- 14 hours ago
A New Life In The Sun - Season 11 Episode 20
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Making a fresh start under blue skies is a dream chased by thousands of Brits.
00:06This is freedom.
00:07Pick your vista, anyone you like.
00:10Pursuing bucket list experiences.
00:14Yay!
00:15And newfound freedoms.
00:17We could walk around butt naked if we wanted to.
00:19While Brexit has made it a battle.
00:22I've applied for two visas. I've been denied two visas.
00:25Many are still giving it a go.
00:27Come on.
00:28I wanted to know what else life had to offer.
00:31I like the idea of just spending every day together, don't we?
00:34We do.
00:35From launching bike tours in Spain...
00:38This is my office here. I couldn't ask for more.
00:40..to glamping sites in Italy.
00:42Build it and they will come. We hope.
00:46But will it be a smooth ride?
00:50Or their ideas come crashing down?
00:53Oh, my God!
00:55As they begin their new lives in the sun...
00:58It's an adventure.
00:59Love, Eli.
01:01Today...
01:02Do you want me to lift it?
01:03Don't touch the big...
01:05Don't move.
01:06..a couple in France reach new heights.
01:09Do not breathe.
01:10..in their mission to create luxury sheet accommodation.
01:14My life insurance has expired as well, which is not helpful.
01:18In Spain, one couple hit a bump in the road.
01:21Well, I got up this morning and I was greeted with the Battle of the Somme.
01:25After a surprise setback derails preparations for their first biking tour guest.
01:31They've had a field day, literally.
01:33Meanwhile, disaster strikes for a couple in the Costa del Sol
01:38as their dream to open a show bar goes up in smoke.
01:41The amount of work that we put into this venue is just heartbreaking.
01:58Carved by nature over centuries,
02:00the Picos de Europa is the only inhabited national park in Spain.
02:07This mountainous terrain is home to less than 1,400 people
02:11but welcomes around 2 million visitors per year.
02:16Well, don't go in the river.
02:17Just go on the little beach.
02:19You want to go down?
02:20Yeah.
02:21Careful, careful.
02:22The stunning surroundings are just one of the reasons Greg,
02:26a former software engineer, and his wife Daisy chose to leave Bristol
02:30and raise their kids here.
02:32It's a very different way of life here.
02:34Yeah, it's much more relaxed.
02:36The scenery here is just absolutely stunning.
02:38You can come out, you know, any time of the year
02:40and it's still something new to see.
02:42Greg and Daisy have been keeping their new life afloat
02:45thanks to Daisy's remote work as a biologist.
02:49Everyone fun, Ben?
02:50Yeah!
02:52But for motorbiking enthusiast Greg,
02:55the couple's unique location offers the chance
02:58to finally launch a business he's always dreamed of.
03:02First and foremost, it's going to be doing motorcycle tours.
03:05So we've got five bikes, we do a little bit of off-road
03:08and we're also going to have accommodation available as well.
03:12I want us to get as much out of this summer as we possibly can
03:16and we want to have a good number of tours under our belt,
03:19both Spanish and English speakers and dogs.
03:24We're going to take dogs out on motorbikes.
03:28Greg and Daisy have sunk £20,000
03:31into converting a garage into guest accommodation.
03:34But until the official channels sign off the apartment,
03:38they can't make a penny from it.
03:41There's things that do keep you awake at night,
03:42but, you know, we're getting there.
03:45As the Spanish say, poco a poco.
03:52It's July and while the couple wait for the approval
03:56to open for overnight guests,
03:58Greg has been working on broadening the business's offerings.
04:01Same way they went on?
04:04Yeah, I think so.
04:05So what I'll do is I'll push this one up,
04:07get the kickstand off and then I'll drag...
04:10I'll drag the wheel over this way.
04:13Today, he, Daisy and the children
04:15have made the four-hour drive south
04:17to an annual four-day motorbike festival
04:20near the town of Suria.
04:22We'll just slowly wheel it back.
04:25Oh, now it goes into gear.
04:27No.
04:28That's not going to help.
04:29Forwards.
04:34You got it?
04:35Yeah.
04:37But first they need to get them off the trailer.
04:40Glad you didn't get heavier bikes.
04:41Yeah, I did.
04:42Hang on, hang on.
04:43OK.
04:44At 150 kilograms each,
04:46one wrong move could be a costly mistake.
04:49You push it back up, take its weight.
04:52OK, that's one.
04:59If it proves the right fit,
05:01Greg hopes to market this Spanish biking festival
05:04to potential clients.
05:07They can fly into Santander.
05:08We pick them up, do a bit of riding around the Picos
05:11and then we do a bit of a road trip down here
05:14and then enjoy the festival.
05:17That could be a really big thing for us.
05:19It could be a really nice little package
05:20that we could sell to people.
05:22To promote the event properly,
05:24Greg first needs to try it out himself
05:27and, crucially, test whether his bikes are up to task.
05:31Right now, we're just at the start line
05:32of the vintage enduro track.
05:36Dating back to the 1920s,
05:38enduro races were designed
05:40to test both the endurance of the bike and the rider
05:44across rough terrain from mountains to deserts.
05:48And the festival has created their very own version
05:51on a three-minute circuit
05:53for every kind of rider to enjoy.
