I think you’re on the right track. Get rid of all that bamboo. That view would be beautiful.

@jenib9615

Жыл бұрын

There is a guy on KZread that knows all there is to know about bamboo and how to rid yourself of it without the intensive digging

Have you thought about fixing the gardeners cottage into a three level building where a local brewmaster could offer classes on beer and/or wine making? There’s room for kegs, barrels, etc in the basement and the attic area can be a small office/storage space for the brew supplies (yeast would need a small refrigerator though). This would be awesome! Just think “Octoberfest” at the Chateau or brew contests, etc.

@heatherphelps3799

Жыл бұрын

This the best idea yet!

@garysmcdermott

Жыл бұрын

That is exactly what I was thinking when he talked about the problem of being next to a barnyard. I doubted the barnyard would be bothered by the smells of a brewery. Everything else falls into place!

@donnastorch4462

Жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I was thinking 🤔 a brewery. Imagine cleaning out the tunnel and lighting it up, put beer memorabilia up. Cottage as a mini country bar, that would be cool

@ApolloReloaded

Жыл бұрын

A marvelous idea. Maybe it could include the cellars/tunnels as well. They could be lovely as tasting rooms, and for snacks during the courses. Also for poetry readings and suchlike small cultural events. Maybe some vintage wine or cidre making equipment as decoration, some wood furniture of more rustic style and some great lighting, bringing those lovely stone walls into focus.

@Wren_01

Жыл бұрын

What about digging down to give a space to stand in and developing a commercial space. :)

The tunnels would be ideal for growing mushrooms.

@stephjezo6470

Жыл бұрын

Oohhhh, I like your thinking!

@briantracy1324

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking mushrooms... you'll need horse manure.. any stables nearby.. first step is clearing out.. that junk needs to go.. burn what you can and sell the metal at the scrapyard.. an AirStream is no good.. hand built in place so repairing them is a nightmare.. another brand of caravan would be good.. run electric and put in a septic tank for caravan(s) to hook up to.

@littleflowerpatriot8957

Жыл бұрын

I agree.

@lorriehall7243

Жыл бұрын

Great idea

100% I would clear out the bamboo and anything else hindering the property, including taking down the trees that are ruining the walls of the moat. It will make the property cleaner looking and get rid of the rodents. I would clean out all the tunnels and out buildings of all the trash and unneeded crap, because they harbor rodents as well. The tunnel could be used for an event bar, the other buildings forget them for now, just clean them out so when you are ready to do something they are ready to go. Basically things have to look nicer and cleaner to attract more guests for your events. Hiring some help to do it all would be a good idea. Have you seen Edds tunnels made into a bar, perhaps speak to him on how to make that happen. He has one at the property he just re-did and at the chateau. Just a side thought make the out building into washrooms for your events. Anyway, hope you can follow through to a more appealing and safe environment.

Dear Phil, regarding the muskrats and coypus. My husband has worked as a volunteer with local wildlife groups to remove invasive wildlife. It’s tricky but their removal can be done humanely. He watched the video and recommended that you take action as soon as possible. Michael said removing their habitat is a major move toward eliminating them from your property. A first step.

You will need an excavator to dig out the bamboo or a bulldozer. It’s really invasive and roots like iron.

Bamboo is a real booger to get rid of, leave one little root and it will come back. Good luck mate 🤞😅

The cottage would be great as a craft centre for the chateau. You could invite craft makers like ceramics, textiles weavers, leather workers, woodworkers to setup workshops to demonstrate their crafts. It would bring in more people to the chateau for the demonstrations.

There will always be someone who would rent-to-work the cottage who won’t mind the sheep noise or the smell. A scheme where they could park a caravan on the concrete pad as they clean up the cottage then rent after it’s refurbished. Be creative with the arrangement. There are folks out there who are looking for just this type of living arrangement. You just have to advertise. Oh yes, eliminate that bamboo immediately as well as clearing the vegetation that blocks the view.

Gardener's cottage would make a nice art or crafts studio, the decent tunnel could be used for metal work and welding.

@666toysoldier

Жыл бұрын

You'd have to add a good exhaust fan if it's used for a weld shop.

@swilliams013103

Жыл бұрын

That is exactly what I was thinking.

@trampertravels

Жыл бұрын

@@666toysoldier Not difficult with a tunnel because of the vortex effect.

Bamboo is extremely invasive and must go. As for the tunnel and cellar, how about wine storage and a subterranean wine bar?

@AnnieWarbux

Жыл бұрын

Speakeasy😉

@vanessagray8604

Жыл бұрын

How about restaurant in the Gardens Cottage, with wine bar underneath? (Or speakeasy), good when events are on….

@Basai7

Жыл бұрын

Ooh...wine bar is a great idea! Pairs nicely with weddings and music festivals.

@elainemcgran8828

Жыл бұрын

He said he doesn't collect wine, gave the impression he's not into wine

@pariisabella5521

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, extremely invasive. Needs to be removed.

Remove the bamboo and use the poles in the cottage and tunnels to grow different types of edible mushrooms. There are restaurants in France that only serve mushrooms. Your wood can be used to grow some mushrooms.

@ladylibertywdc8324

Жыл бұрын

Let there be truffles!

