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A New Life in the Sun - Season 11 Episode 2
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00:00of Brits. This is freedom. Pick your Vista, anyone you like. Pursuing bucket list experiences
00:07and newfound freedoms. We could walk around butt naked if we wanted to. While Brexit has
00:16made it a battle. I've applied for two visas. I've been denied two visas. Many are still
00:21giving it a go. Come on. I wanted to know what else life had to offer. I like the idea of
00:26just spending every day together, don't we? We do. From launching bike tours in Spain.
00:33This is my office here. I couldn't ask for more. To glamping sites in Italy. Build it and
00:38they will come. We hope. But will it be a smooth ride? Or their ideas come crashing down? As
00:50they begin their new lives in the sun. It's an adventure. A loving life. Today in the
00:57Dordogne. It's all turned on. It's ready. It's cold. Off we go. As a couple from Yorkshire
01:03inch closer to first orders at their new pub. That's the outside windows done. Now for the
01:09inside. Opening day nerves creep in. It's all new to us. It's trial and error. People are
01:15going to have to bear with us. And it's just part of life. In Spain, the stakes are high
01:20for a new guest house owner. Financially, it was the biggest risk I've ever taken because
01:25I put everything into this. But can she come good on her dreams? Could have done with an
01:30extra half an hour to get things organised. Pressure's good. Keeps you on your toes. And
01:36after purchasing their dream Spanish home, a couple take a closer look at it. As you can see,
01:42it's completely rotten all the way along. Delaying the opening of their business. We've had rain
01:48on and off now like this for two weeks. And adding to their workload. Can I push it? Yep.
01:54That's it.
01:55The beauty and diversity of France's Dordogne region means that taking a holiday here stays
02:12long in your memory bank. And for the Dunn family from West Yorkshire...
02:18Are you laughing at Hugo?
02:24I bet I could win you in a game of war.
02:27It wasn't just memories they left with, but also a dream.
02:32The French countryside is different. Yeah. We're in the middle of a national park. There's
02:40trees everywhere. The air quality is amazing. An abundance of space, peace, quietness. Just,
02:46you would not get this anywhere else in the world as far as I'm concerned.
02:50For former car sales manager Dave and travel agent Emily, seeing how much their two children,
02:57Hugo and Willow, also loved it... Do you like course riding, lubs? Yeah.
03:00Yeah? Is it your favourite thing to do now in France? Yeah.
03:03They took the plunge, selling up in Huddersfield and buying a bar and restaurant with a four-bed
03:09apartment above, within the rural commune of Saint-Esteve.
03:13For me, it does still feel like I'm on holiday a little bit. Even though I'm working, it's not
03:21sunk in yet, but this is my actual home now. What a lovely place to live. Yeah, it's beautiful.
03:29And it's sunny. It's hot. While their kids are settling into French school life...
03:38Dave and Emily want to get their new pub, which has been closed for six months, back open as soon
03:54as possible. Our business is an English-style pub in the Dordogne, but we want it to be a community
04:02and a hub and somewhere that people can come even if they just want to come for a chat. Yeah. We want to
04:07make friends with the community and get involved and just somewhere that people are comfortable
04:11to come and see us. We're here. Yeah.
04:17We would also like a healthy amount of profit in the bank to know that we've done the right thing.
04:22Definitely by the end of the summer, you know, to be... for the business to be sustaining itself,
04:27that would be great. It's now the end of May and Dave and Emily's Herculean effort to clean the
04:34kitchen of their new pub continues. Back in my scruffs, covered in oil. Today I'm on fryer,
04:43oven duty. This is not the fun part. I want to be open now and... How many days is it?
04:49We've got nine days now till we're open, so... Is it as much as that? But actually, we've got a lot
04:56of stuff to do in nine days. I wouldn't say that we're on track. I'd say that we're behind. We've not
05:02sorted any menus out. We've not sent anything to the suppliers for the till. No, that does need doing.
05:09There's lots of admin-y stuff that we need to get started. And with kids Willow and Hugo off school
05:17today, their work is under scrutiny. Er, he missed me. You, cheeky so-and-so.
05:28By the time I've finished this, this is going to be the cleanest fryer in the Dardoyne. Who's been
05:34doing the hardest work, do you think? Us. Mum-esh it's done. You think mum-esh? We're getting there.
05:43It's not going to be perfect, but it's a lot better than it was. Small victories every day.
