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00:00Welcome to Florida.
00:02Florida life, nothing quite like it.
00:04Home to theme parks, golden tans, and 400,000 Brits.
00:08I absolutely love it here.
00:10Who've made the Sunshine State their new home.
00:13This is what sold me out. Yeah.
00:15Like, because it's stunning.
00:16Who wouldn't want to live here like this?
00:18They've swapped drizzly winters and gas bills for new careers
00:22and seemingly endless fun in the sun.
00:24Cheers, Biggers!
00:25Ding, ding, ding!
00:26It's our little piece of paradise.
00:28Get it right and life in Florida can be like a dream come true.
00:32Every evening do this with your glass of wine.
00:35But getting here and staying here takes hard work.
00:38I do pinch myself every day.
00:41Grits.
00:42We just lost the starboard motor.
00:44And determination.
00:45Good job. Well done.
00:46These are the Brits who've made their own Escape to Florida.
00:52Today on Escape to Florida,
00:54Martin is working hard to make the best of British pub a success.
00:59So we need to triple the revenue minimum to make it work.
01:02Martin's got an idea to draw the crowds in.
01:05How do you feel about us doing a signature crisp butty?
01:11Oh, boom!
01:13Yeah?
01:13Yeah.
01:13Madonna is looking to build her US profile.
01:16I am making money, but I need to make more.
01:19With a TV appearance.
01:21It won't stay.
01:22It won't stay.
01:23It won't stop you.
01:24It won't stop you getting stressed.
01:26And realtor Denise doesn't miss much.
01:29It's a salt water heated pool.
01:31You know all about the pool?
01:32Because I put it in.
01:33You put it in.
01:34But some things can slip through the net.
01:36I guess they're insured for that.
01:38Yeah.
01:39Hopefully.
01:39I didn't think of that at the time.
01:47In Clermont, Martin and Anne are busy working at the recently opened Best of British pub.
01:57Thank you for coming down.
01:58Set you up for the day, won't it?
02:01Got brown sauce, ketchup, everything you need.
02:04And business is booming.
02:06We've had a really good start.
02:07The first ten days have been beyond my wildest expectations.
02:11Way above.
02:12I think we've probably done more than double what I thought we'd do.
02:16Martin and his wife, Bev, have poured their savings into the pub, so needed to be a success.
02:21We've put about a quarter of a million, a little bit more, into this new location.
02:25I'm hoping to stop spending on it very soon.
02:28Need to stop spending?
02:29Yeah.
02:30I need to start bringing it in now.
02:32But this isn't just a busy pub.
02:35It's also home to a shop filled with treats from the UK.
02:41The most important part is the back shelves where we have the British goods for sale.
02:45So crumpets, custard, all those little things that people miss when they're here.
02:50When you've lived here for a time, you just want that little taste of home.
02:53So that's what we try to provide here.
02:55And then classic British bangers for sale.
03:02Cherry baked wells.
03:06Scones, which are one of the biggest things we do.
03:09And then British bacon.
03:14That's what everybody's looking for out here.
03:17You either love or hate American bacon.
03:19I'm kind of on the fence with it.
03:21The shop takes its name from the person in charge.
03:26We've named Anne's Corner Shop.
03:28I wanted to do it as a little bit of a nod to Anne.
03:30Anne is the matriarch for this place.
03:33Because she looks after it.
03:34She organises stuff.
03:36She tells me off.
03:37She makes sure it's stocked.
03:39So this is the daughter of the shop.
03:41But it actually isn't the daughter of the shop.
03:42Because you can't get in here.
03:44You've got to go through the pub.
03:45So hopefully they'll have something to eat and drink
03:48on their way at the shop.
03:49So up here for thinking.
03:51Down there for dancing.
03:53The shop is busy.
03:55And stock is flying off the shelves.
03:57I'm designing a bird off.
04:03This is by Disney.
04:05This area is absolutely brilliant.
04:08It's known as Little Britain.
04:09All the expats live around here.
04:11They work at Disney.
04:12It's just the perfect place.
04:14They come in.
04:15They have a drink.
04:16They grab all their goodies.
04:17We've been here 20 years.
04:19One of the things.
04:20The major thing that I do miss is the English food.
04:23And every time we come here.
04:24They stock up on everything.
04:26They've got freezer food.
04:27We buy the pork pies.
04:29We buy the sausages.
04:29We go crazy.
04:32Hi guys.
04:33Hi love.
04:33Got all your goodies there?
04:35Yeah, we have.
04:36But this taste of home comes at a price.
04:39Everything is imported, you know.
04:41So something that's a pound at home.
04:43Can quite easily become $7 here.
04:46So if you're gonna shop like you're in the UK.
04:49You know, you're gonna bankrupt yourself within a month.
04:51Smoky bacon and chicken.
04:53They're the ones we always run out of.
04:55It takes a lot to keep the pub going.
04:58And the costs add up quickly.
