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00:01Every year, a new wave of dreamers pack up their lives and head for the sun.
00:05It just reminds me of the Wild West. It's just stunning.
00:08It's definitely very much different from a top-floor flat in Edinburgh.
00:11And we're joining them as their adventures begin across Europe.
00:15This is what we've been waiting for. It's beautiful.
00:18That's the Atlantic Ocean.
00:20This is where the work begins, mister.
00:22Playing the part...
00:24...of chateau owners in France...
00:27We've never done this before. We're making it up as we go along.
00:29...to launching fitness retreats in Bulgaria.
00:32Secret cards!
00:34But will their gamble pay off?
00:37Absolutely bonkers, but it's what we came for, yeah?
00:41Or will they fail to hit their target?
00:44Brexit has put the complications into overdrive.
00:48As they carve out...
00:50...their new lives in the sun.
00:52I just feel like I'm on holiday a little bit.
00:55It's not sunk in yet, but this is my actual home now.
00:58What a lovely place to live.
01:01Today, we meet a young family saddling up to keep their French dream alive.
01:06There's no going back now. The kids are French.
01:08They're in French school.
01:09They're eating octopus for lunch.
01:11They don't want to go back and have chicken nuggets.
01:14But they're in for a steep learning curve in their new careers as publicans.
01:18We've gone full throttle, haven't we?
01:20So let's move to France and buy a business that we don't know how to run.
01:24And let's just do it all.
01:25In Spain...
01:27It's all going to be fine.
01:29It's the first summer season for the owner of a rural guest house.
01:34I just love seeing people enjoy themselves.
01:36But will her new events prove popular with the locals?
01:39Now it's time that I've become the hostess.
01:42I'm a big believer in no risk, no reward.
01:45Also going all in, a couple who swapped life in Bath
01:49to open a mountaintop B&B.
01:52Pink makes the boys wink.
01:56Kickstart a challenging renovation.
01:59Can't wait to hold it.
02:01Leg is gone.
02:04I knew it, Art.
02:06I think that ladder needs to go to the doctors.
02:21The Dordogne in south-west France has a long tradition of attracting families
02:26from the UK looking to relocate to Europe.
02:31As along with its sun-drenched valleys and endless outdoor activities,
02:35there's a British familiarity so it doesn't take long for newcomers to feel at home.
02:41You've settled in well to the markets, haven't you,
02:43with your little French basket and eating your baguette
02:46and your cheese and ham-filled croissant.
02:49Well, you don't look like the odd one out.
02:51No?
02:52Like Emily and Dave from Huddersfield
02:54and their two children, Hugo and Willow.
02:57Which one? Which one?
02:58This one?
02:58Yeah.
02:59Bonjour.
03:05The community spirit and everyone from the town hall, school teachers,
03:11our neighbours, French and English, are so supportive, aren't they?
03:15Yeah.
03:15This is like England 50 years ago, where it's old school.
03:22But it wasn't just a change of scene they were after, but also a change of pace.
03:27After more than a decade working as a car sales manager for Dave,
03:32and a career as cabin crew and more recently a travel agent for Emily.
03:37You know, we wanted the kids to have the freedom and space and safety.
03:42But it was very much about us as well.
03:46Look at that where she's bouncing.
03:48She's bobbling up and down.
03:50We didn't get to spend a lot of time together.
03:53Now we're spending too much time together.
03:59As Dave has both a UK and Irish passport, the family could immediately begin planning their new lives.
04:06Come on, dogs.
04:07Which brought them to the rural commune of Santesteph, an hour to the west of Limoges to take on a
04:14former bar and restaurant.
04:16Fell in love with this area.
04:19We had a look at a few different places to buy, didn't we?
04:23And we were shocked at, like, how much you could get for your money, weren't we?
04:27Yeah.
04:29You know, for the price of our three-bedroom semi-detached house in the UK,
04:35literally £50,000 less, we've got a four-bedroom apartment and an English-style pub in France.
04:46The pub's been closed, though, for the past six months.
04:49And to sustain their new lives here, Dave and Emily are keen to reopen as soon as possible.
04:56Welcome to the Crazy Frog, I guess.
04:58This is our terrace outside, which we're pretty in love with, I think, aren't we?
05:03Yeah, it's the best one in the area.
05:05But before they can relaunch the pub, everywhere needs a deep clean, the bar stocked and a fresh menu developed,
05:12which is all new territory.
05:15We've gone full throttle, haven't we?
