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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. That's the Atlantic Ocean.
00:20This is where the work begins, mister.
00:22Playing the part of chateau owners in France.
00:27We've never done this before. We're making it up as we go along.
00:29To 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, 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...
01:01Don't take off, guys.
01:03..a family from Hertfordshire are hoping a glamp site
01:06can secure their future in Italy.
01:08There's a lot of tension involved.
01:10But with a new build and a new business to handle,
01:13can they hold on to their dream?
01:15It's the most dangerous part now, isn't it?
01:18Yeah.
01:18Because this is where it can take off.
01:20In France, an antiques enthusiast from Shropshire
01:23is sure his eye for the past could hold the key to his future.
01:28I'm putting everything out the front
01:29just to make it completely apparent that the actual shop is open.
01:33And with a B&B renovation to fund,
01:36he's prepared to go the extra mile to compete on the High Street.
01:39I'll have to get a sandwich board made.
01:41Strip off completely.
01:42You have a barrel with braces on it or something.
01:45And it's crunch time for a family from Nottingham
01:47with a farmhouse and sheets to renovate.
01:50I stepped back and there's a big hole in the ground just here.
01:53There was a snapping noise.
02:03The beautiful landscapes, climate and gastronomy
02:07have made Italy a top choice when relocating to Europe.
02:12Picture-perfect towns and villages are all on the menu here
02:15and there's plenty of choice for those longing for a taste
02:18of La Dolce Vita.
02:21That looks amazing.
02:22It's still sizzling.
02:23The colour is always amazing, vibrant colours.
02:26It's never sort of a uniform grey plate.
02:30It's amazing food.
02:31It was all this that persuaded Rob, a plumber,
02:34and Fran, a former photo agent,
02:37to swap Hertfordshire for the Umbrian countryside.
02:40I did a sort of self-actualisation,
02:44like a course on what is your why,
02:47what are you doing in your life and all that sort of stuff.
02:50And at the end of the course, I realised I wanted an adventure.
02:54So I did a PowerPoint presentation to Fran,
02:57which was in bed on Valentine's Day.
03:01Yep.
03:01Romantic.
03:05But it was enough to seal the deal with Fran,
03:07who was keen they spend more time with their children,
03:11Mabel and Alfred.
03:12I wanted to know what else life had to offer.
03:15I wanted to know what it would be like
03:17to see if we can make a life abroad that was happy for the whole family,
03:20to have a different lifestyle.
03:22It wasn't quick until it was,
03:25and then we were sort of found ourselves packing the house up,
03:28kids getting in the back of the car and driving.
03:32We drove down and, yeah, it was an amazing adventure.
03:37Their journey ended with the family taking on a 22-hectare farm
03:42on the outskirts of the medieval town of Montone.
03:45This gives me great joy when I see these guys in the field.
03:49While developing their farming skills is on their to-do list,
03:53their immediate priorities are building themselves a family home.
03:57That's the one for our bedroom, actually.
03:59Is it?
03:59So they're moving it in now.
04:00And getting their new glamping business launched this season,
04:04as it'll be the key to sustaining their new lives here.
04:09We've always said we don't want to be broke in paradise,
04:12because that'd suck.
04:13Yeah.
04:13So what's at stake?
04:15I suppose everything.
04:17Failure.
04:20We made a decision that there's no going back from.
04:22Everything's at stake.
04:23Yeah.
04:25It's now March and less than a month
04:28until Rob and Fran open their new glamping site
04:31to paying guests for the first time.
04:34Oh, careful.
04:36And their attention is turning
04:39to getting their natural swimming lake ready for guests.
04:42We're going to be draining down the bio lake,
04:45because over the autumn and winter lots of the leaves
04:48and lots of debris and hummus have ended up in the lake,
04:51so it's all very dirty.
04:53With so much across their camping ground to finish,
04:56they've hired in a team to help,
04:58freeing them up to work on their tents.
05:00I'm like a pro over here.
05:03You've got it.
05:04Technique down there.
05:07Squeaky squeak.
05:08But having already experienced issues with the canvases,
05:12and their business launch now looming,
05:15they hope they've got them right this time.
05:18They're sort of stressed in the wrong places,
05:20so I'm not convinced that, A, we're putting them up right,
05:24and, B, that they're not going to fail again,
05:27and hopefully when customers are here they don't rip
05:32and they have a twilight night experience straight to the stars.
05:38And being exposed to Mother Nature is also a very real concern
05:43across at their event space,
05:45where its large tent is yet to go up,
05:48but has been promised to their first guests as a yoga space.
05:52The person that's come in in a couple of weeks
05:55is a yoga instructor, and we sort of want to wow her.
