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00:01For ten years, we've been celebrating plucky Brits
00:04chasing their dreams in the sunshine.
00:08Isn't this just the perfect life?
00:10Absolutely.
00:11But there's plenty more following in their footsteps.
00:14Go on, close your nose.
00:16I don't know whether I dare.
00:17These expats are flying in the face of Brexit...
00:20They have kept my passport, which is a bit of a shock.
00:25..and joining Europe anyway.
00:27Suck it and see, as they say, eh?
00:29Need a bit of luck.
00:31..investing blood, sweat and tears.
00:34Oh.
00:35Oh, no. Now, look! Oh, no!
00:37What a pine in the...
00:40..from riding centres in Bulgaria...
00:43..to antique shops in France.
00:46We'll be millionaires next year.
00:48Rodney. Rodney.
00:50..they're queuing up...
00:52Whoa! Come on.
00:54..to build their new lives in the sun.
00:57There's no going back. Not gonna happen.
01:01Today, it's looking like an eventful end to the summer season
01:05for our Brits in Europe.
01:07I think this would not pass at the Ritz,
01:09so we might have to do something about that.
01:12..as two newbie hosts finally open their doors.
01:15These are the realities of running a B&B, I think.
01:18This is the first feeling of the reality of it.
01:21I don't like it.
01:23Meanwhile, something's missing at a villa in France.
01:26We do have a slight problem this morning.
01:28We don't have any water.
01:30Plans for a Portuguese holiday let are half-baked.
01:34Oh, the evening's gone off.
01:35I think it has gone off.
01:36Why has it gone off?
01:37I didn't hear a tinkle.
01:39And it's a big day for a B&B in Italy.
01:42I think it went really, really well,
01:44and they came in and said,
01:46oh, this is beautiful and lovely,
01:47and, you know, it feels really worth it.
01:57For many Brits, the promise of less work and more sunshine
02:00is all the push they need to up sticks and head to Spain.
02:06This is a lifetime.
02:08And that's exactly what Norfolk couple Tom and Terry,
02:11who quit the UK in 2022, have found.
02:15What we were coming to Spain for
02:17was that kind of easier lifestyle.
02:19We just love waking up in the morning
02:21and virtually every day, even through the winter,
02:24you just fling the shutters open
02:26and it's bright sunshine outside
02:28and that just makes you want to get up.
02:30Well, I say to you, don't I, is the sun out?
02:32Just as a little joke.
02:34The couple bought this B&B for €230,000
02:38in the village of Badar.
02:40They've gone all out to turn it
02:42into their dream home and dream business.
02:46We're opening a two-bedroom B&B
02:49that's going to be completely plant-based, completely vegan.
02:51Mostly organic.
02:53It's the kindness element.
02:55You've not got a feather duvet.
02:56You've not got cruelty in any of your toiletries and paints.
03:01It's kind of thinking about everything
03:03so that we do the work for people,
03:06so that while they're in our place
03:08and hopefully when they go home as well,
03:10they'll take a little bit with them.
03:12The couple have revamped both ensuite guest bedrooms
03:16and the private dining area
03:18and added an inviting plunge pool
03:20as an extra incentive to guests.
03:23It's taken five months, but the work is finally finished.
03:28We want to get guests in.
03:30We want to get, you know, obviously money coming in
03:32and we're determined to make it work as a successful business.
03:36You're just chomping at the bit, really, aren't we?
03:39Mm-hm.
03:41It's October and it's a momentous day for Tom and Terry.
03:46Look at all these leaves about to unravel.
03:49Under the terms of their current visa,
03:51they can't officially open until 2025.
03:55But they can have a trial run
03:57and today they're welcoming some VIPs.
04:00They're not just any old guests.
04:02Yolanda is the head of the Vegan Almeria Society.
04:06The president?
04:06The president, that's it.
04:08So, yeah, so she's sort of well up on what she would expect
04:11and what a good vegan food and breakfast.
04:15But, yeah, it's important that they'll help us
04:16hopefully spread the word about the B&B
04:18in the kind of Spanish Almeria community of vegans,
04:22which will be invaluable, really.
04:24So, it is important that it goes well today.
04:27Before their special guests arrive,
04:30the casa needs one last finishing touch.
04:33Terry's been putting his artistic side to work
04:36by hand-crafting the nameplate for the business
04:39at their local pottery studio.
04:42I'm excited to pick it up.
04:43We mustn't drop it.
04:44We've got to be super, super careful.
04:47Drum roll.
04:48Are you ready?
04:48Are you ready?
04:50Woo!
04:51Wow, look at that.
04:52That is beautiful.
04:54It's really cool.
04:55And the letters are, like, perfect.
04:57So, do I get to help you lift this out?
04:59What are you going to do?
05:00I think I'll carry it myself.
05:02OK, you got it?
05:02Yep.
05:03Let's get it home.
