- 2 days ago
Escape to Florida 2026 S01E01
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TravelTranscript
00:01Welcome to Florida.
00:03Florida life, nothing quite like it.
00:05Home to theme parks, golden towns, and over 400,000 Brits.
00:09I absolutely love it here.
00:11Who've made the Sunshine State their new home.
00:14This is what sold me out. Yeah, like, because it's stunning.
00:17Who wouldn't want to live here like this?
00:19They've swapped drizzly winters and gas bills for new careers
00:23and seemingly endless fun in the sun.
00:25Cheers, Biggest!
00:27It's our little piece of paradise.
00:29Get it right and life in Florida can be like a dream come true.
00:34Every evening do this with your glass of wine.
00:36But getting here and staying here takes hard work.
00:39I do pinch myself every day.
00:42Grit.
00:43We just lost the starboard motor.
00:45And determination.
00:46Good job, well done.
00:47These are the Brits who've made their own Escape to Florida.
00:55Today on Escape to Florida, Martin and Beverley open up their new pub.
01:00Here we go.
01:01Yay!
01:04But could it blow up in their face?
01:06I thought, let's get a hot air balloon.
01:08I'm starting to realise now that it's not a great idea.
01:10Donna has great expectations for husband Dan.
01:14So, Dan.
01:15Over to me.
01:16You.
01:17I'm gonna do it.
01:18As he tries his hand in Florida's hot property market.
01:21This is where Abba used to live.
01:23It went up last year for 2.5 and it was sold for 2.2.
01:29It's a bargain, six bedrooms.
01:30And could too many cooks?
01:33A lot of food.
01:34That's what we do.
01:35Spoil Chef Anthony's 60th birthday celebrations.
01:38Happy birthday to you!
01:43Happy birthday to you!
01:48Near Orlando in central Florida, with its theme parks and million British visitors a year,
01:54is the city of Claremont.
01:57Home to Martin and Beth, who moved here six years ago.
02:01I owned a car dealership in Manchester, which I had for nearly 20 years.
02:05I got approached by someone who wanted to buy the company.
02:08The timing felt right.
02:09We already had a home here.
02:11We'd always loved coming to Florida.
02:12We got married here in 1998.
02:15It just ticks a lot of boxes.
02:17Recently, Martin and Beth took the biggest risk of their lives and bought a pub.
02:22Welcome to the best of British pub.
02:24We tried to create a cosy, traditional British pub in here.
02:28We want you to feel as if you could be in Manchester, London, Belfast, anywhere.
02:34It's been a tough process.
02:35It's been expensive.
02:36But I think we've done the right thing.
02:38And I think we've moved into a proper pub now.
02:41Their aim is to create a place that feels like a slice of home in Florida.
02:46We've got a stage which will do live music on each week, karaoke.
02:51Getting involved in the pub was to make it my little sanctuary almost.
02:55When we used to come on holiday, we never used to go to an English pub.
02:58We'd never do that, would we?
02:59No.
02:59You know, we came here to live the American lifestyle.
03:02But when you are here, you do miss home.
03:05And then a big part of what we do is football.
03:07Over here, the games are on in the morning because of the time difference.
03:10So Saturday morning, Sunday morning, really busy with the games out here.
03:15Today, Martin and Bev will get to see how well the pub will be received.
03:20It's the official opening.
03:21It's a big throw of the dice for us, this.
03:23It's a gamble that we're willing to take.
03:25And we think we can pull it off.
03:27Martin and Bev have never run a pub before.
03:29So they've divided up the challenge between them.
03:32So I try to run the business.
03:33I try to get involved in everything.
03:35I like being in the kitchen.
03:36A bit too much for some people.
03:37And I think that's a good example.
03:39I've always tried to do that.
03:40Even when I have car sales.
03:42Most of my stuff is behind the scenes.
03:43So doing the books, which is kind of stressful.
03:46Because you can see when it's going great.
03:47You can also see when it's not going great.
03:49Luckily for Martin and Bev, they have a strong staff to help them make the pub a huge success.
03:54Let me introduce you to Anne.
03:57Anne runs this place.
03:58I manage him.
04:00And she manages me.
04:01And when she's not managing Martin, she has to keep tabs on another chap on the team.
04:06And Jimmy, Anne's husband, and the general dog's body.
04:11I get just told what to do, what time to do it, and where to do it.
04:16That's my job.
04:17I'm putting a sign up for him now.
04:19Because he's about as much use as a chocolate player guard.
04:23Anne can cook.
04:25She's behind the bar.
04:26She's serving.
04:27She's a nut job.
04:29Swearing at me.
04:29She really is.
04:30She's amazing.
04:31Jimmy loves all that.
04:33He'll serve.
04:34But he loves his background in the building trade.
04:37Yeah.
04:37So if something goes wrong, he loves it.
04:39That's where Jimmy dives in.
04:41They're really good people.
04:42They're extremely hard-working people, Jimmy and Anne.
04:45Martin and Bev will need Jimmy and Anne's help to get the pub ready for tonight's official opening at 6.