05:56It doesn't matter, you know, what your style of riding is.
05:58It doesn't matter what kind of bikes you're used to.
06:00Yeah, there's not many places you can do that.
06:02I'm going to give it a go.
06:03I'm going to check the bikes are up to it.
06:04While Daisy and the children are sampling
06:08some of the more family-friendly activities on offer,
06:11Greg gets stuck in.
06:13Circuit complete,
06:23Greg's overall thoughts on the festival
06:25as a business offering are positive.
06:29That's the hardest I've ever pushed these bikes.
06:31I was quite anxious about putting them on that track
06:33and trying to keep up with these other guys.
06:36But, you know what, they did really well.
06:38I was catching air behind a lot of guys
06:39and, yeah, it's great fun.
06:42It was awesome.
06:42I think we've sort of proven the fact
06:44that, you know, people can come out and visit us.
06:46We can bring our bikes here and have a lot of fun.
06:55The Golden Triangle in the south-west of France
06:58is a landscape of hilltop castles,
07:01winding rivers and towns
07:03that seem to have stood still for centuries.
07:06Blue skies, perfect clean river,
07:08little villages.
07:11I feel on top of the world.
07:12Construction boss Tony and his property expert wife Natasha
07:17decided to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Essex
07:20for this slower, more traditional lifestyle.
07:24This is like going back in time.
07:27You know, you sit here every morning
07:29and you don't hear a sound other than the birds.
07:31Natasha and Tony bought this part-renovated five-bedroom house
07:38with two sheets after the previous developers ran out of money,
07:43leaving just one of the sheets completed.
07:45Our dream is to create luxury retreat
07:49where people can come and recharge
07:53to understand the slower pace of life,
07:56to find themselves in a way a little bit
08:00and unwind.
08:03Before the couple can tackle work in the main house,
08:06they first need to finish the second sheet,
08:09converting it from a one-bed into a three
08:11in order to up their earning potential
08:14to fund the remaining renovations.
08:18We're in for the long haul.
08:19All in.
08:19All in, as Natasha says.
08:21We're taking a gamble, but everything in life is a gamble.
08:24It's going to be certainly worth it.
08:26It's late May,
08:29and while they've been busy hosting guests in their finished sheet,
08:33they've also been hard at work renovating the other,
08:36and time is now of the essence.
08:39We've got bookings for that at the end of June, I believe, is it?
08:43Yes, yes, it is.
08:44We're still scrambling around to finish at the last 12 hours,
08:47so, yeah, it'll give us good time to, you know, do all the final tweaks.
08:52Today's job is putting up a large chandelier
08:54on one of the new bedroom's rather high ceilings.
08:59Yeah, I think the main worry and concern
09:02is that Rodney holds it correctly.
09:07You promised not to say that.
09:10It is heavy.
09:12It's definitely very heavy,
09:13so I'm a little bit nervous about it,
09:15but I'm sure it will be fine.
09:17I did have big lunch.
09:21Ready?
09:22As ready as I'll ever be.
09:23Wish me luck.
09:25So while Tony takes to the skies...
09:27I'm trying to do it graciously, but it's hard.
09:30..Natasha puts her muscles to the test.
09:32One sec, one sec.
09:33I'm resting it on that, so hold on.
09:35I'll pass it on to you.
09:36Don't worry about lifting.
09:38I'm going to lift it.
09:38OK.
09:39OK?
09:40You just push it away from the tower.
09:46Oh, no.
09:47Let's fit.
09:48Yeah, I've got it.
09:49Let go, let go.
09:50Shall I go around?
09:51Let go.
09:51Let's do it.
09:57So that's the easy bit.
10:01Now comes the difficult bit.
10:03Chandelier raised, Tony spots a problem.
10:06Do you know what?
10:08I'm not quite tall enough.
10:10You can't reach?
10:11You're going to have to get a piece of wood.
10:13I'm going to have to stand on a piece of wood as well.
10:16OK, one sec.
10:17I'll be quick.
10:18Hang in there.
10:23Yeah, that should do.
10:25Does it give you necessary centimetres?
10:28I'm tiptoe on the wood.
10:30With just enough height to fix it in place...
10:33Do you want me to lift it a bit?
10:35Don't touch the big...
10:36Don't move.
10:38Do not breathe.
10:40My life insurance has expired as well, which is not helpful.
10:44Tony needs to work very carefully if he wants to avoid damaging this €400 chandelier.
10:51Things you have to do.
10:53Brace yourself, Natasha.
10:55Brace yourself.
10:56Now, what I need you to do very carefully is take the brakes off.
11:02Take the brakes off?
11:03Yeah.
11:04And you're going to move me.
11:07Slowly.
11:08Moving.
11:09Nice and gently, yeah?
11:12Don't forget I'm on it, yeah?
11:13Days and days spent here, manoeuvring him up there when he's painting.
11:19Still doesn't trust me.
11:20Stop.
11:21As Tony releases the slack, it's time to see if the screws hold.
11:26How's that?
11:27Beautiful.
11:28Can you do it a bit lower?
11:30Can you lengthen?
11:31Yeah.
11:31Yeah, ideally it needs to be a bit lower, but I can live with that.
11:36Chandelier in place, there's just one thing left to do.
11:39The moment of truth.
11:41Ready?
