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00:00Go on, what's the best thing about those Spanish costas?
00:04I like getting the sand in between my toes.
00:06The great shops.
00:07Atmosphere.
00:08Sea.
00:09You hate the sea.
00:10Shut up.
00:11But one thing we could all agree on,
00:13with over 300 days of that glorious sunshine a year,
00:17it sure beats the cold and grey of the old UK.
00:21Ah, this is a lie.
00:23Living that dream can be blooming hard graft.
00:26Misting.
00:27My lad, you're right.
00:28Stress level.
00:29Through the roof.
00:31But at the end of the working day...
00:33Girl power.
00:34Girl power.
00:35Come on, Sam.
00:35Forward.
00:36Booyah.
00:37The quality of life on the costas...
00:39Is priceless.
00:43Cheers.
00:45Peace and love.
00:46Cheers.
00:47That's why there will always be...
00:49Start again, she's waffling.
00:50Oh, Kerry.
00:51A lot cheaper than England.
00:53Everybody's in that friendly zone.
00:54This is heaven.
00:56Bargain-loving Brits in the sun.
00:58Yeah.
00:58Today on the costas...
01:02Come on, let's go.
01:04It's the cats that have got the cream at Lorraine and Toby's pad.
01:07We have lots and lots of guests, but unfortunately they all have four legs.
01:12Newcomer Troyes finding shouldering the weight of a new business is a real pain.
01:16Oh, my God.
01:17That's what I can do.
01:18I can do it.
01:19Yeah.
01:20And we're reliving some Rocketman mischief with entertainer Aaron and his tricky new tribute.
01:27I don't look like Elton John.
01:29I don't sound like Elton John.
01:31I can't play the piano.
01:32And we've got some massive growth on the program video.
01:40An hour south of Benidorm, you'll find couple Lorraine and Toby Cook, who moved to La Marina a year ago.
01:47I only want to check the page to see who's coming later.
01:52Animal lover Lorraine is busy finalising an event for her feline friends.
01:56We're having a fundraiser for the foundation, or for La Marina State Cats, to hopefully raise lots of money to help keep neutering the local ferals.
02:08It's looking good.
02:09It looks like we've got at least 30 people.
02:11Brilliant.
02:12Oh, could be a really good one, as I've played it.
02:15Yeah.
02:15Lots and lots of women.
02:16I can handle them.
02:18Love blossomed for the couple ten years ago.
02:21We met online on a dating app.
02:23It was actually Murphy the dog that brought us together, because I was just scrolling through all these lovely ladies,
02:30but there was a scruffy woman on a beach with a border collie, and I thought, hey, she looks fun.
02:39The couple married two years ago, and Murphy the dog is not their only housemate.
02:43We have lots and lots of guests, but unfortunately they all have four legs.
02:48Feral street cats are a real issue in the area, and animal lover Lorraine's had a call of the wild.
02:55Come on, let's go.
02:57Yes.
02:58Come on then.
02:59When we moved here, I started going gung-ho, just then looking around and seeing how many cats were in such terrible conditions.
03:08Unfortunately, kittens being dumped at bins.
03:11As an animal lover, I just couldn't walk past.
03:14And she didn't.
03:17Lorraine set up a foundation to help neuter the local feral cat colonies.
03:22I've got 368 cats that I've neutered, and homed probably 30, 40 kittens.
03:30Catching wild stray cats is not for the faint-hearted.
03:33Trying to put them from one trap into a cage, carrying traps, you know, they will rip you to pieces.
03:40Rather you than me, Lorraine.
03:42So this is the Kittermen.
03:45When they first come, if they're wild, they start off in the cage, so I can get hold of them and handle them and gradually make them like they are now.
03:55And it is nice to see these little cats that have been sort of born on the street and have got absolutely no future.
04:02They're actually going to go to a proper home where they're going to be looked after in love.
04:06But to make room for the cat colony, the spare bedroom has become somewhat of a dumping ground.
04:12I don't even know where to begin here. I mean...
04:15A mess.
04:16I'd say a catastrophe, Lorraine.
04:19Not quite how you thought you'd spend your retirement, eh, Toby?
04:22I don't go in there because it depresses me too much.
04:25I must confess, it wasn't really what I was thinking of we were going to be doing when we came to Spain.
04:34However, I should have known really because Lorraine is just an out-and-out animal lover.
04:40Despite his background as a housing officer, Toby's finding managing his own house a bit of a challenge.
04:48It offends my minimalistic outlook.
04:52Yeah.
04:52Most of it is for the pussies and raffles and...
04:56It's chaos, but I suppose it goes with the job.
05:00Rescuing and neutering the local stray cats takes time and money.
05:04I've kind of roped my poor husband in, but he loves it really.
05:08He enjoys the fun stuff.
05:12Lorraine does feel really responsible for the cats now, and I think it does take its toll a bit.
05:17It's always problems. It is pressure.
05:20Juggling pet problems, pressure, and a fundraiser to host, Lorraine and Toby's day just got a whole lot busier.
05:28It's calm before the storm, isn't it?
05:30It definitely is.
05:32And there goes the storm again.
05:38So I need to take blankets out of there.
05:43On the move in Estepona, Sussex lad Troy's starting the day with a clear-out.
