Escape to the chateau

[bobby spray]

What a very frustrating program. Two novices try and renovate a massively dilapidated 45 room French chateau on a £20k budget. Order of works all over the place. Spending scarce resources on nonsense like a helper skelter for the kids. Good luck to them, I'm sure that they'll do it but it's pretty obvious they have no idea what they are doing!

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I'm not sure Dick Strawbridge counts as a novice.

 

[Flyfisher]

I recall his TV series about it not being easy being green. It was very technology based, which was fair enough given his engineering background, but fairly light on sensitive conservation of old properties. He's certainly no novice when it comes to television programmes. http://www.chateaudelamottehusson.com/dickstrawbridge/?page_id=2

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I agree with Gareth and Flyfisher--Dick Strawbridge is a pretty clued up guy--his previous venture worked well as a result of some considerable knowledge and he went on to give talks and advice to people with the same aspirations. With regard to The Chateau project - apart from being green with envy at the lovely property I think that it is more what the the 'story ' does not tell that is of interest-----how, in reality, did they actually achieve so much in such a short space of time and on a low budget----she spent 250 euro on a pair of chairs, yet there are still holes in the windows. For example where did the steam machine for her hand printed ceramic tiles appear from, things like that don't come cheap----and an Aga or was it a Rayburn-----. I await the next episode with baited breath !!

 

[Owain]

For example where did the steam machine for her hand printed ceramic tiles appear from, things like that don't come cheap-

She said she already had it. I was wondering about the cost of printing all those tiles on an inkjet onto special paper, and how long they'd last if not properly glazed and fired.

 

[angrybird]

To take on a property of that size would have me defeated as soon I walked through those grand gates but what a beautiful Chateau and setting all on a 20k budget and 45 rooms to tackle :shock: what are they going to feed the wedding guests jam butties? :lol:
Poor Dick is no spring chicken but what Angel wants Angel gets! That daft helter skelter idea wasted time and energy!

Saying all that I can't wait for the next episode...I'm hooked

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Well said Angry Bird!! Let's just enjoy! --even if his beard did seem to be rather greyer in one or two of the takes!!

 

[bobby spray]

Okay, maybe a little too harsh on Dick... us engineers need to stick together . His missus on the other hand! The wallpapering of the room that they had just knocked through to was what stuck with me. Not only were there lots of jobs that looked like they needed doing beforehand (plastering, window seat, painting etc...) but even then she made a pigs ear of it! But like you I'm definitely tuning in again.

 

[MatthewC]

I agree (especially about "us engineers") - it is pretty addictive and Dick is quite watchable. However, I think some prioritization of tasks would be a good idea. Helter skelter indeed! Apart from the time there was some cost of materials for that which on his budget seems a huge waste.

 

[mims&pip]

I've not seen this yet - although I'm pretty sure I'll be tuning in at some point - but get the feeling from a quick google, that Mrs Strawbridge the second is going to get right up my nose :roll:

Mims x

 

[kreyszig]

I thought it made great viewing - the budget constraints did seem a little artificial, the helter skelter thing was nuts though.
I do wish they'd shown Dick putting the lintel in before they created the "arch" - to me, that's the interesting bit of creating a new doorway.
once the stuff above is supported, where's the interest in knocking holes in walls, I ask you?

 

[DJH]

Hmm...forgive me for this but it's a television show!!!!! He more than likely did not fit the lintels but, to meet filming schedules, the production team more than likely arranged for the work to be done. The helter skelter was a bit of froth to show what a clever chap he is and to introduce a bit of tension into the show as was the pressure vessel that was fitted way after the pressurised hot water cylinder....

George Clarke presented a show in the town I lived in and the final shots of the completed (!) work with George enthusing about it was dressed by the producers with hired in furniture and fittings... :roll:

It's TV after all... :twisted:

Rant over...

Doug

 

[kreyszig]

I just mean if you're making a programme about renovating a Chateau, and go to the trouble of explaining that when whacking a hole in a wall the load needs to be supported (via fancy cartoon pictures of triangles), and are fronting it with a hands-on engineery type like Dick, it seems a wasted opportunity not to show him putting in/supervising the structural bit. well that's my take on it anyway