05:17You know, let's not just move to France.
05:20Let's move to France and buy a business that we don't know how to run and let's just do it
05:25all.
05:26Well, we're going to make mistakes and we're just going to have to learn on the job.
05:33It's the end of April.
05:36With the official handover of their new business scheduled for next week, Dave and Emily are back in Huddersfield.
05:45You're going to have to push it upwards. Push it towards me so I can take the work.
05:48Clearing out the last of their things from their old family home.
05:53But I can't lift that any higher.
05:56Before the sale completes.
05:59Right.
06:04How about you?
06:05OK, that didn't work.
06:09Today's all about packing the van.
06:11Am I doing it right?
06:12I think we need to squidge it in a little bit more than that.
06:15Packing our lives up is something that over the last 11 years that we've been together, we've done quite a
06:21few times.
06:22We've lived in one, two, three, four, six houses in 11 years.
06:34What are you doing?
06:36Where are you going?
06:37So that we can both just walk on in line.
06:38It's too long.
06:40It doesn't actually feel real.
06:41I feel like I'm just going on holiday.
06:43But I think once we land in France, it'll be...
06:46It'll start to feel a little bit more real.
07:03In the far south-eastern corner of Spain lies Almería, wild, rugged and a world away from the bustling tourist
07:11towns on the coast.
07:12It just reminds me of the Wild West. It's just stunning. It's beautiful.
07:16And since moving here from Leicestershire, former dog groomer Emma has been enjoying exploring the region on foot.
07:22This is a natural spring, which is great for a bit of refreshment.
07:31I've been told by an elderly Spanish, very elderly, she's 92, bless her, by drinking the spring water, it adds
07:3810 years to your life.
07:39So it's got to be worth a try.
07:43Living somewhere like this was a dream born in Emma's childhood, a dream that never faded.
07:50From going on holiday as a child, I just fell in love with the place.
07:54I love the culture, the language, the people and obviously the sunshine.
07:59Come on.
08:00That was always the life goal. I feel like the peace of my heart's here.
08:04After both her sons flew the nest, the time was right for Emma to make her long-held dream a
08:09reality.
08:11I would never be here without my son's permission, basically. I asked them first and foremost.
08:18And they said, yeah, you've raised us, mum. So it's your time now, which, yeah, the special boys. So then
08:27I set the wheels in motion.
08:30Good girl.
08:31Emma's house hunt has led her to a 300-year-old rural cortillo near the village of Orilla, full of
08:39original features.
08:42These two rooms are the oldest part of the building, so this is the lounge area. In the summer months,
08:47it's actually the coolest room in the house.
08:50It also boasts five bedrooms, a large bathroom, traditional kitchen and ample outside space.
08:58Here, obviously speaks for itself, a beautiful sun-soaked terrace.
09:03All set within an acre of land with mountain views.
09:11Having been brought up on a farm, I always wanted a big farmhouse with land, and I would never, ever
09:18be able to afford that in the UK.
09:20So for me to have that here is just amazing. Happy to be here.
09:25But to ensure she can stay in her rural retreat, which she spent 10 months renovating, Emma needs a regular
09:32income.
09:34Mmm, delicate teacups.
09:37So she's begun renting out four of her bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis, and hopes to boost her
09:44earnings by expanding into events and retreats.
09:48Now it's time, with the business being open for guests, that I, now I become the hostess and offer the
09:54hospitality side,
09:55and begin to create something here that would both nourish me professionally and personally, but also be able to offer
10:03that to other people who would visit as well.
10:05I'm a big believer in no risk, no reward.
10:10It's early May, and the start of Emma's first summer season, the most lucrative time of the year.
10:20Another table required.
10:22And to capitalise on it, she's advertised a series of new events on social media.
10:29Are you going to help me, Phyllis?
10:30Can you help me?
10:35We're having a Greek extravaganza event today.
10:39Basically, it's a whole package where people book to come for the day, they have an afternoon tea, they have
10:44an evening meal, and then they stay over for the night and then breakfast in the morning.
10:49I've always wanted to do something a little bit different. I just love seeing people enjoy themselves, so I get
10:54a real kick out of that.
10:56At €160 per couple, Emma's sold six tickets for the full package, and is expecting additional guests in the evening.
11:05Does that look odd?
11:09Yeah.
11:10So she's hired friend Hilary to help in the kitchen.
11:16So they're the flatbreads, are they?
11:18Yeah. Wicked.
