The Rooneys - Jersey Gimme a Break

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

The kids have all the say. They decide where they go, what they do,

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

Today's lucky family are... the Rooney family!

Sun-worshipper Mum, football-mad Dad,

12-year-old Philippa and 9-year-old Kristin.

But why do the girls need a break?

We wake up, go to the beach and stay there all day.

We always do the exact same thing. It gets a bit boring.

We get up, all go down to the beach,

drop the beach stuff on the sun bed.

I sort of want to change the daily plan.

I'd like to see my mum do more!

One things the girls don't like to eat is vegetables.

He makes me eat loads of vegetables whenever we go on holiday.

"A chance to try new things"(!)

I don't think so! I've never made them eat vegetables.

When they say "eat a vegetable", they mean a pea.

In pools, we have to put ear plugs in.

-"Don't go under water! Goggles on!"

-You look like some idiot.

These things stick out of your ears.

Mum's dancing is a bit embarrassing.

I love fun. I let my hair down. All part of the holiday.

# Da-da-da-dah! #

Rooney family, we need to sort out your holiday problems.

We'll start by giving you two control.

-Yes!

-Does that feel good? That looks good to me.

What would look even better is if you put your hands on your hearts

and read out The Parents' Promise. Hand on hearts. Off you go.

"We, the parents of Philippa and Kristin, hereby hand over control of the next family holiday!"

-Sounded good to me, girls.

-Great!

-Yes!

Have you got a message for them?

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Let's go and talk holidays. You two think about what you just said. Bye!

'So the girls have all the power. Now what are they looking for?'

-Should they be afraid?

-Yeah!

-Why is that?

Cos Mum likes very different things.

We can finally get our own back.

Throw out some ideas of what you like to do.

I like kind of adventure. Watersports. And I love heights.

-I love climbing, too.

-You want adventure?

-Yes!

-Fun?

-Yes!

-Lots of adrenaline?

-What does that mean?

-Excitement.

-Yes, yes!

-Do you want to do the kind of thing your mum will not enjoy?

-YES!

-YES!

So I've got three amazing holidays to choose from,

but I want to see if the girls can work out the breaks on offer

from a collection of strange clues.

Let's see what it says. "Och aye! Climb out of the water

"and grab the wee clues in rapid time!"

-Let's go.

-Helmets!

-Why "rapid"?

-Maybe it's white water rafting.

-You need a helmet cos it's dangerous!

We think it might be something like white water rafting.

Maybe it's something to do with bike riding in water!

-You wouldn't go very far!

-I know.

Snorkels! Neat!

We found some pipes and we thought that it might be sailing

because sailors smoke pipes.

-What is it?

-The bag? Maybe the bag?

I doubt that's got anything to do with it, Philippa!

-Right, on to break number two.

-"Take a look at the clothes on sail!"

-S-A-I-L.

-We could follow the wool.

-OK, let's go.

Follow the wool. Over here.

Look at this. For Sail.

Sale is spelt the wrong way.

-Maybe we're staying in a castle by the sea? To sail?

-Maybe!

Something to do with a castle.

Sand castles! Cos it's yellow!

It has croissants. That's France. Are scones French as well?

-I don't know. Italy?

-Italy is ice cream and pizza land!

A castle in France near the sea.

Another "For Sail"! It's a monkey!

Maybe animals. And it might have something to do with sailing.

They've all been tops, haven't they? What's another name for a top?

-Tunic tops?

-T-shirts...

-Sweater? Jersey?

-That's it, girls! Spot on!

-Jersey.

-Yeah, you've got it!

-Top?

-No, go back!

-Shirt?

-Oh, so close!

The girls hung around to find the clues for number three.

-Philippa, I've got a clue! Come on!

-OK, coming!

"Pitch in and it will all become clear.

"Listen to the stereo. What can you hear?" You can pitch a tent.

Maybe we should go and look for one. Look, here's a CD player!

-STRANGE NOISES What is that?

-I don't know!

It's like something crying! Now, hold on to this.

-It sounds like whales.

-In the mouth of a whale!

-Hey!

-I'd like to try camping. I'd like to see what it's like.

We could be eaten by bears!

My mum would absolutely hate this idea.

