Really glad that everyone is safe - including donkeys! Thank goodness for great neighbors! Thinking of you all as you chart the next few days of storm recovery ❤

Lincoln is a marvel…electrician, plumber, construction expert, chain saw wielder…and always so calm. Great thing to have such helpful neighbors. Hang in there guys at least the weather is nice now and not freezing cold on top of all this. Amanda thank you for making a video when you have so much else to do! Take care guys ❤

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

😊

We installed a whole house generator that automatically turns on within seconds when the power goes out. It’s really worth the investment! The peace of mind of knowing our basement won’t flood, our food won’t spoil, and we won’t freeze in the winter or swelter in the summer is priceless. I’m glad everybody is okay! ❤

@sjmrdlhdl

8 ай бұрын

Hang in there!!

@dianac52176

8 ай бұрын

Exactly as you said; it’s an investment, and should be budgeted as such. It’s a bit of an outlay at the beginning but well worth the expenditure. Best of luck to all of you. We have you all in our prayers.

@magpiesmith971

Ай бұрын

We have a generator too and we love it ❤

Bonjour my dears, some advice: In preparedness for future storms and when they have passed, do not inspect your property without wearing hard hats. Trees are weakened by the wind and can still come down. Also, in preparation for another storm, you might try confining the donkeys for a few hours each week in an out building to get them used to being inside during a storm. When you become aware a storm is due, stock up on ice for perishable items to be stored in plastic containers in case you loose power again. We do all this and it helps much. Best wishes from the Secret Château in Normandie. ❤ We are relieved you are safe.

OMGosh! So glad your family, the donkeys and your chateau are all okay. The amount of trees, limbs and downed power lines is crazy! How blessed you are to have such a kind neighbor to help you so much. Glad you’re all safe.

Your farmers are great neighbours to everyone in the community. ❤

I love how the donkeys were so nonchalant in the morning 😆 But seriously, I'm so glad that no one was hurt and there wasn't any major damage!

So happy your family and the animals are safe! Sounds like you found a warm welcoming community to call home. Take good care!

Wow, this is an adventure, and it continues! Happy that the donkey's managed the storm unscathed. Thanks for letting us know how you are. ❤

Living in Florida for the last twenty five years, I related to your storm experience. I remember rows of giant ficus trees that lined one boulevard upended like dominoes with their pancake-like roots fanning into the sky in regular intervals along the street. Neighborhood parties were held as people grilled the contents of their freezers on their backyard barbecues before it all rotted. It seemed to bring out the best in some and the worst in others. Some grabbed all they could of limited supplies and resold on the internet at ridiculous profit. The experience was definitely exhausting. Glad you have lovely neighbors and also happy you did not lose any roofs!

@baronetessdawson

8 ай бұрын

❤❤❤ Ich totally verstehen!!! I loved my moments of living in Florida…for the freedom of The Wild. Then communities & neighbors come TOGETHER I always mourn the loss of Trees…with all the reasons…. To breathe a Hurricane is a unique experience

Here in the states they forecast the storm and I was worried about all the Chateau people I watch. I’m glad you had not major damage and all your animals are ok Looks like you’ll have lots of firewood 😂

I live in a hurricane prone area on the east coast of Virginia! The max winds that I’ve ever experienced over my lifetime and I’m 78 is around 125 to 130 mph and that was horrific I mean, really horrific! Fortunately in the 1950s, my parents built a home that could fully withstand this type of storm but my neighbors are not as fortunate! I cannot even comprehend 200 mile an hour winds! I watched some of this on video that appeared on my Telegram channel! I was praying for you guys and everyone else in the line of this horrific storm. I’ve never seen anything like it! Thank God you’re safe, there’s really not much you can do to withstand a storm like this other than close the shutters lock up the animals and pray Thank God you didn’t get flooded! We had an ice storm here in 1996 and we were without electricity for six weeks! Neighbors brought us hot coffee from their kids house, where they have gas heat and stoves! I was never so thankful for something hot I was caring for an elderly mother it was just horrific we couldn’t go to the hotels because we had animals to care for! My heart goes out to you. Thank God you can take a hot shower that makes a big difference in the hot coffee. Take care. I’ll keep praying.

