Sandhu - Scotland Gimme a Break

Welcome to Gimme A Break,

the only programme that turns the family holiday upside down

by giving the kids total control.

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.

So let's see which lucky family are about to go on a break

unlike any they've ever had before.

Meet the Sandhus. There's 13-year-old Simran,

11-year-old Parminder,

eight-year-old Moneeka,

action man Dad

and chill-out queen Mum.

So why do these girls deserve a break?

Most of the time we go camping. Our parents call it a holiday. We don't.

He doesn't like sitting down. I don't like doing things.

Mum and Dad have different ideas for a holiday.

Mum will lie on a beach and Dad will go hiking up a mountain.

When we go on a holiday, it's just the same - camping, camping, camping.

-It's boring!

-When they've been around 40 years, they can complain!

One of the most frustrating things about Dad is him and his gadgets.

-I love gadgets.

-He sits down in his camp chair

with his mate next to him and they get out their phones.

They're just like, "We should get that laptop, mobile phone..."

When we're on holiday, it's not just us. We've also got loads of family.

It would make a big difference if it was just the five of us.

If we took over the family holiday,

we'd show Mum and Dad how to have a good time.

We're kids. We know what we like.

These girls are definitely well deserving of a proper family break.

-Ready to call the shots?

-ALL: Yes!

There's only one way to do it. It's the Parent Promise.

Please put your hands on hearts and read that out loud and proud.

We the parents of Simran, Parminder and Moneeka

hand over control of the family break.

Are you happy?

-Yes!

-Whilst you have all of the power, we need to have a chinwag.

Come on.

Ladies, what sort of things do you want from your break?

-Something adventurous.

-Thrills and excitement.

Action-type stuff. How are you gonna get Mum involved in the plan?

-A simple thing called a rule.

-I like the attitude. High five for that!

Armed with all that info, I've set up three cracking holidays

for the girls to choose from.

However, they'll need to decipher my cunning clues

to try and work out what's on offer, starting with Break No.1.

-I see clothes, I see wellies.

-Simran, read!

"Take a loch around to find a castle that you must climb!"

-Loch Ness Monster.

-Scotland.

These girls are quick, but what about the funny clothes?

This suit is old like something my grandad would wear.

-It's got that pattern, that Scotland thing.

-I think it's a Scottish hat.

It's got Scottish patterns on it.

-I see something in that climbing frame.

-It's a wig.

Simran had to go and climb up the castle.

The first clue we got was this weird wig. We had no idea what it was.

-It feels weird.

-Like horse hair.

The second clue was a toy with a little baby seal with binoculars.

-What if we were on a boat looking out for baby seals?

-Yes, spot-on!

I just don't get this.

They nearly got it all. Let's see how they do with Break No.2.

It's a dragon. We found this dragon and it was guarding a clue.

-Parminder put on this blindfold.

-OK!

-Turn to the right.

We had to guide her round the dragon to get to the clue.

Careful, careful. OK, up a bit... There!

-Careful, careful!

-Oh, I felt something!

-Yippee!

-What's the significance of this dragon?

-Careful, you'll wake him up!

-Wales! On the flag, there's a red dragon, isn't there?

-Yeah.

DRAGON GROWLS Aaagh!

Ha-ha! I did warn them!

"Hop around and ewe will see some other clues

"as to what this break might be."

She's already found the first clue.

-They're either leeks or spring onions.

-Leeks.

-Spring onions.

-Leeks.

You're almost there, Moneeka!

Go on, Moneeka! A goldfish face!

We have one big fish, one little fish. There's a boat.

We had a chef's hat, then a fish,

so I think we might be fishing, as well as cooking the fish.

We might be doing it in Wales.

They're doing really well, but how will they get on with Break No.3?

-I see balloons.

-I see balloons.

-Look!

-You'll all have...

-A craic-ing time.

-On this wet and wild break.

Anyone know anywhere called Craic?

-That's orange.

-That's green.

-And white.

-That's white.

-The colours of a flag?

-I don't know.

-Could be.

That's right. But of which country?

-What?

-Boxing gloves!

In the water we found boxing gloves, a baseball bat and a football.

-Cos we found them in water, we'll be doing watersports.

-Correct again.

But what about that destination?

-Brazil!

-Brazil!

We could be going to Brazil doing watersports.

-So how did you find the clues that I set you?

-Frustrating.

-Break No.1 - where do you think it is?

-Scotland.

-Let's have a look.

