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00:01From the glistening waters of the Med to the mountainous Alps,
00:05all across Europe, brave Brits are chasing new beginnings.
00:09Let's get this show on the road, huh?
00:11I mean, just look at this backdrop here.
00:13Essex was nothing like this.
00:15The stakes are high.
00:17This is definitely a gamble. I put everything in.
00:19All my life savings.
00:21We've got a lot riding on this.
00:22Our futures, our children's futures.
00:24We need to make some money.
00:25As they launch B&Bs.
00:27Service.
00:28And pubs in France.
00:30We're very new at this.
00:31Wow.
00:32Good job the wines, Chi.
00:34To wellness retreats and holiday parks in Bulgaria.
00:38It's not big enough.
00:39We measured it, I don't understand.
00:41It's a journey into the unknown.
00:44That's cool.
00:46Boo!
00:47But we're joining them for the ride.
00:51As they tee off...
00:52Oh!
00:52..their new lives in the sun.
00:55I just walk around with a smile on my face all the time.
00:58Best life ever!
01:01Today...
01:01Really nervous.
01:03..it's opening day at a couple's new pub in France.
01:06I don't know if I'm coming, if I'm going, what I'm serving.
01:09..but will their gamble on a fresh start for their family pay off?
01:13We've put everything in.
01:15Everything that we've got.
01:17Blood, sweat and tears.
01:18In Spain...
01:19Well, I hope that's everything.
01:22..because...
01:23..there ain't no coming back.
01:25..emotions run high...
01:28..as a B&B owner makes big changes to her business.
01:32There's only one income coming into this household,
01:34so it's all on me.
01:36..and has the renovation of a Spanish guest house...
01:39Nice to meet you!
01:41..hit a sticking point.
01:43Fingers crossed it's right, otherwise we'd be taking it back down.
01:47HE LAUGHS
02:00The Dordogne is where France slows down.
02:03A place of vineyards, castles and long summer evenings.
02:09Each year, thousands of Brits flock here for holidays.
02:12But there are also a brave batch so won over by the region
02:16that they gamble everything to make it their new home.
02:21The market's still on.
02:24We're just a little bit later than we would normally be.
02:26Like Dave and Emily from Huddersfield
02:29and their two children, Willow and Hugo.
02:32It's the tradition, isn't it, that we'll do our bit of shopping,
02:35get our baguettes and then we stop and have a little drink
02:38in the local bar.
02:39Yeah.
02:40And then you can just sit and watch the world go by,
02:43do a bit of people watching.
02:44Yeah.
02:47We've really put ourselves on the line, haven't we?
02:50We've left all of our family, all of our friends
02:53and we've got our kids.
02:55Emotionally, we've put everything in.
02:58Everything that we've got.
02:59Blood, sweat and tears.
03:02Thus far, it's good, yeah?
03:05Yeah, it's good.
03:07But to pay for their new lives here,
03:10for the past month, former car sales manager Dave
03:13and travel agent Emily...
03:14We've got to do them from the inside.
03:17..have been working around the clock
03:18to get their new pub and restaurant
03:20in the village of Sant'Estef ready to open.
03:25They're not perfect, but you can see out of them now.
03:27Much better.
03:29We've taken over a pub and we want it to be a hub
03:31for people to come, meet the friends, meet us,
03:36just generally enjoy being in our place.
03:39We've done them all?
03:40Uh-huh.
03:42I'm the boss.
03:43Oh, Em's the boss.
03:43I'm the boss, absolutely.
03:45Yeah.
03:45And I enjoy that because the responsibility
03:49is less than I've had in the past.
03:51So I'm very happy for Em to be the boss.
03:54Regardless of who's in charge though,
03:57it's a brand new career path for both of them.
04:00It's very stressful, very tiring.
04:04Yeah.
04:04Mentally draining.
04:06Yeah.
04:07Physically draining.
04:07Physically draining.
04:08It's just all, everything's just so new
04:10and we're unsure about everything.
04:12We haven't got the leisure of being able to say it didn't work.
04:18That can't happen.
04:19It has to work.
04:23It's now early June and the heat's ramping up in the kitchen
04:27for Dave and Emily's new pub.
04:30Make sure you get it right.
04:31Hey, you can't put that much chilli in.
04:33Will that be good though, do you think?
04:35I...
04:37Yeah, I don't know.
04:39It's finally their official launch day
04:41but before they open their doors for the first time
04:44later this afternoon,
04:45they need to cook up the curries that'll be served
04:48as part of a free taster menu.
04:52I just feel like I'm missing something
04:54and I can't think what?
04:56Mefe.
04:56Mefe.
04:58Hey, do you know what?