She said, "Absolutely do NOT put me in a tent!"

-Wales! The Welsh flag!

-It's Wales.

-Cos that's a Welsh dragon.

Right, that's it. Clues over. But have they guessed the breaks?

And which one will they choose?

-Girls, did you enjoy the teasers?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Do you remember a bag of pipes?

-Yeah.

-What could that be? Think.

-Could it be...bagpipes?

-Oh, yes! Scotland!

-A bag of pipes!

-Scotland!

-Would you like to know what you will be doing on this break?

-Yeah!

Break number one is a Scottish rapids and mountains adventure.

Take a look at this.

How do you like the sound of white water rafting,

rock climbing and trying the Highland fling in a fetching kilt?

Girls, a Scottish adventure! First impressions?

Amazing! That looks really fun.

-Let's talk about break number two.

-OK.

It could be an extreme coastal break to the island of Jersey.

You could spend this break abseiling down deserted towers,

jet skiing across the bay and meeting the local wildlife.

That was break number two. Kristin, first impressions?

-It was awesome!

-Would you like to see break number three?

-Yah!

-Yah!

Break number three is a messy Welsh outdoor adventure.

I have packed this one full of fun. You can press the button this time.

You'll get close to nature swinging through trees,

scrambling up rocks and camping in your very own tent.

Tell me - break number one, break number two or break number three?

-BOTH: Break number two!

-You want to go to Jersey?

-YES!

I hope you have a brilliant time. There's one last thing.

At the end of your break, I'll give you the chance to play

-for an amazing treat.

-OK.

However, you only get the treat if you get my little quiz correct.

Get the quiz wrong...

..your parents win the treat.

So there you go. The Rooneys are off to the Channel Island of Jersey.

How will Mum and Dad react and who will win the final treat?

With Mum and Dad still none the wiser about where they're going,

it was time for the girls to pack.

I'm very apprehensive.

I plan for ages what I'll pack. They'll just put anything in.

-It's not fine like that.

-It is!

-He wears these sorts of things in the evening.

-Not really.

-He does.

-I'm in charge.

-We're in charge.

-"We're in charge"(!)

My worst nightmare would be to find hiking boots

and, you know, a nerdy anorak

like rock climbing stuff. I do need a little bit of glamour.

Hello. We'd like a table, please.

Hello!

-We left some stuff out!

-Just leave them.

-Yeah, come on.

-Off we go!

-So, off to the airport,

-and Mum and Dad find out where they're going.

-Congratulations!

You are going on an extreme sports holiday to Jersey!

Oh, my word!

-It's extreme sports.

-What does extreme sports mean?

-Sudden death, darling!

-Don't worry, Mum.

So they fly to Jersey, usually a sunny place,

but just not today. Kristin films it on their very own fam cam.

Very bad weather. Oh, well. We can still have fun.

It's unbelievable! It's like a monsoon.

All right, Mum. Enough moaning.

The packing might make you smile.

De-de-de...!

Ooh, well done!

You actually brought my jacket.

It's torrential rain, so thank goodness for my ski jacket.

You've got my sarong. Really good.

-If the sun does decide to come out...

-When can you sunbathe?

Ohhh...

I wasn't so impressed at how it was chucked in.

What?!

I was horrified to see this tartan blazer!

-Why have you packed that?!

-'Denial.'

She wears it every time we go out to dinner.

-You need that if you break a rule.

-That and that.

-Together?

-Yeah.

Those two.

As if the blazer wasn't bad enough, time for the rules.

Hello, guys. There are no rules about me wearing a dodgy jersey.

Get it? But there are three rules decided by Philippa and Kristin.

Mum and Dad, brace yourselves.

Rule number one - Mum, the girls love swimming,

but not being constantly reminded about wearing goggles and ear plugs.

You're not allowed to nag them when they're going swimming.

That's fair.

Rule number two - Dad, the girls are self-confessed salad dodgers,

but they're bored of you telling them what to order,

-so you're not going to moan about what they eat.

-OK, if it's salad!

Rule number three - Mum, you like to strut your stuff on the dance floor.

Quite frankly, it makes them cringe,

so please, Mum, no embarrassing dancing.

-I'm very hurt!