05:49Clean out the van, ready to move a friend, just doing a favour, really.
05:55She's moving. Instead of hiring a van, I'll do it for her.
05:58Just four months in, newcomers Troy and wife Nicky are settling into their new Spanish lives with their two boys, Reggie and Billy.
06:07We're just finally settling in.
06:09The kids are finally settling in at school, making friends and things like that.
06:14So, yeah, it's a bit more relaxing in the last couple of weeks, isn't it?
06:17Yeah.
06:18But, yeah, for a few months it's been a bit of a whirlwind.
06:20It has.
06:22Someone quoted us a few quid to move here, so I thought sod it.
06:26I'll buy the two vans and move ourselves.
06:28This is just sat here with all our stuff, isn't it?
06:31But I want to make them to good use.
06:33Troy runs a house clearance business in the UK.
06:36Good morning.
06:38Yeah, you?
06:39The lads constantly ring me, obviously, because I'm still running the business from Spain, the business in the UK.
06:44So constantly that phone will go off all day.
06:49So I have to deal with life here, invoicing, chasing up payments, etc. and so on.
06:57So, you know, it's harder doing that than it is the actual graph.
07:01We have, I think, three vans out every day.
07:04I'd like to do it here.
07:07We need to get something in place.
07:08So we have another source of income out here.
07:11So we can definitely stay here today.
07:15Troy's helping an old friend move from Manilva to Estepona.
07:19And he's hoping removals could be the start of a new business venture in Spain.
07:24The idea was to move these vans down here to do this down here.
07:27It is a trial run, just to see if we like doing this over here.
07:30Beep, beep.
07:31I don't really need to do it.
07:33I want to do something.
07:34I need to keep my brain busy.
07:36There's more than just a house move happening today.
07:39The search is on for a fresh set of wheels.
07:42It's falling apart already.
07:44The family car broke down on the journey to Spain.
07:47It's just too small.
07:48It needs something a bit bigger.
07:50Just a little bit bigger.
07:51Just to fit the kids' scooters in or a bike.
07:54Yeah, hopefully we'll find one today.
07:55With his friend's house move and buying a new car, Troy better get a move on.
08:01I'll see you at the car garage, babe.
08:03I'll let you know.
08:03I'll message you a time when I'll be back.
08:06Love you.
08:06Love you.
08:07Bye-bye.
08:07Coming up.
08:14My name is Spice, and I'll be on the drag queen for tonight.
08:16Yeah!
08:17Life's a drag for entertainer Aaron.
08:20But will his new act leave you a guessing?
08:22Who do you think of?
08:24Straight away.
08:25And can cat lovers Lorraine and Toby roll out a perfect day?
08:30Yes, you're away.
08:32Sue's got a six yet.
08:33Faster, faster, come on.
08:37Hello.
08:43Come in.
08:44Oh, thanks very much.
08:45Welcome to me flat.
08:47Welcome in.
08:48Come through.
08:49Up at Atom, it's born entertainer Aaron Lawrence in Benelmadina.
08:54This is my crafting table.
08:56Usually in the apartment, there's glitter everywhere.
09:00And it's about to get a whole lot messier as Aaron's crafting a new stage costume for a big performance tonight.
09:08More glue.
09:10And it's not for his very successful drag act.
09:12My drag persona is called Spice, because when I started life as a drag queen, I was part of a double act, which was Sugar and Spice, or Sugar and Spice.
09:22My name is Spice, and I'll be your drag queen for tonight.
09:25So, Sugar isn't doing drag anymore, and I am, so I'm left with un-spice.
09:32When Aaron's not performing...
09:35Morning.
09:38He lives with husband Matt.
09:40The couple moved from Brighton to Spain three years ago.
09:43How long have we been married?
09:45That's a good question.
09:48Six.
09:48Six.
09:49Six years.
09:49Six years.
09:50Well remembered.
09:51Today is their sixth wedding anniversary.
09:54Ever since we've been together, it's just been just one big joke.
09:58All the way.
09:59It has.
10:00It has.
10:01It has.
10:01One big joke.
10:02It has.
10:03Brilliant.
10:04Yeah.
10:05Anniversary celebrations will have to wait, as Aaron needs to focus on his brand new act.
10:10This is not Spice.
10:12The Spice is a completely different thing.
10:13This is Aaron going on stage.
10:15So that's scary in itself, actually, because I've been working for a lot of years and been
10:21used to having a mask on of make-up and wigs and boobs to hide behind, quite literally.
10:27So we're adding a new string to the bow, hopefully get some more bookings out of it, and I can diversify.
10:33With so much competition for drag acts in Benidorm, Spice is heading back to the wardrobe.
10:38So trivia acts are really popular on the Costa del Sol, and I want to get in on that, if
10:45I can.
10:47Aaron's created a new show, and tonight, Matthew, he's going to be...
10:51Who do you think of?
10:54Straight away.
10:56Cruella de Vil.
10:57Not Cruella de Vil, no.
11:01They are Elton John.
11:03Elton John glasses, which are fantastic.
11:05So I've had to put together a whole Elton John show just because of these glasses, because
11:10they're so fantastic.