05:59So when she comes and sees this deck, she'll go,
06:02oh, is it possible for me to come and do a yoga retreat here
06:05with my customers or my clients?
06:07That's the idea, is to wow in two weeks a client that's come in.
06:20In the Perigore-Paupera region of south-west France,
06:24on the bank of the Dordogne's Drough River is Aimée.
06:27The fortified town famous for its busy market
06:31and medieval architecture offers a perfectly preserved
06:35slice of classic French life.
06:39Some who visit never want to leave, like Ian from Shropshire.
06:45Well, I'm living a dream, I suppose.
06:47I'm living in one of the most wonderful parts of the world.
06:50Great wine, lovely people.
06:53The French people here are really great.
06:56Oh, it's very nice.
06:58How are you going today?
06:59It's very good.
07:00It's very good.
07:01A property developer with 20 years in France already under his belt,
07:06Ian had always dreamt of moving to Aimée,
07:09and has sold up his one-bed flat and bought a three-bedroom terraced house,
07:14just minutes from the town's main square for €149,000.
07:18Of course, a great advantage in France, outside of the cities,
07:23is that somewhere like Aimée, which is a prime tourist location,
07:27the property prices are still very, very low compared to Britain.
07:33Ian's transforming his new house into a bed and breakfast for guests,
07:38a home for himself and fulfilling a lifelong ambition of opening an antique shop.
07:44I've always collected and briefly sold at locations where I've lived.
07:50But, of course, France, there's this amazing selection of quirky stuff
07:57that you can find at the Briconce in the area.
08:01It's late February, and with spring almost within touching distance,
08:06a new era is dawning for Ian.
08:08He's finally opening the doors of his antique shop.
08:12I'm putting everything out the front to make it completely apparent
08:16that the actual shop is open for the first time ever.
08:19He's hoping to entice those visiting the town's monthly brocante or flea market.
08:25It's a pretty exciting day. It's not raining.
08:27It's a little bit cold, but I've got a fire lit,
08:29so hopefully it'll attract a few people in.
08:32It's nearly two months since Ian bought his property.
08:35He hopes to open a B&B by the summer, but with dwindling funds,
08:39he's relying on his antique shop to bring in an income.
08:46Quite early in the morning, but as we can see,
08:49there's a lot of people out and about already,
08:52and I'm sure I'm going to get some good sales today.
08:55I need to, really, to pay for the renovations.
09:00Ian's prepared to do whatever it takes to get customers through the door.
09:04I'll have to get a sandwich board made, won't I? I think that's the idea.
09:08Strip off completely and you have a barrel with braces on it or something.
09:12Fortunately, that won't be necessary.
09:14You're welcome, madam.
09:17I've lit the hair well, actually.
09:20Hello, sir. You're welcome.
09:23Although English is widely spoken in Aimee,
09:26Ian's fluent French is a valuable asset when it comes to promoting stock.
09:32Oh, merci beaucoup. Thank you.
09:34Well, it's the first sale, the premier show.
09:38J'ai vendu quelque chose, en fait.
09:42Business has been brisk, but by lunchtime,
09:45shoppers head to the town's bars and cafes
09:47and Ian takes the opportunity to do what he likes best.
09:52I'm actually taking a good look around,
09:54because now I've sold some stuff,
09:56I want to buy some more stuff to put in my shop.
09:58Although Ian intended to invest any takings
10:02into the renovation of his guest house,
10:04the temptation to buy more stock is just too great.
10:08I should be coming to a stall, a favourite stall of mine,
10:11and I saw some wonderful shades.
10:13They might still be for sale.
10:16Oh, they are still for sale.
10:17I'm going to go and talk to this guy.
10:20Hello.
10:21Voilà. Bonjour.
10:22Monsieur.
10:24A regular to Aimé's monthly flea markets,
10:28Ian is convinced some vintage wall lights
10:30could turn a profit in his shop.
10:3360 liquides?
10:35Yes.
10:38Merci beaucoup.
10:39And with the morning's takings burning a hole in his pocket,
10:43renovations are the last thing on his mind.
10:45See, there's a guy over here who's got something fantastic
10:49that I'd like to go and take a look at.
10:52With temptation around every corner,
10:55Ian will need to bear his budget in mind
10:57if he's to open his B&B in time for summer season.
11:03Coming up, a deadline is fast approaching in France.
11:07We're all up here on Monday.
11:09So, basically speaking...
11:10Get your finger out.
11:11Yep.
11:12But perfectionism could mean falling at the first fence.
11:16What do you think Daddy will say?
11:18I think he'll take it down and start again.
11:21And in Italy...
11:23We might be creating more problems for ourselves.
11:25Can Rob and Fran's glamp site rise to the occasion?
11:29It'll open in April.