04:59The seaside town of St. Pete Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
05:04Home to Dan and his family.
05:08Boys!
05:10You've got to get up.
05:12Wakey-wakey.
05:15Up.
05:16I know.
05:17All right.
05:18I'm going to have breakfast on the table in five, OK?
05:21Good luck with that, Dan.
05:23The 52-year-old Londoner made the move here just over three years ago with wife Donna.
05:28There is nothing like waking up next to the water and just...
05:32You just start your day off a lot more chilled.
05:35And they're two boys, 14-year-old Billy and 19-year-old Oliver.
05:41Oliver, are you ready?
05:44OK.
05:45Five minutes, I'll have breakfast on the table.
05:48Donna works as a beauty editor and journalist.
05:51And that's how I got the visa to move over here.
05:57I've been a journalist for 25, 26 years actually now.
06:04We absolutely love it here.
06:06Dan ran the family's furniture business back in the UK and is now looking for a new career in Florida.
06:12Have you got any studying to do today?
06:15Yes, I've got studying today.
06:16Don't worry.
06:17I will be studying.
06:18I'll crack the whip.
06:20Dan's taking an exam to become an estate agent, a realtor as it's called in the USA.
06:25The Florida course is the hardest in the States.
06:31So I've picked the right one to do, haven't I?
06:34I need to take the burden off Donna.
06:37She works so hard.
06:38She's such a great mum to the kids and obviously a wife to me.
06:42And she needs to relax a little bit more.
06:44And only I can do that by actually generating some income coming into the house.
06:49His exams are only a few weeks away, so the pressure is on.
06:53I'm not nervous at all, but we'll get there.
06:57Are you not?
06:58Yeah.
06:58Am I not nervous?
06:59Yeah.
07:00Do I look nervous?
07:01Well, no, you are always laid back.
07:03No, I am a little bit nervous, I must say.
07:06It's been like three months in the making.
07:08But studying and nerves will have to wait, while Dan and Donna get their boys up and out of the
07:14house.
07:15Morning.
07:16Morning, mate.
07:1719-year-old Oliver is at university.
07:19You all right?
07:20Yeah.
07:22And Dan is running 14-year-old Billy to high school.
07:30I think he can do it.
07:32I think it's good for him.
07:33He's good at talking to people.
07:35I'm like the house husband, I suppose.
07:37Donna is the main breadwinner in the house, which hopefully very, very soon that would change.
07:44All right.
07:45Cheers, buddy.
07:45Have a good day, mate.
07:46Yep.
07:47See you later.
07:47All right.
07:48Be good.
07:48Yep.
07:49I will.
07:49Did you drop something?
07:52There he goes.
07:57The school run over, Dan heads home.
08:00I think it will mean a lot for the family to pass this exam and become a realtor.
08:05We've been over here for three and a half years now.
08:08We've been over here for three and a half years now and I've not really worked.
08:10So I just need to realize that I'm not on holiday the whole time.
08:16Yep, holidays have to wait.
08:18It's time for Dan to get revising.
08:22All right.
08:23Yeah, you all right?
08:24Yeah.
08:25But not before a brew.
08:27They're British after all.
08:29There you go, your highness.
08:32And with that, there's no more excuses.
08:35Time for Dan to get studying so that he can get earning.
08:38Here we go.
08:39Exam time.
08:40Yep.
08:41Start selling some multi-million dollar houses.
08:57In Orlando, Anthony Fothergill lives with wife Michelle.
09:02He works in one of the city's top hotels where he's an executive chef.
09:09I've been in Florida 42 years now.
09:13I became an executive chef at the age of 29.
09:17In England, they call it head chef, but over here it's an executive chef.
09:21Moving definitely helped me to get to that goal, along with all the hard work.
09:26Anthony works long hours and today is a rare day off and a special one.
09:31About to celebrate my 60th birthday.
09:34Looking to have a lot of friends and family come over.
09:35So, who cooks for a chef on their 60th birthday?
09:39I will be cooking even though it's my birthday, yes.
09:43Ah, it's hard as much.
09:44And what does a professional chef cook for himself at home?
09:47It's nice.
09:48Le mignon.
09:49It's already seasoned.
09:50Very tender.
09:51It's a good grade.
09:52It's what you call an upper choice.
09:55These are jumbo shrimp.
09:57The size is a six to eight.
09:59The lower the number, the bigger the shrimp.
10:02The beef short ribs will be pan-fried.
10:07And then the pan will be deglazed with some red wine.
10:10And I'll make a little brown sauce for it.
10:11And it will be roasted in the oven.
10:13The fridge may look full, but Anthony and Michelle still have some last-minute shopping to do.
10:19Did you get the red onions?
10:21Yes, the red onions.
10:22My wife actually works in kitchens also.
10:25And she's very good at working in the kitchen.
10:27She worked with me for a while and then we had to stop working together for obvious reasons.
10:34Married now for 11 years, the course of true love did not run smooth at first.
