Over the years, we have collected Christmas tree ornaments together from lots of different places and each has its own story. Some of them don’t look great but because of the memories they are our favourites. With so much tree to cover, we decided we needed lots more so we took apart a rather ugly crystal chandelier to provide dozens of glistening teardrop-shaped ornaments. That, another set of lights from the internet, and a couple more really rather ugly ornaments from the local fêtes, and the two of us had a wonderfully romantic night decorating our tree and drinking port in front of our log fire with Bing Crosby and Perry Como singing carols.
We loved the build-up to our first Christmas at the château; this was wonderful family time. It felt like Christmas had arrived and our lives revolved around the children and each other. Naptimes were for the four of us; we went shopping together, went for walks and we smiled an awful lot.
Although, it has to be said, we could not turn off completely. That is not in our nature and we were still making plans for our fledgling business – we started work on the branding, logos, websites and planning our first ‘Food Lovers’ weekends. Not to forget the dream of our vintage wedding business.
As there would be eight of us for Christmas, we moved the dining-room table into the salon and converted the dining room for Nan so she didn’t have to worry about stairs. The salon was big enough for us to have one end full of a sofa and chairs and a log fire, and then the dining table and our Christmas tree at the other.
Christmas started in earnest when the Newmans (Grandma Jenny, Papi Steve, Angela’s brother Paul and her nan Jenette) all arrived back at the château. Nan still marvelled at the fact that we owned the whole building and we settled into a routine of playing with the children, cooking, eating, drinking and watching television, with Angela and I slipping away to do the odd little job if we started to twitch.
Just before Christmas, the weather was glorious, so we all went for a walk in our favourite park in Laval. As with all major expeditions, getting everyone out of the door is a bit like herding cats before it all settles down. We parked up and, as it was a hilly park, we put Nan in her wheelchair and Dorothy in her buggy. The sun was shining and we ambled, chatting and enjoying life.
At the entrance to the park, we were met with a mountainous village nativity scene that had obviously been used for decades and dated back to a time before technology. The dozens of houses were about twelve inches high with little characters, some with Christmas decorations, others scenes from a bygone era. There were artisan shops, boulangeries, butchers, cobblers, millers, blacksmiths. The detail was incredible and the children (and the rest of us!) loved looking and pointing them out as we spotted them. We were the only people there and it was very special. We go back there every year at Christmas time and it is still wonderful and special, even though the children are now five years older. After that we walked around the rest of the park, allowed the children to play in the playground, and saw the ducks and geese, plus some rather smelly goats that seemed to poo on demand.
The first Christmas at the château was incredibly special to us. The kids were a year off really understanding that Père Noël would be coming down the chimney, but we both love tradition and thought why not start as we intend to carry on …? So even though Arthur was only two and Dorothy was one, we gathered together hay and carrots for the deer, made mince pies for Father Christmas and poured a large glass of port. We finished off the traditions for our first Christmas Eve in the family kitchen with four generations of the family getting involved. It was amazing. I think we may have even got my nan a bit pickled, which was good, because we would have hated Father Christmas waking her up when he came down the chimney. All the goodies were left in the salon by the mantelpiece and, as we all said goodnight, I was not sure who was more excited.
Christmas started in our suite with stockings found at the end of the children’s beds and all four of us sitting together on our family bed. In one respect, it was a Christmas like no other because both Arthur and Dorothy opened up one toy at a time and played with each in turn … When we headed downstairs we trooped into the salon to see if Father Christmas had been. Everyone gathered to see Arthur and Dorothy’s faces and I think the kids were just as excited by our faces watching them as they were by the gifts that had appeared under the tree. Whatever created the happy factor, it was there, in abundance.
Our Christmas breakfast was simple: fresh orange juice and a slice of glazed baked ham on toast with homemade chutney or English mustard. Just enough to give us the energy to get through the morning. Then we all sat together in the salon and opened our presents. Dick and I had given each other a budget of £50 to spend and, being competitive as we are, we had both tried to be clever. I bought Dick a second-hand tongue press – the postage took me slightly over the £50, but that had not been specified in the rules. Dick got me lots of bits: real socks to keep my feet warm, handy stationery to keep me organised, a lovely locally made lavender candle and my favourite Mon Cheri chocolates. To be honest, we needed nothing. We both had everything we wanted. But we do both love a challenge …
Christmas lunch was celebrated in style with the most amazing roast capon and a very fine bottle of claret we had saved for such an occasion.
We don’t believe in stressing over Christmas lunch, so the kitchen is my domain. We always want it to be special but when it’s ready, it’s ready and, provided everyone’s favourite is on the table somewhere, we are happy. Our Christmas lunch will always include our bird, with a lot of sausage meat stuffing to keep it moist (chopped onions, lemon juice and zest and parsley are a must), too much gravy (made from the meat juices and red wine), bread sauce (made with milk infused with bay leaves and an onion studded with cloves and a big knob of butter), roast potatoes and roast parsnips, boiled potatoes to absorb the lovely gravy, al dente Brussels sprouts tossed in lardons, fried cloves of garlic and sweet chestnuts, carrots (cooked in butter and honey) and peas, mashed buttery swede with lashings of white pepper and boiled savoy cabbage. Anything else is just an optional extra.
We didn’t even think of pudding until several hours afterwards and it was startling that Nan cleared her impressively stacked plate and was the first to ask about it. Being traditionalists, it was a flambéed Christmas pudding, served with a sweet white sauce, or cream or ice cream for those who wanted.
We ended the year happy, content and broke. We knew there were lots of challenges ahead but we had gone from strength to strength and we could not wait for all that was to come. We seldom got the chance to stop and think about what we had done in that first year so it has been a pleasure to relive it all again in this book.