11:31Whether or not everything is how we want it to be,
11:34it looks like a mud pit right now.
11:47Tucked away in blissful countryside in Midwest France,
11:51where vineyards sprawl across verdant valleys,
11:54lies the quiet village of Savigny,
11:57a rural retreat that's caught the eye of Rachel and Jay from Nottingham.
12:01It's really pretty.
12:03It's beautiful.
12:04Everywhere you look, it's just beautiful.
12:05Yeah.
12:05The countryside, you've got sunflower fields and the corn fields,
12:08the towns have the quirky little buildings.
12:10They don't build up, do they?
12:12They just got big skies.
12:13Having sold up in the UK,
12:15the couple moved in 2024 to a three-acre plot,
12:19with a house, old barn and vineyard
12:23that they intend to turn into a family home,
12:26three sheets and a glamp site.
12:28We bought the house and the land and the barn and everything else
12:32for 95,000 euros, about 82,000 pounds.
12:37Yeah.
12:38And then the rest of our pots going into...
12:41The renovation.
12:41Renovations.
12:43With twin daughters Georgia and Harriet in tow,
12:46they're hoping France can refocus their busy lives
12:50and allow them to make a profitable business,
12:53but with enough time to save a time together.
12:56From a family perspective,
12:58I get to spend more time with my husband.
13:01The twins will get to grow up hopefully bilingual
13:04and I just think that's absolutely priceless.
13:07So for me, it's all about family really.
13:09I'll second that.
13:11It's now April and after a stint back in the UK
13:15which saw visas granted for their new business,
13:18the pair can now push forward in full confidence.
13:22And with guests due in just a few weeks,
13:25they're hard at it.
13:27A jeep vineyard's finished, rented, has customers.
13:31Yes, it does.
13:32So this week the house, need to get the house finished.
13:35Got customers in in three weeks' time,
13:38so it needs to be done.
13:39Yeah.
13:40In order for the jeet to be rented,
13:42they need to move into their new bedrooms upstairs
13:45in the old barn.
13:47And after 10 months,
13:48the ladder to the upper floor
13:50has finally been replaced by a spiral staircase.
13:54The house has never had stairs before.
13:56Isn't there?
13:56So these are the first set of stairs this house has had.
13:59And the stairs took 10 hours to put together.
14:02It was difficult, but they work.
14:04They're covered in cardboard and orange tape at the moment,
14:06but they work and they're secure and people can get upstairs.
14:11While the spiral staircase is a smart space saver
14:15where a traditional one wouldn't fit,
14:19it's proving a challenge when it comes to the practicalities
14:22of renovation.
14:24Spiral stairs aren't good for bringing things up, are they?
14:27But they have managed to cut some corners.
14:31So we've cheated with the skirting boards, haven't we?
14:33Because skirting boards here in France are hugely expensive
14:37and we need 74 linear metres.
14:40So we bought two big sheets of MDF, didn't we?
14:44And just ripped them down.
14:46Yeah.
14:47Making full use of Jay's skills as a painter and decorator
14:50has kept the project on track.
14:52But even he isn't infallible.
14:56It's wonky.
14:57That's the mark there, that.
14:59Oh yeah.
15:00So it is.
15:01First cut of the day.
15:02First cut.
15:03You know what they say.
15:04It's going to be a long Sunday.
15:06With plenty on the to-do list and a looming deadline,
15:10long days have become the norm.
15:17It's the next day and with time not on their side,
15:20Rachel and Jay have family pitching in.
15:23Picked the dad up from the airport.
15:25He's getting changed, ready for graft.
15:28Put his scruffs on, put paintbrush in his hand
15:30and send him up the stairs.
15:31Yeah.
15:32Having another experienced pair of hands to help
15:35has proven invaluable.
15:37And Rachel has them on a tight deadline
15:40for finishing decorating.
15:43It's now Monday.
15:44She reckons Friday.
15:45I've said Sunday, so I need two days grace.
15:47But I think by Sunday it will be painted,
15:49the wallpaper will be on and we'll be swinging doors.
15:52So basically speaking.
15:53Get your finger out.
15:54Yep.
15:56While Jay and John tackle the barn,
15:58Rachel has been tasked with creating a partition
16:01on the patio between the sheet and the house
16:04to offer privacy to their paying guests.
16:08See, the problem is, if I get this wrong,
16:11I will hear about it until I'm 90.
16:15Right.
16:15Raw plugs are on the floor there in that box.
16:17Look.
16:20While she's not feeling particularly confident,
16:23Rachel's tackling it with her usual enthusiasm.
16:26So far, so good out here.
16:29Oh!
16:30Three metres exactly.
16:32Does anybody want to come and help me?
16:34Absolutely not.
16:36The least fun job in the world.