@lolodee3528

Жыл бұрын

Good luck getting all those roots out...

@tinakam8557

Жыл бұрын

Now that is a great idea. Where we are there are a lot of people growing mushrooms and selling them at markets. Mushrooms don't care what it looks like and like the damp and dark.

@staciamartin923

Жыл бұрын

Awesome idea!!!!

@paulwaite2219

Жыл бұрын

Definitely Mushrooms

You need to clear the banks and get rid of the muskrats and the coypus because the burrows will collapse under anything heavy that drives over them.( Think about your cherry picker!) Muskrat burrows collapsed under my Father's combine and nearly resulted in a total demolition of it.

@marshawargo7238

Жыл бұрын

Groundhogs burrowed under my tool/garden shed & nearly collapsed it! Just a Lowe's metal thing but it sits on a 8 inch thick concrete slab(now cracked!) DIL dumped a bunch of bleach & perfume & cleaning liquids in & around the hole to persuade them to move on. It worked!

Phil, the tunnels and cottage are interesting as they are. Just keep them secure and watertight so they don't degrade. The bamboo does need to go unfortunately.

If you're going to remove the bamboo maybe you can put some of it in big pots to use as accent plants for the events. As far as the tunnel and cottage goes ask a pottery guild if part of the tunnel could be used as a big kiln. If so, the cottage can be a pottery studio that could be rented out. There should be a way to add another wall to the cottage so you can't hear and smell the sheep.

@stevenhobbs2183

Жыл бұрын

As one with some experience, no on the kiln. Wrong construction from the start. Just asking for some significant issues.

@pmichelerowes3700

Жыл бұрын

I love the smell and sound of my sheep

I’m wondering what has you hesitating? From what you’ve said, the bamboo is invasive, has a damaging root system, blocks views & harbors the growing rodent infestation that is also destroying the foundation of the moat, and creating an unsafe, unstable ground. So, is there more to this, that you feel the need to ask your viewers opinions. If there’s really nothing holding you back, then why not just go for it! Such a big beautiful property takes a great deal of work just to maintain it. Even with help, it appears you have so much maintenance just to clean & clear the grounds, paths & stairs before the season starts. Removing the overgrown of bamboo & other rogue plants around the property & moat may help you solve multiple problems. Plus when you see the progress it’s easier to stay focused on the plans you have and avoid distractions of high cost/high effort/unknown benefits of possibility projects. I get it, It’s great to dream & imagine; it also feels great to get things done. Whatever you decide, your home & property will thank you 🥰

Beautiful property. You have a garden by the gardeners cottage, so why not clean it up and fix it back into gardeners cottage, rent it out or use as a gardeners shed. In bigger tunnel make it look like a garden dream and use second tunnel as a wine cellar or storage.

If you’re thinking of having the odd caravan on site or even glamping tents or pods, they will need facilities like wash rooms, laundry etc. Maybe the cottage could be repurposed for that. The tunnels could also be used for the campers as games room, or maybe a little brocante, tea rooms or camping supplies shop? So many possibilities! Hope the little guy feels better soon, his nose looked so sore 😢

@darant2249

Жыл бұрын

More reason to get rid of the muskrats and nutria and Bamboo

@misamsung6191

Жыл бұрын

That is really a good idea.

@lesleyhema5596

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking that too. Great facilities for a camping area.

@monicapharo2330

Жыл бұрын

Great ideas … also tunnels are great root cellars for long term food storage. I would remove the bamboo. I’d also look into a used electric golf cart with a utility bed. That would solve the issue of distance, making the Gardeners cottage more accessible. I’d also look into having “interns” / rotations of volunteers to revive the gardens. Cover that “high tunnel” frame with greenhouse plastic and grow food and flowers. LaLande and Manor & Maker have people there helping with restorations and gardening. The cottage is too potentially useful to not use it. ❤

@patriciacarlyle9456

Жыл бұрын

@@monicapharo2330maybe some people wouldn’t mind the sheep farm next door and the cottage could be used by volunteers staying to help. The laundry and shower is a better idea though because a person wouldn’t be in the building for long

In Sydney, Australia; the old tunnels are used to grow all types of mushrooms. Its a major exporter now to Asia.

Ideas: cellar - grow exotic mushrooms - plenty of local restaurants might be interested. It might be worth talking to a few local restauranteurs to see what they are fining hard to source. Your idea of a caravan sounds really good, glamping is so now!. House, I would offer as studio spaces (go up one story) - long or short term, and somewhere where visitors might like to visit on a rainy day, maybe with The one room as a small gallery/ small group teaching space. Get rid of the bamboo definitely - the longer it is there the harder it is to get rid of. I love hearing your thoughts on it all as you walk about. Enlist the neighbour's help with the pests.