05:05Back at their casa,
05:08they waste no time hanging the sign.
05:14I can't tell that sign.
05:16Yep, you're on.
05:18Nobody breathed.
05:19Let's have a look.
05:21Well, that looks amazing.
05:23That looks amazing, yeah.
05:25It feels like a real moment,
05:27and really it's just signifying that we are open.
05:30Try Vegan Bada.
05:32Bring it on.
05:33Mm-hmm.
05:36With guests due to arrive soon,
05:38Tom and Terry have some last-minute preparations to attend to.
05:42We'll pop a couple of cushions on the bed,
05:46just to give it a little bit of colour.
05:48Straighten everything.
05:49Make sure it looks nice.
05:51While I get in there,
05:52I just want to get in there right now,
05:54but I can't.
06:04I don't know which is the top and the bottom.
06:05I think the other way...
06:08No, that is right.
06:09It's got a little pucker.
06:11This tablecloth was beautifully ironed and folded,
06:14and we now have a slight ruck.
06:15I think this would not pass at the Ritz,
06:17so we might have to do something about that.
06:20I'll get the iron.
06:21We'll get the iron.
06:24That's it.
06:25There we go.
06:27I've never in all my life
06:29worn a tablecloth on a table.
06:32Happy?
06:33I think that'll be fine.
06:34Yeah, I think that's much better.
06:36Today is the culmination of all the time,
06:39money and effort Tom and Terry have put into their new venture.
06:44But having left their day jobs in the UK nearly two years ago
06:48to follow their dream,
06:49and having spent the intervening years focusing on achieving it,
06:54it's now time to put their nose to the grindstone
06:57to get a brand new business thriving.
06:59We've done all the final checks.
07:01The guests have messaged to say they're on their way.
07:04The terrace is all good.
07:05Yeah, we could just lay on this sun lounger now
07:08and have a little read, I think.
07:10No, we need to get up.
07:11Oh, gosh.
07:13These are the realities of running a B&B, I think.
07:16This is the first feeling of the reality of it.
07:18I don't like it.
07:21Don't say that.
07:22This is our first ever.
07:23We've got to like it.
07:32Over three million tourists a year flock to the Dordogne
07:36for sunshine, scenery and joie de vivre.
07:40With so many visitors,
07:41you might think it's all traffic jams and queues,
07:45but nothing could be further from the truth.
07:47Just because it's a popular destination
07:49doesn't mean to say that it's overcrowded.
07:51It's not like Barry Island or anywhere else
07:54where the sun comes out
07:55and you've got a job to find a space on the beach.
07:58Keen motorcyclists Paul and Fiona from Gloucestershire
08:01were on holiday here when they spotted
08:03a run-down farm building once used to store wine.
08:08Since Paul is an ex-builder,
08:10the couple thought it could be the chance of a lifetime.
08:13The day we were leaving to go back home to the UK,
08:16we thought we need to go and have a look at that place
08:20because it would be ripe for renovations.
08:23So we did and here we are now.
08:28It's taken them eight years to turn it into a bespoke villa
08:32that can sleep 12 people,
08:35but now they're finally earning an income
08:37from all of their hard work.
08:43That's another reason we moved to France.
08:45Yeah.
08:46It's probably the only reason.
08:51It's August in the Dordogne,
08:53where Paul and Fiona are bidding farewell
08:55to a happy group of holidaymakers.
08:59It's been a pleasure, Paul.
09:00It's been fantastic.
09:00Thank you very much.
09:01And we all look forward to you coming again.
09:04We'll get to see you again.
09:05Since opening their doors three months ago...
09:08Yeah, you're welcome.
09:09..Paul and Fiona have been getting used to playing hosts.
09:13Yeah.
09:13But today will be a real test
09:16because another family is arriving this afternoon
09:18and the couple have never had to do a changeover this fast before.
09:22Ooh.
09:23What a lovely family it is.
09:25Bye.
09:26Have a good trip back.
09:27Safe journey.
09:28See you soon.
09:36We've done a few changeover routines,
09:38but normally we've got a day or two
09:40before anybody else comes in,
09:41or maybe a week even.
09:43Yep.
09:43Full-on busy day today.
09:45Pretty busy.
09:46To make matters worse,
09:48there's an extra spanner in the works.
09:50We do have a slight problem this morning.
09:53We don't have any water.
09:54No, they've turned the water off.
09:55They've turned the water off for some reason.
09:57We've got seven bathrooms to clean.
09:59And no water.
10:02Luckily, manpower will not be an issue
10:05as Paul's son Scott and his wife Steph are over from the UK.
10:10To start off,
10:11everybody's focusing on the jobs they can do without water.
10:17Right, on to the next job.
10:20I'm not sure what that is at the minute,
10:22but we'll work it out.
10:24Just as it's beginning to look a bit tight for time,
10:26there's good news in the kitchen.
