Iceland The Real Marigold on Tour

This programme contains some strong language

-It's chaos!

-LAUGHTER

Oh, mind! Mind.

Where in the world would you chose to spend your golden years?

Getting older is difficult,

but you must challenge it.

Aaah! Wow!

Bette Davis said, "Old-age ain't for sissies."

Ah, yes, just what I needed.

A group of well-known pensioners are on a brand-new adventure...

..travelling the globe in search of the perfect place to grow old.

SCREAMING AND LAUGHTER

I want to see what's out there, and grab it.

Having sampled the retirement secrets of China and Cuba...

This is ridiculous.

..this time, familiar Marigold faces Paul Nicholas...

-Hi.

-..Sheila Ferguson.. LAUGHTER

-..Dennis Taylor...

-Can you believe this?

-Good to see you, yeah!

-..and Rusty Lee are journeying north...

-Look who it is.

-What more fun can you ask for?

-SHE LAUGHS

..to try and find the key to longevity in Iceland.

I don't know why in the world anybody would want to

retire to Iceland. I don't see it, quite frankly.

-I don't see it.

-SHE LAUGHS

Iceland, defined by its dramatic landscape of active volcanoes and

spectacular glaciers.

Almost 80% of this isolated land remains uninhabited.

However, the small population here enjoy one of the highest life

expectancies in the world.

Could this be the ideal place to spend your golden years?

-A big difference to Gatwick.

-It is.

-It's quite chilly, though, isn't it?

-It's freezing.

-LAUGHTER

It's a little taters.

When I think of Iceland, it doesn't seem like a very friendly climate.

And I hate the cold.

Really, really, really, really hate the cold.

Hate it, hate it! Woof!

The group have landed in the small northern town of Akureyri.

From here, they'll be travelling on to live

in two contrasting locations.

They'll venture south-west to experience the bustling lifestyle

in the capital city, Reykjavik.

But first, they're heading north to sample a more gentle existence in

the retirement haven of Husavik.

It's got a sat nav, I think, Dennis, hasn't it?

There we go. Where to go...

-Husavik.

-You're all right, aren't you?

-Yes, that's it.

-Oh, I see.

-Everybody OK in the back?

-No.

-Yes.

I've actually been doing a little research.

-Have you?

-Iceland has over 160 volcanoes...

-Gee-whiz!

-..and over 600 hot springs.

-Wow!

-The place that we're going, Husavik,

-is the whale-watching capital, in fact.

-Is it?

-Yeah. So if you fancy watching a whale...

I fancy watching a whale.

Oh, that's pretty now, look at that.

I tell you one thing, I could never live out here, this isolated.

Mm-mm, mm-mm, mm-mm.

But if you meet an eight-foot Viking, you might change your mind.

-I'd stay.

-LAUGHTER

There is that, there is that.

I've been single and living alone eight years.

So if I could find a Viking to throw me over his shoulder and carry

-me off to a cave, I'll see you back in England.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Now, what would you like in a man?

-Strength.

-Strength.

-Height.

-Height.

-Funny.

-Blue eyes.

-Blonde hair.

-Two horns on his head?

-No.

-Viking?

-As long as they have some sort of horn, she won't care.

LAUGHTER

I love Sheila, I think she's fantastic.

I always fancied her when she was in The Three Degrees.

It wasn't until I met her that I went off her.

HE LAUGHS

No, that's not true.

-This must be Husavik.

-Yeah, looks like it, I think.

Set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and renowned for the

whales that come to grace its bays,

this sleepy fishing village offers a uniquely Icelandic vision of

retirement bliss.

-Straight ahead. Have we got a number?

-Number 27.

-Oh!

-Sorry about that.

-By joining the small and ageing community,

the group are hoping to discover its potential as a place to settle in

-later life.

-This is your home.

-Oh, that looks nice, yes.

-Opposite the graveyard.

-LAUGHTER

-Well, not far to go when we kick the bucket.

-LAUGHTER

-Welcome to Husavik.

-It's lovely. Look at that view.

The party of four are splitting up to live in two separate houses

-a short distance apart.

-Bye!

Don't forget where we live!

-Hello!

-Hello!

-Hello, how are you?

Welcoming Sheila and Rusty is 73-year-old retiree Svala.

-I don't want to mess up her steps.

-Are you OK?

-I will be in a minute.

-The views are beautiful!

-Yes.

-Can we go out and have a look?

-Oh, yes.

-This is lovely.

-Yes.

-So this is a fishing village here?

-And what's that?

-That's a house.

-That's another house?

-Yes.

-OK.

-Can we see our rooms?

-Yes.

-Yes?

-Please, come here.

I don't like the look of the houses.

I prefer granite and stone and character, to give me warmth.

It's austere.

Less than a mile away,

Paul and Dennis are approaching their new Icelandic home.

There don't seem to be any kind of...

-Life?

-LAUGHTER

Hosting them is 76-year-old local resident Haflidi.

Pleased to meet you. Welcome to Husavik.

-Thank you. What is your first name?

-Haflidi.

-Haflidi?

-Yes.

-I'm Paul.

-I'm Dennis.

-Oh, yeah.

-Hello. Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you. Will you come inside?

-Yeah, lovely, thank you.

-Yes, the door is open.

-The door is open and in we go.

-Yes.

-Lovely.

-Very nice.

-Yes.

-TV.

-Paul can have the big room.

No, no. I'll go in here.

