Winchester

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0:00:04 > 0:00:07- This is, like, the birthplace of Christianity, right?- No.

0:00:07 > 0:00:09- No?- No. That was Bethlehem.

0:00:12 > 0:00:15'It's taken 50 years in broadcasting,

0:00:15 > 0:00:17'but I've finally cracked it.

0:00:17 > 0:00:19'A chance to meander around the country, see the sights,

0:00:19 > 0:00:22'meet the people and, ah, yes, eat and drink...'

0:00:25 > 0:00:28Is "melt in the mouth" a suitable phrase?

0:00:28 > 0:00:31'I've hailed a cab with one of London's finest cabbies,

0:00:31 > 0:00:35'Mason McQueen, to steer me around Britain's highways and byways...'

0:00:35 > 0:00:38I'm looking forward to a decent meal, are you?

0:00:38 > 0:00:40Oh, I'm starving. I can't wait, Tel.

0:00:40 > 0:00:43'Our route has been mapped out by an adventurous gourmand,

0:00:43 > 0:00:47'Samuel Chamberlain, in his book, British Bouquet.

0:00:47 > 0:00:50'Almost 60 years later, we're following in his footsteps...'

0:00:50 > 0:00:51I'll do all the work, Tel!

0:00:51 > 0:00:55'..to seek out weird and wonderful regional British cuisine

0:00:55 > 0:00:59'and discover how our tastes have changed over the years.'

0:00:59 > 0:01:01Do it right, son.

0:01:03 > 0:01:05Nearly an own goal there. Come on, my boys.

0:01:05 > 0:01:07CHEERING

0:01:07 > 0:01:09Two-nil. Put it there.

0:01:09 > 0:01:11- Cheers. - I'm not going in to extra time.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22'Our winding way through these Sceptred Isles has led us

0:01:22 > 0:01:24'to the fair city of Winchester.

0:01:28 > 0:01:32'Surrounded by the rich bounty of the Hampshire countryside,

0:01:32 > 0:01:37'this historic cathedral city with Roman origins is sure to satisfy.

0:01:37 > 0:01:41'That's if our guide, Chamberlain, proves to be correct.'

0:01:41 > 0:01:44"One of the most beautiful cities in England, Winchester is

0:01:44 > 0:01:47"the great attraction in this county.

0:01:47 > 0:01:51"First large Roman settlement in Britain,

0:01:51 > 0:01:54"the first capital of the United England."

0:01:54 > 0:01:56'Winchester was also the home

0:01:56 > 0:02:00'and final resting place of a certain ninth-century monarch.'

0:02:00 > 0:02:02Who's this fella, Tel?

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Well, they tell me it's Alfred the Great.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08He's lifting that sword up like it's the FA Cup.

0:02:08 > 0:02:13- What you do with that sword?- You'll win nothing holding it like that!

0:02:15 > 0:02:20'Walking through Winchester's streets was an exhilarating

0:02:20 > 0:02:23'experience, said Chamberlain,

0:02:23 > 0:02:26'and it also brought out his artistic side.'

0:02:26 > 0:02:27He's not a bad artist, you know.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30That etching he did, which is the City Cross, Winchester,

0:02:30 > 0:02:33that's it there.

0:02:33 > 0:02:37- Yeah.- Do you think that might be King Alfred?

0:02:37 > 0:02:39- I'd say it looks like King Alfred. - Would you?

0:02:39 > 0:02:42You remember what he looked like from the photographs, would you?

0:02:42 > 0:02:44Yeah. Beard and a crown.

0:02:44 > 0:02:48'We've barely arrived and food is being thrust upon us.

0:02:48 > 0:02:51'My kind of town, Winchester.'

0:02:51 > 0:02:53What would you give us, a rating out of ten?

0:02:53 > 0:02:54Ten.

0:02:54 > 0:02:56Oh, thank you!

0:03:00 > 0:03:03- Can I take a picture of you both? - Yeah. Go on then.

0:03:03 > 0:03:05- You sure you want one of me? - Yeah, both of us together.

0:03:05 > 0:03:07Thank you. Thank you!

0:03:08 > 0:03:10Nice people.