Glad you weathered the storm with minimal damage but great inconvenience. Glad all the animals were safe, too.

I highly recommend getting a generator for emergencies. I got one after a horrible experience I had about 10 - 12 years ago. It has come in very handy many times. Especially with extreme weather issues. ❤ so glad you are all well. Thank you for another great video! 😊 lol I see you do have a generator lol🎉 They’re life savers

Glad you two and your menagerie are getting through the power outage! You two have kept smile on your faces , which can’t be easy! Thanks for sharing! Be well!🏆

So sorry for all the trees uprooted and broken limbs...glad yall are safe! Your Chateau is one of my favorites! Hope you get help with the power outage soon. Take care❤ love from Memphis

Great to see you have helpfull neighbours and friends! Lincoln is such a smart and handy man! You both are so witty and well spoken, I love your humor. I appreciate the beautiful shots of your chateau and grounds, the color scheme of the changing leaves is just so beautiful. Glad that nobody got hurt and that there was no major damage done. Thank you for sharing your adventures in life with us!!

Wow! That must have been a horrendous storm. Thankful you have Lincoln there who knows how to do these things. Happy you and all the critters are ok. Regardless of the storm and all the work you have to do, I hope you know that you live in my version of Paradise❤. Your views and property are stunning. Stay safe & well.

I am so happy you and all the animals are safe. Storms like this are devastating. I feel for your neighbor who lost the barn roof.

❤l am sorry to hear about your storm and the loss of all your trees. Happy the donkeys are safe and everyone at the chateau. Good news that the chateau and no out buildings were damaged. Six days is a long time to be without power! Hope you get it back soon. You are in my prayers. ❤

I was raised in the North Island New Zealand on a sheep and cattle station. It was 5,000feet above sea level so we were in the hill country. It was isolated, plenty of power cut offs on stormy days. My Dad had a generator for those times and we had a fireplace to keep us warm and a homemade bbq he would crank up. As a kid I actually loved these times. Except we had chickens, ducks, turkeys, cats, dogs, horses, sheep and cattle to worry about

Thank you for sharing your storm story - I'm with you - I would have stayed wide awake listening to that wind all night long. I saw all the lost trees and broken branches and really felt sad that they were damaged and destroyed. That made me think of another chateau youtuber who has hired a tree surgeon to help manage her forest and lands. He's able to evaluate the health of the existing trees and make the necessary changes to ensure they remain healthy - removing the dead ones, topping them, etc. as well as planning and planting new trees. His name is Nick and he's featured on both Chateau Diaries and Escape to Rural France. I wanted to refer him to you as he's absolutely amazing and might be able to help you if you feel you could use it. Congratulations on everything you've achieved so far - I love watching you and your progress (and all your furry friends). xo

@dianegriffith3006

8 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing -Nick is awesome when it comes to tree care. 👍

Such a scary storm. So glad you and the donkeys are ok!

Getting the real chateau experience, candles, open fires and no internet.

I live south of New Orleans… I have dealt with Hurricanes 🌀 for 50 + years preparedness is key to creature comforts. Listen to your neighbors… they can teach you tons.

For some reason, i love love love Enzo ❤, he's there to remind you that life is not easy, but he's always a happy soul 🥰😍

So glad you are all ok... I am sure you were so worried for the donkeys while it was howling in the night! So many trees and branches down, I hope you will have help clearing it all, that is a lot for two people! Hugs to you two and pets to all the critters! ❤

Really good to hear your family is safe and all the animals as well! Hope it's not too long before your hydro lines are back up and working! Thank you for the update, take care & stay safe! Kathy x (Ontario, Canada)

You two are a perfectly matched: Lincoln so calm whether he's working on electricals or getting 5% power on the generator and the sense of humor you two share...that's why I enjoy watching your chateau videos. I liked that bit where you let the dog know you could see him as he kind of hid behind the tree! Truly hope you're all finding ways of staying warm, fed, watered, keeping animals same, and keeping up your sense of humor! You are blessed to have friendly neighbors!

