Pearson - Wales Gimme a Break

Welcome to Gimme A Break, the show where the kids get a passport

to making all the holiday rules and parent power goes on vacation.

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.

Let's meet the family with their suitcases at the ready.

Meet the Pearson family.

Computer expert step dad Pete,

teacher Mum,

10-year-old Molly

and Louis, who's nine.

Hi-ya!

So, why do Louis and Molly deserve to be given a break?

Our holidays of the past four years have been the same.

A quiet resort in Corfu.

We do the same routine - we get up, then we go out to the beach.

Midday we'll break and go to our favourite restaurant.

Go back to the beach...

-Go back to the apartment.

-Next day, the same thing, over and over again.

In most of the photos, we have the same restaurant again,

same restaurant again, and you can see us growing up.

-It's nice to monitor their growth that way, isn't it?

-Absolutely.

Pete's bossy at the end of the day.

I do think I like things to run in a particular way.

We're only allowed to wake up at 7 o'clock.

I put on my dressing gown and got up at 6:54.

He told me off for being only four minutes before 7 o'clock.

She's learning to tell the time, learning to be more accurate!

Our mum just reads a book on a sunbed and hardly moves.

For me, it's a time to just chill-out.

If we don't get the opportunity to sunbathe and read and do the things

that we like to relax, we'll have to book another holiday.

Molly, Louis, I almost fell asleep with boredom on your

behalf thinking about your holidays,

-you are definitely in need of a dose of excitement!

-Yeah.

Mum, Pete, are you ready to hand over the reins to these guys?

-I guess so.

-Let's do it, it's the Gimme A Break parent promise.

Hands on hearts, please.

BOTH: We, the parents of Molly and Louis, hereby hand over control of

the family break.

Shall we get on with planning this thing? Come on.

Molly and Louis are definitely bored of being bored.

Let's talk about what you'd like when you're on your break.

Me and Louis really love animals,

we love seeing animals, being next to animals.

We think they're really cute.

Yeah, and I think we should do some

-watersports, like surfing and watersporty stuff.

-It's so exciting.

I'll see what I can come up with.

Knowing what Molly and Louis want, it's now time for them to choose a

break. Can they crack this set of clues to see what's on offer?

First up, break number one.

Oh, wow, look.

This looks like a boat.

A little boat, but it's not on sea, it's on beans or something.

-Oh, look, a bird house.

-Maybe it's bird food?

I didn't understand how the bird house was joined to it all.

-I wonder what the zips have got to do with it.

-Zip wire.

Oh, wow.

Compass.

-Yeah.

-And it's made out of forks.

Yeah. We might be doing stuff with maybe dining because of the forks.

Look, it's pointing north.

North. Gimme A Break card.

Must be on a ship.

Maybe it's a cruise.

First mate sounds like pirates and stuff, and

I thought it was the Caribbean.

How will they do with break number two?

Cool, a tent!

It's got a cool car.

Maybe we can go somewhere with a van, maybe stop off to go camping.

My mum would hate the camping bit.

Keep to the speed limit now, please.

Look, a clue.

Look, ropes and things, and helmets.

I thought it meant rock-climbing or something with heights.

Mum's scared of heights.

Leaf?

Maybe there's something behind that tree.

Good thinking, Louis.

Will Mum and Pete be "all white"...

Isle of Wight!

Yeah, because it says white in capital letters.

You have maps, ropes, cars, tents.

It's kind of mumbo-jumbo for everything.

And finally, it's break number three.

-Oh, hello.

-What's she wearing?

We found this lady with some Duchess or Victorian clothes.

Why's she holding a boat?

I don't know, maybe some sea adventure. What does it say?

-What does that mean?

-Oh, what's this?

Must be able to spy it. I think I see something.

And it's like these horses. Come on.

Oh, look. Horses. Why have they got daisies on their heads?

Daisies, are you sure?