11:21But as 2pm rolls round, there's no sign of anyone arriving at Emma's remote hilltop cortijo.
11:30Raring to go. Just literally waiting on guests now to arrive, so should be any minute now.
11:34But I am half expecting them to get a little bit lost, so I need to keep an eye on
11:38my phone to make sure they find it okay.
11:42Just waiting on them now.
11:50A hundred and twenty miles south-west, and also a little off the beaten track, is the traditional whitewashed village
11:57of Polopos.
11:58At 800 metres above sea level, halfway between the Med and the Contravieza mountain range, while it's a hidden beauty,
12:08it's a place with meaning for Nigel from Wiltshire and his Spanish husband Fede.
12:13Look what a beautiful day, and it's only February.
12:19The pair met in the UK eleven years ago, and regularly holidayed here due to Fede's family links.
12:26His grandfather used to be the village doctor.
12:30Look, that's the street that is named after my granddad.
12:34Having both worked in hospitality in Bath, they want to use their skills to open their own B&B, which
12:41they'll base out of a former 25-room guest house in the village, which they've bought at a knock-down
12:47price.
12:50We viewed it, liked it, and I had a couple of cheeky wines one evening and emailed the owner, and
12:56we managed to bag it for 70,000 euros, which is 58,000 pounds.
13:02So if it weren't for the wine that I had and emailed the owner, we wouldn't be in this situation
13:06now, so it paid off.
13:10Also driving them to take the plunge to chase their dream of moving to Spain was the passing of Nigel's
13:16father.
13:18Losing my dad last January made us realise that, you know, life's too short, and we are here today because
13:24of that, unfortunately.
13:26But Dad would have been really proud. It's a dream come true, and, you know, I do pinch myself every
13:31day.
13:32But to make a life for themselves here, this pair of DIY novices need to restore their dilapidated building into
13:40guest accommodation, and a home for themselves as soon as possible.
13:45Yeah, we haven't got an endless pot of money, but, you know, we think if we're sensible with the funds...
13:51This is one of our biggest challenges.
13:54Apart from marrying him.
13:58It's now early February.
14:02Right, this is where the work begins, mister.
14:05And Nigel and Fede are kick-starting their B&B renovations.
14:11I love to sort out.
14:13As you can see, it's, er...
14:16The lady had a lot of stuff.
14:18But we'll get there.
14:19The first task is sorting through the previous occupants' possessions, which have been left behind.
14:26Some tinsel.
14:27Help others.
14:29Pink makes a boy's wink.
14:33Maybe I do it to you.
14:37Mr Pink.
14:42It's like a Pandora's box.
14:44Here we are just, er...
14:47discovering new things.
14:48And we'll try to make use...
14:50Look.
14:53Make use of it.
14:55The old bar is also earmarked to stay.
14:59And what would you like, sir?
15:01I would like gin and tonic, please.
15:03Gin and tonic? Oh, that's brave of you.
15:05LAUGHTER
15:07I thought I'd left my bar days behind me, but who knows?
15:11You know, could have a fun few evenings here.
15:13Oh, it looks like somebody's left something behind already.
15:16LAUGHTER
15:18Oh, my God.
15:21Alongside the clear-out, Nigel's also in the process of selling a motorhome back in the UK.
15:28Hello?
15:31Is that Ali?
15:33As the extensive renovations needed are likely to run into thousands of euros.
15:3925 rooms is a lot to deal with, so every penny counts.
15:44And, you know, all my funds and my savings have gone into this property,
15:48and likewise with Freddie, so, you know, we need to get this sold to be able to continue.
15:57Coming up...
15:58It was a big shock and a big change and very, very daunting.
16:02Reality hits as Emily and Dave arrive at their new home and business across the channel.
16:07It's a little bit dirtier than we thought it was going to be, to say the least.
16:11All I'm doing is swishing round muck.
16:13And will the long trip to Emma's rural location pay off for her guests?
16:18With the events here, there's a catchment area that I'm aiming for from maybe 40, 45 minutes away today.
16:36In the Dordogne in south-west France, it's now May, and having said goodbye to the UK for good,
16:43Dave and Emily have been getting their family settled into their new French home, above their new pub.
16:51So, from work...
16:52This is our makeshift living room.
16:56At some stage, this will be a kitchen. Like, a proper kitchen.
17:02Yeah, there's not even any lighting in here or anything. It's pretty dark.
17:08While it's a work in progress...
