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00:00For 10 years, we've been celebrating plucky Brits chasing their dreams in the sunshine.
00:07Isn't this just the perfect life?
00:10Absolutely.
00:11But there's plenty more following in their footsteps.
00:14Go on, close your eyes.
00:16I don't know whether I dare.
00:17These expats are flying in the face of Brexit.
00:20They have kept my passport, which is a bit of a shock.
00:25And joining Europe anyway.
00:27Suck it and see as they say, hey.
00:29Need a bit of luck.
00:31Investing blood, sweat and tears.
00:34Oh.
00:35Oh, no.
00:36Oh, no!
00:38What a pain in the...
00:41From riding centres in Bulgaria to antique shops in France.
00:46We'll be millionaires next year.
00:48Rodney.
00:49Rodney.
00:50They're queuing up...
00:53Come on.
00:55..to build their new lives in the sun.
00:57There's no going back. Not going to happen.
01:01Today, it's all change for British sun seekers
01:05trying to put their own stamp on properties abroad.
01:08I think that's going to look pretty cool.
01:10Who knew you could get so excited over a toilet?
01:13A B&B in Spain faces some tricky manoeuvres.
01:16Is this going to work? Is this going to fit?
01:19This is such a tight, narrow little road.
01:22A DIY job is harder than expected in Portugal.
01:27ENGINE REVS
01:30Oh, what bodyguard is that?
01:32A major renovation gets under way in Italy.
01:35The risk is that we go back to England
01:38with our tails between our legs.
01:40And two rookie hosts in France are being put to the test.
01:44If I'm honest, I'm a bit anxious, a bit nervous about today.
01:47A bit?
01:56With over 300 days of sunshine a year,
01:59it's no wonder why so many Brits set their sights on Spain
02:03when it comes to making a big move abroad.
02:06Look at this sand.
02:08They literally have combed the beach.
02:10And Norfolk couple Tom and Terry were no exception.
02:14The first thing with Spain is the weather, obviously,
02:16because you know it's going to be hot most of the time.
02:19Sitting down here next to the sea in shorts and T-shirts,
02:22it's just like paradise, really.
02:24In the UK, it's probably pouring with rain
02:27and it's probably windy and cold
02:29and we got to the point where we just didn't want that.
02:32And we haven't really looked back.
02:35After ditching their lives in Blighty,
02:38hairdresser Terry and gift shop owner Tom
02:41are now hard at work doing a massive top-to-bottom reno
02:45on a two-bed Andalusian guest house
02:48to turn it into a vegan B&B.
02:51So the dream is pushing out our vegan philosophy, I suppose,
02:55bringing a little bit of that to Spain, isn't it?
02:58It's July and Tom and Terry have been living at a neighbour's house
03:02during the renovations.
03:04Oh, does it work?
03:06After nine weeks, they're thrilled with the progress.
03:09Wow. Wow. Rapido, rapido. Mucho progreso.
03:14This bit's very exciting because this is actually the entrance
03:18to the B&B part of the building,
03:20so this is where people will come to see all of this down.
03:24And it feels like a real achievement
03:26to start getting these key areas ready for guests.
03:31The heart of the B&B will be the kitchen,
03:34where Tom will be whipping up vegan feasts.
03:37It's now fully tiled
03:39and the lower cabinets are starting to take shape.
03:42But they've just taken delivery of another feature
03:45their future guests are sure to love.
03:48OK, so here's the delivery.
03:50Three toilets, one beige and two blue.
03:52So that was a big decision to make.
03:54Yeah. So we thought blue would be quite fun
03:56and we thought blue toilet with this would look...
03:58Cos it's like a soft blue,
04:00we thought it'd look quite nice with this, didn't we?
04:02It's being quite bold and it comes with that thing of,
04:05it can either work really well and you think,
04:08that's amazing and it's a real talking point,
04:11or you think, oh, my God.
04:13Open the box. What's in the box?
04:15Oh, wow. Wow.
04:18So we wanted one that was quite a modern shape.
04:21Wow, look at it.
04:23This is actually the fun bit where you start to put the cool stuff in.
04:26But I think that's going to look pretty cool.
04:28Who knew you could get so excited over a toilet?
04:32But incredibly, the powder blue loo isn't the best thing about today.
04:39Wow, what's going on here? It's amazing.
04:41This has been what we've been waiting for.
04:44I've suddenly heard a lot of commotion.
04:47This is, like, so exciting because the dumper truck has arrived,
04:50the minidigger, they're going to get rid of about,
04:53I don't know how many tonnes of rubble,
04:55because in the village there's nowhere to put a skip easily
04:58and so they've just filled the courtyard, literally, 10, 12 feet high.