10:28We might have the water back on.
10:30Let's hope.
10:33Yes, we have.
10:34Right, let's get the dishwasher on the go.
10:36We've got the water back on.
10:39I'm so pleased the water's back on,
10:41because it would have been a nun,
10:42not made to clean the showers and bathrooms.
10:45I do the top edges of the doors, the windows,
10:50everything that I think is the unusual places where people will look.
10:54After a busy summer,
10:55Paul and Fiona are old hands at running the villa.
10:58Generally, most people leave it fairly clean and tidy.
11:02But you've just got to go around and make sure it's all immaculate.
11:06I've come across some surprises when you're doing things.
11:09A pair of dirty knickers under them.
11:13Well, I think they were dirty.
11:16I'd pick them up like that and put them in the bin.
11:18But just as they're entering the home straight...
11:21One of each, red, white and rosy.
11:25..Paul finds a problem.
11:29Brennan repairs on the spot as we go.
11:33Don't ask me if it works itself really.
11:35I have no idea.
11:36These digits were not designed for fiddly things.
11:41Despite the mismatch between Paul's big hands and the tiny screws,
11:45it's not long before the problem is fixed.
11:48Right.
11:51And just in time, as their next set of guests has arrived.
11:57Hello.
11:58Hello.
12:00Have you had a good trip?
12:02A long trip.
12:04Even though the day started with a worrying lack of running water,
12:09you'd never know it from the welcome Paul and Fiona give their new set of guests.
12:20Coming up...
12:22Ah, no, it's just ripping.
12:24Will a botched batch of biscuits cause a blunder in Portugal?
12:29We've always got a bag of crisps that we can leave for them if all else fails.
12:34Amazing. It's so beautiful.
12:36Yeah? Unbelievable.
12:38And a B&B in Italy reaches a milestone.
12:41That was a really big moment for me because actually it's our very first guest.
12:53For some brave Brits, leaving the UK for foreign soil is less of a choice and more of a necessity.
13:00And that certainly felt true for Yorkshire couple Louise and Shay.
13:06Financially, we lost a lot during lockdowns because we weren't able to work.
13:12It was either downsize in the UK, where we didn't want to be, or sell up in the UK and
13:20move somewhere...
13:21Mortgage-free, beautiful.
13:23..and have an adventure.
13:27Massage therapist Louise and personal trainer Shay closed their UK businesses in 2023
13:33and made the move to Serta in central Portugal with their sons Jonas and Finlay.
13:39Boys, what's your favourite parts of coming into Serta?
13:43Been with you guys.
13:45Oh, that's lovely.
13:48They've swapped their three-bed semi for this sprawling farm,
13:51which has a three-bedroom house for the family as well as several outbuildings.
13:56They've transformed one of them into a licensed holiday let,
14:00officially known in Portugal as an AL.
14:03Just this little sign is really important to us, really.
14:09It's quite an achievement.
14:11The couple also plan to eventually restart their massage and personal training businesses
14:16as soon as they can renovate more spaces to hold them.
14:21We've thrown everything into this.
14:23We've definitely put all our eggs in one basket.
14:26There's no plan B and we have to make it work.
14:31And we will.
14:33Perfect. Look at that.
14:38It's October and it's a big day at the former farm.
14:42Louise and Shay are expecting their very first paying guests at the holiday let.
14:49Ah, no, it's just ripping.
14:52I might just have to do...
14:54Thin biscuits.
14:55So, I'm making biscuits for the AL guests,
15:00but, of course, I'm using a recipe that I've never used before.
15:11So, I probably should have practised before...
15:17What is it? An hour before the guests arrive.
15:20We've always got a bag of crisps that we can leave for them if all else fails.
15:26Well aware of the irresistible scent of baked goods, they're putting the oven to work in the cottage instead of
15:33the house.
15:35What do you reckon?
15:36I think they need a little bit of time.
15:38But as the oven is brand new, it does take a bit of trial and error.
15:43Are they actually coming out now?
15:45Let's see.
15:47Oh, the oven's gone off.
15:49Why has it gone off?
15:51I didn't hear a tinkle.
15:53They'll firm up a bit more when they come out, so...
15:55Oh yes, they'll be fine.
15:57They look alright? Well, they look alright, but are they done?
16:00Yes, they're done. I'll take them down to cool.
16:02We could have just bought a packet of Digestive.
16:06We've put added pressure on ourselves here, but it is important to us.
16:11It's just that personal touch.
16:13I know what I want as a guest when I come into somewhere, and I want a decent welcome pack.
16:18I want a Wi-Fi code, and if I get some homemade biscuits with a cuppa, then it's going to
16:25be five-star.
16:28Try it, see if it's got to do the taste test.
16:33Mmm, pretty nice actually.
16:35Pretty nice. Could be better.
16:37Would you come back and stay?
16:39Could it?
16:44Got one guest coming back.
