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00:00Welcome to Florida.
00:02We're having a party!
00:04Home to theme parks, golden tans and 400,000 Brits.
00:08This one is the one with the view.
00:10Wow!
00:11Who've made the Sunshine State their new home.
00:14I feel blessed every single day.
00:16I'm living the American dream. I definitely am.
00:18They've swapped drizzly winters and gas bills for new careers
00:22and seemingly endless fun in the sun.
00:25Two, one, yay!
00:28Get it right and life in Florida can be like a dream come true.
00:32I get to drive a convertible. It's fabulous.
00:35But getting here and staying here takes hard work.
00:38Good job, good job. Keep it going, team!
00:40Grit.
00:42And determination.
00:44The glamorous side of living in Florida.
00:46These are the Brits who've made their own Escape to Florida.
00:54Today on Escape to Florida...
00:56Ah!
00:58I'm getting absolutely hammered.
01:00Golf pro Peter takes on novice wife Judy in a fight of the fairways.
01:05I'll be happy.
01:06Oh, it's so good!
01:08History comes alive for Holly.
01:10And she hopes boyfriend Aidan stays that way too.
01:14Please don't die!
01:17Leave him alone!
01:19And it's no yoke for firefighter David at the annual Easter Egg Hunt.
01:24Just chaos, but it's great to see all the families, all the kids.
01:27That's what this is all about.
01:34The city of Palm Coast on the Atlantic side of Florida.
01:38Known for being one of the most affordable places to live in the Sunshine State,
01:42is home to Hertfordshire couple Peter and Judy Cherry.
01:46Shall we get the suitcases and we'll get packing?
01:48Yep, let's get packed.
01:49Peter has worked for over 30 years as a golf pro.
01:54Get that ball up into the air.
01:55One suitcase.
01:58While Judy took early retirement from her 32-year career
02:02in corporate recruitment just before they left the UK.
02:06I had to project manage this move, which was pretty massive.
02:10Don't know how I would have done it and working.
02:12It's a challenge.
02:13You have to have a really strong relationship
02:16and know that you can come home at the end of the day,
02:18you can sit on the sofa and you can laugh about it together.
02:20Where's my white shirt?
02:22I've got that one.
02:23They're now two years on from leaving Blighty behind,
02:27but Florida's always been a big part of their lives.
02:30And I've got that one.
02:33We were two weeks into our relationship and he asked me to go on holiday with him to Florida.
02:38I wasn't going because it just seemed a bit too much.
02:40I couldn't just take that much advantage.
02:42But every day he was away, he sent me a postcard from Florida to UK.
02:47It is kind of cute, right?
02:51Three decades later, they moved here and now they're settled.
02:55They love it.
02:57Because of the lifestyle that we have now, it feels like we're on permanent vacation.
03:01But today, they're off on a real vacation.
03:05Which one, Jude? The white one or the white one?
03:09Yeah, I wear the shirt. I love the shirt.
03:10OK.
03:11I need a whole suitcase for shoes.
03:13Peter and I have been married 27 years in two weeks,
03:16and we thought what a perfect way of celebrating our anniversary and taking a little road trip.
03:22They're my glam shoes.
03:23Super sparkly.
03:26So Peter's taking a well-deserved break from his full-time job,
03:30so they can enjoy some quality time together.
03:33Peter's still working, so it's not like we've just retired.
03:36He's still making it work for us.
03:38I feel really privileged to be able to live this life.
03:42What have you got?
03:43Check out the hat.
03:44There's that one.
03:45Does that give you enough coverage?
03:46Not sure.
03:47OK.
03:49Peter and Judy's 800-mile round trip will take them from their home on the northeast coast
03:54all the way to the Florida Keys.
03:58I'm ready.
04:05It's a perfect look.
04:06Off to the Keys we go.
04:07Woo!
04:08Let's do it.
04:10We live in Florida, which is beautiful anyway,
04:13but when you get to the Keys, you almost feel like you're in Barbados.
04:17Three pairs of shorts, a couple of t-shirts, and that would probably be about it for me, I reckon.
04:23I need some sparkly flip-flops. I think these will do, yeah.
04:26Judy's not packing quite as lightly.
04:29So we've got three bags.
04:31Can I close up the suitcases now?
04:34Yeah, I think we're good.
04:35Having already explored a fair amount of Florida...
04:38We are good to go.
04:42Let's get this one loaded up first.
04:45They're taking the opportunity to see the sights along the way.
04:51It's such a long trip, so it's going to be quite good.
04:53We can actually have a stop and do some of the touristy things on the way.
04:56Okay, that's it.
04:57You locked up?
04:58Yep, all locked.
05:00All right.
05:01Let's do it.
05:02And we're off.
05:05Key West, here we come!
05:07Woo-hoo!
05:13Like the journey to the Florida Keys, Davenport also draws in Brits for its nearby tourist attractions,
05:20being close to 11 of the biggest theme parks in the world.
05:24Perfect for Holly, who moved here from Northampton at 18.
05:28The Walt Disney World Company has its own program where you can come over, work for the company for a
05:33year,
05:33so it seemed like a really good way for me to live here, then go home and work out what
05:37I was going to do with the rest of my life.