05:00We're paying nearly $12,000 a month for our lease for the place.
05:04Before you start on electricity costs and wages and ingredients.
05:08Things add up into a huge monthly cost.
05:10So we need to triple the revenue minimum to make it work.
05:15To make the money to cover his bills, Martin is always thinking of new ways to bring in more income.
05:21So are you thinking of today doing an afternoon tea?
05:23Yeah, but later this afternoon.
05:25The plan for today, I've invited some ladies and a couple of gents today to come along and have an
05:33afternoon tea in the shop area in that room.
05:35And hopefully they'll spend a few quid at the end.
05:38You better get yourself off them.
05:39Still want bread.
05:41Cotton cream.
05:42We have no crisps.
05:44So you need to get some crisps while you're there as well.
05:46Because we're out of crisps.
05:47And it's an hour and what?
05:49To go over there and get them.
05:50And then an hour and something back.
05:52I've never doubted you before.
05:54First time for everything.
05:55I know you can do it.
05:58Let's get to work.
05:59Martin needs to get his skates on because soon it'll be time for tea.
06:0825 miles away in downtown Orlando.
06:13Born and bred Londoner Denise is pottering in her favourite place, the garden.
06:19These are my impatience that are very impatient and I have to water every single day in this heat.
06:26Gardening isn't her day job.
06:28Denise works as a realtor, AKA an estate agent.
06:32Can you hear them all saying thank you?
06:35I'm a realtor.
06:36I've been a realtor for about 30 years.
06:38I enjoy working.
06:39I enjoy showing houses.
06:41I don't like doing apartments or condos very much because there's too many stairs.
06:47Tomorrow, Denise has a busy day of viewing.
06:50So today is all about family.
06:52I live here with my husband, Bert, who's escaped.
06:56Gone to the golf course.
06:57My daughter Justine lives in the main house right here, across the pool.
07:02We call it across the pond, not across the pool.
07:05And we live in the back house on the ground level.
07:08Christian's upstairs.
07:10My grandson.
07:11Florida has been home to Denise and daughter Justine for a long time.
07:16moved here at the beginning of 1980.
07:18Been here ever since.
07:20So 45 years.
07:22Probably one of the original Brits that came out.
07:25Oh, it's flowering.
07:27Look at that.
07:27Isn't that pretty?
07:28Yeah.
07:28I could never imagine moving back to the UK.
07:32I have nothing to go back to.
07:33My kids are here.
07:34My grandkids are here.
07:36It's lunchtime.
07:37And Justine's husband, Raja, is busy in the kitchen.
07:41All morning, I am here making food for lunch.
07:47Just another day in paradise.
07:50Seafood pasta.
07:51It's my favorite meal that Raja cooks.
07:53He did it especially because I asked him to today.
07:55It's really good.
07:56Grub, wine.
07:58Hey, where's the wine, Justine?
07:59Oh, in the car.
08:02While Justine sorts the wine, grandson Chris is on table duty.
08:07I love living with my daughter and grandson and my son-in-law.
08:12I love Raja.
08:14He is the best thing that ever could have happened to our family.
08:16He's wonderful.
08:17Who can say that about their son-in-law?
08:19But I can.
08:20Bon appetit, everybody.
08:22Bon appetit.
08:24Cheers.
08:25Cheers.
08:26Cheers.
08:26Cheers.
08:28But everyone's getting ahead of themselves because Denise's husband is back from the golf course.
08:33Hello, Bert.
08:34I can't believe-
08:35Bert is Denise's second husband.
08:37Oh, okay.
08:38How often does your wife move the furniture around?
08:42Once a week, I walk in the house and I don't know where the chairs are.
08:45It's the truth.
08:46I'm sorry.
08:47I've always told him I have to change something so if I can change furniture, I won't change
08:54him.
08:56It works, right?
08:57Sometimes I see the furniture that hasn't been moved in a couple of weeks.
09:01Do you see the furniture?
09:03I know I might want to start packing my back.
09:07My first husband was an architect.
09:09We bought houses, did them up and sold them.
09:12We did that a lot when we first came here.
09:15After he died, I decided I would get my real estate license and that's what I've been doing
09:19ever since and I love it, absolutely love it.
09:22Both Justine and her son Chris have followed Denise into real estate.
09:27None of my friends work with their grandmothers or mothers for that case but I seem to work
09:31with both so it's quite a unique situation.
09:34And tomorrow, Denise is back out buying and selling houses.
09:39I don't think my grandmother would ever give up being a realtor.
09:42I do see some of my friends, their grandparents, they stop working.
09:46That's when you start to see them get old.
09:48With my grandma, she's very sharp.
09:50She still has all the energy in the world and I do think it's because she keeps herself
09:53very busy.
10:08In the prosperous coastal resort of St. Pete Beach,
10:14it's the start of a busy day for Londoner Donna.
10:18Look at the mess.
10:20She moved to Florida four years ago with husband Dan.
