- 18 minutes ago
Chateau Diy - Season 11 Episode 19
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00:00Across France are thousands of breathtaking chateaux.
00:06Many now being brought back to life.
00:09Oh, it's coming off. Quick, quick.
00:11This was a bad idea.
00:13By intrepid owners.
00:15It's digger time.
00:17I have to be careful and just make sure I don't hit any power lines.
00:20They're taking on the challenge.
00:22How hard can it be?
00:23To renovate these forgotten buildings.
00:26I never dreamt that we'd still be shuffling food.
00:31Into stunning homes.
00:33That is incredible.
00:35It looks like you worked a decade on this room.
00:38And businesses.
00:40It's your pride.
00:42There'll be triumph.
00:44It's fantastic.
00:48And tribulation.
00:50Look what he's done.
00:52You moan about my drive and you went into it twice.
00:54But with great challenge.
00:57What can possibly go wrong?
00:59Comes huge reward.
01:02It just looks beautiful.
01:05As they get to live the dream.
01:08Cheers.
01:08Cheers, darling.
01:09As custodians of their very own castle.
01:16Today.
01:17Can I tell you I hate rambles?
01:19You have mentioned it once or twice.
01:20One couple take on an epic new garden project.
01:25Oh, dear.
01:26I'm really stuck.
01:27I'll have to dig the wellies out.
01:30Two DIY novices tackle a dicey renovation job.
01:34I'm just pulling the wire now.
01:35As long as the layer is stable, I'm okay.
01:38And tensions rise between the chatelans.
01:42No, you're not on the inside here.
01:43No, it's got to be on the outside, Louisa.
01:45Oh, I thought you said on the inside.
01:46No, the bit on the wall goes on the inside.
01:55In the beautiful Roire Valley in central France stands the charming 19th century Chateau La Grande Maison.
02:05Set in three acres of parkland alongside the picturesque River Dive, this stunning property boasts 45 lavish rooms, including a
02:21grand ballroom.
02:23Since 2011, it's been home to musicians Ben and Billy, who have been renovating it ever since.
02:32The chateau basically has, like, every space that you could have a fantasy about, you know, if you ever dreamt
02:39of having a wine cellar, tick.
02:40The river is a little bit of a foresty wood area.
02:43Who knew that we'd ever own a ballroom with a balcony coming off it?
02:47I mean, who has that?
02:48But, you know, huge building and big land, it means a lot of jobs that always need doing.
02:54But we get a lot back.
03:00Located near the small town of Saumur, Ben and Billy run the chateau as a chic B&B and events
03:08venue.
03:08Ready?
03:10Yeah.
03:10One, two, three.
03:12And when we last saw them, they spared no effort as they transformed a two-bedroom apartment into an opulent
03:22space for guests.
03:24I'm a bit lost for words, actually.
03:27It doesn't often happen to me.
03:29That's lovely.
03:30That's really lovely.
03:34Today, they're turning their attention to the chateau's grounds, as they have big plans to convert the overgrown riverbank into
03:44a tranquil waterside retreat.
03:47And we're hoping to make this lovely park feel of, like, grass and trees leading down to the river to
03:53make a really nice place just to relax.
03:55There are certain guests that come that really love wild swimming, but the brambles have taken over.
04:00So the pits, we've got a battle on our hands to get rid of those.
04:06Right, then.
04:09With just two of them to do the work, it could be a long job.
04:16Did I tell you I hate brambles?
04:18You have mentioned it once or twice.
04:20I don't mind them when they've got blackberries on.
04:22But every other time, I hate them.
04:24At least this time of year, it's easy to pull the roots up.
04:27Well, yeah, the ground's very wet down here, isn't it?
04:29If you don't get the roots up, they're all going to come back, aren't they?
04:35I like to make brambles spaghetti.
04:36I get the fork, look.
04:38And you twist it off.
04:39That's a good idea.
04:41And then, well, if it pulls away, you're lucky.
04:44All this is from that one bit.
04:47Oh, it's buried over there, too.
04:49Of course it is.
04:52Which direction are the thorns going?
04:54Yeah, that way.
04:55If we walk the opposite way, it will hopefully come out.
04:58That way, that way.
05:01Eww!
05:02Eww!
05:07Eww!
05:09Yay!
05:11Take that, big bramble!
05:13Wow, look at that!
05:15That's a size of one!
05:16All right.
05:18Now, that is progress.
05:20They've at least made a start.
05:23Let's get the big one out.
05:28Oh, dear.
05:29I'm really stuck.
05:32I'll have to dig the wellies out.
05:36This is actually bad.
05:38Digging out my own feet here.
05:40Well done, my mouse.
05:42I didn't know gardening could be so treacherous.
05:44It's really treacherous.