The gardener's cottage you could do a couple things. You'd fix up the tunnel underneath, you'd fix up the cottage on top, and the top story. Yes, we know there's sheep next door but that could be part of it. You could have sheep and goats, and get the goats milk for making all different kind of goat cheeses made in the cottage, and sold in the cottage and how to classes or demonstrations on cheese making cheese, cheese tasting. In the tunnel below you would have wine and wine tasting, wine classes, demostrations, wine and cheese party, selling wine, etc.. Up in the 3rd story you would have wool. Demontrations on how you would take the sheep wool, clean, process, spin, etc., have a small demonstration. Sell yarn, socks, sweeters, classes, of darning, knitting, school tours. Then you're incorporating the sheep most people in France are used to the smell. You just have to keep it cleaner, also if you have tourism to the wine cheese and wool that it's Part of the experience. The smell would stay down if you kept it clean, No different than mucking out horse stales everyday. School tours local school can come to see how wool is made see how cheeses made they just wouldn't do the wine. Weekend families could come they could pet the sheep pet the goats like a petting farm, and the adults get the wine tasting. You could a a few grape vines for show, and fresh grapes. When you have guessed at your chateau, it could be part of the experience someplace they can go and visit and shop at.

@joketendam5806

Жыл бұрын

Great idea😂

@TheSecretChateau

Жыл бұрын

"most people in France are used to the smell" Madame, could you be any more insulting? Clearly you do not know the French.

@amystocktonfranklin2536

Жыл бұрын

@TheSecretChateau I did not mean it in an insulting way. , and I'm sorry if it came off that way. The smell of the open countryside and smell of livestock if you live in the country. I'm a country person. I have livestock, and to me, they don't smell it's just part of life. I could've phrased that much better, my apologies.

You’ve now had restaurant experience. Turn the cottage into a happy hour spot. The basement can be the “Man Cave” bar complete with darts, TVs, recliners. The upper section can be an area for singers/bands or indoor area for your outdoor events in case of bad weather.

Like you say Phil bamboo is very invasive, I would remove it. Perhaps exhibits or something along those lines.. for the cottage, attic, cellar and tunnels.

I don’t know how but I think I would find a way to sound proof the cottage. Also I would think with proper ventilation and drainage you could resolve the smell. Put some type of high fence between the cottage and neighbors sheep. This building has a lot of character. I would recreate the cottage and rent it out. Someone would love it. Especially if they could access the garden etc. I prefer money spent on cottage over airstream. The air and noise would be no less in an airstream then a cottage. I love airstreams but the cottage has much more appeal and value over time. I’ll bet you’ve seen a lot of people advocating for the cottage. That should tell you something about it’s potential for income. Get a professional out there to see if there is a way to resolve the issues. 😃

You don’t need to dig out the roots! Phil key thing to get rid of the bamboo is to cut them down before the leaves come out and if you do that for a few years will weaken the root system. Cause it builds a lot of energy just before the leaves come out.

Hey, Phil! If I had that cave, I’d refinish it to be a wine cave and offer weekend wine tasting groups or VIP area for your music events. Or, you could start a micro brewery.

@taubentreter

Жыл бұрын

Or the cottage and caves could be used for (winter) music events. So it would be possible to hold smaller events throughout the year.

Mr Phil, I have watched your channel for a very long time…thank you for sharing your home and life. You asked for our opinion, and that is all this comment is, nothing more. However, things on the property seem to be getting worse, in my humble opinion. The house looks great! However, on the other areas I would start first by giving everything a great, massive clean out and remove rubble and unwanted things. I wouldn’t be able to even be able to think with all the mess around me. You might find that it will help your ability to think about what you can do with things with a clean slate. Start small but be motivated somehow to start and complete the project. The longer you wait, the worse it will get. Elbow grease is free and you will have to dig really deep for the motivation to do that, especially by yourself. I really believe you can do this, because you love this property!! I believe you have friends that might be able to help a little if you need them from time to time. Excited to see how things change one project at a time!!!❤️

could you buy the barn from the farmer when he retires? you could then extend into there and down into the tunnel ...what a great holiday let it would make...totally agree about the bamboo it has to go!!

If it were me, I would claim the cottage for my "she shed", and my husband could have his "man cave" below! Anglina likes to get crafty. And you could have a fire pit outside for just hanging out. It could be a beautiful space. You could have an outside kitchen and bar. It could be a beautiful space for entertaining friends.

@rondihartert3610

Жыл бұрын

@@jaspearce I had no idea! I'm so sorry to hear that!

I saw a KZread video a while back about some tunnels in Chicago or New York. They were much larger but they had leased them out for growing mushrooms. They had stacked seed beds and harvested them on a regular basis. The cottage could be used for an office or sales location.

I agree that the cottage has limited use. I would clear it out and use it as a wood store. You have plenty of wood lying all over the gardens, so somewhere dry to store it before you put it in your log burners. You should invest in a quad bike to get the wood up and down the slope. Having a camper van or 2 would be a great idea and would earn you a reasonable amount of money for the house upkeep. As for those tunnels, you could grow mushrooms in them, or rent out the space for storage. They would have to have better security doors though. Whatever happens, you need to start optimising your property to make more money. Repairs are getting so expensive, this would be a good way to help keep costs down.

Maybe make a work share gardening centre up by the cottage. The cottage could be used to process produce and flowers. The sheep back behind would be a good source of fertilizer.

turn the cottage into an ablutions block for a camping ground.

I’d gate up the tunnels and keep them as storage. The Cottage could be turned into a farm shop. You could grow lavender and make ice cream, soap, candles, oils etc. The tunnels are unlikely to make you any income, but the cottage could be a sideline, if not for you, then for someone else who could pay you rent.

