The Strahans - Devon Gimme a Break

This is Gimme A Break, where the kids take over the family holiday.

The kids have all the say - where they go, what activities they do

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

What do this week's family look like? Time to "see"!

'The lucky family are the Strahans.

'12-year-old Thomas,

'ten-year-old Fiona

'and seven-year-old Katherine.

'Why do they need to be given a break?'

Our family holidays are usually really boring.

Going to look at fancy rocks, castles and museums.

My ideal holiday is going somewhere with interesting places to look at.

You wouldn't call them holidays. More like extra school.

It might be fun if you were old, but not for us.

Mum thinks ideal holidays would be shopping and relaxing.

On holiday, it's nice to lie in, relax and spend time by myself.

In the mornings, Mum takes an hour to get ready!

It's always, "I need 15 more minutes in bed! Just another five!"

She gets up, goes into the bathroom and puts on her foundation cream

and her eye-liner and all this make-up.

Dad's always in charge.

They never let us do anything.

I don't feel that I make decisions. I listen to what everybody says.

-Then we do what I decide!

-That's true! Yes!

We went to Bulgaria and went on safari. It was very boring.

We only saw one bird.

We should be given a break because our holidays are very boring.

We really need a change.

Time to sort out your family holiday problems. Parents' Promise is the place to start. Thomas!

OPENING TO BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH SYMPHONY

If that's scary, wait till you see this. Hands on hearts. Read that.

BOTH: "We, the parents of Thomas, Fiona and Katherine,

"hereby hand over control of the family break."

I don't think Mum enjoyed saying that! Did you enjoy hearing it?

-That was brilliant.

-Yes!

-Was that good?

-Yeah.

-Fantastic.

We should talk holidays while you two stay here. No listening.

I've heard what the kids don't like. I need to find out what type of things they're looking for.

-You three are in charge of the family holiday.

-Great!

-A total change.

-Would you say it's a good change?

-Yeah!

-An excellent change?

-Yeah!

-Best change ever?

-Yeah!

Let's talk about the holiday you want. Tell me the key points.

I've always wanted to surf. I've never done that before.

Camping or... You know, like sporty stuff.

-Lots of animals.

-OK.

-What about down here?

-Loads of fun!

Loads and loads of fun stuff! Pack the days!

We've lined up three amazing breaks to choose from.

Can they guess what's on offer from our cryptic clues?

Break number one. Thomas, Fiona and Katherine get dressed up. Or try to!

The wet suits could mean something to do with water, like bodyboarding.

We've got tea and scones with jam. What could that be?

I think it's we could go on a picnic.

Somewhere in England cos everything looked posh!

Do you see any other clues?

"Dudes! Do you think your mum and dad will get BOARD on this holiday?"

Surfing, definitely.

The "board" sounds like surfboard.

It seems that they've got it sussed. What about break number two?

Binoculars!

Something... A sheep!

Baaaaa!

What could a sheep mean? There's something here in the tree.

It's definitely something to do with animals.

Neigh!

This way!

Neigh!

Horses everywhere! Is it the Shetland Islands?

There's a clue!

"Do you think..."

It might be a safari in the Shetland Islands.

There's an island with Shetland ponies on it.

These kids are good! Finally, clues for break three.

"Follow the rope to get your adrenaline pumping

"and find out if you have what it takes for this adventure."

An exercise holiday!

It's going to be a very active holiday.

We followed the rope and found a karabiner and some ropes, a compass.

A compass and stuff remind me of climbing a mountain.

It's going to be an active holiday.

A tripod and a telescope.

Ah! It's a map of the stars!

This has to be something to do with star gazing.

They didn't have problems cracking the clues!

Will choosing a break be just as easy?

-It looked like you had a lot of fun. Did you enjoy it, Thomas?

-Yes.

I can reveal that break number one is...a surfing holiday in Devon.

You've got a very big smile! Your sisters aren't too sure!

-Would you like to know more?

-Yes.

-Are you ready? Take a look.

You'll be wearing a lot more wet suits in north Devon.

You'll be learning how to surf and going kite buggying.

Your mum might like a beach holiday, but not this one!

Have I done pretty well for you?