05:3919 years later, Holly's still in Florida, and she's not alone.
05:43Oh, this is what, 100 yards?
05:45This is 100 yards.
05:4718 months ago, she got together with professional jouster and blacksmith, Aidan.
05:53There's definitely not a gushy love story about how we met.
05:55He insulted me in Latin, but I knew just enough to know that it was an insult.
05:57We reconnected two years ago, and we started dating about six or seven months later.
06:03I think we've got an easier way to...
06:05Are you going to untwist the role?
06:07Yeah, just back up a little bit.
06:08Holly and Aidan travel the country working at Renaissance Fairs.
06:15Outdoor, historical-themed festivals with entertainment, music and stalls where people dress up in costume.
06:23The Renaissance Fair world definitely blends facts and fiction.
06:26The cast are playing a historical part, but at the same point, we also have Vikings, we have mermaids, we
06:33have unicorns.
06:37Holly's job at the Renaissance Fair is to dress up and play a historical character who interacts with the guests
06:43for the duration of the festival.
06:47This weekend, we're going to the St. Petersburg Renaissance Fair, which is going to be set in the Elizabethan period.
06:52I will be Lady Catherine Grey, possible successor to Queen Elizabeth.
06:55She will go and watch the joust, she will go shopping, and be there to make sure that the patrons
07:01have a really inclusive experience.
07:05But historical costumes can't cost thousands of dollars, so Holly makes and mends all of her own outfits, as well
07:12as Aidan's.
07:13It looks adorable when we walk around matching, everyone's like, oh, I love the matching outfits!
07:17Aidan is a professional jouster, he travels the country working for Renaissance Fairs.
07:22At the fair, Aidan is known as Sir Gideon.
07:25You get a lot of attention from the ladies.
07:26It's Sir Gideon that gets the ladies every time, it's not me.
07:30He's mine.
07:36Right, costumes are done, we just need to make sure we've got all of it so that we can get
07:39it all packed up for St. Petersburg.
07:42With these events mainly running at weekends, Holly recently set up a business selling medieval-style shoes at the fairs
07:49to try and supplement her income.
07:51I would love more than anything else to be able to be Lady Catherine all year round.
07:55So fingers crossed, we'll manage to make it all work out, have the shop being really successful, and we can
08:00go back to doing the things I do best.
08:01Dressing up and looking pretty.
08:03You are very good at that.
08:04I'm very good at looking pretty.
08:18In the coastal community of Jupiter Beach, it's Easter.
08:23And after finishing a long shift, firefighter of 20 years David from Dublin and wife Melissa can enjoy some precious
08:32family time.
08:33How's your shift?
08:34The usual.
08:36Jupiter is the most beautiful place on Earth.
08:40I grew up here, it's just a great place to live.
08:43You were waiting for me for breakfast?
08:44Yes, we were.
08:45Good stuff.
08:46We have been together for almost 25 years.
08:50After meeting abroad, David moved to Florida to be with Melissa.
08:54And they now have four children.
08:57You want me to make muffins?
08:58I'll make muffins real quick.
08:59Sure, I'll make muffins.
09:00We all make muffins.
09:03We have Sage, who is nine.
09:05We have Kayden, who is now 14.
09:07We have Kylie, who's 17.
09:09And then we have Shaylin, who's a 19-year-old.
09:13Delicious.
09:14It's going to be good.
09:17When did you get in?
09:19Eldest daughter Shaylin is usually away at college, but has come home for Easter and brought Irish boyfriend Ewan with
09:26her.
09:26They've been dating now for a little while, so they're just hanging out at their home for the weekend.
09:32When Shaylin went away to college, it was one of the harder things for me.
09:37Shaylin is a daddy's girl.
09:43So, yeah, I miss her all the time.
09:46With Shaylin living away and David's 24-hour shifts, he's making the most of their rare family time together by
09:54organising a lunch with their nearest and dearest.
09:58Dad, does this bear go in the back?
10:00You can keep it in the back seat with us.
10:02But first, he's taking youngest daughter, Sage, fishing.
10:11All right, watch your step.
10:13Pete was David's mentor at the fire station, and luckily for David, now spends his retirement out on the water.
10:20And we're off like a herd of turtles.
10:24My first start with the quest of fire rescue, my very first call that came in was a cardiac arrest.
10:30Peter was the lead paramedic that day.
10:33When I got on scene, I tried to hide back in the corner.
10:35He said to me, no, get right in there now, start doing CPR.
10:40And I was just like, wow, this is amazing. This is what I signed up for.
10:44And now the student has become the teacher.
10:51You see all the paddle boarders, you see the canoers, you see everybody. This is, this is South Florida life.
10:58And the perfect chance for youngest daughter, Sage, to test out the rod.
11:02Just let it go down a little bit. Here you go. Open it up. Let it go. Yeah, you got
11:08it.
11:08It's just beautiful on the water. It's just a way of relaxing, especially just taking advantage of what's around us.
11:15Hopefully you don't catch a shark.
11:19Pete will be joining the rest of David's family and friends at the lunch.
11:23So David's interested in his former mentor's opinion about his eldest daughter.