I’ve been in many hurricanes and when they happen in the night it’s very scary. You’re always anticipating a tree falling on the house with a huge bang. But the morning after is when the reality of it all hits. Be careful walking under the trees for any dangling branches hanging from the trees. Invest in a generator preferably a whole house generator that switches on automatically as soon as the power goes out. The best are run on large propane tanks so you don’t have to do anything. Best investment because everything works except the internet if it goes down. Please be safe. xx

As a person who lives 30 miles out to sea on an island in the North Atlantic, I feel you. 🥰

@kathyeyesopen4078

8 ай бұрын

Wow! That must be interesting. Are you the only people on the island or are there many? Always thought I’d like to live on an island when I was younger😊

@joannapolowy4647

8 ай бұрын

I live on Nantucket. There are many things to be said about us. Good and bad.

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

Oh wow!

OMG! Our son and family live in Brittany, they have not let on to us how bad this storm was. I just found out today that they had been without power but, they didn’t say for how long. So happy to hear that all of you are safe, including all the critters. No damage to your chateau or out buildings, perfect! I guess you will be cleaning up the property for awhile. Think of it as fire wood for next season. We will be in Brittany later this month, hoping for calmer weather. Take care.

Wow ! That was some storm. Glad it was only trees that were damaged. Having the generators was a godsend. Sure makes us appreciate all our modern conveniences .

So good to hear that no one was hurt and no damage to the chateau or other outbuildings. The branches and limbs will just take time.

We had a terrible ice storm in 1998 here in eastern Canada, ( freezing rain for 7 days and nights) we were without power for just 8 days, my aunt who lives not more 8 km was 3 weeks without power , I have friends who were without power for much longer. The good news is we are farmers, we had lots of meat, food, the neighbours came to help us eat up our pack freezer, the freezing rain continued to produce ice cubes for cocktails. Farm chores took all day, when you came in at night, you were wet and cold, but we had wood heat, good food, good neighbours (11 children were here each evening we needed cocktails) And we all survived to tell the tale. I know what you are going through! Wishing you all the best

So lucky to have a great neighbor who helped clear those large branches

How nice of the farmer! He deserves a wonderful cooked gourmet meal!

No lives where lost human or furbabys 🙏🙏🙏 that is the time you all pull together and help each other 👍❤❤😊

Oh man!..so glad you all are o.k. All those trees down!!..wow. Lots of work but none of you were injured. That is a blessing. Happy and relieved to see the donkeys made it through the storm.

@tjsmith2748

8 ай бұрын

We are coastal Virginia, No.Carolina. Our. Grocery stores are empty 2 days before he storm. Yes we get anxious as well, and some of us have generators. We also keep solar lights and oil lamps, yep the old fashioned kind filled with oil. Glad you did so well with the buildings.

@kathyeyesopen4078

8 ай бұрын

@@tjsmith2748 we live in Pennsylvania and Delaware. When there is even a HINT of a storm coming, especially Snow, everyone runs to the grocery stores and wipe out the bread, milk and other foods as if we will be stuck in a forest for a month😅

Boy am I glad you’re all safe. I can’t imagine how scary that would have been and so nice your neighbors helped you out and your donkeys are okay too. I’m hoping and praying the next few days turns out easier for you all returning back to some normalcy of some kind. Take care. 🙏

Thank goodness you all is good on the farm. I am glad there was no major damage to it. Thank you so much for sharing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏 Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

Pana Lincoln působí jako tichá síla, je vidět že se na něj můžete spolehnout, jste skvělý pár. Držím vám palce a zdravím z ČR

This is Grandma from Texas. It is wise to avoid downed power lines. They can kill. Even if you step into a puddle of water with a voltage line sitting in it it can kill. Be careful especially if you don’t know for sure the side the live wire is on. We deal with hurricanes on the regular so we are feeling empathy for what you are experiencing. It is nearly impossible to show the true reality of the devastation on video. Thank God all your animals and humans are safe. Praying for y’all

So glad you are all okay. Be more physically loving to your donkeys and they will reciprocate. They love to have their chin bones stroked and scratched and their heads too and will come running for hugs and snuggles. So lucky your roofs weren't damaged! Incredibly lucky! You were also lucky to have shutters inside and out to protect your large windows and didn't lose any of them! Always good to have camping gear around for emergencies like that. Camp stoves and lights are so useful when the power goes out.