11:41I'm ready.
11:42Go.
11:43Yee-haw!
11:44Well done.
11:46It's something like that when it all starts to come together,
11:48when you start hanging lights, turning them on,
11:51you know, all the hard work of the construction
11:53and pulling the wires in and painting and plasterboarding,
11:57it's all worthwhile.
11:59Yes.
11:59Yes.
12:06Coming up...
12:07It looks really nice.
12:09Don't panic.
12:10The pressure is on as Greg and Daisy's new business
12:13faces its first real test.
12:15Yeah, it's the first time people are coming and actually paying us money
12:17to go and stay with us.
12:19Meanwhile, over in Spain...
12:21Too dark.
12:21..one couple rolled a dice on their biggest gamble yet.
12:25Full house.
12:26We're ready.
12:27Yeah.
12:27Excited.
12:28And we're good to go.
12:29With golden beaches and year-round sunshine,
12:43the Spanish resort of Ben al Madana
12:45is made for slow days, cool drinks and long tapas lunches.
12:51There is food in the front of the menu
12:52and the drinks are towards the back.
12:54Yeah.
12:54Since opening their seafront bar here three years ago,
12:58publican Adam and his Spanish wife Ali
13:01have seen it go from strength to strength.
13:05We've just been literally full every day.
13:10Daytime and night time.
13:13We really couldn't have asked for any more.
13:15With the bar a runaway success,
13:17the couple have hatched a master plan
13:19to add a second venue to their portfolio this year.
13:23Table five is for a peseco...
13:27It's done.
13:27How are you doing it?
13:28Just doing it now.
13:28Just grab out the two bowls.
13:30OK.
13:31This formerly run-down show bar
13:33just a few minutes' walk from the beach,
13:35which they've spent the last few months renovating
13:38into a shiny new entertainment venue to wow the crowds.
13:42We know in Bedel Maddena
13:45that there is a very high demand for live entertainment.
13:49But there aren't very many live entertainment venues around, are there?
13:53Once it's up and running,
13:54Adam and Ali will leave the show bar
13:56in the capable hands of manager Meg's
13:59and reclaim their evenings
14:00by running the beach bar in the daytime only.
14:04It will give us that time...
14:08Freedom.
14:08Yeah.
14:09Flexibility.
14:09For us to recover as well.
14:11Yeah.
14:12But at the same time, we're investing, we're growing.
14:18It's early March and the big day is finally here.
14:22Is that too dark?
14:25Tonight, Bedel Maddena's newest live music venue
14:28will officially launch.
14:30One, two, one, two.
14:33After weeks of promotion and ticket sales,
14:36Adam and Ali are hoping tonight will be the moment
14:39that puts their new bar on the map.
14:41I'm going to go to get change at the bar.
14:44Are you fully set up on the bar, guys, yeah?
14:46Yeah.
14:46Yeah, nothing more than he's doing now.
14:48Okay.
14:49You see the system I'm putting in place here?
14:51The couple have forked out for a wireless system
14:54to take orders at the new bar.
14:56But with it currently offline,
14:58their staff are working the old-fashioned way tonight.
15:01When a cheque comes in, you give me one of the cheques
15:03and the other cheque goes here.
15:06You do it, put it on the tray, and the guys take it out.
15:09This one is for all the cheques to be screwed up into.
15:12That's why it's there, you know,
15:14so we don't have bits of paper lying around everywhere.
15:16So we're super excited.
15:18It's a full house.
15:19We've got a full team on with some extra help
15:21from a dizzy donkey as well tonight.
15:22We're well prepared.
15:23We are well prepared.
15:24We're ready.
15:25Yeah.
15:25Excited, and we're good to go.
15:30With the doors open...
15:31The customers are soon placing orders.
15:36So I'm paying this off, yeah?
15:38Adam and Ali have a full roster of performers
15:41ready to go tonight.
15:42We have the wonderful Queen Supreme Tribute Band here tonight.
15:47Can we give them a big round of applause?
15:48They're in the back.
15:48They're going to be here.
15:50And as their first act takes to the stage,
15:53Adam is making sure everything behind the bar
15:56stays under control.
15:58That's a dope?
16:01Not easy with 37 tables of thirsty guests.
16:06Is that white wine?
16:08And till issues.
16:10It's 12 euros altogether.
16:12I just can't win the bill at the moment.
16:13Though the team are working flat out behind the scenes,
16:16on stage everything is running without a hitch.
16:19And it seems their audience are thrilled with the team's efforts.
16:30Ali and Adam are the most amazing hosts.
16:33They have worked so hard to establish themselves in Ben-O-Math.
16:41The proprietors are so welcoming.
16:43They are lush.
16:44And we want to come back out again.
16:46Guys, thanks so much for having us tonight.
16:48It's an amazing crowd.
16:51As the night draws to a close, spirits are high.
16:55And Adam and Ali can celebrate their new venture being open at last.
16:59It's been an incredible night.
17:01It really has.
17:02It's just a great feeling.
17:02It is.
17:03We're tired.
17:03No doubt about it.
17:07We've just got to build from here.
17:08Keep on going.
17:09Learn every day.
17:10Yeah.
17:11Really?
17:12I'm listening to your voice.
17:14Mine's going as well.
17:15The phone of a new light thing.
