- 7 hours ago
Chateau Diy - Season 11 Episode 16
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:01Across France, there are thousands of spectacular chateaux.
00:06Many are in a state of disrepair.
00:10Now, they're being brought back to life by courageous owners...
00:15I'm having run in with it.
00:17I'm hoping it will look good. I'm hoping it will be usable.
00:19...who are taking on the ambitious task...
00:22The jobs that you want to do and the jobs that you have to do.
00:25...of restoring these timeless treasures.
00:28That's the first one, John.
00:30Another 45 to go now.
00:33...into stunning new homes...
00:35Oh! Oh!
00:37Incredible!
00:39...and booming businesses.
00:41Do you right now, kiss the bride!
00:45There'll be triumphs...
00:47It's a small victory, but for me it's a big one.
00:52...and tribulations.
00:53I do wonder, with all this, whether I've given myself too much work.
00:57But however tough it gets...
00:59Ow!
01:01Stinging nestle!
01:02...those who have made the leap...
01:05Something!
01:07...get to live like kings and queens in their very own castle.
01:16Today...
01:17...so you'll have to be very careful when you dig in.
01:20One couple are in for a shock.
01:22It can be lethal when you've got electric, so I'll have to be careful...
01:25...and just make sure I don't hit any power lines.
01:28Another are on the brink of a breakthrough.
01:31For us, it's the first room that we'll complete.
01:35It's the start of a new life for it.
01:37Oh, it's really nice down here though, isn't it?
01:39Yes.
01:39And these new Chatelains strike gold.
01:42And we have 11,500 bottles of this.
01:52In the enchanting landscape of Normandy...
01:56...lies the stunning Chateau de la Lacelle.
02:00With 21 acres...
02:03...25 characterful rooms...
02:07...and a beautiful spiral staircase.
02:11It had lain derelict for 40 years...
02:14...until it was bought by former pet shop owner Terry...
02:18...and his fiancée Ashley.
02:21We have a sort of vague list of jobs that we have to tackle.
02:25We did start off with an actual schedule of jobs that we were wanting to do...
02:30...when they needed to be done by.
02:32But when you take on a project like this...
02:34It doesn't work?
02:35No, your deadlines are never ever met.
02:37We just come together as a team and we make it work somehow.
02:42Just an hour's drive from Le Mans...
02:45...the couple bought the Chateau for £250,000 in 2021.
02:52Don't drop it.
02:53...and began a dream restoration project.
02:57Hey!
02:59Creating magnificent holiday suites.
03:03Joining them on their adventure are Terry's mum, Tracy...
03:07...and nephew, Jonathan.
03:14Last year, the family completed a mammoth four-year project.
03:19Just here.
03:20Where they transformed 1,000 square metres of muddy earth at the rear of the property.
03:27To bring the Chateau's formal gardens back to life.
03:32And they celebrated with an open day.
03:36It's fantastic.
03:38Yeah.
03:38And they've given us some more ideas for our garden now.
03:40Yeah.
03:40The Chateau feels alive again.
03:42And there's at least 10 people that have said to me today, it's a mini Versailles.
03:45Yeah, that's good.
03:49Today, they're hoping to reproduce the success they've had on their back garden out the front.
03:56So we have a garden architect and he completed the back garden with us and now we're going to try
04:00and mirror something similar in the front.
04:02And just so it's nice and formal so that when you arrive, you're greeted with a beautiful entrance.
04:09But we've got a lot to do before we get to the stage of the garden designer coming.
04:13So we need to dig some channels so we can put all of the drainage in for the fountains, put
04:17all of the water feeds in.
04:18Well, I'm getting out my toys today.
04:20So I've got my little digger and I'm just going to sit in that and be happy just digging away.
04:25And we'll do all the hard stuff.
04:29This isn't your average front garden though.
04:31At 750 square metres, it's another outdoor project on a Chateau scale.
04:40Terry's plan is to connect both fountains to the water pipe that supplies the on-site cottage.
04:46But they'll have to find it first.
04:49So do you know where exactly it is?
04:51No, it comes into the cottage about there.
04:53I think it's about here.
04:54That's where the water feed is.
04:56So you'll have to be very careful when you're digging.
04:58So I'm standing here?
04:59Yep.