16:42Here I am, trying to make posts the same height and straight,
16:47just so people don't have to look at each other
16:49when they're sat on the patio.
16:50Despite her best efforts,
16:52the fence posts are more freestyle than spirit level.
16:56Are they in line with each other in the warm?
16:59No.
17:01No.
17:02Rachel's pressing on.
17:06Oh, my gosh, it only just goes as well, look.
17:09But the results aren't as good as she'd hoped.
17:12OK, before we go any further, how does it actually look?
17:16Terrible.
17:18What do you think Daddy will say?
17:20I think he'll take it down and start again.
17:23Yeah, I think he will.
17:30Work on a grander scale is happening
17:32at Rob and Fran's glamping site in Umbria,
17:35and they're continuing to build their event space.
17:39Shuffle them all down, huh?
17:41Yeah.
17:42Yeah, I mean, that's super solid, isn't it?
17:44I mean, yeah, it will be, but you want it to be solid.
17:47But you want it to be, I mean.
17:49With the base taking shape,
17:51a few weeks later the pine floor has been fitted
17:54and they're now beginning to erect the tent.
17:57We've got Yonit to help us.
18:04There's a lot of tension involved.
18:08We're always tense,
18:09but what I mean is the poles, I think,
18:10are at least four metres high.
18:12So it's obviously a great big potential wind sail, too.
18:17Hence we've got to get the tension right and the angle right.
18:20And it's not that easy.
18:24Not only is the hilltop location exposed to Mother Nature...
18:28God, it's so heavy.
18:30..but the canvas is around 50 kilos
18:33and 80 square metres in size.
18:35Pull again.
18:39Tension again.
18:40Yep.
18:43Just starting to get the four corners up,
18:45and then we'll start to tighten, yeah, corners first.
18:51OK, Yonit.
18:54But once it's up,
18:55all of these, the tension on these,
18:57should be enough to hold it in place.
18:59The problem is going to be, when you're setting up,
19:01if it's windy, it's tricky.
19:05It's not the ideal conditions for a distance to be set up,
19:09because if the wind is way too strong,
19:11you might find it in the next village.
19:13And soon the wind picks up.
19:17Don't take off, guys.
19:18Yeah.
19:20It's going to be interesting.
19:22I need to hold that middle pole.
19:25OK.
19:26This is the fun.
19:27Let's get it...
19:27Yeah, this is the fun.
19:27Let's get it tight.
19:28It's just funny.
19:29Tightened on.
19:31Time is of the essence to get the canvas secure.
19:35Whoa!
19:37I know, I know.
19:38I think it's the most dangerous part now, isn't it?
19:42Yeah.
19:42Because this is where it can take off.
19:44It certainly feels like it over here.
19:47Speed is the name of the game at the moment.
19:52With some tactical teamwork...
19:55Are you all right?
19:55Yeah.
19:56..the first central pole is lifted into place.
20:00Now we see the real height of it.
20:02But Rob already has adjustments in mind.
20:05I think we might want to just bring the back down,
20:08so it's more projecting forward.
20:13We might be creating more problems for ourselves
20:16and choosing style and form over practicality,
20:21which has been known to happen in the past.
20:25So we're just listening to the experts now
20:28to figure out whether that's sensible.
20:31While a slight change to the back poles can be made...
20:39..anything further is likely to take a lot more time,
20:42which Rob and Fran don't have.
20:47I wanted to come down so it was really quite low at the back,
20:50but the general consensus that he's saying is if we...
20:53..that then it won't be stable.
20:55Not what I had in mind,
20:57but maybe this is what it has to be.
21:02With their first booking less than a week away,
21:05compromises will have to be made.
21:08It'll open in April.
21:10Whether or not everything is how we want it to be
21:12is another question.
21:16People will come and it will be what it is.
21:19I'm hoping that they're not too harsh a judge,
21:23but we'll have done as much as we can.
21:25We'll have done the best that we can.
21:27It'll ostensibly be ready, though, babe.
21:30Yeah, it'll be ready, but I mean...
21:31It will look a lot better than it does now.
21:33It looks like a mud pit right now.
21:35And it's got to look worse before it looks better.
21:37That's what you keep telling me.
21:38That's what I keep telling you, but I've got to believe it.
21:42Yeah.
21:48Coming up, time waits for no man.
21:51It's not even the end of February.
21:53I've just been working like an insane idiot.
21:56But can Ian curb his spending and keep his profits in his pockets?
22:01I'm going to have to buy it because it's so wonderful.
22:04Merci à vous.
22:05And in a last push before guests...
22:08I'm not impressed with that.
22:11...decorating doubts threaten to derail Rachel and Jay's schedule.
22:15I need to think about it.