05:02It's a really momentous day today.
05:04Cos it is the space of where the plunge pool is going to be,
05:08it feels like another major step forward in our plans.
05:14Before clearing the rubble,
05:15the builders will also be knocking down two of the garden walls
05:19to create space for a plunge pool.
05:22But before they get started, Tom needs to go on a rescue mission.
05:26So I've got to retrieve a fire pit
05:28and a few bits and pieces from the other side of the wall.
05:31I need to just nip round the corner and pull those out,
05:34otherwise they'll end up in the skip as well, so bear with me.
05:40So, luckily, I can get in this side.
05:43I mean, look at this rubble.
05:48It's a nice fire pit.
05:51Right, we'll sit them outside here for now.
05:58Tom's old shop sign.
05:59So this is from the UK, a bit of memorabilia from the previous life.
06:05It actually looks quite nice here.
06:07We've got no real purpose for these,
06:09but it's just nice to keep certain things,
06:11pop them up in a corner somewhere.
06:13Yeah, I think we'll find somewhere for them.
06:17With the fire pit and memories of a past life safely tucked away,
06:21it's go time for the disposal team,
06:24if they can get to the debris, that is.
06:27Is this going to work? Is this going to fit?
06:29Oh, my goodness.
06:30This is such a tight, narrow little road.
06:33Even the little dumper truck is having a problem to get to the house.
06:38I think they're worried that the weight of the front
06:41on such a steep incline will pull the vehicle down out of control,
06:46you know, on the slope, so...
06:48Pedro's not too worried because he's stood right in front of it.
06:54Finally, the digger is in position.
06:57And now, here goes the first load.
06:59Here's the first load.
07:07Wow.
07:09Look at the dust.
07:14Yay!
07:17After over two months of renovations,
07:19seeing the back of the rubble is a major milestone for Tom and Terry.
07:30Albufeira, on Portugal's southern tip,
07:33is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
07:37But the beaches are so long,
07:39you don't always have to jostle for space on its Atlantic coast.
07:44The water is cold, don't get me wrong, the water's freezing,
07:47but once you're in, it's the most beautiful water you'll ever be in
07:50and you just float and I just want to get in, actually.
07:53It's so hot, I want to get in.
07:55With an eye to scooping up the steady stream of holidaymakers,
07:59Leah from Oldham and her Portuguese husband, Joao,
08:03have opened a cocktail bar just a stone's throw from the beach.
08:07But it's a crowded marketplace
08:09and the couple have put everything they've got on the line.
08:12Here, it's very difficult to get a loan,
08:14so we had to use every last bit of our savings to open the bar,
08:18finish decorating the bar.
08:20Just little things like painting the stools,
08:22that must have cost like 80 euros just for paint and everything like that
08:25and that's just something small that was some stools,
08:27so it's everything and then you need machines...
08:30Machines, licences, stock, we put everything we have
08:33and then we go from there, yeah, exactly.
08:35You never know what's working and what's not.
08:38And it is a challenge, every day is a challenge.
08:42It's September and Leah and Joao are taking advantage
08:46of a thankfully rare slow day
08:48to work on turning the basement of their bar
08:51into a second Western-themed space featuring a new mural.
08:55Complete as we want it is obviously by next season,
08:58but as much as we can for people to see
09:01that it's starting to get the Western theme is the aim,
09:04so the more things we can do, the better.
09:06Leah's prepping a wall for some timber-patterned wallpaper.
09:12It's a lot more paint peeling off than I thought it was going to be.
09:16While Joao makes use of some leftover paint from the mural.
09:21But he's soon running on empty.
09:24I'm going to have to go. You're going to have to go?
09:26Yeah. I'm going to go with my paint.
09:29But little does he know that Leah's got her eye on his prized sander.
09:36Well, try it while it's not here, that's the best time to work.
09:40I guess you just go up and down, no?
09:45Well, what bloody good is that?
09:50Eh? Why don't you put it on?
09:52It turns out to be a lot trickier than she thought.
10:02Why are you not sticking, mate?
10:06So Leah turns to the internet for advice.
10:09How to put paper on sander.
10:13And then has another go.
10:23It's an arm workout.
10:26I think I'm going to give that up as a bad job.
10:30So it's back to sanding by hand.
10:32And when Joao returns with the paint, he's none the wiser.
10:36I'm just going to have to go.
10:38I'm going to have to go.
10:42He's got to go.
10:44He's got to go.
10:50Joao's still got a long way to go.
10:52How's it going there?
11:03I give DIY a good go, it doesn't mean I'm no expert.