😮What a beautiful estate! I had no idea! A photographer's dream with beautiful backdrops everywhere. Clear and clean! Charge a fee. The upstairs of the cottage would provide amazing vistas. The smelly noisy sheep are a pastoral scene to city dwellers! If you don't garden, rent the garden beds to others. Allow gardeners to plant and sell cut flowers. Organize or allow someone else to organize a weekly farmer's market in the cottage and tunnels. Charge "booth space" or a "gate fee." No need to fix up too much as the vendors would pack up and leave. Can you access the tunnel from the cottage? Spiral staircase down? Provide a "self tour" from the cottage, through the tunnel or down those wonderful steps, with vendors where convenient, ending at the terrace with refreshments. Let someone you trust manage it, and you take your cut. It could be very lovely!😊

Its best to eliminate the invasive bamboo and reinforce that bank. The tunnels need to be tuckpointed, painted a bright color and lit . You could use one of the tunnels to grow mushrooms for sale and/or a cheese factory. Rent out the cellars as an airbnb. Placing the airstream with a lit patio area on the concrete slab, is a great investment. Tunnels could become seasonal retail space but then you may need to include public bathrooms for guests, too. Lease the cellars for commercial storage for beer, wine or other liquor. Place very fragrant plants around the garden's cottage to help mitigate the sheep's scent and maybe ask your neighbor if he could move his sheep to another pasture during the tourist season.

All you need to get rid of the Nutrias is a nice size alligator. All kidding aside I’m impressed that you are being humane about the pests.

Your 'storage' tunnel is where I would have opened my wine and tea room with finger sandwiches (see Edd and Anna's wine room at the Passion Project). The thick walls would mask the sound of music from disturbing the outside world. Just a short walk home after closing. The cottage could be a farmers market for fresh produce and meats (lamb?) with some toilet facilities too. As a city gal, I always loved the smell of manure at my friends farm!

Yes, clear out all the bamboo and get rid of the conifers too Theyre dangerously close to the chateau

The more I think about it, the more excited I am with the idea (not mine) of converting the abandoned cottage into traditional craft workshops showcasing French crafts from the era of the chateau. It would be easy to manage since once cleaned up and provided with water, power and sanitation, the craftspeople would be charged with daily upkeep (no beds or breakfasts for you to manage) and you could have a seasonal event, a craft fair on the grounds for the public. You could have on line craft sales of work by your showcased craftspeople. I think this would be brilliant and different to anything being done by other chateaux presently. One or more of the crafts could utilize the tunnel areas (like wine, beer or cheese or mushrooms).

I would let the cottage( after some work) to a market gardener so he could grow veg and sell it in a "farm shop aka the cottage. The tunnels would be good for wine tasting evenings, talk to Ed and Anna I am sure they would give you help and advice

1. Section off the grounds of the chateau into quadrants. Prioritize those areas that are first seen & most used for guests. 2. Clear everything from the area you're working on. No exceptions. A clean slate lets you do more & work more efficient. 3. Your southern exposure for the chateau should be cleared from unwanted trees & other growth. 4. Put guests in rooms with the most southern exposure. The rooms will stay warmer, reducing your heating costs. 5. If the trees & bushes around the chateau of not of good quality, get rid of them. Cut them down & save the wood for firewood that can be sold for additional income. Even if it isn't the best wood to burn, sell it. 6. Work inside on inclement days. Work outside on fair-weather days. 7. Do most of your paperwork in the evenings if you can. 8. Do establish a large kitchen garden to provide fresh produce & save costs. Consider tower planting, hydroponics & pot planting. Grow standard fruits & veggies. Leave off specialty items. Just stay with the basics that most people like. 9. Try raising 1 or 2 types of fish in the lake you have. Fresh & fresh frozen fish available for the menu will save on food costs. 10. Consider replacing some of your property trees with nut-bearing & fruit-bearing varieties that do well in your area. 11. Use mulching blades on your mowers so that leaf raking is kept to a mininum. Rake leaves up into small piles for quick burning. If you can't burn them, use them as mulch around trees & plants or spread them in the woods to reduce undergrowth. 12. Establish woodland pathways or trails on the property for guests. Maintain them with your riding mower regularly. 13. Make use of the different types of inexpensive solar lighting to accent areas around the chateau, trees & plants, flower beds, walkways, patios, woodland paths, the lake, etc. Use both practical lightning & whimsical lighting. 14. Place various types of outdoor benches & tables in view-worthy areas for guests. 15. Allow guests to participate in small projects you may be working on. Not everyone wants to just sit around. Many enjoy having a sense of accomplishment in helping. It also can promote repeat business among some of your guests. 16. Don't try to fancy up your guests' dining menu. Most people will go out to an upscale restaurant if they want such food. A breakfast buffet is usually best for morning fare. Sandwiches, soups, snacks make for a good & quick lunch. Evening meals can be more complete. Casseroles of various types make for good family-type meals. Keep some vegetarian/vegan alternatives for guests who are on restrictive diets. 17. Concerning the tunnels, why not subdivide them into private wine cellars? I'm sure there are some people who would like to have their own wine cellar storage but do not have the space at their own homes. Decorate each private wine cellar so that a renter can have their own private key & access. You could also turn some of them into storage facilities for rent. In my area, there are metal storage buildings subdivided into smaller storage rooms that are rented by the month. 18. Caravan (travel trailer) spots are very popular to rent out. Electrical, water & sewage disposal access are included in the rental cost. I live in an area with 2 large reservoir lakes. There are caravan parks both around the lakes & along the highways that property owners rent out. You do need to have someone to maintain the area so that renters don't trash up the area. Rental agreements can help with that. 19. Relocate wildlife that is damaging to your property with live traps or other means. They could be a danger to guests if they are aggressive & the property damage done might also cause injury to some. 20. The cottage could be renovated & rented out free (except for utilities) in exchange for the renter helping to maintain the property, especially if you put in caravan spots for rent. Or let it provide additional income for you.