17:17The phone.
17:18Yeah.
17:18In Cantabria, it's late August.
17:26If you could do a little bit of vacuuming.
17:29And Greg and Daisy have finally secured all the permissions they need to legally host guests
17:34in their rental apartment.
17:37It looks really nice.
17:38Don't panic.
17:40Just a bit slapdash.
17:41A bit slapdash.
17:42And not a moment too soon, as in less than an hour, their first guests check in.
17:48Yeah, it's a big milestone, really.
17:49Yeah, it's the first time people are coming and actually paying us money as a business
17:53to come and stay with us.
17:54So Greg is slightly panicked.
17:57He's got in the apartment.
17:58We've got glasses.
17:59We've got mugs.
18:00We've got...
18:02Steem eggs, coffee, sugar.
18:03Steem eggs, coffee, coffee.
18:04So we've got the cafeteria as well.
18:07This room's done.
18:09It's taken the couple eight months to reach this stage.
18:13And with a good review on the line, Greg isn't taking any chances.
18:17Toilet roll.
18:19Is that facing the right way?
18:20That is facing the right way.
18:22That could be brought down like that.
18:24It's good.
18:25It's fine.
18:26We're good.
18:26We're fine.
18:27Do we need, do we need like an extra blanket?
18:29Absolutely fine.
18:29No, it's not cold.
18:31They don't need an extra blanket.
18:32It's absolutely fine.
18:34It's all good.
18:35I would be very happy if I walked into this.
18:36You've got prohibitively low standards.
18:39It's true.
18:39That is true.
18:43Greg's barely put his duster away when guests Helena and Toby arrive.
18:49I think they might be here.
18:50Oh, they're here, are they?
18:51Oh, right.
18:51Fantastic.
18:53Hey, guys.
18:55Hi, Helena.
18:56How are you doing?
18:57Good.
18:57How are you?
18:58Really pleased to meet you.
18:59Nice to meet you.
19:00Nice to meet you.
19:01Visiting from the Netherlands, the couple have paid 160 euros for a two-night stay with bike hire for the day.
19:08Because you are our first guests.
19:10If there's anything that you're missing, just let me know straight away.
19:12Yeah.
19:12I'll make sure that you get everything you need.
19:14It looks better than all the apartments we have so far in Spain.
19:17Oh, really?
19:17Maybe even better than our own apartments.
19:20It's a promising start for Greg and Daisy, but they'll only discover how the apartment has held up once their guests have stayed the night.
19:32And the following morning...
19:34Do you sleep well?
19:35Amazing.
19:36Good morning.
19:36It's really nice, guys.
19:38That was really nice.
19:39Was it cold or was it?
19:40Really cold.
19:41Helena and Toby have no complaints and are eager to set out on their biking excursion after a quick briefing from Greg.
19:49And you've got full beam on the handlebars here, kill switches there, indicators on the left here, you've got a horn.
19:56It's easy.
19:57Yeah, it's a really nice, easy bike to ride.
19:59As Greg won't be guiding them today, all that's left is to ensure they have the correct equipment.
20:06Helmet-wise, pick your style.
20:08Oh, we've got all kinds.
20:09We've got all kinds.
20:10Yeah, we do orange.
20:11We're representing our Dutch people.
20:14Yeah, absolutely.
20:15It's the Dutch colours, isn't it?
20:16Yeah.
20:17And leave them to it.
20:19How did it go?
20:27Have you been happy?
20:28They did, yeah.
20:29Yeah, when I spoke to them this morning, they said the apartment was great.
20:32They had a really nice evening relaxing on the balcony and they slept really well.
20:39So, and yeah, and now they're off on the bike, you know, everything was ready.
20:44Well done.
20:44It is relief, yeah.
20:45Seeing people go out, well, it'll be more relief when they come back and everything's okay.
20:53The next day, as Helena and Toby prepare to say their goodbyes...
20:58Did you sleep well?
20:59Yeah, I'm pretty good.
21:00Fantastic.
21:00Hey, good morning.
21:01How are you doing?
21:01You all right?
21:02Greg's keen to hear their feedback on the two-night stay.
21:05Was it okay?
21:06Was it you had everything you needed?
21:08Yes.
21:08Because you know you guys are our first guests, isn't it?
21:10I actually made a small list of things.
21:12Yes!
21:12Really?
21:12Yes!
21:13This is amazing.
21:14No, no, no, this is perfect.
21:15We already thought maybe you could...
21:16Well, yeah.
21:17Yeah, yeah, send that to me.
21:19We will.
21:20This is all good.
21:20This is really good.
21:21Really minor things, but it would make life a bit easier.
21:24A big ball for a salad.
21:25Of course.
21:26Of course.
21:27A few small touches aside, the apartment's inaugural guests
21:30are leaving happy today.
21:32We weren't completely sure what to expect,
21:35also because the apartment hasn't been rented out before.
21:37I think all our expectations were exceeded, right?
21:40Yeah.
21:41You can see that they really put their heart into the apartment
21:43and also the motorcycle rentals.
21:45Maybe see you in the future, yeah?
21:46Yeah.
21:47Cool.
21:47Take care.
21:48All right, see you later.
21:48Bye.
21:49Take care.
21:49Bye now.