Realised that it was a horse but I didn't really get the daisy bit on

-top.

-Onwards, my friend!

-Oh, look. Oh, a seal.

-And a penguin.

I think it's definitely an animal holiday, isn't it?

We thought it was animal watching or something, and it was near

-a cold place because it had penguins and seals.

-Oh, look, our last clue.

Wales!

An animal holiday, maybe

a watersport, and maybe in Wales.

-Do you want me to put you out of your misery and tell you what your holiday options are?

-Yes.

Break number one, what do you think it might be?

We thought it was a kind of cruise by the clue, and the

little boat in those vegetables.

The vegetables were part of the clue, they were broad beans.

You remember the compass?

It was the north fork you were looking at.

Break number one will be a sailing holiday -

here it all comes together - in the Norfolk Broads.

Travelling and sleeping on your very own boat, you'll learn sailing

and how to abseil, alongside a canoe trip otter spotting, topped off with

a visit to a magical wood.

I love that. I love where it is, it sounds really peaceful.

-Do you want me to show you break number two?

-Yes, please.

The important clue there was the white van in the tent,

because that was a camper van.

If you choose break number two, you'll be heading off

on a cool camper van holiday on the Isle of Wight.

With your very own van to travel around the island in, you'll be

hanging upside-down in the trees, cantering along on horseback

as well as taking a high-speed ride on the sea.

Brilliant.

I love the idea how we're driving

-around in this beautiful nature of Isle of Wight.

-Here comes the third.

-Are you ready for it?

-Yes!

-What did you think it would be?

-We were a bit confused about the outfit.

We thought it was Dutch, Victorian or Welsh.

The costume was actually Welsh, because break number three

is a jam-packed

adventure holiday in Wales.

It's non-stop activities on this break, as you'll be pony trekking,

have exclusive access to a water park and also get

close to nature on a sea safari.

I was getting lots of "Whoas" during that.

-Yeah. We really love that holiday.

-Do you? What do you love about it?

I especially like all the animals and the sea

life, that was really amazing.

They are your three breaks.

How difficult is it going to be to decide between them?

Really, really difficult.

-Sounds to me like you need some thinking time, yeah?

-Yeah.

-I'll see you in a bit.

-Bye!

So now we've got a hard choice. We have to make the decision.

I really like three.

Yeah, me too, I think it's the most action-packed.

Also we have the water park and things. That's really nice.

-Have you come to a conclusion?

-Yeah.

You've made your decision, you are going off on a break to...?

Number three, Wales!

Why did you go for Wales in the end?

We think it's really action-packed and everything.

I think you're gonna have an absolutely brilliant time there.

-Consider it booked, you're off on that holiday.

-Yay!

-Yay!

-I'll pop up on the laptop

and see how you're getting on during your break, and also give you

the chance to win one extra treat for yourself whilst you're there.

If you get the questions right, it's yours, but if you get them wrong,

it becomes Mum and Pete's treat.

Oooh! Thank you.

-Have a great time, won't you?

-Yeah.

The Pearsons are off on an activity adventure holiday in Wales, where

the local motto is Cymru am byth, meaning "Wales forever".

Will Mum conquer her fear of heights?

Oh, my goodness.

-Will Molly and Louis win the dream treat?

-Boo!

So, having sent their boring holidays away on a one-way trip,

-Molly and Louis are checking in with the packing.

-Look at these. Fire!

I'm not sure that they'd have a very good idea about what we would need.

Let's take a little bit of high heels for some class.

If I am spending my week in cocktail

dresses and high heels, I'll be disappointed.

That's a dress, and it doesn't look that pretty.

I think Louis will have done quite a good job,

I think he'd have thought carefully about what we need.

Anything really embarrassing here?

I imagine that Molly will have packed

anything she can think of that she'll think funny.

If you ever wanna see Pete in that...

High-five.

Mum and Pete still don't know where they're heading.