11:11So I'm going to have to make an entire Elton John outfit.
11:14I'm panicking a bit, I'm not going to lie.
11:19I've got to learn the songs as well.
11:21How much preparation have I put into it?
11:23So far, um...
11:25None.
11:28I don't look like Elton John.
11:30I don't sound like Elton John.
11:32I can't play the piano.
11:33You're hired.
11:34What could possibly go wrong?
11:35Come on, Lee.
11:42In La Marina, Hund and Lass Lorraine's on a mission.
11:46These two are real hooligans.
11:48They fight and play and snuggle all the time.
11:52The former carer has found a perfect new passion and set up her own charity to help rescue and
11:58neuter stray cats.
12:01There you go.
12:03But it ain't cheap.
12:04So today, the cat lover has organised a fun games afternoon to raise much needed cash
12:10to help with the vet bills and roped in hubby Toby to help.
12:15So, Beetle Drive this afternoon.
12:17Are you ready?
12:18Uh, no.
12:20You've wrapped all the prizes?
12:23I don't think he thought we'd be doing any of this when we retired, but life has twists.
12:29The couple have organised a game known as a Beetle Drive at a local bar
12:33and are relying on the local community to help support them.
12:38Cheers.
12:39To a successful afternoon.
12:40I think I did have visions of us sort of spending a bit more time together.
12:45Yeah.
12:46Um, and spending time together not doing cat things.
12:49Toby's retirement plans have changed somewhat.
12:54I must confess that sometimes the whole cat business has got a bit out of control.
13:00Lorraine, bless her, she, she does get really obsessed with things.
13:05There has been a few times when we've actually had to sit down and say,
13:09well, come on, you know, this is our retirement.
13:12This is our life.
13:13Ensuring life isn't entirely feline-focused, Toby's no slouch himself.
13:19So, over here is my Mark II solar water heater, which I made.
13:25We don't have to put the kettle on or the heater on to get hot water when we're just washing up.
13:31What an eco-super saver.
13:33I've been a lifelong tinkerer.
13:36I like fiddling around with things.
13:37I like to know how things work, especially making things out of rubbish.
13:43And it's not just the hose pipe that Toby's reinvented.
13:46So, this is ex-Royal Mail post bike.
13:50I bought an electric conversion kit and now it's electric.
13:56There's not much this chap can't turn his hand to.
13:59Yeah, we just need to fold this in.
14:02I think we've got an absolutely fantastic relationship.
14:05We're both very lucky in that we're independent people
14:09and we can function perfectly well without each other.
14:13My pride and joy is a beautiful boat.
14:17So, this has got to go on here.
14:20So, when I want to go for a swim, I'll fold it down like that.
14:25What do you think?
14:26Yeah, brilliant.
14:28Impressive, but Toby's eco-inventions will have to wait.
14:32Come on, we've got three minutes, two minutes.
14:36Come on, Nick.
14:37Get stuff sorted.
14:38Right.
14:39Luckily, I know where everything is.
14:41Ooh.
14:42When it comes to DIY, Toby has nailed it.
14:46But not all of us are quite so handy about the house.
14:49When it comes to DIY, I hate doing it because I'm terrible at it.
14:54But you've excellent taste in hats.
14:56I haven't done any DIY.
14:58You've got me to do it.
15:00Well, I did saw the English shoe cabinet.
15:03I love it.
15:04I'll try and pretend a meal and lay on sofas and say I can't do it because it'll be bad.
15:08Oh, I'm with you.
15:09I don't do no DIY because everything I put up falls down.
15:13If you ever got them to do in the jobs, it would be wonderful.
15:16It could be a bit of water.
15:16I'll carve it.
15:17I'm Noah.
15:18Noah.
15:18I'm very DIY savvy.
15:20And I'm a DIY phobic and I just get a man in.
15:24Or a woman.
15:25Oh, yeah.
15:26You can't say that, can you?
15:32Tricky manoeuvre.
15:34Heading to Manilva.
15:36I'm a good driver, isn't it?
15:37It's Man with a van.
15:40Crunch.
15:4141-year-old Sussex boy Troy is on his way to help out an old friend.
15:47We are going to move Charlotte today.
15:49She's moving from one apartment to another, a bit closer to Estepona.
15:53I've known her since I was 16, 17 in Brighton.
15:56Now that Troy and his family have settled into their new Spanish life,
16:00he's hoping he can put his vans to good use.
16:03It's something that we possibly could do over here, the removals,
16:06because everyone needs something moving all the time.
16:09So I'm happy to give it a go, see if I like it.
16:13It gives you a purpose, you know?
16:14I've not come over here to Spain to sit on a deck chair.
16:17I've come here to have a life.
16:20My brain needs to be entertained.
16:21Finally, Troy's arrived at Charlotte's place in Manilva.
16:26That'll do.
16:27Hello, Charlotte.
16:27Hi.
16:28How are you?
16:28I'm good.
16:30I'm good, I'm good.
16:31I'm hot and sweaty.
16:32I'll see you.
16:33Single mum Charlotte from Brighton has lived in Spain for six years.
16:38Left you with the big stuff.
16:39That's lovely.
16:39Help me with.
16:40After you, my love.