11:07By the end of the afternoon Leah's managed to get some of the wallpaper up.
11:12If you come close you can see the issues but if you go far away I think it looks alright.
11:16And Joao has painted most of the bar.
11:20I'm going to leave this to dry.
11:25The bar is still a work in progress but with the summer season coming to an end
11:30Leah's thinking positively about getting it finished over the winter.
11:34This all started from a rustic vibe two months ago and now we're going western so
11:38everything changes as we go along. Run with ideas and just
11:42go with it.
11:49Coming up, everything must go at an old textile mill on Lake Como.
11:55Ripping everything else
11:59and then on a couple of days time we've got a guy turning up to take it all to the tip.
12:03And a recently completed villa in France gets a professional appraisal.
12:08All the beds must be protected with insulation.
12:23Towered over by a dramatic mountain range
12:27Lake Como in northern Italy is world-famous.
12:30With a hundred kilometres of beautiful shoreline
12:34and vivid blue waters to explore, 1.4 million visitors a year
12:39come here in search of a taste of la bella vita.
12:42It's very different here, you wake up and think which mountain should we walk on?
12:46Which part of the lake should we go to?
12:50And one UK couple was unable to resist its call.
12:53We came on holiday once, fell in love with the lake didn't we?
12:57Lovely scenery, absolutely fantastic food,
13:00most beautiful pizzas. So I've got to admit, having a pizza played a part in it.
13:04Yeah.
13:10Company director Ashley and solicitor Summer
13:13Cheers. Cheers big ears. Are planning to give up their day jobs in Bournemouth
13:18to move lock, stock and barrel to Tremezzo.
13:21I don't want to sit behind a desk anymore, you don't want to run a business forever
13:25because of the responsibility, we just want a
13:27different life. We've just got to the point now where we both said that
13:31it's time for us. They've splashed out 360,000 euros
13:36on this four-story building which they plan to turn into a bed and breakfast.
13:41What you're looking at here is a 300-year-old
13:45silk house which is part of the whole building which was a textile
13:50mill for silk. Very old and grey at the moment
13:53but we've got big dreams and visions for it haven't we?
13:57The property needs a top-to-bottom renovation
14:01as it hasn't been touched in years. With their 150,000 euro budget
14:06they're hoping they'll have four en suite bedrooms within a year
14:10and as they've had to take out an Italian mortgage
14:13and they haven't yet had their visas approved, they're betting
14:16everything on this gamble. The risk is
14:19that we go back to England with our tails between our legs.
14:23It's a little bit frightening because it's the biggest risks we've taken.
14:26Yeah, yeah.
14:29It's March 2023 and work on the property has begun.
14:35Let's go.
14:36Sommer has stayed behind in the UK to work
14:40so Ashley has called in some extra muscle in the form of brother Matt
14:44to help him gut the house.
14:48We've got four rooms to clear, two bathrooms,
14:52ripping everything else and then on a couple of days time we've got a guy
14:55turning up to take it all to the tip.
14:57So it's ready for the builders to get cracking
14:59because the quicker we get this done, the quicker they'll get done
15:01and the quicker the neighbours will forgive me for the noise it's going to create.
15:05The construction team is due to start in a month
15:08but as Ashley's only here for three days, he's got to get as much done as he can.
15:14Not only will it save the extra cost of the builders doing it
15:18but it's also bringing back treasured memories.
15:23We're builder's sons so our dad would have loved this
15:27if he'd been alive to come and help.
15:29So this would have been his element.
15:31We grew up on his building sites and I've done a bit of work in the past
15:36doing flats up and that sort of thing.
15:44In order to bring the building up to code,
15:46all the pipe work and electrics need redoing.
15:49There we go.
15:51So even though some of the fixtures and fittings could be reusable,
15:55the builders have insisted everything goes.
15:58Yeah, fold it up. Yeah.
16:03They have to put new in throughout
16:05otherwise they can't guarantee any of their work.
16:07So it's one of those where you've just got to go for the brand new.
16:10It will be more expensive the least you know it gets done and it's done right.
16:14With dreams of being open for business in 12 months,
16:17the journey's only just beginning.
16:22MUSIC
16:25The long British love affair with the Dordogne
16:27shows no sign of fizzling out.
16:30The climate, the landscape and the food in this little pocket of south-west France
16:35have lost none of their allure
16:37and the long roads that twist through the lush green fields
16:41are perfect for anybody who dreams of exploring its wide-open spaces.
16:48What a beautiful day for cycling today, Harry.
16:50Not bad at all, is it? Pretty good.
16:53It's here that Paul and Fiona from Gloucestershire have put down roots
16:57after realising that their 9-to-5 lifestyle in the UK
17:01just wasn't appealing to them.