Yes. This will do me fine.

I thought it was going to be a little bit bigger, to tell you the truth.

It's a beautiful little fishing village.

Just looking forward to seeing what the locals do,

and what the pensioners do for a bit of fun around here.

How does it work here with old people? I mean, I'm an older chap.

What would I do to, um, to have some pleasurable leisure time here?

-We have a very good men's choir here.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

I'm a member of it. And we are going to practise tomorrow.

-Oh, really?

-Paul, in the '60s, was a pop star, yeah.

-Oh!

-'70s.

-LAUGHTER

-'70s, love. Get it right, lovie.

-'70s.

-Yeah! Oh!

-My wife loved him. He had all this blonde curly hair...

-LAUGHTER

-And now look.

-..and he was... And all the ladies loved him.

-Yeah.

-Do you know what? And I am the father of his children.

-LAUGHTER

You are a funny man.

Icelanders are amongst the healthiest people on the planet.

They also eat more fish per head than anywhere else in the world.

-Careful of the traffic.

-LAUGHTER

For a taste of the lean Nordic diet,

the group are eating out in one of Husavik's five local restaurants.

Hello. How are you?

You OK? Yeah? You remember my face?

I used to play snooker.

I used to do that, yeah.

With the big glasses, yeah.

You've got a good memory.

Long time ago. Where are you from?

Oh, right, yeah.

-Oh, now, then.

-We want to retire here with you.

-We like the Vikings.

-LAUGHTER

-She wants a man.

-Would you stop?!

-LAUGHTER

-Jesus Christ!

-I made you go hot now.

-Well, how old are you?

-I'm 18.

-LAUGHTER

She's checking out...

-He's too young. He's too young for you.

-Don't look at me like that!

-Oh, perfect.

-Two cod.

-Chicken.

-Chicken...

-That will be lovely. Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

-You've got tights older than him.

-LAUGHTER

And shoes. And dresses.

Oh, wow! Oh, I'm jealous!

-That looks very nice.

-Thank you.

-Oh, that looks nice.

Yeah. Lovely.

Shall we stuff our faces?

This must have come straight out of the sea here.

-Nice?

-Oh, yeah.

-Very, very fresh.

The gentleman that is looking after us told us about a hot spring.

It's like, he said, a fantastic, like, a big hot tub or a hot spring.

Apparently it's almost the fountain of youth.

-I mean...

-We've got to give that a go.

-Yeah. Do you fancy it at all?

I'd love to do that.

With one pub, no cinema and just a handful of restaurants,

the small population here take a more natural approach to evening

-recreation.

-Let's go.

-Here we go.

Following up on the recommendation,

the group are headed for the local hot springs.

-This is lovely.

-Oh, lovely.

-I can't get over those mountains.

They don't look real, do they?

Do you think there'd be people naked in them?

-I don't think so.

-Oh, my God, I hope not!

I would imagine they have a separate one for them.

-What, a nudist one?

-Yeah. I have no idea how big it is.

I don't know what to expect at all.

-It's there.

-Is it coming up?

-Wait a minute! Those are all blokes - old ones.

-LAUGHTER

-No, there are women there. There are women there.

-Good Lord.

With an endless supply of geothermal water from beneath the earth,

hot potting is the pastime of choice in Husavik.

-Is this it?

-Where everybody...

-This is it?

-This is all there is?

-This is it? No, that's a shower.

-LAUGHTER

I thought it was like a big lake.

Well, I was wrong, wasn't I?

Do you go in the cold water after?

-Afterwards, yeah.

-Not necessary?

That's good for you, though. You have got to do that.

-Take the warm...

-I can't tell you how thrilling it is...

-LAUGHTER

-Hey!

-I just can't wait to get in with all you guys.

-LAUGHTER

-I have to say, ladies...

-Yes.

-..it's quite warm.

-It's beautiful.

-O-o-oh! Oh, it's quite nice.

How often do you do this?

Every morning, we discuss about the politics and so on.

-Yeah.

-And then you have solved all the problems after one hour...

-Yeah.

-..and then you go out.

-It's actually very nice.

-You'll get used to it in a minute.

-Here we go.

-Very good, isn't it?

-Come on, girls. Get in here.

-Oh, shut up!

-LAUGHTER

What's that? A bit of cold water?

I'll have a bit of that.

-You won't get...

-Thank you.

-Is that good, yeah? Nice.

-Mmm.

No, it's very nice.

-Really?

-Is there a sell-by date on it? A best-before?

-LAUGHTER

-Come on, baby!

-Oh, my God, you've got to lift your leg...

-LAUGHTER

-You're going to like this, darling.

-Ooh, nice!

-You're going to like this.

Oh, that's nice! Ooh!

That's better, isn't it?

-Oh, yes!

-It's beautiful.

-You live in the village?

-I live in Husavik.

You were in my... You were in my restaurant.

Oh, it was lovely!

Well, you could have cloth napkins, that would make it classier.

-Cloth napkins.

-Oh, we had cloth.

-No, we had paper.

-We needed a restaurant close

-to the harbour, you know?

-Yeah.

When we started with our company doing whale-watching... Are you interested in whale-watching?

-Yes, we want to go see some...

-OK, join me, then, tomorrow?

-Oh, yeah, are you coming?

-Yeah!

-Yeah!

-It would be nice to have someone other than you old farts!

-LAUGHTER

I don't know about you, but I want to go in the cold.

Are you coming into the cold one?