17:10So, the bedrooms are all up this way.
17:13..to ease the family's transition to France, they've prioritised getting son Hugo's bedroom set up.
17:20He wanted two blue walls because he wants a gaming corner in this corner.
17:23..and making daughter Willow's room feel homely too.
17:27She wanted pinks and she wanted greens. So, you did this wall, didn't you?
17:31I did the wall.
17:32And again, she's dead happy in here, isn't she?
17:34Yeah.
17:34It's functional now and it's comfortable for the kids.
17:38Yeah, they're fine, aren't they? They have no problem.
17:39Yeah, they've got what they need.
17:40It was a big shock and a big change and very, very daunting,
17:43but the amount of work we've done in three weeks,
17:47we know now that we can do it with kids and guinea pigs and dogs.
17:52But with purse strings tight, they're now forced to put the rest of their home renovations on hold
17:58until the pub turns a profit.
18:01We're not open, we're not actually making any money yet.
18:04But, you know, once we've started getting some money coming in...
18:06Yeah.
18:07..and we'll come upstairs and we'll be like, wow, look at what we've done.
18:10And we've fought and we've made it work.
18:13Yeah.
18:14Because it 100% has to.
18:16It can't not work.
18:17There's no going back now, the kids are French, they're in French school.
18:20Yeah. This is...
18:22They're eating octopus for lunch.
18:23They don't want to go back and have chicken nuggets.
18:26No. No.
18:29Having set their opening day for just over a week's time, though...
18:35I'm really not enjoying it, it just makes me feel sick.
18:39..the pair now have their work cut out to get the pub ready.
18:44Today we are getting our heads round cleaning a professional kitchen for the very first time.
18:51And it's a little bit dirtier than we thought it was going to be, to say the least.
18:58I'm just dismantling the cooker hood so we can give that a really good clean.
19:03It isn't the most pleasant job that I've ever done.
19:11All I'm doing is swishing round muck.
19:13I've been doing this for an hour and a half and I've got nowhere.
19:19Is that supposed to be clean up there?
19:22Ew.
19:25Let's move to France and buy a restaurant.
19:28Wow.
19:28It's a good job the wine is cheap.
19:33I'm definitely going to need a shower tonight.
19:36Do you know what I need?
19:38A bath? A bath.
19:40What I haven't got?
19:42One step at a time.
19:44Rome wasn't built in a day, I think they said.
19:55Across in southern Spain, having already opened for business, today is the trial of Emma's new Greek extravaganza event.
20:06Once her guests have managed to navigate their way to her rural Cortijo.
20:11With the events here, there's a catchment area that I'm aiming for, so it's trying to sort of get the
20:17word out locally, really.
20:18Within about an hour's radius, people tend to travel for unique events, experiences.
20:23So they're coming from maybe 40, 45 minutes away today.
20:28Having provided detailed directions, it means her nervous wait is soon over.
20:34Welcome.
20:35This is Phyllis.
20:36She will just kiss you to death.
20:38So where is it you've come from today?
20:40Hueco la Verra.
20:41Hueco la Verra.
20:43Oh, fantastic.
20:44Yes, love it there.
20:45Right, I shall show you your room.
20:48OK, thank you.
20:50This one is the Granada room, and it has the best views of the mountains.
20:56Breakfast in bed, then.
20:58Well, you know.
20:59It can be arranged.
21:01It's absolutely good.
21:03Oh, thank you very much.
21:05And it's not long before more guests are here to check in.
21:10You're in the ensuite room, which is just to the external part of the house,
21:14so I'll just take you round there.
21:16As her first guests soak up the sun with welcome drinks,
21:22the final prep for the afternoon tea is made,
21:25Emma having put her own twist on a British classic.
21:29We have Greek-themed afternoon tea, or Greek-inspired, shall we say.
21:34Erm, so we have little shot pots of creamy rice pudding,
21:39a syrup sponge cake, flatbreads with coronation chicken
21:44and feta salad and pesto, yep.
21:49Scones are a classic, no-brainer, jam and cream.
21:53Erm, so yeah, that will all be going out first
21:57with endless supplies of tea and coffee.
22:00Although one couple are yet to arrive,
22:03Emma gets serving keen to stick to the day's schedule.
22:08How's it looking? I think we're there.
22:11It's looking good.
22:14We'll check these out first.
22:17Now to negotiate the, er, the curtain.
22:22It's all going to be fine.
22:27Her selection of sweet and savoury treats are getting the thumbs up.