05:51There's just so much of this.
05:52So much of it.
05:53You know.
05:55All of this.
05:56All down there.
05:57Yeah.
05:59It's going to be fab when it's done, though.
06:01Looking much, much better.
06:02Yeah, that is much better.
06:03I can see the tree now.
06:05Yeah.
06:06Good start.
06:06Yeah.
06:07The jobs that you want to do and the jobs you have to do.
06:10For today, though, it's Ben and Billy one.
06:13Bramble's nil.
06:13Yes, true.
06:15It's proving to be a tough task.
06:18And with the riverside trees to also cut back, Ben and Billy's workload is only going to grow bigger.
06:32In the stunning region of Bordeaux in south-west France is the impressive 19th-century Chateau Néaume.
06:43This charming winemaking estate sits in 100 acres of vineyards, while the castle itself comprises 20 elegant rooms.
06:57The lucky owners are Mark, a retired corporate executive, and his Canadian wife, Sandra.
07:06We still get those moments when we're like, wow, this place is amazing.
07:09You learn something new every day, either about making wine, either about the land, either about renovation.
07:14It's incredibly rewarding.
07:16And then at the end of the evening to sit down and share a nice glass of wine with friends
07:20and family and actually go, oh, yeah, well, that wine came from these vineyards is really nice.
07:28Located close to the town of Marazin, Mark and Sandra bought the Chateau in 2019 for £670,000.
07:40And this year, they want to expand their thriving wine business by turning one of their farmhouses into a four
07:48-bedroom gite.
07:50I am actually reasonably pleased.
07:54When we last saw them, they laid bespoke travertine floor tiles in the kitchen.
08:00Yeah, it looks good in here.
08:02Did a good job.
08:03And despite a few close calls...
08:06Second attempt.
08:07You don't really have much room with the fridge doors.
08:09Then, OK.
08:10My hand is on the stone.
08:12...managed to move in all the appliances.
08:15Good job, Sandra.
08:16And then you put some things in it, it starts to look like a kitchen.
08:22With friends arriving to stay in two weeks, the pressure is starting to build.
08:29So, today they're eager to spruce up the salon by accentuating the old limestone walls.
08:37It originally had a low ceiling and we decided to take it out.
08:41And it made a nice, big, beautiful space.
08:44And then I realized we were left with a small edge around it.
08:47So, we're going to put in a simple LED track lighting to amplify and show the wall as a feature.
08:52This is going to have to be teamwork at its finest.
08:55Precision work.
08:56Precision teamwork.
08:58We're going to put a LED light strip feed it through the hole there.
09:02Where they're going to lay it down all the way around.
09:06So, it'll be one light.
09:07One continuous light.
09:08Yes.
09:09Yep, got it.
09:10As both are DIY novices...
09:13OK.
09:14..it could be a case of trial and error.
09:18I'll be on the other side.
09:19OK.
09:20..first, they need to connect it up to the mains next door.
09:27I'm just pulling the wire now.
09:29OK.
09:32OK.
09:33That's one.
09:34As long as the ladder is stable, I'm OK.
09:38That's two.
09:39Voila.
09:40Done.
09:40OK.
09:41They just have to hope it's wired up correctly.
09:48Hey, success.
09:49So, it's plugged in.
09:50We know it works up to when.
09:52The trickier job is to ensure the lighting strip
09:56seamlessly fits along the wall's edge.
10:00So, I'm just going to unroll it.
10:03I'm going to lay the first strip.
10:04So, here we go.
10:08It's not sticking.
10:11Oh, it's double-sided.
10:13Oh, wow.
10:14Do you need this piece for...
10:15No, no, it's OK.
10:18Got it.
10:19Right, we're back on track.
10:22Despite some initial teething problems,
10:25they soon get into the groove.
10:28I'm almost at the end.
10:30OK, when you get there, just leave it there.
10:32Um, that's tacked on there.
10:33OK, come down.
10:38This seems easy enough that we can do it.
10:43They're making light work of it.
10:46And in less than an hour, it's almost mission complete.
10:51Right.
10:52And now I can lay the last bit down
10:54and we can finish the light set up.
10:58Do you want to switch it on?
11:00Yeah.
11:03Um.
11:05OK.
11:06Yeah.
11:11It's a small victory.
11:13But for me, it's a big one.
11:15OK, good.
11:16That works.
11:17Look at you.
11:18Look how far you came from model making and flat pack furniture.
11:21My hero.
11:22We can tick it off the list.
11:25It's another small step in the right direction,
11:28but with most of the jeet in need of dressing up
11:31and their friends arriving in a fortnight,
11:35Mark and Sandra's DIY challenges are only just beginning.
11:45Coming up, Ben struggles to see the wood for the trees.