Maybe the family's sat nav will be able to help.

Continue straight on.

After 300 yards, look left.

What's this?

In Wales?! Wales?

Action-adventure?

Action and adventure are not words that go with holiday for me, really.

I think they're looking really forward to our holiday.

No way I'd have ever chosen a holiday like this.

The Pearsons travel across the UK,

capturing their journey on the Gimme A Break fam cam.

Here we go, over the bridge.

Welcome to Wales!

Arriving at their holiday home in the Pembrokeshire National Park,

how will Mum and Pete cope without their usual apartment in Corfu?

-Wow!

-Oh, wow!

Let's go upstairs!

All we could say is, "Wow, wow, wow."

Must be your room.

It's absolutely lovely - the location, the forest

and inside, it's just stunning.

I want to live here, it's gorgeous.

So, with the accommodation getting the seal of approval, will Mum and

Pete think Molly and Louis' packing to be equally five-star?

OK. What is that?

-For Pete to put on.

-Oh, that's handy.

-These, I wear to work.

-We seem to have packed too many smart shirts.

I hope you've got cufflinks!

Did you say it was an action adventure holiday?

Those are fantastic. I'm not wearing that!

I'm quite proud of you, you've done a good job there.

No, they haven't!

I can't see that there's very many practical clothes in here.

I think out of ten I'd give them a seven.

They seem to have picked things they think are horrible

which I actually quite like.

For neatness, tidiness, I'd probably give them a nine

out of ten - it's all nicely folded, but for the actual contents, a two.

The family are settled in, but

will Mum and Pete still feel relaxed when they find out the family rules?

Noswaith dda, Pearson family. That's good evening in Welsh.

Before your adventures can begin,

Molly and Louis have set a few rules for this holiday.

They'd better be good ones.

Rule number one - Molly and Louis have had enough

of not being able to get up when they want to,

-so on this break, they will decide when everyone gets up.

-No way!

-Yeah!

-Rule number two is for you, Pete.

Under no circumstances whatsoever are you allowed to be bossy.

Bossy?!

Me?

Finally, this rule is for all the family. Molly and Louis are

fed up of always eating the same things on holiday, so on this break,

everyone must try something that they've never eaten before.

-Oh, that's a good rule.

-Fair enough, that's good.

Now, rules are rules and if any get broken, there will be consequences.

I'll be back later where there'll be an opportunity

for Molly and Louis to win one final treat.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

Bye, Kirsten.

Being singled out for a rule was grossly unfair.

I think they are portraying me as somebody that I'm just not.

He thinks he's not that bossy but

he actually quite is, he just doesn't realise it.

These are the rules of destiny!

Rules set, Molly and Louis decide to get the adrenalin pumping and

take the break to a whole new level.

Mum, Pete, normally on holiday you like to lay back.

We're gonna give you the opportunity.

-But like this.

-Oh!

-Hi!

-No way. How could you do this to me?

THEY GIGGLE

This is not my idea of fun at all.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

I'm definitely looking forward to having a go, I will do anything.

Lean forward.

-Keep your legs straight at all times.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I don't have to do it, do I?

-Yes, you do!

-I feel really sick.

OK, I'm closing my eyes.

Unbelievable.

SCREAMING

It's just the most free experience. It was fantastic.

It was like you were falling in mid-air.

Then you get used to it and it was really, really good.

What a brave mum. Usually on holiday I would lie on a sunbed,

read a book and occasionally dip my toe in the water.

That is totally different to

anything I would usually do. But I loved it.

I hope you don't scream like that.

Well, there's only one way to find out...

Heights is one thing I'm not completely comfortable with.

I'm a bit scared now.

Grip on tight.

Now we're going.

-This is cool.

-It's a long way up.

It is like flying. It was a beautiful feeling.

I enjoyed it really, really much.

Hello.

Well done!

-I didn't scream.

-Did you like it?

-Yeah.

-Very proud.