16:46It could though.
16:48Mmm.
16:49Can I have the rest? No.
16:51With two out of three family members signing off on the shortbreads,
16:56and just minutes to go until the guests are due to arrive,
17:00Louise has just enough time to put them back in the holiday cottage.
17:04There we go. Lovely.
17:05And give it a final once-over.
17:08Right.
17:09They've done all they can to make sure their hosting debut goes off without a hitch.
17:15Job done.
17:15But as the time inches nearer, Shay's thought of something else to worry about.
17:24So, with Portuguese ladies, it's quite customary to kiss on both cheeks, or do you go for a third kiss?
17:31The man, it's a firm handshake.
17:34All this goes through my head.
17:35I mean, literally, I go to sleep thinking about these things.
17:38Like I've never actually spoken to anyone before in my life.
17:42Start thinking about the basics.
17:46I'll let them lead.
17:49If they go in for a kiss, then so will I.
18:01While many dream of moving abroad, what pushes some Brits into actually doing it is finding the perfect property.
18:10I like the view from here.
18:11Oh, it's beautiful.
18:12But while it was love at first viewing for company director Ashley when he spotted an old silk mill overlooking
18:19Lake Como,
18:20solicitor Summer took a bit more convincing.
18:23He came back home, having travelled here, and said,
18:26I found the house.
18:28And I thought, it's going to be a beautiful Italian house.
18:31Beautiful colour, lots of flowers, lovely view.
18:35Well, he got the view bit.
18:37I'm not sure about this very old grey stone derelict thing, but one of those things that I just had
18:44to go along with.
18:45Location, location, location.
18:47Can't argue with Kirsty and Phil, can you?
18:51The couple paid 360,000 euros for the building, and have spent over 150,000 more transforming it into a
19:00four bedroom B&B,
19:02with an apartment on the top floor for themselves.
19:05We used to come here on holiday and enjoy being here, but now it's, this is where we live, it
19:10is a big shift.
19:12Everything's so different, the scenery is different, the people, the food, everything, isn't it?
19:18Yeah, yeah, and different good.
19:19Oh, definitely, different good.
19:21Yeah, different good.
19:23It's September, and it's a momentous day for Summer and Ashley.
19:28Nineteen months after their odyssey began, today they're welcoming their very first set of test guests.
19:37The prep's gone okay, hasn't it? We've got it all done.
19:40I think if we'd had all four rooms booked out on the first thing, it would have been difficult.
19:44But no, I think we've got it all done, which is lovely.
19:46It's all ready to go.
19:47If I walked in here, I think I'd be really happy, it looks lovely.
19:51Yeah, I think so, yeah.
19:52Looks fab.
19:53Less than two hours later, the couple from Devon arrive.
19:58Ciao, ciao.
19:59Hi.
20:00And they'll be staying for two nights.
20:02How you doing, alright?
20:03Yeah, really nice to meet you.
20:04I thought I should give you a hug, actually.
20:09What a place.
20:12Due to visa restrictions, the B&B can't officially open until next year.
20:18But Summer and Ashley have lined up a series of test guests to make sure everything runs smoothly.
20:25So, here we go.
20:27Oh, wow.
20:28This is amazing.
20:30In there, down the stairs, and your room's on the right.
20:34Yeah, the balcony's not overly usable, but you can certainly, it's not clean enough to step out onto.
20:39Amazing.
20:40It's so beautiful.
20:41Yeah?
20:42Unbelievable.
20:45What a wonderful place.
20:47And they've done it beautifully.
20:48I mean, what I like is always going to be the attention to detail.
20:51It's always those little things that make the difference between, that's just sort of,
20:56let's get people in and let's get people through, and actually wanting to have a nice time.
20:59It's a really high standard.
21:01Clearly.
21:02I've really thought about it.
21:03It's lovely.
21:06Lovely to meet you.
21:07Yeah.
21:08Really lovely to meet you too.
21:09Thank you so much for coming over.
21:10Lovely to meet you.
21:11Nice to meet you.
21:12Nice to meet you and welcome.
21:16That was a really big moment for me, because actually, it's our very first guest.
21:20Yeah.
21:20Proper guest ever.
21:21So, here we are.
21:22This is it now, isn't it?
21:23That's it.
21:23For the next...
21:24Yeah.
21:24And you learn as you go along.
21:26Yeah.
21:28Brioche-wise, croissant-wise, we normally go down to the bakery, get them fresh.
21:31I think it went really, really well.
21:33And just so much hard work it's been, hasn't it?
21:36I mean, their reaction made it worth it, because it's been long days.
21:40Yeah.
21:40They came in and said, oh, this is beautiful and lovely, and, you know, it feels really
21:44worth it, doesn't it?
21:45Yeah, yeah.
21:45No, it's good, it's good.
21:46While the first check-in has gone perfectly, this is only the beginning of their new lives
21:51as hosts.