05:00It's a good job I'm here really, isn't it?
05:01This is supposed to be a competition between who's the best
05:05and I'm helping you.
05:06But we are married.
05:07You would have definitely lost, wouldn't you?
05:11The plan is to have two different curries to serve,
05:14one prepped by Emily and the other by Dave.
05:18The pan's not looking big enough.
05:20I've got five kilos of chicken to go in it
05:22so I'm a little bit worried now
05:24but I haven't quite got enough space.
05:26Never used a commercial kitchen to cook anything.
05:31Here goes.
05:33It's scary because I've never made a curry for so many people.
05:36What if we just do it all wrong?
05:38Once you've put these spices in, you can't take them back out.
05:41One, two...
05:45Doing these curries tonight is definitely a risk for us
05:47because, you know, it all goes well, brilliant.
05:51But if it doesn't, we might lose customers forever.
05:55I've no idea how much I've just put in there.
05:58Oh, dear.
06:01And as the morning goes on...
06:03Did you turn this down?
06:04Yeah.
06:05..with only experience of cooking for their own family
06:08and not large groups,
06:12it's not just the spice levels that they're worried about.
06:15It's really hard to get this just right.
06:18The water levels, especially in Emily's pan, seem off.
06:23It's watery now.
06:25Why is it so watery?
06:27The chicken will have water in, won't it?
06:31Yeah, it needs to reduce loads and loads and loads.
06:35This doesn't look like my curry.
06:37All this steam, is it cooking now?
06:40Well, then my chicken's gonna go tough, innit?
06:43We've never made a bad curry in our lives.
06:48Till today.
07:01Over 800 miles away in southern Spain,
07:04it's also a day of celebration in the mountaintop village of Polopos,
07:09where its annual wine festival is in full swing.
07:14Joining the party this year are its newest residents,
07:17Nigel, originally from Wiltshire...
07:20Hola.
07:21..and his Spanish husband, Fede, who has family roots here.
07:27A day where the community comes together and enjoy and relax themselves.
07:32Seeing as there's a fountain of red wine,
07:34I think we could have a few.
07:36There is an alcohol-free fountain as well.
07:42The couple, who previously ran a pub in Bath,
07:45have bought a three-storey former guest house at the top of the village.
07:50Having been closed for ten years,
07:52Nigel and Fede spotted an opportunity to revive the business.
07:57The property we want to bring back to its former glory,
08:01back up to standard for the bed and breakfast.
08:03We are both going to be taking the DIY tasks.
08:07And hopefully, each room will have its own stamp on it.
08:11Cheers!
08:12And news of the couple's plans...
08:16..have become the talk of the town.
08:25Both mayors have welcomed us to the village and have offered any help possible,
08:31as long as we don't ask for cash.
08:35With the whole community watching on, the pressure's now on to deliver.
08:42Hopefully, we'll make it a nicer place.
08:46And between us, you know, the work's got to be done,
08:49and we're looking forward to the challenge.
08:52It's now late April,
08:54and as interest grows in Nigel and Fede's new business venture...
08:58This is a rough guide.
09:01..the couple are trying to keep momentum up on their B&B renovations.
09:05But with Fede under the weather, they've had to call in some extra help.
09:11We've got Steve here from the UK.
09:13He's going to put in a load of stud walls for us
09:15to divide up and make some new rooms.
09:18We've got Brian downstairs putting a sink in the bar
09:21and helping me in the kitchen do some plumbing work.
09:23So, yeah, lots going on today.
09:26While Nigel and Fede are DIY novices,
09:29their friend Steve, who is visiting for a week,
09:32has a background in construction.
09:35So it's vital they make the most of his skills while he's here.
09:41This used to be a former lounge for guests
09:44that stayed at the former B&B,
09:45but we're going to turn it into an en-suite,
09:48open-plan shower and toilet and bedroom
09:51because of the views outside the doors.
09:53This is going to be the nicest room, hopefully.
09:57They're all going to be nice,
09:58but this is a bit more grandeur to it.
10:01Once the renovations are complete,
10:04Nigel and Fede plan to have a total
10:06of five double en-suite guest rooms.
10:09But to achieve that,
10:11not only did they need to build new bathrooms,
10:14the property's existing wash facilities...
10:17Float towels are the unexpected!
10:20..also need an upgrade to modern standards.
10:24The level where all the bathrooms are in the middle of the house,
10:28Steve's going to come into each bathroom and put new doors in
10:31because they've just used curtains in the past.
10:34So to make it a bit more private,
10:36we're going to put new doors in and box them in,
10:38so they become an actual room.
10:40So when somebody's using the bathroom,
10:42it's not fuming the bedroom.