17:03We would get up in the morning, go to work, come home, have tea,
17:06go to bed, do the same the next day.
17:10They bought a run-down property
17:12and have since turned it into a luxurious six-bedroom villa
17:16complete with a swimming pool
17:18and they've done all of the work themselves.
17:22I'd say we're pretty good as a team.
17:24We just seem to bounce off each other.
17:26If I'm on a bit of a downer, then Paul's on a good day.
17:29So we just seem to keep each other going that way, don't we?
17:32And it's in the contract you're not allowed to get in.
17:35It's in our contract, yeah.
17:39It's June and while Paul and Fiona
17:42have already had their very first paying guests,
17:45they need to keep the ball rolling
17:47to get the business properly off the ground.
17:50The shutters open, all nice and light.
17:53And today they're expecting a visit
17:55which could make or break their first summer season.
17:58And it's got Fiona's nerves in a tizzy.
18:02Have a glass of wine?
18:03No. No? OK.
18:05If I'm honest, I'm a bit anxious, a bit nervous about today.
18:08A bit?
18:09I think, I don't know whether it's my age, as I get older,
18:12I feel more anxious on certain occasions.
18:16An inspector from the French tourist office
18:19is coming to give the business its official rating
18:22and he's expected in just a few hours.
18:26I'll carry on then. Back on.
18:29It would be nice to get a higher rating as we can get.
18:32I don't think we'll get a five star because we don't have air con
18:36and there's a couple of other things that we don't have
18:39which I think will affect our five star rating.
18:41But a three or a four should be possible.
18:44But we'll keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.
18:49The renovations have lasted eight years
18:52and cost more than they anticipated,
18:54even after doing all the labour themselves.
18:57The star rating they achieve from the inspector today
19:00could help them attract business and affect their prices
19:04so the stakes couldn't be higher.
19:06Just making sure that everything's OK.
19:08I did a quick flip when this morning.
19:10Normally we have provided two types of towels, two sizes,
19:15a big bath towel and a hand towel.
19:17Now, when I read through the list,
19:19they want three different size hand towels.
19:21So, luckily, I had these in the cupboard.
19:26And after a quick change of clothes,
19:28they're just in time for the inspector's arrival.
19:32Hello, sir. How are you?
19:34OK.
19:35Fiona.
19:36Fiona and Paul.
19:37Yes.
19:38Very good.
19:39So this is the house?
19:40Yes.
19:41It's clear the inspector will leave no stone unturned.
19:49From measuring the size of the rooms
19:51to counting the cutlery
19:53to checking the width of the mattresses,
19:55nothing escapes his eagle eye.
20:02OK.
20:06But he's also got a few suggestions for the newbie hosts.
20:32After a few nerve-wracking hours,
20:34the inspector departs, leaving his verdict behind.
20:45But after eight years of putting blood, sweat and tears
20:48into the property, how many stars has all that work got them?
20:53It's better than I thought because we've now got four stars.
20:56Four stars.
20:57Yeah.
20:58Let's get the plaque.
20:59We have a plaque.
21:00He said, we want a plaque, and I'm like, yes, we want a plaque.
21:03Four stars.
21:05We were very fortunate because he was such a nice man.
21:08He was a really nice man.
21:09He was very pleasant, very nice.
21:11Very complimentary.
21:12Very complimentary of the work.
21:14Shall we see how much fizz we can get going?
21:16No.
21:19An official four-star rating is a huge boost for a brand-new business.
21:24Paul and Fiona can use it across all the booking websites
21:28and they'll be listed on the local tourist board's catalogue.
21:31Cheers, my lover.
21:33Cheers to the four stars.
21:35Our hard work has paid off.
21:37Cheers, darling.
21:43Coming up...
21:45I think it's just going to fall down.
21:49..Tom and Terry come to blows.
21:51Is it possible to get divorced over the tiles around your pool?
21:55Leah struggles with technology...
21:58Come on, please work.
22:00And it doesn't help that the printer's in French,
22:02so I don't have a clue what it says.
22:04..and a miscommunication...
22:06Pero?
22:07Baño?
22:08No.
22:09..hits Ashley right in the pocketbook.
22:14450 euros.
22:16Yeah.
22:17All right, then.
22:26Back in Bedar...
22:29..it's day two of the rubble removal.
22:34We were awoken this morning at about eight o'clock by beep, beep, beep,
22:39and we thought, well, they've come again, that's good.
22:41With so many tonnes of tat to transport,
22:44the builders have been making endless trips down narrow roads
22:48from the casa to the large skip parked on the outskirts of the village.