05:52Later that afternoon, they reach another significant milestone.
05:56In their journey to become publicans. At the minute, we're having another beer pump put in.
06:06It's a local artisan brewer, which we're really excited to work with them. I think the challenge
06:11will be not drinking too much of it myself, to be honest. But with the pump now ready for use,
06:16one of the perks of their new careers is getting to sample what they'll soon be selling.
06:21Is it turned on? Yes, it's all turned on. It's ready. It's cold. Off we go.
06:31Mmm. Pint number one. It's actually half a pint. Your turn. Please just remember in the future,
06:39not to fill past the line. We're not made of money. With the first drinks served up,
06:44the pair celebrate in their new beer garden. Santé to our new life in France.
06:50A new life in France for us.
06:53For all of five minutes before their minds race back to opening day nerves.
07:00We've got ten barrels of beer. It's just, we don't know what people are going to want to drink.
07:05We've never done it before. It's all new to us. It's trial and error.
07:08People are going to have to bear with us. We're going to make mistakes, and it's just part of life.
07:12Everybody makes mistakes, and you learn, and you grow.
07:22High on the rugged slopes of the Albahara Mountains, the tiny whitewashed village of
07:28Palopos glistens in the sunshine. For many, it's a hidden gem. But for Nigel from Wiltshire and his
07:35Spanish husband, Fede. So that's where the field is, where we are heading to.
07:41It's a place filled with meaning and family memories. And now also where they're planning
07:47to open a bed and breakfast business. This is my family's land for generations and generations,
07:53and our plan is to make some use of the veg and fruit that we can produce for the future B&B.
08:03delicious. Mmm, really juicy. They'll be good for breakfast. Oranges for breakfast,
08:14lemons for the gin and tonic in the evening.
08:16That's a great idea. Perfect. The pair met in the UK and used to run a pub in Bath,
08:24and their background in hospitality will come in handy, having bought this former guest house for £58,000.
08:3025 rooms we've counted in total, which sounds a lot, but you know, it's a big challenge ahead,
08:39but we'll get there. We've both got our strengths, you know, Freddie with the legality of things for
08:47the house, as I've plodded on getting, you know, the decor done. Definitely the strengths of Nigel is
08:55that he's very creative. The weaknesses probably is that he could lose hope if something is not going
09:03all right. Luckily, it hasn't been the case yet. It's now March, and Nigel and Fede have been working
09:13on their B&B renovations for two months. But a recent spell of wet weather is stalling their efforts
09:20to refresh the property's exterior. We've had rain on and off now like this for two weeks.
09:26It's really slowing things up for the outside work, so the painters and decorators can't come in and
09:31paint that outside the house, which is annoying because we want to get it on social media.
09:37And they're also finding that being exposed to the elements up in the mountains
09:41means the building is vulnerable to even more wear and tear. As you can see, it's completely rotten
09:49all the way along. One of the porches being the latest casualty. I'm going to take this down because
09:55the tiles, look, you can see the tiles are all loose and it's just safety really. Safety being top
10:02priority. It is going to drop. Shall I push it? Yep. That's it. As the pair are soon to take a trip
10:11back to the UK, so they need to know the building will be okay while they're away. I'm glad that it's
10:18down now and we can rebuild, hopefully, a wooden structure and put the tiles back up without all
10:25that weight up there. If this had come down on somebody, it would have killed them. So I'm glad it's
10:30down. Pop it against the wall. Hopefully we'll come back to better weather and be able to do
10:35lots on the outside. The following week, after a 1300 mile trip back to Nigel's mum's home in Melksham,
10:45the couple are collecting the last of their possessions, ready to bid the UK a final farewell.
10:51Where are you guys going? Granada, Spain. Are you? Wow. So we've purchased a house out there.
10:59Can you let your mum have the address so I can pop over? Definitely. Yeah, really. Brilliant.
11:04Brilliant. Thank you. Bless you. Thanks. Take care. Bye.
11:09With postwoman Hayley a potential B&B guest. Christmas decorations.
11:16Father Christmas is traveling with us to Spain.
11:20After clearing out the garage, it isn't long before their car and trailer are filled to the brim.
11:25It feels a bit strange now, being back and packing up the last bits and pieces, but
11:32I suppose it's exciting times ahead. Definitely.
11:40Coming up... I will take your two rooms and get you settled in.