10:39I think I noticed Michelle before she noticed me.
10:41I think there's maybe a couple of other things.
10:43We'll see when we get there.
10:44I wouldn't hold my head down.
10:46I wouldn't talk to this man.
10:47I wouldn't look at this man for no reason at all until I got a very bad burn on my
10:53hand.
10:54And I'm like, oh my God, what am I going to do?
10:56And I called somebody and they said, okay, I know somebody who might have some burn gel or something.
11:01And they gave me his number.
11:04So she had to come to me.
11:07Then it just started from there.
11:10Anthony has worked hard all his life and missed a lot of birthdays.
11:15This is the first time I'm celebrating my birthday in many years.
11:1960 is a big birthday, so I decided to do something that I don't usually do, celebrate.
11:24I'm realizing how much more important it is to have more quality time in family.
11:28My wife, my kids.
11:29With his guests arriving in a few hours, it's time to go shopping.
11:34Where are you going to go first?
11:36Produce first.
11:36Produce first?
11:37Yeah.
11:38Okay.
11:38See what we can find.
11:40Professional Chef Anthony has a keen eye for the best ingredients.
11:44I'm trying to look for deep red and firm without any blemishes.
11:50So sometimes you have to look through quite a few of them.
11:54So this one's nice.
11:56Unfortunately, the smartest over here don't taste as good as the ones in England.
12:00I'm from Nottingham.
12:01I came to the US when I was 18 years old.
12:04I had some friends that may not have been leading me in the right direction.
12:07My mum and my sister was over here, so she said come to Florida.
12:11If I had stayed in England, my life would have been definitely different.
12:14I feel really blessed to have had an opportunity to turn things around.
12:19It was definitely a big change, but a good change for me.
12:23Oh, the pasta.
12:26Babe.
12:27Baby, the pasta.
12:29Pasta.
12:30Oh, that's right.
12:31Anthony and Michelle have worked in kitchens together before, so will tonight be a team effort?
12:37Oh, my God, cooking in the kitchen with Anthony.
12:41I love being by myself.
12:43We've been down most of the aisles already.
12:45Yes, he's on the aisle worthy.
12:47As much as I love having my husband in the kitchen with me, he can be a bit controlling for
12:52me sometimes.
12:53And it's funny because I didn't realise I do it.
12:55It's just natural because I didn't work.
12:57All right.
12:58Two should be good.
13:00All right, that's it.
13:00We're done.
13:02Time to check out and go back and cook.
13:04Shopping done and birthday boy Anthony needs to get home and prepare this very special dinner for his friends, family
13:11and, of course, himself.
13:23Over in St Pete Beach, aspiring realtor Dan is also cooking up a storm, preparing dinner for his wife Donna
13:30and their two boys.
13:32I really enjoy cooking.
13:34It's just something I enjoy doing on my own.
13:36My mum cooks a lot.
13:38She cooks all the time.
13:40She would always say, Dan, can you do this? Dan, can you do that? Can you help with this?
13:44And I've always done it.
13:45I spend more time in the kitchen than anyone else in the house.
13:51But I've got more time on my hands than anyone else.
13:54I suppose I am a bit of a house husband and I quite like that.
14:00Dan's fondness for the house goes back to when it was owned by his uncle.
14:04So we've got this magnet door and actually they were collected by Daniel's uncle, Billy, who we inherited the house
14:14from.
14:15Uncle Billy worked as the tour manager for rock superstar Sting, who now has pride of place in their house.
14:21He didn't have kids, but he loved spending time with Dan and the boys and he loved us coming here.
14:29So we used to visit him every summer.
14:33We had some good times.
14:39Billy was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
14:43Dan came over to Florida to help care for his uncle in his final months.
14:48He went with dignity.
14:49He knew what was happening and we looked after him until the end, unfortunately.
14:55Yeah, we miss him.
15:01We owe my uncle a lot.
15:03He's done so much for us and we need to stay here and keep this house going.
15:10Miss him big time.
15:14Even with this inheritance, life as a young family in Florida is expensive.
15:18Paradise needs paying for.
15:20It's very tranquil sitting out here.
15:22It's so relaxing.
15:24It really is.
15:27I'm blessed to be where we are.
15:29I'm blessed with the family we've got.
15:31Donna is just amazing.
15:33The kids are fantastic.
15:34But we didn't realise it was so expensive.
15:37There comes a point in anyone's life where you realise that things ain't as rosy as they should be.
15:44At the end of the day, we come over here with savings and our savings are dwindling.
15:51Since moving here, Donna's been earning most of the family's income.
15:54So I'm a beauty editor, which involves writing articles, creating content online.
16:00I consult for brands as well.
16:03And she often works from home.
16:05The bathroom, to be exact.
16:07So this is our bathroom.
16:08It's one of my favourite rooms in the house.
16:10I just was so happy to have this bathroom because our bathroom in the UK was probably the size of
16:16the shower here.
16:17I do a lot of filming about beauty products for my business.
16:23So to have a bathroom of this size is perfect because I can really show how the products work.