-What did you want to do?

-Surfing.

-What have I delivered?

-Surfing.

Even you were going, "Ooh! That looks amazing!"

-How many out of ten for break one?

-Ten out of ten.

-Nice.

Shall we have a look what break number two is?

Break number two is an island break in Shetland.

Cool!

Well done for guessing from the clues.

-Do you want to find out more?

-Yeah.

-Check this out.

Dad will have no time for castles on this nature adventure.

You'll meet puffins, Shetland ponies, sheep and seals.

There'll also be some kayaks and a chance to play the fiddle.

Give us your thoughts, Fiona.

-I think that's a really good break!

-What do you like about it?

Animals and little boat things.

-It's got everything you want?

-Yes.

Time for break number three. From the clues what did you think it was?

I think it was some exercising holiday and star gazing.

You're very clever. You pretty much got that bang-on.

-Break number three is an adventure holiday in Northumberland.

-Yes!

-Want to see it now?

-Yeah!

-Take a look.

All that hard work was a taste of this adrenaline-packed adventure.

You'll be busy mountain biking and rock climbing

and get to take a hawk for a walk!

No lazing around for Mum and Dad on this break.

Would you like to find out a bit more? You'll be taking a hawk for a walk!

-That doesn't happen every day! You don't normally do that?

-No.

-Do you think I've done well?

-Yes. You've done very well.

You're going to find it hard to make a decision. Good luck.

Get chatting. See what you think.

'I wasn't wrong. They talked and talked and talked.

'And still hadn't made the decision.'

-You called me back early. Why?

-We're stuck between two holidays.

We've decided that we're going to flip a coin.

-To make it fair.

-I've got a coin.

-Which holiday are you after?

-Holiday one, which is heads.

Heads is holiday one, the surfing holiday.

Who fancies going for tails? You?

-Holiday number three.

-The adventure break in Northumberland.

So tails, is the adventure break in Northumberland.

Heads is the surfing holiday in Devon. Are you ready?

OK, guys. Good luck.

-Heads!

-It's heads.

Which means you're going on the surfing holiday in Devon!

There's one last thing I have to tell you.

Towards the end of the break, you're gonna get the chance to play for one last amazing treat.

However, if the challenge I set you is failed by you three,

your mum and dad win the treat, so there's something to worry about.

Give us high fives all round! I know I've made your dreams come true.

'The decision came down to a flip of a coin.

'The Strahans are going on the surfing holiday.

'How will Mum and Dad react? Who will stand on their board first?

'Who'll win the final treat?

'Mum and Dad have no clue what is in store

'so Thomas, Fiona and Katherine are the ones to get packing.'

I trust them to do a good job. The question is whether they want to.

I don't think we'll pack any evening clothes. I don't think we'll be going to any posh restaurants!

Underwear very important. I'd be devastated if they weren't packed!

-Nightdress!

-Drawers!

MUM: Normally, I'd do the packing.

I would iron all the clothes to make sure they're not wrinkled.

Fold it neatly. So I would expect the same!

Yes!

'It's the morning of the break and time to set off. Mum and Dad are desperate to find out where.

'Using their "fam cam" the kids make sure we don't miss a thing.'

-Thomas, where am I driving to?

-Belfast International Airport.

The airport? Is it Spain? We're going to Spain.

MUM: Please tell us where. KIDS: No!

'Dad hasn't given up asking.'

-Fiona, please put us out our misery?

-No!

-Still quite nervous as to what's going on.

-Where our destination is going to be.

'From Belfast all the way down to Bristol.

'And Bristol to Woolacombe.

'Mum and Dad have no idea where they're going to end up!

'When they arrive, Mum and Dad are still in the dark. Quite literally.'

Sun, sea, sand, beach.

Oh, is it getting wet?

KIDS: Three, two, one...

It's a surf holiday in Devon!

MUM LAUGHS

Oh, yes! I can't see a thing!

Absolutely stunned. The last place I thought we'd end up. I imagined a forest.

Mum, for some reason, thought we were in a forest.

I don't get where she got that from. That's Mum for you!

Oh, a surf holiday?

I had a go at surfing before without much success. This will be good.

-Oh, my goodness!