@susanhill3147

Жыл бұрын

Brilliant ideas 👏👏👏👏

@barbaramurray4191

Жыл бұрын

I think you've got the job 😅 Can you spare Phil 6 months 🙏🏻

@jackiestewart5062

Жыл бұрын

Gosh, a lot of thought went into your suggestions.

@valerieboston6292

Жыл бұрын

Very thorough list! 👍It should be very helpful to Phil!

@Lady.MD67

Жыл бұрын

No don't put caravan on the property. I think it will devalue the view.

Hi,Phil. Looking at your land and out buildings as an income to support your chateau and lake; the other people who have replied have some great ideas,but they aren't always thinking about budgets ,building codes or the restrictions of health and safety for public restaurants,etc. LOTS of expenses and stress involved there. Keep is simple and inexpensive....one step at a time. Yes, secure the tunnels for safety' s sake ( you don't need someone getting hurt on your property.) Just give the gardener' s cottage a minimal fix up for now...safe from the weather and trespassers. Utilize the tunnels. Clean them out and secure them. In this day and age; its a very good idea to be self sufficient and have your own power supply( Ask Billy about the Eco Flow solar generators). Grow your own food. You can trade produce for meat with the farmers next door. Growing mushrooms can be a very lucrative business. You already have the perfect spot ( the stone tunnels) to house the mushrooms. Minimal start up cost. Research which variety of mushrooms are popular and can grow in your area. In the larger tunnel; you have shelves and space to process and package the mushrooms for sale/ trade. You actually have " livestock" living in your lake area. Take an annual harvest....cull the "water rodents" and sell the pelts. Nutria are cousins to the North American beaver( which is what started the Hudson Bay Company...beaver hats in England). Every rich lady wants a beautiful fur coat. Fur is still a good business. Hire a professional trapper to remove the animals...you could make a deal( a % of the hide price ) with him. If your lake and stream ( water source) are all on your property; dredging the lake and moat could make a good fishing business ...minimal investment as you already have it. It just needs a clean up. Perhaps ask Ryan ( Life of Ryan)....Billy's friend...about his family's fishing business? I do recommend refreshing the veggie garden( at the cottage) Grow what You need ( feed yourself first) and freeze,can or put into a cold storage room all that you'll need for the year. Sell/ trade the rest of the produce. I say "trade" because the less government or bank interference you have; the better off you are ( self sufficient ). Regarding fixing up the gardeners cottage for people to live in ( rent ); keep it as basic as you can ( part of the " old fashion way of life"). Call it a Seasonal Accommodation during the camping season. This way you don't have all of the costs and restrictions of a landlord. If you do want to create a camper/ tenting area; use that paved area( former tennis court?) as the base to build your bathroom/ shower building on. Level some places ( maybe 12 ) for the tenting and camper people. Only need to have an electric hook up post at each station. One main septic drainage tank with drain pipes( as you'd need for a home...check with an engineer first. No human waste should fertilize a veggie patch...j/s ). If you think a guest is a good gardener and they wish to work a little in the veggie patch or grounds...let them...its free labour. Win - win for both of you. Just make sure that there is a health and safety clause in the rental contract!!! You will have to make sure that all of the gardening tools are kept in good condition. Don't forget than any trees that can be harvested can be sawn and used for building things that are needed( such as raised flower beds,mushroom beds or doors to the tunnels,etc.) In time; you can branch out to becoming an events venue. The little businesses will give you a steady income even if its a small one. You will have a predictable income from which you can draw on for the Next Phase of your Chateau Experience business. Back in the day; the chateau owner had to make the place support itself...some things never change...lol. Family and friends are a good source of information and ( sometimes) free labour.😁 I hope some of my advice is helpful to you.