05:01And then go from there and we're going to have a feed right the way across to that fountain.
05:05And then one from there, we'll put a tee piece on to go to the other one.
05:08From here.
05:15I think this is where the electrics run in.
05:17So I'll do an orange line there just so you know where I am.
05:20Super careful.
05:23I can tend to be a bit gung-ho at times.
05:25It can be lethal when you've got electrics.
05:27So I'll have to be careful, take my time and just make sure I don't hit any power lines.
05:32Or the cottage's water supply.
05:45I wouldn't go too deep with it.
05:47So scrape just past it and over it.
05:49And then we can even do it by hand.
05:51To do it like a bit wider there so I have to get to the pipe anywhere.
05:55And then we'll come that way.
05:57And then we'll come that way.
06:02And then we'll come that way.
06:14So we've uncovered the pipes.
06:16Luckily Ash didn't go down too deep.
06:18So I'll dig around a bit more now just so we can get a clear access to it.
06:23And then we'll have to look at putting a new connection in, which is all good.
06:27It's been a good start.
06:29But with over 50 metres of water pipes to lay, they're under a lot of pressure.
06:41Just 70 miles away, in Brittany, is the imposing Moulin du Coenon.
06:49With parts dating back to the 13th century and standing in the centre of two ancient bridges, this once derelict
06:59former mill comes with five floors, concrete silos and a small stone sheet.
07:10Since early 2024, it's been the home of experienced renovators Paul and Donna.
07:18My remit for a new property was for it to be near water.
07:23And I think kind of when Paul found this, he kind of ticked that completely.
07:28I mean, it's on all sides and underneath the property.
07:32And actually when we first came, it was coming through the roof as well.
07:37We couldn't get any more water.
07:39Tick.
07:45Located just 12 miles from the coast, the abandoned building was in such disrepair that Donna and Paul managed to
07:53buy it for less than £100,000.
07:56You know, I came here in part for the challenge of the project and I think I can confirm it's
08:01certainly been challenging.
08:03This summer, they're hoping to move from the sheet into the main building.
08:09So, the couple are creating a temporary kitchen in what will be the utility room.
08:17Last time we saw them, Donna and Paul had started plasterboarding.
08:23Look at our less.
08:24As well as tackling the flat pack furniture.
08:29Yay!
08:30Of course it's tall, isn't it?
08:32This morning, they're keen to get down to business.
08:36I'm excited about today.
08:38Laying the floor tiles is another step forward and the utility is now well on its way to being complete.
08:46It's what, the beginning of the end?
08:48It's the beginning of the end, yeah.
08:50Just like decorating, tiling is all in the preparation.
08:56So, we need to scrape the floor.
08:59OK.
09:00And then get some PVA down but also, first of all, we need to agree the plan.
09:05Ever the perfectionist, Paul uses a laser to find the exact centre of the room.
09:12How are you?
09:13Oh, you're nearly there then.
09:15Yeah.
09:15Stop there.
09:25We've made up a mix of PVA, which is wood glue and water, which we'll use to prepare the floor.
09:31It just helps adhesion and it helps the bond of the tiles.
09:38As soon as the PVA's dry, it's down to Donna to mix up the tile cement.
09:49Oh, it's sticky.
09:51And for Paul to start some precision engineering.
10:01Right, I need to get the first one square because everything else is set off of this.
10:27Can you grab the laser level?
10:29I just want to set this up and make sure we're on the right path.
10:33Can you tell me when I'm on the mark then?
10:35A little bit to that side, that's it.
10:40We're only two or three millimetres out but the time we get to the end, you may notice it.
10:45So, we'll just push these over a bit.
10:48Didn't take a lot.
10:56I'm thinking it's looking really nice.
10:58Yeah, you can really get a feel of it now, the extra tiles are in.
11:01Yeah.
11:03Very pleased.
11:05The tiles though, are just the beginning.
11:08And there's a long way to go before Donna and Paul are cooking on gas.
11:16Still to come, Terry and Ashley have that sinking feeling.
11:22Oh my God, I'm too old for this.
11:26Here is the key to your new home.
11:28And two new owners move in and take on more than they bargained for.
11:34I mean, let's be honest, we haven't got a clue.