Yeah, I want to go in the cold one, the really cold one.

I think the Icelandics are very proud of the fact that

they've got these hot springs.

Aaaah!

It is freezing!

Coming here is a bit like an Englishman going to the pub.

You know, they sit in there for, like, two or three hours, discuss

politics, sport, you know, their problems.

It's a very social thing as well as being healing for them.

So it was actually very exhilarating.

High up in the northern hemisphere,

Husavik experiences daylight for almost 24 hours a day

during the summer months.

It's 11pm.

-It wasn't a bad day, really, was it?

-Very enjoyable. A long...

Well, it seems to have lasted a long time.

-Well, it's still going on!

-LAUGHTER

At 11 at night or whatever it is.

It'll be interesting to try and fall asleep, because it's constant light here.

It's an unusual backdrop to sleep, really.

But I think it'll be all right. I think the drugs'll work, hopefully!

HE LAUGHS

Tea!

You happy with having a fruit salad?

-Yes, well, I'll be so bloody healthy, nobody will recognise me!

-LAUGHTER

Where's my bacon and egg McMuffin meal?!

-Are you going healthy today?

-Yeah.

GARGLING

I've had a viral throat infection for the last few days.

I'll be OK, but I just need to keep myself warm, I think.

When you get older,

you do, you know, because obviously you're closer to dying,

any little thing like a bit of a cold, you think,

"Ah, this could be the one!"

So you do try and keep healthy.

-Was that Danny Boy you were gargling?!

-Yes.

I couldn't quite get the tune.

-# Oh, Danny boy... #

-LAUGHTER

Oh, it works a treat.

First impressions of this place is that they're a very tight community.

Yes, yes. What I would need absolutely to live here would be some kind of

company, because the solitude... If you were to live here, you'd have your family.

If I were to live here, I'd still be alone. If I'm not going to fall in love and live happily ever after,

it would take something very strong to make me move to a harsh climate

like this. Then, of course,

I would probably have a heck of a time getting my hairdresser to fly over to do my extensions!

-So we have to take practicalities on board, as well.

-SHE LAUGHS

For women aged 60 and over,

Husavik's Senior Citizens Centre is the social hub of the village.

Hello! Hi! How are you?

Today, Sheila and Rusty have been made honorary members of the club.

-Will you come here?

-Yes, of course.

The ladies here meet up to five times a week.

I will grow old the way I see fit.

I would never want to weave baskets,

I would never want to do carpet weaving.

That's not... No, no.

-What are you making?

-We are making these flowers!

-Oh!

-We are selling it for Mother's Day.

-OK.

-Oh, that's lovely!

-Yes.

-This is a mother flower.

-Oh, that's lovely.

-Are you happy, living here? What do you think...?

-Yes, very happy.

-You're very happy, aren't you?

-You can just knock on the door and say,

"Hey, I'm coming for coffee," yes.

I have lived in a house in Spain for ten years,

my next-door neighbours have never said hello!

-No?

-Never said hello.

-If you came here...

-Yes.

-..I will talk to Lili and Svala and

-say, "Shall we come and visit her?"

-Oh, that's lovely.

I bet you would, too. I feel that. I feel that.

Since first grade, I never made a paper flower,

and I won't ever again, but when you think about it,

they keep themselves mentally stimulated and they look after each other.

I enjoyed myself, I really did.

-What are these?

-Astarpungar.

-Astarpungar?

-Astarpungar.

Sorry?

-My man...

-Your man...

-They have two...

LAUGHTER

-You're a very naughty girl!

-LAUGHTER

These are delicious!

20 minutes away, Paul and Dennis have been invited by their host,

Haflidi, to join in with the all-male choir rehearsals.

CHORAL SINGING

All-male choirs hold a special place in Icelandic culture...

Haflidi, he's going for it.

..and for the men here,

they're integral to a strong sense of national pride.

-Hey, Bravo! Well done!

-Fantastic! Fantastic!

62-year-old member Helgi has been with the group for almost 20 years.

-Lovely to see you, that was magnificent.

-Dennis. I'm Paul.

-What's your name?

-My name is Helgi.

-Helgi?

-Helgi. How long have the choir been together?

This choir started, 1975.

And how old is the eldest member, how old?

-I think that he is about 82 years old.

-Oh, well, we're teenagers!

-Do you like to sing with us!

-Could we?

-Oh, yes!

-Absolutely!

Do you have any music I can look at?

-I can't read it, but I'll have a look at it!

-LAUGHTER

-It is a pleasure if you sing with us.

-Thank you so much.

I would like to think I'm musical, because most of my life, that

combination of acting and singing is what I kind of do.

You know you're a baritone, I have no idea what I am.

-You're an Irish tenor.

-I'm going next to him.

-An Irish tenor.

-You're an Irish tenor.

-Yeah, that's good.

-An Irish tenor.

-I'm sorry. He's a choirmaster!

-LAUGHTER

CHOIR SINGS

I was an altar boy as a youngster,

but I wouldn't like to think I've got a good voice.

I was never one for learning all the words of a song.

It's funny, when you do something like that and you haven't done it

for a while, you realise why you like doing it.

Cos even though I couldn't speak the language and didn't know the

tunes, I was able to join in, and I really loved it.

-Ah, very good.

-Just a little bit late.

Not so easy for us!

Good on the tra-la-la, we were great on that bit!

They seem very in touch with their country, and themselves.

-It's a very kind of organic place.