22:56But despite the disruption, Tom and Terry are thrilled.
23:01Wow, look at that.
23:03It's kind of like a whole timeline of the build.
23:06We've got everything, yoghurt pots, we've got wardrobes, bathroom fittings.
23:11It's like layers of rock, you know?
23:13Like we're excavating.
23:15By midday, the digger has been working its bucket off for hours
23:19and it's time for phase two.
23:22This load is the last load, apparently.
23:25Then this big skip is full capacity.
23:28So then it's operation knock down the walls, so bring it on.
23:35This is the moment. Drum roll, please.
23:39I think it's just going to fall down.
23:42We're excited for this bit because it's the most exciting part of the renovation.
23:46Yeah.
23:47Because to think we will have our own little plunge pool.
23:50It's like the dream.
23:52Yay!
23:54It's down, it's down.
24:09With the courtyard almost clear...
24:11Let's have a look.
24:13Wow.
24:14..Tom and Terry can finally get a proper idea
24:17of what their new plunge pool space will be like.
24:22Now the wall's been knocked down, you can see how thick it was,
24:25so it's given us that extra sort of foot, foot and a half,
24:29and this is all pool, this whole area.
24:31It's quite a big space, actually.
24:33You can really imagine it now.
24:35Just having a little drink in the pool and chilling out.
24:39Getting the last few rays of the day.
24:41Seeing all the sky and everything.
24:43It's going to be really, a really great space, actually.
24:48Nearly a month later and the plunge pool is progressing nicely.
24:53Can you believe this is so...
24:55Close.
24:56You just can't wait to be in.
24:58Floating in the water.
24:59Dangling your legs off the edge.
25:01It's going to be amazing.
25:02Although there is one major bone of contention.
25:06Is it possible to get divorced over the tiles around your pool?
25:10Maybe.
25:11Possibly.
25:12So the big debate has been...
25:16..the tiles to go on this terrace.
25:18It's been really hard to find ones that we like.
25:22So I think we've come up with some, but they are a terracotta colour,
25:26which I think, actually, they're going to look amazing.
25:29It's just persuading you they're going to look amazing.
25:32He is fussy and hard to please.
25:34No.
25:36The outdoor areas are racking up a hefty 26,000 euro tab,
25:41so it's vital Tom and Terry get the design exactly right.
25:49And that means building the pool seating to the perfect height.
25:53I think maybe a little bit higher, do you think?
25:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:56For me, only because I'm only small,
25:58so once you're sitting on the seat and then the water level here...
26:02You want to comfortably be above it.
26:04I want to be able to sit, like, just maybe water to here.
26:11Would it be this way?
26:13Try and sit on that.
26:14And then I would be...
26:17Oh!
26:18Yeah, it's good, because then it will be just, like, here, I suppose.
26:24With each little choice made,
26:26the bed and breakfast is inching ever closer to completion.
26:31Now it's almost back to a regular house.
26:33You start to see the end and the finish,
26:35and it'll be exciting to get back in there
26:37and start living our life, won't it, really?
26:39Muchas gracias. Muchas gracias.
26:42I think it's come together really well.
26:44We're really pleased with it so far.
26:46And come September, we'll be raring to go and get that last bit done.
26:49So we can then just have that final push to bring it all together.
27:01Back in Albufeira,
27:03business has been slowly but steadily growing
27:05at Lear and Joao's Cocktail Bar.
27:08They've spent the summer trying new angles to keep their tables full,
27:12and it seems to be paying off.
27:15This evening is quiz night,
27:17which has become a regular fixture in their diary.
27:23Yeah, it's been a good month so far, and the quizzes are doing really well.
27:26Thursday is always a really good day that we know is going to carry on.
27:29And we're quite organised today.
27:31We have a girl on tables and we have an extra barman in today
27:34just to help us row in the back of the bar,
27:36even if it's just pouring beers
27:38or going to get ice out of the freezer, little things like that.
27:41So we're very organised today.
27:43There should be no stress. It should go nice and smooth.
27:46Fingers crossed.
27:49Come on, please work.
27:51But there seems to be a small snag with the question sheets.
27:54It's not working.
27:56And with the bar quickly filling up with quizzes,
27:59it's the worst possible time for a printer problem.
28:02I am printing my sheets,
28:04but it seems like my printer doesn't want to work again.
28:06And it doesn't help that the printer's in French,
28:08so I don't have a clue what it says.
28:10Luckily, the printer gods are smiling.
28:12It's working.
28:14And Lear gets her sheets just in time.
28:18It looks like it's going to be their busiest quiz night yet.
28:22MUSIC PLAYS
28:25Lear's even had to put a couple of trivia fans on the patio.
