The Chateau Diaries #178 The château is a dream that hides an ugly truth..

[tatter76]

May I ask what code of conduct you refer to? If I intend to ask questions as I am entitled to at a shareholders meeting, and the association chair intends to have me escorted from the premises if I, say, ask for accounts, I have every right to advice of counsel and to bring said counsel with me.

Solicitors Regulatory Authority code of conduct - yes you would as a shareholder be able to - but - would be required to give notice to the board of an association of counsel attendance - we have to act with full transparency and be able to declare our purpose if attending professionally

 

[billybudd]

The flower/weed/flora-from-the-underworld arrangements are a big FU to all her patrons. Surely, she had the means to do better,
and yet she went with this

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Marie's florist practice of using sustainably grown (wild) flowers is super trendy, fashionable and responsible. As are the jam jars. If she was in charge of these bouquets, which I don't think she was, she would have used lower vases so guests can see each other across the table.
Whoever did these is violating rule number one of table top flowers. Lower than guests' faces.

 

[Maria Antonia Hb]

Here you are, you bunch of dreadful people!
On F*******ook:
I wish I hadn’t posted on here because I just found out that someone has taken pictures off my profile and posted on tattle with derogatory remarks . Shame the same managed to omit the fact that it was a fantastic day , absolute bunch of dreadful people !

Dear nice unknown c patreon lady, would you be so kind and post some more of your pics... Here?

 

[billybudd]

Solicitors Regulatory Authority code of conduct - yes you would as a shareholder be able to - but - would be required to give notice to the board of an association of counsel attendance - we have to act with full transparency and be able to declare our purpose if attending professionally

Thanks for this.

 

[KiKiGee]

Followed by a nice break because they did so much work and deserve it…

After all the hard work...
Let's not forget, Philip Janssen's birthday is Monday, September 12th. How will that be celebrated???
Gift grab birthday in bed???
Dancing in the kitchen???
A big boy dinner at a restaurant???
A trip to London town???
Turkish hair transplant???
Custom made heeled shoes from Venice???

 

[LittleMore Cottage]

When I have a party I put a vintage Pepsi vending machine on the patio and fill it with long neck beers. Some of which may or may not be Miller Light. That’s my level of dedication. Shrimp my husband caught, hand pulled pork cooked in the pit for hours, cushioned patio furniture and nibbles and drinks in every main room of the house. If you make it to 3 am the moonshine comes out of the garage fridge.

When I make VIP can I come to your parties?

 

[RWChatter]

Another congratulations to @Hemerocallis on you VIP too

Congratulations @Hemerocallis

 

[OhIDontKnow...]

May I ask what code of conduct you refer to? If I intend to ask questions as I am entitled to at a shareholders meeting, and the association chair intends to have me escorted from the premises if I, say, ask for accounts, I have every right to advice of counsel and to bring said counsel with me.

Yepsolutely!

 

[Gold_fishing]

So they spent some money on hired tables and chairs, raided the attic for fabric to use as tablecloths. Chateau Lagorce, isn't that Ed and Anna's place.
The bakery got a good order crocquembouch for three different days.

I wouldn’t be happy to sit in a crowded outbuilding for that lunch no matter how much boxed wine was available.

 

[Tea with lemon]

Everything is relative and by Fanny's standards I think it is a reasonable effort-look what she did for the paying guests for the music workshop. I wouldn't have plonked people on school chairs, I would have ironed table clothes, if she was going rustic she could have done something like this https://www.sarahk.co.uk/collection...ucts/pink-ditsy-ruffle-edge-floral-tablecloth. I always over cater (a family trait). I would however say I bet you the patrons lapped this up, just being in her aura probably is enough for them. If I had been Fanny I would have done the lunch on the terrace or if they needed to be inside it would have been in the entrance hall. Alas I am not Fanny, if I was I wouldn't dream of taking in excess of $33,000 a month from complete strangers. Not meaning to be too judgemental, but from the photos they don't look a particularly well heeled bunch which to me makes it even worse. I definitely would have done the cheese on a beautiful board with an abundance of figs, nuts and pears and I would have used linen napkins too, but I bet the cult members are euphoric and about to up their monthly contributions. We have a jaundiced view of her here but they think she is a precious little angel

And so while I read this forum, I often think of my grandmother and her many sayings. She often addressed us with sayings when she wanted to end the conversation. Short and clear.
Over catering!
I always make too much food for my guests. Because you never know how hungry someone is and what offer will be better or worse accepted.
Grandma always said (literal translation):
Until it stays, it wouldn't be enough.
But, Fanni thinks about the health and weight of her Patreons. They have to live as long as possible in order to be able to support her for longer.

 

[OhIDontKnow...]

When I make VIP can I come to your parties?

No need to wait, come on…

 

[pasta_aldente]

Thinking you are Swiss? The fish shack celebrates with perch, Wisconsin fish-fry style. Swiss style absinthe, fruit beer, sausages and yummy zwetschgenschober FTW.

Red Grapefruit and Absinthe Cocktail
Appenzeller Bschorle Fruit Beer
Miller Lite
Grandmama's Receipt

Grilled Cervelat Sausages
Wisconsin Fish Fry Beer-battered Perch
Coleslaw
Buttered Rye Bread
Plums Baked in Semolina Custard

Wisconsin fish fry ! You have my attention, signed cheesehead in Europe.