16:30And it just gives a really nice backdrop as well.
16:32So I absolutely love it.
16:34While Donna has been busy with beauty, Dan hasn't been able to work.
16:39When we first got here, Donna was on an 01 visa and I was on an 03.
16:44It meant that I couldn't physically work because I couldn't get a social security number.
16:50I couldn't work for the first at least two and a half years.
16:54But now I can and I need to do something about it now.
16:58That something is training to be a realtor and taking the necessary exams.
17:03This is all my realtor stuff here that's not been put away that will be coming back out in the
17:08next hour or so.
17:10So I can do some revision.
17:12The way of life in Florida is expensive.
17:16Very expensive.
17:18And you have to work hard to maintain this kind of life.
17:23So Dan.
17:24Over to me.
17:25You.
17:27Are going to do it.
17:28The pressure is on Dan to pass his upcoming exam.
17:40In Claremont, owner Martin and wife Bev have only four hours until the official opening of their British themed pub.
17:48They need it to be a success.
17:50We retired.
17:51I was done.
17:51I was 44.
17:52I had enough money to live the rest of my life.
17:54And we came here thinking about COVID and it just went 20 years of hard work.
18:03Yeah.
18:04Yeah.
18:04So.
18:05Yeah.
18:05Took its toll.
18:07Yeah.
18:07Took its toll.
18:08Over.
18:08Martin has enlisted Jimmy, a handyman, to help with a publicity stunt to get the customers in.
18:13So it's 25 feet by 25 feet.
18:16And we're allowed to go 150 feet in the air.
18:19So we'll be able to see it from the 192.
18:22Martin wants to be certain that nobody misses the location of his new pub.
18:27So I ordered this balloon online.
18:29Took a little bit of a chance.
18:31It's a big balloon.
18:32This seemed like a good idea about six weeks ago when I was at home on a Sunday evening.
18:36And I thought, let's get a hot air balloon.
18:40I'm starting to realise now that it's not a great idea.
18:43The good thing is that Martin isn't an amateur when it comes to advertising.
18:49Back in the UK, I had a car dealership, used to deal with a lot of high profile clients,
18:53footballers, etc.
18:54So I was kind of always used to trying to make an impression and instant impression with
18:58various advertising things.
19:00So that's where this idea came from.
19:02I'm conscious that we have to try things a little bit out of the ordinary.
19:05It's going to take a lot of pumping up to get this campaign off the ground though.
19:11Here we go.
19:11Now we're cooking.
19:14Here we go.
19:15Here we go.
19:16With Martin's brilliant idea and Jimmy's practical skills, they're soon up and running.
19:22Here we go.
19:25Look how quickly it's going in that.
19:27Right, I'm going to have to be conscious of keeping hold of this.
19:30Pulling it.
19:32It's not going to fly mine.
19:33My plan is to really establish ourselves, get us known, get the word out there.
19:37We're in an area for catchment for Disney World International Drive.
19:42And the 192 where the Brits tend to stay in the hotels in them areas.
19:45We're on the junction of two really busy roads.
19:47And I thought if I put a hot air balloon up, I want that to be a landmark for the
19:51whole area.
19:52I would have never thought of anything stupid like this.
19:55That's why we have him.
19:57It is a good idea.
19:59You can see already people stopping and looking.
20:02I don't think we realise the enormity of it until it's actually up.
20:05Did you think when you moved to Florida, Jimmy, that I'd be blowing a balloon up?
20:09Yeah, no.
20:10Came here for the good life, didn't we?
20:16Inflating a balloon in the Florida sun is thirsty work.
20:19Luckily, they have a pub on the doorstep and Anne has popped out to provide refreshments.
20:25Thank you, darling.
20:26If you could just stand there for a couple of hours, we'll fill that.
20:30With precious time ticking away till the opening, how much longer does this balloon have until it's fully inflated?
20:37That's about blowing up now.
20:39That's it.
20:39You can't, yeah, you just can't over-inflate it either.
20:42Yeah, that's it now, innit?
20:44Is that lifted off the ground now, though?
20:45No.
20:46Believe that.
20:47With the balloon up, it's only now that Martin decides where he wants to place it.
20:53We want it kind of in that prominent spot over there near the road, don't we?
20:56Or do we put it in front of our sign?
20:59Aren't we going to get across there now?
21:00Walk?
21:01It's not a dog.
21:03It's a bloody balloon.
21:04Shall we take it over here?
21:05Yeah.
21:08Hello?
21:09Yeah.
21:10There.
21:11That's got it.
21:13Good job, lads.
21:14The balloon is inflated and in the perfect spot to pull new punters into the pub.
21:19Good job, buddy.
21:20Well done.
21:20So it took a bit of a while.
21:23The balloon is now up.
21:24It's one thing I wanted to get up for the visibility off this busy main road.
21:29Little bit tricky, but I'm happy we got there.
21:32That's job number, I think, 2017 of 3,000 today.
21:36So on to the next one.
21:37We're going to get ready for the opening tonight.