11:43A Spanish B&B owner launches new summer events. The aim for the season is to use this busy time
11:51as a learning curve. And as opening day looms,
11:57could the name of Dave and Emily's new pub put punters off?
12:01We're toyed with getting rid of the name. Crazy Frog to some French people is insulting.
12:08When choosing exactly where on the Spanish mainland to relocate to, many chase the bustle of the costas,
12:27but others are drawn to a very different side of Spain, like in rural AlmerÃa, where life unfolds at a gentler rhythm.
12:35And after leaving behind life in Leicestershire,
12:42former dog groomer Emma...
12:46I need to sit down there.
12:47..now takes every opportunity she can to unwind at the tranquil Negratin Reservoir,
12:53after realizing her childhood dream of moving here.
12:56For me, falling in love with Spain all those years ago, it's completely delivered on all counts.
13:04So obviously the weather just makes life that little bit more easier and more enjoyable.
13:10It opens up opportunities to be able to have days out and explore and travel. It's just amazing.
13:16To sustain this lifestyle, Emma needs her new bed-and-breakfast business
13:21that she's begun running from her traditional cortijo on the outskirts of the village of Aurea...
13:27This is the room with the most fantastic views.
13:29..to bring in a steady income during her first summer season.
13:33I spent the first 10 months renovating to a point that I was happy with to open for bed-and-breakfast for guests.
13:42This is the Olivos room. Every room is named after the local trees on the ground, basically.
13:47Having spent a huge chunk of her savings on the renovations, she needs her first summer season to be profitable.
13:55Financially, it was the biggest risk I've ever taken, because I put everything into this.
14:00All my assets from the UK has gone towards this project.
14:05The pool didn't exist before I got here. It looks great.
14:09Going forward through the season, it would just be great to see more and more guests book in.
14:14I'm determined and I don't give up easily.
14:16As it's a competitive market, though, for B&Bs in Spain,
14:20Emma's master plan is to organise themed events and retreats to lure in customers.
14:26The aim is to use this busy time as a learning curve, really, as to where to take the business in the future.
14:34I've got some great reviews, some feedback from guests that I've had so far.
14:37I just want to create a space that's really fun and lively and a little bit different.
14:46It's now mid-June, and after a successful trial of a Greek-themed dinner event last month,
14:52Emma wants to see if her Cortijo's facilities could work just as well for a more creative activity.
15:02It's nice with the breeze, can't it? It is. It makes all the difference.
15:07Today, we have our first art afternoon. We have Michelle here, who's the art tutor,
15:13who's teaching everybody how to do a canvas painting today.
15:16Everybody will be having an afternoon tea midway through that class.
15:21I did add the option onto the package as to whether people would like to stay over,
15:25and everybody's signed up for that extra part of the package.
15:28So they're all stopping with me this evening and having a three-course meal, which I'll be cooking as well.
15:33So, yeah. I have no helpers today. It's all about prep. It's all about organisation. So, yeah, should be fine.
15:44Choosing to work solo today with no staff wages to pay means Emma's got the opportunity to make even more profit.
15:51OK, we'll take you to your rooms and get you settled in. Great.
15:55And then when you're ready, just come back down, OK?
15:58And while there may only be six guests booked in...
16:02Hopefully, you have everything you need, but if you do need anything, just shout.
16:05..it takes a lot to prep all the accommodation and catering.
16:09Plus, there's added pressure to make things special,
16:12as she's just learnt that guest Geoffrey is celebrating his birthday
16:16and hitting an important milestone.
16:19Officially, uh, finished work today.
16:22Oh, really?
16:23Finished work and then enjoy your pension and celebrate the night of course.
16:26Yeah. Perfect.
16:27There seems to be a really good energy, um, and everybody seems to be getting on great,
16:33which is always a good start.
16:34And we have a, um, member with a birthday today as well,
16:39so, um, they're choosing to come here to celebrate his birthday, which is great as well.
16:44So, you're very welcome today. Please don't be nervous.
16:47I've taught a lot of beginners, OK? And they go out,
16:50they're happy with their artwork, OK?
16:54We're going to be doing it step by step.
16:56If anyone at all needs any help, and I'm waffling on like I am now,
17:02please say, can you just show me this again?
17:04Michelle's welcomed everybody, settled everybody in, put them at ease,
17:07because there's a few nervous ones that have never done any painting before,
17:10so, um, some definite beginners. But, yep, they're all settled in and, um,
17:15I've given them a drink and refreshments and they're, uh, yeah, ready to go.