21:50As their guests head off to their next stop,
21:53Greg and Daisy can take a moment to celebrate.
21:56With their first paying guests leaving a positive review,
22:00they hope it's the first of many.
22:01The response was just overwhelmingly great.
22:05There was a few things that we've sort of missed out,
22:07like little bits.
22:10So Toby's given me a little list of small things.
22:13But it's, you know, when you're working in there all the time,
22:18you don't see the wood for the tree,
22:20so actually getting a little bit of feedback like that is invaluable.
22:23Don't you?
22:23It's been a lot of work.
22:25Yeah, it's finally paid off.
22:26We've done it.
22:26I'm over the moon, actually.
22:27All this hard work is hopefully going to start paying off.
22:36Coming up...
22:37Tony, what is the time?
22:39Will Natasha and Tony's new luxury jeet stand up to scrutiny
22:43as guests arrive?
22:45Three o'clock now.
22:47Guests arrive in an hour, which is a little bit tight.
22:51And the future of Adam and Ali's bar hangs in the balance
22:55after a devastating blow.
22:57Oh, my God.
23:00This is just shocking.
23:10It's August in the Dordogne,
23:12and eight months since beginning their second jeet renovation,
23:16Natasha and Tony are finally finished.
23:18Their once modest one-bedroom apartment is now a three-bed,
23:23boasting two new luxury guest suites and an adjoining bathroom.
23:28This room didn't exist before.
23:30Top floor is added to this new jeet.
23:33So Tony built the walls.
23:36We painted all these beams, walls, put up that beautiful chandelier.
23:41This is the shower room that serves both petroves.
23:44Yeah, Tony did quite an impressive job.
23:45I know it took a little bit of blood, sweat, and tears, but he did it.
23:51And it does look really cool.
23:53I love it.
23:54In peak season, the new jeet will bring in 330 euros per night,
24:00essential income that will help fund the renovations in the main house.
24:04But with two properties comes double the workload.
24:08And today, the couple are preparing for ten guests checking in.
24:12It's our first check-in for some guests using both jeets.
24:18So this jeet is bigger and much bigger in square footage as well.
24:22More cleaning in this one, you know, because we're in rural France,
24:26and there's always, you know, a fly or a little cobweb in the corner
24:31that you don't want to miss, really.
24:33So there's a lot of the feather duster.
24:35I'm getting pretty good at the feather duster, actually.
24:39Never thought I'd say that coming from a construction background.
24:43It'd be pleasing to see what the guests think of, you know, our hard work.
24:47I'd like to hear wow, as many as possible.
24:50After a couple of hours, then we'd like to book next year as well.
24:53Yes.
24:54That'd be perfect.
24:56Tony and Natasha need positive reviews to give their new listing a boost,
25:01and aiming for the luxury market means every detail must be on point.
25:07Three o'clock now.
25:08Guests arrive in an hour, which is a little bit tight,
25:13and you have to work fast, but at the same time, quality is important.
25:17You have to do everything properly.
25:18I think I'm getting the hand of it.
25:23So, Tony, what is the time?
25:25Do we have time?
25:26We've got about 40 minutes to go until guests arrive.
25:31Okay.
25:31All done?
25:34All done.
25:34I think we are ready.
25:37Gite prep done, Natasha and Tony move out of the way and into the main house,
25:42still a long way from finished,
25:44but their only option while the Gites are occupied.
25:48So, yeah, this is where we're going to live in for the next six weeks in the peak season,
25:54and that's going to be where the main bed is down this end,
25:56and this will be like a lounge area.
25:59Very nice, cozy nest at the moment, as we call it, our nest.
26:05This is currently being used as our temporary kitchen, isn't it, darling?
26:09And it's probably one of the best kitchens you've had, isn't it?
26:11One of this summer forever.
26:13But the old saying is, no pain, no gain.
26:15I think when it's completed, it will be something special.
26:18But with their guests arriving, their renovations will have to wait for today.
26:27Welcome.
26:28Hi.
26:29Hi.
26:29How are you?
26:30It's been lovely to meet you.
26:32Hi.
26:33So this is your pool area.
26:35Oh, we're very excited.
26:37We've been talking about this for literally hours.
26:40It's good.
26:41So, yeah, this is exclusively yours.
26:44And now to show off their hard work on the new sheet.
26:48And when we turned up, there was no windows or doors.
26:51There was nothing.
26:56It's on that triangle window, if you want the blackout.
26:58It's got a little magnet on it, so it just sticks to the...
27:01Oh, OK.
27:03Right, we'll let you get on.
27:04Any questions?
27:06If you need us, just shout, yeah?
27:08Thank you, everyone.
27:09Have a look round.
27:10As their guests settle in,
27:12it's clear Natasha and Tony have struck the right note
27:14with their newest accommodation.
27:16Attention to detail is amazing, yeah, really amazing.
27:20They've done a lovely job.
27:21It's really beautiful.
27:22Yep.
27:23Oh, it's gorgeous.
27:24It's better than the pictures did it credit, really.
27:26It's amazing.
27:28Just lots of nice different spaces and the pool.
27:30Well, we're in it already after ten minutes and it's gorgeous.
27:33With both sheets full,
27:36it's a major milestone for Tony and Natasha.