11:44Scattered across France, there are thousands of breathtaking chateaux, each with their own unique charm and character.
11:54For those bold enough to embrace the adventure, these historic treasures can be theirs.
12:03Like Malcolm and Helen.
12:07We're the day before we get the keys to our new chateau.
12:10So, we have a new adventure starting in our lives.
12:14A scary new adventure starting in our lives, to be honest.
12:18A scary, exciting.
12:18We're buying a chateau with a vineyard to, yeah, create a new little business out here.
12:24I mean, let's be honest, we haven't got a clue.
12:26So, it's going to be a lot of fun.
12:28We're going to find out whether it works or not.
12:31But, yeah, what could possibly go wrong?
12:34Looking for a new challenge, the Wiltshire couple's search brought them here.
12:39The magnificent Chateau Fongrenier Flamand.
12:44A 500-year-old, six-bedroom Maison de Maitre, or manor house.
12:51Based near the vineyards of Bergerac in southwest France, the chateau comes with 54 acres of stunning countryside.
13:05As is the custom in France, meeting them for one final cheque, before handing over the keys, is estate agent
13:13Carol.
13:14So nice to see you again.
13:16Nice to see you too. Hi.
13:17Hi.
13:18Hi.
13:20Bonjour.
13:23Welcome.
13:25Happy?
13:26Yeah, very happy. Want to go and have a look?
13:28Yes, yes.
13:29Excellent. Let's go.
13:31Inside, the oak floors and high ceilings give a sense of understated elegance.
13:39So nice. I love this hallway.
13:41Yes.
13:41Yes.
13:43It's really nice, isn't it? I've forgotten how nice this was.
13:46It's quite impressive.
13:47Yeah.
13:47Yes.
13:48It looks different without furniture though, doesn't it?
13:50It does.
13:50Last time we came, it had furniture in it.
13:52It did.
13:53Yeah.
13:53It looks bigger.
13:54It does look bigger.
13:56Can't wait to get my hands on it.
13:58Yes.
13:59So this is the grand room that was the dining room as well.
14:04Yes.
14:05Uninhabited since 2006, Helen's determined to bring their new home back to life.
14:13We're going to make this room and the next room be one room.
14:18Oh, all in one room.
14:19Yes.
14:19So a big kitchen, sort of dining, sort of with chairs and sort of looking out through.
14:26Yes.
14:27That way.
14:29But Helen's not just knocking through.
14:32Yeah.
14:32I like defending the radiators.
14:34Yeah.
14:36This whole, whole thing can come out, can't it?
14:41Do you like the way we're actually just thinking of how we can destroy various bits of it?
14:46And while Helen's thinking ahead, Malcolm's unlocking the past.
14:51I've got the keys here.
14:53Yes.
14:54Do you have screens on it?
14:55I wanted to spare you.
15:01Still going.
15:03Oh my, good Lord.
15:05Just a few to keep you occupied.
15:07Yes.
15:07I'm going to leave that to you.
15:09Thanks.
15:09I'm looking forward to that.
15:13In one of the five salons.
15:17Oh, that's better.
15:18Some lights.
15:19Better already.
15:20You have lights.
15:21Yeah.
15:21Hallelujah.
15:22All Helen can see is a beautiful blank canvas.
15:27I've got some wild wallpaper in mind for this room.
15:30Really?
15:31Yes.
15:32I'm quite curious now.
15:34Some of the ideas that I've had, I can now see that, yes, I can do that.
15:38It's going to be good.
15:39So, really want to do it.
15:41Get my hands on it.
15:43Riff it all out.
15:45Put my nice wallpaper on.
15:50Even though Helen has plans for every room, she's keen to retain the chateau's character.
15:57This is a really beautiful one, isn't it?
16:00I like the stonework on it and the way that it's all pitted.
16:04It's got history.
16:05It could tell you a story.
16:07Love it.
16:09Yeah.
16:10Gorgeous.
16:12Malcolm and Helen, though, still have the best part of their new home to come.
16:22300 miles north, in Brittany, Donna and Paul's new utility room-cum-temporary kitchen is beginning to take shape.
16:32The oak skirting, though, not only needs to be fitted, but also given some extra attention.
16:40It's a busy day today.
16:41We're going to continue with the utility, get the end panel fixed and then crack on with the cornice in
16:47the utility room.