16:41This is my ninth move since I've lived here,
16:43and my son is at school in Estepona,
16:46so at the moment it's 20 minutes away where I am,
16:49and I'm driving three times a day back and forth to school.
16:52I just got fed up with it all,
16:54so now I'm moving back to Estepona.
16:55I love it there.
16:57How heavy is that mirror?
16:58Quite heavy, yeah.
17:00Troy is helping Charlotte to move as a favour,
17:03but he's also using the opportunity
17:05to see if his one man with a van could take off in Spain.
17:08I haven't worked in four months,
17:11so lovely to do something, if I'm honest.
17:14One van load, which is good.
17:16I'm happy.
17:18Super grateful for Troy to come in to help, yeah,
17:20because there's only so much I can do in my little car.
17:22You got it?
17:23Yeah.
17:26Got it?
17:26Yeah.
17:27Careful, Troy.
17:29You're waiting for me to drop this, yeah.
17:32Don't break it.
17:33Oh, I tried to show off, didn't I, on my own?
17:36Oh, I can't watch.
17:38Oh, look, it's a pal.
17:39I can do it.
17:41Sure?
17:41I don't know.
17:43It's alright, though, that's Steph, innit?
17:44Yeah.
17:45Nice work, guys.
17:46After nine house moves,
17:48you'd think Charlotte would have the packing down to a fine art.
17:51Oh, my God.
17:53Tight.
17:55It's exhausted, isn't it?
17:57Moving house, so...
17:59One of the worst things ever.
18:02It's exciting, though, going to my loop.
18:04Big mirror, big, horrible mirror she didn't tell me about.
18:10He loves it.
18:12It's his favourite job.
18:13Oh, hold on.
18:16Get your hand up.
18:17As the van fills up, so destroys anxiety.
18:21It's not going to our plan, is it?
18:23Well, I would have bought the bigger van.
18:24I should have bought the bigger van.
18:25It's quite terrible.
18:27It's difficult.
18:27Normally in England, I've got two or three lads.
18:31This is not the way I'd like to have packed it, if I'm completely honest.
18:35I'd like to get it all off and start again.
18:37Come on, this is...
18:38You're professional at this, Troy.
18:39Oh, meant to be, yeah.
18:40You've got this.
18:41Meant to be.
18:42If Troy wants to replicate his business here in Spain, one man and a van might not be enough.
18:48Please shut, please shut.
18:49Back in Ben-O-Madinah...
18:53You can do anything with a glue gun, including burn yourself.
18:58Drag artist Aaron is aiming to add another string to his entertainer bow by trying his
19:03look as an Elton John tribute.
19:06I'm making my Elton John shoulder pads, which are going to be feathers and some beads and
19:12some sequins and some fabulous things to try and Elton John myself up a little bit.
19:17Blue Peter will be proud.
19:19Building an entirely new show from scratch is a massive challenge, and Aaron has his
19:24hands full.
19:26So I've built a grand piano.
19:31Cardboard and sellotape and glue gun.
19:33And do you think it's a bit small?
19:36Perfect for a tiny dancer.
19:38I'll get me killed.
19:40That's fine.
19:43Obviously, it hasn't finished it yet.
19:46This took an evening.
19:47I did it in one night.
19:48You'd never guess.
19:50I don't think I can get up again, though.
19:52Everything I do seems to be just flying by the seat of my pants.
19:57Everything's a bit madcap.
19:59Everything's a little bit glued together at the sides.
20:01But you never quite know what you're going to get.
20:04Well, hopefully, we're going to get Elton John at the performance.
20:06But before that...
20:07So this is our first day off together in how long?
20:11Oh, it's weeks and weeks.
20:13You've got to work hard when you can.
20:15Despite his busy schedule, Aaron's found time to organise a surprise for his and Matt's sixth wedding anniversary.
20:21I don't know if you'll like it or not, but he needs a cooking lesson.
20:26We're going to drive up into the mountains.
20:28We're going to go and have a cookery lesson.
20:30And we're going to make a paella.
20:32Matt's not the best.
20:33He's not the best in the world of cooking.
20:34God bless him.
20:35My amazing peppercorn mash.
20:37Peppercorn mash, yeah.
20:38He just basically put more pepper in it than mash.
20:40And we all had to sit and eat it and say it was delicious.
20:42It was delicious.
20:43All my friends and family know that my cooking skills are absolutely appalling.
20:47You can burn water, can't you?
20:48I can burn water.
20:50So before Aaron transforms into Rocketman Elton, he's off to a romantic cookery lesson in the hills to improve Matt's skills.
20:59Not unusual for Aaron.
21:00He always pulls something out of the bag that's a bit different because he's a big old romantic like that.
21:05Shush.
21:06I'm quite surprised I managed to keep it a secret.
21:08Yeah.
21:09I'm the old man.
21:09He looks like you might have had a...
21:11I might have had a sharing for breakfast.
21:12Just a load.
21:14Now the boys just have to figure out how to get there.
21:17Oh.
21:18We're in the middle of a fiesta.
21:24Coming up, could the P-Line fundraiser go paws up without its top cats Lorraine and Toby?
21:30We're late.
21:31Rice and keys.
21:33We're just got me purse.
21:35I'm going to get past him.