10:25Dan, where's your mug?
10:27And their two boys, 19-year-old Oliver and 14-year-old Billy.
10:32Morning.
10:33Morning mate, you alright?
10:34Yeah.
10:35I can't believe this is the life that we live.
10:38I sometimes have to pinch myself and really reflect to remember how Billy's excelling at sports,
10:46how Oliver's excelling at his school, how Dan has reinvented himself as this realtor.
10:54London Dan.
10:57To qualify as a realtor in Florida, Dan needs to pass an exam.
11:02It was hard, no good this time, but I've got a feeling next time.
11:10While Dan is studying hard for his next attempt.
11:13Um, sorry.
11:15What are you doing?
11:16You working?
11:16I've got work to do, believe it or not.
11:18You're not the only one.
11:20I know.
11:20Think of the dollars that it's going to bring in.
11:22Donna is the family's main earner.
11:26Love you.
11:27Love you.
11:27She's worked as a beauty editor and journalist for 25 years.
11:32In the UK, I worked for magazines and websites and I also worked for a big high street brand.
11:39When I came over to America, I quickly learned that you are your brand and Americans are very much all
11:48about their own self-branding.
11:50So that's something that I'm really working hard on.
11:55Life in Florida is expensive, so Donna needs to work to keep the family afloat.
12:00I am making money, but I need to make more.
12:03So I need to work hard in order to get the money.
12:09Donna has turned her hand to social media and even launched a podcast.
12:13She's working to build her brand and her following.
12:17I just want women to feel happier in themselves and also feel like when they hit menopause
12:23or when they hit their 50s or 60s, it's not the end.
12:26They've got so much more to give.
12:28And in fact, I feel more empowered and more confident than I ever have now.
12:36And I just want women to feel that way too.
12:40Today, it's Donna's confidence that will be tested when she appears as a guest on a television show.
12:45I'm just deciding what to wear on Bloom.
12:50The first time I went to the studio, I didn't realise that you sit on really high stools.
12:56So there's a risk that you can see up my dress.
12:59So I had to factor that into my dress decision.
13:03And this is obviously longer and the perfect length.
13:08A regular spot on the show could boost Donna's career.
13:13Bloom's really important to me because obviously anything that's going to increase my profile in the US is brilliant.
13:20So this is my analytics and these are my followers.
13:25So at the moment on Instagram, I've got just over 26,000 and 80% of them are in the
13:31UK and 12.2% are in the US.
13:34Which is great, obviously, but this is the number that I want to increase.
13:3912.2% in the US.
13:42Expected to reach $105 billion this year, the US beauty industry is booming and Donna wants in.
13:50All beauty brands, all lifestyle brands want to have the sales in America.
13:57You know, it's such a huge market.
14:00It's got great opportunities for all brands.
14:03So if I can increase my following here, that is going to make me more attractive to all brands, UK
14:12and global brands to work with.
14:14While Donna's been on screen before, it's still outside her comfort zone.
14:19I always feel a little bit nervous before I do anything like this because I think that's healthy and I
14:25think that's good.
14:25And I think I'd be more worried if I wasn't nervous.
14:33In downtown Orlando, Realtor Denise has two big appointments on the books for tomorrow.
14:39So today, she's off to the nail salon with daughter Justine to make sure she's looking her best.
14:45All right, you ready for a pedi?
14:47I'm ready for a pedi.
14:49I'm more than ready for a pedi.
14:50Justine and I are really best of friends.
14:54She's always been very, very easy.
14:56And as we've grown and got older, we've just got closer and closer.
15:01Denise's return to Orlando is a fairly recent one.
15:05She used to live in Florida's Gulf Coast in Tampa.
15:08For the past maybe 15 years, she lived about two hours away.
15:12She didn't come back often and we didn't get over to her as often as I would like.
15:18So I spent a considerable amount of time pestering her to move back here.
15:22And so I finally won and here she is.
15:24I love having my mom here.
15:26Get a pedi.
15:27Goody goody.
15:29At the nail salon.
15:32I think I'm doing that one right there.
15:34What number is it?
15:36231.
15:37Okay.
15:37What are you doing?
15:38I don't know because you've got the colors.
15:40Oh.
15:41They can settle in.
15:43Oh, nice.
15:44Perfect.
15:45Feels good.
15:45Hot.
15:46And relax.
15:47We're in Florida and you wear open-toed shoes year-round so your feet need to look good.
15:52To do it with my mom on a Saturday.
15:54Without husbands butting in.
15:57It's perfect.
15:57Why would we not do that?
15:58It's perfect.
16:02Justine isn't Denise's only daughter.
16:05She's everything to me now, you know.
16:07I lost my other daughter and she's my only child left.
16:13Jackie died of cancer about four years ago.
16:16She went in March to the doctor, was diagnosed almost immediately.
16:21She died before Christmas.
16:24So it didn't even go eight months.
16:27It was very bad for a little while there but time heals everything.