22:34Are you OK for drinks?
22:36Yes. Yep, fantastic. Enjoy.
22:39Through the curtain again.
22:44And would you like tea or coffee with your afternoon tea?
22:48Can I have a drink of coffee, please?
22:49Absolutely.
22:50I'd like tea.
22:51One tea, one coffee. Wonderful.
22:53Hi, guys. Hello.
22:55How are you doing?
22:56Great, thank you.
22:57And you too.
23:00After her final customers arrive...
23:03Here we go, ladies.
23:06Emma grabs the opportunity to take some publicity photos
23:10to help market future events.
23:13Would you mind if I took a photo of you both?
23:18Wonderful. Thank you.
23:20Because if today goes well,
23:21she hopes her Greek-themed event
23:23will be a regular in the Cortillo's calendar.
23:27Everybody seems really settled and happy.
23:29Tea and coffee's flowing.
23:31Vintage China on the go.
23:32They've complimented me on the details on the table,
23:35which is always good, so, yeah, all good.
23:40With the event halfway through,
23:42Emma must now prepare for the evening's activities.
23:47There is a stain on it somewhere.
23:50In the plow.
23:52Shh.
23:53I think we'll get away with that.
23:55Lee, the chef, has arrived for this evening
23:58and we're just turning tables around.
24:00People have made friends that well
24:01that they've requested to sit together for dinner.
24:03So we're just reconfiguring the tables
24:06so it would just be a better atmosphere for them.
24:08But with an extra 12 guests expected
24:11for the Greek-themed drinks and music,
24:13can she keep the good reviews coming all night long?
24:23Coming up...
24:24You can't move it electrically because rodents have gone through the cable.
24:29There's an invasion of critters for Nigel and Fed.
24:32And there's a wasp nest in there.
24:35Oh!
24:36There's a gecko!
24:38And in France...
24:41Oh, no, no!
24:43Are Emily and Dave about to throw in the towel?
24:46I did have a big wobble this morning.
24:48I was thinking...
24:49I can't do this.
24:50This is too much.
25:01It's February in Pelopos in southern Spain.
25:04And Nigel and Fede are continuing to clear out their new property
25:09with help from friend Steve.
25:11What about this one, Steve?
25:14Still too long.
25:16Today's task being the removal of an old stair lift.
25:25It is in the way to get the big furniture down like the sofas and the beds,
25:29but the problem we've got is we can get to all the screws down the staircase
25:33but the one at the top here where the seat is actually encased
25:37is covering the screws and we can't move it electrically
25:42because the rodents have gone through the cable.
25:46But after some careful manoeuvring...
25:57We're using the screwdriver to move it down the chain so we can get to the screws at the top
26:03to be able to take it straight off.
26:07They finally have success.
26:11Here we go. It's ready.
26:13Right, get the grubby end.
26:17Yeah, we thought the furniture was going to be the eye job but we've managed now to get that out
26:22so that's a good thing we can quickly get the two sofas and things that we need to and hopefully
26:26they'll disappear in the night.
26:30Two weeks later, having made steady progress inside, Nigel and Fede are turning their attention for the first time to
26:39the outside of the property.
26:40If you rub down the ironworks and then I'll start sanding the doors down.
26:46Along with restoring and repainting the ironwork and all 28 windows and seven doors, the pair also plan to repaint
26:55the building's vast exterior.
26:57So it's a relief that they've just received a very welcome £24,000 cash injection.
27:04Last weekend I got a phone call to say that somebody was interested in buying the motorhome.
27:09They confirmed on the Monday that they wanted it so I arranged for flights for Wednesday and I've literally got
27:15back yesterday morning and successfully sold it so it gives us a financial input.
27:21We can look at hopefully completing it by the end of the year without no worries as long as we
27:27keep the purse strings tight.
27:30To get started out here, they must first remove some old light fittings.
27:36Can you pass me the scissors so I can cut this one off? Oh, this one's not even attached.
27:40Scissors.
27:41And there's a wasp nest in there.
27:44What's that?
27:46Oh, there's a gecko.
27:50There he is.
27:54Having said a surprise hello to their new neighbours.
27:58Right.
27:59Job done.
28:01Fede begins sanding the ironwork whilst Nigel moves on to the doors.
28:08This is our first DIY project so every step of the way is learning.
28:14Yeah, looks totally different, doesn't it?
28:16Yeah, already.
28:18Compared to that one when you put them both together.