11:49We're trying to make lovely views into the pond,
11:51but everything's just spread out.
11:53And this chateau couple take on an extravagant new challenge.
11:58I'm hoping it will work.
11:59I'm hoping it will look good.
12:00I'm hoping it will be usable.
12:10In the beautiful Occitanie region of southern France
12:15stands the impressive 13th century Chateau de Montespieux.
12:20The historic castle with its fairytale towers comprises 66 rooms,
12:30a splendid central courtyard,
12:33and comes with 37 acres.
12:38It's been empty for decades until Leicestershire couple Louisa and Roger bought it in 2023 for £840,000.
12:51We couldn't believe that a building like this was within our budget.
12:55We always thought this was going to be a project.
12:57Do it up as much as we can and then move on.
13:00But as it continues, I think we're both starting to feel like,
13:05it'd be really nice if we could stay longer than five years.
13:07You really take to it.
13:09I think everyone should have a chateau.
13:10It's really great.
13:18Located an hour's drive from the city of Toulouse,
13:21Louisa and Roger planned to turn the chateau into a luxury event venue.
13:28And when we last saw them,
13:30started to create a his and hers two-bedroom guest suite on the first floor.
13:37See where the pattern is?
13:38Yeah.
13:39That's it there.
13:40So far, they've wallpapered the his room.
13:44There you go.
13:47What do you think?
13:48Look at that.
13:49No, what do you think?
13:50Oh, I love it. I like it.
13:51And begun building an adjoining bathroom.
13:56Ooh, that's great.
13:57Nice big shower.
13:58Nice big shower, perfect.
14:00It's going to be spacious.
14:01Well done.
14:02No, that's OK.
14:04With a wedding booked in for next month,
14:07they're under pressure to finish the job.
14:12The her bedroom has since been decorated
14:15and today, Roger's eager to get the bathroom up to scratch.
14:21I need to put a wall up for the shower
14:23and the false walls that are created upstairs,
14:26and then I can get on to the tiling of it later on.
14:29We're trying to have a modern, usable bathroom,
14:32so we need a modern, usable wall to put it behind.
14:39Good.
14:42Louisa, meanwhile, is on a crafty mission of her own.
14:47I'm going to be making some lampshades for the his suite.
14:50I bought some frames, 50 centimetre diameter ones,
14:57and then I tried to measure the circumference of it,
15:02and it was too short, so I used pi.
15:06You're very welcome, every single maths teacher out there.
15:08Yes, your students one day will use pi for some DIY.
15:13And with that, I now know that I need three widths of the wallpaper
15:20to cover a lampshade.
15:23Louisa's using the leftover wallpaper
15:26and needs to make them chateau-sized,
15:30as they're for the ceiling lights.
15:32I'm hoping it will work.
15:34I'm hoping it will look good.
15:35I'm hoping it will be usable.
15:37But in the worst-case scenario, I've lost a little bit of time,
15:42and I will have at least tried it.
15:44There's no harm in giving it a go.
15:47With the pattern matched up,
15:49the paper needs cutting to size.
15:51But the trickier challenge is attaching it to the frame.
15:56I think this is going to be fiddly.
16:00Somehow, without tearing the paper,
16:03I've got to get it to fit on.
16:06I'm just going to wing it.
16:08I just don't know how fragile wallpaper is.
16:10It's probably not very fragile.
16:15I have a system. It's going to work.
16:17Just keep putting the pegs on.
16:21Yes, this is working.
16:23I'm happy with the way it's fitting on the frame there.
16:25Time to glue.
16:27With the shade in shape,
16:29it's proved to be relatively straightforward.
16:33Oh, I'm really pleased.
16:35I mean, I'm practically professional at this.
16:38I've made one lampshade,
16:40and I can feel the business is growing.
16:42I'm just going to let it dry now.
16:43Don't touch it any further.
16:45And one more to do,
16:47and then I'll be able to hang them tomorrow.
16:48Fantastic.
16:51Louisa's master plan is beginning to come together.
16:55But with the bathroom still little more than a shell,
16:59Roger needs to get his skates on.
17:12In south-west France,
17:14at Chateau Méaume,
17:17work in Marc and Sandra's new gite
17:19has ground to a halt,
17:22as today they're heading to a local brocante
17:25in the hope of finding some antique treasures
17:28to help furnish it.
17:31We love coming here because,
17:34well, first of all,
17:34it's eclectically fantastic,
17:37and secondly,
17:38there's so many great things
17:39that we've been able to source for the Chateau.
17:41And, of course,
17:42look, it's a lot of fun.
17:45With their friends arriving in a couple of days...
17:48If we find a second one that looks like this,
17:51because that's quite cool.
17:52They don't have much time to make it shine.
17:56This is a very old model casserole dish,
17:58and this is a cast iron, I believe.