16:32We can think of her now and smile.
16:36Denise and Justine's careers have often moved side by side.
16:41We've worked together as well for years and years.
16:43We've worked together.
16:45Justine calls me Denise at work.
16:46I do call you Denise, yeah.
16:48One of my first jobs was working for one of my mom's best friends.
16:51Everybody knew my mom in tourism in Orlando at that time.
16:55So I used to call her Denise.
16:56Not like everybody didn't already know she was my mom.
16:58But I felt like it was more professional.
17:01They now both work in real estate.
17:04I work on referrals only now.
17:06I don't go out looking for work.
17:08But after doing it for 30 years, you still get enough business.
17:11Is it 30 years that you've been in real estate now?
17:14I have.
17:14Is it really?
17:15Yeah.
17:15Yeah.
17:17Yep.
17:18I looked it up on my license the other day.
17:21Wow.
17:21That's incredible.
17:23Today, 19% of Americans over 65 remain in the workforce.
17:28And at 78, Denise is part of this growing trend.
17:32Eventually, she'll retire.
17:34But I hope not anytime soon.
17:37Because as long as she's full of life and she's happy and she's doing well,
17:41then I think it's good that she continues to work.
17:44Justine says, stop worrying, mum.
17:46You don't look your age.
17:47So that makes me feel better.
17:49But I do think you shouldn't be going out when you're old and selling houses
17:56because maybe people are a bit shocked when they get an old lady come.
18:00But she puts me right and keeps saying, you're not an old lady.
18:04Their feet and nails pampered to perfection.
18:07Thank you very much.
18:08That was very fun.
18:09Thank you so much.
18:11Denise is ready to sell some houses.
18:22In Claremont, pub owner Martin is at the wholesalers stocking up for a classic afternoon tea.
18:32We're lucky where we are today because one of the main suppliers who bring items into the US from the
18:37UK are actually not too far away from us.
18:40We're constantly having to import, refresh the shelves, things go out of stock, things come into stock.
18:45Then with currency fluctuations and shipping cost fluctuations and tariffs, it's actually a really difficult thing to constantly get right,
18:52but it's an important part of what we do.
18:55First on the list, jam. Before cream, of course. The proper Cornish way.
18:59The British jam, really important for afternoon tea, and especially the scones. It's something that you cannot buy in the
19:07US. Literally this one place is clotted cream.
19:11Clotted cream is for our scones. We don't try to use other ingredients. We use the real thing.
19:15There are a few places in Florida who do afternoon teas. I look at some of the things that they
19:20put on afternoon teas, and it's an American version. Ours is a purely British afternoon tea.
19:25We make our own scones, our own finger sandwiches, our own cakes, and it's just authentic.
19:31Martin heads through to the warehouse.
19:34Willie. Good morning, mate. Hey, how you doing?
19:37To take the next item off his afternoon tea supply list.
19:41The most important thing I need to get is the bread today. How many bread? How many bread?
19:44I've got a big afternoon tea, so I'm going to need a pallet of it. A pallet of it.
19:48While he's here, Martin's topping up on the best-selling British classics for the shop.
19:53Two quavers, two monster munch, cheese and onion, prawn cocktail, smoky bacon, roast chicken, and the tomato ketchup, please, mate.
20:02All right, ready?
20:04Chris were one of the biggest sellers in the shop. They bring people in, and they spend on other things.
20:08You know, crisps are something that the British really focus in on when they come in the pubs.
20:12They are so popular, and we struggle buying British crisps over here.
20:16With everything almost packed...
20:19These are your chocolate tea cakes.
20:20Ah, the all-important tea cakes.
20:24People love these things, a real taste of home.
20:26We're ready to go.
20:28The next job is getting it all in the car.
20:31It's like a big game of Jenga every time we come here,
20:35because crisps take up so much space.
20:39But we'll find a way somehow.
20:42And I can't actually fit these in anywhere.
20:46So we're going around the other side.
20:50There we go.
20:52We're fully loaded.
20:54Ready to get back to the pub.
20:56Willie, thanks as usual. Take care.
21:00With the goods secured, Martin can head back to the pub.
21:05Where manager Anne is delegating jobs, starting with server Chris.
21:10We'll put them right down the middle.
21:12So pull those tables together.
21:14We've got some Union Jack flags.
21:16Let's get them on as tablecloths.
21:18All this fine china, see if we can match it up.
21:21We want 16 place settings.
21:23Just want it to look really nice.
21:24So napkins, the side plates.
21:27Do you want it more English-y or like afternoon tea in the summer strawberries,
21:32that kind of thing?
21:34Proper, authentic afternoon tea.
21:36Like we used to have on the Isle of Wight.
21:38Yeah.
21:38Yeah.
21:39I don't know.
21:39I've never been to the Isle of Wight.
21:41But yeah, we'll go with that one.
21:42OK.