10:47While Steve's been able to steam ahead with the stud walls
10:51for the new en-suite upstairs...
10:53This is going to be where the shower head and taps are.
10:58When they come to plotting out the toilet area,
11:01it's proving more of a puzzle.
11:04So it's 60 from the front of the toilet, 24 inches.
11:10So we were going to put the toilet in here,
11:13but we've looked on the plans of the dimensions of the toilet,
11:18and it needs to be slightly bigger,
11:20which then encroaches on the doors.
11:24If they don't get their measurements right...
11:2785 to 90 is literally in line with that wall.
11:31It might not be much of a comfort break for their guests.
11:36Fingers crossed it's right,
11:38otherwise we'd be taking it back down.
11:43Three and a half hours later,
11:45with the new walls up,
11:47it's time to find out.
11:49That's brilliant.
11:50Really good job.
11:52And the toilet can go in there.
11:54I'm just testing it out.
11:56Plenty of space either side.
11:58Enough for the cistern and enough leg room.
12:02Once the door is on as well,
12:04which is what I was worried about.
12:06But with so much left to do at the B&B,
12:09there's no time for sitting around.
12:12I'm sure I've put somebody to be pleased on that throne.
12:15She's done a good job.
12:20Coming up is a new B&B host in Spain
12:23having second thoughts about her new business.
12:26Obviously opening my house to bed and breakfast guests,
12:29there's a level of vulnerability,
12:30having strangers in my home.
12:31And in France,
12:32the weather threatens to put a dampener
12:35on Emily and Dave's pub launch.
12:37At this rate, we'll be inside tonight,
12:39which is not what we want,
12:40because there's definitely not enough room
12:42for everybody in there.
12:43The rain is going to ruin the night.
12:56Far removed from the crowded costas and tourist bustle,
13:01rural Almería in the south offers something a little different,
13:05an authentic taste of Spain's wilder and more rugged side.
13:10Come on, then.
13:12Good girl.
13:15Which was a huge part of the attraction for Emma from Leicestershire
13:19who moved to the region last year.
13:24Being able to take advantage of the wild areas
13:27and the rambler roads
13:29and getting out and exploring
13:30has been a real bonus to the house being where it is.
13:34Having worked as a dog groomer in the UK,
13:37over here Emma's embarked on a brand new career
13:40as a bed and breakfast host.
13:42OK, thank you.
13:44You're welcome.
13:46A business she's launched
13:48from her five-bed traditional Spanish cortillo
13:51located in the hills above the village of Oria.
13:55Obviously opening my house to bed and breakfast guests,
13:57there's a level of vulnerability.
13:59There's certain things that I've had to adjust to
14:02and obviously get my head around is just having strangers in my home.
14:06Any more tea and coffee?
14:07But they quickly turn into guests that have potentially become friends as well.
14:12The whole experience has been above and beyond what I ever expected.
14:16While Emma's enjoying her new role,
14:19her remote location means she can't rely solely on passing trade,
14:23so has also been trialling events to bring in more guest bookings.
14:28Challenges obviously financially.
14:30There's only one income coming into this household,
14:33so it's all on me.
14:34I've literally put everything into this, all my savings.
14:38But at the end of the day, unless you push yourself and challenge yourself
14:41and follow your heart, then I think that you'll always have that question of what if.
14:48It's now August, a time when temperatures in Almeria can reach upwards of 40 degrees,
14:54and Emma's preparing her B&B for her next guests.
14:58It's a lovely breeze in this room.
15:01It makes all the difference.
15:02I'm just going to put this on, and the room is ready.
15:09However, as interest in her new events has been lower during the recent hotter months,
15:14forcing her to cancel some of them,
15:16she's decided to try something new to guarantee income over the coming weeks.
15:21I'm just making sure I've got everything I need to hit the road.
15:25But it's an idea that means she has to temporarily move out.
15:30Today, major task ahead.
15:31I've got my first family that's renting the property in its entirety for the next two weeks,
15:36which means I have to pack up everything that's mine that I'm going to need.
15:41Renting the house out is something that I'm looking to do more of
15:43and have a balance between the day-to-day bed and breakfast
15:46and being able to leave the house in good hands with people renting it out,
15:51which will enable me to have that freedom to travel more,
15:54to visit family back in the UK more, and also to benefit from the revenue that that brings.
16:00But as Emma spends the morning prepping the house and packing up her things before leaving for the UK...
16:08Well, I hope that's everything, because there ain't no coming back.
16:13..she spotted a plumbing problem that must be fixed before her guests arrive.
16:19I've just realised that the water heater for the downstairs kitchen has got a major leak on it.
16:24This is horrendous timing for something like this to happen.
16:27So, I've called Andy in.
