channel 4 ............. new series.........ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU

[RTKM]

Sunday nights

7pm

Channel 4

Starting tonight

I read a blog post by Dick somewhere on their website where he basically said all most of their attempts to use French tradesmen have resulted in them paying out a lot of money for very little productivity. So they find it more cost effective to bring over British tradesmen, and I'm sure some of them must be doing mates rates for Dick given that he's in the business and must have a vast network of contacts.

They did use some French staff in the last series for one of the weddings and getting some work done inside - i remember him having a bit of a moan about French laws - how they are strict about some things, but others they dont worry about too much. With so much space , it is probably cheaper to get someone over from the UK - put them up for a few days - then there is 'word of mouth' - this place is good for weddings etc and increase a bit of trade for themselves too!

Just found this thread. Love this programme. But yes where is the money coming from to buy tractors and vans etc. I had a look at the chateaus website and they charge £5680 for use of the chateau per wedding. Not sure if that includes food and drink? They are fully booked for 2018 so surely they must start making a profit soon...seeing as they most of it themselves. And yes I'm always astounded at how dick is a multi tasker tradesman and literally can do any diy. Also, does Steve the builder live with them or is he just there for blocks of time when the filming is going on?

Dick is amazing, last series he was turning an old piece of tat into a bbq for the hog roast, then he appeared all dapper in a tux doing a toast for the wedding party - next day he was fixing the windows or up a ladder - there seems to be more than one of him sometimes and he has so much energy! I have taped it for DH to watch and learn, but not holding my breath.

I used to really like www.denhams.tv/hungrysailors/programmes/ and was hoping James might turn up for a visit to the Chateau
www.jamesstrawbridge.com/JAMES_STRAWBRIDGE/about_me.html

I've got Angel's Vintage Tea Party book, which is a lovely thing, although I've never made anything out of it I can't say I'm fond of her style, but I think they must be fantastic hosts.

There's more about the Chateau on the Vintage Tea Party website for anyone who hasn't seen it
vintagepatisserie.co.uk/the-vintage-tea-party-book/

I imagine channel 4 give them a budget to film so that's what they spend to get it up and running along with any money they already have.

Another series of Dick and Angel pleading poverty and then buying something for ££££ yawn

Angel seems madly in love with Dick the mind boggles so I suppose their relationship works. She's good at buying stuff and stencilling but seems to be a crap host at the dinner table; Dick does all of the cooking and she carries it in and doesn't even know what the dish is called. She seemed proud of the fact that after 2 years she still can't speak any French.

I thought that too wrt speaking French.

She will have to learn and the nursery / school will not tolerate it if the children can't speak the language. I have a friend whose brother and wife moved over there about 15 years ago ( Toulouse area) and they had
little children. my friend said the schools were so strict and told them to watch French TV with the children, only speak french at home and put up signs on things everywhere in french, even hire a tutor or friend to come in for extra lessons. they really pushed it ( for obvious reasons ) If the secondary school is miles away , the children automatically board monday to friday. She will have a shock I think, unless the area they are living are not as strict or they are able to send them to an International school, even then they will have to learn some French ( even if the lessons are in English) but i cant see an area where they are having such a school, plus they would have to pay for it. Still, i am enjoying this programme - i hope they revisit them when its all done and the room are finished. its an amazing home.

I imagine that the children do speak French by now, they are in a state school for a lengthy period of the day.

I loved the way Angel was doing a DM sadface over Dick being away..."I have to go around checking the windows by myself".

As much as their life seems amazing I'm not jealous. The moat on their door step is still not fenced and the place must be freezing.

Anyone else wondering about the fire risk with Dick’s beard and all those sparks

The van is looking good

The van does look great. That wedding was beautiful.

I love it! I miss France! It looks like a huge amount of hardwork but their skills are a perfect combination for this project. I would love to have a husband who could help make my imagination come to life. They never seem to get fed up with it all. I think it would get to me.

I’m also tempted to make a cake stand.
I would love to stay at the chateau

I've just looked to see about the food lovers weekend. Would be brilliant for my big birthday coming up and seeing as we've not had a child free night for 4 years I can't think of anywhere better. It's unlikely to happen.

I've just looked to see about the food lovers weekend. Would be brilliant for my big birthday coming up and seeing as we've not had a child free night for 4 years I can't think of anywhere better. It's unlikely to happen.

"I have to go around checking the windows by myself"

Apart from the camera crew of course

It must be very isolating, especially for Angel not speaking French so presumably having no local friends or being able to do much with other people outside her family. Unless there are other British expats in the vicinity or she has French friends who speak English, but they never show that side of things.

Agree the children will certainly (or probably have already) pick up French just from school, even without speaking it at home. It's not necessary or even desirable to speak it at home too, millions of children around the world are bilingual or even trilingual from an early age. It might take them a bit longer to get to an equal reading/writing level as monolingual schoolmates, but the lifelong advantages of bilingualism are hard to deny.

DH and I love the show! It's one of the few things we both watch and enjoy. Loved the cake stands. I'd love to be arty.

I just knew those bloody trees wouldn't be ready!

I gave dh a knowing glare

Doing the school run then back to watch this on catch up whilst working from home.

The children won't have any problem picking up French at their age. If they remain in their state school rather than moving to international their French will be better than their English in a few years.

Just caught up. I laughed at the "urgency" to build Angel's parents a granny flat; they have a 42 room castle, surely they could have a room on the upper floor?! Any excuse for C4 money I suppose.

Seems Dick cannot wait to offload the kids over to see nan and grandad in their new home!
The van was amazing. They do have some talented friends.
They have a zest for life that i can only dream about though.