21:36And a friend's house move is driving Troy around the bend.
21:40This is crazy.
21:42Come on then.
21:52Things are not very chilled in La Marina.
21:55There's a hole in the kitchen skirting board behind the freezer.
22:00And it keeps hiding in there.
22:05It comes out.
22:06It does come out.
22:07It'll come out.
22:08As soon as we move away from the kitchen then he'll ship.
22:11It'll come out.
22:11And cat crusaders Lorraine and Toby can't wait for this puss.
22:15We're late.
22:16Right.
22:17Keys.
22:18Oh, always come out.
22:19So I've got all the prizes, got the beetle dive, paperwork, speaker.
22:29The animal lovers are gearing up for a fun-filled fundraiser they've organised at a local bar.
22:34The big prize is a box with bottled, no, I love to carry it.
22:40Okay.
22:41Where did I put my purse?
22:42Normal thing, where did I put my money?
22:44Surprised you'd find anything in there, Lorraine.
22:47It's an organised mess.
22:49I know where everything is.
22:51Are we all set?
22:52Yeah, we're set.
22:52Good.
22:53Let's go.
22:57It's around 50 euros for the vet to neuter each cat.
23:01Hello.
23:01Are you all right?
23:03So the couple raise money by running a monthly games afternoon known as a beetle drive.
23:08This is the game for the game.
23:10These are the beetle sheets.
23:12Basically you have to end up with a beetle.
23:14So you have to throw a six and then you get a body.
23:18Then you can do your legs and your tail.
23:21Five is the head.
23:22Four is the eye.
23:24Three are tail.
23:26Two in the entire eye.
23:27And one leg.
23:29It's great fun.
23:30Hi ladies, you all right?
23:31You're all important.
23:33Dice, there you go.
23:35There's a lot of people who really dislike the cats.
23:39But they've actually realised now that Lorraine's not a mad cat lady.
23:44She's actually trying to control the population.
23:48Feral cat colonies are a common sight across Spain.
23:50And neutering has proved an effective way of keeping the numbers down.
23:54The people here, once they realise what I've been doing with the cats and seeing what I'm doing, really got behind me.
24:02Okay, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another beetle drive.
24:08Finally on the road, Troy is making use of his van to help his old friend Charlotte move to Estepona.
24:19It's gone in nicely.
24:20Nothing will be marked.
24:22Troy's arranged to meet wife Nikki at the dealership in just over two hours to look for a new family car.
24:28So time is of the essence.
24:30These roads are getting smaller, actually.
24:33It's on a tight road.
24:36I'm going to get past him.
24:39Oh dear.
24:40It's not looking good.
24:42And the pressure's on.
24:43Charlotte's new apartment is on a very tight road in the town centre.
24:47And there's a big problem.
24:49There's a van parked there on the other side of the road where he shouldn't be parked.
24:52But, yeah, it doesn't matter in Spain.
24:54I've got a car behind me now as well.
24:56Yeah, he's just blocking the road.
24:57What a day, eh?
24:58What a day.
25:01So I've driven around.
25:02Another car's right behind me again.
25:04There's nowhere to park.
25:05I'm going to have to drive around again.
25:07Nightmare.
25:07What are we going to do?
25:08I guess you're going around again, Troy.
25:11I reckon Chris Rea's been on this road.
25:16Quickly does it.
25:19This is the crazy street.
25:20There's nowhere to park.
25:22We've just got to be daring and go for it, I think.
25:25You said it, Charlotte.
25:26It's a good job there's no cars coming.
25:30Oh.
25:32I should have to wait a minute.
25:34Troy and Charlotte are braving it out.
25:36Go, go, go.
25:40Troy's had to go back round the block.
25:42This road is really stressful.
25:43It's super small and we're just causing a bit of chaos, but it's all part of the fun.
25:48Yeah, Troy looks like he's having the time of his life.
25:55With another turn round the block, finally, Troy has some luck.
26:01That was lucky, wasn't it?
26:02Woo-hoo!
26:04Yeah, it's in there.
26:05In there like swimwear.
26:06But girls, if you unload it, I'm going for a Spanish omelet.
26:11Good try, Troy.
26:12But he does have another corner cutting scheme up his sleeve.
26:16Well, I'm standing in the van and passing it out.
26:19That's my job now.
26:20Pretend I'm doing something.
26:22It's a cunning plan.
26:23I'm really just being lazy.
26:25There you go, my love.
26:28You got it?
26:30That's the plan.
26:31It's working, Troy.
26:33Yeah, so I'm slacking.
26:35You're a bit of a lazy man.
26:36Oh, you're back.
26:37Sorry, I was going to get out and do that.
26:39Yeah, all right.
26:40You're there.
26:40Yeah, yeah.
26:42Nice.
26:43Busted.
26:44Got good use of your delegation skills.
26:47I told you, it's all up there.
26:50After a hard day's craft, well, mostly.
26:53All done.
26:54We're finished.
26:55At last, Charlotte's in her new home.
26:58I say I'm grateful to Troy to help him.
27:00He's a big fan.
27:01Man with the fan.
27:03So the question is, could this be the start of a whole new career for Troy?
27:08Would I do it again?
27:09Yeah, I'll do it again.
