Brook Family Gimme a Break

This is Gimme A Break, the show where the kids take control of the family holiday.

On Gimme A Break, the kids have all the say.

They decide where they go, what activities they do.

And, most importantly, they're in charge of the holiday rules.

Today's family, who are going to get a break, are this lot...

the Brooks family.

Bossy banker, Dad...

..cheeky ambulance controller, Mum,

ten-year-old Joseph,

eight-year-old Daniel

and six-year-old Jacob.

So, why do these three lads need to be given a break?

Our dad always organises it.

And he always wants to go on...warm places.

I'd hate a cold holiday.

And he chooses everywhere we go, without us saying.

Cyprus, Spain...

-Greece.

-The worst holiday was when we went to Cornwall, camping.

That much of water in the kid's tent, wasn't there?

The water just comes in, animals come in.

-It's terrible.

-When the sun came out, it was beautiful.

Every morning, she gets the gel out and does our hair.

When we're, like, on holiday,

she puts it up, even if we're just going to go in the pool.

I gel their hair, and sort their hair out, in the morning.

Because I want them to look smart for the day.

But you do it in the morning, in the afternoon, in the night.

My mum sees like a shoe shop, or a clothes shop, she just goes in.

Last holiday in Cyprus, she bought about, cor, about 15 shoes.

If I couldn't shop for a week,

-I'd have the shakes.

-You've got some serious family holiday problems,

and there's only one way to solve it. By handing over control

-of the family holiday to you three. What do you think?

-Yes.

-Yes?

-Sounds good?

-Yes.

-I thought you might say that.

And that means, Mum and Dad, it's time for the Parent's Promise.

Hands on hearts and read out that...

Yeah. I don't think that you two enjoyed that.

-But I think that you three did. Does that sound good?

-Brilliant!

-Jacob, who is in control?

-Us.

-Wonderful. Which means, Mum and Dad,

if you'd like to go inside. And don't come out here,

-cos we need to talk holidays, all right?

-Get in!

-Go on,

get rid of them.

Right, this is now your chance, without your mum and dad,

-to tell me what you want.

-I want to go somewhere different.

And do climbing, skiing and go to more waterfalls.

-Do you want to go somewhere hot, or cold?

-Hot.

-Seeing a bear.

Hold on. You're putting the pressure on here, seeing a bear.

Do you want to see a bear, Jacob?

Yeah, because I want to see it bite Daniel's head off.

No! Look, put your stick down. Let's talk about holidays.

Your brothers have mentioned skiing.

-How you do you feel about going skiing?

-Yeah.

-Why?

-Because I haven't been skiing.

-OK. So, you've never done that before. What's that?

-Mum.

-Where?

-Go away!

-Go away, shut the window!

-Mum, you're not allowed

to listen to this. Close the window.

-I need some fresh air.

-Jacob, how naughty is your mum?

-Naughty.

-Very naughty.

Which means, when you make the rules for the holiday, what can you do?

-Boss her around.

-You can boss her around, precisely.

I've heard what they'd like

and I've got three amazing holidays to choose from.

But I'm not going to let them pick one just yet.

They'll have to work out what their break choices are,

from a collection of cryptic clues.

And the boys are having trouble getting Joseph into a harness.

But mind you, it can't help wearing goggles, can it?

Skiing, or maybe bungee jumping?

-But where?

-Well, it could be France, Austria, Switzerland.

I think there'll be skiing and climbing,

because of the goggles and the harness. OK, got a clue.

"Bear in mind what you'll find at the end of the Rockies road."

Bear... Must be those...

bear prints. What's this?

-Gross!

-It looks like maple syrup.

-It stinks!

-We put our hands in something like maple syrup.

And it was horrible.

-And there's a flag.

-There's a flag.

We think it's Canada, because...

wrapped over the bowl was a Canada flag.

They're off to a restaurant for Break Number Two.

-But there's something very odd on the menu.

-Tennis ball?

Cow, ball,

-and castanets.

-Caesar said, hola.

So, it might be Spanish?

"Would Mum and Dad like to be served this Holi-DIA?"

Probably Spanish for holiday.