11:29Shailen's in town and she's got an Irish boyfriend.
11:32An Irish boyfriend?
11:33Yeah, so he's from Limerick. So you guys get to meet him for the first time.
11:36What's his name?
11:37His name is Ewan.
11:39Despite her best efforts, sadly, no luck for Sage.
11:42No fish today.
11:44Getting off now. Did you have fun?
11:47But David's got bigger fish to fry.
11:51Pete, I'll see you at the restaurant, yeah?
11:53I'll be there, buddy.
11:53Excellent, mate.
11:54Seeing how his fellow expat gets on with their nearest and dearest.
12:01Hey!
12:03How's everybody doing?
12:04This is Ewan. Just wanted to introduce him to all of you guys.
12:07How's it going?
12:08Ewan, this is all the friends and family.
12:10I'm sure my wife is absolutely delighted that another Irishman is now coming to the family.
12:16And Pete's not shy about giving him the once-over.
12:19You taking good care of her?
12:21Huh?
12:21You taking good care of her?
12:23Yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:24I'm trying my best anyway.
12:25Because her dad will kill you.
12:27He will.
12:28We'll leave it at that.
12:31Tough crowd.
12:32When it comes to ways to spend your Easter, though, it doesn't get much better than this.
12:39The best thing about living in Florida, beautiful weather, right on the water, hanging out with friends on the weekend
12:45and your kids.
12:46That's what this is all about.
12:47But as captain of a fire station, David's also got to host an even bigger event this weekend, an annual
12:54Easter egg hunt for the whole community.
13:06On the highway to the scenic Key West on the southernmost tip of Florida.
13:10Whoo, step on that.
13:13Golf pro of 30 years, Peter, and former corporate recruitment consultant, Judy, are celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary with a
13:22well-deserved mini break.
13:27Peter's the reason we're out here, and Peter is the reason that's keeping us out here.
13:31When he's not out coaching, he's on the phone all day and he's talking to potential customers.
13:36With Judy retired from her high-pressure career in the UK, she and Peter now want to spend quality time
13:42together exploring Florida's fun Atlantic coastline, ending with meeting friends in the Florida Keys.
13:51Do you remember that place we used to go with Jackson's Ice Cream Parlour?
13:55Yeah.
13:55Let's go there. They do the best ice creams.
13:59But before they take a trip down memory lane, there's someone special they want to see.
14:08Oh, it's so beautiful.
14:09Oh, it's lovely here, isn't it?
14:11We're meeting my sister. She lives in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth area.
14:15Damn!
14:15She's been here for 40-plus years. It'd be nice to see her, catch up with her.
14:20What have you got planned for your road trip?
14:22Oh, we're going to go to Jackson's.
14:24Do you remember Jackson's Ice Cream Parlour?
14:26Oh, Jackson's Ice Cream Parlour.
14:26Oh, amazing, amazing place.
14:27I mean, it was you that showed it to us.
14:29I like it.
14:29That's a great place.
14:30Yeah.
14:31We just want to go and see some roadside attractions on the way.
14:34Then we're going to head down to the Keys.
14:36You're going to have a lot of fun, don't you?
14:38Yeah.
14:39Cheers, gang.
14:40Cheers.
14:40To our anniversary.
14:42And to our road trip.
14:43Happy anniversary.
14:44Great road trip.
14:45Golf bro Peter's got an idea for an extra treat to add to their anniversary itinerary.
14:52You wait here.
14:53I'll be back in a sec.
14:54Okay.
14:55I'm waiting.
14:55All right.
14:57I've got a plan, all right?
14:59There's got to be golf involved today.
15:02So I'm thinking, let's do mini golf, mini golf, mini golf, mini golf, mini golf, mini golf, mini golf.
15:06And she can choose from any one of those six.
15:08It'll be fantastic.
15:12A little selection for you.
15:13Something fun to choose from.
15:15Oh, great.
15:16Okay.
15:16There you go.
15:17Take your pick.
15:21Are you kidding me?
15:24Not the most romantic start.
15:27As always, lovely to see you.
15:28But next up, mini golf.
15:31All right.
15:35This was meant to be you and I spending some time together for our anniversary.
15:39And you bring me here.
15:40Oh, geez.
15:41It's quality time, baby.
15:42It's quality time spent.
15:43Quality for you.
15:45Mwah.
15:45Quality time spent together.
15:47Even though he plays golf for a living, Peter still takes it very seriously.
15:52We'd love a scorecard, please.
15:54Right.
15:54I'm going to go purple, 35 inch.
15:59Oh, blimey.
16:00I'll tell you what.
16:02Come on.
16:03Oh.
16:03That's a really good effort.
16:04In your own time.
16:10I'm getting absolutely hammered.
16:12Absolutely hammered.
16:13Says the professional golfer to the novice.
16:15Look at this.
16:16Oh, behave.
16:17Oh, it's so good.
16:19I just didn't realise just how good she was.
16:23Oh.
16:27Did you see that?
16:29And I feel a bit embarrassed because she basically wiped the floor with me.
16:37Yay!
16:39I won!
16:46To celebrate her win, we're better than their next stop with Judy's favourite, the turtle
16:52sundae with vanilla, pecan and cookie ice cream.