21:43Chris and Anne's husband, Jimmy, are responsible for preparing the tables properly for the afternoon tea.
21:50Pull these together.
21:52We've got to get 16.
21:55Well, 360 is 80.
21:57Afternoon tea in England, it's pomp and circumstance.
22:01You go to Claridge's or the Ritz or the Savoy, big hats, lots of desserts and fresh cream, real cream.
22:09In America, you have to really make it into a pantomime almost.
22:14Chris and Jimmy on the job and now needs to get the kitchen to start prepping.
22:33It's an early start in Orlando for realtor Denise.
22:39Let's go.
22:40All right.
22:41Oh, I'll drive.
22:42I'm not driving.
22:43I forgot that.
22:43That's why you're taking me, so I can drive.
22:47With daughter Justine behind the wheel, Denise has two property appointments lined up.
22:54Getting a bit nervous now that we are going to get there in time.
22:58What time do we...?
22:5911 o'clock.
23:01We've still got 45 minutes to go at least.
23:04A two-hour journey takes them to one of Florida's hottest property markets on the Gulf Coast.
23:12Unfortunately, because I spent 12 years on the Gulf Coast, most of my business is on the Gulf Coast, so
23:17I find myself going backwards and forwards every two or three days.
23:21The first house is a familiar one for Denise.
23:25It was once her home.
23:28We bought that house 15 years ago, and we got it and renovated it all.
23:34She is being met by the house's listing agent, Sarah.
23:38Hi, Sarah.
23:39How are you?
23:40Good.
23:41Come on in.
23:42Denise is here to preview the property for clients who are interested in buying.
23:47So I can't wait to hear about your buyers.
23:50They're old buyers, I've shown the pictures of when we were in it, and they know that it's not actually
23:56on the water, but they know they have access to the water.
23:59So what we really need to know is what changes have been made.
24:03As the tour starts, the memories come flooding back.
24:07And then what do you think about the wall of cabinets?
24:10We had the same wall.
24:12Yeah.
24:12We had the same wall, and I had a shelf up there with all my jars on.
24:15I know every square inch of that house, so it's really strange.
24:20It's good that I'm looking at it, because I've got all the answers.
24:22I don't need to ask any questions.
24:24It looks like the same vanity, but it's probably not the same one.
24:28They just put a similar one in.
24:29Correct.
24:29Yes, the vanity had to be...
24:31Both vanities were replaced.
24:32Right.
24:33Yeah, so that is a newer one.
24:35Yep.
24:36I remember it all.
24:38And some parts of the house hold bigger memories than others.
24:42And then, of course, the backyard paradise, right?
24:45That's really the dream.
24:47It's a saltwater heated pool.
24:49The heater is brand new.
24:50I know all about the pool, because I put it in.
24:52You put it in.
24:52You put the pool in.
24:53Yes.
24:55How long did you live here?
24:56Five years.
24:57Wow.
24:58Yeah.
24:58They had to get a crane and lift this pool over.
25:01This is fiberglass.
25:03It's fiberglass.
25:04Worst case scenario, I guess the pool drops on your home.
25:07Yeah.
25:07I guess they're insured for that.
25:09Yeah.
25:10Hopefully.
25:11I didn't think of that at the time.
25:13The viewing at an end.
25:14Thank you so much, Sarah.
25:16So appreciated.
25:17No problem.
25:18It's been my pleasure.
25:19What's Denise's verdict?
25:21This was a very good showing.
25:23I was very impressed with how they had redone the house.
25:26The first appointment is done, but Denise's day isn't.
25:29It's on to the next property.
25:39In Claremont, Martin, the owner of the best of British pub, is on his way back with supplies
25:46for an afternoon tea event.
25:49I have a sales background, so I'm constantly trying to think of sometimes outlandish ways
25:54of doing things.
25:55But I also think that being where we are in Orlando lends itself to that, the entertainment
26:02capital of the world.
26:04So things don't seem as crazy out here.
26:06We've got to try it.
26:07We've got to bring people through the door.
26:09Inspired by his shopping trip, he's had an idea.
26:13I just think having a little twist on it and having a crisp butter, which is something
26:16I love and a lot of people love as an afternoon snack when you're growing up.
26:22Wait until I tell Anne.
26:24I don't think she's going to be too impressed, but we'll see what she says.
26:27Back at the pub, Jimmy's showing Chris how to properly set the table.
26:32No, I put them on the plate and then put the tea cup and saucer on top with a spoon
26:39and
26:40then put a spare one at the side on the right with a knife.
26:44The scones.
26:45OK.
26:47But don't put them straight.
26:48It's one of an angle.
26:51Finally, Martin has arrived back with the supplies.
26:55We have crisps, Jimmy.
26:56Oh.
26:57We have crisps.
26:58While Jimmy unloads the crisps, Martin springs his sandwich idea on Anne.
27:04You know you love my ideas.
27:06So, when I was in England last, everybody's trying to do a different spin on an afternoon
27:11tea and it might be little dainty cakes and stuff.