Thank you very much.

What do you think we're doing today?

Um...Lazing around on a beautiful

-Welsh beach.

-Let's hope so.

-No chance, Mum and Pete!

It was wild yesterday and this morning you're going to get wet.

We've got this all to ourselves. So you have to play.

I don't remember sneaking off being on the adventure agenda, Mum!

-Come on and get on the ride.

-Do I have to?

# Splish-splash I was taking a bath

# Long about a Saturday night

# A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub

# Thinking everything was all right

# Well, I stepped out the tub, put my feet on the floor... #

From now on I will be joining in the swimming activities and Georgie will

definitely have to join in now.

Thank God that's over.

Having started the day with a splash,

Molly and Louis have decided the whole family now need to

do some horsing around.

It must be yours, Louis.

I think Mum and Pete will enjoy this because it's laid-back,

a little relaxing.

I am quite nervous about pony-trekking - they are quite

-large ponies.

-It's 20 years or more since I have been pony-trekking.

The last time I went I was bitten.

Don't worry, Pete. Your horse has been well fed this time.

-Who wants to go a bit faster?

-DAD: Er...Georgie does!

Yes, let's speed things up.

We don't want Mum and Pete to start feeling relaxed!

-Well done.

-There's going to be a few saddle-sore bottoms later.

Molly and Louis have taken the reins of the holiday and decided

on a little competition.

Will they make Mum and Pete look like donkeys?

And they're off! Louis on Amber in the lead. Mum catching up.

Pete on Rosie edging ahead by a nose.

Molly on Frodo bringing up the rear.

Molly catching up, Pete falling behind. And it's a draw!

It's time to trek, so trot on everyone.

Are you enjoying this, Mummy?

I'm having a whale of a time, darling. It was really nice to be

out, the four of us, as a family in the woods, the beautiful scenery and

lovely weather, together doing pony-trekking.

It just felt brilliant.

Don't stop there!

I'm definitely going trekking again. I want a pony.

There's no space for ponies.

Low gear, now.

Pete, horses don't have gears!

Every single muscle in my body is aching.

And I am looking forward to a hot bath.

-Aw, my knees!

-There are parts of my body I'm not sure will ever recover.

Numb bum situation.

-Wake up.

-Mum and Pete don't get much time to recover,

as next morning, Molly and Louis enforce their rule of deciding

when everyone has to get up.

5:30am!

Five minutes to get out of bed or you have broken a rule.

Mum and Pete still aren't up.

That's a rule break.

-Come back at 8.30am.

-You've broken a rule.

MUM: I would like to point out that everybody else

in all the other lodges is asleep.

In our lodge, everybody is wide awake.

Because Molly and Louis woke us up.

Reluctantly up and awake, it's off round Ramsey Island on a sea safari

to look for seals.

When we were choosing, we said we liked wildlife and we thought

this might be a good idea.

I'm not looking forward to this activity. I don't like water.

And certainly not rough water.

All aboard and set sail. First one to spot a seal is the winner.

It's beautiful, the way the water is pouring between the rocks.

It's lovely with the wind in your hair.

So, where are all the seals then?

They're Razorbills, not seals.

-That is an Oystercatcher.

-Quite cool, isn't he?

Oystercatcher - again, not a seal.

These are Petrils.

A Petril! Still not a seal though.

OK, attention, has anyone seen a seal?

Anyone?

It's a seal!

I've only ever seen seals in the zoo.

And to see one that close as wildlife was really amazing.

Seeing the seal was a beautiful moment.

Popped her head up out of the water. It was gorgeous.

Looks a bit like our dog.

That is quite choppy. When the water got wild I was nervous.

-I did cling to Pete at one point.

-I wish I had my surfboard here.

I have to say pootling around the Mediterranean

doesn't compare to the excitement and beauty of this experience.

Back on dry land, there's a small matter of a rule break to deal with.

