A Less Than Spectacular Review

No water - the culprit was a broken ancient water pump - no heat - and wandering into the former dining room it was discovered that the previously working refrigerator had decided to spew all its cooling fluid down the back of the wall. I could have cried!

However, putting on a brave face I called my realtor - well... I tried to call my realtor. Of course part of the charm of the Chateau that I had been crowing to everyone about was that it had no phone, no fax, no internet. Which is a good thing - unless you want to make a phone call. I tried calling from the porch, I ran upstairs and stuck my head out the bedroom window. I ran across the hall and stuck my head out another window. All to no avail. There was indeed no cell service at the Chateau. Drove down to the beach and finally reached Betty Ann who was sympathetic but reminded me that it was a long weekend. Unlike Alberta, folks in Nova Scotia had the good sense not to work long weekends - or Sundays for that matter! It's part of why I loved the place. Right now however I was wishing that someone would show just a little initiative and be a keener.

Tried the contractor who came out to inspect the place, tried a plumber who was recommended - no answer. (Smart man!) Tried an electrician. Tried every person she gave me. No one was home. Deflated I sank into one of the vinyl recliners in the livingroom. My husband gingerly placed himself in the one on the other side of the room, wiping his hands and the chair with a wet ones. Things were not going well.

Undaunted I said, "well let's at least get the mattresses upstairs". Yes, the mattresses had in fact arrived and were completely (to my delight) covered in plastic. We hauled the top mattress up the staircase and deposited it near the master bedroom door. Down the stairs I ran to retrieve the box spring. Up the stairs and I was pulling furiously. I yanked and tugged and gripped, confused as to why things were not moving. My husband urged me to pull harder and he shoved from below with all his might. After about ten minutes of trying every angle to ensure the most clever trick possible, we were once more defeated by this, my most lovely love. This old house clearly had her tricks. A quick measurement of the mattress and then of the opening up to the top floor gave us the sorry news. The box spring was 2 inches too big for the opening. The only way to get it through was to tear open the ceiling. To me this was not even a remote option.

Nothing left to do but go to the beach. Heavy sigh. No one had mentioned the black flies.....

Things Are Not Always As They Seem

As soon as I returned home that February, I was almost immediately pining to be back out at the Chateau. They say that love is blind and as I showed my husband pictures of my new love, I could tell that he felt I needed stronger glasses. What is there not to love about a place that is screaming for tender touches and gentle fix ups? (I felt the same way I think!)

My hands were itchy just thinking about the blue and green carpet that was begging to be ripped up. The kitchen screamed kitsch and the brown panelling was pleading for someone to put it out of its misery.







As for the bathroom...well...let's just say that I was happy that the toilet worked! While I could barely wait to get back to the Chateau and get my hands dirty, work dictated that it would be a few months before my return. I settled in for a long period of yearning.



Finally it was the May long weekend as I winged my way back to Nova Scotia, husband in tow. I couldn't wait to show him the great deal I had gotten! Prior to leaving home there was only one request from said husband. A new bed had to be in place by the time we arrived. Douglas was not going to be sleeping in someone else's bed. Especially an old someone elses bed. Eeeeeeeew! This was my first test. Sears online became my new best friend. As did Mary at the Sears depot in Parrsboro who took my countless calls to make sure that the mattresses would be delivered to the Chateau just before we arrived. I checked the weather daily and surely exhausted her patience about ensuring the plastic was around the mattresses in case of rain. (I am nothing if not a detail freak!)



We arrived and I was like that little dog on Bugs Bunny trying to convince the bigger one to play. I was bouncing around so excited, ready to show my pal my new bone. Ready to play, ready to take a walk, ready to wrestle. My pal however had jet lag from the overnight flight and was not quite as enthused as I. Then I became nervous. As nervous as a sixteen year old girl taking a boy home to meet the parents. I was so keyed up about this house and this place that I couldn't stand the thought of it being a disappointment to someone else.



Again the view seduced me on the journey and I relaxed as I heard murmers of appreciation from beside me. Then silence ruled as we pulled up to the leaning, weather beaten front steps. I forgot about those...

I ran ahead and opened the door - it was cold inside and had a musty smell of damp fabric softener. I ran ahead to the livingroom and turned on the furnace. Nothing happened. Doug piled the bags of groceries onto the floor in the kitchen and turned on the tap to wash his hands. Nothing happened. Okay - this was not good.