You'll swap campsites for a castle on this amazing Scottish break.

There'll be seal-spotting aboard a high-speed boat,

an exhilarating high rope course

and you'll even meet some local farm animals.

Mum'll have no time to relax on this coast and castle adventure.

-What do you think?

-I think it's really cool.

Even Mum might join in.

-Break No.2 - where do you think that might be?

-Wales.

-What might you be doing?

-Fishing.

-Then cooking it with spring onions.

They weren't spring onions. They were leeks.

I was right. I told you!

-No.2 is a cool canal boat break in Wales.

-Cool!

-We were right again.

You'll be travelling and staying on this beautiful canal boat

and be jumping ashore for some gorge walking, rock climbing, abseiling.

You'll learn how to herd sheep

and attempt to catch your own lunch.

-Your thoughts, please?

-Pretty cool.

-Really, really cool.

Onwards, Break No.3.

-We thought it was Brazil.

-Not Brazil.

Break No.3 is an action-packed, watersports adventure...

-in Ireland.

-Ireland!

On this wet and wild Irish break,

you'll be sailing, kayaking and even building your own raft.

With an adventure course and Irish dancing thrown in,

this is sure to be an amazing family break. To be sure!

I don't think Mum will like any of the breaks which is a good thing.

-It means that's what we want.

-Will it be a difficult decision?

-Yeah.

I'll leave you to it.

The coolest one is the canal boat one.

I like the Wales one too.

I like Scotland the best because you stay in a castle.

-We haven't said anything about Ireland.

-Ireland is way out for me.

-The Wales one looks really cool.

-I do really like Scotland.

It's cool. We've decided. What about you?

You guys were taking for ever. Which break will you go on?

-ALL: Scotland.

-Scotland? Consider it booked.

I'll pop back up during your break, see how you're getting on

and offer you the chance to win one final treat.

-# Din-din-din! #

-# Din-din-din! #

-If you pass, the treat is yours.

-But if you fail...

-# Din-din-din! #

-..Mum and Dad get it.

No!

So the Sandhus are off to Scotland,

but how will Mum cope with all the activities

and who will win that final treat?

So let the girls pack for me and Mum?

I'm not too sure about that.

LAUGHTER AND SHOUTING

They're always complaining about me being in black,

so they'll pack my colourful stuff.

Mum will hate this. It's going in.

I might have to do a little sneaky to see how they're doing.

SCREAMING

I've got a feeling I'll be living in what I'm wearing for a few days.

-Definitely the end. Whoa!

-Oh, yeah.

Whoa! Oh, yeah!

Good job, ladies. So, with suitcases packed, there's nothing left to do

but get in the car and head off to the airport.

Once they arrive, the girls have one last little surprise

to see if Mum and Dad can guess where they're going.

-Nasty. Mouldy cheese, isn't it?

-No.

-It's not one of your dad's socks?

Taste it to see if that helps.

Eugh! Some kind of meat. Germany?

-No.

-Take off your blindfolds. It was haggis.

It's a coast and castle adventure in Scotland.

I'm going to Scotland!

I was hoping for a sandy beach somewhere nice and warm

and instead I get rainy Scotland!

-Where are you going?

-Scotland.

Our parents were disappointed when they found out it was Scotland.

I'll give it a go. Yes, but I'm not OK with it.

-Enjoy your flight.

-I'll give them a seven. A seven to eight.

I'll give them a two only because we're staying in a castle.

Once we start, they'll love it.

-Thank you.

-They were right. Mum was always gonna be hard to please.

But I've got a feeling that Scotland may just throw up a few surprises.

A short plane ride and a shorter drive later

and they're in Ullapool on the west coast of bonnie Scotland,

a country famous for its lochs and castles.

The family finally arrive at their coastal cottage

and the girls are eager to pick their rooms out.

-This is mine.

-This is mine.

-This is mine.

But Mum and Dad are more eager

to pick through the contents of the suitcases.

What's this?

Oh, boxers, excellent!

My main concern was they won't pack enough underwear.

I'm looking for my underwear. I was right. I've found one pair so far.

Only one pair of underpants. I'm a bit gutted about that.

Marks out of ten for packing? I'll give them seven.

I'm surprised, but there you go.

I think they did me quite well, so I'll give them an eight.

-A general thumbs-up to you girls. Well done.

-High five!

It's day one of the break

and nothing like a good brekkie to prepare yourself for the day ahead,

especially as it kicks off with those dreaded rules.

-Hello, Sandhu family.