21:41And that opening is looming ever closer.
21:44So Martin needs to get a wiggle up.
21:59In Orlando, Chef Anthony Fothergill is getting ready for a big catering gig.
22:05His own 60th birthday.
22:08It's a big day.
22:09And I have family and friends come in.
22:13The furthest person drove from Michigan.
22:15He drove 26 hours to be here.
22:18Got here less today.
22:19So, yeah, it's got to make sure everything's right.
22:23His wife, Michelle, and some of their friends and family are already here.
22:26And have joined him in the kitchen to watch him work and have a bit of a catch-up.
22:30Phillip and Diane are my oldest friends in America.
22:34I met you in 85.
22:36Yeah.
22:36That was a long time ago.
22:38How do I meet you?
22:39I don't know where that was.
22:40I think we were out at a club.
22:42In the beginning when I came over, I'd seen a lot of TV shows about America and things in America.
22:48And it was a little bit scary.
22:50Because England is very small compared to just Florida.
22:53Forget the rest of the U.S.
22:54It was definitely a big change, but a good change for me.
22:56You used to bring big ribs out.
22:59Full rack of ribs.
23:00Full rack of ribs.
23:01Yeah, yeah, yeah.
23:02Because we were there drinking, playing pool.
23:04While I was working.
23:05While Tony was working.
23:07Then we just got close.
23:09Being able to celebrate this milestone with these people.
23:13I'm not trying to get choked up or anything, but I can't express how glad I am to have people
23:19around me that I love so much.
23:20And tonight, Anthony's also marking a very personal turning point for his wife, Michelle.
23:28The last five years of our life together has been very hard.
23:33Because first I was diagnosed with brain cancer.
23:37We went through that part.
23:39And then six months ago, I wasn't feeling too well.
23:42I was re-diagnosed again with cancer.
23:46So I'm doing chemo right now.
23:48Oh, so they actually have two.
23:51Yeah.
23:51Oh, it's in that one.
23:53All right.
23:54That's what I was looking for.
23:55This week is Michelle's last set of treatments.
23:59And then she gets to ring the bell because it will be gone.
24:03I'm not one to celebrate my birthdays like that.
24:05But this is a big milestone.
24:07And I think having gone through a lot of the stuff with Michelle and her cancer journey,
24:11it's enabled me to open up more to do more.
24:14This today is a huge one for me.
24:18While Anthony is busy cooking, his daughter Alexa has headed out on a secret mission.
24:25My dad typically tries to celebrate his birthday.
24:28But, you know, he's a bit of a workaholic.
24:30And I also have a bit of a surprise for him.
24:34I'm going to get some cake.
24:36People don't like to cook on their birthday.
24:38But, you know, my dad, of course, doing what he loves most, he's going to cook.
24:42So getting this cake is really going to be something special for him to really show him that we appreciate
24:46him and care for him on his big day.
24:48As Alexa heads off to get his cake, back at home, Anthony's none the wiser and happily grilling.
24:55OK, time to mark the lamb chops.
24:57Marking them, grilling them so you get the grill marks on them.
25:00I'm not going to finish cooking it out here.
25:01I'm not finishing the oven.
25:03These were seasoned with tahin.
25:05Before it goes in the oven, I'm going to cut up some mint.
25:08Once it's covered and goes in the oven, that mint flavor will fermentate into the meat.
25:15The cake Alexa has ordered for her dad is no off-the-shelf number, oh no, but a handmade one
25:21from a specialist baker.
25:24Hi, Alexa. Nice to meet you. I'm good.
25:28Come on in.
25:29Oh, wow.
25:32I love it. It smells so good in here, too.
25:34Oh, we're baking. Thank you. Thank you.
25:37I love it. That's exactly what I asked for, too, the British flag on it.
25:40Awesome. It's beautiful. Thank you.
25:42You're welcome.
25:43Of course, we wanted to represent what he does for a living and, of course, where he comes from, the
25:47UK.
25:49The cake loaded, it's fingers crossed that Alexa can get it back to the party in one piece.
25:55All right, let's go.
25:59Gentle, gentle.
26:00This cake better be intact when I get there. I'll be heartbroken.
26:10Over in St Pete Beach, Dan's feeling the pressure.
26:16At the moment, I'm going back over notes.
26:20His Realtor's exam is getting ever closer.
26:23I'm learning about civil and criminal penalties at the moment.
26:28I've always liked the look of the Realtor game.
26:33There's a huge, huge opportunity over here.
26:36Tampa, St Pete, St Pete Beach, Clearwater.
26:38There's money to be earned. It's a big, big market.
26:44But Dan, well, isn't a natural student.
26:48I did find my school report, my headmaster.
26:53Time to think, reflect and be more mature, Daniel.
26:58Obviously, we all learn from our mistakes, and my mistake is not doing so well at school.
27:06And that encouragement now has gone into my children.
27:12At the end of the day, you don't want to be 50 years old doing courses and stuff that you're
27:17not sure about.
27:18You should have all that in your head as well and just have that work ethic as well.