16:57Oh, my goodness.
17:00Happy anniversary.
17:02Oh, thank you.
17:05Oh, thank you.
17:06Thank you so much.
17:06You're welcome.
17:08The 70-year-old ice cream parlour isn't always this noisy.
17:12You know that siren that they set off?
17:15That's like for special celebrations.
17:17And because of our anniversary, they did that for us.
17:19How sweet is that?
17:24I love Judy to pieces.
17:26This has been such a great move for us.
17:28And we have just bonded and just looking forward to making new memories.
17:33The double chocolate chip is to die for.
17:36Have a go at that.
17:38That's flipping lovely.
17:39Mmm.
17:40Oh, my God.
17:42I've been coming here since I was about 17, 18 years old.
17:45And now I'm back with you, my favourite person in the world.
17:48Wow.
17:49But with 125 miles to go and friends to me to the Keys, it's time to get back on the
17:55road.
17:55I'm so dumb.
18:08Like her fellow Brits, Holly from Northampton is also on a deadline.
18:13On this bright, sunny morning in the arty city of St. Petersburg, she needs to get into character fast.
18:20I'm impressed at your head-balancing skills.
18:22Oh, thank you.
18:23Oh, yes.
18:24The Renaissance Fair gates open in less than two hours and Holly needs to turn into alter-ego Lady Catherine.
18:31But it's 8am and already scorching hot.
18:35Oh, it's so hot already.
18:36So the first priority is creating shade.
18:40We like to have plenty of space to cool down, get ready.
18:42We should just walk around like this all day.
18:44Yeah.
18:45No, we should hire four people to walk around like this all day.
18:49There we go.
18:50With the tent up, Holly can begin the transformation into Lady Catherine, who will be escorted by her posse.
18:58All right, I'm running back to the truck real quick.
19:00OK.
19:01Like Holly, they must entertain the crowds by appearing in character all day, walking around and enjoying the fair.
19:09At this fair, I always have with me the Countess of Lennox, played by Grace.
19:13Then we have our master florist to the Queen, played by Stephen.
19:17And then finally, we have Father Rob, who is a legitimate priest.
19:22Not only is Rob a real priest, he also plays the role of an Elizabethan one at the fair.
19:27I am a Anglican papalist priest.
19:31I founded Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Anglican Mission Society.
19:36So I travel all over the world.
19:39I found the Renaissance Fair circuit here in 2020.
19:42Obviously, the world shut down.
19:44I couldn't go home anymore.
19:45My life was kind of falling apart.
19:47Now, my best friends are all around the circuit.
19:50They're the most supportive community you could ever ask for.
19:56It's going to snap me in the face.
20:00The cast are paid up to $300 a day.
20:03But as it's only weekend work, Holly set up a medieval footwear company to help fund her passion.
20:09My lady, how much could this be?
20:12$150. You get $10 off.
20:15It's not even 9am.
20:16And on the other side of the fair, business partner Melinda has hit a problem.
20:22Even though I'm Lady Catherine at this fair today, the shop is still here as well.
20:25So I'm still taking business calls, making sure that my guys have everything they need.
20:28It never stops.
20:30Is it Debbie amid two-tone black and purple?
20:34I will try and find the message of which boots they are.
20:37A customer wants to pick up some pre-ordered boots, and Melinda doesn't know where they are.
20:42Fortunately, Holly digs out the customer's order.
20:45Everything's fine. We're going to sell all the boots today, and everything's going to be wonderful.
20:48All right. Love you. Speak to you later.
20:50All right. Love you too. Bye.
20:51Bye.
20:54The problem's solved without anyone seeing her break character.
20:57And she, Father Rob, Grace Steven, and his daughter Athena can concentrate on getting ready.
21:04All right, Melinda, let's break a world record and get this on. Let's see if you can do it.
21:08In ten minutes, we have morning meeting, where we'll find out the storyline for today.
21:12It's basically the one time to get all the entertainers together and be like, here is your information.
21:17The characters have to follow a storyline specific to each fair.
21:21So, if they miss the meeting, they won't know what that is.
21:25And Holly's still nowhere near ready.
21:27All right, guys. Probably time to head off so we don't get yelled at.
21:29You're already speed walking.
21:32But no one knows where they need to be.
21:35Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
21:42No, we're not. We thought board meeting was here.
21:44We'll do laps around.
21:45We'll do a lap.
21:46After a quick diversion through Holly's shop.
21:48So sorry. Coming through. We'll be back.
21:51They find it.
21:52That's where we're meant to be.
21:53And it's already in full swing.
21:56Interact with them.
21:57That's kind of our purpose for being here.
21:59They've missed the storyline.
22:01When the gates open soon, Holly needs to make sure she's in character and on message.
22:22In the waterside village of Tequesta, Dublin-born fire captain David is getting ready to host the station's annual Easter
22:30egg hunt.
22:31Just help me pop this up.
22:33We're going to let the kids squirt some water. We're going to give them rides in our fire engine.
22:37We're super excited. We open our doors to invite the community in to meet the firefighters.
22:44So when they call us in their hour of need, maybe they can put a face with our names.