28:23You don't have to take right down to the bear.
28:25You only got to take the rusty bits off.
28:30Much better now.
28:31Got to be job by the end of the day, not tomorrow.
28:36Unfortunately, I got the shorter straw.
28:39Nigel is doing an easier job.
28:42I've sanded both doors in the time he's done half a gate.
28:46But which work is better though?
28:49Exactly.
28:53But Nigel's reward for finishing first is he gets to make a start on the windows.
28:58I'm taking the mosquito netting off because it's all damaged.
29:03And what I want to do is get to the ironworks to be able to paint them.
29:10Not the safest.
29:13Don't wait to hold it.
29:14Nigel, that leg is gone.
29:20I knew it had.
29:21I think that ladder needs to go to the doctor's.
29:24Has a broken leg.
29:28As DIY novices, it's going to be a long road ahead.
29:32But Nigel and Fede are determined to create the business they've long dreamt of.
29:37We've got no excuses now we've sold them out at home.
29:40Because we've got funds behind us properly that can help fund the bigger jobs that we want done.
29:46Yeah, it does motivate us to see already the results and with just a bit of time you can see
29:55a difference.
29:56You know, I think every day that we come now is going to be a different thing to motivate us
30:01to the next day.
30:09Across in south-west France, with their own mountain of work ahead, there's just over a week until Emily and
30:16Dave open their pub.
30:21Once we're open though, the kitchen is not my job, the bar is my job.
30:26The kitchen is not your job?
30:29I will be out the front mostly, but I make a better curry than Dave.
30:35He makes a different curry than Dave.
30:36So I'll have to do the curry.
30:38I make a better burger than Dave.
30:40I make a better sandwich than Dave.
30:42So I'll have to do the sandwiches.
30:44So Dave will just do chips.
30:45But yeah.
30:46Well, I'll just do as I'm told basically.
30:50While they're slowly making progress cleaning the place up.
30:53I've nearly done the top.
30:55Then I have to start on the side.
30:59This morning has been a huge reality check.
31:02That all of the cooking equipment and even the dishwasher.
31:05Quickly.
31:06Boom!
31:08Will need to be scrubbed and disinfected.
31:13Oh no.
31:15No.
31:17How can you wash things in that?
31:21This place just goes from bad to worse.
31:23It's not, it's fine.
31:25I think it's like a bird's nest though.
31:27Oh brilliant, brilliant.
31:29Testing their resilience as they race to get the pub ready.
31:35We learn more and more every single day.
31:38We've never run a pub before.
31:40And I did have a big wobble this morning.
31:42When I started to get into this, I was thinking,
31:44I can't do this.
31:46This is too much.
31:47You know, Em actually had to say to me,
31:48go and sit down outside, take a little breather.
31:52Compose yourself.
31:53We have to remember that the place has been closed for six months as well.
31:57You know, we're making forward movement.
32:02I need a glass of wine.
32:05But that will have to wait until they've managed to fully stock their bar.
32:10Another job on their growing to-do list.
32:14So it's an absolute mess everywhere at the minute.
32:18That also includes putting their own stamp on the pub interior.
32:23You know, people can come, they can play pool.
32:26And we're going to get a dart board up.
32:28Oh, put it there.
32:29This side here, yeah.
32:30Because obviously a bit of the old arrows.
32:33This could be our disco room as well.
32:36A disco room?
32:37Party, party.
32:38I thought you didn't want a party pub.
32:40I don't. I'm joking.
32:41This area down here where it's set up as a restaurant,
32:44we kind of imagine a couple of Chesterfield chairs.
32:47Yeah, it needs to be more cosy.
32:49A low table.
32:51Being in a tourist area with so much going on.
32:55I do think that if in summer when we've got this abundance of people,
32:58if we shoot for the stars, we might just get there.
33:02Yeah.
33:03The couple may be full of ideas and have already proudly put their name above the bar.
33:09You had me that made for Christmas, didn't you?
33:11Yeah.
33:11So the Dunes were established in France in 2025, so that's taken pride of place up there.
33:18But as they embark on new careers, nerves are beginning to creep in.
33:23Being behind the bar, it makes me feel really small, like everything's just scary.
33:28There's going to be loads of people just staring at me and speaking French and it's a big change.
33:40Coming up...
33:41Hello.
33:42Oh, where's that?
33:44Not sure where that is.
33:45Emma's mountain location has more of her guests in a spin.