28:29Youse OK outside?
28:31After nearly three months of quizzes...
28:34Has everyone got a team name?
28:36..Lear's got her pat-a-down pat.
28:42So, we have three different rounds.
28:44This is your school bits. Remember what you learnt in school
28:47I don't know how many years ago, because some of you look a bit old.
28:51OK, so, question one.
28:53How many wives did Henry VIII have?
29:03Question five.
29:05Who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic?
29:09To add a fun and fresh twist to the bog-standard pub quiz,
29:13Lear's added a cocktail-tasting round.
29:16Right, your first drink is going to start coming round as I go.
29:19It's a cocktail.
29:21And, unsurprisingly, it's proving pretty popular.
29:26OK, so, the one Katerina is bringing around is number one.
29:30The one I bring is number two.
29:36What we say in Albuquerque?
29:38OK.
29:42By the end of the quiz, Lear's got a bar full of happy customers
29:46and a winning formula for Thursday nights in Albufera.
29:50And in first place, with 61 points, so not that much difference,
29:57Supermarket Heroes!
30:03It's nicer around here, it's more kind of relaxed.
30:05We were down this trip last night, which was a bit more madness,
30:08I suppose, younger people.
30:10So, for our age group, it's perfect in Coca-Cola.
30:13Beautiful, lovely cocktails, nice and clean, we had great food.
30:19Lovely service, lovely staff.
30:22Yeah, all very friendly, we've had a brilliant night.
30:25We came last week and we just loved it so much, so, yeah.
30:29But it's not just about filling the bar once a week for an hour or two.
30:34Lear and Joao are trying to build on each success,
30:37because every drink or dish they sell will help them get through the winters.
30:42Now people stay after the quiz,
30:45and they don't just finish the quiz, get the prize and leave.
30:48No, they stay for another hour or two.
30:50We have customers still there, so, yeah.
30:54But it's massively made a difference to us.
30:56Like, we have tables outside, tables sat at the bar,
30:58we never had that on a quiz night.
31:00I'm just really hoping next year we can do two quiz nights.
31:03At least two. At least two.
31:13Back in Tremezzo,
31:15the clear-out of Ashley and Summer's property has continued apace.
31:21With help from his brother Matt and friend Andy,
31:24every room has been gutted.
31:26But choosing to renovate a 300-year-old silk mill in a charming old town
31:31does come with a drawback or two when it comes to waste disposal.
31:36We're in a small little village with narrow streets.
31:41It's great for a moped, but you ain't getting anything else bigger down there.
31:44So Paolo, our guy who's going to ferry backwards and forwards the tips, turned up.
31:48The piazza is the nearest place where he can park the car,
31:51which is about a two, three-minute walk.
31:53So it's just a case now of the arduous task of backwards and forwards of all of us,
31:57getting rid of all the waste.
32:01Ashley's agreed on a price of €450
32:04for Paolo to take all the waste to the tip today in multiple trips.
32:11Ciao.
32:13And after half an hour of back and forth...
32:16Life is just a little bit sweeter now that I remember this trolley was there.
32:20..a sizeable dent has been made.
32:22We're whistling through it, which is great.
32:24Hopefully we can get all the wood on this one
32:26and then we'll get all the appliances and metal and all that on the next one.
32:30But just as Ashley's feeling good about the clear-out, a problem arises.
32:35Poco legno lascia. Così...
32:39Ferro? Bagno?
32:41No.
32:43The tip closes at 12, so that's now 10,
32:46so he doesn't have to even get back in time to do the rest today.
32:50I said, well, we're not back until next month,
32:53so, yeah, we're just now discussing what we're paying him today
32:56and what we're paying him next time,
32:58but I just wanted to get everything clear, but it's one of those.
33:01And to rub more salt in the wound,
33:03there's also been a miscommunication about the scope of the work.
33:07Yeah, 4.50 for everything. Yeah, 4.50, great, OK.
33:10He went, right, that's it, that's good.
33:12I went, yeah, but you're going to come back and do the rest, aren't you?
33:15It's all in the cost. I don't think so.
33:17Well, I agreed, 4.50, all of it. I want it all gone.
33:20Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
33:22Well, I'll speak to the boss. How much did you have to give him?
33:25450 euros.
33:27Yeah.
33:29All three of the lads are heading back to the UK tomorrow,
33:33so Ashley has no choice but to leave the rest of the rubbish in the house
33:37and hope the builders will clear it out.
33:40I'm just going to stack all of it now up against there,
33:43so at least it's out of the way.
33:45And that's pretty much all we can do.
33:47It's over to them to start knocking walls and channelling,
33:50wiring in and putting the new stuff in.
