Captain's
Log
I can't think of a better day, Valentines Day, to share some treasures found at the chateau.
Sometimes it's hard to spot these 'treasures' amongst the dirt and debris. But a love heart embedded into a marble fireplace and external iron gates embellished with rosebud pink flowers are everlasting reminders of the craftsmanship and love that went into their making, almost 300 years ago.
Eight weeks ago, the work at the chateau started... and it hasn't stopped. In fact, it's go go go 'tout le temps." Renovating a property in France conjures an image of constant delays, unfinished work and tireless supervision. This month I read about a couple renovating a chateau in the Loire Valley and the antics of drunken Polish workers doing 'burnouts' in a beat up old van around the chateau grounds. Apparently the workmanship is good but only if they keep off the plonk! And another couple battling with a disappointing project manager somewhere in the Lot. But for us, so far so good.
At the moment we are back in Australia looking after our home and garden in the hot blazing sun, two teenagers returning to university, two poodles…. and a cat. We will be back onsite at the beginning of March. And I have to say we rely on a team effort to move forward with the project on the other side of the world. Over the past three weeks we have been receiving photos and skype calls keeping us informed of what is happening on an almost daily basis.
And here is the proof! Not that long ago this salon was a mess of crumbled, green mouldy walls and collapsed flagstones. Now the room is just waiting for its final consolidation: concrete poured into the steel corrugations, infloor heating and the reinstallation of the stones. The first of 94 rooms.
For more photos of this weeks discoveries have a look at 'Restoration.'
Hopefully my enthusiasm will last 94 rooms!
Work has recommenced at the chateau this week.
Look forward to sharing the progress, process and hopefully not too much panic, renovating a property in France. And here is a New Years January To Do List for starters:
The past weeks have been a joy, not just the spirit of Christmas approaching, with snow covered fir trees, noël village markets, magical window displays but also the good cheer and progress at the chateau.
And the big news is - we have lights. After 30 years of being in darkness the chateau has powered up.
Today I was driving down from the summit of Plateau de Beille at dusk and as I approached the driveway for a quick glimpse I noticed a light shining bright. I couldn't believe it. I'm wondering what the locals think!
Electricity hasn't been switched on since the chateau hosted school vacation camps between 1960 and 1980.
The builder and his 12 hour a day team were still working hard. Earlier in the morning, massive, heavy solid beams were carefully hauled from high ceilings. Some can be retained using metal sleeves to anchor into thick stone walls. And those no longer able to do their supporting job will be used perhaps as bathroom benches or even in the kitchen as chopping boards.
I'm forever scrounging and looking for anything of interest to recycle. I can't help it.
It's extraordinary how much work six men can achieve in a couple of weeks. Consolidation of the chateau is in full swing. A real building site: hard hats, wheelbarrows, strong GQ magazine cover Spanish men. The internal implosion of destruction and debris is now rapidly making its way outside. Everyday the rubble pile escalates as well as fueling an 'open fire.' Today one of the workers patiently plied 300 year old hand forged nails from rotting wood and placed them in a metal bucket for safe keeping. Maybe one day they will sit in a glass jar on an open shelf, admired.
Our desire to retain and upcycle is proving more difficult than anticipated. Installing concrete, steel reinforced flooring has meant that all tiles must be removed and 'hopefully' reinstalled where possible. This component of the reconstruction is disappointing. However the enormous weight currently in existence on the first floor has to be addressed from a safety aspect. At the moment 3cm solid handmade tiles sit on a layer of lime/talc, then two layers of timber and finally another timber floor. The original construction was engineered to last and if the roof/water damage hadn't occurred perhaps it would have remained intact for another 300 years. I can understand why brocantes ( french secondhand stores) always have crates of tiles at giveaway prices.
The front facade cleanout is almost complete. The builder is now concentrating on the back section. Lengthy metal ramps provide a helping hand in the removal of backbreaking, hefty tiles and debris from upstairs to the ground floor. Safety harnesse's separate the men from plunging below. And once crisp white, but now grubby grey face masks are don. Dust fills each room like a pea-souper fog: thick, dense, finally settling on every surface and in every crevise.
And the workers toil from dawn to dark, few words are spoken. Just 'Hola'. It's just too cold. Minus 9 hurts. And wearying, working, laden with layers and layer and layers of woolens.