-If you do, remember the forfeit.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Now when you get up, these are the first things you'll see.

I'm only looking after them from ear infections.

I'm germ-phobic. We all know that.

I'll say lots of vegetables now - tomatoes, cabbage, peas!

-Do as you are told!

-Exactly.

Mum and Dad know the rules, so time for the extreme sports.

First stop, a giant tower?!

-What do we do here?

-Dad, we're going abseiling!

What is it? What is abseiling?

It's the opposite of rock climbing. You're lowering yourself down

using just a rope. This is one of Jersey's many defence towers,

-built by the Germans in the Second World War.

-I am afraid!

Mum is really, really freaking out here.

I think she'll be really nervous and want to stop halfway.

I gather that there's a big drop and I've got to lean back

so I'm practically speechless at the moment.

-OK, who's first?

-Mum!

Right now is the worst moment.

You're safe now to climb over the top of the railings.

-Oooh!

-Now lean right back. Two hands here.

-I can't.

-Come on, Mum. Be brave. The instructor has a safety rope.

You might not feel it, but you're in safe hands, I promise.

-OK, what do I do now?

-Wait.

-Sit up.

-Up again?

-Yeah.

-It's a horrible feeling.

-This hand goes here.

That's better. Try to stay in an upright sitting position.

That's brilliant.

I was that close to saying, "I can't do it. Get me back in."

Keep walking your feet. Walk.

I can't say that there was anything enjoyable about that at all!

I was getting more confident,

but the worst bit was the start of it.

I feel much better now I'm at the bottom!

Top work, Mum! No such nerves from Philippa.

She scales the wall in seconds, quickly followed by Dad,

-who's almost as fast.

-I handled those gaps a lot better! I'm 12!

Fantastic. ..That was wonderful. Wonderful. I'd do it again.

Dad enjoyed it, but Kristin is not feeling so confident.

-Mum and Dad race back up for some moral support.

-Stand here.

I'm quite scared, but hopefully I'll be all right!

I don't want to do it!

Try your best. I really don't want to.

Hold on to this. Just follow my instructions.

Now heels over the edge. Lovely. Two hands on there.

Lean right back. A little bit further.

I'm leaning. Now let this slide through.

< I am.

Kristin's really tried her best,

but it's a bit too extreme for her.

A quick hug from Mum and she's determined to overcome her fears.

You need to let go now.

-Don't look down. Just do it.

-This is annoying!

Yes! You're doing it! That's it, come on!

Beware - there are gaps.

Well done! Fantastic!

The best bit was when I started to let go

because I knew that now I could do it. That felt really good.

Everybody has come down, everybody's done it. Fantastic.

What we've been doing now, we never get to do.

And it's been so much fun.

Back at the hotel, the Rooneys take a well-deserved break.

The girls take a dip in the pool whilst Mum and Dad relax.

Stay put. Remember those rules.

I just try not to look much.

-Good idea, Mum!

-I always say don't go under too much.

She's still going on!

People who haven't had a shower before they've gone in.

-Think of all the sweaty feet...

-Mum! We get the picture!

No more!

The girls have survived the pool and are ready for more action.

-What do you usually do at the beach?

-You know what I usually do!

-I lie on the sun lounger.

-Oh, why did you have to ask?

OK. Not this time. Mum, Dad, we're going...

-BOTH: Jet skiing!

-Oh, my gosh!

Clinging on to a jet ski at 50mph can't be further from a sun lounger.

Philippa's happy to ride with Dad. Kristin seems a bit less pleased.

I'm worried because I'm with Mum!

I'm glad there's not too many people on the beach

in case I career out of control.

Do you know how to stop?

I believe you just take your hands off whatever it is.

Is that a technical term? Be afraid, Kristin. Be very afraid.

Dad makes it look nice and easy.

But Mum doesn't look quite as comfortable. Whoops!

The throttle is so sensitive. You just touch it and it goes!

It lurches forward!

Speed demons Dad and Philippa had better watch their backs.

Mum is gaining confidence. She's overtaking them!

And Kristin's changed her tune.

This is still on the beach, but with an extra twist.

I'm in a kind of shock. I can't believe I did it.

-Transformed our holidays.

-Yeah!

