Today at Domaine des Hortes, I might have taken on my biggest challenge yet… driving a huge tractor through the French countryside to collect tonnes of first gravel for the courtyard! 🇫🇷🚜
The day starts a little more peacefully with my morning routine caring for my rescue animals, Dorothee the donkey and Lotti the pony. Feeding hay, cleaning their paddock and making sure Lotti gets the medication and care she needs has become such a special part of my everyday life here in rural France.
People sometimes say that living in the countryside must eventually become boring. But somehow, I seem to love it more and more every day. Life here is close to nature, surrounded by animals, renovation projects and plenty of unexpected adventures.
And today’s adventure was definitely one I won’t forget!
Sebastien trusted me with his tractor and an enormous trailer to collect tonnes of gravel for the next stage of my French manor renovation. Driving through the beautiful countryside was incredible… but with all that weight pushing behind me, it was also slightly terrifying! 😅
Eventually, the first layer of gravel finally made it into the courtyard at Domaine des Hortes — another big step forward in transforming this old French property into the home and place I’ve been dreaming of.
And after all that? There was only one proper way to finish the day: good food, a glass of wine and a long lunch with wonderful friends in France. ❤️
Thank you for following this journey as I renovate my Maison de Maître, care for my rescue animals and build a new life in the French countryside — one challenge, one project and one adventure at a time.
If you’re enjoying My French Manor Tales, please subscribe and let me know in the comments:
Would YOU have driven that tractor? 😂🚜
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28 Comments
Is Sebastian single? He is quite the handsome fellow. Looked fun and scary driving that tractor thingy.
'your new life is gonna cost you your old life…..'
Brianna Weist
In your case, not a bad trade off…..
Sebastian is a gem, he wants to see you succeed!
How blessed are you!
Not many women get this kind of support….just sayin'
👍🇨🇦😊
Wow you are one brave lovely lady. I would loved to have seen the reactions of the people you encountered on the road while driving that big rig. Sebastian is an absolute God send. Such a sweet kind trusting soul he has been to you. It is quite obvious he has every faith in you, pushing you out of your comfort zone showing you things you never ever thought you were capable of achieving. I wish you all the best achieving your goals. Nice to see you enjoying lunch with your friends. Hugs and stay well.
Look at you on the tractor! Denise the tractorist! Before you know it, you‘ll buy one of those yourself and whizz around your property!
By the way, props to Sebastién. I like that he has so much confidence in your abilities and he lets you do all these things. He‘s great!
Gosh, your opening prologue is so true to life, serendipity is never far away so we must take on the experiences life gives us.
Denise, you are a brave girl : )
Denise, you are absolutely determined to get things done.
Happiness is what is all about.
Was that a wind turbine?
🎉🎉🎉 for you Denise, driving that big machines!!
Well Done Denise and welcome to Farm living, 32 years for us. Only NEVER do I have makeup and nice cloths on……PS. My name is Dorothy too…❤
Sebastian is one amazing guy. So caring and a hard worker. Denise, you are learning more & more every week. How fun 💗
How wonderful it is to have Sebastian ❤ so much talent in those big machines. And leaning to operate them! Girl!❤️
Everything is coming along so beautifully. I love watching all of the projects you’re doing and seeing your vision come to life. So happy for you! The donkey and pony are safe and loved…so glad. Animals bring such a quiet peace, even in the midst of all of the hard work. I hope Sebastian helps you plant some hay. You’ll be amazed how fast you go through it, especially when your herd grows. Have a wonderful week!
Denise, Sebastian really trusts you. That is so wonderful. You are one bad a@@ woman!!! I love your place. It is you! You can take on the jobs and they can be completed. The Manor is you. Such an awesome place is this, your home! Love to you and the animals.❤❤❤❤
Everything is looking good. Looking forward to viewing the final results! You have good vision in what you are accomplishing.
The animals are fortunate to have you!
I think Mr Sebastian is a very lovely guy 😉 , being a Farmer too and hell he a good Tractor driver . Its good Experience driving Tractors makes u a better driver all round . The Yard looking great u really Cracking on . 🥰😍😘 Us Country Chicks never get Bored .
Ooowww Nadine, wenn ein Landwirt dich seinen Traktor fahren lässt, dann hat er aber viel Vertrauen zu dir !!
What a beautiful smile and sense of fun Sebastian has 😀
Way to go girl, kudos to you … I think you have found fun in life again …🤗
❤🦘😊
Well done Denise. You are learning many new skills and gaining confidence. I’m nearly 65 yrs and I drive a large tractor to feed my cattle. It really is a joy being “a country girl”.
You’ve got a great teacher in Sebastian. I’m enjoying your videos from Australia 😊
Sebastian was very sure you would be able to handle the tractor and trailer and sometimes it takes someone who has faith in you to bring out how brave you are. We all know this from watching just what you’ve managed to accomplish on your own. This was a fun episode to watch! Great job
Omg Denise you ll be flying aeroplanes next ,but you so settled a d happy 😊having fun while you work 😊
Denise, picking fancy wallpapers and paint colors is fun, helping people with your spa therapy is rewarding, but driving a huge tractor in the country with an unexpected friend willing to put that responsibility in your hands so that you can just have fun, that is LIVING life! Somehow I have a feeling that he could have done it himself So happy for you!!!!
Sebastian is a great neighbor with all of the useful toys. The manor is looking lovely. Looking forward to seeing your vision completed.
I am surprised that you didn't need a special licence to drive machinery over a certain size, particularly on public roads.
Yes, work can be fun. It is all about the attitude and perspective. I am glad you are enjoying yourself. Have a wonderful week.