Regarding your 4th point:
Where does 'driving for 17 hours straight' just toget the wine come into it? Was it Fanny who said he dove for 17 hours straight?
Ed and Anna's chateau is 4 hours away. So it's 4 there and 4 back and let's be generous and (as it was obviously all arranged last minute) let's add an extra two hours for having a bit of a relax with lunch and coffee with Ed and Anna before loading the car with the boxes of wine - so 10 hours tops. Not 17 hours.
I think the chapel was deemed off limits because the vaulted ceiling is not brick or stonework as Fanny claims, but plasterwork and even a complete novice could spot that if they look close enough. So no entry allowed, so sorry. Fanny is going to claim various surveys and a drawing up of architectural plans required on the stone vaulting (which doesn't exist) and the reconfiguration of the central stone (which doesn't exist) and these surveys will naturally cost extra money she doesn't have. Dear oh dear! But with the ongoing loyal and generous patrons etc etc, it can be restored to it's former glory etc etc. Simple really. Same old, same old. She'll have figured out the current plaster vault will be more safe and secure if it's entirely replaced with the more solid sturdy brickwork, which will then be plastered over in order to retain the original look of the thing. The existing structure, as it is, could well be wooden with a plaster overlay. But the same principle applies... squeeze more Patron monkeys from the punters. Amaury could easily rig up scaffolding and repair it himelf, but no no no... experts must be called in, and experts cost. Cue Fanny's sad face. As I've said before, the building's current use as a chapel is a waste. She actually has no need of a chapel apart from it being a status symbol, but she does have a need for an extra pretty jewel box to hold parties in.
looking for a new life!
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