22:50And it's important that David and his team keep their community of 6,000 residents happy as well as safe.
22:58It's the people's tax dollars that pay for the firehouse.
23:01They're the ones that pay our wages. They're the ones that buy the trucks, pay for the maintenance on the
23:05building.
23:07Go up one more. Perfect.
23:09We usually get a big crowd here for these type of things. So, yeah, it's going to get a little
23:13hectic around here now in the next couple of hours.
23:15Let's get these trucks out.
23:1820 years of firefighter, David's family values are as important here at the station as they are at home.
23:25We have a logo up on the wall in there that says, in this family, no one fights alone. And
23:30that's so true.
23:31We've all been through good times and bad times together. We've been to each other's weddings as best men.
23:36We've been to funerals together and held each other's hands.
23:38When we move all these trucks out, we'll set the tables up. Just nice and easy, Joe.
23:44You can call any one of these guys if you're in need and they'll be there in 15 minutes, no
23:48questions asked.
23:50We are a family.
23:53If he's want to come and just help me bring this stuff out.
23:57This is extra baskets in case any kids don't have it.
24:00Lara has worked with David now for over two years.
24:03Here at Tequesta, we work 24-hour shifts, so we all end up being really good friends and family.
24:08There's two. That's good.
24:09Captain Montgomery is a great guy.
24:15Stick that one in the middle one.
24:17Busy, busy, busy.
24:19What we're going to do here in the next few minutes is lay out all the eggs the best we
24:23possibly can.
24:24From the front all the way down.
24:26The on-duty crew, you know the usual stuff. You're going to show off the trucks.
24:30There's a lot of prep goes into these open houses.
24:32So although we have like seven or eight guys on shift, if the tones go, they have to leave.
24:37So we've got to bring in all the guys off shift.
24:40And what we do is we bring in their families, my daughters.
24:43They'll help whatever way they possibly can.
24:45This is my daughters, guys.
24:47This is Sage and Kylie.
24:48They're going to be helping us out today.
24:50Kylie, you're going to be in doing the pictures.
24:53And then Sage, you can help everywhere, okay?
24:55With food, fire engines, hose pipes and eggs to sort, it's a scramble to get everything ready.
25:02We've got 3,000 eggs, start spreading them out, but keep moving that way.
25:06Try getting a bunch outside as well.
25:08Paramedic John has one of the most important jobs.
25:11So these are the golden eggs and whoever finds these, they bring them back to us and they get a
25:16prize.
25:17So I'm trying to hide them.
25:18So it's like literally on both sides, yeah?
25:22Let's go spread them out, Sage.
25:25These kids will suck up these 3,000 eggs in about 30 seconds.
25:28And trust me, you do not want to get in their way because they will run you over.
25:31With the local community on their way, David and both his home and work families must finish up fast.
25:47Three hours away towards the north of the Florida Keys, Hertfordshire couple Peter and Judy are 360 miles into their
25:55epic 800 mile round trip.
25:58Oh, my God, do you know what there is?
26:01It's a giant roadside lobster.
26:04Is that Betsy?
26:05Betsy.
26:05Betsy the lobster.
26:07100% we should go there.
26:09They're travelling from their home in Palm Coast south to Duck Key in the middle of the Florida Keys, celebrating
26:16their 27th anniversary.
26:18OK, let's see, the next stop.
26:20When I first met Jude, I knew there was something special about her and look at us now, we are
26:25absolutely living our dream.
26:28With Judy retired from her demanding 32-year career, she and golf pro Peter are taking a well-earned break.
26:35And their next stop is one of the quirkier sights Florida has to offer.
26:40Right.
26:42What the heck is this all about?
26:47Originally created in the 80s to promote a fish restaurant, standing 40 feet long and 30 feet high, Betsy the
26:54lobster now has pride of place next to the main road through the Keys.
27:00Seriously?
27:01O.
27:01M.
27:02G.
27:03What have we got ourselves into here?
27:05Oh no.
27:05Is this what they stopped for?
27:07Betsy the lobster.
27:08Wow.
27:08This is insane.
27:10And we're the only ones here.
27:11They have this and there's no one here to see it.
27:13I'm not quite sure what it's all about.
27:16A lot of the Americans are obsessed with the roadside attractions and you know what?
27:20They'll stick a lollipop in the ground and call it a roadside attraction if they really could.
27:24Look at the size of that.
27:25Yeah.
27:26Fabulous.
27:27After Betsy, let's get in that car because it's scorching.
27:30Hell yeah.
27:35With their sights set on Duck Key, their final destination in the Florida Keys, they're hitting the road again.
27:42I really didn't think we would ever end up in Florida.
27:45There's not a chance I was coming here.
27:47You know, I've got a life, I've got friends, I've got family and here we are living this life.
27:50It's brilliant.
27:51Timing's everything.
27:53The string of over 1,700 islands off the southern tip of the Florida mainland has one road in and
28:01one road out.
28:02Oh, there's the ocean. Oh, look at that.
28:05That's amazing.
28:06Just fabulous.
28:17It was a heck of a long ride.
28:20Yeah.
28:20But we've seen an awful lot of great things.