-And it's so quiet.

I mean, this might sound a bit Irish,

-but you can actually hear the quiet.

-You can.

Listen, let's listen to it.

CAR PASSES

-Well, the odd car!

-THEY LAUGH

To the locals in Husavik,

the old sailing boats down by the harbour are a testament

to their proud maritime heritage.

-Hello!

-Hi, hi.

-Hello.

-Welcome again.

Having accepted an invitation to go whale-spotting,

the group are meeting 64-year-old restaurant and boat owner Hordur.

-Sorry, you do two!

-You do two...three!

-OK!

-This is so beautiful!

-It is beautiful. We just opened up the sun for you.

-Thank you very much!

-This is probably the warmest day in the summer so far!

-Good!

-Wow.

-OK, so just follow me.

-OK, thank you.

The average temperature here in July is just below 15 Celsius.

A sea voyage therefore requires the proper attire.

-Let's do it!

-Let's follow the man.

-So, this will be the boat...

-Oh!

-The Haukur.

Wow!

He looks very handsome, the captain - doesn't he? - in his outfit.

-Aye, aye, Captain Hordur!

-Aye, aye.

-LAUGHTER

Hordur and his crew are sailing the group north into the Atlantic

in hope of spotting some of Husavik's most majestic of neighbours.

How many different species of whales might we see?

-We would be lucky with one species.

-Oh, right! But you have more than one species?

Yeah, yeah, we have been seeing from the harbour, porpoises,

-which are no longer than that...

-Yeah.

-..up to the mighty blue whales,

which are... Can be much bigger than the boat.

-Really?

-Well, if they start biting off the end of the boat,

-I'm going up that way!

-LAUGHTER

You know, if people want something that's peaceful,

this is probably as good as it gets.

I think it's too soon for me to make an overall judgment.

You went to Majorca, and a lot of people would look at that place

-and say, "What a fantastic place to be."

-Yeah, "I'm in paradise."

But what was it about being there that ultimately made you want to leave?

-Sometimes you can have a bit too much of paradise.

-Yeah.

And what happens in the summer, everybody wants to come and visit paradise,

-and they come and stay with you. In the winter, nobody wants to be there...

-No, it's empty.

-..and you're on your own. So I was going to look at a retirement village in England.

-Oh, really?

-Which I thought might be perfect.

-I wouldn't want to be around a lot of retired people all the time.

No. If it's regimented and you have to sit with grey-haired people and have soup...

-Did we have soup this morning, dear?

-LAUGHTER

-You know what I'm saying.

-But the truth is...

-The truth is we're all individuals, certain things suit certain people...

-Than other people, yes.

Is there a whale?

-Oh, yeah, there it is. See? Look.

-Where?

-To the right.

-See the little...

-Oh!

-Oh!

-Wow! The spot just to the right, look!

-O-o-o-oh!

-Wahey!

-Wow!

-Where?

-You see there?

Oh, there he is, there's the spout. You see the spout of water come up?

There he is! Look at that! Look at that!

-RUSTY GASPS

-Look at that!

The party has been joined by a curious humpback whale.

You can see that the animal is really relaxed.

-Oh!

-It's enormous!

-There's another one!

-There's two!

Oh, look at that one!

Oh, my God, bless, he's showing off! I love it!

It made me feel emotional.

I don't know, it's just beautiful.

We've come out so far, and they've come to see us.

It's just fantastic. And we get two!

Ooh!

Sometimes, you know, life can pass you by, and you don't get out and

see what nature's like, right on your doorstep.

When you get to our age,

you appreciate exactly what you've got there and enjoy it,

because you don't know when it's all going to end.

Look at that!

-Wow!

-How lucky are we?

-Yeah.

This place is very different from anywhere I've ever been before.

Just the name, Iceland. It sounds remote.

And of course, during the winter it's very dark, so it's a bit foreboding.

But in fact there's a tranquil feel to the whole place.

That's the charm, so far, for me.

And being in touch with the land and the sky and the sea.

-Hey, good morning, Haflidi.

-Good morning, sir!

-How are you this morning?

-Would you like a cup of tea?

-Yes, thank you, thank you.

-Come through.

Having rehearsed with the choir yesterday,

Paul and Dennis have been invited to perform in a special concert held

outside the village.

You're still learning, la-la, la-la.

-That was the only words I could remember!

-LAUGHTER

-Ah!

-How old are you, Haflidi, if you don't mind me asking?

-76.

-76.

-Wow.

Are you keeping in reasonably good health?

Yes, I am. I'm a very lucky man.

Even though the doctor told me what's going on in here,

-inside of me...

-Oh, have you got...you've got a bit of...?

-Cancer.

-No, you didn't tell us, I didn't know!

No. It's OK, it's OK. I'm very lucky to...

I just take one pill, then I'm very good,

and I do everything I like.

If my health is good, then I keep on going, of course, of course.

Exactly, I think that's the secret, really.

When you do get older, the future is smaller than the past.

One has to be philosophical about it.

Life is what you make of it.

If you want to sit in a chair and moan, you can.

And if you want to get out and get out there, you can.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

-Good health.

Not wanting to arrive empty-handed to this evening's gathering,

professional chef Rusty has decided to treat the locals to some

-traditional Jamaican cooking.

-Oh, lovely!

I don't know if you'll have the things, but we'll have some of these.

-We have lots of things, but not everything.

-Yes.