16:49Donna's separately going to be prepping the oak, giving it a sand, and then we need to try and cut
16:54the oak to size and try and do Donna's intricate routering detail.
16:59I'm not sure how successful that will be, so...
17:01I know it will be successful, darling.
17:04I trust you implicitly.
17:06As if there wasn't enough pressure on me already, so...
17:10Also keen to get on is Argyle, the cat.
17:16Donna and Paul's first job of the day is at the back of the mill.
17:20We've got a lot of oak that we've had cut from a local sawmill, and we're going to use that
17:26for the skirtings and facings.
17:27So we've set up the thicknesser.
17:29I'm going to give Donna a hand with the first one so she knows what needs to be done.
17:39The thicknesser offers a quick way to plain the oak skirting and ensure they're all the same depth.
17:49There is, though, some by-product.
17:53Oh, God, look at all that!
17:54Maybe it's a little fool.
17:58We should get a guinea pig or do a guinea pig enclosure.
18:02That's looking beautiful.
18:08And you see the difference between the just clean-cut planks and that, which is nice.
18:15Wanting everything to be perfect, Donna gives the planks a fine sanding,
18:21while Paul pushes ahead in the utility room.
18:25We're just going to try and do the cornice now.
18:27So the corner's really always the tricky bit,
18:29and then we've got a straight cut at the end.
18:32So we'll start from the corner and then work our way towards the wall.
18:55How are you getting on?
19:00How are you getting... you're not hearing me?
19:02How are you getting on?
19:04Okay.
19:05I've sanded those.
19:08We've obviously got some, like, cleaning marks in them from when they went through the thickness of the back.
19:13I kind of think they add a bit of...
19:15Yeah.
19:16They make them look older somehow, don't they?
19:18I think that'll be fine.
19:19Yeah.
19:19Can't wait to get them varnished.
19:21Yeah.
19:22I'm going to get them on first.
19:23You sure you want this tricky edge detail?
19:27Okay.
19:30Donna's desire to cut a groove into the oak skirting requires a test run.
19:40That's better.
19:41Yeah.
19:41Is it really worth all the effort for that?
19:43Oh, yeah.
19:44It looks nice.
19:46Yeah, that's a lot better.
19:49Donna's so impressed, she's adding the door frame to her wish list.
19:54So, can you just...
19:55Oh, yeah.
19:56I'll just...
19:56Do that.
19:57Yeah.
19:58Is he whizzy?
19:59Let's get busy.
19:59Come on, I'm wanting some wallpaper.
20:01Yeah.
20:02Well, you need to...
20:03You need to go and sand more skirtings and put them through the thicknesser.
20:07For Donna, these little design details make all the difference.
20:12Even if it means hours of extra work.
20:22Over in Normandy, Ashley and Terry are preparing to install the plumbing for two fountains at the front of the
20:29chateau.
20:31So, we've got all of the first stage of digging done.
20:33Yep.
20:34So, the first trench is all dug for the water pipe.
20:37We just need to do a little tidying up and adjustments.
20:42What are you trying to say?
20:43My digging was good.
20:44It was.
20:45We can tidy it up, get the water pipe in and then get it all backfilled in.
20:49Yep.
20:49So, the three of us today, me, you and your mum.
20:51Yep.
20:51We've dragged mum in to give us a hand.
20:53Yep.
20:54She's the big guns.
20:55And she's happy with the spades, so...
20:56Yeah.
21:00Having uncovered the water supply from the on-site cottage, they now plan to connect it to new pipes that'll
21:07feed the fountains.
21:10So, what we're going to do with this to get the pipe through.
21:15To either drill through it, which I don't fancy doing, because you can see how wide it goes.
21:19Or the other option is just take the top layer off, so you can see it's all loose anyway.
21:24Yeah.
21:25And then we can cement her all back in later on.
21:26I think it's a good idea.
21:28There'll be plants around it anyway.
21:29You're not going to see the pipes, so...
21:31Okay, Doctor.
21:31Let's crack on.
21:32Yeah.
21:36There we go.
21:39There we go.
21:41There we go.
21:43There we go.
21:43There we have our line.
21:45Brilliant.
21:46We'll get the rest of this trench cleaned and then we can get all the piping in.
