I seem to be posting frequently while doing simple reviews like I used to, but that’s because now seems like a good time to get into one focusing on one subject I rarely dwell on (for certain reasons), Reality TV.
Just last week, a new series on CTV just dropped, and it’s all about what happens when an entrepreneur and a socialite from Canada not only make a load of money, but use that money to buy something really expensive and renovate it. Just something else to remind me of my friend’s extremely expensive dreams while I desire a simple life. What good would be a mansion or a castle be for me? Probably all the rooms would end up being used for storage anyway. Well, let’s dwelve into this show that’s probably going to last a while.
Telling the story of Ann and Stephen Mullohand who have just purchased an old castle for 11 million pounds (about $20,324,865 in CAD) and one would think they’d be using it for a personal living place, but the couple have something else in mind. Lympne Castle has 139 acres of land, and has so many spaces. Upon looking at the place, the two realized tehy had to get some serious work done on this and eventually turn it into a hotel and restaurant. After all, they both have some experience in certain fields especially with sales and building. But at the same time, they’re hosting all kinds of events at this castle. Cost for all the repairs costs millions and the construction itself is on a tight schedule. Ann comes up with creative ideas to supply new events and activities to the public, but lots of residents in the neighbouring areas are thinking that all the traffic, construction and other noises are going to be a major inconvenience. Even more so are the complex work with the construction workers having to hurry as fast as they can to finish work on Ann’s first project, a bistro called the Naughty Dog where both people and their dogs can dine. Paul, the head chef of Lympne Castle shows himself as looking extremely doubtful not only about Ann’s menu suggestions but the whole concept in particular.
Construction and setup in general is complicated, and with the deadline rapidly approaching, it almost seems like they can’t get everything done in time. Ann desperately wants this first project to be ready for summer. There’s even more of a challenge when some additions have to be rearranged and everything has to be shuffled around further making even more work. Will all of it be done in time? Well, you can probably figure it out, it is on CTV.ca and the CTV app currently.
It’s really not much, but it shows that even rich people struggle with getting something fully built and trying to make a deadline before a grand opening, and when it comes to showcasing, sometimes the extra delay helps make the wait worthwhile. We get a lot of personal interviews discussing the construction plans, and the occasional stress that everyone feels as they work, showing it’s not an enjoyable experience, but it still pays off in the most grandest of ways when we see how nearby residents get to enjoy the bistro once opened. Now if only I could experience it without worrying about the cost of travel and lodging. I don’t know, I’ve had enough vacation for myself since last year, and that’s only because several dreams unexpectedly came true in one night. Speaking of dreams, what else does Ann have in mind for this old castle?
Check it out, and watch more upcoming episodes to see how the rest of Ann’s projects go. Lympne Castle seems to be keeping its authentic structure but the new modern additions are making it better and the locals nearby might be visiting frequently. The show also airs Wednesdays on CTV at 8PM Eastern Time.