22:17Don't think too long. I haven't got time.
22:19I know.
22:30In A May, keen to keep his shop shelves well stocked,
22:35Ian's scouting the town's flea market for antiques.
22:39C'est combien, s'il vous plaît?
22:40Oh, c'est marqué, en fait.
22:42After opening to paying customers for the first time this morning,
22:46his takings are going straight back out of his pocket.
22:50Look at that. The age on it. Isn't that wonderful?
22:54You can see it's an old shop front.
22:56Isn't that amazing? I really love that.
22:59And, in fact, I've just seen the price.
23:02OK.
23:04They want 300 for it.
23:06Oh, well, perhaps if I have a drink of wine,
23:09I might offer them 250, you never know your lad.
23:11But the old door isn't the only item to grab Ian's attention.
23:15So they're two matching chairs.
23:18I know the gentleman wants 300 for the pair.
23:21But, in fact, they're so comfortable, they're worth every penny.
23:25And I'm quite tempted to buy them for my own courtyard.
23:31Ian's been collecting historic and vintage pieces for decades.
23:35What's caught my eye is that, which is an old water purifier.
23:40Perfect condition.
23:42And it's turn of the century.
23:44But with just 300 euros profit made from his morning's work,
23:49he's got some tough decisions to make.
23:51What I wanted to look at is this.
23:56So this is, I think, this is absolutely amazing.
23:59It was originally attached to a weighing machine.
24:01And these weighing machines used to be in the pharmacies in France.
24:05You would put a coin in there and it would release the bar here
24:08that actually operated the weighing machine.
24:11But this is 55 euros.
24:14I'm going to try and get the price reduced a little.
24:19Can you make a better price for me, please?
24:22If you please.
24:26I'm going to have to buy it because it's so wonderful.
24:30Merci à vous.
24:30Merci.
24:32After a successful afternoon securing some new treasures,
24:36it's time to take stock.
24:39It's been a brilliant first day.
24:41I couldn't hope for better, really.
24:44As for typically, any money I've made,
24:46I've immediately spent on more old things.
24:49I think that's a healthy thing to do.
24:53With two businesses to balance,
24:56keeping on budget is vital to Ian's plans for his B&B.
25:00Already cash strapped,
25:02he's doing all the renovation work without any outside help.
25:05I've now constructed the room for the shower room,
25:10and I've bought these large floor tiles,
25:13which I think are going to look amazing on the walls.
25:17And I've already marked out the wall.
25:20The tiles are going to go in there,
25:22and now I'll extend to the top of this box.
25:26An experienced property renovator as well as a trained plumber,
25:31Ian is on familiar territory.
25:33I have already done this for other clients,
25:35and it really works well.
25:38I find a very large tile works well in a very small room.
25:41And also, it speeds everything up.
25:44It makes it very quick to install.
25:47Ian's been tackling the renovation single-handedly
25:51for the past seven weeks.
25:52It's not even the end of February.
25:54I only became the owner of the building on the 6th of January,
25:57and I've just been working like an insane idiot.
26:01But, basically, that means I'm really ahead of schedule.
26:05So, once I tile the shower room,
26:07it won't be much more work to actually put the loo and the shower
26:11and the basin in.
26:12And then we simply paint these new mouldings,
26:16perhaps put some rugs down over the floor,
26:18and this room will be complete.
26:20Ian's optimistic about the task ahead.
26:23But with plans to open up his two-storey B&B
26:27in time for the busy summer season,
26:29and with the ground floor still untouched,
26:32time isn't on his side.
26:38Deadlines are also looming large for Rachel and Jay.
26:42With guests due in their holiday jeet in just three weeks,
26:46they're working hard to get their own accommodation ready to move into.
26:50I'm not ready for this.
26:52They're preparing to move into the old barn,
26:55but the angles and beams of the previously unoccupied space
26:59are working against Jay.
27:01When I came to look at the house, I could see the vision,
27:05and, yeah, I just knew that it was going to be a lot of work.
27:09Even with Dad John helping alongside him,
27:13every aspect of painting presents a challenge.
27:16This has got to be the most awkward stairs.
27:19You wanted them.
27:20I didn't.
27:21I didn't choose them.
27:24I just went to pick them up.
27:26They're aiming to have the entire upper floor painted and wallpapered,
27:31and with a special fabric ceiling in place,
27:34in just five days.
27:36So they're working flat out.
27:38Definitely get this finished today.
27:40Two coats.
27:42Yeah.
27:45Yeah.
27:47So...
27:49I'd love to chat, but I'm busy.
27:52While progress in the barn is moving at a rate of knots,
27:56Rachel has hit a considerable snag with her patio partition.
28:00I'm not in love with it, I'm not going to lie.
28:03It's terrible.