-MUM LAUGHING: Are you sure?

Well, surfing - cold, wet.

Waves and jellyfish, possibly!

Um... Ooh, it'll be interesting.

'As Mum and Dad get over the shock, they head to their accommodation.

'Time to find out what's in that suitcase.'

Oh, I've been dreading this bit! That it's going to be...

-The biggest... Oh, Thomas!

-For goodness' sake!

It's thrown in! It's the wrinkles! How could they do that?

-Where's all the clothes?

-There's a lot of clothes in there.

Jeans. OK, we'll go with that.

My favourite footwear! The kids have done well.

They'll go nicely with my suit.

Bill seems to have got a suit for going out at night to eat.

He's got...plenty of socks!

One or two pairs of socks. For goodness' sake!

KIDS LAUGH

I'm doing all right. I can do lots with socks.

How many would I normally go through?

-Hi, dudes!

-EVERYONE: Hi.

-Are you enjoying your break?

-EVERYONE: Yes.

It's now time for the holiday rules,

as decided by Thomas, Fiona and Katherine.

PARENTS GROAN

Mum, you take for ever getting ready so rule number one is you get 60 seconds to do your hair and make-up.

No. 60 seconds? DAD LAUGHS

Are you sure it can't be one minute and 60 seconds?

-What if I say no?

-There will be consequences.

Rule number two. No posh restaurants with boring food.

Thomas, Fiona and Katherine will decide what they eat and where.

-OK!

-OK.

And, finally, rule three.

Mum and Dad, you're normally in charge, but not this time.

The kids will be making all the decisions. Their word is final.

I'll be back at the end to give you the chance to play for a final treat. See ya later.

EVERYONE: Bye!

I cannot believe they expect me to get dressed in 60 seconds!

I tend to make the decisions because nobody can agree. I'm looking forward to seeing how that works.

They didn't take it very well.

There were oohs and ahs all over the place!

Tough as the rules are, we're going to try to stick by the rules.

The rules are up now! Take them down, please. No!

'It's the first morning. What do you do on a surfing break?'

# Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learning how

# Come on and safari with me!

# Come on and safari with me

# Early in the morning we'll be starting out

# Some honeys will be comin' along... #

'They're suited. They're booted. Time for their first lesson.'

We're now going to introduce you to the surfboard.

Top of the board. What do pirates stand on?

What do you think the end's called?

What about the back of the board?

'Now they know which end's which, it's time to make a splash!

'Some take to it like a duck to water.

'Others not so much.'

Very wet!

'Yes, Mum! The sea does tend to be quite wet!'

We can't actually catch a wave, let alone surf, lying on the boards.

Nick's going to try to teach us how to stand up.

As we come to standing up, focus on getting our front leg up quickly.

Do the chicken wings. Give them a flap! To chicken lizard.

As we come forward, bring that front foot up.

Front foot as quickly as we can. Hold on to those boards.

Focus on where we want to go with the chins! Swing outwards.

And up. Relax.

Bend your knees. That's it.

Surfing time!

'Back in the water, who'll be first to stand on the board?

'Go on, Katherine! Up you go! Yes!

'She's done it! Look at that!

'After that, there was no stopping her.

'Not long after, Fiona caught one!'

So good!

Everybody's gone up very well, except me!

This is good. We're actually doing something.

I'm going!

'Later that day, future surfing champ Katherine gives Dad a recap.'

Chicken wings.

Then, chicken lizard.

Then, put your knees up to here.

Then that foot up there.

And...

..you're surfing!

'It's next morning on the break.'

-Good morning!

-Good morning, Fiona!

'Mum is struggling with the rules.'

THOMAS: You've got 60 seconds! MUM: Oh, Thomas! Thomas!

MUM: Stop! Stop! THOMAS: Three, two, one... Stop!

MUM: Aargh! Let me finish one eye. THOMAS: No! Stop!

MUM: OK. THOMAS LAUGHS

'Make-up half done, the kids challenge Mum and Dad to some games.

'Hold on! What on Earth are Mum and Dad wearing?'

What I'm wearing is a little bit unusual, not what I would choose.

The kids pack it. I've got to wear it.