17:19With a full day and evening of hosting ahead...
17:22I want you to study your reference, OK?
17:26..will there be precision in every stroke for Emma's first art retreat?
17:39Meanwhile, across in the Dordogne, it's a far less relaxing atmosphere,
17:43as it's now the day before Emily and Dave relaunch their new pub and restaurant.
17:49Where does your fishing rod live?
17:51It should live with the rest of my fishing stuff upstairs.
17:53And they're continuing to juggle the demands of getting the business ready with childcare.
18:05We've had, like, weather at 30 degrees.
18:06Yeah, it's been hot.
18:07So the kids needed to occupy themselves, so a little paddling pool and they've had the bikes out.
18:15For some reason in France, they, um, they go to school infrequently,
18:19so they have every Wednesday off and we've had about four bank holidays in the month that we've been here.
18:27And next week? Next week, yeah.
18:28We've shot a Monday? Shot a Monday.
18:30Go Tuesday, shut Wednesday, go Thursday, shut Friday.
18:33Shut Friday because they've got... Two days.
18:37It doesn't help parents that are trying to, uh...
18:40Set up a new business. Set up a new business.
18:43But as they've advertised that they're reopening the pub tomorrow,
18:47with them now at the helm...
18:50Set up a new, madam.
18:51Go on, Bert. Let's do the lawn.
18:55..they've no option but to soldier on.
19:01Emily sprucing up the beer garden...
19:04I need to actually remember where all these tables go once I've moved them.
19:08Dave cut the grass, like, two days ago, and now he's making me do it again,
19:11and you can't even tell that I'm doing it.
19:13And Dave on window-cleaning duty?
19:16If I fail as a publican, maybe I'll start up a window-cleaning company.
19:23While they're making steady progress, the nerves about their new venture remain,
19:27especially over the pub's existing name.
19:30The crazy frog, to some French people, is, um, insulting.
19:39Because of the, uh, frog's legs thing, and the French known to the English as the frogs,
19:45and so we toyed with getting rid of the name.
19:48And we may change the name in the future, but when you come into a village in France,
19:52they've got, like, little signposts that'll say, this way to this place.
19:55Whilst we're called the crazy frog, we could never have a signpost in the village.
20:01So, er, you know, that's kind of something maybe to consider in the future.
20:05We should change the name.
20:07But with so much to pull together for the pub's relaunch,
20:11for now the name is staying.
20:14People know the restaurant, so we decided to keep the name,
20:17but just trying to create a brand, which my sister-in-law did a great job of.
20:22Obviously, our little frog is pretty crazy.
20:25Not many frogs wear a suit and a tie.
20:30We just need to sell lots of beer now,
20:33because the business account's now empty completely.
20:37Feeling the financial pressure,
20:39it's important that tomorrow goes well,
20:42and they make a good first impression with the locals.
20:47What do you want to be next?
20:48I don't know.
20:48Do you want to start getting rid of some of the boxes
20:50with your glassware in from the UK?
20:53All right.
20:53OK, boss.
20:56We both knew who the boss is.
20:57Me, obviously.
20:59Obviously.
21:00Until the pub begins to turn a profit...
21:03That's the outside windows done.
21:05Now for the inside.
21:06..hiring staff to help them isn't an option,
21:10so it's going to be a long night ahead to be ready for tomorrow.
21:15There's cobwebs.
21:19Everywhere.
21:20Ugh!
21:21That spider.
21:23I don't mind doing dirty jobs,
21:24but I've got a real issue with the French spiders.
21:28So if I have to put my hand in somewhere dark,
21:31I just can't do it.
21:32It makes me scream.
21:35Do you know what?
21:35I don't mind the little ones,
21:36but it's when they've got, like, you know, the big bums.
21:39They really freak me out.
21:41You're excited for when the snakes arrive, aren't you?
21:45If I see a snake, I'm going home.
21:47You are home, my love.
21:48No, back on a flight to England, where there's no snakes.
21:52Also working with a centuries-old building...
21:56..isn't helping them stick to their tight schedule.
21:59It's just super dusty.
22:04The walls, like, it crumbles off and it just gets all over everything.
22:09I'm going to have to clean them every day for the rest of my life,
22:12over and over again.
22:16Coming up, as Nigel and Fede get back on Spanish soil...
22:21Hello.
22:23..there are renovation issues ready to greet them.