27:10But I need bodies.
27:11It's not a one-man job.
27:12You need at least two of you.
27:14And on my own, I am 41.
27:16I'm not getting any younger.
27:17You told me about it.
27:18And everywhere in Spain seems to be stairs.
27:20So I'd need another man to come in and help me.
27:25Promising?
27:26Well, the day ain't over yet.
27:28That's done.
27:29Can't rest.
27:30Got to meet Nicky at the car lot.
27:32Hasta luego.
27:34I'll see you there.
27:34This picture represents our channel.
27:52It's a composite.
27:53There's four or five images in this picture.
28:01And it says a lot about us.
28:02You know, we've got the logo at the bottom.
28:04We've got the drone in the middle.
28:05We've got us at one side and us at the other side.
28:08And it says between the lakes at the bottom.
28:09Both salt lakes.
28:17And it's the atmosphere that they create that makes it so healthy.
28:21It's said to be the healthiest place in Europe.
28:24Yeah.
28:24It's snow.
28:31Is that snow?
28:32Yes, that's snow on the mountains.
28:34In the mountain village of Solano, north of Malaga, there's not just snow but romance in the air.
28:39Absolutely beautiful.
28:43Not a single car or person around.
28:46Entertainer Aaron is surprising hubby Matt for their sixth wedding anniversary before he debuts his brand new Elton John tribute act later.
28:55At least I've not got high heels on.
28:57He's booked a romantic cookery lesson just for the two of them.
29:01I could live with that view.
29:02I could, yeah.
29:04Expat owner and chef Lindsay is on hand to brush up the couple's culinary skills.
29:09Now, paella, as you're probably aware, is Spain's most famous dish.
29:15But we make here a roth con cosas, rice with things.
29:21Okay.
29:21Perfect.
29:23And these things, this lot are using, is asparagus.
29:28Where the asparagus naturally bends and snaps, that's the bit we're not going to use.
29:34Okay.
29:34Right there.
29:35Lovely.
29:36It's great.
29:37I've never known how to...
29:38No, me neither.
29:39Chopped asparagus up, which sounds really basic.
29:42You learn something new every day.
29:44They're your spoons.
29:46You're in charge.
29:47He's a poker and I'm a stirrer.
29:50Funny that.
29:51Aaron actually studied astrophysics at the University of Sussex.
29:55But you could say the planets aligned when he met Matt back in 2006.
30:00I don't know if I can cook with you.
30:01I don't know if I can cook with you.
30:02You're making all the mets.
30:03Keep it all.
30:05I'm trying to keep it all level and even and he's just going in and ladling it all round.
30:09So I don't know.
30:10This might be a one person job in future.
30:12Okay.
30:14Stay on your side.
30:15I think this is the best anniversary gift ever.
30:18I think it's great because it means that we can have it.
30:20It's something we can do every year now.
30:22So we can make a little tradition out of it.
30:24I am now a chef, it turns out.
30:25Well, maybe just to cook.
30:27But yeah.
30:28And who thought it would be actually really that simple?
30:31I think it may change for us at home now.
30:35I think so.
30:36It's about time we learn a bit more.
30:38It is.
30:38You can't live off waffles and chips your whole life.
30:42Time for the lads to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
30:46Wow.
30:47Look at that.
30:48Goodness.
30:49Oh, that smells amazing as well.
30:51So I hope you enjoy it, you guys, all your hard work.
30:53My mother would be really proud.
30:56I'm very proud of you.
30:57I haven't.
30:57And so you should be.
30:59There's a lot of flavours going on.
31:00There are.
31:01There are asparagus spears in there as well.
31:05Brittany's sister, asparagus spears.
31:08Could be your new drag act, Aaron.
31:10I feel like we've been let in on a secret now.
31:13Yeah.
31:13On a secret for the locals.
31:16So this is authentic Spanish.
31:18We can do this.
31:19If we have Spanish friends come round, I'm going to surprise them
31:21because they'll be expecting bangers and math.
31:23They will.
31:24I think you've pulled off one great anniversary present.
31:28We need to do this more.
31:29We need to take some time out and actually just say, right, we're not working today.
31:34Cheers.
31:35Cheers.
31:35Happy anniversary.
31:37Salud.
31:37Salud.
31:38Can you feel the love tonight?
31:41Hopefully, Aaron will be able to pull off his first Elton John tribute show too.
31:45It's late afternoon in San Pedro.
31:57Hello.
31:58After a busy day of house removals, Troy's meeting wife, Nicky, and their two boys to look for
32:03a family car.
32:05I've seen one I like already.
32:07But whether Nicky likes it or not is a different thing.
32:10This should be fun.
32:12The couple drove down to live in Spain just four months ago.
32:15So we've got a car from the UK, but we need to transfer the plates and it's broken down three times.
32:22So we just need a new one.
32:24We've been hiring one for the last four or five weeks and it works out expensive.
32:29At the end, if we keep on hiring it, we might as well hire one.
32:32I want something flash.
32:33I could be 100 miles an hour and say I want that one there, but let's be honest, we need
32:38a family car.
32:39Yeah.
32:41We believe you, Troy.
32:43We'll see.
32:43I want alloys.