28:22We saw Betsy, never to be seen again.
28:26This looks beautiful.
28:27It's right on the ocean.
28:29We're going to have a good few days.
28:30Yeah.
28:32And tomorrow, they'll be joining their friends for a special anniversary celebration.
28:44At the St. Petersburg Renaissance Fair, there's pressure on Holly from Northampton to be ready for when it opens.
28:52Go finish getting ready now.
28:53We now have 26 minutes to finish getting ready and at front gate and know exactly what's going on.
28:58All right.
28:58Ready, guys?
29:00Everyone's got parasols?
29:04Mama duck's leading her ducklings.
29:06Come on, children.
29:07Are we supposed to be out there?
29:09We will wait on the inside.
29:10Oh, wonderful.
29:11To welcome the people in.
29:13Having missed the briefing, they don't know today's theme.
29:16Luckily, boyfriend Aidan does, but Holly needs to be discreet, as her Elizabethan character would not have 21st century tech.
29:24Aidan has found the storyline out.
29:27The Shakespeare is flirting with the Queen, and Marlowe is trying to run interference of which is going to be
29:31the best playwright.
29:37The characters can now follow the plotline as they greet the incoming patrons.
29:43Good day.
29:43Good day.
29:45Good day.
29:46Good morrow.
29:47Good morrow.
29:49A solid opening gate.
29:51Shall we go Maypole?
29:52Of course.
29:53Off to the Maypole.
29:58We actually all met at the Maypole.
30:00I was married at the time.
30:02I went through a divorce.
30:03The community is so welcoming.
30:06It is everything that I want and everything that I love.
30:12Huzzah!
30:16I think it's time for us to do to go shopping.
30:18Yay!
30:19Shopping!
30:20Shopping!
30:22Before Holly visits the other shops, she needs to check on her own store, whilst remaining in character around the
30:28public.
30:29I wonder whose shop this is over here.
30:31Doesn't this one look marvelous?
30:32I know.
30:33Good day, good day.
30:35Fine leather footwear and more right this way.
30:38To help fund her passion for playing a character, Holly needs her fantastical footwear business to make $3,500 each
30:46opening day to stay on track.
30:49Fully stocked and ready to go.
30:50Yeah, that's good.
30:51It looks good.
30:52Yeah, of course it does.
30:52Well, yeah, obviously.
30:54Of course it looks beautiful.
30:55Excellent.
30:55We're going to wander around and see what shops are around.
30:58Very good.
30:59I will miss you.
31:00There are over 50 different stalls to see.
31:04Oh, look at that.
31:05That's gorgeous.
31:06Oh, I know.
31:07And Father Robert is looking for a new cup.
31:10Hello.
31:11Did you see these ones?
31:12I'm always trying.
31:14As we walk around the Renfair, we can't be drinking out of water cups or anything that's modern, so we
31:19all have various different chalices.
31:20Or, in fact, Stephen has a rather lovely one here that he found.
31:24There's a spitting image of my mistress.
31:26I am not a fan.
31:29The likeness is there.
31:30The likeness is so there.
31:31I must be away.
31:33Yeah.
31:34Fare thee well, Molly.
31:35Fare thee well, Anon.
31:36See you at Joustie Joust.
31:37Yes, I'll see you at Joustie.
31:38At the Joustie Arena, Holly's boyfriend, Aidan, is getting his, or rather Sir Gideon's horse, Hero, ready for the first
31:45of two shows.
31:47Hero has matching costuming to myself and Sir Gideon.
31:50So, you'll see everything is in this beautiful Dupioni iridescent silk.
31:54All made by Holly, and Aidan's outfit completes the set.
31:58So, Aidan's shirt will match my underskirt.
32:00I had this shirt first, so her underskirt matches my shirt.
32:04After gathering her entourage...
32:06Let's go cheer on Sir Gideon.
32:09...Lady Catherine and the gang join the Queen to watch Aidan and Hero's performance.
32:14Bring forth your knights, Sir William.
32:17Bizarre!
32:20Aidan's life is pretty much a fantasy life.
32:25However, he is the epitome of how hard-working you have to be in our life.
32:29He has worked in the Ren Faire since he could walk.
32:31We award this to Jean-Michel.
32:38I think her majesty has an affinity to the French.
32:42With Aidan gathering himself ready for a second guest later, Holly gets a quick update on her shoe business.
32:49Five pairs of boots, a bunch of shoes.
32:53Before she, Father Rob, Steven and Grace can have a much-needed break from character at their tent.
33:00Smile!
33:01My big head's in the side, there we go.
33:03There we go.
33:04I really enjoy Ren Faires because of the creativity, the music, the acts, so many talented people in one area
33:12and to be a part of it.
33:13It's really special.
33:15With the afternoon temperature rising and still over four hours left, they must all refuel and recharge.
33:23It's the heat of the day. I'm losing my mind.
33:25Ready to please their public once again.
33:43In the hearts of the Florida Keys, British couple Peter and Judy are celebrating their 27th anniversary with new American
33:50friends Sharon, Steve, Mary and Dan.
33:54Nice to see you.
33:55Nice to see you.
33:56I'm glad you made it okay.
