Escape to the Chateau anyone?

[BeforetheFlood]

I have such a love/hate relationship with this programme. On the one hand - clocks have changed, evenings are dark and there's nothing nicer than settling on the sofa for some gorgeous house envy. And it is SUCH a gorgeous house.

On the other hand, I feel the projects are now transparently tv-fodder and the ideas are getting increasingly batshit. Tiles decoupaged with paper napkins? I give those 6 months. (But then, they're selling up so they don't care!)

Anyone else watching?

I do love Angel’s outfits. I also wonder if she does actually trot about in champagne silk kimonos whilst gardening etc.

Oh, they're using the flower arranging room today.

I guess you’d have to use it after last week’s episode!

Well, quite.

I actually really like seeing her without make-up and false eyelashes! I admire her for not being bothered about being filmed like that - I think she looks great.

Is it just me or is there a lot of PDA between Dick and Angel this episode?

Yes, just commented on that and how it's for the programme and their image.

What’s PDA?

I like that linen idea.

Public display of affection

Oh yes, they are very kissy.

Lucky it's a very telegenic wedding party.

Some speculation in my house that they did a deal - free wedding, total access. Seems odd that Dick and Angel were kissing guests goodbye like old friends, alongside the brides, when their parents were nowhere to be seen.

Very attractive set of people.

I’d like to know how much cooking Dick does versus kitchen staff.

Yes, that sounds about right. Channel 4 should pull the plug on it really but then we're still watching it

Gosh, so many horrible comments on here!

I like them and I think they work hard. And I admire their "can do" attitude.

I agree that a lot of Angel's projects seem rather impractical but ultimately she's creating a brand. I think both of them are very skilled individuals. Dick is an amazing engineer and chef. And Angel is an accountant, yet creative. That's quite a combination of accomplishments between them.

I don't find Dick controlling - he is the one actually building things so needs correct information and doesn't just agree without going in to the details - and Angel doesn't strike me as a wallflower.

Also, why does everyone assume that the trouble with the production company was caused by them? Production companies always try and create more drama by highlighting discord or negativity out of all proportion to reality And Dick and Angel strike me as positive people who want to reflect that.

My only negative is that I think it's generally a bad idea for children to appear on tv. But other then that, good for them for making it a going concern I say! I hope their family unit survives all this public scrutiny.

There’s an awful lot of over-thinking going on here. I enjoy watching it but I’m not going to sit there and speculate on why Dick said x or Angel did y. It’s just easy watching tv.

It’s lost a lot of interest now most of the renovation is done.

It's the giggling I can't stand. Did anyone notice the face Dick made when Angel was gushing at one point.

They bought the Chateau in 2015. How can she have lived there for as long as they have and still not speak French?

I like the show, and admire their work ethic (though not always on board with Angel's aesthetic tastes).

However, I find it extraordinary that neither of them speak French properly after years of living in France. Yes it's hard, but part of the package when you emigrate. I'd much rather see Angel and Dick work and succeed at French, and integrating into the community, than yet another dippity-doo/decoupage project.

I love to watch it. Even though my opinion of Dick and Angel went way down after I read a story of them being awful IRL and the original production team could no longer work with them because they were so difficult. Dick is apparently an aggressive, impatient potty mouth and Angel is a diva. Members of the first production team accused them of bullying, although they obviously have refuted this. I can’t help but think that the Mr and Mrs Nice is all a bit of an act now.

Yes, absolutely agree with this. They are the poster family for emigrating to France and snapping up bargain heritage properties to renovate (and I believe have even created their stage show around encouraging people to do that) while seemingly remaining completely detached and uninterested in local culture or communities. They employ mostly UK tradesmen for the renovation work and UK help for the weddings, so can't even be said to contribute much to the local economy. It's all a bit shameless when you look beyond the mad makes and decoupage projects.

I think that’s a bit harsh. Their work place is their home so obviously they won’t have picked up as much French as if they both worked outside in the community, and their business is English speaking. I have seen Dick hire both English and French tradesmen. I have definitely seen them order building parts, flowers and drinks for their mobile bar from local suppliers and presumably they order all of their food supplies locally too. They must be putting a fair bit of money in to the local economy.

I am pretty sure that their dc are going to the local school but they are not showing any of that involvement obviously. They did feature a class party though.

They have restored a chateau - a bit of local history - that was otherwise going to fall to ruin. And they are encouraging lots of Brits to visit the area. For example, the bus load of 58 guests who came to the chateau for the wedding featured on last night’s episode, must have been staying locally.

Dick used to speak French in the original episodes.

However, Dick never really was able to converse in French. He has a few French words, gives a hearty "Bonjour!" and then waves his hands about and reverts to English. This was fine for the first year but is no longer charming.