28:04And as a last resort, she's called in the professionals.
28:10This is definitely going to be better.
28:13Yeah.
28:13Look at that, solid as a rock.
28:15Perfect.
28:18Well, it's all going superbly now I've got help.
28:22Clearly, I should not be a fencer.
28:26I think that's fine.
28:30Yes.
28:32After a group effort,
28:33there's finally time to take the weight off their feet
28:36and celebrate a day's hard graft with some family time.
28:40Ching.
28:41Oh, ching to you as well, girls.
28:43What is that?
28:43Hi, who's hungry?
28:45Me!
28:45Me!
28:50It's the next day, and Rachel and Jay have set themselves an impressive deadline.
28:56Are we getting...
28:57Are we going to get all the painting finished today, aren't we?
28:59Is that a nod?
29:00Aren't we, Jay?
29:01We are going to get all the painting finished today.
29:03Just get on with it.
29:03It's going to get done.
29:04It is going to get done, because I'm not leaning downstairs until it is.
29:10While Jay gets cracking in the bedroom, Rachel is unveiling what will be her tented ceiling.
29:16It's quite cool, look.
29:18We bought this ages ago.
29:21Rather than traditional plasterboard, patterned fabric will cover their insulation.
29:26Don't let go, girls.
29:28And there's plenty of it.
29:30Wow!
29:31While the girls get measured up, Jay's dad, John, has already been set his task for the day.
29:40Well, I'm in charge of the bathroom for now.
29:42So, I'm starting at ground level.
29:47Bit early for going up, lad.
29:51John might be hoping to avoid accidents upper height, but there's already a man down in the garden.
29:57I went to sit Harriet just here, stepped back and there's a big hole in the ground just here.
30:03There was a snapping noise.
30:05Convinced the ankle isn't actually broken, Rachel's hoping an ice pack will save the day and the schedule.
30:13And once she's back on her feet...
30:15Oh, it's a bit of a breath take her away.
30:17..it's on with the mission.
30:20Ouch!
30:20Despite a painful ankle injury, Rachel's very much in her comfort zone with this project.
30:27Yeah, I've done tented ceilings before. I used to make wedding dresses.
30:30So, fabric's good.
30:31This one's just difficult because it's got the stairwell underneath it
30:36and there's beams in between that interrupt what you want to do.
30:41I'll start putting some up and we'll see what it looks like.
30:44You can hold that again.
30:45While Rachel begins her ruching, Jay's struggling to reclaim the time lost by his first aid diversion.
30:53I've done half a room.
30:55And by my standards, it's pretty slow, so...
30:59I've promised, haven't I, that I'm going to get it done by the end of the day, so...
31:03Yeah.
31:04What time that end of the day is, I don't know.
31:06Dad John is also finding that the old building is working against him.
31:12It's time consuming with all these beams, but it is going in the right direction.
31:18We are getting there.
31:21Slower than anticipated, but yes, we're getting there.
31:27The old framework of the 18th century barn is proving a challenge to Rachel's tented ceiling.
31:36I'm not impressed with that.
31:40And a second opinion does little to reassure.
31:44What do you think?
31:46I don't know.
31:48It might grow on me. Let me finish this end.
31:53It is what it is, isn't it?
31:54I know you hate me saying that, but it is.
31:57Yeah, because that phrase doesn't mean anything.
32:00What?
32:00You either like it or you dislike it.
32:04I'm upstate it.
32:08I need to think about it.
32:14Don't think too long, I haven't got time.
32:16I know.
32:17I need to formulate a plan.
32:19With traditional plasterboard out of the question on their schedule, can a plan B save the day?
32:28Coming up, Rob and Fran can finally welcome guests.
32:32Water's working. Lake's looking good.
32:35I mean, we're as ready as we can be, really.
32:37But can they make the numbers work?
32:39However long it takes you to go and get all this stuff together, it's not really worth it, is it?
32:44And in France...
32:46Does that work?
32:47Just.
32:47Get it pinned on.
32:48Rachel and Jay are racing towards their deadline, but it won't be a sprint finish.
32:54I've broke my ankle in three places, but things have to get done.
32:59That's it.
33:10In Umbria, after months of prepping their glamping site, the moment Rob and Fran have been working towards is finally
33:18here.
33:19Big day. We're fully booked.
33:22There's ten spots and nine of them are booked out.
33:26Two families, teenagers, younger kids.
33:29They've got yoga, they've got a barbecue planned.
33:33So we're sort of testing the facilities this time.
33:36With their bio lake ready for relaxation and swimming,
33:41the clubhouse kitchen kitted out complete with a herb garden,
33:47an events deck sure to impress any yoga teacher
33:52and having added home comforts to their well-equipped tents.