32:44I want convertible.
32:46I want flash Harry.
32:47No, I don't mind.
32:48I think a convertible would be nice when it does really get hot here.
32:52Yeah, it'd be lovely, actually.
32:53Kids will love it.
32:54Sons, 12-year-old Reggie and 8-year-old Billy know what they love.
32:59I like this one, yes.
33:01Nick?
33:02I want it.
33:03Okay.
33:05I quite like it.
33:06A chip off the old block, eh?
33:08You might fly out the side.
33:10Buying a car is another step in putting firm roots down in Spain.
33:14To up.
33:15Up sticks and just...
33:17Move the kids.
33:18It was a massive gamble.
33:19Flip of a coin.
33:20You know, you've only got one life, so you might as well enjoy it.
33:24Looks like Nicky's got a difficult task reining in all her boys.
33:29I'm the boss.
33:31Secretly.
33:32What we say.
33:33I like this.
33:35Secret safe with us, Nicky.
33:37He's going to start a few up and then pretend he knows what he's doing.
33:41All right, let me start her up, shall we?
33:48Ooh, not good.
33:50The only one we like doesn't start.
33:55Oh, dear.
33:56Should we leave this one or...
33:58Well, it's not even made it out of the showroom.
34:00I know.
34:01Oh, back to the drawing board.
34:03Oh, it's so stressful, isn't it?
34:05We ain't going to win today.
34:06We ain't going to win.
34:08I'll be the sensible one for once.
34:10Go on, man.
34:10I think we need to go home and think about what car we really want.
34:13No, let's have a think, I think.
34:14Okay, let's go and have a cup of tea.
34:15Very wise.
34:17Boys, a cup of tea at home.
34:19Mine's black.
34:20Coffee.
34:21One sweetener.
34:22So the search continues to find a family car and back home, Troy is disappointed.
34:27Are you going to...
34:28We didn't get anything.
34:29Got it.
34:29Today's been a bit more of a research than anything, isn't it?
34:32Again.
34:33So now we know how much money we need.
34:35But there's practical and there's flash Harry.
34:39If all else fails, there's always Reggie's favourite.
34:42The red boogie with no doors.
34:45Successful day overall.
34:46It's been a good day, hasn't it?
34:47Yeah, it's been a good day.
34:49Coming up, will luck be a lady bug tonight for cat lover Lorraine and husband Tobi?
34:58Hey, Tom.
34:58We have a pool.
35:00We have a beetle.
35:01And on his big night, Rocketman Aaron's making a spectacle of himself.
35:06Matt.
35:06What do you want from now?
35:07I forgot my glasses.
35:09What?
35:17Right.
35:17So here we go.
35:19We're going to go for game number one.
35:21Back at La Marina.
35:23Three, two, one, go.
35:26Cat lovers Lorraine and hubby Tobi are in the middle of a fun games afternoon.
35:32Yes, you're away.
35:33Sue's got a six yet.
35:35Faster, faster.
35:36Come on.
35:36Oh, that's the dice without the sixes on, yeah.
35:39I remember that one.
35:40They're hosting a lively beetle drive to help raise money for Lorraine's cat charity.
35:45So a beetle drive in very, very briefly is a stupid, silly dice game.
35:53You just throw the dice as fast as you can on your little table until somebody draws a beetle.
36:03But because it's so silly, it's fun.
36:05And people take it very, very seriously.
36:07Yes, people take it.
36:10Yes.
36:11Go, Tom.
36:12We have a call.
36:13We have a beetle.
36:15Everybody stop.
36:17Everybody stop.
36:18Count up your body parts.
36:20That's one point for each part.
36:23Now I'm going over to number seven.
36:26Yay.
36:26Up the charts.
36:27Oh, I'm glad you know what's going on.
36:29Yes.
36:31I think it's going really well.
36:32We've got a really good crowd today.
36:34Brilliant.
36:36Are you guys having a good time?
36:38Yes.
36:40My goal is to basically try to make these feral cats a lot healthier and to stop them breeding.
36:48The majority of them, you'll never stop them all.
36:51The couple are hoping to raise over 200 euros to cover the cost of neutering the local strays.
36:57Well, just from the ticket prices, 36 people at three euros each.
37:05I can't do the maths, but that's over 100, isn't it, for a start?
37:08Hold on.
37:09Let me take my socks off.
37:11It should be nice.
37:11That's a lot of cats for neuter, isn't it?
37:13With another round of the Beetle Drive game underway, Moraine spies a chance to sell more raffle tickets.
37:20Chris, do you want a robbing raffle ticket?
37:22Three euro.
37:23We always try and come and support Lorraine and her husband because they do such a great job.
37:28There are so many stray cats here.
37:30It's not just the cats that Lorraine helps.
37:33I've got big problems with cats and everything, and Lorraine has really helped out, and the numbers have really decreased.
37:44What a brilliant time.
37:45We all were still.
37:46I always had a good time, and I come out and meet people.
37:49Fantastic.
37:49I love it.
37:51We organise this, seeing people laughing and joking, having a good time.
37:55Lovely sunny afternoon.
37:57Fantastic.
37:59That is it, folks.
38:00It's all over.
38:02Count up your final scores.
