A Year at the Chateau

More about the book

Like many couples, Dick and Angel dreamed of living in France, but instead of a modest retreat, they fell for a 19th-century fairytale chateau with 45 rooms, seven outbuildings, 12 acres, and its own moat. They took a leap of faith, trading their two-bedroom flat in East London for a derelict castle in the Loire Valley, embarking on an adventure with their young children, Arthur and Dorothy. This account shares their journey from the harsh winter of their arrival, discovering bedrooms infested with flies, turrets occupied by bats, and only one working toilet that flushed into the moat, to the monumental efforts needed to prepare the chateau for their unforgettable wedding and their special first Christmas. Readers will enjoy vivid descriptions of rural life in France, featuring charming characters, delicious food, and seasonal produce, alongside the extensive renovations and restorations Dick and Angel undertook, many of which were not shown on TV. Warm and entertaining, this story captures the essence of adventure, ambition, and the hard work that transformed their dream into reality.