21:52And with plenty more guests lined up over the next few months, they've got to keep the standards
21:58high.
22:04Coming up...
22:05No dogs in the swimming pool, Hooli.
22:07Oh.
22:07Tom and Terry also play host...
22:11They didn't eat the stalks.
22:13..and Paul and Fiona make a big decision.
22:17I don't think we should be heading back to the UK any time soon.
22:32Back in Bedar, Tom and Terry's vegan VIP test guests, Yolanda, Ramon and Dog Hooli, have
22:40arrived for the weekend.
22:42Hello.
22:44Hola.
22:45Hola.
22:46Hola.
22:46How nice to see you.
22:48Look at this.
22:48Nice to see you.
22:50Hello, Hooli.
22:51Hooli's at home.
22:52Yolanda and Ramon had stayed here before the renovations.
22:56So not only are they seeing the fruits of Tom and Terry's labour, they can also recall
23:01where they started from.
23:04So let me show you in your room.
23:06See what you think.
23:10Wow.
23:13I love the terrace.
23:16I love the terrace.
23:17You like?
23:18I love it.
23:22I love it.
23:24I love it.
23:25So far, so good.
23:27But they haven't even seen the best of the new additions yet.
23:31No dogs in the swimming pool, Hooli.
23:33See?
23:33Oh.
23:34Wow.
23:35Beautiful.
23:36But it's very cute.
23:40Well, I think that this is amazing because we stayed here when this house was completely
23:46different.
23:46It was an old house and now it's rural but new and with a lot of detail that made it
23:56really
23:56special.
23:57The colour, the furniture, the sound of the water.
24:03Amazing.
24:04Really, really nice.
24:07So I think they like it.
24:09It feels like a sense of relief, I think, because you spend so long preparing it and getting
24:13it ready that when you actually get some people who then give us another opinion, it's
24:18really, really nice when they love it too.
24:21It makes you feel like all the hard work's paid off, you know?
24:23So it's exciting to see how they get on over the next couple of days and any feedback they
24:28might have.
24:29But it's a good start anyway, so fingers crossed.
24:33Two days later, Tom and Terry are preparing Yolanda and Ramon's first cooked breakfast of
24:39the weekend.
24:41And we want coffee on.
24:42The menu is the keystone of their plant-based and kindness ethos.
24:47And today Tom's pulling out all the stops to impress their influential guests.
24:52On the menu today we've got portobello mushrooms with garlic, roast tomatoes, home meal toast,
24:59we've got scrambled tofu, and avocado.
25:02Here goes nothing.
25:05Hola! Buena tía!
25:08Vegan breakfast for everybody.
25:10Ladies first.
25:17The scrambled tofu is delicious, huh?
25:20Really nice.
25:22I really don't want to go home.
25:24I would like to live here forever.
25:28It's been really nice having people here, using the space, giving their feedback.
25:33Fantastic, yeah?
25:33One of the pieces of feedback yesterday was the hot water was not quite hot enough in the shower,
25:37so we just whacked that up a little bit.
25:39Apart from that, they seem to like the whole set-up, so it's been great.
25:44What's the verdict?
25:45It's all good.
25:46Yes.
25:47Empty plates.
25:48Totally empty, apart from this.
25:50Wow.
25:50They didn't eat the stalks.
25:51So I know they said it was great and delicious, more than delicious.
25:56So, um...
25:56Well, we can't ask for more than that, really.
25:59Mmm.
26:01Thank you for being our first guest.
26:03Thank you, Ramon.
26:03Thank you all.
26:04Really fantastic.
26:06With their first test stay in the bag...
26:09Bye, Holly.
26:09Bye-bye.
26:10Adios.
26:11Adios.
26:12Hasta pronto.
26:13And Yolanda and Ramon's all-important seal of approval, Tom and Terry's business is set
26:19to flourish.
26:20Fantastic weekend.
26:22This location is wonderful.
26:25We don't have many vegan options, just in Spain.
26:28I'm going to recommend to everybody, because they have put their soul in this place, so...
26:36And you can note it.
26:39I think the fact that Yolanda is so high up in the vegan world here in Almeria, she knows
26:44every place, every restaurant, everyone who's vegan seems to know Yolanda.
26:48So, yeah, I'm pleased it went well.
26:50I think it's given me confidence that we've got most of it right.
26:54We're really excited about the future.
26:56Great first guests.
26:57Well done.
26:58Mwah.
26:58Well done to you, too.
27:01It's taken hard work, courage and vision, but Tom and Terry have managed to create the
27:07stylish and welcoming plant-based B&B they dreamt of back in the UK.
27:13We've had a rollercoaster of a year.
27:15So much has been crammed into that really short space of time.
27:18It's been the biggest adventure of my life so far and yours.
27:22We feel we've pushed ourselves a lot.
27:27We love the space we've created here.