0:03:10 > 0:03:14'With our appetites not quite sated by the rocky road,

0:03:14 > 0:03:17'we need more of Winchester's fine food and no better place to look

0:03:17 > 0:03:21'than this farmers' market, being held today in the Abbey Gardens.'

0:03:26 > 0:03:28- How are you?- Too early to say.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35'Mason starts by hitting the fruit cordial. Easy, lad!

0:03:35 > 0:03:39'But I'm hankering for some fromage du Winchester.'

0:03:40 > 0:03:45- That's so tasty.- We based our recipe on a camembert style.

0:03:45 > 0:03:47But I think we've improved it, actually.

0:03:47 > 0:03:50I think you have too, it's delicious. And where are you from?

0:03:50 > 0:03:53- I'm actually from Australia, originally.- I thought so.

0:03:53 > 0:03:57- Glad you made the journey from Australia!- Thank you.

0:03:57 > 0:03:59Where to next?

0:03:59 > 0:04:03'They're versatile with their dairy round these parts. Not just cheese.

0:04:03 > 0:04:05'They do ice cream, too.'

0:04:05 > 0:04:07So, salted caramel, this is our signature flavour.

0:04:07 > 0:04:10Gin and tonic, a summer special we've done.

0:04:10 > 0:04:13- That's the way to do it! - MASON LAUGHS

0:04:13 > 0:04:15Don't hang about with the old G&T, old boy.

0:04:15 > 0:04:19I must say, the gin and tonic has definite flavours of gin and tonic.

0:04:19 > 0:04:20It does, it does.

0:04:20 > 0:04:24So, you've got about 2% alcohol, so I could give you a whole box

0:04:24 > 0:04:28- to take with you in the cab and see how you do.- Not for my man.

0:04:28 > 0:04:30I'd have to eat it all.

0:04:35 > 0:04:38- Up a narrow street in Winchester... - Look at that, Tel.

0:04:38 > 0:04:42- It's a Japanese restaurant. Kyoto Kitchen.- You keen on Japanese?- No.

0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Sushi?- No.

0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I really like it.- Do you?- Yeah.

0:04:46 > 0:04:49I don't see the benefit of eating raw fish.

0:04:49 > 0:04:52'The restaurant's just getting a delivery of an unusual

0:04:52 > 0:04:54'bit of local veg, wasabi.'

0:04:54 > 0:04:58- How do you do, sir?- Hi there.- Excuse my colleague. I love Japanese food.

0:04:58 > 0:05:02- You've got to start somewhere, haven't you?- I've heard of wasabi.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04How come you're growing a Japanese vegetable?

0:05:04 > 0:05:07Well, we started off growing watercress and that has

0:05:07 > 0:05:11progressed into wasabi, just through somebody recommending it.

0:05:11 > 0:05:15'The land around Winchester has long been famous for growing watercress.

0:05:15 > 0:05:17'Farmer Tom discovered the same growing

0:05:17 > 0:05:21'conditions are perfectly suited to growing wasabi,

0:05:21 > 0:05:24'the Japanese version of horseradish,

0:05:24 > 0:05:26'usually served with sushi.'

0:05:26 > 0:05:28This is part of the plant.

0:05:28 > 0:05:30The leaves, that is edible,

0:05:30 > 0:05:33treat that like a sort of seaweed nori-type product.

0:05:33 > 0:05:36And then these can be chopped and pickled.

0:05:36 > 0:05:40And at the bottom of these, you end up with what is the part that

0:05:40 > 0:05:43everybody is after, which is the rhizome.

0:05:43 > 0:05:47- You're handling that like it's gold dust.- It is! It is to us.

0:05:47 > 0:05:50This is the bit that they will grate and grind.

0:05:50 > 0:05:52'Being a charitable sort,

0:05:52 > 0:05:56'I volunteer Mason to lend a hand dropping off today's consignment.'

0:05:56 > 0:05:58Hi, Mif! Wasabi delivery for you!

0:05:58 > 0:06:01Fantastic. Just what Chef wanted.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04Do you mind me saying that you don't look terribly Japanese?

0:06:04 > 0:06:08I'm not, though I do love Japanese food and kind of the philosophies

0:06:08 > 0:06:12behind Japanese cuisine, about sourcing locally, about seasonality.