I wouldn't speak too soon, Dad.

The girls have a few more surprises for you.

GIRLS: One, two, three, open!

-No fruit and vegetables here!

-I can't hide my disappointment!

This diner sells burgers, pizzas... and that's it.

Can Dad resist nagging the girls?

Can I have something from the pizza selection?

-Well done, Dad.

-Would you like vegetables or salad with your meal?

-No, thank you.

-I can't believe you asked! This is a veg-free table.

I'm in pain!

Dad's managed to stick to the rules,

but Mum just can't resist hitting the hotel dance floor.

Just check out those moves.

The question is: is she embarrassing the girls?

I don't think Mum deserves a forfeit. She did go up and dance.

It was only a little bit embarrassing. We enjoyed it.

-Does Mum deserve a forfeit?

-No.

Having survived so far, Mum's pleased to go to the animal park.

-She's in for a shock.

-We're meeting some animals that everybody loves.

-Even mummies?

-Mummies love cockroaches.

-Oh, no!

-This is a giant hissing cockroach from Madagascar.

-Pop your hand out.

-No way!

-He's hissing. Is that good or bad?

He's saying, "Please, leave me alone." He sounds like a snake.

The animals that want to eat him think there's a snake and run away.

-We're holding cockroaches!

-Mum does not look convinced by them.

How's she going to feel when she finds out she's really there

to prepare the animal food? And it's not cream cakes.

-Mum!

-What's going on in here?

-These are for the meerkats...

-Look at Mum's face.

Put them in the hole. And when you're finished with both holes...

First of all I smelt the smell and saw all these grubs and bugs.

-My worst nightmare.

-Let me remind you who's in control.

Please, don't...!

-It's fine!

-It's not fine! I'm frightened of these.

Come on! Catch them.

They're hopping!

They had these antennae and it was just awful.

They were crawling up and jumping. I was panicking!

Aaaah! It stuck to my hand!

-I'm enjoying this.

-Aaaah!

It's probably sucking my blood!

"It's probably sucking my blood! Get it off me!"

Say what you like, girls, but I think Mum did pretty well.

The meerkats are the first to tuck in to those crickets.

Delicious!

When you come with the food, they stand on their back legs.

That was really cute.

And, finally, the real kings of the jungle are waiting for their fruit.

So how do the girls think they did?

They were quite well behaved, which was a nice change.

It's the last day of the break and the girls play for the final treat.

You're having a great break,

but it's time to see how well you know your parents to win a treat

taking control of a plane flying over the coast of Jersey.

Three questions. Get two of them right and you two win.

Get two of them wrong and your parents win that treat.

Here comes the first question.

What was the biggest fear that your mum overcame?

Was it a) going abseiling or b) picking up crickets?

Hm. I'm not sure. I think it is the picking up crickets.

-Yeah.

-So shall we go for b)?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Girls, you've gone with b) picking up crickets. Here's what Mum said.

It's got to be between either abseiling or picking up crickets,

-but I'll go for the crickets!

-Yes!

-So we got one right.

-We just need one more right.

-Yes!

Next question. Get this one right and you win the treat.

How did your dad describe your leadership skills?

Did he say a) bossy or b) rubbish?

-I think quite bossy. Do you?

-Maybe.

-Er...

-Shall we go with that? I don't think he thought it was rubbish.

-He played by the rules. He wouldn't do that if we were rubbish.

-Yeah.

-Bossy.

-Shall we go for that?

-Yeah, a).

OK, you're going for a) bossy.

Here's what he said.

There are many words I could use for the girls' leadership skills.

Overall, the one I would use is bossy.

-Yes!

-Yes!

-They've done it. The girls get the treat of a lifetime,

taking control of a plane flying over Jersey.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-All set?

-Yeah.

-Excellent. Now we'll take off.

Full power. As my speed reaches 60mph, back on the control column.

-You're steering the plane.

-I'm driving a plane!

Halfway through, he let go and I had to steer the plane!

Forward to go down, back to go up?

You could see out of the window and the wings were turning over.

It's the best thing I've ever done!

I think we'll take something from this for our future holidays.

-I'm proud of my mum and dad.

-I surprised myself. Brilliant.

I'm very proud of both of you.