Thank god you all are ok!! I always worry about my donkeys as well and that mostly is where i stress!! Boy the wood you've been stacking all this time will definitely come in handy now my friends along with your gorgeous fireplaces!!! Please stay safe and thank you for sharing this adventure with us all!! Hugs!

As someone who lives in the hurricane alley known as Florida, you should never walk near or through downed power lines. They are live and you can't always see them. There is no off switch either. Its a good idea when you know a storm is coming to plug the All Pro into an outlet to charge it before the storm just in case. Glad everyone came through safely and the damages to your property were minimal.

A night to remember! Thank goodness no roof damage. Wishing you warmth and light!

Praise God you are all safe. And so thankful for good neighbors and friends. 🥰🙏🏻

well, your alive, you still have a place to live, the Donkey's are fine. you have a lot of fire wood!. I see a generator in you future. This can happen again. Do they have a( Generac) dealer in France? propane would be your fuel source for a standby generator. Something to keep your fridge and water pump going as well a boiler with a thermostat to kick it on when needed. It saved us from freezing in 2000 from a freak storm and we were out fo a week and 15 horses with water needs.

Wow, what a mess! Relieved that your home, outbuildings and Donkeys survived the storm.🇨🇦❤️

My husband and I are from Pennsylvania and live in Louisiana. We live in the area that Hurricane Laura hit as a high hurricane cat 4. We lived on a generator for 27 days. Decided i didn't want to live in Louisiana the rest of my life. Here for my husband's job. Im glad that you had just damage to the trees and not the chateau. Stay safe and remember it takes time to put things back.

Glad everyone is safe! Lincoln is so smart, electronic genius! Great neighbors and friends!

Beautiful deer. Glad the donkey did not lose the shed. Glad you came out no worse for wear!

I’m so glad everyone and everything is safe. I don’t usually sleep in bad storms like that!!

For the trees that toppled over with their root ball in tact, you could pull the tree upright and stake it. It might survive if the roots have not dried out. Also, take some more advice from a Florida hurricane survivor. Stock up on storm essentials for water, canned goods and animal foods. Replenish this once a year. During the 2 weeks I was without power I lived on tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and almond milk. Boring, but it worked.

Wow, you sure need to know a lot in order to keep such a beautiful place up and running and you guys are doing it! I am so glad the roof on all your buildings weathered the storm and you are all okay.

It’s wonderful that Lincoln is so knowledgeable about all the electrics etc. So sorry you lost so many trees and have a lot of cleanup to do, but glad you and your animals are safe. Hope your power is restored soon. Take care.

Our children loved it when we had a power cut. I kept an old saucepan for doing soup over the open fire, an old kettle for boiling water for drinks and washes [in a bowl in front of the open fire] and we'd put potatoes in the hot embers and ashes under the fire. Our son who is in his late fifties says they are some of his best memories of his childhood.

I live in Louisiana, and hurricanes are just part of life. We learned that each hurricane season, we should be ready. Even during bad storms, the power goes out where I live. It pays to be prepared. I'm so glad you didn't have any really bad damage. 😅 You were lucky.

So happy that the château wasn’t damaged!

Love how that pretty massive branch that the farmer moved looks like a donkey head Glad all are safe

Amanda and Lincoln, you're always so upbeat and positive, I'm SO glad that you, the chateau and all of your animals survived storm Ciaran! Plenty of firewood for next winter too once the branches have been cut up 😊 x

Never seen wind like that as far as I remember....I wouldn't sleep either Amanda. Wow. Poor donkeys wish they'd go on barn or out bldg. Their little house needs be reinforced it's protected by that Grove of trees. What a storm

Praise the good Lord no one was hurt badly! I live in Georgia USA and we have hurricanes! Be safe and thanks for sharing!