22:25The river's upside down.
22:29Bye, Em.
22:32And as Emma's art retreat wraps up...
22:35Once you've got a signature on, it kind of...
22:38..says you're an artist.
22:39..will the results be as pretty as a picture?
22:42They look fantastic.
22:43You wouldn't think we'd been to the same beach.
22:45LAUGHTER
22:57In south-west England, before returning to their new home in Spain,
23:01there's one final farewell for Nigel and Fede to make.
23:05Just, um, something for you guys to, uh, wish you on your new venture together.
23:11Um, it's something nice, cold and Spanish.
23:13And it's to the pub they used to run...
23:15..and its regulars.
23:17Cheers, everybody!
23:19Cheers!
23:19I'm going to miss them, but, uh, we will stay friends forever.
23:25And I know that we'll always be in contact.
23:29We've seen lots of photographs, lots of videos,
23:31and we are aiming to go out and stay with them, definitely.
23:36Not only are the locals sad to see them go,
23:39but it's a particularly emotional evening for Nigel's mum, Heather.
23:44They know what they want to do.
23:47And once they've got something in their head, they'll do it.
23:49Say cheese!
23:50Cheese!
23:53I mean, I know what they're going to do is going to be fantastic,
23:56but...
23:58..yes.
23:59Very emotional.
24:02A good evening with family and friends,
24:03and to have so many people turn up and see us for the one night that we are here,
24:08it's, you know, we're really grateful, aren't we?
24:10Mm-hmm.
24:11Yeah, so tomorrow morning, the journey back starts here at 6am,
24:14and, you know, we now need to get back on that ferry
24:18and get back down to Spain and get some work done.
24:26Two and a half weeks later, having returned to Pelopos...
24:32Hello!
24:34..with the sun out,
24:35Fede's been trying to solve a spiky problem outside.
24:40I have been busy for the last days cutting some cactus
24:46that it has overgrown for, I would say, decades.
24:50So it's a monster, so we are going to get rid of it.
24:53We have removed only one first floor of the cactus,
24:58so it will take a few weeks, and, unfortunately, we had a casualty.
25:05We lost the wheel, so the next job this week is to find a cactus-proof wheel,
25:12so we don't have the same problem.
25:15Meanwhile, Nigel, with help from fellow expat and local tradesman Brian,
25:20is working on replacing two of the original windows.
25:25These are the two new windows that are going in.
25:28They're slightly taller, but they come all of the package,
25:30so they come with the handles and everything.
25:32These are completely rotten.
25:34We couldn't get the exact size, but we got the nearest possible,
25:38so both windows are going to be slightly longer.
25:44But after unpacking the new frames,
25:47they soon spot another issue with their measurements.
25:51So we've realised that the windows, we knew that they were longer,
25:55but they are actually slightly narrow,
25:56so I'm sure Brian can pull something out of his hat.
25:59It's a plopper surprise, as he calls it.
26:04There's always a surprise here.
26:06You'll be working away and there's always something.
26:09Something that'll fall down or, you know, pull up a surprise.
26:15To avoid the further delay or cost of ordering another new set of windows,
26:20Brian must lower the brickwork.
26:25Before they can position the frame in place.
26:29Do you want me to let go?
26:32Do you want it outside?
26:33Try inside.
26:36And to fill in the gaps at the sides, the plan is to use expanding foam.
26:41It looks like marshmallows.
26:43I'm really unsure it's going to hold this window in,
26:45but Brian seems to think it will.
26:48Half an hour later, with another to fit, it's a process they repeat step by step.
26:56But all isn't quite right as the second window's fixed in place.
27:00The handle's there on that one above.
27:02Oh, right, yeah.
27:05Hang on.
27:05The window's upside down.
27:08It's upside down.
27:12Bye, heck.
27:16Nigel, I'm blaming you.
27:18Classic.
27:19Good job we got some more of this, anyway.
27:28We were lucky to get it just in time, before it went too far, otherwise I would have been there with a blade, trying to cut it all out.
27:35Having narrowly missed another Palopos special, today's been another stark reminder of the scale of the work ahead and the challenges of working with a 120-year-old building.
27:49Even though we said we were going to do the majority of ourselves, sometimes you've got to go back on those words and, you know, get help to quicken things up.
27:58The thing is, because it's such a big project, it's difficult to know if we are ahead or not.
