The Chateau Diaries #8 Nous sommes tous VALERIE

[Clara Burnett]

Tell me more. Tell me more

He arrived at the chateau with a friend, both as volunteers, both terribly drunk, the friend way more out of control apparently, driving Isabelle insane with his rudeness. SJ used her charm on Nordic Weirdo to stoke between the friends, forcing the friend out. Nordic Weirdo, who was a professional online gambler, stayed for almost a year.

 

[66carola]

I would have thought SJ and Workaway parting ways was a necessity for both. Can you imagine the flood of fans/people trying to register to volunteer at La La Land? Plus all the people/fans wanting to be B&B guests? And both groups thinking they are going to party like in videos and all of them pile in car to go to Brocante whilst Marie cooks and cleans. Noone minds washing dishes as this is when dancing and singing happens.

Somebody said that workaway is not allowed in France for several reasons.

 

[frenchessence]

She ran the whole show, literally, when there I've seen my friend drop everything he was doing, just to help Isabelle with something when she asked, and she asked a lot. After asking him why, he responded it was easier to instantly give in to her whims, because the other option was to be subjected to her complaints all day.


Ever heard of keeping ones enemies closer? But seriously, even after my friends ordeal I can't help being fascinated by the whole adoration of this lifestyle I myself find abject and disgusting.

Clara this is how I - and so many of us feel. It’s extraordinary because I’m appalled on so many levels but intrigued as well. SJ clearly has *something* I guess we could say the ‘it’ factor . You’ve either got ‘it’ or you haven’t. And she obviously has an abundance of ‘it’

Surely must be even more fascinating for you, knowing the theatre set and the players.

 

[SableOnBlonde]

He arrived at the chateau with a friend, both as volunteers, both terribly drunk, the friend way more out of control apparently, driving Isabelle insane with his rudeness. SJ used her charm on Nordic Weirdo to stoke between the friends, forcing the friend out. Nordic Weirdo, who was a professional online gambler, stayed for almost a year.

The most surprising part about this, is that he was a “professional online gambler”! Haha what?! He didn’t even have a trust fund?

Thanks for filling us in. Apparently this relationship inspired Ruth’s romantic novel

 

[66carola]

I think the “friends” might be hiding behind a fake name to spread some false information. Why would Clara Burnett know so much detailed information if it’s just what she heard from some friends. I hate to shoot the messenger but tell the “friends to come on here and say it themselves.

My friends feel very much taken advantage off and it took them a long time to get over the pain it caused, also trying to figure out their own part in the ordeal, their moral boundaries they did not guard. They tried to leave the door open for friends they made in their chateau time, but most of those chose to stick with the chateau and the party life style. That doesn't help the speaking up. They feel there won't be many people who would believe them if they do speak up, especially now that SJ has become rich and (in)famous. It would all be set apart as jealousy, which they really are not.
My friends don't know I am doing this and might not appreciate my efforts. But I can't bare to see SJ fooling so many people and know there will be others who will get hurt.


I tried in different places before, but comments are usually taken down if not positive.
[/QUOTE]
And we all have been at this place when younger. We all need to learn our lessons how to set bounderies, usually we learn it the hard way when they get crossed or we keep being in the position of being used. But only because we learned and moved on it does not mean it is forgotten and it does not hurt.

None of that, they are very loyal to each other. They cared excessively about the place and put their heart and soul into it, feeling grateful they were allowed to live there. SJ's lack of responsibility for the place made it tougher for them, because they would take over and feel responsible, which they clearly weren't. It was all based on friendship , but when the friendship proved to be one sided, that shifted the balance. Why would anyone work 18 hours a day for someone who isn't even a friend. As for financial contributions: yes, they paid for stuff, but only because they loved the place. In the second year of their stay they asked for a part of the B&B profits and SJ agreed, so it wasn't about money in any way. Her manipulation, by constantly playing the clumsy damsel in distress, charmingly forcing others to step in and do the real work for her, has been subject of many of our conversations then.

I wonder why SJ never mentioned them since they helped her with the B&B. But mentioned so many times MP who convinced her to start youtube (probably just said:"why don't you start a chanel?"

 

[frenchessence]

He arrived at the chateau with a friend, both as volunteers, both terribly drunk, the friend way more out of control apparently, driving Isabelle insane with his rudeness. SJ used her charm on Nordic Weirdo to stoke between the friends, forcing the friend out. Nordic Weirdo, who was a professional online gambler, stayed for almost a year.