27:14How do you feel about us doing a signature crisp butty?
27:21Oh, boom!
27:23Yeah?
27:23Yeah.
27:24At the end of the day, we ain't the Savoy or the Ritz doing it for 90 quid, are we?
27:28No.
27:28It's $30 and it's authentic.
27:30But I think it's a real nice little twist on it.
27:33It is.
27:33It's perfect.
27:33I'm happy with that.
27:34Perfect.
27:36Anne, on board with the bussies.
27:38The shop has been transformed.
27:42While in the kitchen, the cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches are taking shape.
27:48Now there's only the crisp bussy flavours to sort out.
27:52Okay.
27:53Smoky bacon.
27:54Oh, did you hear that crunch?
27:56That scent is so good.
27:57I'm loving this idea already.
27:58I think it's going to work.
28:00So that's the smoky bacon.
28:02My idea is we're going to make the crisp butties.
28:04We'll probably go for traditional flavours, prawn cocktail, cheese and onion, salt and vinaigret,
28:08etc.
28:08And then me and Anne are going to sit down and taste them and then subject to that being
28:12okay well lunch on the afternoon tea today.
28:15Centuries of tradition going out the window.
28:20Oh, yeah.
28:20Oh, yeah.
28:21It tastes brilliant.
28:22I think we've got a winner on our hands.
28:24With the guests arriving soon, there's no time to waste getting the crisp butties ready.
28:30Get them to Julie.
28:31Tell her to make as many as she can in the next 20 minutes.
28:35The guests will be arriving.
28:37Okey-cokey.
28:38I'm on it.
28:39But there's a problem.
28:40They're cut wrong.
28:42What do you mean they're cut wrong?
28:43They're cutting triangles.
28:44Yeah, triangles are good.
28:45They're not, Joe, on an afternoon tea.
28:47They're not.
28:48No, they don't.
28:48They've got triangles.
28:50Triangles.
28:51That's why I'm in here and you're not.
28:52No.
28:53I'll get them.
28:55They're going in fingers and they're not going in triangles.
28:58Can't get the stuff.
29:00Anne may have lost the etiquette debate but Martin's got one last detail to add before
29:05the team greets their guests.
29:07Is that the front or the back?
29:09Bonnets?
29:10So my plan is now we're going to get this on social media today.
29:14Again, we've come back to trying to be authentic.
29:16So it's just trying to evolve memories for people.
29:18Came to me in a moment of inspiration.
29:22This will really make me want to come in, won't it?
29:24We're going to get everyone seeing just how amazing you three look.
29:39In St Pete Beach, beauty editor Donna is hitting the road.
29:47I'm off to Bloom TV this morning to record a segment, the local lifestyle programme that
29:56is filmed in Tampa, which is about half an hour drive from our house.
30:02On the show, the topic is a personal one for Donna.
30:05I talk about my sobriety because drinking is a big part of everyone's lives.
30:11But when you get to a certain age, and I've since learnt this because of my work in the
30:16menopause space that I've been doing, you know, you can't tolerate alcohol like you used to.
30:22And when you have all the symptoms of menopause, they just exacerbate it like anxiety, sleeplessness.
30:29And it's just like a vicious circle.
30:31I feel like so many women don't realise that what's going on in their body and how it can
30:38impact every part of your life.
30:43I definitely want to go on Bloom more because it's a great way of me reaching my target audience
30:49because I know those women are watching.
30:53So it's a brilliant opportunity for me.
30:57Hi.
30:57We are in the cream room at Bloom TV.
31:02This is behind the scenes access.
31:04So I just wait here until the producer comes to get me and then, yeah, go into the studio.
31:13Donna doesn't have to wait too long.
31:15Hi, Donna.
31:17Hi.
31:17Good to see you.
31:18Hi, Sarah.
31:19And Sarah, the show's producer, doesn't waste any time in getting down to business.
31:23So I'm excited to hear about your sober and menopause journey.
31:27I was watching all the videos that you sent me.
31:29Yeah.
31:29It looks like it's really catching steam on social media.
31:33It really is.
31:33So many women are resonating with my story.
31:36Yeah.
31:37Honesty is really important to me and I really care about what women think of me and what
31:45they think of themselves.
31:46So I want them to trust me and it's just something that's really important to me.
31:50I've always tried to build other women up and feel good within themselves.
31:56That's why when I get messages from my followers and they say, oh, you've made me feel so much
32:05better.
32:07You know, it really touches me.
32:09It really, really does.
32:13What happens if I start crying?
32:15Oh, my goodness.
32:15Because it's quite emotional.
32:16That's okay.
32:17If people want to see that emotion.
32:18Okay.
32:18That honestly resonates with the audience.
32:21People want to feel that.
32:22They want to understand and be able to step into your shoes.
32:25Okay.
32:25I mean, now I've said that I might not cry because now I've said it.