28:04We need to push forward and get the outside finished. By the weekend, we'll have the windows finished and then hopefully line the painters up for next month. The sooner the better, really.
28:19Already getting a taste of the challenges of running a B&B, back at Emma's, it's the morning of her first art retreat.
28:27Are you okay for a glass of water?
28:29Yes? Yeah.
28:32While local painter Michelle guides the group through an acrylic session, Emma takes charge of the hosting.
28:39Don't dip your paintbrush in that.
28:40The plan, er, from here on in is let them get stuck in with the class and in about an hour and a half, we're going to serve the afternoon tea.
28:52Oh, that breeze is lovely.
28:54Have a quick look at mine, just so you know roughly.
28:58Slightly longer lines might be good.
29:00That's too perfect.
29:01How's that going, Leslie?
29:02I don't know.
29:03Can I have a look, darling?
29:06Yeah, nice.
29:06They'll all be completely different, even though we're doing the same reference.
29:10Doing really well.
29:11Keep at it.
29:12It's really interesting to see, actually, and really rewarding to see them sort of getting into it.
29:17It's a very relaxed atmosphere.
29:19They seem to be having a great time.
29:21The location kind of lends itself to that kind of thing, really.
29:24The mountains are really tranquil.
29:26It's a great energy.
29:27I've been taking some photos for social media, get the word out.
29:30And obviously, there are more people that come here and have a great time.
29:33They'll go home and tell their friends about it.
29:35After a productive morning...
29:38How's it looking?
29:39I really like it.
29:39Yeah, right.
29:40OK.
29:40Your clowns are very unique.
29:42They are unique, aren't they?
29:44It's time to break for lunch.
29:47The grand reveal.
29:49And to tuck into Emma's homemade afternoon tea.
29:53We have the traditional scones with clotted cream and jam and a mini coffee and walnut cake.
30:00I've got that much to share.
30:04Can't have anyone going short.
30:11For your birthday.
30:14With everyone refuelled, the afternoon art class gets going.
30:19So, refocus.
30:20Right.
30:20Come on, you've done so well.
30:22Afternoon tea was amazing.
30:23I got a few wows and the plates came back empty.
30:29So, I'm really pleased, really happy.
30:32Now, I'm thinking about what people are having for their three-course menu this evening.
30:38Having worked hard to create their coastal sunsets,
30:42after another hour of painting, it's time to add the final detail.
30:46You know, it just kind of, once you've got a signature on, it kind of says you're an artist.
30:53It brings it all together.
30:54I couldn't get my surname on there.
30:57Before everyone gathers to present their masterpieces.
31:00And for teacher Michelle, she hopes this is the start of an
31:30ongoing partnership with Emma's business.
31:33The location here, it's perfect for an art day.
31:38It's so mountainous.
31:40You've got so many views that you could just sit and draw and paint.
31:43And it does take your breath away.
31:44I'm hoping I will be asked to come here again.
31:47I've certainly come back.
31:51I think it's an appropriate space and it lends itself to it,
31:54but obviously you don't really know until you've done something like this
31:56and you've got the professionals in to give you some feedback.
31:59But yeah, Michelle says it's a great space.
32:01So yeah, there'll definitely be more in the future.
32:04To complete the full hospitality package that her guests booked,
32:09after relaxing on the terrace with drinks, the evening meal is soon to be served.
32:14Starters are almost ready to go out.
32:18While it's been a busy day working solo, it's been successful.
32:22Really nice numbers actually, six to be able to do this on my own.
32:29Obviously there's prep, there's organisation involved.
32:34But yeah, it's been pretty manageable actually.
32:37So, good to know I can do it.
32:42The next morning, following an overnight stay, including breakfast...
32:47Well, thanks a lot, you.
32:51Having come to the end of the art retreat,
32:53her guests are also keen for a return trip.
32:57It's been absolutely brilliant.
32:59We've really, really loved it.
33:00The art was lovely, Emma's hosting was lovely.
33:03It's just such a beautiful place.
33:05Well worth the visit.
33:07The best 6th birthday I've ever had.
33:11At €105 per person for the full package,
33:15it's been a good earner for Emma, but it's only mid-season,
33:19so can she find other ways to bring in new customers?
33:29Coming up, there are problems at the pumps for Dave and Emily.
33:35That's a noisy beer engine, isn't it?
33:38I hope it doesn't make that noise every time we're trying to serve someone.
33:41We're very new at this.