27:29And having had the trial guests, I think you start to think what could be ahead for us
27:33when we open officially in 2025.
27:35There's definitely no regrets.
27:37It like opens up a whole can of worms when you do something like this.
27:41Once you've made a break from your life in England, that's the hardest thing.
27:45What's your boundaries?
27:46You think, well, we could do anything now, really.
27:48I feel like we've got lots more adventures in us.
27:50We're looking forward to the chapters ahead.
27:53Watch this space.
27:55Watch this space.
28:03Back in the Dordogne, it's the last morning for Paul and Fiona's guests.
28:08Are you relaxing, my dad?
28:10Yeah.
28:11The extended Watts family booked the villa for two weeks for a family reunion.
28:17And it's more than past muster.
28:19What?
28:20Ah!
28:22At one point, all 12 of us were in the pool.
28:24And it actually worked, didn't it?
28:27It wasn't too...
28:27It wasn't too enclosed.
28:30Just to drive through Bergerac and then through the vineyards to get to the place here,
28:36you could see that it was going to be a very quiet, secluded place to live for a couple of
28:42weeks.
28:42So, yeah, it's been great.
28:44But all good things must come to an end.
28:52It's been an absolute pleasure.
28:54Please come back again.
28:55Fantastic.
28:56I certainly will.
28:57Please do.
28:58Ah, fabulous.
29:02It's been lovely.
29:03You're very welcome.
29:04And nice to meet you.
29:05I hope we will see you again.
29:06Yeah, for sure.
29:08We've just had a lovely time.
29:09It's been absolutely wonderful just to get away from work, get away from stresses at home,
29:15and try and slow down and really enjoy watching the kids and spending time with the family.
29:22Thanks, Ben.
29:23Cheers.
29:24It's been a busy summer and Paul and Fiona are thrilled with their first season as hosts.
29:30We're really pleased with what we've done this year.
29:32We've had some cracking reviews off of all of them, like, you know, which is really good.
29:37Well, hopefully year on year we'll just build on our customer base and all the advertising platforms we're on.
29:43I think that over the next couple of years we should do really well.
29:47Definitely we've made the right decision.
29:49I think what we should have done was maybe done it ten years sooner.
29:52Yeah.
29:56When Paul and Fiona took on this monumental project, the house was on its last legs and needed complete remodelling.
30:05But they've rebuilt, restored and rejuvenated it.
30:10The feedback that we get straight away for us makes it all worthwhile.
30:15We've actually done what we set out to achieve.
30:18I mean, that's a great feeling. That's a really great feeling.
30:21And now that the bookings are steadily coming in, Paul and Fiona have successfully shifted from building to hosting.
30:29And they can now enjoy the work-life balance they were looking for.
30:37All right, ready?
30:54It is lovely.
30:55For some entrepreneurs, the journey is just as important as the destination.
31:01And Paul and Fiona have no regrets about taking the trip of a lifetime.
31:09I mean, we love France because we used to come a lot on the bike anyway.
31:13But having the opportunity to live here, it's a much more relaxed way of life.
31:19And it's such a pleasure to live here.
31:22I don't think we should be heading back to the UK any time soon.
31:26What a place! Would anyone not want to come?
31:29What's not to love?
31:49We'll be itching to get some feedback from them and see what they did and didn't like.
31:55I want to know now.
31:56And the last piece of the puzzle is falling into place for Summer and Ashley.
32:01The scaffolding and all the rendering, I think it's around about 16,000, 17,000 euro.
32:16Back in central Portugal, Louise and Shea's guests have arrived.
32:21Hola!
32:23And Shea has to face his fears about making a greeting faux pas.
32:28I'm Shea.
32:29Mikael.
32:30Mikael.
32:31Mikael.
32:32I'm about done.
32:33I'm about done.
32:35But it all goes off without a hitch.
32:37And Louise and Shea can now show Mikael and Anna to their home away from home.
32:42Come in.
32:43Mikael, you really love this.
32:45The dream of you to have one of these in our home.
32:47Ah, right, yes.
32:49To see the stars.
32:50Yes.
32:50Yeah.
32:51Well, we'll leave you to it.
32:53If you need anything at all, yeah, just message me.
32:55OK.
32:56We're just next door anyway.
32:57OK.
32:58Thank you so much.
32:59With their hosts gone, the guests tuck straight into the homemade goodies.
33:04We never had these homemade things, you know?
33:07We work a lot, so everything we eat, we just buy.
33:10It's a nice treat.
33:12Yes.
33:12Very nice.
33:15But it's not just the shortbread that have Mikael and Anna's approval.
33:19This feels very homely, you know, very cosy.
33:23And it's nice because it's still a Portuguese home, you know?
33:28They kept all the original stone and everything.
33:32I think we will have quite a romantic weekend.
33:35Yes.
33:36Guests are in.