18:01If you try and buy them new,
18:03they're ridiculously expensive.
18:04Because they're outside,
18:05they should be very, very inexpensive.
18:09And if someone breaks them,
18:10we're not bothered
18:11because we didn't spend a lot of money for it.
18:13Yeah, exactly.
18:14That's a good point.
18:15With a first find in the bag,
18:18Sandra's on a roll.
18:20This might be a winner.
18:22I want a pot to put orchids in
18:25in the entrance of the Chateau.
18:27Do you think it's too heavy for the table?
18:29No, I don't think so.
18:30I need to clean it up a bit.
18:32Yeah, I'll put some felt pads on the bottom
18:34so it doesn't scratch the table.
18:36OK, that's a winner.
18:40Let's look at the demi-shorts.
18:45We're looking for two to turn into bedside lamps.
18:49Is that the same size, same weight?
18:52Because they're all hand-blown,
18:54so they're all slightly different.
18:56Is that...this one's small.
18:58Yeah, that's a bit smaller.
18:59This one's heavier.
19:02That looks like it can match this one.
19:05Be careful, yeah.
19:06You break it, you buy it.
19:07Yeah, yeah, that's true.
19:08These seem similar, right?
19:10Yeah, go with that.
19:10Yeah.
19:11We have a pair of lampshades
19:13that should go nicely with this.
19:15It's proving to be a successful trip.
19:18This is where to find antique door handles.
19:22I'll take those as a potential.
19:25Good.
19:26Add it to the pile.
19:27With the shopping done, Sandra hopes she can get them
19:32for a bargain price.
19:34So, what's the best, best price?
19:38$80, $100, $110.
19:43It's gratis.
19:44All right.
19:45I have some of this.
19:46Okay.
19:47Present for you.
19:48Oh, merci.
19:49Merci beaucoup.
19:50Merci beaucoup.
19:51After managing to get the casserole dishes for free,
19:54it's certainly been a worthwhile visit.
19:57I think Sandra was her usual charming self.
20:02He knows that whatever he says,
20:03she's going to push a bit.
20:05So, I think he cleverly came up with the price
20:07that we were looking for.
20:08And then we were happy.
20:09So, anyway, done.
20:11Business.
20:11Easy.
20:13Having sealed the deal,
20:15Mark and Sandra have got off to a good start.
20:19But with their friends due in a couple of days,
20:22it's back to the chateau
20:24to put their design plan into action.
20:35In the Loire Valley,
20:37at Chateau La Grande Maison,
20:40it's a hive of activity by the river
20:43as Ben and Billy have brought in friends Andy and Natalie
20:47to help clear the space
20:49for their new waterside retreat.
20:53We need to get rid of tree stumps.
20:56We need to get rid of brambles.
20:57We're going to tidy everything up
20:59from the boat shed all the way down to the river.
21:01We want to have it clear enough
21:03to put tables and chairs down.
21:04And we want to be able to mark the depths in the river
21:07so that we can have some wild swimming.
21:10So it's obvious where you can swim.
21:12It's a big day ahead,
21:15especially as the trees by the water's edge
21:17haven't been touched in years.
21:20What we're trying to do
21:21is create lovely views into the pond.
21:24But everything's just spread out
21:26and there's not a single nice vista.
21:29That's pretty hard there.
21:33Billy's job, meanwhile,
21:35is to clear the overgrown boat shed.
21:38I've got to actually weed the entire thing.
21:40We've got our beautiful cordial lines
21:42which grow like crazy.
21:43Our boat that we need to get in the river
21:45to measure the depths is here.
21:46We can't even get to that at the moment.
21:48So this is my little island of work
21:50and hopefully paradise when it's finished.
21:58There's no other way to do this
22:00than to just get to the roots of everything
22:02so that the stones are going to be clear.
22:06Ben, at least,
22:08is making some progress with the tree stumps.
22:11Ten years ago,
22:12on this spot,
22:13was a huge poplar tree
22:14and as it fell over that way,
22:18it lifted up the roots
22:20and created this big mound.
22:22It's left these big solid bits of tree trunk left.
22:29So it's all these bits we want to get rid of
22:30so when the mower goes over it,
22:32we're not trying to chop a big lump of wood.
22:35I'm going to put this on the border of our land
22:38so it can rot away for little bugs.
22:40Like a bug hotel.
22:47Ben and I both love the water.
22:51When we met, I lived by the sea.
22:52He lived on the canal and had a boat
22:54and we decided that anywhere we lived,
22:58we have to have water.
22:59The river was actually really high
23:01on our list of dream things that we wanted
23:04when we were looking for places here.
23:08It's so peaceful!
23:13This is going really, really well.
23:15Andy's cracked onto this, you know, so fast.