33:43And in Spain...
33:44Just move whatever you don't need.
33:47I do. Great.
33:48Can Emma's next event help her predict the future of her new business?
33:53I'm hoping to sneak in a tarot reading for myself.
33:57It'll be interesting to see what comes up.
34:05It's early June in south-west France,
34:15and Dave and Emily have been working around the clock
34:18to get their new pub ready for its official opening tomorrow.
34:22It does feel like the end is near.
34:26Well, no, the start is near.
34:29The hard work changes.
34:32Is that...?
34:32Can you take it off while you put it through?
34:34But they've now just discovered an issue with one of their new beer pumps.
34:38It's been a lot of hard work cleaning.
34:46That's a noisy beer engine, isn't it?
34:47I hope it doesn't make that noise every time we try and serve someone.
34:53Sounds like you're...
34:57Why does it do that?
34:57Is that beer now? Yeah.
35:05It needs to not be quite as noisy as that, doesn't it?
35:08We're very new at this. Don't know what we're doing.
35:11Along with a new range of ales...
35:17..the pair have advertised that their opening event
35:20will also have live music in the beer garden and a taster curry menu,
35:25which they now need to begin prepping
35:28in their freshly cleaned commercial kitchen.
35:35Having to clean it how we've cleaned it now means
35:37that we understand how it works as well, which is really good.
35:40It's just ugly, isn't it, cos it's commercial?
35:42It's just a commercial kitchen, isn't it?
35:44Everything's massive and scary.
35:45Everything works really well, doesn't it?
35:48I don't know. I haven't tried.
35:50Soon to see. Yeah.
35:52Let's get some chicken prepped.
35:54I thought you wanted to do onions first.
35:56But you said we were doing chicken first.
35:57Yeah, but what Dave says goes.
36:01The plan is to offer customers the choice of two different curries.
36:05I'll get us something to put in the onion peel.
36:10One recipe developed by Dave and the other by Emily.
36:15I can't cut onions. It's saved my life. I'm terrible.
36:17We've got 24 kilos of chicken to cook.
36:2324?
36:2424 kilos there is in total, I think, yeah.
36:27I thought I only had six.
36:30Don't tell me about 24.
36:31Oh, no, sorry.
36:32No, I'm lying.
36:33We've got 12 kilos of chicken.
36:3524 kilos of chicken would be a lot, wouldn't it?
36:39Only about a week.
36:40We've chosen to give free curries because me and Dave do very, very different curries.
36:49But we both think, I think mine's the best, he thinks his is the best.
36:55We're not open as a kitchen store.
36:56We said, let's just offer some free samples.
36:59It's a good chance to see what the majority prefer be mine.
37:06Definitely tastes more flavoursome than yours, wouldn't it?
37:10Well, I mean, that's insulting.
37:13Well, Dave's curry, you eat it, you just get whacked in the face with spice.
37:18My curry, you eat it and you get whacked in the face with flavour.
37:21What I'd really like is for people just to say we loved them both.
37:25They were both great.
37:27How is it not making you cry?
37:29You need to suck a spoon.
37:31I'm sucking a spoon.
37:32It's what my grandma used to say, suck a spoon.
37:35We're just really hoping that we get it right, aren't we?
37:40I think people will be forgiving of the fact that it's our opening night.
37:46I think it'll help that it's free.
37:48Yeah, but it's all a learning curve.
37:50So if people don't like it, we'll ask them, won't we?
37:54We'll find out.
37:55We'll probably put the curries out after eight,
37:58which means that potentially people have been drinking for three hours and just be starving.
38:02So they don't actually taste all the flavours.
38:04They just know that they're getting some free food.
38:06So what you're saying is you want people to get drunk so they don't know what they're eating?
38:08Well, yeah.
38:09And they all like it.
38:11Great.
38:11An hour later, having prepped what they can for their curries, the school run beckons,
38:18so they'll have to finish the prep tomorrow.
38:20We need to stop now anyway, because we've got to go pick the kids up.
38:23Their opening day nerves rumbling on.
38:27Everybody's coming tomorrow, apparently, so it's pretty nerve-wracking.
38:32Yeah, yeah.
38:33How many people are we going to have? I don't know.
38:35You know, it could be fifth day, it could be sixth day.
38:39Just hope it's not over 100, because they're going to run out of curry.
38:42We've got everything crossed, so that it's going to go really well.
38:44How hard can it be?