Mum and Pete, since you broke the rules and didn't get out of bed

-there will be a consequence.

-I don't believe it.

-You have to eat...

-Laverbread.

I've never heard of that.

A selection of Welsh laverbread.

-Oh, lovely. Oh, the bread, that's...

-No, that's the laverbread.

Basically, it's cooked off seaweed.

-Seaweed?! Yes.

-Thank you very much.

That looks delicious(!)

Ready? Three, two, one...

-Eat it, eat it, eat it!

-It's horrible!

That's quite nice, actually.

It's horrible!

-No, I'm not having any more.

-I think you are.

-Look at him.

-Feeling a bit sick, Mum?

KIDS GIGGLE

It does look like dog poo.

Not pleasant.

It's almost the end of the break, and nature lovers Molly and Louis

-have a special final activity in store for the family.

-My goodness.

-Are you ready to know?

-Yeah...

-We're doing falconry!

-My goodness.

I saw the owl and thought oh, my goodness, I am a bit frightened.

This is Popeye, he is a European eagle owl.

I'll pop him on to you.

-See how big his talons are?

-He's really colourful as well.

-What do they eat?

-Anything that's meat-based.

Do they like Welsh seaweed?

PETE: I don't think anything likes Welsh seaweed.

I've never been that close to an owl.

It did remind me of the owl in Harry Potter.

I was a bit scared, but now I quite like you.

Except for the fact he's got dried blood around his beak.

This is Maleki, a five-year-old male Harris Hawk.

Watch him. HE WHISTLES

When you get some food and it

comes, it looks like it's gonna fall, but it doesn't.

Louis loves animals. And loves anything to do with nature

and this is an opportunity he hasn't had before.

He's walking around with his arm up, "Please land on me!"

I might ask for my own bird for Christmas.

The only bird Louis will be having for Christmas is a turkey.

What we're gonna do now is set up a lure flight

so you can see him hunting and we have a lure that resembles a rabbit.

So you will hold on to this bit, run down

the long grass and he will chase you and catch it.

Run, Molly, run!

I'm shoeless!

Did she lose her shoe?

If you'd said to me we'd be doing falconry, I'd have thought, hmmf,

but, actually, brilliant.

This has been a real taste of something different.

It made me think the ideal

holiday would be a dual location Pembrokeshire-Corfu split break.

After a jam-packed schedule, there's just the matter of who will win the

final treat.

-Hello Molly, Louis.

-Hello, Kirsten.

-Have you been having fun?

Yeah, brilliant.

It's time to play for your final treat.

If you win, you will be having

a fine dining experience - a three-course meal of all

your favourite food prepared in your lodge by an executive chef.

-So, are you ready?

-Yes.

Question 1, what word did Mum use to describe

the freefall ride at the theme-park?

I think high.

Don't you?

She doesn't usually use the word exhilarating, Pete does.

We are going for B.

So, you're saying B, high.

This is what your mum said.

-High.

-Yay!

Well done! Question 2 - get this question right

and the treat is yours.

-Boo!

-Bring it on.

Which part of his body did Pete say hurt the most after pony-trekking?

No, it was definitely his bottom because he kept saying about his

bottom really hurting.

Let's do...bottom.

We are going for bottom.

You're going for A, bottom.

Let's find out if the treat is yours. This was Pete's answer.

-I have to say my bottom hurt.

-Yay!!

-High-five!

-PETE: What a waste of a chef.

Mmm, that's really nice.

-I'm definitely, definitely pleased I got the treat.

-That's really tender.

Dinner was gorgeous.

-Ready for dessert, guys?

-Yes, definitely.

Devastated about not winning the treat. I would have

liked to have tried some.

I think I'm full now.

On this holiday, we are really together and it's taught us

to do things as a family.

Molly and Louis are far the best at organising holidays.

They've done a wonderful job.

We will definitely be coming back. I loved it.

I will remember this for a long time.