"Serve" means they serve the ball?

The cow.

I think we might be helping a farmer milk his cows, or her.

And we might go and see a tennis match.

The boys weren't waiting around for the clues to their final break.

"Wear the blindfold and follow the sound."

Well, a horse shoe means horse riding,

so I think we're going horse riding somewhere.

Listen to the sound. FOGHORN WAILS

-Sounds like a foghorn.

-There's something stuck on my feet.

I think we're near it.

-Wait a minute, this feels like ice.

-Cold.

I think the holiday is going to be cold.

This is a Viking's helmet, because I know the shape of it.

I think the holiday's going to be about rowing a boat.

Because I know Vikings all cross the sea in boats.

Where do cavemen come from?

That's it, clues over.

Have the boys guessed the breaks on offer, though?

And which one will they choose?

-Did you enjoy trying to work out what your breaks were?

-Yes.

-So, what do we think Break Number One might be?

-Canada.

-Yeah.

All three of you are very clever, because you guessed right.

-Do you want to look at Break Number One?

-Yeah.

-Which is...

a winter sports adventure in Canada.

Take a look at this. Have a look.

You could be jetting off to the Rockies,

famous for grizzly bears, amazing powder skiing.

And how about trying out husky sledding?

Ah, look at that, man.

-You said cold?

-Yeah.

-You said bears?

-I've got is sorted, right?

-Yeah.

So, first impressions, could that be a potential winner?

-Yeah.

-Time to crank up the pressure and talk about Break Number Two.

you've got a big decision to make today.

-Would you like to find out about Break Number Two?

-Yes.

What about if I told you that Break Number Two is...

-a sports adventure break...

-Come on!

-Yes.

-..in Spain, hey? Have a look.

Are you the next Andy Murray? Find out, with some top tennis coaching

at a resort in southern Spain. Dad can leave his walking boots behind,

as you could all be off-road mountain biking.

-Yes.

-What do we think?

-Amazing!

-I really want to do it, because I absolutely love sports.

-Brill.

-What do you reckon Break Number Three might be?

-A trip in Norway

-on a big boat.

-Why a big boat?

-Because the Vikings

-used to ride boats.

-You're kind of half right and half wrong.

Because Break Number Three is a Viking experience...

..in Iceland.

This could be off-road driving across the wilderness.

Riding Icelandic horses,

and relaxing in the volcanic waters of the Blue Lagoon.

You've got a big decision to make. I'll come back in a few minutes

to find out which one you've chosen. Good luck, Jacob, good luck, boys.

Joseph and Jacob want Iceland. But Dan is hooked on Canada.

The big decision comes down to the toss of a coin.

-It's tails.

-OK, then, boys.

Budge up, Jacob, let me in.

It is decision time. Tell me, which break have you gone for?

-Iceland.

-Tails, and Iceland.

-So, you're very happy?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, very happy indeed. Well, lads,

I've got one last thing to tell you. At the end of your holiday,

-you'll get the chance to play for one last treat.

-What is the treat?

However... Well, you'll find out on your holiday,

but if you get the challenge that I set you wrong...

-your parents win the treat.

-Ooh!

So, there it is. The Viking experience in Iceland.

Not exactly the sunny beach holiday the Brooks are used to.

But this isn't the usual way the Brooks choose their holidays.

But how will Dad cope, not being the one in charge?

How will Mum feel in the cold? And who will win the final treat?

With their break just one day away, and Mum and Dad still none the wiser

on where they're going, it was up to the boys to pack.

They'll just break into fights, and rolling around, and mucking around.

-And, so, their attention span will be two minutes, max.

-Oh, no.

I would feel absolutely awful

that I would have to go on holidays with no make-up.

-What's this?

-I have to do the lipstick.

-Nice.

-They're probably just laughing at the stuff in my drawer.

-Yeah, go on.

-They'll make her look funny.

-You like it?

Good for outside, especially the cold.

I'm just hoping that those children have not thrown it all in.

I've been up till one, two o'clock in the morning,

this week, ironing all the clothes.

'I always pack my suitcase. I don't even trust Sian to pack it.'