32:28But I, but it's a possibility that I might because I am quite an emotional person, especially
32:34when talking about this.
32:35It's okay.
32:35I don't think you should feel like you have to minimize that.
32:38Okay.
32:39Briefing over.
32:40We're out.
32:41We're ready for it.
32:42The studio awaits.
32:44You ready to do this?
32:45Yeah, I'm ready.
32:46I'm a little bit nervous talking about something so personal.
32:49Right.
32:49But I'm sure I'll be fine.
32:52Yeah.
32:53The previous guest is still being interviewed.
32:58I think when everything's really quiet, it makes you mean, so we're going to all
33:03just come here and do it.
33:05And don't think about it.
33:07I don't know why.
33:09I don't know why.
33:09At least I don't know why.
33:10I don't know why.
33:11I don't know why.
33:12I don't know why.
33:13I don't know why.
33:15I don't know why.
33:15I don't know why.
33:17But there are technical problems on set.
33:19Yeah.
33:20I don't think it worked.
33:21It just completely dropped out on me.
33:24I mean, I just wasn't getting any cues.
33:26I was plugged in.
33:27All right, guys, just talking to each other.
33:29It's the fourth time you had to do it.
33:31Biggest commission to run this as is.
33:33This has never happened.
33:35This isn't OK.
33:36Let's go ahead.
33:39She's got one.
33:40She didn't do anything.
33:42The whole mistakes are happening, the whole time I get stressed.
33:51Having all the flash.
33:54This was meant to be a step forward for Donna and her brand in the U.S, but she's still
33:59stuck behind the scenes
34:16in Tampa realtor Denise is on route to her second house of the day and so that
34:22the people that are selling their breads right and roots yes this time her role
34:28has been reversed she's selling the house in the past I have sold mainly to
34:35breads breads are very quiet now so not so many I'm rather selling their
34:41properties now rather than them buying if the viewing is successful Denise could
34:46be in the money the listing agent negotiates with the seller traditionally
34:51the seller pays all the Commission once that's agreed the listing agent splits
34:57that normally half and half but it can be different Denise's commission for a
35:03sale on this eight hundred and twenty-five thousand dollar house would be
35:06over twenty thousand dollars and my buyers are here the potential buyers and
35:13their realtor cookie have arrived how are you I'm good how are you I'll let you
35:19come in can we start in the kitchen yes the buyers are a couple Diane and Francis
35:24I've known Denise a while she's one of the great agents in the area if I see
35:29it's her on the other end I I love it she's very easy to work with very
35:33knowledgeable great realtor as is usual in the USA cookie will take her clients
35:40around but Denise waits on hand to answer any questions and the stove I'm sure is
35:45original and I'm sure the dishwasher is original I don't get nervous anymore you
35:51know it goes or it doesn't go if it doesn't go today it'll go the next time
35:55friend did you want to come in and check it out
35:59boom double six I like that best cases they love it worst cases they don't it's
36:05very straightforward yeah and that water's warm and I love a house that
36:12faces the south and about yes and being Florida there's also a floating dock to
36:18moor the boat direct access right out there within five minutes you're in the
36:23golf it's the main thing yeah has the viewing convinced Diana Francis that this
36:30is their new home we really enjoyed seeing this property it has many of the
36:37features that we're looking for especially the size of it okay thank you so
36:41much cookie really appreciate it thank you so much thank you we're always
36:49looking that's the problem you know we've looked at other properties so we have to
36:54kind of see what we think is best for us
36:57Diane and Francis decided not to put an offer in bye Denise thank you but that
37:03won't slow Denise down I'm going to work as long as I can I love my job so much
37:11that keeps me going I'm very happy with my life very happy with my family very
37:17happy where I am right now and I've had good and bad parts of my life but right
37:23now I'm really happy
37:32in Tampa beauty editor Donna is at the TV studio waiting to go on air and now it's
37:43her moment to shine
37:47I'm good how are you we've got pink on I love it we're matching matching I love
37:52your dress it's so pretty oh thank you and you always look gorgeous thank you
37:56you're so sweet host Gail Guayardo has been the presenter of bloom for two and a
38:01half years
38:06so do you know what sound can you hear what I hear now so we're doing I wake up
38:10feeling this wake up oh yeah where I'm kind of lying down yes yes Sarah said
38:16yeah that was quite a powerful one but yeah okay sometimes when you first walk up
38:21in those situations because they're on time constraints they can be a little bit
38:25right let's just get on with it Gail is easy to talk to she made me feel
38:30comfortable with no more delays it's showtime and three two welcome back to
38:40bloom from foggy to focused our next guest decided to ditch drinking alcohol
38:45during her perimenopause journey joining us now to share how quitting
38:49alcohol actually really helped as award-winning beauty editor Donna Francis
38:54Donna it's so great to see you thank you so much for having me so very
38:58powerful social media post how did people react to it women you know they they
39:05don't realize how much it can impact them during their perimenopause and
39:11menopause I was noticing how I just couldn't tolerate it the same way and