0:06:14 > 0:06:18'To prove his point, Mif takes us to meet sushi master Daniel to

0:06:18 > 0:06:23'give Mason a masterclass in Hampshire sushi-making.'

0:06:23 > 0:06:27Again, you don't look like a native-born Japanese chef to me.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Where are you from? - I'm from Romania.- Romania?

0:06:30 > 0:06:33He is an absolute gem when it comes to sushi.

0:06:33 > 0:06:36He has such refined skills and finesse.

0:06:36 > 0:06:40- So, what are we going to be making today?- A Winchester roll.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43The world's first wasabi leaf roll.

0:06:43 > 0:06:46This is the fresh leaf that grows on the top of the plant.

0:06:46 > 0:06:48We've created one that uses the whole plant.

0:06:48 > 0:06:52This is the most famous part, the rhizome, so we grate this and

0:06:52 > 0:06:55it creates the spicy mash that gives you that kind of nasal experience.

0:06:55 > 0:06:57- Oh, yeah?- And the flavour as well.

0:06:57 > 0:07:00Right, let's get going, buddy.

0:07:00 > 0:07:04'If California can name a sushi roll after themselves,

0:07:04 > 0:07:06'why not Winchester?

0:07:06 > 0:07:10'They start by adding a layer of rice to some seaweed.'

0:07:10 > 0:07:13- Needs to be uniform. - Keep those grains uniform, Mason.

0:07:15 > 0:07:20'Then, it's time for the taste of Winchester,

0:07:20 > 0:07:24'with Hampshire cucumber for crunch and the locally smoked trout.

0:07:24 > 0:07:27'And it's time to get rolling.'

0:07:29 > 0:07:31- Ta-da!- Excellent.- Yay.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34- OK? - You mean that's all there is to it?

0:07:34 > 0:07:36- No.- Ah.

0:07:36 > 0:07:40'Of course, the wasabi leaf, which has been marinated in salt.'

0:07:40 > 0:07:43- It's like making a cigar. - See, Mason?

0:07:43 > 0:07:46This is where your Samurai training comes in.

0:07:46 > 0:07:47All those years.

0:07:51 > 0:07:56'Some fine finishing touches from Mason, and it doesn't look half bad.'

0:07:59 > 0:08:00Look at that.

0:08:05 > 0:08:09'Mason's Winchester roll is ready to take its place amongst

0:08:09 > 0:08:11'a Japanese banquet.

0:08:11 > 0:08:14'And for the first time, I'm feeling tempted by sushi.'

0:08:16 > 0:08:18- Are you excited?- Yeah, I am.

0:08:18 > 0:08:21New to me, but I'm open-minded.

0:08:21 > 0:08:23I'll give it a try.

0:08:23 > 0:08:24Come on, Mase.

0:08:24 > 0:08:26And while you're doing that, I'm going

0:08:26 > 0:08:28to grate some of this Winchester wasabi.

0:08:28 > 0:08:32- Put a little bit on the top... - Are you ready?

0:08:32 > 0:08:33Be warned, it is pungent.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40Mm, it's perfect.

0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Nice kick to it. It's lovely. - Do you mind if I have another one?

0:08:43 > 0:08:45Please.

0:08:45 > 0:08:49I have loads of friends, including Mason, who love Japanese food.

0:08:49 > 0:08:53I've always failed to see the benefits of eating raw fish.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55Mm.

0:08:55 > 0:08:58But I wish this restaurant was near my house.

0:08:58 > 0:09:01I'd certainly use it a lot.

0:09:05 > 0:09:08'Chamberlain says Winchester Cathedral ranks with the

0:09:08 > 0:09:13'greatest in Christendom, so it would be remiss not to track it down

0:09:13 > 0:09:15'and be dazzled by its wonder.'

0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Where's this cathedral, then? - Oh, no! Don't look!

0:09:20 > 0:09:21It's got scaffolding on it!

0:09:21 > 0:09:26It's not only got scaffolding, it's got a huge tablecloth over it.

0:09:26 > 0:09:28Oh, dear. Come on, let's investigate.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32- Wonderful.- Good afternoon, Terry. - Good afternoon.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35- I thought I'd say hello to you. - That's very kind of you.

0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Wonderful to see you. - Oh, I wouldn't go so far as that.

0:09:38 > 0:09:40Oh, it is.

0:09:41 > 0:09:45'Thankfully, the front of the cathedral is little changed

0:09:45 > 0:09:49'from when Chamberlain visited and inside, it delivers on his promise.'

0:09:57 > 0:10:01I know we've seen ceilings before in cathedrals, but that's huge.

0:10:01 > 0:10:03- It's amazing.- Yeah.

0:10:03 > 0:10:08'Many notables are buried here, including several bishops

0:10:08 > 0:10:10'and cardinals and even a saint.

0:10:10 > 0:10:13'But the biggest draw is Jane Austen who lived a few miles

0:10:13 > 0:10:15'north of Winchester.'

0:10:15 > 0:10:17How old was she when she died?

0:10:17 > 0:10:20- She was 41.- So young.- Yeah.

0:10:20 > 0:10:24It is remarkable that the gravestone doesn't refer to her as an author.

0:10:24 > 0:10:26No. No.

0:10:26 > 0:10:28In those days, it would be considered

0:10:28 > 0:10:32somewhat vulgar to put that you worked for your living.

0:10:32 > 0:10:35- I've never read any novels by Jane Austen.- Have you not?- No.

0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Oh! Shame!- So, what do you suggest?

0:10:38 > 0:10:42- I would say start with Pride and Prejudice cos it's a joy.- Yeah?- Yes.

0:10:42 > 0:10:46And people have said there are instances in there that

0:10:46 > 0:10:48suggest the life that Jane Austen lived.

0:10:48 > 0:10:50Thanks, Pat.

0:10:50 > 0:10:53- It's my pleasure to... - No, no. It's our pleasure.

0:10:53 > 0:10:56- ..prattle on about Jane Austen. - Thank you. You prattle away!

0:10:56 > 0:10:58THEY CHUCKLE

0:10:58 > 0:11:01'Before we leave, Chamberlain mentions a more humble

0:11:01 > 0:11:04'grave in the cathedral grounds that's worth a visit.'

0:11:06 > 0:11:09Oh, I read about this in the book.

0:11:09 > 0:11:12"In memory of Thomas Thetcher.

0:11:12 > 0:11:16"Died of a violent fever contracted by drinking small beer.

0:11:16 > 0:11:18"Sleeps in peace, a Hampshire grenadier,

0:11:18 > 0:11:22"who caught his death by drinking cold final beer.

0:11:22 > 0:11:25"Soldiers be wise from his untimely fall.

0:11:25 > 0:11:28"And when you're hot, drink strong or none at all."

0:11:28 > 0:11:32- We'll toast a small beer to him this evening, eh?- No, it'll kill you!

0:11:32 > 0:11:34MASON LAUGHS

0:11:38 > 0:11:40We've got a almshouse to visit.

0:11:40 > 0:11:43- We'll get some free food there and drink.- Oh, yeah.

0:11:43 > 0:11:45Because that's what we need.

0:11:45 > 0:11:48Another drink and another bit of food inside us.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51But this will be on the dole, apparently. It's a dole.

0:11:51 > 0:11:53They dole it out to you.

0:11:53 > 0:11:56Been a while since I was on the dole. Kingsland Road, it was.

0:11:56 > 0:11:57In the '80s.

0:12:01 > 0:12:05'Chamberlain called the hospital of St Cross the finest medieval

0:12:05 > 0:12:07'arms house in England.

0:12:07 > 0:12:09'Been handing out the wayfarers' dole of bread

0:12:09 > 0:12:12'and beer to hungry travellers since 1136.

0:12:14 > 0:12:17'But will it help out these passing pilgrims?'

0:12:17 > 0:12:19Dole!

0:12:19 > 0:12:21I beg dole!

0:12:21 > 0:12:22- Good morning.- Good morning.

0:12:22 > 0:12:25We were wondering if in your kindness at this almshouse,

0:12:25 > 0:12:27you would dole us out something, would you?