I like it really tidy, organised.

-So, I can get something really quickly.

-I'll get it zipped up.

-I think you might have a shock.

-Mmm.

Mum, Dad, we're ready to go!

If the boys are going to get the family to the airport on time,

they've got to take the driving seat. Not literally though, Jacob.

At the airport, Mum and Dad still don't know where they're going.

And with blindfolds and headphones on,

there's no chance of finding out.

Did you pack your bags yourselves?

-Yes.

-OK.

-Are we on a plane?

-'Yes, that's right, Mum, you're on a plane.

'And someone's got a message for you.'

Joseph, Daniel and Jacob, I'm taking you on...

-a Gimme A Break experience to Iceland.

-'There you go. Mum and Dad

'know they're off to Iceland. And even though it's quite cold there,

'Mum seems rather pleased. Come on, boys, pucker up for a kiss.'

Hopefully, my children have packed enough clothes for me to be warm.

I hope that some extra socks have been put in.

I guess I'm just going to be walking up mountains,

-and through snow, and making snowmen?

-No.

It only takes three hours to fly to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

And despite its name,

Iceland isn't actually covered in ice. The Vikings chose the name

because they visited one of the many icy glaciers first.

And when they land, the Brooks head straight from the airport

to their hotel, with their trusty Gimme A Break Fam Cam,

to capture special holiday moments, like a mad Viking.

Welcome to the Viking Village!

Come out of the bus!

There's nothing to laugh about.

Hurry up, follow me, come on!

One line. Come, come, hurry up!

The people in the hotel want to sleep as well. So behave, OK?

I'll see you in the morning.

If you thought that was scary, Mum and Dad,

-take a look at what the boys have packed for you.

-What's this?

Why have I got your father's shoes in here?

What have you got my work's tie for? It's nice you've packed everything.

Mum, have you got any hand luggage?

-Just a little bag.

-Can I check?

-Yeah.

Unbelievable!

Five minutes in Iceland and Mum's been caught out already.

The boys were in charge of packing.

What are these?

You might be controlling this holiday. I'm still your mother.

-What is the forfeit?

-You'll find out later.

Do you want me to spell it out for you? F-O-R...

Well, you might not be able to spell forfeit, Joseph, but you're right.

-Mum deserves one of them.

-I thought my kids knew me.

And I thought they knew what I wore.

And none of the stuff in that case is what I wear.

My ambulance service tie...

they put that in.

They've put in a bather and...

my summer Crocs.

Iceland?

And to cap it all, I've got my little running...

vest, when I go across a glacier, later on.

When we go on holidays, we have to put your stuff away when we unpack.

-So, who's going to put ours away?

-Because we're in control,

-we tell you what to do.

-Well, it's not fair. It's not normal.

Next day, Dad's pleased to find snow and doesn't waste any time

getting his own back for having to tidy up the room.

But time for the boys to remind the parents who's in charge.

Hello, guys, it's me.

I hope the Vikings have given you a warm welcome. Now,

in case you'd forgotten, Mum and Dad,

the boys are in charge of the Gimme A Break holiday rules.

And, brace yourselves, because here they come.

-Go on, if you have to.

-Go on.

-Rule number one. Now, Mum,

the boys know that you don't just buy the odd souvenir from holiday.

You are a shopaholic. Therefore, their rule

is that you're allowed to buy one item, for the whole break.

-One thing?

-Yup, one thing.

-You won't do it.

-Ah, but you could.

-What do you think, shall I?

-No!

I like the idea of her buying only one thing.

Rule number two. Dad, the boys are bored by your long walks.

So, on this break, you get to go on one walk.

-And the boys decide how long it will be.

-Right.

So, let me get this right now.

What is the longest amount of time I can walk for?

15 minutes.

-15?

-Yeah.

That's just... But that's not fair.

-15 minutes.

-Rule number three. Mum, you're forever spiking

the boys' hair up with gel, even before they go swimming!

So, on this break,

the rule is, you're not allowed to meddle with their hair, at all.

-Yeah!

-All right, guys. Well, I'll be back in a few days

to tell you about your chance to play for an amazing treat.