'I hope that's your excuse too, Mum!'

It's time for a race! ..Go!

'Hold on. Mum's sneaking off!'

While the kids weren't watching I have come back to the apartment.

KLAXON BLARES

'Mum joins the family bowling. She thinks she's got away with it.'

-They have a red ball!

-'Excuses! Excuses!'

Yeah!

< Mummy! What have I done?

< You have put make-up on.

I have not! I don't wear make-up.

When we were getting ready for bowling, I wondered, "Where is Mum?"

And you were putting on make-up!

Oh, I've been caught out!

Mum has to get past the Sellotape. She can't get into it.

This is far too drastic, taping up my make-up bag!

It really isn't necessary.

'Mum, you were warned there'd be consequences!

'Mum and Dad love posh restaurants,

'but family rule number two says the kids choose where and what they eat.

'They chose a barbecue on the beach!'

We're having corn on the cob,

potatoes, burgers, hot dogs and pudding.

That's nearly like fine dining!

'Katherine's loving it.'

MUM: What's the plan for tomorrow? THOMAS: Flying some kites.

MUM: We're not. THOMAS: We are.

They have mentioned that we're doing something with kites. I'm hoping this is hand-held kites.

I would be horrified if it was anything more.

'Next day, it's a shock for Mum!'

Oh, no!

EVERYONE: Ooh!

I've never flown a kite that big.

I'm looking forward to that and getting in the buggy and going fast.

- Who's going to have a go first? - Me!

'First, they need to learn how to handle the supersize kites.'

You're getting the feel of it. This is kite flying, feeling nature.

'Unlike the surfing, it seems the whole family are naturals.'

There you go! Well done!

I picked it up quite quickly and then going on to the bigger kite

that was keeping it under control.

It was blowing really hard and you could skid along the ground.

I'm enjoying this quite a lot.

Me and Dad are moving on to the buggy. I'm going to challenge him, see who's the best.

Grr!

-You're going down!

-Who says?

'Dad was off first, but Thomas wasn't far behind.

'For those who didn't master the big kites, it was a chauffeur.'

More my thing! Ha ha ha!

I believe the kids made a really good decision today.

I think Dad beat me doing this but I'm going to get my own back surfing

because he hasn't even stood up at all yet.

'The afternoon brought rain and while everyone else headed home

'the Strahans headed back to the water to perfect their surfing.'

Much better surf today so there's no more excuses for me and I'm going to stand up.

'You reckon, do you, Dad?'

Come on.

< Come on, Thomas!

It's very, very rough. I've fallen off goodness knows how many times!

It felt like I wanted to surf all night, until the morning.

'Dad was keen to carry on. Not sure if he'll find a perfect wave!'

When I've lost three stone in weight I'll show everybody how it's done!

'The break's almost over but before the family head home

'there's a treat up for grabs - swimming with Morgan the sea lion.'

Looks like a fantastic break, but the fun's not over yet.

Time to play for the final treat,

the chance to swim with Morgan the sea lion.

-KIDS:

-Whoa!

Kids, I've got three questions. Get two right and you get the treat.

However, get two wrong and it's Mum and dad who'll take to the water.

-Are you ready?

-Yeah.

Here we go. Question number one.

What did your mum say she enjoyed most on the break?

-(WHISPER) B.

-B.

B. Kite buggying.

OK, you're saying B, kite buggying. This is what your mum said.

My favourite part was kite buggying.

Yes! Yay!

We need one more right.

Well done. Question number two. Get this right and you'll win the treat.

What did your dad say he enjoyed least about the break?

-B.

-Yes.

-Because he was very annoyed he couldn't get up.

Answer B. Not being able to stand up on the surfboard.

You're saying B. Is that your final answer?

Yeah?

Do you think so, yeah?

We'll go with it. Yeah. We'll go with that answer.

You've decided on B, not being able to stand on the surfboard.

Here's what your dad said.

Not being able to stand up on the board.

KIDS CHEER

Congratulations, guys. Morgan's waiting. Have some fun!

Hello, Morgan!

There's less chance of us going back to visit old castles and rocks.

Activity holidays are lots of fun!

Out of ten, this holiday would be ten.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd