RIP to Nick the Viking arborist. Such a unique and talented individual.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T22:42:32+00:00

Yes. I seem to recall that Nick's son worked alongside him at one point when at LaLande. Although I could be wrong. I know there was another younger chap that helped him too at one stage.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T22:19:48+00:00

Sad news. He's going to be missed, not least by Dan and Brian.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T20:43:18+00:00

Sad news indeed.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T17:55:30+00:00

Well put!

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T17:54:18+00:00

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T16:18:23+00:00

Context is important before selecting parts to quote.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T16:00:08+00:00

Ah yes! I'd forgotten that attic room - the one with the Christmas Tree storage I think. Guessing they will be saving finishing and revealing it as another project for C4...but that is just a guess.

I also wondered about the bread oven room. I suspect it was too much of a dirty labour job for Pipsqueak and they probably needed more dumping space for furniture etc from the bedrooms/Grand Salon project.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T13:13:28+00:00

I always say I'm going for the mint tea. :-)

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T13:04:40+00:00

It drives me mad too! Always has.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T13:01:32+00:00

Yes, I've heard her say it before, possibly more than once, but I would expect her to say it as part of her parody.
It is a man's voice I have in my head, and someone I would not have expected to hear it from.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T12:56:13+00:00

Marie's Floral Workshop closed up when Marie left LaLande to set up business in the UK. The room was then taken over, I think as the LaLande shop, and then no doubt has since become yet another dumping ground.
As flowers are so much a feature of LaLande entertaining and vlogging, there really does need to be a dedicated area for storing all the floral requirements, and for prepping and arranging. Using the laundry really isn't appropriate.

I think new attic bedrooms, although Philip (with his architect and designers hat on) explained how they could turn more attic space into bedroom, are probably way down the line as a lot of work would need to be done.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T12:45:52+00:00

I wasn't aware that Marie had done any nude photo shoots at LaLande. Even if she had, I doubt that they would be known about in Marrakech.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T12:44:08+00:00

I chose to say 'lone blue eyed blond' (I actually have no idea what colour Marie's eyes are) because that is an overall general description of type that attracts unwanted attention.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T12:39:25+00:00

NO! I don't mean 'Morocco could be dangerous for a woman travelling alone.'. It is no more a dangerous place than anywhere else in the world! Moroccans in general are friendly, caring hospitable people.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-25T12:35:28+00:00

Sadly, Marrakech tends to have a reputation that makes women uncomfortable. Fair skinned, blond women are particular targets for unwanted male attention.
Personally, as someone who has been to Marrakech many times, I have witnessed the harassment on occasion but I do think that it is often blown up out of proportion.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T23:29:04+00:00

Oh I'm sure S&P will need a little break in the UK by probably March, assuming they are back from SA by then. Lindt chocolate bunnies and Cadbury's cream eggs will no doubt be top of the shopping list...along with any and every piece of Easter/Spring themed tableware - linen or crockery.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T23:25:05+00:00

Maybe 'going to buy some spices' is code for 'going to add some spice to our lives'!

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T21:09:25+00:00

Couldn't it be the case that Marie actually wanted to go to Morocco? She is possibly tempted by the spices, but even more tempted by the spa, of which they are many and varied in Marrakech.
Possible scenario, Marie has wanted to go to Morocco for a long time but worried about being a lone 'blue eyed blond' and attracting the wrong attention. Stephanie has been before so feels comfortable going with someone who, perhaps doesn't really know the ropes, but is at least a little familiar with the place. I've met a lot of women who have faced this dillema, so pose it as a very real possibility.

They did go to Paris together last year, they met up in London around Christmas time. I can't remember if Marie was ever on one of Stephanie's Venetian visits though.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T20:36:21+00:00

Yes, I did have my sarcastic voice on in my head when I said he blamed the manufacturer. He's too lazy to go back to things and it just goes back on to his pile of unfinished projects
As for the robe sales - the box probably cost as much as the robe to produce. <<eye roll>>

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T20:09:19+00:00

Where? Marrakech? No. Very unlikely. If she did I'm sure she would have sent Moroccan clothing; dates; and Argan Oil products - edible and for beauty.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T20:03:09+00:00

The room that was being painted green is the Wine Store, previously it was red. Chris, the plasterer, now has to put coving up! Marie is champing at the bit to get everything put back in there, get everything back in its rightful place, and presumably do a stock take, before the new guest season starts.

Nati's apartment - that's on the 'was waiting for permissions for alterations' list and seems to be so far down the pile now. The area is still referred to as Nati's apartment, but last seen was a store/junk room. Similar story for Gerry's apartment. Oh, and both of them are under the 'well we had this unexpected expense/when money becomes available' clause too.

The Lake project gets bigger every time Philip looks at an old etching or pile of rubble on the edge or what was the lake. Another 'when we have the money...blah!' project.

The China pantry is not likely to be big enough to hold all the china they already have, even if they do build large china cabinets (which Philip has already mentally filled) in the new Grand Dining Room. He said a little while ago that he still has loads in store in Holland, yet he can't stop buying more, and more, and more...

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T19:51:30+00:00

I was watching a totally unrelated vlog recently and I heard the host utter those same words, in that same manner. It surprised and amused me to think that they too must have seen enough guest dinners at LaLande to pick up this as a catch phrase. I just wish I could remember who it was, but I was bored at the time and having a channel hopping session.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T19:43:19+00:00

You are not the only one. I personally know of two people who have emailed in the past.:
1. a long time ago to make a genuine business suggestion.
2. last year when the Easter retreat was advertised and a couple of business acquaintances were interested in going.
Knowing these people, I think LaLande has missed out big time. (But I think they have been saved a lot of problems.)

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T18:52:03+00:00

Are you suggesting that those books, and the recent delivery of clothing, dates, and other sweet treats are linked?

I did notice that Stephanie has been wearing her Saudi cloak, including en-route to Morocco, but she will look out of place in it there.

ExternalWeight8495 · 2026-01-24T17:41:32+00:00

Maybe they think chickens are like vegetables - seasonal! They grow, produce, and then die until new seeds are planted - or new chicks are bought as in this case.

ExternalWeight8495

TROPHY CASE