23:17It's looking amazing.
23:19Still a few scraggly bits to get out of the way,
23:20but it's going to look lovely
23:22and hopefully the irises are going to really grow
23:25in this area as well
23:26because this has been starved of light
23:27for a long, long time.
23:30Ben's starting to see the fruits of their labour
23:34and with the boathouse cleared...
23:36Do you mind helping me move the boat for a minute?
23:39...Billy's eager to get onto the water.
23:42We need to tip it upside down and let it dry out.
23:45Yeah.
23:45And then eventually, once it's dry enough...
23:48Let's see if we can blow it back up again.
23:49If we can blow it back up.
23:50I hope we can.
23:51All right, then.
23:52Right, it's quite heavy.
23:55I can't wait to use this again.
23:57Yo, heave ho!
23:58And a bottle of rum.
24:02Ben and Billy's plan is gathering pace.
24:05But with lots more clearing to do,
24:09it's going to be a good while yet
24:11before their guests can take the plunge.
24:21Still to come.
24:22It's a race against time for Mark and Sandra.
24:26It'll be nice to see what they think of it.
24:28It's finally coming together.
24:30And Ben gets thrown in at the deep end.
24:33You can see the water's running faster.
24:35Wow.
24:36We've got an afro.
24:45In southern France, at Chateau de Montespierre,
24:50Louisa and Roger are progressing
24:52with their his-and-hers guest suite
24:54as the new shower wall is almost in place.
25:00I've put my pipes through, lined them up,
25:02and you see the shape of it now anyway, can't you?
25:04Yeah, definitely.
25:04Have you picked the tiles yet?
25:06Woo-hoo!
25:10The shower might be coming together,
25:12but they still need to plasterboard the rest of the bathroom walls.
25:21While Roger continues on with the work...
25:26Louisa is eager to check on her wallpaper lampshades for the His Room.
25:33Moment of truth.
25:35I hope the pegs have done the job clamping the paper down,
25:38and I hope they haven't themselves stuck to the paper.
25:43Well, that one's free.
25:45That's good.
25:46And everything's staying stuck down quite nicely.
25:52Yes!
25:53Yes!
25:54It works!
25:57And voila, we're ready.
25:59Let's take it away.
26:01Here we go.
26:02Two lampshades.
26:05Let's do it.
26:08Roger, I hope you're ready, because...
26:11I am.
26:13Perfect timing.
26:15Wow, they look fantastic.
26:16Where did you get that wallpaper from?
26:19No, they look great.
26:20I think they're going to look the business.
26:21I am dead excited.
26:23It's better look good.
26:24With the ceiling four metres high, it's a two-ladder job.
26:29Perfect.
26:30That's good.
26:31I think this is the way we'll have to do it.
26:32Put the bulb in while we're there.
26:33While I'm there.
26:34Yeah.
26:35Good.
26:35Oh.
26:37Oh, no, they're not too low.
26:40My God, they're massive.
26:41They're massive, though, aren't they?
26:43Ready?
26:45Reveal.
26:46Three, two, one.
26:48Woo!
26:49Ooh.
26:50I feel like closing the shutters to see what it looks like.
27:00Whoo!
27:01I think they're great.
27:03Look at that.
27:03I love the light of it.
27:04Yeah.
27:05Look, you can really see the light coming through the wallpaper.
27:08It shines through the pattern of it.
27:10Yeah.
27:10It really brings the wallpaper in, doesn't it?
27:12It does.
27:13It's got a cosy feel.
27:14Perfect.
27:15They look great.
27:15Look, well done.
27:21Louisa's vision is beginning to take shape.
27:24But with the wedding only a few weeks away, they might be cutting things a bit fine.
27:40In the Loire Valley in central France, Ben and Billy's waterside retreat is moving in the right direction,
27:50as the banks of the river have finally been cleared.
27:56This is all that's left from our sailing days, isn't it, Ben?
27:59And today, they're eager to get into their boat to make the water safe for their wild swimming guests.
28:08I think that's going to float.
28:09It'll definitely float.
28:13Great.
28:14We've got this section that suddenly goes deep and then it shallows out again.
28:19So we want to mark it out so that people know where to find it and where to avoid it
28:22if they want to.
28:23One of us is going to hold the rope and let it out slowly where we can measure the various
28:28different places.
28:29And one of us is going to be in the boat doing the measuring.
28:31So this is kind of like one of those marriage trust things.
28:34You know when you kind of go like that and you kind of fall back into each other's arms?
28:37It's a bit like that.
28:38Because one person's holding the rope and the other person's stuck in the boat.
28:42So it's all about trust, this one.
28:43Yeah, can't let that rope go.
28:45No.
28:45Not unless I really want to.
28:50Oh, very good, Ben.