At the end of 2015, we were uncertain of what our future held. We didn’t know when Escape to the Château was to be shown on television, or indeed if it would ever be shown. So, as the next year began, we started to live our dream. We worked on getting business in, we had our first wedding and a number of our ‘Food Lovers’ weekends booked before anyone really even knew we were in France …
We still smile every time we turn into our driveway and we still have trouble believing we live in this wonderful place. If the truth be known, we fear that someday someone will find out that we are just a normal family.
* * *
* Mulled wine.
* Father Christmases.
Afterword
This year, 2020, has been hard on so many people. It’s something that unites us all. In taking the time to write this book we have used the opportunity to reflect on what we have done and our choices in life. But we really do believe that anyone can do something similar to us. We’re not silly and don’t think its sensible for everyone to buy a château and go through what we have been through but changing your destiny by living your dreams is doable and we’d encourage everyone to ‘dare to do it’. It’s too easy to talk yourself out of a particular path but, be honest, are your arguments excuses or actual bona fide reasons?
We know we are lucky and we pinch ourselves
regularly. You just cannot make up the story of how a chap born in Burma in the 1950s met a beautiful girl born in Essex in the 1970s, fell in love, had two amazing children and bought a castle together to live in happily ever after …
Acknowledgements
Where do we start?! We could probably write an entire book of acknowledgements and thanks.
For those we have not met – you may have sent a letter, a gift or e-mails of kindness and support. Thank you. You should know that we read and reply to every single one and keep them as part of our history. One day, when Arthur and Dorothy understand, we will show them everything. Thank you for your love of our family. It has meant that Escape to the Château is now in its 7th series; we raise a glass to you and thank you for being here with us!
Our mums – the two Jennys – are the reason we are who we are. They are completely biased, loving and have lived every step with us. Thank you.
Dad (Papi Steve) – for being the biggest kid, and best granddad … never grow up.
Siblings, friends and family – you cheered us on from the start. We partied hard at our wedding and for many of you (mentioned in the book of course) you worked for your ‘dinner’! Your support keeps us going and we love you to bits.
New friendships:
Our journey has opened many doors (you just need to pick the right ones!). It’s a pleasure doing business with you; you have become our Château family!
www.TheChateau.tv – Paul & Emma, Simon, Ella, Matt, Ed and the team. For making the ideas and dreams we had right back at the start of our journey come true on the www. Thank you for being honest, lots of fun, generous, kind and hard working.
Lizi and Alan and our Two Rivers/Château TV co-production team. Lizi, without you no-one would have known that we ‘Escaped to the Château’. We are so thankful to finally be in your arms!
The people that look after us:
The Soho Agency: Sophie – our TV mum and the reason we are together … What a year! We don’t need to say much more – 2020 will not be forgotten!
Cliff – it may not be legal to write what we would like to write … Thank you for everything.
Julian – thank you for being by our side through this process. You have been amazing.
Orion Books – Vicky and your amazing team. It’s been such a pleasure. You get us, thank you.
Bells & Whistles – Bella thank you for being with us from the start and caring!
Sam Steer – the friend and artist who has brought so many visions to life … Our work and friendship goes from strength to strength. Sophie and Lyra – thank you for sharing!
Ian Wallace – for all the beautiful photography over the years!
Ben Turner – thank you for capturing the château in the early days.
Team Château – Chloe, Tina, Steve and Denise, Sacha, Quentin, Meredith, Jane, Amanda, Sandrine and Chermaine, Lydia and Craig … We have grown the perfect team. Thank you.
About Us
DICK STRAWBRIDGE is an engineer and an environmentalist. He began his TV career many years ago as a team leader on Scrapheap Challenge.
ANGEL STRAWBRIDGE is an entrepreneur who made her name in London with her hospitality business, The Vintage Patisserie. She first appeared on TV in 2010 as she sought investment on Dragon’s Den.
Later that year Dick and Angel met and fell in love. They now have two children together, Arthur and Dorothy. In 2015, after years of searching for a new home, they invited Channel 4 to follow them on their journey as they bought a derelict château in the Pays de la Loire, so was born the hugely popular series Escape to the Château. After extensive renovations on a shoestring budget, the couple married at their family home in November 2015.
They are still living life to the full, and continue to restore, renovate and maintain their château.
Picture Section
Château-de-la-Motte Husson, 2015.
‘Untouched’. The day we first saw the château, October 2014.
‘Untouched’ interior pictures on the same day in October 2014. Including the wallpaper in the entrance hall and the snug.
Signing day! Getting the keys. January 2015.
Arthur’s first tractor outing with Jacques De Baglione. Our cave with handmade glass bottles.
The moat on a still day.
Our entrance hall with the pineapple chandelier.
The wolf and the château coming to life with our personality.
Wild flowers and a warm kitchen.
The wallpaper museum.
Play time in the kids’ new playroom (the old snug).
Dick in America.
Angel in her Emmaus and being kept busy.
Our new kitchen.
The orangery.
Arthur ready to party.
Tying the knots.
Our wedding day, 13 November 2015.
The wedding party.
With our mums and family.
Our wedding menu.
The wedding breakfast.
Fun and food.
Family, friends …
… and Emilio!
Our first Christmas, 2015.
Copyright
First published in Great Britain in 2020 by Seven Dials
an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd
Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
An Hachette UK Company
Copyright © Dick and Angela Strawbridge 2020
Illustrations by Sam Steer
All internal images provided by the authors.
The moral right of Dick and Angela Strawbridge to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (eBook) 9781841884646
www.orionbooks.co.uk
A Year at the Chateau Page 27