33:58I'll put the bio products here.
34:00While there are still a few facilities to finish,
34:03the pair have completely transformed their camping ground,
34:07even managing to get the grass down at the 11th hour.
34:12It's not taken yet, and it's about to obviously have a lot of people come and be on it and
34:18use it.
34:18So, it's kind of like a facade.
34:22It's last minute, but it's all right.
34:25It really brings the place together.
34:28After investing both time and money into the site,
34:32hosting paying guests is the first step towards knowing if their new business will be financially viable.
34:39Have you got the stuff that was on the list?
34:41We did.
34:42But already their breakfast hampers may need a rethink.
34:46I did the calculation and it doesn't work out.
34:49No?
34:51What, of how much we're offering?
34:52Yeah.
34:5325 euros is not enough?
34:55It cost...it cost 21.
34:58For that?
34:59Yeah. Not this, but for everything.
35:01So, we're making 4 euros.
35:03We're making 4 euros on the breakfast basket.
35:05For the...I don't know, however long it takes you to go and get all this stuff together,
35:10it's not really worth it, is it?
35:11I think you're going to make some money, but the reality is you're not on that sort of stuff.
35:16I might have to change.
35:19For now, though, their focus is on hosting.
35:23But a message from their guests, friends from back in Hertfordshire,
35:27brings news that they've been held up on the way to the airport and might miss their flight.
35:32It's not impossible that they can catch it.
35:35It's a bit tight though, frankly.
35:37As Rob and Fran give the site a final spruce...
35:41Water's working, plants are in, legs looking good.
35:45I mean, we're as ready as we can be, really.
35:48Another update comes in from their guests.
35:51Oh, no!
35:52The dad is staying behind with the luggage.
35:55The mum and the kids are running for the flight,
35:58and he's going to have to catch another flight with all the luggage.
36:01So, hopefully, he'll turn up some point in the evening.
36:04What a nightmare!
36:08Later that afternoon...
36:12While it's not quite how they planned,
36:14hosting duties finally get underway.
36:17They've arrived!
36:18Half of the contingent.
36:20Someone else is on their way via another airport.
36:24And some others are coming after they've picked up some shopping.
36:27So, we're all good.
36:29First impressions are good.
36:31That's ours. That's yours.
36:34So cool!
36:36Isn't that amazing?
36:38And then down there, there's a sauna in there.
36:41Yeah!
36:42Here's the amphitheatre.
36:44So, we can set up a cinema if you want an outdoor cinema.
36:47Please.
36:48The praise continuing across in the clubhouse.
36:51This is for your mum?
36:53Yeah, I can drink.
36:54For me?
36:55Of course it is.
36:56Bit of Prosecco.
36:57Come on!
36:58It was your birthday, right?
36:59It was yesterday.
37:00Yeah.
37:01Even though...
37:04Not everyone has arrived yet.
37:06Congratulations!
37:09I know.
37:09Quite mad.
37:10The feedback so far is encouraging.
37:13I'm just absolutely amazed.
37:16It's even more beautiful than the beautiful photos that I've seen of it.
37:21As soon as we walked in, we were like, oh my gosh, this looks amazing.
37:25Yeah.
37:25It looks better than the glamping I've ever done.
37:27Yeah.
37:29Over the next few days, with all their guests having made it to Italy, Fran and Rob pull out all
37:35the stops with their on-site activities.
37:38And then from here, with control, we step our right foot back to low lunge.
37:44Lower arms.
37:46Come back.
37:47So we have to, again, a straight line.
37:50A range of catering options are on offer.
37:54Squeaky!
37:55For scenic sunset dinners.
37:5820 people, first barbecue of the season.
38:01Yeah.
38:02I'd say that's pretty good.
38:04It's been really nice.
38:06It was really good.
38:07It felt really welcoming and you just had a nice, like, warm feeling because they made everything so perfect.
38:20At the end of their stay, talk has already begun of returning.
38:24Already planning for the next trip, that's awesome.
38:27We're very happy about that.
38:29Hosting the 50th, yes.
38:31Yes, we can do that.
38:32Yeah, that's a tick.
38:32We can do that.
38:34While a five-star review is good news, one booking doesn't make a season.
38:39So the challenge is now on for Rob and Fran to get more campers in.
38:51Back in France, at Rachel and Jay's 18th century barn, the tented ceiling is no more.
38:58Fabric was up.
39:00I wasn't happy with it.
39:01The painting is beautiful.
39:03The beams are amazing.
39:04The floor is going to look fantastic.
39:06Can't have shoddy looking fabric.
39:08After her first attempt was met with a lukewarm reaction, Rachel's gone back to the drawing board.
39:15So I've ripped this down in a small fit of rage.