@kimhaughton3771

Жыл бұрын

I like your comment. I was going to say it's too bad someone doesn't want to start a business processing fur pelts in that area but you said it far better. 😅❤

Suggestions: How long have you owned this property? First things first, there a great deal of clean up to do. I honestly see a lot of scrub trees that are not great and lots of dead wood. there is a lot of pot holed grounds that need filling in. and the bamboo just has to go and be dug out. So a good bulldozing / backhoe if possible to start fresh, re do the banks of the water. Then you can plant grass and new trees and maybe make some flower gardens to look at. Exactly how fond of that Mote around the Chateau are you. Nothing but nasty mosquito breading ground. Drainage tiles and filling that in would probably for the best. The tunnels, start by pulling everything out. Decide what is to keep what goes to the garbage and what to pass on to someone else. Then you can pick a tunnel to neatly put the keep stuff in. The tunnels could need repair and they need some lighting. I did see some dripping water though. You do have a problem with that building. unless you could convince that farmer to put a building elsewhere. You may have to wait that one out. In the meantime a general clean up and close it off. I see you have stone walls that need clearing and repair as well. You have got a busy couple of years of work to keep you off the streets. LOL The camp area sounds like a nice idea. Spooky Tunnels for a Historical or Halloween walk. once fixed up the tunnels will have options

I guess the antibiotics are making him under the weather.. clearing the banks will probably be a good idea as at some stage you will need to get access to dredge the lake and moat. Not sure how much land you have there but if you could have glamping pods and/or tent pitches, convert the gardeners cottage into a shower and toilet block, maybe access the lower area and put in a steam room or sauna and put a jacuzzi outside the cottage along with a BBQ area. The tunnels could be used to store wood to keep it dry. Obviously you would need to run power out there but you could install solar on the cottage roof to reduce running costs. Robb Torremolinos Spain

I have a friend who built a large home and across from it built a small canning house and vegetable garden. The smaller house was basically a working kitchen for preserving food. The tunnels could be a wine cellar and bar in the larger room.

The cottage would make a great micro brewery or accommodation for those helping with events. Should you ever need an assistant, like Ed and Anna from Bordeaux Life, the cottage would be great for accommodating that person.

Can you theme Film Noir in that tunnel room Phil? Show a film, offer nibbles, sell drinks, candle lit tables. You could tie in a bijou music event. Possibly live band French Cafe jazz music from the 1920s in the garden where you also offer nibbles and sell drinks. Could be lovely.

After you fix the moat, finish the 3rd floor so you have year round revenue.

The cottage and tunnels look perfect for filming a mystery series. Something along the lines of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five.

Pop a DJ down the end of the tunnel in the are which opens up a bit, serve some nice drinks and your summer events just got a whole lot more funky!

If money where no object. I would raise the roof inside of the cottage. I would then along the back wall put in a double wide half turn stairs leading to the basement and tunnel(s). I would then put a large light fixture from the ceiling down to almost the floor of the basement as a center piece. Under the light strings on the floor of the basement have a small recirculating fountain to hid the animal noise. The fireplace would stay upstairs. Underneather in the tunnel some uplighting in the tunnel, and a narrow table with bench seats down one or both sides (depending on width). Then rent it out for wine and cheese pairing nights, birthdays, corp events, etc.

Airstream = pretty shiny thing. 😂 Love the arched tunnel! Lit up and cleaned up, seems like an excellent addition to your venue for events.

Tunnel and room: 1. put a door on the front of the tunnel and use it for entertainment, e.g. disco in the tunnel.

Talk to the farmer next door, and ask him, if the sheep can be moved, because there is a lovely cottage just going to waste because of them. Then restore it as a little gite. And yes, as others have sugg😢ested, perhaps a nice wine cave, for wine tasting 😊

A few questions about these giant rats. Besides them undermining everything, and pooping and peeing in all that water that you can't swim in, what do they eat? Are there fish in the water? Do they eat the fish? If you can restrict what they eat, that might help get rid of them. I love bamboo but I think what you have there should be taken down, so you can see better. It will look better and they can't hide in them. The tunnel. I think it depends on how much you are willing to spend and whether you want something else to take care of. In my mind I can see it all cleared out, the floors cleaned and the wood rounds showing through. All reappointed and fairy lights hanging everywhere. All the brick work fixed and using this area for entertaining. I think it needs at least one other exit point. I don't know if that's possible. It is a waste to just leave it, and it could be a wonderful feature. The gardeners cottage. That I would definitely put money into. I would clean all of those buildings out. Do the repairs, clean it up, paint it, make it livable again, and use it as a rental for weddings or just as a rental. It's a waste just leaving it there. You have sooooo much potential in this whole piece of land, not just the Chateau. I think you have so much on your plate that you need to write it all down, make a 'to do' list, starting with what will get done first, second, and so on. I would start with what will be bringing in money to you, that would help finance the rest of it. Do that project first. I think that project is the gardeners cottage. There is so much here. I can see why you can't wrap your mind around it all. I think you should talk to other Chateau owners and get their take on it. What would they do with it if they owned it. Billy for sure. Invite they all over for a meal and a walk around the place and ask them all the questions. You all are in the same boat so to speak. I think they would love to see another Chateau and get each others perspective on what could be done. Kind of a annual Chateau owners meet up.

Talk with Edd. He has done some lovely cave work.

When a friend and I visited France, we stayed at a rural farmhouse that had converted some outbuildings into BnB lodging. It was delightful. Away from the main family with our own private bathroom and then breakfast at the main house. We walked around the beautiful gardens. Literally everything is different and interesting for the first time, coming from America.

Camping area sounds good. Turn the gardener's house into a useful feature...maybe some sort of communal gathering spot.