27:39And with the rest of the summer ahead,
27:41the couple are hopeful these will be the first guests of many.
27:45I think the check-in went really well.
27:47Yes.
27:47They seemed very happy.
27:49They said it met all their expectations,
27:51which is always a good thing.
27:53When people are so complimentary about the hard work you've done,
27:57it all kind of makes it all worthwhile.
28:01We're very proud of the work we've done.
28:03I think we are proud, yeah.
28:04The overriding thing is we've achieved something we set out to do
28:08and we've had some challenges, but we got through it.
28:10It looks like it's going to be a success.
28:21As summer sets in over in Benal Madena,
28:25Adam and Ali's show bar is quickly winning over locals and visitors alike.
28:30It smells beautiful.
28:31Yeah.
28:31Really nice.
28:32I'm watching her stir in it now and I can't wait to taste it, so...
28:35And their flamenco shows, paired with Ali's homemade paella...
28:39Perfecto.
28:41..are proving a particular hit.
28:43It's Ali's night.
28:44I'm so happy for her that we're able to do this.
28:46She's always dreamt of doing it and now we're able to do it,
28:49so it's going really well.
29:01But as August draws to a close,
29:03overnight one phone call changes everything for the couple.
29:09Oh, my God.
29:16They've been alerted to a fire at the show bar.
29:20Oh, my God.
29:22On arrival, the interior they spent months perfecting is unrecognisable.
29:28The two curtains on the sides are gone.
29:32Every inch of the venue is covered in thick soot
29:35and the DJ booth is destroyed.
29:41In the cold light of day, the extent of the damage is revealed.
29:46Everything over here is just melted.
29:49While Adam must open their beachfront bar,
29:52Ali and son Raoul are on site waiting for their insurer
29:55to come and assess the building.
29:56This is just shocking.
30:01The amount of work that we put into this venue
30:05is just heartbreaking.
30:10At least it's just the fire was contained within that small space.
30:16The venue was closed.
30:18Nothing happened to anybody.
30:20And everything that's happened is just material.
30:24Just five months after they launched,
30:27the show bar's doors are closed for the foreseeable future.
30:37Two months later, it's October.
30:41I'm going to leave you here, the light of my life.
30:44And the terrace at their beachfront bar is packed.
30:49Is everything all right for you?
30:51Absolutely amazing.
30:52Apart from the weather.
30:55Since the fire, we made the decision,
30:57because we had an extra team,
30:59we might as well open up here in the evening.
31:03We've still got to pay bills at the Flaming Flamingo,
31:07even though it's not open.
31:08So, you know, it was a blessing for us
31:11to be able to have the Dizzy Donkey
31:14to open up for more hours
31:16and to be as financially successful as it was.
31:20Reinstating the evening shift at the beachfront bar
31:23has not only kept their team in work,
31:26but also ensured the company stays in the black.
31:29Even though we are doing nights,
31:30and we are tired, but so what?
31:31We've still got a smile on our faces
31:33and giving people what they want.
31:36Living the dream, eh?
31:37After a busy year of building,
31:41then losing their new venture,
31:44Adam and Ali remain surprisingly upbeat.
31:47We started 2025 with all the best intentions,
31:53and it was working really, really well, wasn't it?
31:55Having a fire is devastating.
31:57It is...
31:58These are all materialistic things.
32:02Material can be replaced.
32:04Can be replaced.
32:05We're always trying to find those positives
32:08and trying to look forward to how to make it better.
32:13It's been a learning experience this year.
32:15For now, Adam and Ali are back doing what they know best.
32:21Red wine?
32:22More red wine.
32:23Why not?
32:25And as they wait to hear from the insurers,
32:27they're staying focused on finishing what they started at the show bar.
32:32I'm certainly not just, you know, giving up and going,
32:34well, that's just, you know, that's life and that.
32:37No.
32:37Yeah, well done as well.
32:38It makes us stronger.
32:40We'll remain optimistic,
32:42and we want to move on as quickly as we can, don't we?
32:46It's been a year of ups and downs,
32:48but it's only strengthened the couple's bond,
32:51and they have no doubts that this is exactly where they're meant to be.
32:55There's no going back to the UK.
32:58No.
32:59I mean, back in the UK, we were like ships in the night,
33:02passing each other.
33:03Now it feels like we're just, we're anchored together now, aren't we?
33:06Yes, we are.
33:08Yeah, we're always together.
33:09In a good way.
33:11This is home.
33:13It is.
33:14Always and forever.
33:16Yeah.
33:16Mm-hmm.
33:21Coming up...
33:22Greg, do you want me to make the bed?
33:24Yes, please, darling.
33:25Greg and Daisy land their most lucrative booking yet.
33:29Our first guest renting the apartment and doing it all.
33:34And as an important visit unfolds...
33:37Bonjour!
33:38..it's a defining moment for Natasha and Tony's new business.
33:41A little bit nervous, but also be glad once the day is over.
33:54In Cantabria, it's mid-September.
33:57Greg, do you want me to make the bed?
34:00Yes, please, darling.
34:02And Greg and Daisy are preparing to welcome the next guest at their rental apartment.
34:08I hate making beds.
34:09We've got a guy coming this afternoon who is our first guest renting the apartment and doing a tour.