33:54A few months later, it's all change at the house.
33:57The rubbish has been cleared
33:59and the renovation has started in earnest,
34:02and Summer and Ashley are over to check on the progress.
34:06So we've started on the second floor,
34:08working our way down through the development,
34:11and here is going to be the new ensuite bathrooms,
34:14which is channelled all the plings in for the electrics and in for the plumbing.
34:18We're running all the pipes in the wall
34:20because the floor we discovered as we go through this project
34:23is only 12cm thick and not thick enough
34:26to actually run the pipes through the floor
34:29without them dropping through to the room below.
34:32So this is the second bedroom.
34:34It's had a lot of work done, as we can see.
34:39We're going to have, hopefully, a big, lovely king-size bed here,
34:43shelves on either side.
34:45This bedroom's ensuite will feature a large,
34:48This bedroom's ensuite will feature a unique quirk.
34:52You show everyone your favourite feature of the room.
34:55So we've positioned this, because the window is going to be here.
35:01It's a lieu of the view.
35:05The plan is a contemplation moment while you're on holiday,
35:08look up at Mount Cracione.
35:10Let's hope the neighbours don't own any binoculars,
35:13as they're already up in arms about the project.
35:16The noise and drills isn't going down well, but...
35:19No, we were told that we had to work within half to half nine
35:22to half twelve, half to half three,
35:24and our builder's been doing that, but...
35:26It's still too noisy.
35:28But we've got to do the work and we've got to get it done,
35:31and hopefully by the end of the year we'll get it done
35:34and ready for next season, won't we? Yeah.
35:40Coming up, there's no rest for Paul and Fiona or their friends.
35:45Straighten it up a bit, eh?
35:47Which is your work experience in French.
35:50And Joao test-drives the new basement bar.
35:54Brought bottles last night, mixers, cocktails and for drinks.
35:58I don't think I need anything else.
36:09It's June in the Dordogne.
36:12Let's go. Let's go.
36:15And although it's not quite the weather for it,
36:18Paul and Fiona have a job to do outside.
36:21They've been awarded four stars by the local tourist board
36:24and the plaque is getting pride of place.
36:27And it's still raining. Even more rain.
36:30Even more rain.
36:32That one? Yeah. That one there.
36:39Any publicity I'm putting out on social media now,
36:42it's all advertising the fact
36:44that we've just been accredited with four stars,
36:46so we're getting it out there, slowly and surely.
36:53And with a bit of drill handiwork, the plaque is up for all to see.
36:59How's that?
37:05Good job, Bob.
37:07Four stars. We are officially... We are official.
37:10Look at that, Harry. Four stars.
37:13Even with their official four stars,
37:16Paul and Fiona are still investing time and money
37:19into adding new features to bring in the guests.
37:23We need some entertainment for anyone to stay in,
37:26so the idea is, is this area here,
37:28one of the favourite pastimes in France is pétanque.
37:31So this would give them an area here where they can play pétanque.
37:35Paul dug it out a few days ago,
37:37so after a bit of eco-friendly weed killer...
37:41This is white vinegar washing-up liquid
37:43and something else she puts in it.
37:47..the next step is a membrane to stop any other vegetation.
37:51OK, job done. So, that'll do now.
37:54Just waiting for the weather to change. Yeah.
37:57Dry up and we can get some gravel down.
38:00The next job requires heavy equipment and some drier weather,
38:04so instead it's time for lunch.
38:08Thank you very much.
38:11And a catch-up with their friends Anthony and Ruth,
38:14who are visiting from the UK.
38:16Cheers, everybody. Cheers, everyone.
38:19Life in France and good friends.
38:26But there's no such thing as a free lunch.
38:29The sun's come out and the grains dried up nicely.
38:32So Anthony and Ruth are put to work on the pétanque pitch.
38:36Which is a work experience in France.
38:39Ruth even gets the chance to try her hand
38:41at driving the telehandler.
38:44You just keep watching in your mirrors.
38:46Yeah, OK there. Straighten it up a bit now.
38:51Straighten up now. Yeah, this way a little bit.
38:55But it does take some getting used to.
38:59Just get ready to push the hard on the brake.
39:01Oh! Sorry.
39:03THEY LAUGH
39:05OK, quite vicious.
39:15After the gravel is spread out,
39:17Paul gives it a pass with his whacker plate to flatten it.
39:25Considering the start we had of the day...
39:27Rain.
39:28..checking it down with rain, really cloudy,
39:31we've actually done quite well, haven't we?
39:33Yeah.
39:34The pétanque pitch will still need another layer of finer gravel
39:37and some finishing touches.
