So they returned to Australia with photos and videos and talked over the pros and cons “there was only one discussion, we all felt the same passion about the Chateau.”
Cinderella Chateau
In August 2014, Sheryl, Gerald, son Jacob, daughters Naomi and Sarah-Jane, and Scott their son-in-law and grandchildren two year old Cecily and one year old Harry flew to France to start a new life.
Their first job was to plan the restoration.
They are doing everything themselves, from building a swimming pool to fitting windows, plumbing, roofing, tiling, re-wiring and of course plastering.
It is hard work, some days when everything goes wrong and there is a mountain of paperwork to complete, it’s not easy to stay positive.
But “every time I walk down the path towards the Chateau, it makes my heart beat faster. There is something wonderfully romantic about this place” says Sarah-Jane.
The sense of responsibility, the deep love they have for this enormous project keeps the family going and absolutely determined to see it through.
Sarah-Jane confesses “we hardly ever take time off. We keep to the plan and if that means we work seven days a week then that’s what we do. We have to keep an eye on the bigger picture”.
And the big picture is astounding.
The family intend to restore this chateau to its former glory. When they moved in they invited the local mayor to come and see what they wanted to do “he pretty much had tears in his eyes” says Sheryl. The Mayor and the locals are thrilled that “their” chateau is to be re-loved and restored.