33:58We've only been in the U.S. now for just over two years and making friends has not been difficult
34:05because they are seriously so nice and all want to get to know you, which is great.
34:09Let's go! Come on! Two babies!
34:15They've planned a special dinner together, but now while the chaps go fishing, the ladies are hitting the shops.
34:21We've got a shot. We've got to go to Margaritaville, haven't we?
34:25Yeah, I'd like to go into some of the art shops.
34:28Oh, yeah, let's do that as well.
34:30Judy wants to pick up an anniversary gift for Peter and possibly a little something for herself.
34:37Right, girls, where are we starting? Hats. Hang on. How's that one looking? Oh, it's a bit big on my
34:43head. Oh, but it kind of suits me. It's like Crystal Carrington, if anyone can remember that long ago.
34:50But Judy thinks pal Mary is channeling a different 80s TV character, a little less glamorous than the dynasty divas.
34:58Hang on, Mary. What are you doing?
35:01I love, I love all this.
35:03I'm sorry, but I'm feeling Wurzel Gummidge.
35:06Hopefully, the British kids' Scarecrow series didn't make it across the Atlantic.
35:10We have to go in here. There's a lot of sparkly stuff.
35:14Oh, look at that. I love it.
35:18Do you know what? I think we'll put a rhinoceros head on the wall. How beautiful would that be?
35:23Time for a drinky-poos.
35:25After a cheeky drink...
35:26Love you, girls. Cheers.
35:29Judy has a flash of inspiration for Peter.
35:32Do you know what? It's not about the big value thing. It's about the memory.
35:36So I'm going to go in here, see if I can find a postcard, which he used to send to
35:40me when he was here 30 years ago, buying me cards and sending them over to the UK.
35:47Postcard bought, Judy can get ready for tonight's dinner and add a finishing touch to her gift.
35:58Seeing as how we met, I thought what would be really cute, I would just buy him a little card,
36:05a little postcard, write a little note to him.
36:06But Peter's pipped her to the post with the surprises.
36:10It's our anniversary, and I just wanted to mark it with just a little something just to mark the occasion.
36:17That's so nice. Thank you.
36:19Just something fun.
36:20Oh, my, it's so nice. Oh, that is absolutely stunning. I've got something for you, too. A little surprise.
36:27Oh, how lovely. I wasn't expecting this.
36:31Oh, what is this?
36:33It's a postcard.
36:35Dear Peter, this is where it all started. And whilst we're still on our journey, I couldn't think or wish
36:41for a better Florida pal to be doing it with love you and happy anniversary.
36:45I'm going to fill up. Thanks, babe. That's so lovely.
36:49Remember when you used to send me postcards?
36:51Yeah. Yeah, I love that.
36:54Hey.
36:55Hey, gang.
36:57Come and grab a seat.
36:58Love to.
36:59Come and join us.
37:01This epic Florida adventure is finally at an end. But with the whole state as their playground, it probably won't
37:08be their last.
37:10Here's to our 27th anniversary.
37:12Cheers, everyone. Cheers, gang. Cheers, gang.
37:15Cheers, gang.
37:24In the village of Tequesta near Palm Beach, there are festivities in store for Fire Captain David from Dublin, too.
37:32The people with the golden eggs will come to us.
37:34With the whole of his wage-paying community to please at the station's annual egg hunt.
37:40We'll have three- and four-year-olds, five- and six-year-olds, and then our seven- and
37:45then eight-year-olds will come down this one because they're the ones that are going to run all the
37:49way through.
37:5032 years ago, the small community of 6,000 voted to set up their very own fire department that now
37:57get around 1,500 emergency calls every year.
38:01I'm a firefighter. My job is to help somebody in their hour of need, so it's a very, very satisfying
38:07job because they're so appreciative.
38:11David and his team like to give back to the people of Tequesta with special events like this.
38:18Please do not stop right at the front or we're going to have chaos.
38:23All right? So run right through. There's loads of eggs. Keep going deep in.
38:28These highly trained firefighters are prepared for anything.
38:33Five, four, three, two, one.
38:38But they're not getting in the way of 150 kids and 3,000 eggs.
38:48They're like little ninjas rolling in and then they're on top of each other.
38:52The parents and the firefighters, we all get a good laugh out of it.
39:01Just chaos, but it's great to see all the families, all the kids. That's what this is all about.
39:06And David's daughter, Sage, helps make sure one of the golden eggs goes to a good home.
39:14So Sage actually got it and she gave it to two small kids that arrived late. Their mother came over
39:20to me to say thank you so much.
39:22All right, we've got to clear the side so you can get the engine going. Now we'll start doing some
39:26truck rides, squirt the water.
39:28It's a chance for David and his team to show the local residents what their taxes pay for and how
39:34the equipment can help keep them safe.
39:38It's 175 pounds. That's bigger than me. Can we move it?
39:45Yeah!
39:48All right, hit the crash kit, hit the crash kit. Right there and go.
39:54David's wife Melissa and son Caden have also come to join in.
39:58And he's roped in some of the station's former firefighters to help out too.
40:03All retired captains and chiefs over there.
40:07Including one very close to David's heart.
