Legend of the Stolen Lake - Doing It Ourselves
In today’s video I explore the story behind château de la lande’s missing lake, explore the château stream and discover an abandoned mill.
Help me to keep making videos and restoring this Chateau by visiting my official PATREON page.
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My name is Michael Petherick and I live with my family at Chateau de la Basmaignee in north west France.
My brother and his fiancé bought this building with some inheritance money three years ago and we are slowly restoring it to live in, and run as a business.
It’s always a financial struggle to keep the place going and we have to work hard to keep our heads above water, but we love it and wouldn’t have It any other way.
When they knew that they were buying the château, my brother asked me if I would like to move over and take part in their new adventure... so I packed my bags, gave up my life in England and moved here to help bring this place back to life.
We do all the renovations ourselves including construction, decorating and collecting antique furniture that we buy cheaply to restore. Our goal is to fill the château with beauty and life as it once was.
I have a passion for history, art and all things old.
These videos are a series of stories about my life and experiences living in a French castle.
We film and edit everything ourselves.
I’ll be showing all aspects of life here, from renovation and DIY, to crafts and baking, art, daily life and a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. There’s much more to see and our journey is still just beginning.
It is sweet how Michael leads us around through swamp, brambles and ruined buildings with a baking oven, explaining and commenting on everything. The Picknick with Steph and the twig-knife is also nice. Well done Michael.
Michael , your parents have raised the nicest young man..so polite and dear and so incredibly Smart...thanks for sharing your life with us!
I'm so sad that Stephanie was tricked but I'm happy to hear that she wants to make it better than it was ❤️ I hope she gets her island 🙂
Did I just spend 30 minutes watching a man walk through water and woods? I did, I did. And I enjoyed every single minute of it!! ❤❤
The trees leading to the stream looks like a fairy forest! The stones covered in moss and the ferns are magical. What a wonderful film! Thank you so much for making the effort. Love it all.
Michael please don’t overwork yourself! We don’t want you to run yourself down to get us a video, pace yourself please. We will understand.
I hope that this video means you are feeling better!
Yeah, he said he had been sick in bed for 36 hours then went for a visit?
Yn BfWere there in time û,'67 y!' .lol,5
Stunning! Escapism at its best, beautiful landscape, music, photography. Silver linings abound in our changed world. While my heart goes out to all those who have suffered during the horrors of 2020, a video like this and the time to watch it, is a blessing. In wintry, brown, burnt Australia my heart craves greenery and water, both of which you provided. Thank you, Michael.
Smell of Almond maybe from ... Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as meadowsweet or mead wort, is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows. It is native throughout most of Europe
It is also a sign of arsenic, though I don't know how it would be in a stream.
gaiayoyo almond smell refers to cyanide, not arsenic. Meadowsweet sounds likely here, though dissolved cyanide salts was my first thought. Arsenic smells more like garlic, when heated.
I,d love to know all about plants, but my brain preferred engines and mechanical artifacts and architecture.
This makes me so nostalgic for my childhood of running wild through woods and streams
Michael, I haven’t left my city apartment since early March, so what an absolute treat to take a leisurely walk to explore the lake and surrounds. Thank-you so very much!! I could almost smell the fresh brook air and feel the huge rocks and moss with my hands. I really do feel refreshed. Your camera work is amazing!!
@Third one Too ~ glad you feel refreshed, trusting that very soon for you virtual will be replaced by actual and real experience and enjoyment ...nature is such a healer... Wishing you all the best ! ~
You deserve everything that comes to you Michael. You have passion, honesty, and a real thirst for life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
I watch everything Michael makes as it’s always done so well
Does Stephanie have names of the people who unlawfully bullied her into draining the lake? Did those people profit from their treachery and the funds that would have been assigned to help her achieve compliance, that she initially didn't know she forfeited? Those people are corrupt, those funds should go to restoring the lake and those people who misused the law as a bludgeon should be brought up on charges.