38:05With the Beetle Drive over...
38:07The next thing is the robbing raffle.
38:09This is when the fun really starts.
38:12There's one last push to raise money with the raffle.
38:16One, five, zero.
38:18One, two, three.
38:20Just help yourself.
38:22So what a cracking night.
38:24Absolutely brilliant.
38:24I think that was one of the best ones we've ever done, actually.
38:27Definitely the most people.
38:29And I think everyone had a brilliant time, didn't they?
38:31Definitely.
38:32So what's the grand fundraising total?
38:37Two hundred and...
38:38Forty.
38:38Forty three.
38:39Three.
38:41Euros and ten cents.
38:42Ten cents.
38:43So that's...
38:43How many cats is that?
38:45Neuted?
38:46Four females and half a boy.
38:47Ooh, painful.
38:49That's funny.
38:51And we had fun.
38:52Whoresome job.
38:54You two are the cat's whiskers.
38:55I'll see you next time.
38:57Good old teamwork.
39:00Oh, yeah.
39:01Yeah.
39:01Don't leave her hanging, Sobe.
39:03Phew.
39:03All right, come on, then.
39:07All right, we've got everything.
39:08Back in Benelmadina, it's a big night for entertainer Aaron.
39:13Oh, nice.
39:15Tonight is his first ever performance as an Elton John tribute act.
39:20Dressed up, singing Candle in the Wind to two bar staff from Husband and the Cleaner.
39:24Brilliant.
39:24Aaron has spent the last 20 years performing as his drag persona, Spice, but wants to add
39:31another string to his bow with a tribute act.
39:34I'm a bit worried about, um, well, I don't know half the words to half the songs, I don't
39:38think.
39:39Well, that's a great start, isn't it?
39:41A bit closer to the can.
39:42I'll be out.
39:44The boys have arrived in Torremolinos, where Aaron is set to perform in a local bar.
39:49Fingers crossed, we'll get some people in.
39:52Here we are.
39:54Good evening.
39:56We've got two customers, at least.
39:58No, I have to go to work.
40:00Oh, and they're leaving?
40:01Brilliant.
40:02Need another 40 now, but it'll be all right.
40:04I'm really nervous, because I spent a long time making the jacket and the piano, and I
40:08didn't spend very much time learning the songs, and that's sort of it, isn't it?
40:13That's kind of the show.
40:14But on the plus side, the bar's filled up to see you not know the words.
40:19Hang on.
40:20There is a problem of Reg Dwight proportions.
40:24I think I've forgotten the glasses.
40:26The Elton John glasses.
40:28What?
40:28You mean the glasses you built the whole act around?
40:32Well, it's not Elton John without the glasses, is it?
40:34Without the glasses, I'm just a guy in a feathery jacket.
40:38It's going to look like Liberace.
40:40Disaster.
40:41Time to cash in your anniversary surprise.
40:45Matt?
40:46What do you want from me?
40:47I forgot my glasses.
40:48What?
40:49Can you go and get them?
40:51You owe me a tune.
40:56That went well.
40:57Matt to the rescue.
40:59Laugh or cry, isn't it really?
41:01Um, can't really do the show without the glasses.
41:03That's like forgetting your trousers.
41:05I'm forgetting the words.
41:06As Matt dashes home to grab the sparkly Elton Specs, all Aaron can do is wait.
41:13The show starts in 15, 20 minutes, so hopefully he'll get back in time, fingers crossed.
41:20The bar is packed with folks expecting a show.
41:24I think you'd better start learning some Liberace songs, Aaron, or even Elton John ones.
41:29Got the glasses.
41:34Just in time.
41:36The mat is back.
41:38Guess he's back.
41:39Oh.
41:41Saviour.
41:42There you go.
41:44I'm cashing in on that, Jim.
41:45You're such an idiot.
41:47Elton John.
41:48Separated at birth, Aaron.
41:52It's time to crocodile rock.
41:54You guys, good evening, everybody.
41:57Aaron's got the moves, but he needs to remember those lyrics.
42:00Hello, welcome.
42:01You're in for a night.
42:03And I guess that's why they call it the blues.
42:07Turn on the hands.
42:08Now, come on.
42:10We'll be dancing with you.
42:14He's such a good, good, like, entertainer all round.
42:18Oh, I love him.
42:19He's so lovely.
42:19Oh, what a natural, like, absolutely fantastic.
42:23Elton was a hit, but will he be back, or was he, uh, just a candle in the wind?
42:29Judging by my difficult standards, it was amazing.
42:33I thoroughly enjoyed it.
42:34I think it went really, really well.
42:36But Elton John is definitely going to be in my regular repertoire.
42:40Amazing, Aaron.
42:41Take a bow.
42:44Next time on The Costas, Ant's ready for a birthday bash.
42:48On a budget.
42:48Don't throw stuff like this away.
42:50It comes in handy.
42:51The trick is, don't write the name on.
42:53There's a sting in the cocktail for publicans Wilma and Laura.
42:56Is it too strong?
42:59And competitive cousins John and Jamie settle a score.
43:02Oh, it's not looking good now.
43:04I'll see you next time on The Costas.
43:05No.
43:05I'll see you next time on The Costas.
43:07On a budget.
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