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she became its “caretaker”, she has taken on the monumental task of restoring the neglected rooms and the gorgeous gardens to their former glory. “The first job was clearing out the tons of rubble. The roof had fallen in, trees were growing out of the top.” But even getting it cleared wasn’t easy. “Most renovation teams took one look at the job and ran.” But eventually it got done, and it was only as the rooms started to be cleared that the couple discovered that some rooms had medieval beams and quite a lot of the Renaissance décor was salvageable. Karina was hooked. There was no going back now. Her role was going to be much more involved than she’d ever imagined. For the first couple of years Karina worked alone, overseeing every element of the restoration, spending half her time back home in Perth with her family and half in France, before her daughter Jas, joined her. “I came out for a holiday one year, and there was The Rose Salon mum, sleeping in a tent, wrapped up in layers of clothes trying to keep dry and warm. I realised that she needed help, that this wasn’t an indulgence, it isn’t a trophy or a hobby, it’s a vocation and it’s not just about creating a home, but it’s about preserving, restoring - saving the castle and its extraordinary history for the future. In the walls are memories and love, and our memories and love for the last ten years are there now.” And for all who visit, a little of their hearts are left there too – including mine. Because ten years on, the Château de Gudanes is transformed. Karina and Jas host workshops for visitors to come and experience the castle lifestyle, discover its history, eat the most amazing food, and explore the gorgeous local area. LE MOULIN SUR CÉLÉ An enchanting luxurious riverside retreat in the beautiful Célé Valley Experience la France Profonde www.lemoulinsurcele.com Karina 10 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 11
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