27:23And you've got to work hard. You don't get nothing unless you work hard for it.
27:27And my boys both know that. So, yeah.
27:34The Florida Realtor exam is notoriously tough and demands a 75% mark.
27:41You'll be fine. Love you.
27:43I love you.
27:43Love you.
27:45So, Dan's hitting the road to go and learn from a qualified realtor.
27:49I'm hoping that I'm going to pass it first time.
27:52St Pete Beach is on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
27:56We don't need sat-nav.
27:57Sat-nav's a lot for us.
28:00It's one of 11 islands, all linked by bridges to each other and to the mainland.
28:06Well, I think I've come the wrong way, so...
28:10If he can find it.
28:12Ah, here we are.
28:14Hello.
28:15It's so happy to see you.
28:17How are you?
28:20Dan is meeting with his friend Alicia, a fully qualified and successful local realtor.
28:25It's all high-end and then you walk out and this is why you live in Florida.
28:31Who is giving him some last-minute guidance in pricing houses before his exam.
28:39You know, awesome kitchen.
28:41Yeah.
28:43So, here's the primary.
28:45And, which is really nice that it's on the first floor.
28:48And it's a huge selling point.
28:50Yes.
28:51I would say that it is a great career and it is, especially being here in Florida, there's so much
28:58opportunity.
29:00How amazing, like this is, this bathroom, this, the tile work in here is incredible.
29:05Yeah.
29:06I would say that Dan's unique selling point is, is that he is from the UK and he'll bring a
29:10lot of different perspective to the table.
29:13Today, Alicia needs to make sure Dan can confidently value a property.
29:18Electric fireplace, because you need that in Florida.
29:22This house has five bedrooms.
29:23You have the primary over here, there's another guest bedroom over on this opposite side and then there's three bedrooms
29:29upstairs.
29:30So, let's take a look out here because these views are awesome.
29:34It's time for Dan to test his ability to put a price on a property.
29:39Alright Dan, so how much do you think that house is?
29:41The lot price of this, which is say 2.5 million, the build on that would probably be about 1
29:51.5.
29:52So, I'd say that would come up for about 5 mil.
29:55Probably.
29:56A little, maybe a little bit less, but.
29:58Yeah.
29:58Yep.
29:59He nailed it.
30:01I passed.
30:02Not quite yet, Dan.
30:04Just need the money to pay for it.
30:06Yeah, exactly.
30:07I think Dan's going to do awesome.
30:08I think he is very knowledgeable about the area.
30:12It seems like he's studied hard and I also know that he will be able to stay calm and be
30:17focused.
30:20No pressure, Dan.
30:21Not long to go now.
30:23Post it on how you do.
30:24I'm excited for you.
30:31In Claremont, close to Orlando, it's nearly time for the opening of Martin and Bev's brand new pub.
30:40Should we just do that and then he can come and cut it like that?
30:43How does that look?
30:44Does it look a bit rubbish or does it look okay?
30:46You don't need too much because you could tape it like that.
30:49Martin and Bev have invested a lot of time and money into the pub.
30:53Their future in Florida rests on how successful it is.
30:57I've put about a quarter of a million into getting this business right.
31:01So we needed to work personally.
31:03A lot rides on this.
31:05In many ways, it's a huge draw of the dice.
31:07We grew up a brilliant business in the UK.
31:09We were very proud of what we did with that, weren't we?
31:11Yes.
31:12So this is the next part of the journey now and I want to do the same thing here.
31:16One day, I may even open more of them.
31:18I may even franchise it.
31:19So I've got different ideas for it.
31:21It's given me a new purpose.
31:22It really has.
31:23And if it doesn't work for whatever reason, we might end up back in the UK.
31:27You know, it might be as simple as that.
31:30And the American dream might finish for us.
31:33Traditional British grub is central to Martin's plans for the new pub.
31:37One thing that we do have to really overcome over here is Americans think that British food is terrible.
31:43It comes from World War II, where the GIs used to be over in the UK.
31:49They would bring back rations, essentially, of British food, tin stuff.
31:53And it's created this impression that British food is absolutely terrible.
31:57Martin knows there's one British dish that will bring the punters in.
32:01Americans just love vision chips because they think that's what we eat every single day.
32:05That could be the difference between us really pushing on and failing fish and chips.
32:11It's so important it is to me.
32:13It's going to be a huge percentage of what we do, which I'm personally happy about,
32:16because I can get to myself now.
32:18See there? They're looking OK. They're looking OK.
32:21I think chippy chips, we've got one chance to get it right,
32:23because if we get it wrong, we're just going to lose business overnight.
32:26These actually look really good.
32:28They look so much better than Saturdays, anyway.
32:31I'm pretty happy with those. I think they look quite nice.
32:33Let's do a taste test. No salt and vinegar.
32:41They're good chips. They're good chips.
32:45Yeah, they're good chips. I'm happy.
32:47Just to be certain that they are good chips, Martin seeks a second opinion.
32:52Taste those. Maria, come and taste these.