With only two grocery stores to choose from,

and high tariffs on imported food produce,

bringing a taste of the Caribbean to the north of Iceland

is no mean feat.

I can't see that you would have yams that I want.

-OK.

-But I want to put some of these in as well.

-Do you want something else?

-Yeah.

This will do instead.

-OK.

-We use this instead.

-Yeah, OK.

-Do you know polenta?

-Polenta?

-Polenta.

I'm not so sure that we have what you are looking for.

-Mm-hmm. This would be my problem. I have to...

-You have to find something.

-Yes.

Here is the meat.

Iceland has been listed as having the third highest cost

of living in the world.

With a lack of competition in Husavik,

-grocery shopping isn't cheap.

-So, how much is that, please?

-1,735.

-What?! Is it?

Let me look at this, please.

£12.86.

-It is expensive.

-That's a very expensive meat.

-Yes.

£12.86 for that? You wouldn't pay that in England.

-No?

-No. Because we can choose from different supermarkets!

-This is the only supermarket, so we haven't anything...

-You've got no choice.

-If you want the meat, you have to buy it here.

-I think I'd go vegetarian!

LAUGHTER

# La-la-la-la-la-la-la

# La-la-la-la-la. #

Adequately tuned up,

Paul and Dennis are ready for the big concert performance.

HE LAUGHS

-Something went wrong with reverse.

-LAUGHTER

I don't know what was going on there. I didn't understand... Oh!

LAUGHTER

-Do you want to see what I've made?

-Oh, yes, please.

-That's it.

-Oh, Rusty! Oh, nom-nom-nom-nom-nom!

-Hello.

-Oh, here are the boys.

-We're here!

This is the pepper pot soup, but be very careful, because it's very hot.

-OK.

-It's very, very hot.

-That's all right.

-Please be careful.

-It's fine.

-Thank you.

-OK, have you got enough layers, everybody?

-OK, here we go.

-You girls are in for a treat tonight, because these boys

-can sing, can't they, Paul?

-Yeah, and they are very enthusiastic.

-Look at that rock formation.

-Yeah.

Having the luxury of near-endless daylight in the summer,

the choir have chosen the spectacular setting

of the Asbyrgi Canyon as the concert venue.

It looks as if we're here.

-I think so.

-They've got a few people here, haven't they?

There's quite a few.

-Are we ready to rock and roll?

-Yeah, come on, then.

-Let's do it.

It's a good turnout,

with hundreds of locals here to enjoy the proceedings.

Hello. Hey!

-Ooooh! Aawww!

-LAUGHTER

I thought it was only going to be about ten people here.

-Look at this!

-We didn't expect so many people.

-Oh, you didn't?

-LAUGHTER

No, there are some people up there, waiting to hear from us.

-Up there.

-Oh, look, right up...

-Yeah.

-We look forward to hearing you.

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much.

CHOIR SINGS

Being around music and people singing, it's very uplifting to me.

It gives me joy.

-This is you.

-We're on.

Thank you. Thank you. Yes.

-I've got my words.

-We got dressed up for you.

-Yes.

LAUGHTER

Where shall I get in, here? Here? OK.

CHOIR SINGS

-Hey!

-All right!

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Sorry. Thank you. Thank you.

To not sing in these acoustics, I'd never forgive myself.

So if I may sing a little bit? Yeah?

# There's a somebody I'm longing to see

# I hope that he turns out to be

# Someone who'll watch over me... #

I couldn't not do a number, because I wanted to thank them for accepting

us and receiving us so graciously.

# Who'll watch over me. #

CHEERING

With the singing complete,

it's down to the business of eating and drinking, Icelandic style.

Rusty is eager to put the finishing touches to her pepper pot soup.

Have we got any spoons to stir? To stir in...

HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE

-Salt, pepper?

-No.

-They don't do that here.

It's not on. This is going to take forever.

Take it out, take it out.

Thank you.

Where's the butter? Oh.

-Give me this.

-LAUGHTER

Hello. May we join you? Thank you.

-HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE

-Thank you.

You remind me of a lady that came to my college.

-Her name was Ruth Reese.

-A black lady?

-A black lady.

She gave a concert in Reykjavik. There was one song she sang,

and it was when they were laying the railways in the States.

-She sang a song about the railway?

-Yeah.

-How does it go?

It sounded like this.

# Water boy

# Where are you hiding? #

-OK.

-Very good. Bravo!

Anybody want pepper pot soup?

-Can I have a little bit?

-Yes, definitely.

-It looks like... Can I have a little bit?

-LAUGHTER

Yes, definitely.

I know it's my own, but it's quite delicious, it really is.

And I think they're enjoying it, too. It's really, really nice!

I think the thing I've been struck by, coming here, is how important

the land and the whole thing seems to be to the people.

We try to take care of the environment.

Yes, it seems so. How about your elderly people, your pensioners?

Do you have old people's homes here? Or do they stay with their family?

-How does it work here?

-We have homes for elderly people.

-Mm-hmm.

-And different types, even.

You were thinking of trying to find a sort of retirement village at one

point, weren't you? Because you're on your own.

One - I was going to look at one in England.

I'll deal with that when the time comes.

-And she's also looking for a Viking, is that correct?

-LAUGHTER

-I could volunteer, yeah!

-LAUGHTER

-How do you speak such good English?

-See you tomorrow.

Would you like to go on a date tomorrow?

-Are we talking dinner?

-Well, it might be.

-Might be?