Ya, def get ride of the bamboo Phil! Could use the cottage as place to chop up the hitchhikers bodies, then just toss the parts down the tunnels? Haha cheers Kirk

Yes Phil get those bamboo gone!! For the view number one, maybe alleviate the muskrat problem too!! 🎉❤

@AnnieWarbux

Жыл бұрын

It's a catch 22 with live and let live. The trees are suffering from the damage, too. I say save the trees! (Not the bamboo) Rid them of these rodents! I hate to think what harm a creature like that could do to a small child .. that may be one reason why they want them to be reported.

Though clearing out the bamboo and other brush around the edges I’d have to say goodbye bamboo. The muskrats will easily find new homes near the other lake and be happy. As far as the tunnels and gardener’s cottage are concerned if they were cleaned up and made useable then you could host little artist exhibits in the tunnels for paintings and craft and such then have the cottage be the place to meet and have drinks and food between looking at artsy stuff (if you want to do more events than just the concerts)

An airstream would be an eyesore on the property. Perhaps log cabin style people love to rent them.

Don’t waste your time on the tunnels. Instead, use the time to clean up the property, weeds, get rid of the bamboo, repair the fencing around the lake. It will increase the value and attractiveness of your property. Mix 1 gallon vinegar, 1 q/2 cup Epsom Salt and 2 teaspoons blue Dawn Dish soap in a pump sprayer and use to kill the weeds in your gravel. It’s very effective. Don’t spray on any hood plants!!!

A wine tasting room similar to Ed and Anna’s.

Goodbye to the bamboo 💥😄 nice of Billy and your friends come help with the trees. Now to get it sorted out before your music venue starts. As for the caves /tunnels/garden cottage...how high on the priority list is it for you to get done?

Phil, I have 2 suggestions. 1) sell that part of your property and 2) trap all the critters and dispose of them. You certainly have enough to do maintaining the Chateau and the rest of the property.

Keep the tunnels. You never know you might need them. You never know when a war may break out. Have it build An area for food water. Bedding. Also you may need to grow food. Generators for electric. Have solar panels. Also have you ever had an tornado coming at you. I have lived all my life in a state that has tornadoes. You need a price to protect your family. And your animals. Someone mentioned growing mushrooms. Great idea. You can make some money doing that. I'm in oklahoma and I wish I could have tunnels. But here you cannot even have basements. Because of the soil. So your tornado protection has to be above ground here. So I look at those Tunnels. And say God I wish I had some.

Whatever you have for game wardens should be able to help with trapping out muskets and nutria, as they are invasive species. In Missouri, I got rid of some by waiting on the lake shore at dawn with a shotgun. I like the idea of using the cabin as a support facility for a small camping area. Get a good roof on it until you can decide what to do with it.

If you are willing to rent out part of the chateau for weddings, you could make the little cottage into a "Bridal Suite" for the bride & her bridesmaids to get ready in. After the wedding, it could be used for a Honeymoon cottage.

@CathyMiller0711

Жыл бұрын

With the noise and smells from the sheep next door?

@JanColdwater

Жыл бұрын

@@CathyMiller0711 🤣

@elainemcgran8828

Жыл бұрын

He just said can't do that with the farm next door

@TheGrimeh

Жыл бұрын

@@CathyMiller0711 the bride and groom wouldnt even notice with all the noise they will be making ;P

@clicker7019

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGrimeh and they can wear nose plugs.

Grow organic mushrooms in your caves and use the little garden or shed for a packing building, but I get the bamboo cleaned up to keep lightning safe

That sounds like a great project to clear the bamboo

Love the idea of the airstream Phil

Here’s my suggestions, tunnel one, leading to wine room, make into a spooky movie theatre, featuring spooky old moves and story telling nights of strange and mysterious things, with added sound affects, like thunder, lightning,creaking doors extra. Michael Pethrick, would be ideal in telling these stories, if you weren’t up to it.Tunnel and room has a wonderful atmosphere all ready for something like this, bring some income in as well. Little cottage could be beautiful. The back wall could be insulated with acoustic insulation. What is so wrong about hearing sheep! This can give a rural experience, better than listening to traffic and noisy people. An enclosed front garden with pretty garden with a little timber gate,would add some more charm to the cottage. A little private retreat, relaxing in front off an open fire, snuggled up on a comfy sofa, oops sorry, I get lost in the thought of what could be, for that charming little cottage Best Wishes from Australia

Get rid of the bamboo for sure. I like your idea of putting a gate at the end of the tunnel and leave it as a conversation piece when visitors come?

I think going through the cleared out tunnels to a wine room and going up a little spiral staircase to a pub cottage with a billiards table and dart boards and an old juke box would be great fun! After a couple pints no one is bothered by animal smells or noise (lol). You have a wonderful estate.

Hi Phil, I had forgotten you had that land and the cottage, it seems as long as the farmer has his sheep, the cottage is a no go for now. I think the tunnels, can be turned into a wine tasting bar, when you have your events, and even in the off season. I am so happy Lightning is doing so much better. looking forward to what you decide to do. Love from N.Y.

For some people myself included the sheep would be charming and the smell is part of the charm. It would make a beautiful arb and b. It’s beautiful

Clear the banks, get rid of the bamboo. Beautiful clear sight lines.

