do a little bit of dancing.
33:33Sharon pulls out all the stops
33:35for her hen's final night at the chateau.
33:38It's been fab having you here, so let's get the party going!
33:44And the drinks are also flowing at Stephen's.
33:47Cheers!
33:49I want to cheers all of you individually.
33:52The plan was always to have multiple guests.
33:55This is a really good test for me.
34:08On the edge of Limoges, with 18 guests staying as part of a hen party
34:13at Sharon's chateau, it's now the morning after the night before.
34:17This morning, I got up round about 7 o'clock, came down, started to prepare breakfast,
34:24and nobody seemed to be getting up.
34:28But soon the guests begin to rouse, preparing to pick up where they left off.
34:34I think what they like more than anything, that they're all together.
34:37At the moment, the girls are just all sat around drinking champagne and orange juice.
34:44Party, party, party, party!
34:47We've just got up, and the weather is the best.
34:51Proper chilled, with the wine and the Prosecco.
34:55A loving life.
34:57We've got a massage in a moment.
35:00Sharon is the best hostess.
35:07To help heal any hangovers, Sharon's booked massage therapists for bride-to-be Sally and
35:14her hens.
35:15We got everything prepared outside in the marquee, because it's such beautiful weather.
35:21Rather than doing the massage in the house, we thought we would do it outside, because
35:26then they got the view of the trees and all the nature.
35:30Leaving her guests with the choice of relaxing, or playing some lawn games set up by her helpers.
35:37Right, Kev, get on the ball, look.
35:41Sharon hits the kitchen, in preparation for this evening's dinner.
35:46I've just roughly chopped these at the moment.
35:49Going to put lots of garlic in.
35:52The menu is influenced by her passion for Moroccan cuisine, after living there 18 years ago.
35:59I was actually in Morocco for about five years, on and off.
36:03I went to a Moroccan cooking school.
36:07So this is tahini, which I'm adding.
36:12Got zalouk salad, beetroot and anise zip, and olives and fresh breads.
36:21I love Moroccan food, because there's so many different flavours.
36:25You can't say it's hot, or it burns your mouth or anything like that.
36:29It's just so flavoursome.
36:31Who's going to be my taster?
36:33I need a taster.
36:36Oh, a taster?
36:38Yes.
36:38Come here.
36:40This is a luke salad.
36:41Oh, yes.
36:42It's one of the starters.
36:47Does it need anything else?
36:49Should it be peppery?
36:50Bit of salt.
36:52No pepper.
36:53Salt?
36:54Yes.
36:54Yes.
36:55But even after a little extra salt and garlic, it's still not quite as Sharon would like.
37:03No.
37:04It's all good.
37:05Yes, it is.
37:07I'm going to add a little bit more oil as well.
37:10In the future, Sharon plans to charge €40 per head for the three-course Moroccan meal.
37:16But this weekend, she's throwing it in for free for her friends.
37:20Is it okay?
37:20Nothing else?
37:21Just knives and porcs?
37:22Yes, please.
37:23And also, the desserts we'll probably put on that table.
37:27And she's also digging out some extra sparkle for the evening's festivities.
37:33Belly dancing belts, so they can do a little bit of dancing.
37:39Her whole team of helpers embracing the theme.
37:44Oh!
37:45Sylvie!
37:46That's wonderful!
37:50He can look a bit potty, but still.
37:53I think he looks absolutely brilliant.
37:56Mmm!
37:59Sylvie's done a great job.
38:01Yeah.
38:02As the hens take their seats...
38:05Well done.
38:06I know.
38:07The next stage of celebrations get underway.
38:11I'm so happy that you're here to share Sally's hen party and to share the chateau.
38:18And I hope you've all enjoyed it.
38:19It's been fab having you here.
38:21I love it.
38:22So, let's get the party going!
38:24CHEERING
38:28After putting her heart and soul into creating a special weekend...
38:32What a beautiful day.
38:34..emotions run high.
38:36Let's make a big cry.
38:37CHEERING
38:39Well, it's beautiful.
38:41Thank you so much.
38:42It's so nice for you all to be here.
38:45With a team also lined up to support Sharon, this first successful event should pave the
38:52way for more this summer.
38:54I love entertaining.
38:56I love people around.
38:58I just love it.
38:59Because I don't want them to go.
39:01But they're loving it.
39:03Yeah.
39:03It's been everything that they want.
39:04Bon appétit!
39:05The house is full and it's just buzzing.