-Yeah, dinner or...coffee or dinner. Yes.

-OK. That might be nice.

I really can't believe Paul nudged me into doing that.

-But it didn't seem awkward.

-I was quite,

um... I was quite pleased, actually. Yeah, nice.

# Doctor Love, yeah!

# I'm Doctor Love! #

Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to thank you for your hospitality,

your singing, and your beautiful land.

-So thank you so much indeed. Thank you.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

I mean, it's 12 o'clock. Midnight, basically. And look at it.

I mean, have a look at that, behind me, that sunset.

It is a very magical place, and it's something that I will treasure.

I really will.

This morning, the group are bidding farewell to Husavik.

-HORN HONKS

-Bye-bye!

-Are we ready, ladies?

-Oh!

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-I've fallen hook, line and sinker with this place.

-The humour?

-Yes.

-And the warmth of the people.

-Yes.

-They embraced us.

-Yes.

-We're turning right, folks,

and we're going to go through Husavik for the very last time.

We're off to Reykjavik.

The group are taking a six-hour trip, 500km south-west,

to sample the vibrant lifestyle in Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

This is breathtaking, isn't it?

The water running down the mountain.

-# When she comes... #

-I was going to say...

-LAUGHTER

# She'll be coming round the mountain, when she comes

# When she comes!

# She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes

# When she comes!

# She'll be coming round the mountain, coming round the mountain

-# Coming round mountain when she comes. #

-LAUGHTER

Yes! Give me the harmony!

-A dual carriageway. The first one we've seen.

-Oh, yes.

Reykjavik - the world's northernmost capital city,

and the urban heart of Iceland.

This is the thriving centre, I think.

This small metropolis offers the cultural delights of city living

within a vast landscape of natural beauty.

That's massive!

-I want...

-Is it a concert hall, I wonder?

-I don't know, it looks like it.

-Yes.

Unless the people we're staying with have got a big house.

-And you can live in there on your pension!

-LAUGHTER

With locals here living longer than nearly anywhere else in the world,

Reykjavik prides itself on a policy of successful ageing -

independence and longevity achieved through a diverse programme of

exercise and fitness.

Here we are. I think this is it.

The group will be living downtown in Vesturbaer -

the most expensive and sought-after district in the city.

-No, here.

-I'm giving myself a bit of room to get swinging around,

-you know. Swing low, sweet chariot.

-Oh, look!

-It's a red house.

It's a lovely red house.

This four-storey ancestral home belongs to local retiree Kristin.

-Hello there.

-Hi.

Nice to meet you. My name's Paul. How do you do? What's your name?

-Kristin.

-Kristin.

-You must be tired.

-Shattered.

-There are two bedrooms downstairs...

-OK.

..and there are two bedrooms up.

One on the second floor and one in the attic.

-Right.

-You'll just have to choose.

So there's one on this level, Paul, which I don't mind this level, whatever it is.

-OK. Well, we'll have a look. Is that a bedroom?

-I'm quite comfortable here, yeah.

-Oh, that's a nice room.

-I'm all right here, yeah.

-Yeah,

you'll be fine. Well, I'm going to go up and look at mine,

-and then I'll let you know what it's like.

-Yeah.

Oh, this is...quaint.

-I think this might be a bathroom. Oh, no, it's a cupboard!

-HE LAUGHS

Do my own washing here, look.

Ah. Well, There you... Oh! There you are.

-Nice seat to sit in.

-HE LAUGHS

I'll have tremendous fun in this. No, lovely. OK.

Oh, that looks lovely.

There we are. Thank you.

Is this a traditional cake, Kristin?

Yeah, it is. It's called Hjonabandssaela in Icelandic.

It means "happy marriage".

I've been married for 40-something years,

-so I must have had some before!

-OK.

-LAUGHTER

How long has this house been in your family?

Since 1932. I was born here, in this house.

-Really?

-Yes...

-Wow!

-..in the attic.

-Oh!

-In my room.

-May I ask you how old you are?

-I'm 81.

-No!

-Oh, you're not!

I'm in a walking group with old schoolmates, yes.

That's probably what keeps you fit and young.

-Oh, well, it helps.

-You look really amazing.

Kristin, thank you so much for welcoming us to this lovely home.

-It's lovely.

-You are lovely people.

-Oh, bless you.

-Thank you.

-I don't think there'll be any problems sleeping, after that long journey...

-No.

-..that six-hour trip.

-I have a very good idea for tomorrow morning.

Why don't the boys make us breakfast?

-I think it's a delightful idea, but have you got any other ideas?

-LAUGHTER

How do you ladies like your bacon?

-Nice and crispy for me.

-Excuse me.

-Oh!

-Oh, by God...

-There we are, darling.

-They said crispy bacon, didn't they, the girls?

-Yeah.

I'm not mad on cooking. I'm not interested in cooking.

I wouldn't want to cook for anyone, even myself,

but I will if I have to. Oh, no, this is a...

This pan is shit.

-It'll be all right. Get it on the plate and we'll see what happens.

-No, it's not, it's not done yet.

Oh!

-Beautiful.

-I think that's fine.

-It's a bit burnt, isn't it?

-Let's get the bacon to hide it a little.

-LAUGHTER

-That looks lovely.

-Boys, what are you doing?

-It's lovely.

-I'm seeing a lot of smoke.

-No, you've...

-There's got to be an exhaust.

-I'm seeing a lot of smoke.