But, for now, have a great holiday.

I don't think the rules are fair at all.

Because how am I going to survive, in five days,

with only going for one 15-minute walk?

It's second nature to me, to put my hand up to do their hair.

So, it's going to be really hard.

If Mum and Dad disobey them, there'll be big consequences.

Right, on with the break. And the boys wanted action.

So, how about some off-road, ice-cold, Jeep driving?

OK, we're in charge. So, we get to choose who's going to be driving.

-Mummy!

-Mummy!

-Now, the rules are simple.

Mum just has to follow the Jeep. How hard can that be?

OK, Mum, please turn on your lights, just for me to see you.

That means, what?

-That he can't see anything.

-How does he actually know where he's going?

Do we know where we're going?

-What gear do you reckon I'm in now?

-So, boys, how do you think

-Mum is getting on with driving?

-She hasn't got out of first gear yet.

I think I'm doing all right. I think I'm a 10 out of 10.

-We are going to the river, we need cross the river in front of us.

-No!

I'm not going over no river.

Yes, you are, Mum. That's exactly what you're doing.

Oh, my God! No! He's got something wrong with him, I tell you.

Come on!

-Keep going!

-No, no.

No, no! No!

I really need to go for a wee. No...

Agh! No, I'm not going there. No, no!

No! THE BOYS LAUGH

Agh! Agh!

-Do it, Mum!

-We're going in! We're going in!

-Take your time. Use your breaks.

-Agh! Agh!

-Agh!

-Use your breaks.

-Agh!

Agh!

Agh!

I closed my eyes and, just like, let the vehicle come down.

And then it was just like one massive bump...

My head's all right.

It's the other end that's a problem.

Mummy's driving was 10 out of 10.

I think the rating of Mummy's driving was seven.

-I think it's 10, definitely.

-It was brilliant.

We're not going back that way, are we?

And after Mum's impressive driving, the boys choose a more relaxing way

to spend the afternoon, in one of Iceland's thermal spas. You know,

maybe those swimming things are going to come in handy after all.

Mum deserves to be pampered,

because she drove in the snow, on the off-road driving.

And she got a bit stressed out, but she still done it.

-Now, tip it all over her face.

-No!

-Tip it all over her.

-No!

I love my kids!

I don't think Mum's going to meddle with our hair.

Because she's already got one forfeit, and our forfeits

-are really gruesome.

-They'll just have to look after it today.

Because I don't think I can afford any more forfeits, can I?

Can I give you a tip?

-Yes.

-Sort your own hair out first.

The following morning, the Brooks family's Viking adventure continues

on Iceland's famous pocket-sized horses.

Today, Icelandic horses are used for racing.

I've ridden more camels than I have horses, to be honest.

Why did you decide to get on backwards?

Oh, we're going a bit fast through here.

Iceland's always had loads of birds and sea life.

But before the Vikings, there was only one land mammal,

the arctic fox.

I'm going to have a sore bum tomorrow.

Probably the most scared going into it. But at the end of it,

I felt pretty comfortable.

And it was nowhere near as bad as the camel was.

I kept going up and down like that. Mum, while I was doing that,

you were laughing so much, you almost fell off.

-Shall we all have a conversation going like this?

-Yeah.

Dad might have been worried about the horse riding at the start,

but I think the whole family had a great time. The boys decided

to give Mum and Dad the afternoon off. And Mum ended up shopping,

in Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik.

But the boys were watching her every move.

-Bought anything?

-No, I'm looking.

You can buy anything - from Viking clothes, to shoes made of fish skin.

But can Mum resist buying more than one thing?

It depends on how much it is.

I haven't got my credit card on me, either. Stuart has.

It's expensive to shop in Iceland,

as most things need to be imported from the rest of Europe.

The currency is called krona.

And by the look on Dad's face, Mum's spent quite a lot.

Mum gets so distracted by the shopping,

she forgets about the rules. Mum, what are you doing?!

-I don't think she's going to get away with that.

-Forfeit! Forfeit!

-No! I do it, I do it, automatically.

-Forfeit!

Jacob got his hands on a Viking hat just like mine.