Good to see you guys are well. This storm event is something to include in your memoirs. Fingers crossed your power comes back soon.

I'm happy you are both safe but I'm really happy the two of you found each other in this world of billions. You're quite a pair!

This is why we left florida 3 yrs ago. We r getting too old to start over again. Plus the storms were coming more frequently and we’re getting more severe. Glad u guys r all ok. Glad the donkeys r also ok. They’re so cute.

I mourn every tree I lose. My trees are like old friends

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

Me too

I echo other comments, delighted you are all well and have your wits about you. It was devastating here in the UK, though your neck of the woods was a lot more violent. That said, from the very beginning of this project, you have been sensible in your priorities and thus, prepared. BRAVI! On a lighter note, taking your love for animals, maybe rescuing a retired Percheron or Irish Draught or a shire horse is in call. Good gentle working horses that could help with your chores (guess you’ll be riding more) plus super sustainable. Nobody wants them anymore. You get the horse/s for peanuts along with farm gear. Just a thought. Something for Xmas. … oh do check on your lake and hope all goes well. Best x

OMG!!! Guys @ 13:05 that tree trunk looks like the head of a donkey!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

@bettenotap4791

8 ай бұрын

I thought the same thing! 😂

Having seen the news, you got off lucky. So glad everyone including donkeys is ok, that your gorgeous lane of trees was not too too impacted. Your neighbour farmer and other friends helping, wonderful. Karma coming back to you for helping the creatures you have saved over the years. Take care.

Like all negative adventures, this too shall pass. Be safe and be glad you have the husband you do, for sure.

Glad that no damage occur to the buildings. They were designed to resist these kinds of weather. Power will finally come back I am sure as electricity providers should be currently working hard on restoring everything back. I've heard rhat they gave priority to hospitals, senior citizens homes, schools, public services, food stores and so foth. You must be rather down on the waiting list! Patience! The hard work is to have your alleys and grounds cleaned of fallen trees as well as other debris. I wish you courage.

Hi Amanda and Lincoln, I am so happy that you both are safe, and I am also happy the donkeys are safe as well. What a mess, what a life saver your neighbors were. The farmer was a huge help. Hopefully everything will be restored soon. You both did amazingly well, getting everything in order. Love from N.Y.

I’m so glad you are ok. What a mess. I still haven’t cleaned up after our last storm. Nothing like yours and we didn’t lose power but we are prepared! Thank you for sharing! Hugs from Washington State.

I'm so glad that you all are safe and that the property structures didn't sustain damage. I'm from Alaska, but moved to a rural area along the Mississippi Gulf Coast seven years ago. I'd much rather live through the unexpected earthquakes than keep living through the anxiety of watching and prepping for storms during hurricane season. I'm sure you all are used to the earthquakes, too, being from California. We get tornadoes here all year, as well. Your farmer neighbor was wonderful to have moved those downed branches and it's wonderful to have friends and/or community that help each other out. I'm happy you have that there! I'm sure your girls weren't very happy without the internet. I hope your power is back on and your area is recovering.

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

😊

Sorry to hear that guys are exhausted and that you get the power back on soon. Most importantly, all you 2-legged, 3-legged and 4-legged creatures are ok. All that matters.

13:10 that looks like a deer head looking to the right :-)

Went through two weeks without power after a January ice storm in Maine about 20 years ago and YES! It makes one so grumpy! Glad you're all safe including the animals. Hope your power is restored by now or at least will soon be.

Delightful Drive…Amazing Opportunity for a new perspective. Astonishing! How Lucky You Truly are! Candles & Off Grid Badezimmer are all you would Truly need! Much Comforting Love! ❤❤❤

Wow, those branches are huge! I am so glad you're safe. But, it is really, really hard to live without power for that long now days. The damage looks like the Derecho Iowa had in 2021, equivalent of a level 4 hurricane, power, phones, tv and radio out for a more than a week (we do not live in the country). Your grocery stores look like ours did, they were not even open the day after the derecho. Wow, you were hit really badly!