-That's very crispy!

-Thank you.

-That's well crispy!

-I like it. LAUGHTER

-We like to cook to order, Madam!

-LAUGHTER

-We did our best.

-You did very well.

We're ready now to do some aquarobics.

In Reykjavik, pensioners like to keep fit.

SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE

Ten minutes from the homestead,

some of the city's oldest residents are being put through their paces by

61-year-old fitness instructor Helga.

MUSIC PLAYS

HELGA SINGS WORDLESSLY TO MUSIC

Oh! It's a bit fresh!

Gee-whiz! Hello, ladies.

Hi.

With a community swimming pool on nearly every corner of the city,

classes like this are provided free of charge for OAPs.

-Welcome.

-Hello. Thank you.

-Thank you, welcome.

LAUGHTER

-Now we are settled.

-OK. OK.

-Are you all right?

-Yes, fine.

-I can feel every part of me jumping!

-LAUGHTER

SCREAMING

Are you all right? Are you all right? Are you all right?

I've got you, I've got you! What happened? Are you OK?

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

Designed to increase life expectancy,

this is a high-intensity workout

held three times a week.

Use your strengths!

I'm very aware about my health, because I'm a diabetic.

Type 2 diabetic. I've had three hip operations.

I've got a really, very, very bad lower back.

HELGA SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS

Those are the things that make you realise that you're older.

It's like, you buy a brand-new car and it didn't need an MOT for a

certain length of time. Now that you're older,

-you need an MOT to fix the things, so you can keep going!

-SHE LAUGHS

LAUGHTER

This is a high level of civilisation,

where you invest in good health for old people.

-Yes.

-It keeps you fit, you know?

She is 80. This active lady here.

-Sorry, I shouldn't have...

-It's OK!

-She looks beautiful.

-I'm not that vain. I'm very happy about it.

You look amazing and beautiful!

-I myself, 72 only.

-Whoa, a baby, a baby!

-LAUGHTER

Just a few miles away, Paul and Dennis have chosen to test their

agility at Reykjavik's Senior Gymnastics Club.

-I can never get my legs that wide apart.

-No, me neither.

-Gentlemen, how are you?

-Good afternoon.

-How are you? Nice to see you.

How long have you been here, doing this activity?

Well, we've been here twice a week for 35 years.

-I'm 78. This guy is...80.

-80?!

-Well done to you, sir.

-He looks magnificent.

-Yeah.

-And this guy swam across the Channel.

-The first Icelander to cross the Channel.

-Congratulations.

-But we trained him.

-LAUGHTER

Shall we have a go with you, as they say? Thank you.

-Oh, a little jog.

-Just joining, warming up.

With an average life expectancy of 81,

Icelandic men rank second in the world for longevity

behind the Swiss.

Wow!

Three...

-Is it nearly half-time?

-LAUGHTER

I should be doing a little bit more to keep myself

in a bit better shape.

So, the way of life in Iceland appeals to me.

My dear old mum passed away with a massive heart attack.

-She was only 62. I feel like...

-Superman!

-Superman, yeah!

I've got a young family, and my son wants to kick football

with me, and my daughter wants me to go on the trampoline with her.

So I can't be thinking about popping my clogs yet.

-O-o-o-oh!

-8.9.

Totally out of our league there.

-Yes!

-Oh!

We have just witnessed...

-The death of two old men!

-LAUGHTER

This is the final exercise.

We always do this at the end of every practice, warm-up session.

-Right, yeah.

-But it's imitating an act of mammal reproduction.

-How disgusting.

-Oh, disgusting!

-LAUGHTER

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

Hoo! Hoo!

Oh, I like that. This time with feeling.

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!

LAUGHTER

Having being asked out at the choir concert in Husavik,

this evening Sheila is going on a date

with 67-year-old retiree Thoroddur.

I am a little bit nervous about tonight, only because we only met briefly.

I don't know what it's going to be like, but I know that I'm now willing to try.

You need a reason to get up and to keep functioning,

and companionship will do that.

You can't just keep watching BBC News. Ha!

Excuse me.

Are we ready?

-Ferguson, are you ready?

-Oh!

-Whoa!

-Sheila!

-Oh, you're not hanging about, babe! Oh, my God!

-LAUGHTER

-I think I'm hanging about a bit.

-You look great, have an amazing night.

-Get the hair out.

-I hope he's taking you somewhere grand.

-He better be.

-Let's have a look at you now, babe.

-Let's look at you.

-People have always asked,

"How do you stay looking so young and so fit?"

I said, "Sex."

Oh, I must have, I must get...

You have fun doing something you love,

and since I've been alone for the last eight years,

my body's falling apart from no sex.

-So it just goes to show you that my philosophy works!

-SHE LAUGHS

-When will we see you again?

-LAUGHTER

Having made the long journey south, Thoroddur has arranged to meet

Sheila beneath the towering Hallgrimskirkja church.

-You brought flowers!

-Hello, Sheila.

-Hello. Whoops!

-Welcome.

-Thank you. Aw, thank you.

-Please have these.

-Thank you so much.

I have a small gift here for you.

Oh! Are they gloves? Oh, that's lovely.

-How thoughtful.

-Hope you enjoy it.

-I haven't brought you anything.

We are in the centre of Reykjavik. It's so easy to find your way from

-here to a restaurant or whatever you'd like to go.

-OK.

Thoroddur is taking Sheila to dinner at a

popular seafood restaurant in the city centre.