21:49Yep.
21:50Yep.
21:50Let's crack on.
21:50There we go.
22:06There we go.
22:07There we go.
22:11There we go.
22:19A little bit longer.
22:22Pipe in.
22:23Yep.
22:24I'll get a connection on it just so we can get the other fountain.
22:27Yep.
22:27But now all this is done, do you want to start filling it back in again?
22:29Yeah, I'll get it all back filled.
22:31Perfect.
22:32It's digger time.
22:39So that's the two parts connected, so we have enough to feed each of the fountains.
22:45So I'll get this on just to protect the connection.
22:52We've got all the piping, just need to get this connection onto the main feed.
22:56So we've turned all the water off.
22:57We need to cut a little section out and then we can get this fitting on.
23:03So the water coming out isn't a leak.
23:05It's just obviously all the water that's actually in the pipe work.
23:08So it's stopped now, which is good.
23:10So I can get these connections on.
23:12Which is easier said than done.
23:15Let's see if this goes in now.
23:18Shut.
23:18Even working as a couple, the couplings just aren't connecting.
23:26We're just turning a bit by bit of the pliers I think.
23:28Yep.
23:32Use them all grips just to tap that down.
23:34Tap what?
23:35Tap it down.
23:36Like hit the back of it.
23:42It's going to have to go in more.
23:43It's going to have to.
23:49You buy a chateau and you never know what you're going to end up doing.
23:51I've got one on.
23:54I've finally got the connection in.
23:56It's on.
23:57I think.
23:58So I can start tightening it up now.
24:01Max pressure.
24:07All done.
24:09All done.
24:09That was nice and easy.
24:13Oh my God.
24:14I'm too old for this.
24:17You're only 21.
24:19The pipes might be connected, but with so much more to do, Terry and Ashley's magnificent fountains could still end
24:28up a damp squib.
24:34Coming up.
24:36It's the moment of truth for Donna and Paul.
24:40Do you want to do the honors?
24:43That's a little bit creepy, isn't it?
24:46And Malcolm and Helen get the jitters.
24:50Yeah.
24:51Not sure we'll be keeping that.
24:53Blech.
25:00In northern France, work inside Moulin du Cuenon is coming on leaps and bounds.
25:08Today we're back in the utility kitchen, really pushing on to try and get that finished.
25:15We are getting quite a lot done now, aren't we?
25:18Yeah.
25:18It's getting there.
25:20Yeah.
25:20It's all starting to come together.
25:22One of Donna's favourite features is a bespoke three metre long single slab oak worktop, which has been receiving a
25:32lot of attention.
25:33The worktop has now been sanded numerous times on different thickness sandpapers.
25:42So I think we're ready to start putting on the oil.
25:45So, fingers crossed.
25:52You'll see how some of it goes white.
25:55That's excess.
25:56And what the instructions say is I then have to wipe it off with a lint-free cloth so that
26:01it kind of soaks into the wood, but there's not too excess, which would stay cloudy rather than let the
26:06grain come through.
26:07So, it's kind of wipe on, wipe off.
26:11The oil not only waterproofs the wood, but also gives it a full facial.
26:18It's come up just absolutely gorgeous.
26:20I mean, you can see the beautiful knots and that in the wood and exactly what we wanted.
26:25In the opposite corner, Paul's got his work cut out.
26:30So, this is a hatch that covers the grand turbine.
26:33Underneath the floor is one of the water mill's turbines, that for decades used the force of the river to
26:41generate electricity.
26:43A little bit of history that Donna and Paul are keen to keep, as well as access.
26:51Because it's a recess handle, this section needs to be sunk into the timber.
26:55So, hopefully, we'll use a bit of masking tape, place this in, gently tap it, we'll get a bit of
27:00an indentation that'll give us a hint for a clue as to where the recess needs to be.
27:05Once the masking tape's in, Paul uses a pencil to rub graphite over the metal, which then shows him the
27:13area he needs to cut out.
27:18We'll just try and chisel it as best we can and see if we can remove a bit of timber
27:22and hopefully it'll fit in.
27:26As the hatch has been made to measure, Paul needs to do some very careful carving.
27:43MUSIC PLAYS
28:01Just a couple of screws to go and then that'll be left fixed.