Jaw dropping. Seriously. You couldn’t make it up. It’s better than anything showing on Netflix. In fact, all this is putting Bridgerton in the shade !

 

[MojoDublin]

I said a while ago...imagine Stephanie was a 45 year old good looking man who flirted with and slept with female Workaways in their early 20s. And maybe had dressup days and commented on how the Workaways looked, cooked, etc. And then filmed it all. And made money from it.

Sleepless in Seattle

YES Yes Yes

Excellent way to analyze

Slippery nipple LOTL and that’s not even been near the cocktail corner

 

[witchgrass]

He arrived at the chateau with a friend, both as volunteers, both terribly drunk, the friend way more out of control apparently, driving Isabelle insane with his rudeness. SJ used her charm on Nordic Weirdo to stoke between the friends, forcing the friend out. Nordic Weirdo, who was a professional online gambler, stayed for almost a year.

Who was the homophobe volunteer and what was said? I really want to know this part. Was he just a regular workaway or was it more of an Australian team that shows up to work and BBQ.

I need to go to bed and drink this tea in the morning.

 

[66carola]

I think the “friends” might be hiding behind a fake name to spread some false information. Why would Clara Burnett know so much detailed information if it’s just what she heard from some friends. I hate to shoot the messenger but tell the “friends to come on here and say it themselves.

they are SJ’s neighbors and have seen the Jarvis wrath already.
[/QUOTE]
Why not? If she is a good friend it's obvious they told her back then. Don't you gossip about your boss or landlord with your friends if they are mean towards you? Sometimes you are not in the position to just move or switch a job. But have to vent a little to endure till the moment comes when you finally can better your situation. I still chat with my friends about colleagues I had when I had a student job

Who was the homophobe volunteer and what was said? I really want to know this part. Was he just a regular workaway or was it more of an Australian team that shows up to work and BBQ.

I need to go to bed and drink this tea in the morning.

I guess we can only imagine what homophobic things were said. Don't need to read them here

 

[frenchessence]

Thank you for that reminder. Indeed he is but truth be known, he’s merely a bit of an Odd Job Man. Irregardless of his self-employment status, she should be aware of his skills - or lack of.

it doesn’t take too much common sense to see that taking up that floor, Installing a damp course, laying the floor elsewhere, requires not only a fair bit of brawn but also some specialised knowledge which I doubt Selmar has.

His weakness is not only physical but also for Stephanie. Whether I am employing someone in my home or on a building contract at work, I am always aware of not just the safety aspect but the human aspect too. SJ has shown no regard for his welfare. And with respect, that has nothing to do with with his employment status or if he has insurance.

She did make sure he had all the safety kit needed it was shown on the vlog.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, I saw that. But giving him safety equipment doesnt off-set that Selmar has an ongoing injury which is bad enough to stop him working at times.
It’s like giving a man a helmet and sending him down a coal-mine, knowing that he has a lung condition and shouldn’t be there in the first place. I work in building control/property development and apart from anything else, SJ is displaying a massive error of judgment in allowing him to lift those heavy slabs, knowing he has a neck injury.

 

[stefanieeee]

Can I just say that I am sooo tired of SJ being portrayed by her superfans as some helpless victim who needs the assistance of strangers and their money and their gifts to make it as life for her is so very terrible and struggles as a chat ow owner trying so desperately hard after 15 years to get her place in shape.
I enjoyed the blogs. I started out thinking it was fun to watch. But really after BG attack dog approach to Tattle and the rabid fans calling people Nazis, I am done, just done. This is a 45 year old woman who had made the choice to spend her adult life in France fulfilling her dream being a princess in a castle. She has chosen not to work. She has chosen not to do weddings or events that would pay for the upkeep and changes. She has chosen to remain there irregardless of the lack of monies. She has chosen not to get herself organized and make her dream fantasy a reality and look after the basics of the property and buildings.
I could say so much more in this rant, but what is the point? She will keep manipulating the public with her poor me story and charming them out of their money. It is horrible.
I am just sick of it.

 

[ggyahoo]

I loved the vlogs from the beginning, but started to have doubts about SJ's true character when it came out that she didn't keep up to date with responding to emails. That is just basic courtesy, surely. Ditto sending a prompt thank you to gift givers, and posting promised cards to her patrons.