28:51There you are.
28:51Very good.
28:53With the rope tied and secure, it's the moment of truth.
28:58Right.
28:59Hey.
29:00Marriage trust exercise.
29:03I trust you.
29:06I should have brought a gin and tonic.
29:08He's having all the fun.
29:10I'll take a measurement by the swing.
29:12OK.
29:14To gauge the water's depth, Ben's fashioned a measuring stick out of bamboo.
29:22OK, I'll take a measurement here.
29:26Oh, that's not even a metre yet.
29:28Let me get a bit more, Billy.
29:30OK.
29:35That's about a metre in line with that tree there.
29:39Oh, it's going deeper now.
29:42That's a metre and a half.
29:43Wow.
29:44I think that's the edge of where it starts getting deep.
29:46Yeah, that's where you can see the water's running faster.
29:50Yeah, that's where it gets deep, Ben.
29:52I'll go down a bit more, Billy.
29:53OK.
29:55We got enough rope?
29:56Yeah.
29:58Plenty.
30:04That's three metres.
30:06Three metres by that tree.
30:08It should start getting shallower again.
30:12Yeah, it's getting shallower here.
30:14So it's from that tree all the way down to that tree.
30:18Wow.
30:19About 25 metres long.
30:22That's swimming pool size.
30:24You can bring me in now.
30:25Oh, don't you just want to stay there a little bit longer?
30:29You look like you're having a lot of fun.
30:31It's really nice.
30:33You can row as well, you know.
30:35No, it's OK.
30:37With the depths of the river discovered, it's been a successful mission.
30:43We've got a plan now.
30:44We're going to make two signs with the little pointy bits at the end to point towards the deep end
30:49and point towards the shallow.
30:51We love it when a working job is also a fun job.
30:54Yeah.
30:55I've got to admit that was a fun one.
30:56Yeah, it was really good fun.
30:57Ben and Billy's waterside retreat is inching closer.
31:04But with the signs still to do, and the banks to make picture perfect, their guests won't be splashing around
31:14just yet.
31:21In Bordeaux, in southwest France, it's all systems go in the Gite.
31:28I'm just trying to get the algae off the inside.
31:31Sandra and Mark are eager to upcycle the bottles they bought at the Brancante.
31:37Hopefully it'll work and produce a simple little side lamp for one of the bedrooms.
31:42I think I almost got it.
31:44But with their friends due imminently, they don't have much time.
31:50For the lamp itself, I wanted the old wiring.
31:53I wanted a sort of antique brass look.
31:56It's nothing too scientific.
31:59And hopefully without breaking the bottle, we squeeze it in.
32:03For the lampshades, we chose these specifically because of the color and also because Basie has a lot of the
32:11animals that we have here at the Chateau.
32:12So we thought that was a good theme.
32:15Let's tie it on to the light fixture.
32:19Well, here.
32:21All right.
32:22So one little check.
32:25Okay.
32:27Bam.
32:28There we go.
32:29Success.
32:30Simple but effective.
32:32It looks good.
32:33It'll look good in the room.
32:35With the lamp complete, they're hoping they can squeeze in some finishing touches in the other rooms.
32:43It'll be nice to see what they think of it.
32:46It's finally coming together.
32:52So we're done.
32:54Okay.
32:55Wow, that looks really good.
33:02Six months ago, their farmhouse was unloved, derelict and nothing more than an empty shell.
33:13Now, it's been transformed into a cozy and inviting space for guests to enjoy.
33:21With Mark and Sandra's eye for detail, they've created a homely kitchen and a delightful salon, which retains the charm
33:31and character of the 19th century building.
33:35With the addition of elegant bedrooms and stylish bathrooms, giving it that sense of opulence, making it a luxurious place
33:47to stay.
33:49And with their friends starting to arrive, it's time to see if their hard work has paid off.
34:00Welcome.
34:01Oh, thank you.
34:01Oh, my God.
34:03It's actually unbelievable.
34:04It's just changed mental recognition.
34:06It's amazing.
34:07We took out the ceiling, so that gave us a higher ceiling and then put in the lighting.
34:12And then the rest is basically mainly Sandra buying things that they broke on.
34:17This is the kitchen.
34:20Our friends made this.
34:22Made it out of reclaimed wood and then a table.
34:25Brilliant.
34:25We changed the tiles in here as well.
34:27Oh, yes.
34:27I think it adds to the age of the original building.
34:30It's lovely.
34:31It really is lovely.
34:32It's very homey.
34:34And this is your room, the red room.
34:37Wow.
34:38Very nice.
34:39Oh, yes, please.
34:41Lovely.
34:42Beautiful.
34:43I love the lamp.
34:44Yeah, we made those lamps.
34:46You did?
34:46Yeah.