0:12:27 > 0:12:29- I certainly will.- Thank you.

0:12:29 > 0:12:31Hey, come on!

0:12:31 > 0:12:35- You see?- Bread and some beer. - Bread and beer. Lovely.

0:12:35 > 0:12:37You have the beer, I'll have the water.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Of course! Excuse me.- I'm driving. Thank you very much.- Cheers.

0:12:44 > 0:12:48'But there's more to hospital of St Cross than free drinks and snacks.

0:12:48 > 0:12:50'For nearly 900 years,

0:12:50 > 0:12:54'they have provided a place for men deemed too weak to work.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57'These days, it's the retirement home for a group of gentlemen

0:12:57 > 0:13:00'known as the Brothers of St Cross.'

0:13:00 > 0:13:02Look at this place.

0:13:02 > 0:13:03Isn't it extraordinary?

0:13:04 > 0:13:08- I'd never heard of it before, had you?- No, know nothing about it.

0:13:11 > 0:13:14So, you're a Black Brother and you're a Red Brother.

0:13:14 > 0:13:20We were founded about 1445 and he was founded about 1132.

0:13:20 > 0:13:23And you're ageing well, if I may say so.

0:13:23 > 0:13:27It's not surprising I cannot get out of seats very easily, is it?

0:13:27 > 0:13:31The current residents are all men, but it wasn't always that way.

0:13:31 > 0:13:32In the 19th century,

0:13:32 > 0:13:35it was alleged there was a Brother who kept a mistress behind a

0:13:35 > 0:13:38screen in his room, but I don't think that is existing at the moment.

0:13:38 > 0:13:40No.

0:13:40 > 0:13:43What a shame! We'd have liked to have made a feature of that.

0:13:46 > 0:13:51- What a wonderful place.- Isn't it fabulous?- We're both stunned by it.

0:13:51 > 0:13:55- And Mason and I are not easily stunned.- If ever you want a home...

0:13:55 > 0:14:00- Yeah.- That's the best offer I've had for many a long year.

0:14:09 > 0:14:14- If I do end up here, will you come and see me?- 'Course I will.

0:14:14 > 0:14:19- You say that now, but...- I won't forget you, Tel. Meals on wheels.

0:14:19 > 0:14:21THEY CHUCKLE

0:14:21 > 0:14:23Good man!

0:14:26 > 0:14:30'In Chamberlain's day, there were over 75,000 pubs in Britain

0:14:30 > 0:14:33'and that number has dropped by nearly 40%.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36'With 40-odd pubs around Winchester,

0:14:36 > 0:14:39'they're well above the national average.

0:14:39 > 0:14:42'We've chosen the Black Boy inn to look for a bite to eat,

0:14:42 > 0:14:46'as it's renowned for its snorkers. But that's not all.'

0:14:50 > 0:14:52- This is great.- Wonderful place.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Look at all these hanging off the ceiling,- Tel. Miniatures.

0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Miniatures. - Is that an old World War I bomb?

0:15:03 > 0:15:06I think it's great. Look at the stuff that's hanging from here.

0:15:06 > 0:15:08The old pipes.

0:15:11 > 0:15:15Oh, hold on, Mason & Co. Come this way, Co.

0:15:15 > 0:15:18Glad to be of service, sir.

0:15:19 > 0:15:23- Unusual stuff, eh,- Tel? It IS great.

0:15:23 > 0:15:26'The man responsible for this menagerie is inveterate collector

0:15:26 > 0:15:29'and landlord David Nicholson.'

0:15:29 > 0:15:31Where do you start with this room?

0:15:31 > 0:15:33There's planes flying from the ceiling,

0:15:33 > 0:15:37there's a crocodile hanging from the rafters...

0:15:37 > 0:15:40David, how long has it taken to collect all this stuff?

0:15:40 > 0:15:44- It's ongoing...- It's ongoing, constantly changing, or adding to.

0:15:44 > 0:15:47I'm not allowed to put any of this stuff at home. The wife won't let me.

0:15:47 > 0:15:51So anything that I like, I can just chuck it in the pub.

0:15:51 > 0:15:55- What's this? Is that a pull-up bar? - It is. I'll give you a challenge.

0:15:55 > 0:15:58If you can hang on that bar with your feet off the ground

0:15:58 > 0:16:01for one minute, I'll give you a tenner.

0:16:01 > 0:16:03It's not electrified, there's nothing tricky about it.

0:16:03 > 0:16:07There's something going on here. All right, I'll give it a go.

0:16:07 > 0:16:08- Will you?- Yeah.

0:16:08 > 0:16:13- Go on, son!- A minute, you say? - One minute.- OK.

0:16:13 > 0:16:16Good luck, Mase.

0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Hold on, the bar turns. - Sorry, didn't I mention that?

0:16:19 > 0:16:21The bar turns. Urgh!

0:16:21 > 0:16:24You go to it, Mason.

0:16:24 > 0:16:28- You must be going for at least 10 seconds.- That's 15 seconds now.

0:16:28 > 0:16:30Look at that.

0:16:30 > 0:16:32He is a deceptively powerful fella, you know.

0:16:32 > 0:16:35Yeah, but he didn't tell me the bar turned, did he?

0:16:35 > 0:16:37Agh!

0:16:37 > 0:16:38AGH!

0:16:38 > 0:16:39LAUGHTER

0:16:39 > 0:16:4129 seconds.

0:16:41 > 0:16:43Sorry, didn't I mention that?

0:16:43 > 0:16:46That is slippery, that is really slippery.

0:16:46 > 0:16:48I should have checked that out.

0:16:51 > 0:16:56'To replenish Mason's flagging strength, David is preparing us

0:16:56 > 0:17:00'some of the pub's famous sausages in freshly baked rolls.'

0:17:00 > 0:17:04- What's that?- I don't know what he's up to but he's behind the donkey.

0:17:04 > 0:17:08The old baboon and the poor old donkey.

0:17:08 > 0:17:10This man is some collector.

0:17:14 > 0:17:16- What are you doing? - Swinging the ring,

0:17:16 > 0:17:19trying to get it on that hook there. Tel, have a go, go on.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22You might be a better shot than me.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24Oh, put some effort into it!

0:17:24 > 0:17:25BANGS OFF WALL

0:17:25 > 0:17:26OK.

0:17:28 > 0:17:30That wasn't me, mate!

0:17:33 > 0:17:38- So, tell us about these, then.- These are sausages, fresh from Southampton.

0:17:38 > 0:17:42We get them in every day and we bake up the bread in the Aga

0:17:42 > 0:17:44and hopefully they're delicious.

0:17:44 > 0:17:45They are.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50You make no mistake with these sausages, let me tell you.

0:17:50 > 0:17:52Southampton should be very proud of them.

0:17:52 > 0:17:54Mustard and onions.

0:17:54 > 0:17:57I didn't have any onions with mine

0:17:57 > 0:18:01- so I'll not work too close to you for the rest of the day!- Very nice.

0:18:01 > 0:18:04I'm beginning to get the onions. I'll just move.

0:18:09 > 0:18:13'Having sampled Winchester's finest, Mason and I head out of town

0:18:13 > 0:18:17'on the hunt for something more extreme to tickle our taste buds.'

0:18:18 > 0:18:21We're going to go to a water buffalo farm.

0:18:21 > 0:18:25This journey takes us everywhere, doesn't it?

0:18:25 > 0:18:28- We go from cathedrals to water buffalo.- Ingenious, Terry.

0:18:28 > 0:18:30Yeah, but there's no swamps.

0:18:30 > 0:18:33I suppose there's plenty of rain here so that makes a difference.

0:18:33 > 0:18:34Are you going to milk one?

0:18:34 > 0:18:37Yeah, have you seen the size of the horns on them?

0:18:41 > 0:18:44'This well-travelled breed of buffalo hail from India

0:18:44 > 0:18:47'and made it to Italy with the Romans,

0:18:47 > 0:18:51'where they furnished the world with buffalo mozzarella.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54'But in the past 20 years, thousands of buffalo have cropped up

0:18:54 > 0:18:55'on British farms.'

0:18:55 > 0:18:58They're not the usual kind of cow, are they?

0:18:58 > 0:19:00Thank heaven for the electrified fence!