 

[Incognito Chatelaine]

I indeed read about Tattle in Brenda's group and thought it would be a better crowd to hang out with.

Did you hear that Brenda?!

 

[witchgrass]

I guess we can only imagine what homophobic things were said. Don't need to read them here

I wasn't expecting a Sadie Petherick style quote about muslims or anything. It seems like it was more situational with the other workaway needing to finish something electrical. Just curious what it was, and what was the impetuous of the conflict. Was it a newer workaway? A wealthier workaway that wasn't actually a workaway?

 

[66carola]

The most surprising part about this, is that he was a “professional online gambler”! Haha what?! He didn’t even have a trust fund?

Thanks for filling us in. Apparently this relationship inspired Ruth’s romantic novel

She sounds like Meagan Markle - was it written in calligraphy?

Please, say nothing against Meghan

 

[frenchessence]

@Clara Burnett May I ask you who is Countessawess who features early on in SJ’s Instagram ... is she actually a countess or is this a self-styled handle ? I recall Stephanie was perhaps at her house in France, maybe in the pool. Where does she fit into all this ?

 

[witchgrass]

@Clara Burnett May I ask you who is Countessawess who features early on in SJ’s Instagram ... is she actually a countess or is this a self-styled handle ? I recall Stephanie was perhaps at her house in France, maybe in the pool. Where does she fit into all this ?

Tess Hoffman

 

[Clara Burnett]

@Clara Burnett May I ask you who is Countessawess who features early on in SJ’s Instagram ... is she actually a countess or is this a self-styled handle ? I recall Stephanie was perhaps at her house in France, maybe in the pool. Where does she fit into all this ?

She's actually a really nice and friendly person who is still friends with my friends and used to be SJ's bff and Potty's girlfriend. After the fall out with my friends SJ lost interest in her too, apart from the use of her pool, indeed. Or maybe it was because Potty and her broke up.

 

[66carola]

I took a shallow dive into the Dutch giants instagrams and SJ was liking their posts right up until they bought their house. They have photos of when they arrived at Lalande, the garden - which was messy and about as productive as it is now (public post wise), the young white peacock, a young Ruby who may have been named Ziggy and had a brother Stardust. They seem like a couple of peaceful sweet men and the content they post reminds me of Selmar and honestly, myself. My whole feed is pets and gardens and I will stop everything to film an urban raccoon eating catfood. Anyway. It made me sad. Not because they'd been Had, necessarily. I mean they bought a great house nearby because they'd been living at Lalande for a few years I'm assuming rent free. They know other chateau owners and they also traveled a lot outside of France during the time they lived there. Life didn't look like it sucked. I'm sad because they are neighbors in the middle of nowhere and they were friends once. Like, just apologize to your neighbors Stephanie. Don't dust it away because your mother settled a conflict in a way that benefited both of you, but ruined a friendship with people who are YOUR LITERAL NEIGHBORS NOW. Please don't narcsplain me. I am trying to consider all of the dangerous liaisons here. That place is full of booze and men and they aren't all victims of Glenn Close.

eta... The Dutch giants got a puppy after their dog, Fos' passed away. He was a magnificent dog. Selmar's going to go through something similar very soon. I wonder if he'll stay at Lalande. (My daughter hates it when I say things like that out loud, so for anyone as sensitive as she is, sorry sorry sorry.)

Yes, it is truly sad to loose a friendship like this. On both sides. SJ probably just gave in to her mother, I do believe her that she avoids conflicts and chooses the easy way. And then probably just forgets about it because it's easier too.

 

[Clara Burnett]

I wasn't expecting a Sadie Petherick style quote about muslims or anything. It seems like it was more situational with the other workaway needing to finish something electrical. Just curious what it was, and what was the impetuous of the conflict. Was it a newer workaway? A wealthier workaway that wasn't actually a workaway?

It wasn't. This volunteer was a deranged woman my friend took pity on, but she repaid his kindness by shouting at him while he was serving breakfast to B&B guest, screaming to him all homosexuals are sinners and should die a miserable death. There, I've said it.

It wasn't. This volunteer was a deranged woman my friend took pity on, but she repaid his kindness by shouting at him while he was serving breakfast to B&B guest, screaming to him all homosexuals are sinners and should die a miserable death. There, I've said it.

SJ, who wasn't there at the time but got the message through her mother on the phone, later denied it ever happened and my friend made it up.