 

[Iolair]

So what's with this bath? Why is it not flush to the floor? It looks like it's braced with wooden feet and has some kind of metal tray underneath, possibly for drips? Floor grout needs redoing. No tiles round the edge of the bath, yikes! Wallpaper would get soaked and moldy. But there's fresh (or at least questionable) towels laid out, so someone is staying in this room, otherwise why bother? Is this bathroom still to be renovated and which room is it attached to?

Can anyone zoom in close enough to read the woman's name tag?

 

[Madame No]

The flower/weed/flora-from-the-underworld arrangements are a big FU to all her patrons. Surely, she had the means to do better,
and yet she went with this

View attachment 1561989

Looks like you-know-who did the flowers/weeds. Love the look of having 'floral arrangements' just at eye level so you have to dodge them when talking to the person across from you. Clever vases! So French, oui, oui!

 

[Freesia54]

I guess a lot of us are pleasantly surprised that the first day seems to have been pulled off. It just goes to show what a low bar we apply to her efforts. They probably chose the old garage in case of rain. They could provide cover without bringing everything inside and accommodating the “guests” inside. Wouldn’t want the riff raff in the inner sanctum.
Someone mentioned the state of the silver platter chosen to serve the cheese. I guess Mary Poppins didn’t get that one to polish. Marble or wood would have a better choice. At the end of the day I did think the food looked a lot better than a lot of ones we have seen. I really thought that some disaster was going to prevent the event from happening.

This was only day 1.... let's see how the next 2 days go...regarding the choice of 'venue' chosen as the dining area, it was probably warmer in the garage than it would've been indoors...

 

[lozej]

Thank you @Le Baiseur , it is not an easy task to start a new thread.
I have done it once.
@ComtesseRose for keeping us on track.


About the dress...

Pandora Dress Agency - Second-Hand Designer Clothes - Knightsbridge

At Pandora Dress Agency we sell a huge range of second-hand designer clothes – if it’s in Vogue, it’s in Pandora. Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge.

www.pandoradressagency.com

View attachment 1561480

From the live chat...
Maria B @The Chateau Diaries beautiful dress. Goes perfect with the room!!!
bee french @jill Scott yes Stephanie’s dress is perfect with the rich tapestry colours of the apartment
The Chateau Diaries @Maria B I chose it especially!

From the comments...
Stephanie
2 days ago
Once again I have to ask where Stephanie got her dress or what brand it is? Also the gold necklace please, the entire outfit is gorgeous
REPLY
The Chateau Diaries
2 days ago
Thank you! The necklace was a gift from my parents about 20 years ago. I bought the dress second hand in ‘Pandoras’ in Knightsbridge. It’s by Erdem

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Now, about the patron's garage luncheon.... an oil tank, the Lalande door and window salvage, stacked fire wood, not to be out done by school room seating, it is a shameful display. No one looks happy.

View attachment 1561313

View attachment 1561329

oh boy, if I travelled all the way there to have some frail looking lunch in a place that looks like storage, I would be MAD and disappointed! All that dust going into the food ummm no thanks yuk yuk yuk

edit - doing to going

 

[Freesia54]

Yes why did it surprise me that they pulled it off, lots of practice feeding slop to the elderly that’s why mummy had to be there, the original nurse ratchet

I think she could have served up gruel topped with fruits from the garden and they'd have loved it. It was never about what they would have to eat it was always the meet and greet, who they would get to chat to, would they get to meet their Chatalain, who would make them feel special, which rooms would they get to see. Lielande and its cast in real life, not through the eye of a lens, the whole experience of such 'grandeur' I use the word loosely but for most of them they can overlook the crumbling facade, because at some point it's going to dealt with right? The idea of being in a real living (ok half dead) 16th century historical building (I'm almost believing this myself). They were being invited into the fairy tale and you can tell from their comments they have had their dreams fulfilled...

 

[Linus]

View attachment 1562102

After all the hard work...
Let's not forget, Philip Janssen's birthday is Monday, September 12th. How will that be celebrated???
Gift grab birthday in bed???
Dancing in the kitchen???
A big boy dinner at a restaurant???
A trip to London town???
Turkish hair transplant???
Custom made heeled shoes from Venice???

Last year he went to Disneyland... maybe this time she'll take him to the Paris Zoo!

 

[Freesia54]

I’m more of a lurker on here but I’ve been following for little updates on the PD. Really thinking Clara had been rumbled at this point. Doesn’t look like many showed up going from the pictures so easier to her spot maybe?

Never doubt the skillset of our @Clara Burnett she will be keeping her cards close to her chest, it's only day 1 the grand finale is still to come... I think @Isabel123 and her allies will know if and when the time is right to strike or maybe choose not to on the day but come away armed with more ammunition.. Guess we'll have to be patient and trust that all goes well for them.

 

[Princess and the Pea]

Congratulations to @Freesia54 & @Hemerocallis for your VIP status.

In the words of @MojoDublin (@Jeeves please pass on - they are very sorely missed)
"Congratulations to our newest VIP - your security pass will be at the door of the VIP lounge.

Sending Porsche and driver ….
Keys to ski lodge in the glove box