39:19It's on the floor.
39:21And I'm going to hang it up flat.
39:25Here we go again.
39:28While Rachel makes her second attempt on the ceiling, Jay's finally getting started on the paintwork in the twins' bedroom.
39:37Yeah, it's fine.
39:38It's just the mirror image next door, so I've just got to get on with it.
39:43Yeah.
39:43Tick-tock, tick-tock.
39:44There it is.
39:46But despite their rapidly approaching deadline, Jay's progress looks to be thwarted once again.
39:53The landing ceiling above the stairwell is presenting a problem for Rachel.
39:58I hate ladders and heights.
40:01And this is ladders and heights.
40:05With the ladder balanced precariously above the drop to the ground floor, it's down to Jay to take over.
40:12I'm not actually coming any further than the thing.
40:15Oh, Jay, you're so close, babe.
40:18Don't lean back, don't lean back.
40:19The ancient beams in the barn aren't making life easy.
40:24Can't get the angle.
40:26Oh, whose idea is this?
40:29With the tented ceiling half up and half down, there's no choice but for Rachel to face her fears.
40:40She's doing it quickly.
40:42Can you hold?
40:44No, I can't do anything.
40:46That's it.
40:47I ain't nearly finished.
40:50All right.
40:55There we go.
40:57Thanks.
40:58Right.
41:01I'll just compose myself.
41:02Can't have these shenanigans every time I go up a ladder, can I?
41:06As the sun sets on a slightly traumatic day of DIY, there are still many jobs to tick off as
41:13they count down to guests.
41:18After a few frantic days, the tented ceiling is finally finished and some French-inspired finishing touches put in place.
41:27Rachel and Jay are expecting guests in the morning and are certain they'll provide valuable feedback on the accommodation.
41:34I have got guests coming tomorrow.
41:37Family coming to trial out the jeet to just make sure we've not missed anything.
41:40If there are bits and bobs that we've missed, you know, then they will tell us, which is nice.
41:46They will.
41:48Jay's dad John's help has been invaluable, especially since Rachel's sprained ankle turned out to be far more serious than
41:56they thought.
41:57I fell over into a tiny divot of a hole and broke my ankle in three places.
42:03And possibly the toe as well, looking at it now.
42:06Maybe my toes and sprained it as well.
42:08It's all a bit of a mess, but things have to get done.
42:12Broken ankle or no broken ankle.
42:16That's it.
42:20Since advertising their accommodation online, there's been plenty of interest and the couple have a steady stream of bookings coming
42:28up.
42:28Today, the snagging list includes making the house bathroom more private than peep show.
42:35If I close the door, there, you can see to the shower if you really wanted to.
42:41The old reclaimed doors and unusual angles of the old barn have worked against the couple from day one, but
42:49Rachel is still enjoying the challenge.
42:51I love decorating and DIY and all that sort of thing.
42:55But then obviously I met Jay and all that stopped because I'm not allowed to do that.
42:59But here, he can't possibly do all this on his own, so he has to let me help.
43:05It's time to restore some dignity to the smallest room.
43:09Does that work?
43:10Just.
43:11Get it pinned on.
43:12I'll just pin it.
43:13I'm just going to pin it.
43:14Are you going to stand there?
43:15Because that's the direction in which I'm pinning.
43:17That's a good show.
43:25We have a door that works.
43:27At the end of another long day, the pair can reflect on jobs well done.
43:32Everything's nearly finished now.
43:34Yeah.
43:34In two weeks' time, the bookings really start flooding in.
43:38So it's looking like month in, month out until November, which is amazing.
43:43And whatever else we need to do in there is just on recommendation, isn't it?
43:46On, you know, if guests suggest something, then we'll consider it and do it if we think it's needed.
43:52Yeah.
43:54With constructive criticism on the way with family tomorrow, can Rachel and Jay take on their new roles as hosts
44:02and turn their hands to hospitality as easily as renovation?
44:09Next time.
44:10When guests arrive, we might not be here.
44:14It's a race against time for Fran and Rob as they prepare to welcome guests to their Glamp site.
44:20Coming earlier than planned.
44:21We love that. We love it when they come early.
44:23In A May, the stakes are high for Ian as he looks for funds to finance his new life.
44:29I've just been spending for the last eight months.
44:32If you think about it too much, you can drive you crazy.
44:34And Rachel and Jay are hoping their gite business and vineyard will bear fruit.
44:39I've not done this before. We had a farmer last year.
44:42I might have a tantrum in a minute.
44:44Shall I just not strim when you just burn?
44:45No, we need to carry on.
45:09đây.
45:10Any news?
45:10Any news story short?
45:15Hi.
45:16Byeoweek.
45:16Can you let them see?
45:17What's happening?
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