16:29He's the local plumber, so hopefully he'll get that sorted soon,
16:31because I don't want to leave them without hot water in the kitchen.
16:34To her relief, half an hour after arriving,
16:37fellow British expat Andy has quickly got a handle on the plumbing problem.
16:43How's it going, And?
16:45It's not leaking.
16:46What was the issue again?
16:49Just the pressure valve.
16:51Oh, right. Wicked. As long as it's all sorted.
16:54That's the main thing. Thank you.
16:55No worries. Much appreciated.
16:57And it's been fixed just in time.
17:01Welcome, welcome.
17:02As guests Wilfred and Emmanuel from France have just arrived.
17:07This is the reception room, okay?
17:10And through here, we have the lounge area.
17:14The couple have booked Emma's home for a holiday with their family for the next two weeks.
17:19The pool, obviously, you have sun lounges.
17:22I have a pool cleaner booked to come once, twice a week, okay?
17:26To come to clean, all right?
17:28And with the keys to her home soon handed over...
17:31That is the front door, okay?
17:33The moment has come for Emma to say her goodbyes to the property that she's poured her heart and soul
17:40into.
17:41Be good.
17:48Seem a lovely family, but obviously very mixed emotions because this will be the longest that I've sort of walked
17:53away from it, really.
17:54So, I've got no qualms about the family being there.
17:57I'm genuinely quite emotional about the fact that they're going to enjoy it as much as what I have.
18:03While it's a wrench to bid farewell, the income from the booking will allow Emma to continue growing her business
18:10on her return from the UK.
18:21Back in the Dordogne, the pressure continues to mount for Emily and Dave in the run-up to their pub
18:27relaunch.
18:29Really nervous.
18:31Don't know if we've done everything. Don't know if we've got everything.
18:34I feel like we're clean and tidy.
18:36We've got the gazebo ready for when the ban comes later.
18:39They're turning up around 5.30.
18:42Doors open at 5, kids finish school at 4.30.
18:46I don't even know what time it is now, but it feels like we've got a lot to do.
18:53We need to iron our uniform.
18:56I need to have a shower, I need to have a shave, I need to look somewhere near the spectrum.
19:00We haven't got enough time in the day for all this.
19:04Adding to their worries is that Emily's chicken curry is still on the watery side.
19:10I don't know what I'm doing.
19:12Leaving it to simmer for even longer, she heads outside to try and tick another job off their to-do
19:18list.
19:20But the weather's also taken a turn.
19:24I'm trying to clean the tables, but it's raining and pointless.
19:30It's just wet through.
19:34At this rate, we'll be inside tonight.
19:37Which is not what we want, because there's definitely not enough room for everybody in there.
19:42Especially not if we get like 100 people, which people keep saying we're going to.
19:46I think it only seats 30.
19:48This is just a waste of time.
19:51The rain is going to ruin the night.
19:54Unfortunately, 30 minutes later, there isn't good news from the kitchen either.
20:01It's just taking forever to reduce down.
20:04You're not happy with the flavour of yours, are you?
20:07No.
20:10I mean, it has got flavour, it's just...
20:12It's got a watery flavour as well.
20:15Problem is, we've never used French chicken breast from that supply before,
20:19so we work to know how much water's going to come out of it.
20:24With time ticking and focus needed elsewhere...
20:32..a decision is made to take Emily's curry off the opening night taster menu.
20:39It's a sloppy mess.
20:40I'm not giving them, on our first night, something that's not what we expected.
20:46We don't get the flavour's there because we've put it in.
20:49Oh, man.
20:51It's just the amount of water that was in the chicken.
20:54Terrible.
20:56We don't know what we're doing cos we've never run a bar before.
21:00Don't know why we ever thought it was a good idea.
21:04With a large crowd of locals and fellow British expats expected...
21:10Fortunately, they've been able to rope in friends Lisa and Valerie
21:14from the village to lend a hand...
21:18..if they can let them in.
21:21Allé, mon petit kitty, on vient de vacciner!
21:25Mouah!
21:26Bonjour! Il est où?
21:29Ça va?
21:30Oui.
21:31Ready?
21:33Maybe.
21:34As Valerie has experience running her own bar in the past...
21:39Ça va?
21:40Oui, et vous?
21:41Oui!
21:42Emily and Dave are hoping to lean into her experience.
21:47She's great. She'll help us do whatever.
21:50She'll be behind the bar.
21:51She can clean the table.
21:53She can glass collect for us.
21:55She's going to be a real help for us, I think, tonight.
21:58They work hard, because I know the place before.
22:02I can't recognize it.
22:04It's just now fresh and welcoming.
22:08They're ready, but it's a big thing to do.