It’s true they should be held accounted for. Or else they will continue their corruption.
I agree, Who would want to drain another person's lake or property unless they were looking for something, or wanted to profit themselves from it. I had read in a book that in many of the old castles and chateaus there was often an underground tunnel that lead from beneath the castle to areas where people kept their treasures/riches hidden. The rooms where these things were stored often were at the end of the tunnel, near, or in some cases, under the lakes around the property. Interesting.
Unfortunately you can’t sue the government
Sadly no paper trail to follow makes it too difficult to pursue...such a cruel episode..the return of the lake is a big focus for Stephanie...it will take up so much money..the turn around is happening..can you imagine the wild life it will attract.. Keep going with this one it will be a major achievement..💧⭐💧
I love how Stephanie brings up the positives to having the lake drained. Yes, it is criminal she was threatened and coerced. And her lake will be more functional when it is returned. I hope some of it remains more wetlands for frogs 🐸
In todays mail I found a scented envelope with a lovely hand written note from Stephanie. So good to play a small part in projects at La Lande.
I think drawing a photo of what you think the old mill looked like would be awesome. It’s hard to understand what it looked like on camera.
Great idea!
get an overflight with IR drone... you'll see the invisible.. then do the above
This was SUCH a WONDER-FILLED video! Reminds me of when I was a kid exploring on our land in Washington State. Your skill is amazing. Thank you.
What a wonderful video! So sorry you were ill, Michael, but thankful it was relatively brief. I do so enjoy your music selections; they make me happy. You and Stephanie are such a joy to watch. One slight admonition; never, ever go adventuring without a pocket knife!
Lovely video with lots of beautiful angles of the water flowing over the rocks. Glad you're feeling better Michael. The quiche looked delicious! So nice of Stepanie to have made such a hearty lunch for you!
Women adore you, men wish they were you. You are an amazing person and you know a bit about everything. You perfect everything you put your mind to. That's why we love your channel and why you are succeeding at such a rapid rate. Keep doing what you're doing. We love everything you do!
Michael I’m glad you’re feeling better! In the future just know that we care more about your health than your upload schedule! Thank you for another great video! I just hope you don’t have a relapse from this walking around and staying up to edit 💜
I love the way the two of you get along. What a great friendship.
Stephanie has such a bright spirit, it's like she lights up the entire room when she's around. It probably feels like befriending a real live Disney princess too. Living in a château, having picnics and etc. Very lovely to watch tbh. Thank you for sharing these moments with us. Subscribed to Stephanie's channel too.
Oh so happy to see you got your laptop Michael!!! Hooray 🎉🎉🎉
Yes! Congratulations 👏 on the laptop!
No
Michael you do such beautiful job in videos! The music just flows so well with them. You talk as if you are have someone there. Oh yeah it’s us. Your amazing. 😉👌🏽
Thank you Michael for taking us on such a wonderful adventure. Sorry to hear you weren’t well. Congrats on the million views👍😁. Definitely go panning for gold. Loved the quiche,Stephanie.
When he looked inside the mill window I was expecting Stephanie to pop out 😂 Instead she walks up in glamorous sunglasses 😎
Congrats on your millions of viewers! I watch an episode every night before bed and it’s so peaceful and calming. It’s a true adventure to be watch a new episode to see what you will discover. Thanks for the great videos! Debbie from Delaware
It makes me so happy that Michael is able to both restore his cottage so soon and get a proper laptop so he doesn't have to lul around his big monitor. He certainly deserves it :) ♥
I'm so happy to see a family working together, caring for something together - willing to live with each others foibles and faults. Michael, love you much and now you're finding out how much love this world can show toward perfect strangers for bringing joy into our sometines bleak days and realities.