-ALL: Hi!

I hope you're enjoying the start of your break,

but it is now time to find out those all-important rules.

-Mum, Dad, are you ready?

-Let's have it!

First of all, Dad,

the girls are tired of your obsession with gadgets.

Rule No.1 - there will be no gadgets or anything to do with gadgets

at any time during the break.

- Like it! - An injustice!

-MOBILE PHONE RINGS

-Sorry. I've got to take this call.

Hello...? There's no-one there.

I just wanted to remind you what you're gonna be missing, Dad!

Rule No.2. This one's for you, Mum.

You'll have to take part in every activity, no matter what it is.

So that means no sneaking off to relax and read your magazines.

-Oh, no!

-Yes!

I love sitting and reading my magazines.

Sorry, Mum, but them's the rules. On to Rule No.3...

You are not allowed to nag the kids about anything ever.

Yes, yes, yes!

I'm your mother. It's my job to nag you.

If any of these rules are broken, there will be consequences.

You have been warned. I'll be back towards the end of your break

with the details about that final treat.

-In the meantime, enjoy yourselves. See ya!

-Bye!

-Bye!

-Yeah!

-Yeah!

I think the rules are terrible.

They are an injustice, a travesty.

Mum!

With the rules out of the way, the break can finally begin.

The girls kick things off in style.

What are we doing in Ullapool?

We thought we'd start with a nice high-energy rib ride!

OK, kids, what is a rib ride?

THAT is a rib ride!

Oh, that's fast, Mum!

Mum's going to hate it. Her face said it all.

I am really nervous. If this is how we're starting,

I'm scared about the rest of it!

I expect it to be quite choppy and I expect to get very wet.

You're not wrong there, Dad!

Faster!

Love it! Great!

-I'd rather have a cup of tea!

-Cheer up, Mum!

You've got a visit from some friendly faces.

-They're seals.

-We've found some seals! Four!

Five! Five seals!

So, after a successful seal search, they get one final blast

of some high-speed rib action and head back to shore.

It's nice that we're all together. We hardly do any activities.

Mum said it was wicked!

This is a rip-roaring start. That's for sure.

It's the second day of the break and after yesterday's exertions

they head off for farm activities - hanging out with cute animals.

Surely things will be more to Mum's liking.

-I'm not an animal person.

-You've never tried!

I have a dog phobia as well, but I'll give it a go.

You have to give it a go, Mum.

These chicks are three weeks old. Keep its wing under your hand.

-Just hold it gently.

-Cool.

-They have a little comb on their heads.

-Come on, Mum. Your turn now.

One hand flat, like that, and the other hand over its wings.

Yes! Mum, you did it!

See? It's not that bad.

After that, Mum starts to enjoy life on the farm.

Oh!

-Well, sort of.

-Get him off, please, please!

-To finish off, they go to feed Jock the horse.

-Wow!

-He's huge!

-Put your hand out like that.

There you go. Sorry!

We've got some carrots.

Hang on! What's Dad up to?

So sneaky! Has anyone spotted him?

- Thank you very much for coming. - What's in your pocket?

- Just tissue, see? - But I saw you on your phone.

Dad!

Well done, Moneeka. I warned you, Dad, so get mucking those pigs out.

This is what happens when you cheat.

I can't trust my own children!

From farming it's on to fishing.

With a barbecue later that evening, they'll have to catch some dinner!

This is going to be funny! Look at them getting the waders on!

These are massive for me!

What we've got here is a typical trout fishing rod.

After a short demo, they each step up to give it a go.

Keep the thumb on the top. Forward!

Yeah.

Brilliant! It's more fun than I thought.

Time's running out! A team effort is required to catch anything.

So the family wait... and wait...

..and wait some more.

Nothing seems to be biting today.

No luck at the loch, then. With food still needed,

-they move on to mussel collecting.

-Don't pick the really small ones.

That's a good size, OK? Pull it off. Brilliant.

Brilliant!

With a healthy haul, Rosie teaches them how to clean the mussels.

That's what attaches them to rocks. It's known as their beard.

Pull that off. There we go.

-Done it!

-And, finally, how to shell a prawn.

Take it apart and gently pull. There's a lovely prawn, ready to eat.

I've never cracked open a prawn because we get it ready-made always.

I've really enjoyed this barbecue. I've shelled my first prawn.

Normally, I eat nothing with eyes!

-Can I eat this?

-Yes! 'It's just the five of us.'

It's been very enjoyable.