22:12A party the first day.
22:15I think they are crazy to do that, because they are not prepared to work with so many people.
22:23Now, for 30 years I rent pubs and restaurants, I never, never did something like that, because people expect the
22:35best the first day.
22:39It's what we've been working for, so fingers crossed it's going to be good.
22:42And not too stressful.
22:43Oh, it's going to be stressful, all right.
22:46No, it's scary.
22:47I think I'm just going to hide upstairs.
22:49You can't do that.
22:50Valerie will do it for me tonight.
22:52I'll run away.
22:56Coming up...
22:57There are plumbing problems for Nigel and Fede.
23:02We were thinking of having to get permission to dig all this road up here.
23:06And changes are also in the pipeline.
23:09It's a concrete block building, an empty shell, basically.
23:13At Emma's B&B.
23:15Being in the UK, it's given me a few weeks of reflection and deciding what's best to do for the
23:20season.
23:30In Pelopos, in southern Spain, it's now early May.
23:35And with Fede feeling better, he's been able to rejoin Nigel in their effort to breathe new life into a
23:41former guest house in the village.
23:44Now I do feel like a professional painter.
23:48His job this morning is to continue painting the window frames.
23:52I lost count of how many windows we go to paint, but loads, loads.
24:02While the property's exterior walls also need a fresh lick of paint.
24:07Before they tackle that, Nigel's been retiling one of their entrance porches.
24:15As making a good first impression when future guests arrive will be crucial.
24:20It's definitely better than what was up there before and a lot safer and less weight up there.
24:25I think it looks alright.
24:27Meanwhile inside, after working on the guest en-suites, their friend Steve, who has a background in construction, has now
24:35been tasked.
24:38With rejigging the internal layout of Nigel and Fede's own living quarters on the top floor.
24:46Steve's going to do the hallway for the bathroom partition, one of the bigger bedrooms off.
24:53And then he's going to hopefully do the hallway door that leads from the staircase upstairs.
25:01And then I'll probably be left to hang the doors. But we'll see.
25:06Even though the guest accommodation is their priority to be able to start earning, as DIY is all new to
25:13Nigel and Fede, they need to make the most of Steve's expertise.
25:18It's been a long week for Steve. He's got his last full day here with us today.
25:22It's important that Steve is here to do as much as possible of the technical stuff that we are not
25:28professionals.
25:30As Steve works for Mates Rates, it also helps Nigel and Fede's renovation budget, freeing up funds to be able
25:38to rehire local builder Brian.
25:42Who's back on site today, fitting a splash back in the B&B's new kitchen, with help from his apprentice,
25:49Nigel.
25:51I'm just waiting for my helper here.
25:53OK, Bodger, scarper's coming.
25:59Yesterday, Brian became Bodge and I became a scarper.
26:06It's just getting round the electrics and the plugs.
26:09Hopefully this will be done today, maybe, hopefully, this morning.
26:16With interest growing locally in their new business, keeping the renovations on track is important, especially as they've now got
26:24a potential guest booking on the horizon.
26:27Somebody popped by recently and organises the freestyle downhill skating on rollerblades and skateboards that happens every year.
26:39We're here in Peloppa, and so he's approached us and asked us if we would be a property for their
26:44boot camp and their training camp.
26:46So, hopefully, that's a positive for us.
26:49The group's next meet-up is in October.
26:52But Nigel and Fede have a lot to do before they can accept the reservation.
26:58Can you do the open line?
27:00Yeah.
27:01It's level.
27:05You all right?
27:06Yeah.
27:09Nice to meet you.
27:10Are you coming off?
27:13Brian.
27:15The village will be talking.
27:20While the kitchen's seeing swift progress.
27:23It's good because it covers a wide space of wall in one fell swoop.
27:29Outside, they've discovered an issue which could throw a spanner in the works for the rest of the renovation.
27:36All the other bathrooms are that side.
27:38That's it, yeah.
27:38It would make it easier if we could just come out and down into there.
27:41It would be nice, wouldn't it, that?
27:42They've cemented over the pipe by a look on it.
27:45As the property currently has one main sewage pipe, plumbing in their new en-suite isn't going to be as
27:51easy as they'd hoped.
27:54Because all the other bathrooms are on the other side of the house, they all run into the same waste
27:58system.
27:59We were thinking of having to get permission to dig all this road up here.
28:02But there might be a solution of knocking into another pipe instead, so that could save us money and time.
28:12Four weeks later though, and after further investigation, it's not good news.
28:18They've no choice but to dig up the road.
28:21We will have to open somewhere around here to connect the switch pipes and it will go all the way
28:29down till that exit over there.
28:32In order to have the new bathroom, this has to be done.