The smell of almonds, is what certain poisons; like cyanide, for example; When a predator chomps into a seed, an enzyme that breaks mandelonitrile down into benzaldehyde and cyanide is released. The cyanide dissuades consumption with help from the bitter taste of benzaldehyde, which is also responsible for the classic smell of almonds. Jan 18, 2019 I love your show. You are doing a great job with your videos. The Chateau and Convent are looking Fantastic. Thank you for all your great videos, hard work and perseverance, showing all how well you are doing, also sharing your life with us❣ 🍀🍀🍀🍀
I'm soooo pleased for you and your channel, and for the laptop. You deserve it all because your such a beautiful person michael xx
Oh... and I forgot to say how much I ADORE your dad!! ADORE - old school builder, no nonsense dad... LOVE HIM!! LOVE!! we need more like him❤❤
Michael, it’s so sweet that you and Stephanie are such good friends. Everyone needs a guiding angel to watch over them and I believe you are that beautiful spirit. Today you truly used your gifts as you took us along while we actually walked right inside your boots. I loved every moment of the journey. You are a perfect videographer. Take care of yourself, don’t over do and most importantly enjoy yourself because this is still your project!💕
Michael , I noticed you said that it smelled like almonds down near the water. Arsenic tends to have the smell of almonds. Then you said you were sick. May want to have the water tested.
Can’t wait to see Le Lande’s lake restored and with an island! Stephanie needs to win lotto so she can restore the Mill House too. 😃
The smell of almonds is given off by some cyanide compounds. Arguably, it could be something else but just be careful the next time you go down there. I hope you can see my comment michael!
Cyanide was my first thought too!
I highly recommend a hydroelectric plant being installed to help reduce the chateau overheads x
This may not be what you want to hear, but I honestly thought this video as good as any of your others! I don't just mean content, I mean editing and production as well. Brilliant! Thank you for creating it in spite of being so ill.
Such a lovely water mill! This reminds me of the movie The Secret Garden... How stunning it would be if you two created a Secret Garden together and shot it like the movie! How magical
Now you’ve done it. There will be pirates panning for gold! It’s so soothing to hear the water running. The scenery lovely even when overgrown.
I can’t believe you were walking up and down that stream whilst holding a camera as well and filming! I can barely hold the camera and film whilst stood still! I most definitely would have slipped and fallen!
same im clumsy has hell I would of slipped and fell
Druids Garden and Kitchen I know but I’d like to say, we were in spirit to help him. 😊
Plot twist, Steph is sitting on a load of pirate treasure Michaels just found. 💰💰💰
she is rich she and her mother have many properties. so she will be fine
..........and the treasure is worth enough to replace the lake and the mill!
Also, I thought you planned on metal detecting out there Michael!
@SJ Greer he is a very innocent young man is helping her riches to grow
@SJ Greer she is a hunter with all might and everything
Michael, just a couple of thoughts, have a look downstream to see if anyone is using the stream flow for generating or operating something, they may be the ones that conned Stephanie into draining the lake and establishing a more substantial flow another thought is to flood the lake and use a floating pontoon with a digger on to excavate the silt, may be easier than trying to access the area as it is, Oh and one other thought was that centre sluice gate broken or taken out by AN other on purpose to prevent Stephanie reestablishing the lake and slowing the flow, look carefully at the mechanism. Regards from Wychling, Mike
@Yol Maiv What new regulations?
@Yol Maiv I think she only mentioned that someone told her they where, with no documented evidence.
@Yol Maiv Under the EU Environmental Agency legislation they can not instruct a Reparian owner to do anything without a court order, which must be presented by an EU EA representative in the presence of a Prefect or court official, this whole thing was a scam by someone downstream, as far as I can find there is not such thing as the "Water Police" in either department of the enforcement agencies in France.
Beautiful landscape shots, Michael! I agree the lake and mill must be restored. So much to look forward to!! We will be with you every step of the way.
the lake project is a beautifull chance to combine her plans of putting back the lake with an island in it with a very ecological way of developing this area. A wetland is a piece of nature with alot of ecological diversity so keeping that in mind gives her soooooo much opportunity to make something valuable with this project.