33:49Go there and then put in the pin and then that will take you correct.
33:53And as Nigel and Fede's renovations continue...
33:56I ain't got the battery. I'm trying to use a drill and I ain't got the battery on it.
33:59A golden marketing opportunity passes by their front door.
34:04This is the village.
34:05Wow.
34:05It's our house.
34:07How cool is that?
34:20In Almeria, after a successful afternoon tea, Emma's now gearing up for the second part of her new Greek event,
34:28which will see an extra 12 guests arriving soon.
34:32I'm thinking the same dips with the Lankhofters, perhaps.
34:35Yeah.
34:35Would they go quite nicely?
34:37Yeah, yeah, yeah.
34:38With Hilary continuing to help, she's also hired fellow British expat Lee to take charge of the three-course dinner
34:46and local musician Jackie to provide the evening's soundtrack.
34:53So, basically, you'll be set up here.
34:56Okay, is that all okay for you?
34:59But as he gets ready, Emma's mountain location has some of her new guests confused.
35:05Hello.
35:07Oh, where's that?
35:08Not sure where that is.
35:09Don't go left there.
35:10That'll take you down Rambladoria.
35:12You don't want to go there.
35:13So, go to the Gasolinera.
35:15Yeah, you want...
35:15Yeah, on the instructions.
35:17If you go there and then put in the pin and then that will take you correct.
35:23Okay.
35:24All right, see you shortly.
35:25All right, bye.
35:26Bye.
35:29So, Chef Lee is in the thick of it at the moment in the kitchen.
35:32We're expecting another couple of guests in just a few minutes.
35:35They've just rang me for some directions.
35:38We've got other guests that have gone to their rooms to get ready for this evening's meal.
35:42Hillary is busy laying the tables and making it all look lovely.
35:46And, yeah, we've just got a slight cutlery shortage, so we're going to sort that one out.
35:52As today's event is a trial, Emma's learning as she goes.
35:57I'd just do one fork.
35:58It's what they do in Spain.
36:00But it's not yet impacted her guests' experience.
36:05The afternoon tea was excellent.
36:07We've really enjoyed it so far, haven't we?
36:09Half glass.
36:10It was a bit tricky to get here, but nothing that you wouldn't get in Spain anyway.
36:17And all in all, a very good experience and really looking forward to the Greek food tonight.
36:23Lee is about ten minutes off finishing the food.
36:26I'm going to get everybody to sit at their tables.
36:29So, yeah, drink's going down nicely.
36:30People are mingling, so it's all good.
36:33With her terrace filling up...
36:35Hola, nice to meet you. Hola.
36:41The evening meal is served.
36:44One cough to two salad.
36:46It's all that's left, so...
36:49You've done this before.
36:51Emma has certainly come good on her promise of a Greek menu and music.
36:56The guitarist has just started performing.
36:58I'm very pleased with the numbers, actually.
37:01They're all tucking in nicely.
37:03There's a few that have arrived just for drinks, which is good as well.
37:06It's fantastic just to see a crowd on the terrace, which is exactly what I've aimed for.
37:14As the sun sets over the mountains, and the meal wrapping up, the Greek dancing soon begins.
37:26Emma's remote location now coming into its own, with no noise limits to worry about.
37:38Allowing everyone the freedom to party the night away.
37:49The following morning, Emma's eight overnight guests begin to stir.
37:57She's hoping to cure any hangovers with breakfast and some strong coffee.
38:02It got a little bit rowdy on the terrace, shall we say, until about 3am last night.
38:10Thankfully our neighbours are far away, so they can't hear what's going on.
38:14I've had a lot to process after such an epic day.
38:18My brain is very much still whirring, but on the whole really happy with how everything went.
38:23As her guests prepare to check out after breakfast, they too have enjoyed their stay.
38:29Really good all-round package.
38:33Beautiful surroundings too.
38:35The food was amazing, and the whole atmosphere.
38:37Lots of singing, lots of dancing on the terrace.
38:40It's been wonderful, it's a lovely experience.
38:42I'm not going to Greece again, I'm coming to Spain to have a Greek night.
38:47All the best.
38:48Everyone is leaving with memories made and new friendships formed.
38:53Well, all the best.
38:54Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
38:57The last guests have checked out, and they were full of praise and lovely compliments.
39:02I'm a little bit tired from the event, but yeah, well worth it, well worth it.
39:07And with this successful event under her belt, she hopes it will signal the start of a busy summer ahead.