33:37Yeah.
33:38That was quite a buzz, actually.
33:39It was, yeah.
33:40Yeah, I enjoyed that.
33:42We'll be itching to get to tomorrow to get some feedback from them
33:46and see what they did and didn't like.
33:49Maybe that's why I feel a bit antsy, because I want to know now.
33:59By 10.30 the next morning, Louise and Shay are still anxiously awaiting their first bit of intel on their
34:06guests' stay.
34:07We've not heard anything of the guests yet, so I'm just preparing breakfast for us.
34:14But maybe they're just really comfortable in the guest house, so that's great.
34:19This is all new to us as well, so, you know, we're sort of pacing up and down, like, are
34:26they OK?
34:28It would be nice to have a chat with them and get that feedback.
34:31Erm, so I'm looking forward to that.
34:35But luckily, Shay's not on tenterhooks much longer,
34:38as ten minutes later there are signs of life at the cottage.
34:42Well, yeah, did you enjoy your stay?
34:46Yeah.
34:46Yeah?
34:47Excellent.
34:48Yeah, yeah, brilliant.
34:50It's like babies.
34:52Fantastic.
34:53You are very kind people.
34:54Thank you very much.
34:55You're thinking everything.
34:57Well, I hope every guest's going to be like you.
35:01Yeah, it is.
35:03Louise and Shay took a big risk to set up this new business in a new country.
35:09Good luck for everything.
35:10Thank you so much.
35:17So, to have their first successful stay under their belts is a massive relief.
35:29SHE LAUGHS
35:32Eleven-year-old Jonas can't wait to read the feedback in the guest book.
35:38Dear Louise and Shay, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to stay at your beautiful
35:49B&B.
35:49The attention to detail, the cosy atmosphere, and all the thoughtful touches did not go unnoticed, and we hope to
36:03stay again in the future.
36:05Future.
36:07We'll have them back.
36:09Yep.
36:10The exceptionally positive feedback is exactly what Louise and Shay needed to boost their confidence in their new venture.
36:18It was everything that we hoped it would be.
36:21It's kind of overwhelming, and I'm a little bit lost for words.
36:29It's been nearly a year since Louise and Shay risked it all by moving their family to Portugal.
36:35And although not everything has gone to plan, the couple are thrilled with their achievements to date.
36:41We're proud of ourselves, we're relieved that our first guests really enjoyed the experience.
36:49But as we've said throughout the whole process, we've always got to be on the ball thinking about what is
36:54it that we can do next.
36:56Even though they spent their entire budget, and then some, on the holiday let,
37:01they've scraped together enough for a temporary glow-up of one of the outbuildings for Louise's massage business.
37:08So, shuffle it along a bit.
37:11And although it's not customer-ready yet, the couple are hoping to open soon,
37:16so they can generate some much-needed income over the winter months.
37:21I cannot wait to have my treatment room up and running.
37:26But, as with everything, with this whole move, we just have to be patient.
37:32Happy with that?
37:33Yeah, I think so.
37:35It's been a hell of a journey, and there's been some sleepless nights.
37:41But, wow, what a place to live and to bring the children up.
37:49And we have done more in this last 11 and a half months than we've done in all of the
37:57kids' lives, I think, back in England.
38:02Is there a table for us?
38:05Shall we get the starters that we got before?
38:07Because we liked them, didn't we?
38:09There is not a chance that I would move back to England, no.
38:15No.
38:16If somebody tried to pay me to move back, I wouldn't go.
38:20I'm staying here.
38:22Cheers.
38:31It's 8am in Tremezzo, and an early start is on the cards for newbie hosts Summer and Ashley.
38:39They're off to their local bakery to pick up fresh goodies for their guests' breakfast.
38:46It's the little touches, I think, that make a difference.
38:49Certainly if we go to places ourselves, it's those things we remember more than bathroom and a bed.
38:54Bye.
38:54You're all right?
38:54Good to see you in a shower.
38:55Worthy.
38:56But as the future guest kitchen and dining area is still unfinished, Summer and Ashley have to do the plating
39:03in their own apartment.
39:05Is this your orange?
39:05And that also means room service for the guests.
39:09Good morning.
39:10There we go.
39:10This is wonderful.
39:12This test stay hasn't helped pay back the Italian mortgage at all.
39:17You got everything? Yeah.
39:20But it's been a good way for Summer and Ashley to gain more confidence in their new lives.
39:26Thanks for a great start. No pleasure. And you could not have been more generous?
39:30No. Our pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
39:33I'm just going to explore a bit. See you next year. Yeah.
39:37Oh, it was great. You know, they couldn't do enough for us.
39:40Having the breakfast delivered in the morning was lovely.
39:42Always helpful. Sensual for the day.
39:45Yeah. Very recommend it.
39:48They've got a lot of work coming up. They're going to be very busy.
39:52They've loved it. Yeah, they loved it and everything's there.