France is a favourite destination for us, thank you for shining such a lovely, detailed and personal spotlight on parts we don't know. You and Stephanie, separately and together have made lockdown bearable...thanks for that too
The land around the chateau is really beautiful. It looks like the area once had a fair amount of activity at one time. A real treasure.
I love this channel and your friendship with Stephanie. It's so cute and wholesome I literally just can't handle it! Lots of love from Seattle!
Got kind of worried about the "strong smell of almonds" cause my mind jumped straight to cyanide.. 🙈
Catrine mine too.... scary
I thought of arsenic.
@@janetthomas8244 it's cyanide that can smell of bitter almond.
Mine too . Never know what may be dumped into the stream
A picnic area by the stream of water would be quite nice. The possibility to have lunch in a calmly environment is special
Such a fun adventure. Congrats on a million views! I can totally envision you writing and illustrating a Potter- esque children's book about the lake critters who had their home harmed and maybe a frog hero who helps warn everyone for years that the water will be returning. Your art is so lovely as is your kind heart so i know it would be a best seller.
Yet again Michael your done it again, it's better than a soap, cannot wait for your next Vlog. Jason from Staffordshire, England 🤓
To my fellow Americans who were subconsciously starting to itch while watching this fascinating vlog, I am happy to report, for your sake as well as Michael's, France has no poison ivy -at least according to Google!!!!!
Gorgeous video, Michael!! Well done...therapeutic to watch. Thank you!! I hope you’re feeling much better!!! I hope Stephanie can restore the mill too. It would be cool to have Lalande heirloom flour!!!
I love the whimsy of this area - I was frowning a bit when you were around the large boulders (worried you might fall) but smiled so much when you spoke of finding a troll under the bridge.If gold were found that would certainly help with the cost of renewing the lake.
Had to look up the almond smell. Came across a few articles describing Hydrogen Cyanide in polluted waters that gives off a bitter almond smell. Maybe best not to linger in those waters near the bridge too long until they are tested and deemed safe.
I absolutely love adventuring around the Chateau properties, The history and the magic is wonderful. The quiche lol.. so human. Its true this wood and wet lands look like fairy country. Of course can wait for the next instalment.
What happens in the grotto stays in the grotto. Forever.
I was smiling the whole time I was watching this video! Thank you Michael and Stephanie 🥰 So very happy for you, that you got your new laptop, finally!!!
One quick and easy way to tell if it’s pyrite or gold is check it with a strong magnet. If it sticks to the magnet it’s pyrite if it doesn’t then it’s gold. Wonderful video Michael. It’s such a beautiful area. Also I can picture you making a vintage explorer outfit for such occasions!❤️
Best vlog EVER, Michael! The filming, the music, the commentary - it was magic. Thank you.
Such a wonderful video, Michael 💖 Happy you're feeling better! You and Stephanie are so much fun! Such good friends... beautiful 🤟
What an adventurer you are Michael! Braving the stream to get to the gates! The stream is so picturesque! What a perfect place to do some painting en plein air!
AND your new laptop!!!! What kind, generous, lovely souls out there!!! Now if only Lalande had proper internet!
Loved this adventure so much! Thanks for risking it all for us, Michael! Stephani has a gorgeous property!
What a wonderful adventure! My heart was on my mouth as you slipped and slid around under the bridge. Brought out the mother in me all over again. 🙏👍 Stay well. /and thanks for all the great videos!
Take care that you rest enough. Videos can wait.
Michael, your filming is absolutely amazing. Well done. Thank you for it. Along with the beautiful music, I could watch this episode all day. Thank you so much. Lovely.
Love watching your fabulous KZhead channel. You could make a fortune with fishing & charging the public to fish on a day ticket. Please keep producing these wonderful productions.
And here comes Stephanie, totally stylish with leather boots! :) Picnic in style.