Here in NH, we have an automatic whole house generator that runs off porpane. In 10 seconds, it kicks on and powers everything. Worth its weight in gold !

I love love love the creamy colours in that room you were standing in the end. Honestly to me those colours just ooze calm.

Thankfully no harm to life or buildings!

Glad to hear that you're all safe including the donkeys!!

Lincoln is SO SMART 💗

Ohhh the orchard. So sad 😢. Glad your home was spared.

Great work Lincoln you’ve saved the day . Glad you guys and the animals are safe . Trees can be replaced and you will have more wood to burn once it drys out . ❤❤

What an incredible introduction to winter... lol... nature thins out your trees so you can have kindling for the winter to come, and you battened down the hatches literally to keep things from flying away. I'm so glad your property was majorily untouched and only had to withstand power outages and didn't have to experience loss of exterior walls, or water damage. What incredible neighbors you have!! Enzo hiding behind the tree was a major highlight for me along with your breathtaking views around your grounds. The changing of seasons are truly inspirational and the glimpse of your local shop to buy groceries was surprising, but I've seen that kind of depletion before, I was thinking of all the things you could prepare by what was there to choose from. The leeks, the kabocha squash, and the cuts of beef got my culinary senses firing! I'm so glad everyone is safe and you're all keeping your senses of humor even through some reasonalbe crankiness. It's a lot of work to keep a chateau going, but you make it look so easy. Much love to you both and stay safe. ❤❤❤

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

😊

God bless your farmer neighbor 🙏🏻

You were so lucky with Storm Ciaran! Over 15 people died across Europe as a result of the winds and the flooding that followed Storm Ciaran, some as far away as Tuscany in Italy. Ironically, despite the storm being named for an Irishman, Ciaran Fearon, head of weather warnings and preparedness in the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, only some parts of Irelamd (East coast) and Northern Ireland got hit by flooding. No winds affected Ireland because the storm was too far south and the floods were due to offshoot downpours on already wet ground. I live in the very south of Ireland and we had no disturbance from the storm. The preceding storm, Storm Babet (17-21 October), flooded my hometown, but not my house.

@OurFrenchChateau

8 ай бұрын

Yes, we were lucky. We were in Dublin during Babet, but nothing like you experienced in Southern Ireland!

I am so glad your house and yall and your animals are all ok , I live by the Gulf Of Mexico , I have been through many hurricanes , We keep generators on hand and solar power everything we can buy and we keep oil lamps and lamp oil on hand , and charcoal grills , and we have a fireplace we can cook in if need be . One hurricane took our many of our very Old Oak Trees on our property , they were Huge and the wind just took them down as if they were match sticks . Also one hurricane took all my roofing shingles off and through them across the way into my neighbors inground swimming pool , We know how to Rough it , we have had to do it many times . I hope your electricity and things get back to normal for yall soon . God Bless .

I'm really pleased you are all safe and well, apart from a few trees, and the disadvantage of no electricity .

Believe it or not living in hurricane country is just something you get used to. There is always another storm. Your just always prepared and hope the damage isn’t devastating. The most important thing is to save life so we evacuate if a cat 4 is coming. The house, cars and stuff can be replaced. Happy y’all are ok.

We had storms in the UK and it was pretty bad, I think you had it worse in France, though. I am glad you are all ok, despite returning to the pre-electrical era.

Wow so many trees down so glad the Donkeys were ok and everything else how scary ❤

Lots of onions for sale in the store, so French Onion soup will be on the menu!

Glad you’re all safe, living in Vermont, USA I frequently lose power in the winter months and am grateful for the wood stove that heats the house . I fill the bathtub full so I have water to flush the toilet!

I live in Florida and have gone through several hurricanes and we live in a somewhat rural area and have to keep the power lines that run through the property clear, because even a strong storm can cause a power outage for us, the only thing that gets easier is the prep before a hurricane, you learn quickly what you need most ahead of time.😊

So glad that everyone is safe there. You as well as all your animals. Pered ground is bend so saturated with water that the trees come up out of the ground so easy. It's crazy. Again glad everyone is safe.