I'm having a great time. Don't tell the kids!

After a good night's rest, they're ready for more action!

What do the girls have in store next?

-Any guesses?

-I don't know. Treetop climbing?

Falling off a bridge?

-We're doing a high rope crawl!

-What's that?

Well, Mum, first there's a 50-foot abseil into a gorge,

followed by a rock climb across the treacherous cliff face

and then a huge zip line over the river. Phew!

To face that, you need to be harnessed up.

The daunting abseil awaits and Moneeka bravely steps up first.

I'm actually kind of a little bit scared and excited at the same time.

Well done. Oh. Good stuff.

Well done, Moneeka!

-Well done!

-One down, four to go.

-I don't think she'll go.

-But someone's feeling the pressure.

-I think she's going to cry.

-That's scary.

-Good job, well done.

-One by one, they all make it down,

-until finally it's Mum's turn. Will she be able to do it?

-I'm scared.

That's it. Brilliant, beautiful. That's the hardest bit done.

OK?

-Keep looking at me. Doing great.

-Come on, Mum!

-That's it!

-Come on, Mum!

-You're doing it, Mum!

Well done. How was that? That was really, really good.

I can't explain it. I've never felt terror like it, ever.

I wasn't sure she would make it!

Despite that tough start, the hard work continues with rock climbing!

The worst thing was the climbing. I kept losing my grip.

I had to rely on the rope. I don't like that.

In parts, we'd to work together. You couldn't get around it.

That was a good learning curve.

-And to finish off, it's that thrilling zip wire.

-Screaming, OK?

Aaaaiiee!

Three, two, one!

Go, go, go!

Just get it over and done with. Give me a push.

I'm really glad we did this. Everyone enjoyed it, even Mum.

As a family, we pulled together and got through it all.

ALL: Team Sandhu!

Exhilarated, the family make one final journey to the castle

to complete their coast and castle adventure.

When we first arrived at this castle,

I thought, "We're not staying here, surely." It is beautiful.

Welcome. We've brought you here to a highland dancing masterclass.

Before we get started, a special treat for Mum and Dad.

A special treat? Oh, I see! Check out those kilts!

Before the kilts are put to good use, a demo of how it's done.

Right. Let's see what you've got.

And...you just kick over, then the other side,

then kick over to face this way...

The highland dancing was confusing.

It looked easy, but it was really hard.

I have never seen my parents wearing kilts or seen Mum in a skirt.

And obviously I've never seen Dad in a skirt!

To finish things off in traditional Scottish style,

the family sit down for an end of break haggis dinner.

And to keep with tradition, the head of the family toasts the haggis

and dishes it out.

This one smells so much better than that nasty one before.

-It tastes so good.

-I've enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.

Here's to some more Team Sandhu holidays in the future.

Cheers!

This Scottish break is finally coming to an end,

but there's still that final treat to play for.

Hello again, Sandhus!

ALL: Hi!

I hope you've had an amazing break, but the fun isn't over yet.

There's one final treat on offer - a thrilling helicopter ride!

Oh, my gosh!

A helicopter!

Guys, you have to answer two out of three questions correctly.

Get two right and the chopper ride is yours.

However, if you get two wrong, Mum and Dad snatch that treat away.

Question number one: which activity was Mum most surprised to enjoy?

I think it's the farm activities. She hates animals.

-The fly fishing she enjoyed.

-But she wasn't surprised.

-OK, so we're going with B?

-Yeah.

-What's your final answer, girls?

-ALL: B.

b) Farm activities? Let's see what Mum said.

The activity I was most surprised I enjoyed was...fly fishing.

-Oh, no!

-Whoo-hoo! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Hard luck, girls. You have to get this next one right now.

What one word did Dad use to describe the haggis at the airport?

Ooh, it was...disgusting.

-No!

-It was horrible. Dad would never say disgusting.

OK. Sure?

-Mum said it was disgusting. Dad said...

-It tasted familiar.

-I can't imagine him saying disgusting.

-Let's take a guess.

-I need an answer, please.

-b) Horrible.

-Let's find out.

-The haggis was disgusting.

-No!

-No!

-I said it was disgusting!

-We'll wave to you on the ground.

I am so excited. I've never been on a helicopter before. I can't wait!

Wow! this is fantastic.

Absolutely beautiful.

Wow! Look at that.

I think the next family holiday will be completely chilling out.

Mum and Dad are so tired.

I'll be more inclined to do things the kids want to do.

I'm so looking forward to my gadgets!