39:39But soon enough, Paul and Fiona are sure
39:41they'll have another outdoor amusement to market to their guests.
39:45We've had a good team today. Yeah, we've had a brilliant team today.
39:48That's why people don't come and stay on holiday with us,
39:50cos every time they stay on holiday we put them to work.
39:54It's October, and although the summer tourist season is over,
39:58it's still buzzing at Lear and Joao's Cocktail Bar.
40:02There's a group booked in for bottomless brunch
40:05and a hendoo is coming in later for a cocktail-making class.
40:09It's nice to be still so busy, almost the middle of October,
40:13because not everyone gets the luxury of still having the customers,
40:17and it's nice to be able to do that.
40:19It's nice to be able to do that.
40:21It's nice to be able to do that.
40:23We are really grateful for everyone that's still booking with us
40:26so late on, even so early on in the season.
40:29So, yeah, it makes me happy.
40:31But I am ready for it to end now, the season.
40:34Joao's in charge of the lesson,
40:37and he's holding it in their newly redecorated basement bar.
40:41I'm just finishing preparing what I need to bring down.
40:44I brought bottles last night, mixers, cocktails,
40:48and drinks.
40:50I don't think I need anything else.
40:52Feels nice, yeah.
40:53It's the first time that I'm going to work behind this bar downstairs.
40:57So, yeah, I'm excited.
41:00Lear and Joao have spent the summer trying out new ideas
41:04to make their bar competitive,
41:06and Lear's latest is to add to the options for bottomless brunch.
41:10Not only can guests choose from charcuterie,
41:13but they can now opt for a dessert board too.
41:16So the dessert boards are just kind of like an after thing.
41:19It's got a little bit of chocolate in the middle on a teller
41:22and they can dip it all in,
41:23a bit like you'd have a chocolate fountain but on a board.
41:26And I always go get fresh cakes from the bakery in the morning,
41:29make them a bit smaller to fit on the board.
41:31Loads of different things, biscuits, doughnuts,
41:33pastel de nachos, which are a local delicacy,
41:36and I made sure to get an extra one of this for myself.
41:40I always do, I love it.
41:42There you go, loves.
41:45If you want another pot of chocolate,
41:47just let me know for dipping, OK?
41:49And it seems like the combination of tasty cocktails
41:53and sweet and savoury treats has hit the spot for these brunchers.
41:57Same again?
42:01The cocktail-making classes have been another big draw for the bar.
42:05Oh, the actual bride I've been messaging!
42:08Let's head in.
42:10And Joao's students have just arrived for their lesson in mixology.
42:28While Joao has to pop upstairs just a few times
42:31to raid the main bar for ingredients,
42:33having the class in the basement is otherwise a success.
42:40LAUGHTER
42:45Having the separate space felt kind of VIP, didn't it?
42:48It was just for us, so I felt like everything was just for us.
42:52So, yeah, it was nice.
42:58I think the favourite was the amaranth and sour plums.
43:01Yeah, that was really good. And you and Joao?
43:03I can't remember what mine was called, but it was like...
43:07It's beautiful.
43:13It's been a make-or-break summer for these two new business owners.
43:17They've thrown everything they have at it, including their life savings,
43:22and now, at the end of the season, they've surprised even themselves.
43:27It's been really busy, a lot busier than we expected it to be,
43:30which is really good.
43:32I had no idea it was going to turn out like this.
43:34We have done amazing this summer.
43:36Like, so much better than we could have thought.
43:40That was well-cheesed.
43:43Their guiding principles of hard work and innovation have taken them far,
43:47and they've got big plans for the future,
43:50including finishing up the basement bar.
43:53This year, we recovered our investment, we made some profit.
43:56Next year, hopefully, we'll be better,
43:58and the year after, and the year after, and it's just like that.
44:01With big dreams for their cocktail bar
44:04and newfound confidence in their business skills,
44:07Leah and Joao couldn't have picked a better place to build their future.
44:11It is beautiful here. Recommend it to anyone.
44:14Counterpart.
44:21Next time...
44:24..there's no end in sight for Summer and Ashley.
44:28Once you remove one bit, you notice three other jobs that need doing.
44:31But there's light at the end of the tunnel for Tom and Terry.
44:34Oh, we have a wall. A big wall.
44:37Quite a big wall.
44:39While new arrivals in Portugal get stuck in...
44:42Try to do it like this. Do it like this.
44:44OK. And move it from the side.
44:47..and the game's afoot for Paul and Fiona.
44:51Ooh, competition on.
44:53That's mine.
44:55That's yours, isn't it? Yeah, you pick your own up. Excuse me.
45:25.