39:20Two and a half hours southwest in the village of Polopos, it's now early March.
39:26Having made a start painting the exterior doors and window frames of their new B&B, due to wet weather,
39:34Nigel and Fede have been forced to park exterior jobs.
39:37I ain't got the battery. I'm trying to use a drill and I ain't got the battery on it.
39:41And turn their attention back inside.
39:45Ta-da!
39:47The pair have begun to breathe new life into the old bar area.
39:54Freddie's treated the beams and painted the ceiling. We've put the panel in them on the walls and we've painted
40:00the front of the bar.
40:03And this afternoon, they hope to add the final decorative details.
40:08The smaller one needs to go in the centre up there.
40:12Beautiful.
40:12And then the other four have to go in the centre of these, like that, just to give it a
40:19finishing touch at the top.
40:23Yay! It looks good. Well done.
40:28Very nice. Look how quickly you've done it.
40:32That's the thing, Freddie can't see the end picture until it's done.
40:35True. I think it's difficult for someone to explain exactly the idea. I have to wait to see the final
40:44result.
40:45And the finished look will have the golden accents running from the bar across to the bench seating.
40:53It's definitely bringing the colour into and along the room so it makes it look that it matches the bar.
41:01So now we'll just get the padded seating ordered and give it another wipe down once we've painted the walls.
41:07Pretty happy with the result. It looks really good.
41:10It's one room done out of 25.
41:14Long term maybe we will open it up as a bar, a public bar.
41:18And, you know, hopefully then bring more custom to the village.
41:23But who knows, we'll wait and see.
41:25Yeah, so far we are going to focus on opening it as a DMV.
41:29Yeah, and we are going to use the bar at the beginning like a social place and also it can
41:35be used, for example, for guests that they want to have breakfast in this area as well.
41:40Yeah.
41:41We'll see, but definitely we'll make some use for it.
41:46While Nigel and Fede explore their options to hire in extra help to speed up the renovations, for now it
41:53continues to be just a pair of them.
41:58Working such long hours together, I tend to whistle and make noises that I don't notice it.
42:06I need him to tell me so I stop it.
42:09I thought he was going to say, because we work together more, that he loves me more.
42:14Yeah, every day more and more.
42:19A week later and with the sun back out, Nigel and Fede are taking the opportunity to celebrate a local
42:26bike race running through the village.
42:28What a great event.
42:30Yes.
42:30Now that you know how it looks like next year, you can participate.
42:36Busy weekends like this bring people to Pelopos from across the region.
42:41So once their B&B is open, it's the kind of event they'll want to capitalize on.
42:46Look.
42:47It's of the village.
42:48Wow.
42:49But look.
42:50It's our hives.
42:53How cool is that?
42:55It's good that the villagers come out and support it.
42:57You know, this is only a handful from what will be here later.
43:01But you know, it's right away from the sea front all the way up.
43:03So people are supporting them all the way up to the finish.
43:06Fede's brother Luis and sister Arantra have also made the journey.
43:15And after the race, they're keen to check out the progress at the B&B.
43:21Oh, my God.
43:25How beautiful.
43:27Come in, have a look.
43:28And welcome to the bar area.
43:32Wow.
43:33Get ready for the surprise.
43:35Oh.
43:37Wow.
43:40Yeah, the bar, it looks so different.
43:43It's like...
43:45For me, it's like they change, you know.
43:46They're all funny too, but it looks quite different.
43:49And yeah, they did a very good work.
43:52And getting Fede's family's seal of approval is just the boost they need
43:57to keep going on their renovation marathon.
44:00It's good to have a second opinion and know that you are...
44:04doing the right thing.
44:06You know, now the bar's done, we know that we can move on with other rooms
44:10and I've got their backing of how it's going to turn out.
44:14And it's exciting, really.
44:17It is.
44:22Next time...
44:23It's all turned on, it's ready, it's cold.
44:25Off we go.
44:26Dave and Emily inch closer to first orders at their new pub.
44:31It's all new to us.
44:32It's trial and error.
44:33In Spain, the stakes remain high for Emma as she pushes on with new events.
44:39Financially, it was the biggest risk I've ever taken
44:41because I put everything into this.
44:44And a closer look at Nigel and Fede's B&B...
44:47As you can see, it's completely rotten all the way along.
44:50...delays the opening...
44:51We've had rain on and off now like this for two weeks.
44:54...of their new business.
44:56Yep.
44:58Mhm.
45:26You
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