33:00They're good, aren't they?
33:03That is a big win for us. Massive win. Massive.
33:06We'll be happy to serve those, won't we?
33:08Robert, Chip, Courtney.
33:10So, the chips are sorted. But there's still plenty for Martin and the gang to do before opening time.
33:31In St. Pete Beach, aspiring realtor Dan has hit the road again.
33:35This house here was beautiful, absolutely stunning.
33:44Keen to ace his upcoming exam, he wants to learn as much as possible.
33:50We're off to see a realtor friend of mine. Her name is Darlene.
34:00Darlene's not just Dan's chump.
34:02How are you? Nice to see you.
34:05If Dan can pass this exam, she's keen to hire him.
34:09How are your studies coming?
34:11We'll get out.
34:12It's a hard course. It's a hard course.
34:16So Darlene's taking rookie Dan on a real estate tour with colleague Judy, who knows the area better than most.
34:24I think there's only one listing available out here now. They're asking 13 million.
34:3013?
34:3113.
34:33Well, lucky for some. Judy, who's been selling property in Florida for almost 40 years,
34:38will be Dan's direct boss if he passes.
34:42Wow.
34:43At the end of the block on the left would be The Rock's old house.
34:48No, not that Rock. The actor.
34:51The Rock as in the rest of the movie star.
34:54And Dwayne, The Rock Johnson's house is not the only celebrity landmark.
34:58This is where ABBA used to live. It went up, was it last year?
35:02It went up last year for 2.5 and it was sold for 2.2.
35:07It's a bargain. Six bedrooms.
35:11Mamma mia, I'll take two.
35:13With the average Florida realtor taking between 5% and 6% commission,
35:18a sale like that would provide a secure future for Dan and his family.
35:22Money, money, money.
35:24These guys know everything about real estate and look where we are.
35:29It's just the most beautiful part of the world, it really is.
35:32We love it here and I'd love to be selling properties here as well.
35:35And I've got a job waiting for me. It's, yeah, I'm very excited.
35:40I love it round here and to be selling properties round here is just, it'll be amazing.
35:45He is guaranteed a job when he passes the exam.
35:51And a few weeks later...
35:53You'll be fine. I know.
35:55You really will be.
35:56I know, I know, I'm fine, look.
35:59No, all joking aside...
36:00I know, I know.
36:01You're going to do really well.
36:03Let me just get on with it.
36:04Just get on with it, sorry.
36:06Alright, okay.
36:06I'm just, I'm in a zone, so...
36:08Alright, okay.
36:08Good luck.
36:10Alright, see you after, hon.
36:11Bye.
36:12I hope it goes well.
36:15Love you.
36:16Have you, bye.
36:18I think Dan is feeling really nervous.
36:22Erm, I can tell.
36:23Because I know how he worries about things but doesn't let on.
36:27So, I'm sure he's just a bit apprehensive about the whole thing.
36:32And he just probably wants to get it done.
36:34It's the day of Dan's realtor exam.
36:38I need to just go and do what I need to do.
36:41And that is passing this exam and making my family proud of me.
36:49It was hard.
36:51No good this time.
36:53But I've got a feeling next time that I see where I...
36:57I think I see where I went wrong.
37:00Erm, it was harder than I thought it was.
37:03But, yeah, it is what it is.
37:04I gave it my all and no luck this time.
37:10It may not be the result Dan wanted.
37:13But with a job waiting for him when he does pass, there are worse places to lick your wounds.
37:19What a gorgeous evening.
37:21I'm going to have a drink with the family on the beach now.
37:24This is my life and I absolutely love it here.
37:31I don't want to be anywhere else but here.
37:33I've got no intention of moving back to the UK.
37:36This is me and I will make it work.
37:48In Orlando, Anthony has been chef for his own 60th birthday party.
37:55I'll put the liners down so that when the food is ready I can just put it right on top.
38:03OK.
38:05Outside, daughter Alexa has made it back safely from picking up his surprise birthday cake.
38:13Is it still in one piece?
38:20Bit of a struggle there.
38:21So I've secured the cake.
38:23It's inside.
38:24I was able to sneak it past.
38:25Nobody saw me.
38:27Alexa's timed her return to perfection as the big birthday feast is nearly ready.
38:32We have the braised short ribs in the oven.
38:35They're finishing off now.
38:36And then I'm back cooking these shrimp.
38:39And then the fillets will go in for five minutes or so just to cook them just a little bit
38:43more.
38:44So that they'll be more like a medium, medium well.
38:47I prefer medium but a lot of them prefer medium well.
38:51Yeah, about 20 minutes.
38:5320 minutes is just enough time for the remaining guests to arrive.
38:57I'm good, how are you?
38:58Good, good, good, good.
39:00Thank you very much.
39:01No, no, no.
39:04With a final flourish, dinner is served but not before Anthony says a few words.
39:12I just want to say thank you for everyone for coming out.
39:15It's much appreciated that you all came to celebrate my 60th.
39:17This is the first birthday I've celebrated...