Oh my goodness Michael. I was sooooo worried about you slipping on those rocks. And then when you walked through the slippery tunnel under the bridge. I had my hand up to my mouth in fear of you slipping. You are such a dare devil. You mentioned the smell of almonds when you were there near the bridge in the river. You don't think that could of been what may have made you ill do you? Know there is a chemical that smells like almonds. I only heard about it once in a drama. But I'm so glad your feeling better. Please do be careful if you visit the river again. Please take someone with you. Because we all care about you dearly xx
The almond smell you’re smelling at the creek is probably a meadowsweet herb. They typically grow in areas like that and smell of almonds. They’re beautiful white flowers.
Michael hope you are feeling better. Keep safe 😷I loved the vlog. Beautiful walk down to the sluice gates and the mill. Breath taking greenery. Liked seeing the glittery quartz and fools gold. Maybe that will be the source of Stephanie's riches. A pot of gold in the waterways. Hope you have a gold panning video in the future. Exciting!!
Michael & his brother pan for gold and find it on their own property!
Love this series ❤️💙❤️💙❤️ my favourite people on KZhead... It's always a joy to watch yours and Stephanie's channel. 💗
I think it was really great of you to do a vlog of the sluice for all of Stephanie’s followers because she may not have wanted to slog around in there! Very kind! You are a wonderful friend!
you two have to spend LOTS of time together!! you two are SO great together!!
@@denonde1313 no they are not a couple just really good friends. they have to spend more timentogther right now - something to do with restrictions - he had to quarantine at her place for two weeks before they starts they NEW VLOG!! (YAY!!) which they are doing in ADDITION TO their own vlogs about chateaux - some which are historic- some which are for sale- some which need rescuing, what to look for if you are buying a chateau, what you would want to consider etc. I am BESIDE myself to see this new one!! they are going to shoot about 5 or 6 of them 'maybe even a whole season before they air them so it wint be for a bit PLUS chateau DIY is going to to start filming soon.... however- I will not be watching it for dick and angel - but for Stephanie and Michael! I wonder why oh why Hollywood has not come a calling yet🤔🤔🤔 odd..... they should have snapped her up by now and I am usually SO GOOD at spotting the "star" in the pack.... thing of it is... she seems to be impossibly nice!! now that would be a 1st in LaLa land! - also a GREAT nickname for La Lande LaLa Lande!!🤩🤩🤩💕🤞
@@denonde1313 oh I dont think you need to be a patreon - they have talked about it in videos on both accounts - maybe more on hers than his videos though 😁
Jolly good show, Petherick! well done Sir! Watched this with my 12 year old son Charlie and we loved it, especially the exciting walking through water, we were on tenterhooks watching you and hoping you wouldn't slip under that bridge!! Delighted you finally have a laptop, and you can now edit on the go! And congrats on getting this together in such a short time-frame, there was something really special about watching it on the day you had all those adventures! Looking forward to the next one, Niamh in Dublin xx
Oh Michael glad your feeling better. Your journey to the lake stream was enchanting. You are gifted in capturing the essence of the adventure. The sights,sounds and smells, almond smell a little worrisome though! You deserve all good and joyful things that come you way, Stephanie included. Looking forward to hearing all the new announcements.💕from Western Australia.
Looks like such a fun place to run and be little. Lucky Ernest he will be very popular with all the mischief makers his age when he gets a bit older.
I love your videos! You and Stephanie have been such a joy to watch. Her content is at home adventure and yours is outdoor adventure. Glad your feeling better.
I admire the care and love you put into this gorgeous property! When it comes to dealing with local municipalities, patience is key!
Lovely job Michael! Thank you for taking me with you into the forest - such a beautiful little adventure. :) I know first hand, how time consuming it is to edit video, upload to YT, etc. and therefore have a great deal of appreciation and respect for your dedication to your craft and your audience. Well done! I hope you're feeling much better. :)
Was not expecting a post 10 style exploration video out of this channel, but it's a cool surprise!