-This is nice.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Now, wait a minute, where is the English?

-They might be giving me somebody's testicles and things.

-LAUGHTER

-No.

-No.

-I don't feel that ambitious.

-Have you ever eaten horse?

-Yes. I don't recommend it, really.

-I'm not going to have it.

-No.

Sometimes I think maybe I come across as bodacious.

I'm probably hiding the softer side of Sheila Ferguson.

If I were to move to

Iceland, what would my life be like?

If you have the courage to look around, take part in something,

-then you have everything.

-OK.

I like cross-country skiing in the winter, that is my yoga.

-Langoustine.

-Thank you. Oh, sweet Jesus!

-Hallelujah.

-With asparagus and pineapple.

Well, thank you very kindly.

-You're welcome.

-I think I've kind of been on hold because I had

a partner, and he died nine years ago.

-OK.

-And I just...

I threw myself... I just became a workaholic. Work, work, work.

I didn't realise I was so lonely.

I'm wasting myself away.

Work is my life because it substitutes what's missing in my

private life. It's a psychological need.

I need to go on stage because I need to be able to feel good about myself.

The food is to die for.

Well, you see, if you live in Iceland,

-what good food you're going to get.

-Can you cook like this?

-Yeah.

-No!

-No, you can't.

-THEY LAUGH

-You're not shy, are you?

-No, no, I've never been.

-OK.

-I should have been, on several occasions, more shy.

Oh?

I'm pleasantly surprised that it's so easy to talk to you,

which I knew it would be, because you're intelligent,

but you also make it easy for me to open up and be just normal.

-That's important to me.

-Thank you, Sheila, for these words.

It's great to be with you and I'm really honoured that you

decided you would like to have me this evening.

Oh, gosh. If you don't mind me being so bold,

-it would be nice if we met again some time.

-Yeah. Thank you.

-I enjoyed your company.

-Really did enjoy your company.

-Thank you. Same to me.

I'm embarrassed a little bit,

but if you don't say it, it's not going to get said.

-I've got to leave tomorrow.

-Thank you, a lot.

-It's a pleasure.

-Nice to be with you here.

-And nice to be with you.

-Cheers.

Well, I must say, I had a wonderful time.

He's a lovely guy. Charming, intelligent, and there's a nice

gleam in his eye, which is quite enthralling, shall we say.

-Take care.

-Thanks a lot for a lovely evening.

-And you. OK, bye-bye.

Take care, bye.

This one, I'll see again.

HE LAUGHS

Today, the group are leaving Iceland.

-Bye.

-Bye-bye.

-Thank you. Be happy.

-Lovely to have you.

-Lovely. Bye-bye.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-Bye!

-HORN HONKS

What a lovely trip that was.

It's kind of sad to go.

Boy, has it been a trip.

The lust of life that they have.

I've never seen so many people so vibrant in their 80s and 90s.

They have a vitality that I like. A lovely vitality.

Love it, love it.

I wouldn't go too fast, Dennis.

-I'm trying not to...

-You know what I mean? Slow down a bit.

-I am, I am.

There you go.

Does that orange taste nice, Paul?

-I'm so sorry.

-It sounds wonderful.

-How very uncouth of me.

-LAUGHTER

How unlike me.

-Look over to the right.

-Oh, my goodness!

-Now, that is...

-Steam coming from it!

-That is high up.

Before they fly home, the group are taking the chance to visit

Skogafoss, one of Iceland's most magnificent waterfalls.

That... That is quite spectacular.

-Shall we go, then, gang?

-Ready?

-Yes!

Legend has it that Viking treasure lies hidden in a cave behind the

-falls.

-How beautiful is this?!

-It's going to be the last view of Iceland.

-Aawww!

-This is like the equivalent of walking into the sunset, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Yes.

LAUGHTER

I have loved every single minute I've been here.

I think they are in touch with the landscape a lot more than we are

in the UK. You've got more time to appreciate life,

I think, living here, and that all adds to keeping them healthy

and keeping them living as long as they do.

-I'm beginning to feel the spray.

-Yes.

Let's see how close we can get, shall we?

-Come on, darling.

-It's getting a bit more tricky here,

-there's a lot more rocks.

-Watch it!

-It's very...

Come on!

-Now you can hear the power.

-I'm getting soaked!

-Whoa-oa!

-Wow, I'm getting soaked!

-Oh, my goodness!

-LAUGHTER

-I'm going all the way.

-Me too.

-Are you?! LAUGHTER

It isn't such a bad thing, being old.

There's no reason why you shouldn't enjoy this part of your life more

than perhaps any other time of your life.

-Come on!

-LAUGHTER

RUSTY SCREAMS

-Come on, to that rock!

-Yeah!

What you've got to do is try not lose your sense of humour,

and see the absurdity of it all.

-I've gone mad!

-LAUGHTER

-We did it! We did it!

-Bye-bye, Iceland!

-You need to do things as you've always done, albeit a little slower.

-HE LAUGHS

-A once in a lifetime experience.

-LAUGHTER

-When I say once, I mean once.

-LAUGHTER

We're fucking soaking.

-Very noisy!

-Next time...

Paul, Dennis and Sheila are joined by familiar Marigold face

Rosemary Shrager... SHEILA SCREAMS

-as they head east...

-Oh, my God!

-Whoo!

..to the retirement mecca of Thailand.

-I think we're getting to the good bit.

-LAUGHTER