40:10Captain Boone, when I first started here, I was an intern. I was making $6 something an hour.
40:14He was always offering to pay my bills and everything just so I could get through the schooling and everything
40:18else.
40:19See, we kind of became like a fighter figure to me over here.
40:23The night Shalem was born, you called me literally 30 minutes after to say you got the job and you
40:30were going on on the phone.
40:31And I said, bud, this is the happiest day of my life. Thank you.
40:34But I said, I just had a baby. I got to go.
40:36Your dad made me the best compliment they could pay him, you know, but he said, bud, you're his father
40:40in the States.
40:41I'm his father in Ireland.
40:43He came with a heart the size of this building and it's never changed.
40:47And I love you, bud. Oh, my God.
40:49Thanks, Will.
40:51Love you.
40:54But there's no more time to reminisce. The firehouse is still at work.
40:58Oh, they're getting a call.
41:00When the emergency call goes off, David's on-duty team have to respond to a possible gas leak.
41:11But the show must go on.
41:13Excellent. There we go.
41:18It's been a great turnout. So are the local residents going away happy?
41:22Well, the event that they put on today is great. They do it great every single year. Super entertaining for
41:27everyone.
41:28They always make sure we all get involved and have a good time.
41:32Bunch of fine gentlemen. They showed us how to, you know, work the hoses, carry around some dummy dolls.
41:38All right. All right. Let's get them just where they go.
41:41All the fun and games are over right now. Now we've got to put the firehouse back together again.
41:46With the emergency call dealt with, it's all hands on deck to get things back to normal.
41:52Guys are bringing out the chairs, cleaning everything up outside, putting trucks away, getting everything ready to go.
41:57And with 17 hours of their shift left, they take a moment to refuel and recuperate, ready for when their
42:04next call comes in.
42:05We're here 24 hours a day. These guys work hard all day long. They're ready to respond at a moment's
42:11notice.
42:12These open houses, they're a big, massive group effort, but it's a fun day.
42:16It really is. And just to meet all the kids and see smiles on their faces, that's what this is
42:20all about.
42:29Over at the St. Petersburg Renaissance Fair on Florida's Gulf Coast, Brit Holley has been enjoying a much-needed break,
42:36ready to get back into character once more for the fair-going public.
42:41Just having a bit of a hope situation.
42:48Holly's next calling point is to visit some German mercenaries known as the Lances.
42:53They are very historically accurate. Their costumes are fully researched, beautiful and all handmade.
43:01So today we'll be training the squad in the art of swordplay.
43:05This is exciting.
43:07I'm excited.
43:09As we move the sword in front of us, we are stepping and striking at the same time.
43:18Not bad.
43:19Are you ready?
43:20No.
43:21Two, one.
43:23Well, you're dead.
43:24Okay.
43:25Three, two, one.
43:27Well, you're dead.
43:29Okay.
43:31Hey, you dead too?
43:32Yeah!
43:32I'm a lover, not a fighter.
43:35Fighting may not be their strong suit, but it is Holly's boyfriend, Aidan's, as she and her entourage accompany the
43:42Queen of the Renaissance Fair to see his second outing.
43:48Are you joining us on the dice?
43:50We would love to, yes.
43:51Final joust of the daytime, so we are going to cheer on Sir Gideon. Fingers crossed he doesn't die, because
43:55it is a joust of the day.
44:00One of the most fun things about being Lady Catherine is that when I attend the jousts, I attend them
44:04on the dais with the Queen.
44:06So, therefore, I've got the best view of the action.
44:08I call for the green and copper! Sir Gideon!
44:12Woo!
44:13Henson!
44:15Ow!
44:17The only downside of that is I can also see exactly how it's all going down, so I can see
44:21anything that might be going wrong.
44:23Please don't die!
44:23Because I know the show's inside out.
44:28Stop it!
44:30Ah!
44:32Leave him alone!
44:35But after a fight to the bitter end...
44:38I give you the bitter!
44:40Go!
44:41Gideon!
44:44Justice is done!
44:46And chivalry leg!
44:49Now stop rolling in the mud, I have to do your laundry.
44:53The crowd seem happy with everyone's characters.
44:57Did you have fun? Did you enjoy the show?
44:59Yes!
45:00I love your outfit!
45:01Thank you so much!
45:03With the gates closing, Holly's posse are done, but there's one last thing for her to do.
45:09I'm now going to check my sales for the day.
45:11Keeping the shop on budget is the most important thing, because entertainment is what I love, it's what I'm passionate
45:15about, I love the Lady Catherine, however she doesn't pay as well as I would like her to.
45:19To stay on track, the business needs to make $3,500 each opening day.
45:25Yes!
45:27We have done over $5,000 today, which means we are now ahead of budget, so we have had an
45:32epic day.
45:33There you are!
45:35Having successfully stayed in character all day, Holly and her entourage can finally relax.
45:42Oh!
45:44Huzzah!
45:45Continuing to live this fantasy, that's the dream.
45:48To do this, I have to be in America, and Florida is the best place to do it.
45:52It's Prosecco time!
45:55Cheers, guys!
45:56Cheers!
45:57Excellent weekend!
45:58A marvellous use of their historically accurate cups.