34:47Oh, wow.
34:47That is lovely.
34:49I'm so impressed with what they've managed to achieve, because I've been here before and
34:53I've seen what it was like.
34:55The transformation in itself is incredible.
34:57They've clearly done a bang-up job of the renovation.
35:00I have nothing but respect for them doing it.
35:02I think it's amazing.
35:03It's incredible what they've done.
35:04It looks really cosy.
35:06It's beautiful.
35:06I'm really looking forward to staying.
35:09Today was a great day.
35:10I mean, it was really lovely seeing it through their eyes.
35:12It was like they were pleasantly surprised.
35:15I'm super happy.
35:15I mean, I'm relieved as well.
35:17In some late nights.
35:18Long days.
35:18Yeah, long days.
35:19I can't wait to not have anyone here and I'll just stay there.
35:22Have a little mini holiday.
35:23It's really beautiful.
35:25Yeah, it came out really well.
35:26I might call you for food.
35:27Oh, yeah, that's delivery.
35:29Mark and Sandra have done a great job.
35:33And with their jeet now officially open...
35:36Santé.
35:37Santé.
35:38It's another business venture that is set to flourish for many years to come.
35:49Coming up, Roger gets tied up in knots...
35:53Instructions in Italian.
35:56Er...
35:56And Ben and Billy's problems start to mount.
36:01Did I tell you I love nature?
36:03You said you wanted a nice walk through the woods.
36:12In the region of Occitanie in southern France,
36:17work in Roger and Louise's his-and-hers guest suite
36:21has taken a big step forwards
36:24as the bathroom is almost done.
36:28Today, we're going to be hopefully finishing the ensuite bathroom.
36:32We're going to put a shower door on
36:33and then it's up to you after that.
36:35I'll be on hand to help,
36:37but actually I'm going to be oiling the bedroom floor.
36:40Or waxing it.
36:41Waxing it, actually.
36:42No, yes.
36:43Keep the oil off.
36:43Keep the oil off.
36:44Waxing it.
36:46Roger hopes that installing the shower door will prove a simple job.
36:54Instructions in Italian.
36:58It says, use instruction handbook.
37:00So, you know, I wouldn't want to risk without it.
37:03But Louise always says that I don't ever look at them,
37:05which is actually true.
37:09I think it's going to be OK.
37:11I just hope that the walls are straight.
37:13We're going to find out.
37:15In order to fit the door,
37:17Roger's going to have to drill into his newly laid tiles.
37:21I'm putting the masking tape on in theory
37:23to prevent any cracking or chipping of the tile.
37:26To be on the safe side,
37:27a little bit of clear masking tape over my mark
37:30so I know where I'm going.
37:38Seems OK.
37:41I think it's a bit cold for the actual wax.
37:44OK, here goes.
37:46Next door,
37:47Louisa is hoping to make the bedroom floors shine.
37:51It's literally...
37:52Apply it, wait till it dries,
37:55buff it, and once it's buffed,
37:57if you're still not happy with the finish,
37:59apply another coat.
38:01Having previously spent years
38:03running a boat-fitting company,
38:05the couple are no strangers to elbow grease.
38:09We had to polish the boats big time,
38:12the narrow boats, oh, my goodness.
38:13They sort of leave the yard with a car-wax finish.
38:17It was very, very labour-intensive.
38:20Not the favourite job.
38:22But it will require all hands on deck
38:26if they're going to safely fit the heavy shower glass.
38:30Watch your toes.
38:31I want to scratch the shower tree.
38:33No, you're not on the inside here.
38:34Yeah, now I am.
38:36No, it's got to be on the outside, Louisa.
38:37Oh, I thought you said on the inside.
38:39Yeah, the bit on the wall goes on the inside.
38:42There, that's right.
38:43Oh, OK.
38:47OK.
38:49Fingers crossed.
38:50Now I've got to get the other bit up high is good.
38:55OK.
38:56Then we're going to drop it down very gently.
38:58Pop it in.
39:00And...
39:02There you go.
39:03You happy?
39:04Good.
39:04I'm so pleased that we held it in position first
39:07because that could have gone wrong otherwise.
39:10With no harm done,
39:12Louisa can finish off the waxing.
39:15I'm on the last stretch here
39:17and I've hardly got any stuff left,
39:20which is fabulous.
39:21Look at that.
39:22That is a very satisfying job
39:25and this is going to help it
39:27weather the next 300 years.
39:30Just one little coat of wax.
39:34Hey.
39:34Is it safe?
39:35Yeah.
39:36How are you doing?
39:37Yeah, it's just about there.
39:38And it looks nice, doesn't it?
39:40I love it.
39:41I do.
39:42I love it.
39:43I love it.
39:44It feels quality, doesn't it?