39:21I don't know how many years.
39:25You're probably right.
39:26But thank you and I hope everyone enjoys the food.
39:29Very few words.
39:30Very few words, yes.
39:32And now it's time to eat.
39:34Lamb chops, chillin' sea bass, shrimp, filet mignon.
39:40Sea bass just mounts in your mouth.
39:45As everyone tucks in...
39:47How do you start?
39:48Right?
39:49Always.
39:50Alexa and her sister Jayla go and prepare the surprise.
39:57Happy birthday to you.
40:01Happy birthday to you.
40:03Happy birthday dear Andrew.
40:05Happy birthday to you.
40:10I'm glad it went out because it looked like it was going to set the place on fire.
40:14You know how much you and Jayla love you.
40:16Yes, thank you.
40:17You're welcome daddy.
40:18You're welcome.
40:18Love you.
40:20You gotta be crying.
40:23Alexa was so good at keeping the surprise cake a secret, wife Michelle got one too.
40:29Oh you actually kicked another one.
40:34Baby I just want to wish you a happy birthday.
40:37I'm so happy to have you in my life.
40:40Me too.
40:41I'm so grateful.
40:42Hi.
40:43Happy birthday baby.
40:45Thank you very much.
40:46You want me to help you?
40:47You're 60 so many years.
40:50Thank you very much.
40:54Being 60 is definitely a milestone.
40:59I'm feeling good.
41:00I'm feeling blessed to have so many people around me that care about me.
41:04I'm choked up by all of the emotions and the support and almost had me in tears.
41:13Alright, cheers to everyone.
41:14Cheers.
41:16Thank you for coming up.
41:17We truly appreciate you.
41:19I appreciate you.
41:20When I first moved to Florida, I had no idea what to expect.
41:24I was young, I was 18, I was not sure what was going to happen.
41:29But perseverance, friends, family have brought me through.
41:32And I don't think many people realize, actualize their dreams.
41:36And thank God I've been able to actualize mine.
41:4520 miles away, it's 6 o'clock.
41:48The official opening time of Martin and Bev's new pub.
41:52Let's get everyone outside.
41:55And Martin's guest of honor has arrived.
41:57Anne, the unicorn's here.
41:58Oh, he's the unicorn.
42:00Hey!
42:02The unicorn's here!
42:03What?
42:04We've actually got a unicorn arriving.
42:06A real, live unicorn.
42:09No, it's a pony in a hat, surely.
42:11Woo-hoo!
42:13If you've never seen a real unicorn, you're in for a surprise.
42:17But that's not going to stop Anne.
42:21Chips!
42:22These chips are American chips.
42:24Yay!
42:27And to declare the best of British pub open, what could be more appropriate than a knight in shining armor?
42:33So I'm thinking to cut the ribbon, why don't we ask Sir William?
42:37English knight.
42:38English knight of the realm.
42:39Let's do it.
42:40Okay, let's do it, let's go.
42:42Even if he's actually American.
42:44He hasn't got his sword.
42:46Sorry, I don't have my sword, only my sharp whip.
42:50How you darling, how are you?
42:51I'm good.
42:52I'm going to be really embarrassed if I try and break this ribbon and it doesn't break.
42:56Okay, guys.
42:58Thank you to each and every one of you for coming out tonight.
43:00This is a big day for us.
43:02It's took a lot of hard work to get here.
43:05We really hope you like what we've done to the place.
43:07Thank you so much for your support.
43:09We really appreciate it.
43:10And I'm going to ask Sir William to come and cut the ribbon with his mighty Excalibur.
43:17Let's get this place open.
43:18Are we ready?
43:19Everyone ready?
43:20Here we go.
43:25Thank you guys.
43:26We did it.
43:27Yeah, welcome.
43:29Don't go outside.
43:30That's good, huh?
43:31Thank you so much.
43:33The pub is officially open and now it can start bringing in those much needed dollars.
43:40Just a proper British pub.
43:41And it feels like a pub.
43:43When you walked in, it felt like home.
43:46I don't know that it's necessarily that it's British that drew us in, but from the moment we walked in,
43:52it was like they made us part of their family.
43:55It's nice to get a little bit of home here in Florida.
43:59I've been here for 23 years and it's nice to get this British feel for a bar, which you don't
44:04usually get in Florida.
44:05The punters are happy and enjoying the pub.
44:08It must be music to Martin's ears.
44:11It's been brilliant.
44:12It does.
44:13Most of it's gone right.
44:15Boom.
44:15The balloon went up.
44:16It kind of makes you a little bit emotional and it's kind of heartwarming as to the response we've got.
44:20Yeah.
44:20We're in one of the most magical places on Earth, they tell us.
44:23Yeah.
44:23And it is.
44:24This is an amazing place to be.
44:25We're lucky to live here and for us to give people a little taste of home makes us so happy.
44:31That's what it's all about.
44:59We'll see you next time.
44:59Bye.
44:59Bye.
45:01Bye.
45:02Bye.
45:03Bye.
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