39:55It's fantastic and they've enjoyed everything. So, yeah, it's all good.
39:58Got to get back into the room, tie it all up, get it all set up for the next people.
40:01So, go for that.
40:04A few weeks later, there's another important milestone
40:07for Summer and Ashley's old silk mill.
40:10It's great to finally see that we're starting the outside.
40:14Yesterday, we manhandled all the scaffolding from the Piazza up to here.
40:18So, we can start with this side now and then October to the other side.
40:22So, hopefully, we can get it down as quickly as possible.
40:25They're finally fixing up the old worn grey exterior,
40:28but change isn't coming cheap.
40:32The scaffolding and all the rendering,
40:34I think it's around about 16,000, 17,000 euro.
40:38It is the largest element of cost here as a single element of work,
40:42but it is the crowning piece.
40:47To make sure their property has the wow factor they're looking for,
40:51Summer and Ashley are bringing a little bit of Britain
40:54to Lake Como with their paint choice.
40:56We've chosen the colour, which is fantastic.
40:58It's called Buttered Crumpet.
41:00Yeah.
41:01It was a...
41:02A really nice yellow colour.
41:03It's really bright and bold.
41:05Yeah.
41:05I think it's going to really stand out.
41:08While it's fantastic to see the exterior
41:10finally getting its facelift...
41:12All right, let's go.
41:16..there's no time for the couple to admire the work
41:19because they're busy hosting more test guests at the B&B.
41:24Up the stairs, and your room's on the right.
41:27..and at the self-catering apartment as well.
41:30Thank you, guys.
41:31Cheers, mate. Yeah, thank you.
41:34In total, Summer and Ashley can accommodate
41:37ten guests across both the properties.
41:39Anita to the left and Sam to the right.
41:42Ooh! That's lovely. Absolutely.
41:45And now they've had several sets of guests through their doors,
41:49they've got their routine down to a T.
41:52What time are you on your breakfast for today?
41:5412.
41:5512?
41:56Just a little bit late for me.
41:58Are we down the bar by that point?
41:59I think 10.30.
42:01Oh, 10.30, yeah, yeah.
42:03Best of all, they've been getting rave reviews.
42:08They've done a really good job.
42:09Yeah.
42:09Looks fantastic.
42:11We've got big, spacious rooms.
42:12Spotlessly clean.
42:13Lots of attention to detail.
42:16Wanted to come back myself and would recommend to anybody.
42:20It's lovely.
42:21When they bought the building,
42:23it was a derelict shell that hadn't been touched in years.
42:27But after pouring blood, sweat, tears and a lot of cash into it,
42:32their vision has become a reality.
42:35Walking around the house now, I love it.
42:37I really love it.
42:40The transformation is just unimaginable.
42:45I'm sorry that when you first bought it, I went,
42:47oh, what's this?
42:49It's just so beautiful, isn't it?
42:52There's still the bottom floor to do, isn't there?
42:54Yeah.
42:55Yeah.
42:55Over the winter, we'll get that done and then it'll be ready to go.
42:58Mmm.
42:58If all goes to plan with their visas,
43:01they should be able to officially open their doors next spring.
43:05We are happy that we are at this point,
43:07and we hope it is successful going forward.
43:09What I'd love to see is from April,
43:11four full rooms all the time.
43:13That would be wonderful.
43:14Amazing.
43:15That's obviously what we've done this for.
43:17And two months after the exterior work began,
43:21Summer and Ashley finally have the bright and colourful home they dreamt of.
43:28Oh, fantastic, isn't it?
43:30Yeah.
43:30It is actually fantastic.
43:32And they couldn't be happier with the end result.
43:36It's surreal, but I'm so happy.
43:38I do remember lots of holes and walls, rubble, sand pits, dust, tools everywhere,
43:44and it's been two and a half years,
43:47so for us it really is a monumental moment.
43:50It's just joy, joyous, isn't it? It's lovely.
43:53Despite all the delays, the mounting costs and the paperwork,
43:57Summer and Ashley are here to stay.
44:00We drove to England last week to see our friends, that sort of thing,
44:05and I was looking forward to coming home.
44:08Before, when we come out here, I was coming out here to work on this thing, go home,
44:11but now it's...
44:12This is home now.
44:13This is home.
44:14Anyone thinking of doing it, just allow time.
44:18That's the important thing, allow time, especially...
44:19And money.
44:21Yeah, and money.
44:21Extra money.
44:22Extra money.
44:32If you're planning your own new life in the sun and would like to be featured on our next series,
44:37please get in touch with us at channel4.com forward slash 4 viewers forward slash take part.
45:10Make sure to put you to the same...
45:12Make sure to have the function.
45:13We given you a buying new life and win.
45:13Make sure to put your really good friends on our next page.
45:13I've got a coffee with a go home!
45:13We have a coffee withologue.
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