28:04It's another job done, but there are plenty more on the to-do list.
28:11Including fitting an undermount sink in Donna's beloved oak worktop.
28:15MUSIC PLAYS
28:27Can I tighten this fully in place?
28:30I think so.
28:31Triple check, please.
28:33Yeah, that feels good.
28:35OK.
28:43There you go.
28:51Every inch of the room has been carefully thought about, for good reason.
28:58I think for most people, you know, doing a utility room is, yeah, we're doing a utility room, you know,
29:03it's just where all the washing goes and the laundry goes and that.
29:07For us, it's the first room in the mill that we will complete and it's really exciting.
29:13I mean, it's the beginning of us living here.
29:17It's the start of a new life for us and it just gives you that motivation to continue and do
29:22the next room and do the next room.
29:27Do you want to do the honours?
29:28Yes!
29:36It's only taken four months to get that for you, so...
29:41That's ideal.
29:42Perfect!
29:44It's been a long slog, but Donna and Paul's dream of moving into the mill
29:49could be about to become a reality.
30:00Down in the Dordogne, at Chateau von Grenier-Flamont,
30:04Malcolm and Helen are halfway through a tour of their new home.
30:09As is the tradition in France, the estate agent accompanies them
30:13before handing over the keys.
30:17Oh, yeah, this is going to be our bedroom. This is lovely.
30:20And fantastic view. Yeah.
30:25See the views right the way over there into the hills.
30:28Yeah, I love it. It's going to be amazing.
30:31So peaceful, that's what I love about it as well.
30:36Yeah, it's great.
30:42I love it like that. You can really appreciate it.
30:45Yeah. Yeah, you know, it's a lovely staircase as well.
30:47There is, though, another area within the Chateau
30:51that stole Malcolm's heart.
30:54The wine cellar!
30:56The estate may have its own vineyard,
30:59but the Chateau's previous owners seemed keen to broaden their horizons.
31:06All the wine bottles.
31:10It's really nice down here, though, isn't it?
31:12It is, nice and cool.
31:14Has it got any wine in it?
31:16Yes.
31:17I think it's Chateau Saint-Pierre, 1983, by the looks of things.
31:28That's a little bit creepy, isn't it?
31:31Yeah.
31:32Not sure we'll be keeping that.
31:35Blech.
31:36This is a great little room.
31:38Great temperature in here.
31:40But the place does need some work.
31:43Roots of trees coming in here.
31:47Original masonry, not quite original expanding foam.
31:51Yeah, this will be a fun room.
31:53I'm looking forward to doing this one.
31:56And from today, they can put their plan into practice.
32:01Everything we've been doing up until now has been on paper.
32:04We did a floor plan, but we need to really look at it
32:07and see whether what we're thinking we can do with it, we can do with it.
32:10I'm sort of thinking structurally where things are going to go,
32:14whether the ideas I've had on paper are actually going to work in reality.
32:18It's a beautiful-looking chateau that I think we can make really special.
32:22And here is the key to your new home.
32:25Look at that.
32:26Hey, we have the key.
32:27It's a proper key.
32:29As it's a new chapter in their chateau's story,
32:32the couple are keen to make their mark.
32:36It's our new sign.
32:38And it's got Chateau Fongrenier, because this is obviously Chateau Fongrenier,
32:43but flamant, because Malcolm, my husband, was always called Flamingo.
32:47At school, so flamant is Flamingo in French.
32:51But Malcolm and Helen won't be standing still for long,
32:55as they still have farm buildings and 30 acres of vineyards to explore.
33:06Up at Chateau de la Lasselle,
33:09both fountains in the front garden now have a water supply.
33:14So the next task is to install a drainage system.
33:20My mum and Ash are busy with the digger and the tractor,
33:22just getting all of the ground level.
33:24I'm just in the fountain, and I'm on with the next stage,
33:27which is just getting the overflow and the drain sorted.
33:38Well, that's the smaller piping.
33:40Now what I'll do is I'll feed it into a bigger pipe.
33:43We'll cut some grooves in that,
33:44just so it's going to allow the water to seep out and go into the soak away.
33:48Known as a French drain,
33:50the perforated pipe ensures the fresh water
33:53is slowly released away from buildings and other structures.