28:37The extra works required are a major blow, as they're likely to run into hundreds of euros and push their
28:44schedule back,
28:45which could put their potential October booking on the line.
28:57120 miles northeast in the hills above the village of Aurea, it's now September.
29:03Back to reality.
29:05And Emma's reopened her B&B after an extended trip to the UK.
29:10Because I had the three weeks off and it really was restful, I was pleased to get back on it
29:15to be honest, I can't sit down for too long.
29:17So yeah, I'm really happy to be back where I need to be, back hostessing, it's great, I love it.
29:23While it was emotional renting out her entire property for the first time last month...
29:29It gets so dusty and I've had quite a lot of dust lately.
29:33..the two-week booking proved to be a good earner and has now got Emma rethinking parts of her business
29:39plan.
29:42The French family rented the whole house for their vacation whilst I was gone and I came back and everything
29:47was fine,
29:48which, yeah, turned out to be a really positive experience, they were really respectful and they said that they had
29:54a fantastic time and left a great review.
29:57Because it was so successful renting with the family this time, I think it's worth doing that again.
30:04To make that possible without having to also vacate her own home each time, Emma's come up with a new
30:11idea to expand.
30:13This is the top covered terrace and access currently to the annex is here, up here.
30:21Attached to her B&B is an 80 square metre annex, currently unrenovated and used for storage,
30:28but there's plenty of potential for it to be turned into extra guest accommodation.
30:35It's a concrete block building. It's an empty shell, basically.
30:40I'm going to start with this end, that's the idea.
30:43So, obviously, doors and windows are in place here already, so it would be great to work with those
30:48and take full advantage of the beautiful mountain view.
30:54The peace and serenity on this side, and this just lends itself to being a terraced area.
31:03Along with building a new outside space to soak up the afternoon sun,
31:08inside Emma hopes to split the annex in two to create a pair of one-bedroom self-catered apartments,
31:15each with their own bathroom and small kitchen.
31:19The bare bones of the work has been done by the previous owner, which is great.
31:24Obviously, I think they had different ideas than what I've got in terms of usability,
31:28but I may as well just take full advantage of that, really, and work with what I have,
31:32rather than, you know, start all over again.
31:35It will also help her budget, as the renovations to complete both units are going to run into thousands of
31:42euros,
31:43which is why she's planning to work in two stages, hoping to have the first apartment open for next season.
31:51There's obviously a lot of unnecessary stuff in here.
31:56I need to sort of basically sort through what's worth keeping and what isn't.
31:59The great thing is about only doing half of the annex at the moment,
32:02what I do want to keep can be stored at the back of the annex.
32:07That's going to be the first task, really, is clearing all of this.
32:11The clearance will be a big job, but may help her save even more money.
32:17So we have random tiles.
32:21Hanging on to those.
32:23What else do we have?
32:24Wood.
32:25Loads of different paints and wood stains and whatnot.
32:28Breeze blocks.
32:29How many breeze blocks do you want?
32:31Obviously, if you want to build a wall, you're going to need a breeze block.
32:35So, yeah, I've saved a few of those.
32:38I mean, they're only about 90 cents each, but, you know, I like to save where I can.
32:45A lot of it was already here, actually, but you learn quickly over here not to throw anything away
32:50because you just never know when you're going to need it.
32:54Every euro will be crucial
32:56because Emma has decided she won't be offering her events during the renovations.
33:01The B&B will have to provide all her income from now on.
33:06Being in the UK, obviously, it's given me a few weeks of reflection and deciding what's best to do for
33:13the season as well.
33:14And I think events-wise, it's best to do those in spring and heading into early summer.
33:19And the height of summer is just too hot.
33:21So that's been a learning curve as well.
33:24So I've decided to park the events for now and also shift focus and try and juggle the bed and
33:30breakfast element with the renovation.
33:32And that's how it needs to be for now.
33:36Coming up...
33:37Emily. Emily.
33:39Nice to meet you.
33:40Dave and Emily are given the run-around as they open the doors to their new pub.
33:46It's busy and it's hard work.
33:48And in Spain, Emma's business plans also ramp up a gear.
33:53Me being me, putting a bit of pressure on myself.
33:55I've already advertised it and I've actually taken a booking on it already.
34:09It's early June in the Dordogne and the rural village of Santestef is about to have its local watering hole
34:17reopen its doors.
34:19Ready? You are perfect, beautiful together.
34:24Now with first-time landlords Emily and Dave at its helm, along with some help from local friends.
34:32While the pub is customer ready, the weather has taken a turn.
34:38It's just a shower.
34:40No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
34:42It's clear behind.
34:43Yeah.
34:44Doc, it's okay.