39:46It is.
39:47Look at that.
39:49Well, I'm finished.
39:50Do you want to see my full?
39:51OK.
39:53Look, it's done.
39:55Nice colour, isn't it?
39:59Their grand two-bedroom guest suite
40:02is moving a step closer
40:04and they've come up with a new name.
40:07They're not called his and hers anymore.
40:09We're going for a Toulouse-Lautrec.
40:10The Toulouse-Lautrec family at one stage
40:13were the owners of the chateau
40:14so we thought it's quite nice
40:16to have a nod to them.
40:18It's part of the history of the chateau.
40:20In the rooms, yeah.
40:21It's a fitting tribute.
40:23But with the bedrooms to dress
40:25and the hallway still to renovate,
40:29Louisa and Roger
40:30are a long way from being wedding ready.
40:42In the Loire Valley in central France,
40:45the summer is in full bloom
40:48and Ben and Billy's waterside retreat
40:51is almost complete.
40:54They're really smart.
40:55They'll last a long time as well.
40:57But they still need to hang
40:59the water depth signs
41:01for wild swimmers to clearly see.
41:05Right, we have not been down here for a while.
41:08No, this really is back to nature, isn't it?
41:10Got to try not to fall in the river
41:12while we're doing this.
41:12No.
41:17Getting there.
41:19I'll go and get the signs?
41:21Yes, please.
41:27Is that the right way round?
41:29That's the right way round, yeah.
41:29One metre that way,
41:30three metres that way.
41:31Cool.
41:32They're very smart, I have to say.
41:35So I'm going to screw this in
41:36and then step back and avoid my work.
41:38Don't step back.
41:39I reckon go here
41:41because when you're walking in the water,
41:43that's going to be roughly head height,
41:45which is about perfect, isn't it?
41:46Yes.
41:52That's lovely.
41:53One job that you can manage
41:55without a spirit level
41:56doesn't have to be that perfect.
41:58OK, shall we carry on
41:59fighting our way through?
42:00It might be a case of
42:02one down, one to go.
42:05But hanging this sign
42:07might prove more problematic.
42:10I'll send out a search party
42:12if you're not back in an hour or so.
42:16Did I tell you I love nature?
42:19You said you wanted a nice walk
42:21through the woods.
42:22How's it looking?
42:24Nearly there, Billy.
42:25Nearly there.
42:27Do you know, Billy,
42:28we haven't been to this
42:29corner of the garden
42:30in five years.
42:33Five years.
42:34It shows.
42:35It shows.
42:42I think we're there, Billy.
42:43I think we're there.
42:44Wow.
42:45This is definitely the area
42:46because you can see
42:47it gets shallow again there.
42:49You can see the bottom
42:50of the river.
42:55Perfect.
42:56Well done.
42:59Now, swim back.
43:03With the signs in place,
43:05all that's left to do,
43:07with help from daughter Ella,
43:09is make it into a space
43:12to chill and unwind.
43:16I'll rock you to sleep.
43:17Oh, lovely.
43:19Oh, finally, I can relax.
43:25Three months ago,
43:27their riverbank was wild,
43:29overgrown,
43:30and out of control.
43:34Now, it's been transformed
43:36into a serene,
43:38natural beauty spot.
43:40Having cleared the grounds
43:42to the water's edge,
43:44it's the perfect place
43:45to be at one with nature.
43:48And those brave enough
43:50to go for a dip
43:51don't have far to travel.
43:55And what better way
43:56to celebrate
43:57than with a picnic?
43:59Cheers.
44:00Cheers.
44:01Good work.
44:03With the river
44:04now looking inviting,
44:06they can't resist
44:08having a splash.
44:10Oh, this is paradise!
44:12Yes!
44:14I couldn't be more delighted.
44:16I love it.
44:17With the land all opened up now
44:18and having the hammock
44:20and picnic,
44:21I feel really reconnected
44:22to this part of the land.
44:24It's just heaven.
44:25Now that we've defined the space,
44:27it's obvious and easy
44:29to know what to do.
44:30Relax there,
44:31eat there,
44:32swim there.
44:33Just chill out.
44:35Oh, this is so nice.
44:38Now the hard work
44:40is out of the way,
44:41Ben and Billy
44:42might be relaxing here
44:44for a good while to come.
44:52Next time,
44:53there's a decking disaster.
44:56Measure twice, cut one.
44:58We measured three times.
45:00Some super-sized DIY.
45:03The corridor is 25 metres long,
45:06so that's a challenge
45:07on a scale
45:07we're not really used to.
45:09And some uninvited wedding guests.
45:13When we found this chateau,
45:15I never dreamt
45:16that 15 years later
45:18we'd still be shoveling food.
45:43Here we go.
45:44Go, go.
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