Michael, another brilliant video. Well done on getting the content together as you were not well. Hope you are feeling better. Looking forward to next live chat.💗💗💗💗
"CONGRATULATIONS" on your millions of hits. LOVE river walking, we do it a lot here in Chicago. Your views were soooo Beautiful! LOVED your picnic at the old mill.Beautiful day to share thank you! LOVE from Chicago
I’m in Chicago too 👋
So sorry to hear that you have been sick 🤕 please don’t rush back til you feel 100% well , this coming from Northern Virginia 😷😘
All your vlogs are so enjoyable a great comfort and an escape . Thank you ! I dream of visiting and staying at the chateauxs one day x
I so enjoyed that walk through the stream and woods. No huge granite boulders but it reminded me of walking my great grandmother's woods on her farm and coming upon a creek. Lovely! So happy you've got your lap top and have the gardener's cottage funded!
Loved watching you paddling in the stream. Reminded me of my childhood when we would do the same in our creek. Still remember the the feeling when I discovered “gold”...... I miss that creek.
I would get 7 boulder brought back to the house and create a sitting area with a flower garden that blossomed all year.
It was so interesting to hear how this began... The show that didn't end up using your footage... THIS is so we'll edited. I wouldn't be surprised if this became a Netflix show or picked up by some one... I would love to see that happen and watch you get rich! Haha This is so professionally done!
(Moira Ashton) First of all, very sorry to hear you've been unwell Michael, and pleased you're better again, well that was a lovely trip into the woods and the stream, I was almost expecting to see underwater pictures ,, but you managed to stay upright, Its terrible the way Stephanie was tricked into emptying the lake, I dont think she should have to pay to get it back!!!! Surely it was unlawful???? As soon as I saw the quiche, I thought "knife" !!!! 😂😂 Thank you for a wonderful vlog, you did well to get it done so quickly, and glad you have your new laptop 🏰💗💕🌾🌿
Love the show Michael! I live on a beautiful forested mountain top in the Ozarks, but chateaux living in France is a huge fantasy. Thanks for letting all of us live vicariously through you and your family. Just a suggestion, I would collect all of the scrap metal on the estate and sell it to the scrap metal company. Then maybe post a couple of NO DUMPING signs for the locals. Keep up the good work!!! Buy the way, I not only subscribed to your channel, but Stephanie 's, and Angeline's as well.
Get well soon Michael, rest and relax, some hearty chicken soup will do its work 👌💪🍒🤗😚....thanks for making us viewers happy bunch of people behind the screens 😍
So much fun with the two of you at the chateau, what a magical place
Oh, btw I love the little skits you and Stephanie do, you should do more of them and in period dress, it would be ABSOLUTELY AMAZING 🤩
I will love to see the mill restored, but Michael, you know.. sometimes you have leave ruins as they are. “(...) the greatest glory of a building is not in its stones, nor in its gold. Its glory is in its Age, and in that deep sense of voicefulness, of stern watching, of mysterious sympathy, nay, even of approval or condemnation, which we feel in walls that have long been washed by the passing waves of humanity.” John Ruskin, “The Lamp of Memory”, The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849)
Your montage videos with music are always so soothing. I feel like I’ve already made this same comment on another video but wanted to mention that again! Love your videos and seeing the progress you all are making! Keep it up! So happy to hear that lake will be filled again! Hope to someday be able to visit Lalande!
What a fantastic little adventure. Exactly the type of exploring I love. Ohhh and the possibility of gold ! Wouldn’t that just be fitting that there’s some finances there to restore the lake ?! Thank you for taking us along it’s a really fun video
Feel better Michael - appreciate your beautiful vlog. Beautiful blessings Mandy 👑SA
Hi Michael, just wanted to say how much I love watching your KZhead videos. I found your channel and Stephanie's while being quarantined here at home in Florida. This video is absolutely beautiful to watch! I appreciate it so much that you are filming your wonderful chateau and the countryside around it for us to see. It is almost like we are there with you. And I love all the escapades you and Stephanie and everyone else gets into! When you put up a new video, it's like getting a little gift each time. Thank you so much Michael!