33:58So that's the pipe in place.
33:59We've got our base level of gravel,
34:01and now what we can do is get another layer of gravel on top of it,
34:04and then we can get our finishing layer of mud.
34:06We want it all hidden,
34:07so you don't actually see any of the sort of workings of the fountain.
34:11I think it's worked out really well.
34:15So we've got everything in place now.
34:16All of the trenches are all filled in,
34:18all of the pipe works in place,
34:19and we've got our manhole in place as well.
34:22Inside, we've now got our tap,
34:24so we can actually turn on the fountains when we want.
34:27So during summer, we'll turn them on to fill up,
34:29and then they'll have an automatic feeder,
34:31so whenever the water drops below the level,
34:34it'll just fill it up.
34:36I'll turn it on now,
34:37give it a test to make sure that it all works.
34:44It's working perfectly,
34:46so it's filling up the fountain,
34:47and the tap work is fine,
34:49and it's giving us easy access to it as well.
34:51So once all of the ground's levelled,
34:53and we get the layer of gravel on top of it,
34:56hopefully it'll just meet up to the top of the manhole,
34:59not just blend in seamlessly.
35:00There's still quite a way to go yet.
35:02Obviously, we need to get all of the brickwork pointed up,
35:04get all of the centre sealed,
35:06and then we can look at getting the fountains in place.
35:10With the plumbing secured,
35:12Terry and Ashley plan to build
35:14two impressive four-tier fountains
35:17to welcome their guests.
35:19When we've got the fountains in place,
35:21I think it'll just be a spectacular entrance
35:23to drive up to this, have both the fountains going,
35:25and all the gardens out here done,
35:27and it's going to be out of this world.
35:28Well, it'll be tidier than what it is.
35:31It won't be complete, but it'll be a lot tidier,
35:34and it'll be the start of what we're wanting.
35:37They've made good progress,
35:39but Terry and Ashley's fabulous fountains
35:42are still very much a fantasy.
35:51Coming up...
35:55..things don't go well for Malcolm and Helen.
35:58So we've got lots of farm equipment that doesn't work.
36:02..and after a year and a half,
36:04have Donna and Paul finally achieved their dream?
36:09Room number one down.
36:11MUSIC PLAYS
36:17In south-west France,
36:19Malcolm and Helen have just been given the keys
36:23to their stunning new home.
36:25After exploring every nook and cranny inside,
36:29there's one area that still remains a mystery.
36:33Their 30-acre vineyard and the buildings around it.
36:38We're going to go down to the shea and the cave
36:41and also the shelter to have a look at the farm equipment.
36:45Helping them work out what's what
36:47is the chateau's former estate manager, Carl Pierre.
36:51So Carl has been looking after the chateau for many years now
36:54on behalf of its previous owners.
36:56This is normal, walnut, walnut.
36:59This is pecan.
37:01He's our man who's going to teach me how to make wine,
37:04amongst other things here.
37:07The chateau's vineyard, last produced wine in 2006.
37:12Here we have Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.
37:16OK.
37:17And since then, the equipment has lain dormant.
37:21But if Malcolm gets his way, not for much longer.
37:28Eight concrete tanks, the steel tanks, fibre tanks, the big press.
37:35This is where the magic will happen when we get the grapes.
37:39Bit of a cleaning job to do, to get it up and running again.
37:43It's dusty, isn't it?
37:47So, here's the chateau, the calf.
37:51This is huge, this root.
37:53It's great, isn't it?
37:54The barrels may be empty, but they're of the highest quality.
38:00French oak, which comes from the Department of Falliers.
38:04And very thin grain, and you can smell.
38:09It's very nice, isn't it?
38:10Yeah, so good.
38:13Oh, it does smell lovely, doesn't it?
38:15Yeah, it smells good.
38:15Mm, really good.
38:19In the room next door are all that remains of the chateau's last harvest.
38:25It's 2006, because we are appellation d'origine controlée,
38:30means it's a wine from the terroir.
38:32It's not just a fruity wine, so it can be aged for many years.
38:36And we have 11,500 bottles of this.
38:41So, we're going to be good for the next week.
38:44A 30-acre vineyard, though, can produce over 60,000 bottles,
38:49so Malcolm and Helen have got a lot to learn.