34:45The son's going to put his hat on first.
34:48Oh, God!
34:52An hour later, after a dash to collect their kids from school.
34:56Oh, that weather is horrible.
34:59To their relief, the skies brighten.
35:02Just in time for the milestone moment of their first customers arriving.
35:11Meaning that after a month of prep and nerves, it's finally time to put their new bar skills to the
35:18test.
35:25And with Willow and Hugo on welcoming duties, the pub begins to fill up.
35:34Emily.
35:35Emily.
35:36Nice to meet you.
35:38While Emily and Dave start getting to know the locals, as brand-new pub landlords, it's a steep learning curve.
35:47We've chosen where everything's going to go, but yet we don't know where anything is.
35:51Yeah, that's a problem.
35:54Do you have any tonics?
35:55Yes, please.
35:56Do you have any tonics?
35:59Do you try to see me?
36:01Oh, dear.
36:03Just get you a glass.
36:05Er, where are they?
36:08After sinking a huge chunk of their savings into their new business...
36:12Two-fifty for the wine, thank you.
36:15While it's a relief to get some cash in the till, the rush is keeping them on their toes.
36:21Thank you very much.
36:22Have a nice evening.
36:23See you later.
36:24Oh, good.
36:25A little bit for all.
36:26Bonkers at the minute.
36:27Bonkers.
36:28So much so that with the pub's former landlady, Amanda, also in attendance, she's hopped behind the bar to lend
36:35a hand.
36:38I don't know if I'm coming, if I'm going, what I'm serving, I don't know anything.
36:42It's busy and it's hard work.
36:44I don't know how we're going to make the curries.
36:46I don't know how we're going to get them warmed up, because there's not enough people.
36:53How many glasses for you, Rosie?
36:56How many glasses?
36:59Two more.
37:00Do you want to go ahead and put it in the towel?
37:03Yes.
37:03OK.
37:05Cheers!
37:07Pretty busy.
37:09As the evening goes on, their car park begins to overflow.
37:14And the terrace is packed out, ready for the band they've booked.
37:21Meaning there's little let-up on the bar, and they've still no plans as to how they'll serve Dave's curry.
37:28This is just jersey.
37:31Come on.
37:32Two eyes.
37:34Anything else?
37:35Five.
37:36Sunk.
37:37The party atmosphere, though, is what they'd hoped for.
37:46It's how a pub should be.
37:48Never seen so many people here.
37:50Fantastic.
37:51Absolutely brilliant.
37:53Best night ever.
37:55But having worked hard in the kitchen, and with just a few hours of their launch night left, they're determined
38:01to come good on their promise of free curry for their first customers.
38:06It's literally just been drink after drink.
38:09We've used every single glass in the bar, over and over and over again.
38:14Bonkers.
38:14Absolutely bonkers.
38:16But it's what we cared for, yeah?
38:19As the sun sets, Dave's spinach and chicken curry is ready to serve.
38:25During their interval.
38:27A big round of applause for the food!
38:31The band are the first to tuck in.
38:34Curry?
38:35Right.
38:36Could be hotter.
38:37If it's a curry, they could all be hotter.
38:39Very nice.
38:40Yeah, honestly, very, very tasty.
38:42Good.
38:44While it's not been an easy evening, with support from their friends, Dave and Emily have survived their first shift
38:50as publicans.
38:54It's just been a whirlwind.
38:56It's definitely been successful.
38:58We've pretty much sold all of our beer.
39:01A box and a half of wine.
39:03A box and a half of each wine.
39:04Everything's going.
39:05We've had 155 people here.
39:07We've got a terrace full of happy people.
39:09And we're brand new to this, you know.
39:11Imagine what we could achieve.
39:23Back in southern Spain, after deciding to press pause on hosting more of her own events until next season...
39:34B&B owner Emma has kick-started her renovation plans.
39:38Wow, it's looking good already. Yeah, I'm really pleased with that.
39:41Amazing.
39:43As she's relying solely on the income from her B&B over the coming months,
39:48before starting the annex conversion,
39:50she's tasked her building team to carry out some essential maintenance to the communal guest facilities.
39:57Today, we are concentrating on the pool area,
40:00so smartening up that area with some gravel,
40:03trimming back these overgrown brushland down the bottom there.
40:06And if everything goes well and they're happy with me and I'm happy with them,
40:09then she'll get them on board to start working on the annex.
40:13Guys, did you want a tea or coffee?
40:15I'll have a coffee, please.
40:16Yeah?
40:16Two coffees? Three coffees?
40:18Yeah?
40:18Okay.
40:19All with milk, yes?
40:21Three coffees.