Get rid of the bamboo

Can you develop the cottage and make it a gardener’s cottage again? Is it possible to put some sort of air filtration in so that the smell from the sheep is not in the cottage? Would the farm owner allow for a buffer space of x number of feet which could be planted but never used? Last, you have a tremendous amount of property to care for. Rent the cottage to a live-in gardener as some sort of an exchange.

Aww sweet boy I hope he will feel better soon 🐾💓 Yah bamboo needs to go straight away Phil clean all that out" will give a beautiful view of the chateau As well 🥰 Absolutely give a thought to The cave area should be clean out Put down beautiful stone gravel in Put in over head lighting use as a wine 🍷 Cellar with table and chairs For the summer" that would be so beautiful 😍 really" yah give a go of it Phil... The gardeners cottage should be Secured to stay sound an safe For now I would use it for storage purposes but make look really nice Out side... There's so much possibilities Around there for sure Phil...👍

We've stayed at self catering cottages on farms in Wales and the animals really weren't a problem. If you put it in the listing that the cottage is beside a working farm it will exclude the people who will be bothered by it. But the people such as ourselves won't be. The only way to find out is to give it a go. You can test the waters with that glamping caravan, which is also a good idea.

If you’re going to have camping you could turn cottage into shower and toilet block put gates on tunnel and light it up so people could look in and have a guided tour through when open.

Clear it all Phil, it will look so much better and be safer for lightning.

It’s worth getting rid of all the bamboo/vegetation along the moat. It will save you so many issues in the long run.

You wouldn't have to do-it-yourself, you could make a deal with a local person that wanted to do the yarn shop, or wool shop, and another local person that wants to do just the cheese part and another local person that wants to do just the wine part. So you fix up the building. You keep it clean you keep the sheep and goat pens clean but they rent the space from you and do their thing and do their store. Overall you're the owner, overall you're the landlord, and property and builing owner.

I think bamboo needs to go plus all the bushes/trees along the banks. Could cottage be turned into a store to sell chateau merchandise and stuff the bands would offer when you have the music events?

Yes, take out Bamboo out, clear the whole bank, then build walls. You need some guys with tree experience to help you. Put a gate up and forget it. Most people would not walk into a dark, low tunnel. Tear it down and sell the stones or use for new walls in your mote. Glamping is always fun and would bring in money.

I believe you should turn the caves and gardeners house into a SPA. Sauna in the cave, massage or whatever upstairs. Aromatherapy would disguise the smell and have soft music playing. A sauna was the first thought when I saw the caves. Sauna, steam rooms, hot baths. Not sure you have the client's for that but thought I'd throw it out there. 😁Good luck!

Have you thought about renovating the cottage and using it to house workaway volunteers? If they are on a working holiday here and there I don't imagine they would mind a bit of farmyard noise and smell. You could make it very comfortable. Some good insulation inside should help with the noise inside the cottage.

I would love to see a drone view of the property outlined around your borders. I've always wondered what land was yours , what lakes were yours. You've talked about the upper lake, is that part of your lands?

I don't have any good ideas for the tunnels or the cottage but I agree that the bamboo needs to go. It's hard to get rid of and may take a few years of repeated treatment to really get rid of it . I like the idea of glamping in an Airstream trailer!

@AnnieWarbux

Жыл бұрын

Bamboo sure makes for great garden stakes!😉

I am enjoying the birdsong as back ground music!

Make the area undesirable to the muskrats and other critters that you do not want around by clearing the area of brush. Bamboo should never be planted in the ground because it is so invasive, I would get rid of it right away. If there are some nice pieces of bamboo it is worth keeping, it can be used as garden stakes. As for the cottage, what a shame that it could not be rented, it could be so cute. The tunnel would make a nice wine cave. 🍷

Bamboo should go. Phil, in the room at the end of the tunnel there was a section of wall that was blocked over. Is there a tunnel behind it, and could it connect to the tunnel under the chateau?

@stephjezo6470

Жыл бұрын

I was going to suggest the same.

@ronaldhirschauer8546

Жыл бұрын

@@stephjezo6470 wise minds think alike! 🤣

Clean the tunnels out. It's hard to be creative when you can barely see the space!

I think you should fix the cottage up to rent. I really don’t think the smells and noises from the farm are that big of a hindrance. I live next to a very big farm yard and honestly it adds to the country charm of the place. I bet it would be booked back to back with just your subscribers. And fixing it up adds to the property value. We work two summers to pull out all the bamboo and roots. It’s has become a regular part of our yard work keeping it at bay.

Phil, I've read several comments, but when you have an over abundance of wildlife, you may need to take aggressive measures because the will not leave fast enough based on numbers. Secondly, I could not ignore all the Ivy and moss on the walls. Clearing the walls is extremely important because it stops the rate of destruction caused by time and saves money. My crazy idea is start a mushroom farm in the caves. Mushrooms don't care about sheep smells, and can bring wonderful income with less work than other things. The cottage I would leave to other commentors but the farm smells may kill many options for the financial return.

I would be worried now of letting the dog out on his own for fear of him getting attacked again. Yes, get rid of the bamboo, clear the bank and hopefully those critters will move out!

@lynnesmith6827

Жыл бұрын

The only problem with that is they then become someone else’s problem.