34:18Tonight's guest has opted for the full package, a day touring the trails with Greg, plus access to the apartment and grounds.
34:26But after a midnight visit from the local wild boar, an unwelcome blight has been left on the landscape.
34:33We didn't hear anything in the night, but we got up this morning and I was greeted with the Battle of the Somme.
34:40They've come into the garden overnight and it must have been a family and they're just rooting around for worms.
34:44They've had a field day, literally.
34:46Months of preparation have led to today's booking and Greg is determined not to let their guest down.
34:56With Alex having just arrived, all they can do is hope he's accommodating.
35:01How was your ride up?
35:03It was rather marvellous.
35:04How was it? It's been a good day for her, actually.
35:06With Alex parking up, Greg breaks the news.
35:10I need to make a small apology because what's normally a beautiful garden has just been totally torn up.
35:15The wild boar got into the garden just searching for worms and stuff.
35:18I was going to cut the grass today, get all the lines in it, looking beautiful.
35:21They really went for that, didn't they?
35:22Yeah, they did.
35:24Thankfully, Alex seems unfazed and having travelled nearly 1,000 miles to get here is keen to see his digs for the night.
35:32Right, let me introduce you to, hopefully, a nice cool apartment.
35:35Please step in.
35:37So, I would suggest, yeah, just relax, enjoy yourself, have a cold beer out of the fridge.
35:40Leaving their guests to settle in, Greg is feeling pleased with the initial reaction.
35:45He thinks he's one of the best that he's stayed in recently, so that's a glowing review.
35:49He knows his bikes, he's got some good experience, so tomorrow when we go for a ride, we can probably hit some of the more technical trails.
35:56And, yeah, we'll have a great day of it. Looking forward to it.
35:58The following morning, and after a comfortable night's rest in the apartment...
36:08In it to win it.
36:10Alex is raring to get onto the bikes and into the peaks with Greg.
36:14Right, we're all set. Let's go.
36:17Alex won't be using one of Greg's bikes today, opting instead for his own wheels,
36:21but he'll be relying on his local knowledge to navigate the best trails.
36:25After a full eight-hour day on the trails, for Alex, it's been an experience to remember.
36:40Enjoy it?
36:41That was absolutely fantastic, man. Thank you, sir.
36:43Great, you're very welcome.
36:45The ride today was just fantastic.
36:47The views, the environment, the trails.
36:49Anyone that is into doing some off-road riding need to just get here and experience this,
36:58and Greg's the perfect person to take them out there.
37:00I really enjoyed myself. It was a terrific day.
37:03And I will definitely be back as well.
37:06We've had a wonderful day today.
37:07It's been an ideal sort of business case for us.
37:09That's exactly what we want to be doing.
37:11We want to have people coming in, spending the night in our accommodation,
37:14and then taking them out for a ride the following day.
37:17And then at the end of the ride, they can spend another night here and relax
37:20and just enjoy everything that this beautiful part of the world has to offer.
37:30What do you think, Benny?
37:32Do you like the views?
37:33It's amazing!
37:34It's cool, isn't it?
37:35For Greg and Daisy, getting their apartment and business to this stage has been a labour of love,
37:41and one that has taken a little longer than they first imagined.
37:45Probably the most difficult thing this season is just the bureaucracy and the paperwork
37:50has set us back a few weeks, and possibly we've missed out on some bookings over the summer.
37:55But these things take time, and that's OK.
37:58We know now, and it's all ready to go for next season.
38:01The wheels turn slowly in Spain sometimes, and you kind of have to get used to that.
38:06Yeah, I think, you know, we've learnt a huge amount,
38:08but going forward, we're confident with what we're offering.
38:12Despite the delayed start to the season,
38:15the pair have still welcomed a steady stream of guests to their apartment,
38:19each one won over by the thoughtfully curated packages on offer.
38:24You spend an awful lot of time when you're thinking of these ideas.
38:27Is it going to work? Will people actually like it?
38:29Will they like me?
38:31But, you know, when you get this feedback from people,
38:33suddenly realise, actually, no, it is.
38:34We're doing the right thing, and people enjoy it, and it's incredibly rewarding.
38:38I don't think we could have asked for a better first year.
38:39No.
38:41Last one, Lucy.
38:41One more time, everyone, just stay still, stay still.
38:46Though the business is still in its infancy,
38:49their first dual booking has given the couple confidence
38:52they've found not only their niche,
38:54but an exciting future for their family
38:56in this quiet corner of countryside.
39:00We've got a nice house.
39:02We're slowly making our own now,
39:04and, yeah, this feels like home now, doesn't it?
39:07Yeah, yeah, we love it.
39:08It's great.
39:09We're here to stay, I think.
39:10Yeah.
39:10In the Dordogne, it's September,
39:22and with their three-bed Gite now operational,
39:25today Natasha and Tony face a nerve-wracking visit
39:28from an inspector to issue their official star rating.
39:32So, big day-to-day, classification.
39:34Yes.
39:35Hopefully we're going to get four stars on this.
39:37That's what we're hoping for.
39:38Only 10% of Gites in France are in five- and four-star category,
39:44so it's very prestigious and would put us on the map even more.
39:50But there's a reason so few Gites achieve the rating.
39:54The sort of things they look for on the four-star
39:56is right down to things like the right amount of cutlery.