38:57Back in the mountains above Aurea, B&B owner Emma knows exactly how challenging it can be
39:03launching a new venture.
39:06As it's now early July, and despite hosting some successful events,
39:11recently business has slowed.
39:15May was bumper. It was great.
39:17And I was just expecting that to sort of grow and grow into June.
39:20And there was a couple of events that didn't sell.
39:22I think one was a craft retreat, one was a pamper day.
39:26June's the first month of really nice weather, and I think a lot of people go to the coast.
39:31And also, there's a lot of local events that go on, sort of the fiestas and the, um,
39:37there's a few festivals, music festivals that go on.
39:39Also, the factor is now, when we're getting into July and August,
39:43is that it's, it's too hot for people.
39:46So they just want to sit and do nothing. And I get that.
39:48With that in mind, the next event Emma's planning will allow her guests to do just that.
39:57We're welcoming six guests, um, three lots of two. Um, all new guests, never been visited before.
40:04Um, and we're going to have a tapas and tarot afternoon here today.
40:09It'll be interesting to see how it hits with people.
40:12But yeah, I'm more excited than nervous, actually.
40:14Having paired up with tarot card reader Dawn...
40:17Just, um, move whatever you don't need.
40:21Yep. Yeah.
40:22Ideal. Great.
40:23As she gets set up for the readings on a private terrace...
40:27Just a bit windy. Don't normally have this problem. But we'll get by. We'll sort it.
40:35Emma is busy making the tapas, working solo again in the kitchen.
40:40The thing is, with tapas, is it's lots of small dishes. There's more detailed prep. And with hot tapas,
40:50it's, you know, getting it all out on time, making sure it's hot for people when it reaches the plate,
40:54you know. I'm hoping that the food goes down well, that they enjoy the terraces. And I'm hoping to sneak
41:02in a tarot reading for myself. Be interesting to see what comes up.
41:06With the tapas coming along...
41:10Two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, three each.
41:16..45 minutes ahead of the event's start time...
41:22..four of Emma's guests have already arrived.
41:25Hi! How are you doing? I'm not changed yet, so excuse my scruffs.
41:29..and as she gets them settled on the terrace...
41:32Here, do you want to be a bit more in shape?
41:35Yeah. Emma must now juggle cooking and hosting.
41:40Just could have done with an extra half an hour to get things organised.
41:47Hey-ho. It's what it is.
41:50Pressure's good.
41:52Keeps you on your toes.
41:53..her guests have each paid €30 per person for a tarot reading and tapas.
42:01And half an hour later, with her final guests having now arrived,
42:05it's time for Emma to serve up as the event gets underway.
42:08away the afternoon seeing everyone took into tapas and taking it in turns for a reading with dawn
42:25don't overthink just go with the first three cards and just give it to me face down don't
42:31turn them over some having experienced it before and others being first timers very interested in
42:40tarot readings and i thought it'd be nice nice opportunity to have a chill out with a good friend
42:45i'm actually a tarot virgin i'm a bit skeptical about it all we'll see what the day brings
42:53lovely lovely all right lovely to meet you thank you the food's been excellent i would highly
42:59recommend it if you're looking for a place of serenity it's here definitely the only slight
43:05disruption to the calm that tarot reader dawn didn't see coming
43:14is from mother nature herself ah here you go then so you're meant to have that card as well all right
43:22what's this one it's appreciation with everyone leaving with a sense of enlightenment and full
43:31bellies from emma's tapas all right take care bye-bye all that's left to do is find out what the cards say
43:39about the rest of emma's first season be patient not got any not got any this is what he's saying you're
43:48seeing what it is you want but you want to be at that other side yeah yeah it's the journey that you
43:54have to experience i'm my own worst enemy is that what you're saying dawn oh shock horror it does make
44:00sense yeah it's very good news it says that everything's there for the taking there's going
44:06to be abundance but i just need to take a bit of time for myself and be patient i'll promise though that
44:11i'll work on it definitely next time really nervous don't know if we've done everything don't know if
44:22we've got everything it's first orders at emily and dave's new pub i don't know if i'm coming if i'm
44:28going what i'm serving in spain big change is afoot for emma well i hope that's everything because
44:36there ain't no coming back and have nigel and fede's b&b renovations nice to meet you
44:47hit a sticking point fingers crossed that it's right otherwise we'd be taking it back down
45:06so
45:15you
45:17you
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