38:53I feel privileged.
38:54I feel it's a bit of an honour to see whether we can recreate, you know,
38:58the success that this vineyard used to have 20 years ago, 30 years ago.
39:02A bit of an adventure for us.
39:04I'm really looking forward to it.
39:05It's part of the reason why this whole chateau appeals to us.
39:08But it's not just the vineyard that they need to bring back to life.
39:15So, we have tractors, very old knackered tractors.
39:18So, we've got lots of farm equipment that doesn't work.
39:21So, we've got an exercise to try and make it all work.
39:25Got a key in it, just doesn't have a battery to start it.
39:33There is hope, though.
39:36This is a little bit of mildew.
39:37Yeah.
39:38But as soon as it's just one or two leaves, we don't care.
39:41This year, the sanitary conditions are quite exceptional.
39:45So, we don't need to treat a lot.
39:47Oh, there we go.
39:48There's some down here.
39:51Oh, you've got grapes.
39:53For the chateau's new Chatelain, it's been a long day.
39:58Oh!
40:01But also, one they will never forget.
40:05I've been looking at these bottles for a year,
40:07wondering what they tasted like.
40:09Oh, that's a good sound.
40:10Here you go.
40:11Let's find out.
40:12Try it.
40:14Smell it.
40:16It's not to me, but then I don't really know about that.
40:22Oh, it's very aged.
40:25Cheers.
40:27Cheers.
40:27Cheers, darling.
40:28Here's to a new adventure in France.
40:31Yes.
40:32For Malcolm, Helen and their extraordinary new home,
40:36it's definitely going to be a vintage year.
40:48Up near the coast of Brittany, it's D-Day for Donna and Paul.
40:54Today, we're going to finish the utility room, come makeshift kitchen, aren't we?
41:00Yeah, hopefully.
41:01Yay!
41:01It'll be the first room in the mill that'll be complete, so that's a milestone.
41:05And it's looking fabulous already, so...
41:08And it's not complete.
41:09I know.
41:10Very exciting.
41:12It's down to Donna to finish the job.
41:16I've already been filling up cupboards, so I now need to just put the last bits and pieces
41:21in, and then the room's done.
41:25The first room, I think, is the most important, you know, is everything in my head of how I
41:30see the mill looking eventually.
41:33Am I going to be able to pull that off?
41:35And I think we have in the utility.
41:38I'm really, really pleased with it.
41:41I think it's got that real industrial feel.
41:44I think we've managed to incorporate a lot of the oak and that back into the room as well,
41:49so that gives the feel of, you know, its heritage, and it's certainly moody.
41:57So I'm happy.
41:58I'm very happy.
42:11That's it.
42:12Done, I think.
42:17Room number one down.
42:22Just over a year ago, Donna and Paul fitted a new window in the facade, shedding light
42:31on the grand turbine, and a musty dark room above it, its rotting floor riddled with woodworm,
42:41too dangerous even to step on.
42:45The damp walls crumbling and covered in mould, the ceiling ruined by rainwater, every surface
42:55covered in decades of dust and dirt.
43:00But today, modern stone tiles, metallic wallpaper, and contemporary fittings have brought the room into the 21st century.
43:13A new oak worktop complements the ancient beam above it.
43:19All the skirtings and door frames are carved with a simple but elegant design.
43:25And Paul's handmade hatch gives access to the turbine below, every inch carefully thought through,
43:37the effect, cool and calm, perfectly designed and utterly practical.
43:50I'm just so, so pleased with this room.
43:53It's a pretty slick utility room.
43:55It is.
43:56It is.
43:57It's probably the slickest utility room I've ever had.
44:01And the biggest utility room.
44:03I am absolutely over the moon.
44:06It just looks beautiful.
44:08Well done.
44:10What do you think, Kirill?
44:13Yes.
44:15Nine out of ten cats prefer it.
44:19Donna and Paul have achieved an enormous amount.
44:25But they still need to build themselves a bedroom before they can even think of moving in.
44:38next time ashley takes on a mega challenge it's always important that the first few that go in
44:45are right because if they're not all the lines in the garden are off i was a bit nervous
44:51another couple muddled their way through can you remember how to do it no and it's a right
44:58carry on for others i may be running with this
45:29you
Comments