40:00Thickness of the mattress, pillow covers,
40:03number of pillows per person, towels.
40:06The list is quite extensive.
40:08A little bit nervous, but also be glad once the day's over.
40:13Thankfully, Tony won't have to wait any longer
40:16as the inspector has just arrived.
40:22Bonjour.
40:23Hello.
40:24Good morning, Mr Crowley.
40:25Good morning.
40:26To earn its stars,
40:27every rated property in France
40:29must pass an exhaustive list of criteria.
40:32The dishwasher, okay, fridge and separate freezer.
40:36Yeah.
40:37All right.
40:38And today, Mathieu will inspect every corner
40:41of their new accommodation
40:42against the 210-point checklist.
40:46I'm not going to count all of them.
40:47I've seen that you have at least 10 forks and knives.
40:49Big and little spoons.
40:51Perfect.
40:51Everything is here.
40:52The ensuite bathroom for them.
40:57All right.
40:58You provided them with a bathtub,
41:00have the sink,
41:01you even have the shower.
41:03Here, you leave them this product.
41:05We leave the shower gels.
41:07The shower gels.
41:08Do you leave them also the shampoo?
41:10Shampoo?
41:11Is it worth leaving it?
41:13Like you do remember,
41:14we mentioned it,
41:15this is three points.
41:16Uh-huh.
41:16And just next to me,
41:18you have a washing machine.
41:21Drying one as well?
41:22Uh, no, not here.
41:25Every point checked,
41:26every detail scrutinised,
41:28now comes the moment
41:30that we'll tell if Natasha and Tony
41:32have done enough.
41:34There's 210 criteria to check.
41:38Today, we're reaching 202.
41:40We need 210.
41:41So we're just missing some of them
41:44to be able to be classified
41:45as a four-star for six-person.
41:49After all that hard work,
41:50it looks like they've just missed out.
41:53For each point that you haven't checked,
41:55we need to compensate those points
41:57with extra optional points.
42:00The first one is the drying machine.
42:02We are going to get a dryer put in there.
42:05All right.
42:06So you send me a photo on my email.
42:09The proof of the fact
42:10that you added it exactly,
42:12or the purchase,
42:13you added this.
42:14I will add it to the system
42:15and to the classification,
42:17and we technically just need
42:18to check two points.
42:20But it seems there may be
42:22a solution to the problem.
42:24My suggestion,
42:25provide the shampoo for your guests.
42:26If you're provided them
42:27with checking three more points,
42:29this will be enough
42:31to be able to have your accommodation
42:32in four-star for six-person.
42:35That's fantastic news.
42:36Thank you very much.
42:37Well done.
42:38Well done.
42:39That's very efficient.
42:42Over the whole,
42:43like the quality
42:44and the services they provide
42:46for the guests
42:46and what they have done here
42:47is very, very good.
42:49They should be very proud
42:49of what they have done,
42:51and they have very good
42:51quality accommodation.
42:52So, despite a hair-raising moment,
42:56a couple of bottles of shampoo
42:57has saved their four-star rating.
43:00Ecstatic, really,
43:01because there was a lot
43:01of hard work went into that.
43:03Yes, well done, Dad.
43:04Well done.
43:04Well done.
43:07Managing one sheet,
43:09renovating another,
43:10and starting work
43:11on an empty shell
43:12was always going to be a challenge.
43:15But after a hectic summer,
43:16Natasha and Tony are already
43:18seeing their efforts
43:19begin to pay off.
43:20Well, our first full season
43:23has been a real success,
43:24to the point that we've had
43:25re-bookings already.
43:27It's really good seeing
43:28your customers
43:30with a smiley face
43:32when they leave
43:32and saying,
43:34thank you so much
43:34for this holiday.
43:35So, that's always
43:36a good indication.
43:38Hearing back
43:38that they don't want to leave,
43:41it was more
43:42we could have wished for.
43:43Yeah.
43:44The road ahead
43:45may be long,
43:46but Natasha and Tony
43:48are confident
43:49they're heading
43:49in the right direction.
43:51Yeah, the future's looking good.
43:53And have no regrets
43:54about the life-changing journey
43:56they've begun here.
43:57It is definitely
43:58very, very far
44:01from our lives
44:02in England.
44:03We get asked
44:04quite a lot, actually.
44:06Have you made
44:06the right decision?
44:07Was it worth it?
44:08And I can hand on heart say,
44:10this is one of the best things
44:12I've ever done
44:12I've ever done
44:12in my lifetime.
44:13I know it's the old cliche,
44:15I wish I'd have done it sooner.
44:21Next time,
44:22a couple from Lincolnshire
44:23prove it's never too late
44:25to chase a dream.
44:26It was my idea, really.
44:28Come on, let's go
44:29and let's have an adventure.
44:31In Italy,
44:32will bureaucracy ruin
44:34a former soap star's
44:35dream business?
44:37These new rules
44:38only came in
44:38in March,
44:40like last month.
44:41And there's a shaky start.
44:43That is moving.
44:45For a pair trying
44:46to get their
44:47Bulgarian retreat business
44:48launched.
44:49It's a much bigger job
44:50than we expected
44:51in the first place.
44:52Money, money, money, money.
45:08And then we'll see you next time.
45:20You
45:33do
Comments