39:15process it like it used to when you were younger this is not right I need to look
39:21after myself because it started affecting my mental health I'm a beauty
39:25editor so everything should be glossy and perfect it's it's hard I think as well a
39:31lot of women it's about showing your vulnerability and owning your full of
39:36vulnerability and actually feeling empowered that you're not perfect because
39:43that's what empowers other women as well that's what makes them feel seen
39:47it's always such a pleasure to thank you so much girl before Donna leaves she grabs a
39:53quick check-in with Sarah the producer great job great segment very American
40:01yeah I really enjoyed it Donna did incredible she's always great we always
40:05love having her on we'll definitely have Donna back on in the future not having
40:09an accent is just an extra part Sarah's happy with her work so it's all
40:14positive news but Donna's not so sure my gut says it went well but you never know
40:21until you see the edit what it's gonna come across like so hopefully my gut
40:27instinct is right once it goes on TV I will try and get the boys to sit down
40:33with me and watch it they'll probably roll their eyes behind my back but they are
40:38proud of me I know they are two days later the whole family are gathered to
40:45watch the show cameras watch this right everyone you've got to watch this our
40:51next guest decided to ditch drinking alcohol during her perimenopause journey I
40:57think for me I'm obviously from the UK and when I moved over to Florida it's the
41:02same time that I was in perimenopause the verdict is in
41:07okay and up next I'm catching up with the host well done I know you've done it
41:12before something that's so close to you is every so vulnerable makes you
41:16vulnerable as well yeah it does and I'm just really proud I mean that's that's
41:20tough getting up there thank you thank you so I think it was a success it's good
41:26wasn't it very good I was pleased and you know this is why I do it it for you
41:31guys her US profile is on the up it's clear this move was the right call for
41:37Donna and her family I'm proud of myself if the doors start opening they start
41:42opening if they don't then you know you've tried if you don't do it you'll
41:46always say what would have happened if I would have moved to Florida and now I
41:54know what happens the dream came true and I've got to keep that dream alive
42:08in Claremont
42:12pub owner Martin has organized an afternoon tea party come on girls our ladies are
42:18waiting come on and the guests have arrived
42:22look at and she's got dressed up for you Maria knowing the ladies that are
42:27coming tonight I just want to revoke a few memories for them so I think it'll
42:31really work Maria we're gonna bring you all through to the afternoon tea now if
42:36you'd like to follow Chris in his bonnet just like Cody loves Chris used to work
42:41on the cruise ships he's a great character he's perfect for hosting
42:44afternoon teas and I know the ladies and gents are gonna love him
42:47whatever you like with the guests comfortable service can commence there's
42:54some tea to start with give it a good stir before you wait here we go here's a milk
43:12time to find out how the Chris busses are going down okay here we go there's plenty more on
43:19the way so we have some lovely finger sandwiches I've cut the crust off are they
43:25a stroke of genius of course just one left there's one left but I'm gonna I'm gonna go and get
43:38more
43:38we can fight over it the Chris sandwich
43:45it is delicious and the bread is so thin I love it and the flavor of the crisps delightful
43:54the crisp sandwiches have gone down a treat next up scones and cakes take center stage
44:02a little afternoon tea dive in here we've got more coming we just whipped it up it's not just how
44:11you
44:11eat a scone of scone whatever it's how you say it it's definitely a scone of scone and you've got
44:17to
44:17put your jam first on before you put your clotted cream on and it looks delicious thank you the
44:23afternoon tea is winding down are the ladies gonna dish out five-star reviews they do beautiful teas
44:30I'm from England I've lived here about 40 years and I really miss being home and the afternoon tea
44:40specifically this is my very first tea I've seen it enough by soap operas that I've been watching it I
44:46thought it was great I had some food that I've never eaten before this great little sandwich was
44:51cut a crisp oh my god it was so good I'm definitely has to buy this stuff to make it
44:57now I did enjoy
44:57everything and the service in it was awesome it looks like Martin's afternoon tea idea has hit a
45:05sweet spot I'm delighted one of the American ladies who came today absolutely fell in love with the
45:11Chris butty idea she even bought the butter we use so for me that's a win-win that's the idea
45:16of
45:16promoting the shop today she's gonna wait go away hopefully tell her friends and family and
45:21that's all the other word spread so big win guys thank you so much for coming today you know we
45:26appreciate each and every one of you I think he's gonna absolutely brilliantly you know I always throw
45:31ideas at these guys and every single time they come through I'm so proud of them with all his savings
45:39tied up in the pub Martin needs it to succeed and this event has delivered we're getting loads of
45:46bookings in for afternoon teas as well off the back of it yeah off the back of it no it's
45:49been win-win
45:50it's been an absolutely great day
45:54you
45:54yeah
45:54yeah
45:54yeah
46:21Transcription by CastingWords
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