But, while he and Dad left Mum alone, look what happened!

-No!

-You haven't, have you?

Just a few things.

A few things?! Mum, you're having a bad day.

-You only had an hour.

-Thank you, thank you. Get off.

Now, what's in this?

-You're a shopaholic.

-I can't help it.

-Forfeit!

The forfeit could never be as bad as having to give up shopping.

Mum's broken the rules, so she's going to pay!

But what will the boys decide?

You, you used to take us to boring old restaurants.

Today, we're going to take you to a restaurant we want to go to.

And we are going to choose what you're eating, Mum.

So, it's the family's final night.

And, to wrap up their Viking experience,

the boys have chosen a Viking feast.

But there's something special on the menu for Mum.

This is the ultimate forfeit.

Mum, you have broken three rules.

So, you're going to have a punishment. One, you done our hair.

Two, you packed clothes without asking us. And three...

She bought loads of stuff.

This is for you, Mum.

Oh, my God! It's the head of somebody.

-Lamb's head.

-We have brought you a plate

with all traditional Viking food.

Now, we are able to explain for you what you are going to eat.

This is dry fish, very healthy.

This is the stuff that makes the Icelandic men famous as lovers.

This is the testicle of the lamb.

Here, you have a smiling head of a sheep.

He's not smiling at me, is he?!

Everybody has to try. Want to try the eye?

NO!

-Can you get the eye out for my mum?

-No!

-Thank you, thank you very much,

-thank you.

-Oh!

-Yeah... You eat it.

-THEY SHRIEK

I hope it tasted better than it smells.

-You have to eat one, one of everything.

-No, I haven't.

-Yeah, you have to!

-A testicle.

What's that bit sticking out?

-Oh, Mum, you're not going to do it, are you?

-Eat it.

There's a bit of a worm, or something, there, look!

It's a vein.

It's a vein. Don't worry about it.

It's just a vein.

Hang on.

She's going to do it, she is...

Oh, Mum!

Oh, quick, how did that taste? Yuk!

-Have I really eaten that?

-I'm not kissing you ever again now!

I don't blame you, Daniel.

-I wouldn't kiss your mum after that.

-I couldn't swallow it.

It just wouldn't go down properly.

I thought my mum was absolutely bonkers to eat all that.

By the end of the holiday,

it was very hard to actually stick to those rules.

-And I knew I had to pay the price, and tonight, I have.

-Well, Mum

rose to the challenge. But now, the pressure's on the boys.

As the family stand at Gullfoss Waterfall,

on the final day of their break, their big moment's arrived.

Will they win the treat, riding with top Skidoo riders,

across one of Iceland's vast glaciers?

OK, Joseph, Daniel, Jacob, this is it.

Time to play for one last amazing treat.

Now, I'm about to ask you three questions.

Get two of them right, and you win the treat.

Get two wrong, and it's your mum and dad who win the treat.

Good luck.

Here we go with question one.

What did your mum say was her most memorable moment of the break?

Was it, A...

eating the Icelandic food forfeit,

or, B...driving the Jeep

into the river?

-The answer is - B, driving the big Jeep into the river.

-OK, guys,

you're saying B, driving the Jeep into the river.

-Here's what your mum said.

-The most memorable moment

of this holiday has got to be driving the Jeep into the river.

-Yes! Come on.

-Fantastic start. Well, done, boys. And that means

if you get the next question right, the treat is all yours.

OK, question two. How did your dad describe the holiday?

Did he say - A, never a dull moment,

or B, scary?

-A.

-A.

-A, got to be A.

OK, guys, I'm going to have to push you for an answer.

The answer is A,

never a dull moment.

OK, you're going with A, never a dull moment.

Here's what your dad said.

Erm...

-Never a dull moment.

-Yay!

-Yes! And they've done it.

They can saddle up and have the adrenaline-fuelled trip

of a lifetime. Well done, lads.

Wow, look at that!

It was just lovely, to spend some time

doing the most amazing activities,

that you wouldn't dream of ever doing.

We spent the whole of this holiday together.

-You can't exchange that for anything.

-That was awesome!