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General Discussion
1111

I’ve just found out that one of the guys responsible for restoring Château de Chaumont in the Creuse, as seen on YouTube and Channel 4’s “Help I Bought a Village”, died recently.

For those who subscribe to the Escape to Rural France YT channel, it’s Nick who’s passed away. Such sad news as he was clearly very talented and passionate about restoring the château. I saw a video where Dan Preston explained how Nick had volunteered to help for free initially so the project could get going. It’s a shame he didn’t get to see it fully restored.

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1112

Great shame he didn’t get to see it finished. It has been an impressive rebuild, right from the early clearance of the trees by Nick. Thanks for sharing.

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1113

Yes indeed - I saw Dan’s emotional video where he told us about Nick’s passing.

I had wondered why we hadn’t seen Nick on the channel for a while, but presumably he had been ill for some time.

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1114

Was Nick the chap who did a lot of tree work?

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1115

The tattooed viking!

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1116

That’s the one. He liked diggers too.

1117

I crossed paths with him a few times when I lived in the Creuse. Sad news indeed.

1118

Haha, I imagine you wouldn’t forget bumping into him :grin:

1119

Anotge reason is that I need to sit well away from the incense.

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1120

“Where’s the cue ball going…?”

:pensive_face:

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1121

RIP John Virgo.

1122

Country Joe McDonald, dies at 84.

I guided Country Joe and the Fish to the venue of their c.1970 Manchester gig, It was very good, and memorable despite - or because of the drugs

Very mellow, with some unexpected poignant Hawaiian guitar.

Free link at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/08/arts/music/country-joe-mcdonald-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.sviK.ey4faHywAQSE&smid=url-share

Worth checking out the comments too.

1123

At the moment, Stuart has a craving for a Lager and Lime. I said that in the olden days it was made with Roses Lime Juice and told him that they don’t sell that in France. Looking on the internet, I can find it on Amazon but at a price of around 52.99€ with 23.17€ delivery charge. So that’s definitely a no-goer.

I’m not sure that citron vert, although made with limes, would give the same effect.

Has anyone got any ideas or brands of syrop that will give the same taste as Roses please.

1124
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1125

Try Pulco citron vert cordial -

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Should be able to find it in any decent sized supermarket for just a few euros; but beware there’s also an already diluted version, that’s almost the same price and is a mega rip-off.

However it does seem to keep forever without going off - we’ve still got last summer’s bottle and still seems OK.

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1126

Get someone to bring some? I can’t think of a sirop that tastes like the Roses one (just as there are lots of blackcurrant things but none taste like Ribena).
Saw the above, try it but I don’t think it’s the same.

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1127

Agreed, it’s nice but not really like lime cordial. My missus makes a great daiquiri using it though… Maybe tell Stuart he can have that instead :grin:

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1128

Momin makes a lime sirop but it may be too authentc a lime. Will be loaded with sugar though

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1129

If you look carefully on the back of the bottles of Pulco they do say to use fairly quickly and not keep for longer than a month after opening, I just threw out the agrumes bottle recently as it had been open since January and I too thought it was very long lasting, but not so. Possibly a change in the ingredients making it short life span now

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1130

I suppose lager and lime is a sort of beer equivalent of white wine and cassis.

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