39:09We bought the chateau with this in mind because this is the life I love.
39:25Back in northern Italy, Stephen's also eager for more.
39:30After the buzz of hosting for the first time.
39:33Never seen so many spider's webs.
39:36So he's invited some other friends from the UK, who'll be staying in both units and even
39:42a few bunking up in his farmhouse.
39:46Well, I've got nine friends arriving today.
39:49Our kind of friendship group wanted a trip away and I couldn't go anywhere else.
39:54So one of them suggested them all coming here.
39:57But it's a real challenge because, you know, nine guests.
40:01It's just like that.
40:03Still got the last bit of cleaning to finish and making beds and flopping pillows, things
40:09like that.
40:10Then I'm going to start some food preparation for the welcome aperitivo that I'm going to
40:15give them this evening when they arrive.
40:17A second trial booking will also be another opportunity.
40:21Ooh, that was silly.
40:23To get more practice at guest changeovers.
40:26I didn't put the bath mat back in here.
40:29While it might be a world away from his previous acting career, he's excited to show his friends
40:35his new role.
40:36The plan was always to have multiple guests and this is a really good test for me.
40:45Hopefully, I'll get faster at it.
40:48This is one of the advantages of being six foot three is that you can do a king size quilt
40:58on your own just about.
41:05Come on.
41:07After prepping the accommodation, next Stephen hits the kitchen.
41:12Isn't it pepper?
41:15Some grated garlic.
41:17To make some traditional Italian crostini and whip up a spicy tomato and aubergine dip.
41:30Mmm, perfect.
41:32All Italian food and most of what I cooked is really simple.
41:36All you need really is patience and care.
41:39And for now, keeping things simple as he hosts friends is all he's permitted to do.
41:46I want to do host's table.
41:48I want to give my guests food.
41:50But you need a license to be able to serve food, which is another level of bureaucracy
41:59which I'm just not going through yet.
42:03Once the business is up and running, once I'm here permanently, then I'll sort that out.
42:08But for the moment, it's just not worth the hassle.
42:12Later that afternoon, Stephen's friends have arrived from London and kick off the weekend
42:19as they mean to go on.
42:21Nice and strong and I like it.
42:23Cheers.
42:24Really excited to have you all here.
42:26As they celebrate being reunited, Stephen also reveals the name of his new business
42:32for the first time.
42:34It's going to be called Kadel Bosk, which means the house in the woods.
42:39So, welcome to Kadel Bosk.
42:42Welcome to the house in the woods.
42:43Cheers.
42:45I want to cheers all of you individually.
42:48Really welcome, guys.
42:50So happy to see you all.
42:53Cheers.
42:53Cheers.
42:54Cheers.
42:55After catching up, the group check into their digs, which when officially open will
43:00be €90 per night per couple.
43:02But this weekend, it's on the house.
43:06OK.
43:07So, welcome to your home for the next two nights.
43:11That's very nice.
43:12Isn't it?
43:13Wow.
43:13Look at that.
43:14Look at the view.
43:15Happiness.
43:15Yeah, very, very fantastic.
43:17Jolly good.
43:18Yeah.
43:20And with more traditional Italian cuisine prepped for the evening's aperitivo...
43:25...Forgonzola and pear.
43:27...Stevens pulled together all the ingredients to kick off a fun weekend with his friends.
43:32He's definitely surpassed himself on the food front.
43:35He's always enjoyed looking after the group, so I think it was good for him to have this
43:39opportunity to put on a bit of a show, so it's gone really well.
43:43It doesn't feel like a challenge to me.
43:45It feels natural to me to host.
43:48And I love cooking, and I love feeding people.
43:51I just love what food does.
43:53It's a real connection you get with people through food.
43:56It's giving my love to them, you know, to my friends, and can't think of anything better
44:00to do.
44:02But to be able to do more of this, and with paying guests, Stephen desperately needs to
44:08find a way to get his new business registered as soon as possible.
44:18Next time...
44:19I can't think at the minute, actually.
44:21...Sharon's under pressure to get their chateau on the map.
44:24I'm hoping that we get ourselves out there a little bit more.
44:28Some people don't even know the chateau exists.
44:32In Italy, there's a major setback for Stephen.
44:35Not being here to welcome my first guests is really frustrating.
44:39And it's make or break...
44:42Now, I'm gonna breathe!
44:45...for Valentina and Nino's retreat business.
44:48We've thrown everything into it really, financially, emotionally, mentally.
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