40:25Starting with some of the smaller jobs around her property also gives Emma the opportunity...
40:30This is on the list of things to do.
40:33...to fine-tune her plans for the annex with builder Steve.
40:37Start at this then, because I think it lends itself to be a more rentable property than at the other
40:42end of the annex.
40:43Lends about some decking as well.
40:44Exactly, yeah.
40:45Yeah, pack out the terrace area and do some decking, if you think that's best.
40:50Yeah.
40:51I've done a little floor plan, actually, as well.
40:53Okay.
40:54So, that might help.
40:55With the annex conversion added to Steve's build list, which he hopes to start soon...
41:01...sheets, blankets.
41:04Emma's taking every B&B booking she can to help pay for the works.
41:10Guests checked out early this morning, so we're going to turn the room around.
41:13Don't actually have a technique, other than to not get tangled up in it myself.
41:19While she may be relatively new to hosting, in the 11 months she's now been open, she's come a long
41:25way.
41:26People do remind me that I've done quite a lot in a short space of time,
41:30and sometimes I need to remind myself of that and perhaps enjoy that
41:34and enjoy the process a bit more than it being,
41:37right, okay, what phase can we get to next?
41:40I'm determined to do that more with this phase of the renovation.
41:43I'm not putting any pressure on myself.
41:45I'm just going to see what can be done for X amount of money
41:49and then go with it, work with it.
41:52All the rooms are ready to go.
41:54Three o'clock check-in, basically.
41:55I get a lot of last-minute booking, so effectively anybody could turn up on the doorstep
41:59at three o'clock onwards.
42:01So, yep, always ready to go.
42:03Next lot of washing.
42:04Hey, Phyllis.
42:07Come on, baby.
42:10The following month, in and around a steady flow of guest stays,
42:15Emma's been working to sort through the annex with help from friend Adam,
42:19who's over from the UK.
42:21Yeah, you need to skip.
42:23I know I do.
42:24That's an air filter from something.
42:25It'll be a swimming pool.
42:26The clearance is now a top priority, as her builders have confirmed
42:31they can start the conversion work next week.
42:34That thing helped build the house 20 years ago.
42:39Despite her intention to take the renovations in her stride,
42:44Emma's innate business ambition has other ideas.
42:48Me being me, putting a bit of pressure on myself.
42:51I've already advertised it for next year.
42:53And I've actually taken a booking on it already as well.
42:56So, yeah, just applied a little bit of pressure there,
42:58but I'm sure it'll be fine.
42:59It's really exciting, yeah.
43:01I can't wait to see it change shape and turn it around really quickly,
43:04which I know they will.
43:05And they'll do a great job as well.
43:08Emma's drive to push her new business forward
43:10has been evident all summer long
43:13in the varying ideas that she's trialled to bring in guest bookings.
43:1711 months into business,
43:19I'm really pleased with how this season's gone.
43:21I have more of a clarity in my head now
43:24as to the events I want to do going forward
43:26and in terms of what I want to see the business doing for me
43:30in the future.
43:32It's been really enjoyable.
43:34I love doing it.
43:36Also, being able to share this corner of Spain
43:39that she now calls home with visiting friends and family...
43:43Oh, yes!
43:45Gonna get some nice food.
43:46..is a dream made possible through all her hard work.
43:50I have no regrets at all.
43:52There's not a day where I even have a wobble, to be fair,
43:55and wonder, what are you doing, Emma?
43:57You know, I mean, I feel so, so grateful to be here.
44:02Cute!
44:02I have many pinch myself moments where it's like,
44:05how did I get here?
44:06It's an amazing experience.
44:08It's given me way, way more than I ever, ever anticipated,
44:10and I can only ever see that getting better and improving.
44:14So, it's great.
44:15I'm just happy to be here.
44:22Next time...
44:23Ready for another day in the sunny Dardyne?
44:25After their launch, can Dave and Emily keep the tills ringing?
44:29I'm just making a little sign with our opening times,
44:32then we're going to go into the lake and put it up.
44:35Nigel and Fede's renovations hit a hurdle.
44:38Slightly bigger hole than we expected.
44:40Looks like we've just had an earthquake.
44:43And after winning the keys to a French B&B on a TV game show...
44:49A couple from Belfast claim their life-changing prize.
44:54Do you think it's real?
44:55Oh, God, yeah.
44:56I don't, I just still feel like it's ruined someone else's house.
45:08There are a few hours so far,
45:08you could just wait to go into loh eseosio tube to keep everything.
45:12There are stimdoing that even if you can see.
45:18I'm glad they can type in your body.
45:19Number two, it's nice to make money!
45:27Take care of your body clean and clean and clean.
45:28Mont Christ Giles is配 group!
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