0:19:00 > 0:19:01Steady, lad! Hold back.

0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Some great hairstyles going on. - Oh, they're fantastic.

0:19:05 > 0:19:07They've all got centre partings!

0:19:09 > 0:19:12'The men in charge of wrangling these beasts,

0:19:12 > 0:19:18'and their exciting coiffures, are Nick Casey and Dagan James.'

0:19:18 > 0:19:21- So, you're the men with the buffalo? - We are indeed, yes.

0:19:21 > 0:19:23This is the buffalo farm in Broughton.

0:19:23 > 0:19:27A couple of hundred buffalo here that we are rearing and moving every day.

0:19:27 > 0:19:31What inspired you, in heaven's name? Most people just have cows.

0:19:31 > 0:19:36- Poor judgment and sheer idiocy, and ignorance.- And it worked?

0:19:36 > 0:19:41It seems to be. We're still here after 14 years, so, yeah.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44This grew from small beginnings?

0:19:44 > 0:19:46Small beginnings, early days,

0:19:46 > 0:19:48trying to get a different type of farming system,

0:19:48 > 0:19:50natural farming system.

0:19:50 > 0:19:52Planting good crops that feed the soil

0:19:52 > 0:19:55and feed the buffalo as well and make a good-quality meat.

0:19:55 > 0:19:57And the hairdresser... Who do you get in for the...?

0:19:57 > 0:20:01We're not allowed to let that out in public, on TV.

0:20:02 > 0:20:05'Every day, the buffalo are moved to a new paddock

0:20:05 > 0:20:08'to allow the old grass to recover and I have volunteered Mason...'

0:20:08 > 0:20:11Hold on, hold on, I ain't in the ring yet.

0:20:11 > 0:20:13'..for some buffalo business.'

0:20:13 > 0:20:15- You're in charge, sir. - Yes.- Hold this string.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18- You just walk out over there and disappear into the long grass.- Yes?

0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Keeping this string nice and tight. - What do you mean "disappear"?

0:20:21 > 0:20:24- In that direction?- As far away as you can holding on to the string.

0:20:24 > 0:20:26Keep on!

0:20:26 > 0:20:27Come on!

0:20:27 > 0:20:30Into the undergrowth, Mason.

0:20:30 > 0:20:32Keep on, keep on, keep on!

0:20:34 > 0:20:36They're going to get it in a minute.

0:20:40 > 0:20:43He's started a stampede.

0:20:43 > 0:20:45Come and get it, boys and girls.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50A mastery of the buffalo.

0:20:53 > 0:20:56- Beautiful!- Great stuff.

0:20:56 > 0:20:57Beautiful.

0:20:59 > 0:21:04You did very well, son, as always, but they've left their mark on you.

0:21:04 > 0:21:06Look, hang on.

0:21:06 > 0:21:07Oh, well.

0:21:07 > 0:21:10Never mind, you'll have to spend the rest of the day walking around

0:21:10 > 0:21:13with buffalo droppings all over your trousers.

0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Never mind.- Never mind.

0:21:16 > 0:21:17What an experience!

0:21:21 > 0:21:23Burgers!

0:21:23 > 0:21:26Mason has the last laugh as we retire to the barn to enjoy

0:21:26 > 0:21:30some of Dagan and Nick's buffalo burgers.

0:21:30 > 0:21:32I've heard they're good.

0:21:32 > 0:21:34You heard correctly.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38I think the nature of a buffalo being very lean

0:21:38 > 0:21:39and low in cholesterol...

0:21:39 > 0:21:42That comes straight through into the meat.

0:21:42 > 0:21:44I've eaten hamburgers,

0:21:44 > 0:21:49beef hamburgers, but this old water buffalo leaves them for dead.

0:21:49 > 0:21:51Pleased to hear.

0:21:51 > 0:21:53Where do you actually supply to, guys?

0:21:53 > 0:21:55Mostly local around here, isn't it?

0:21:55 > 0:21:59Over 90% stays within 20 miles.

0:21:59 > 0:22:02People on high-protein diets, training for exercise,

0:22:02 > 0:22:05the leanness and the high protein count gives you that boost.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Start your day right with a buffalo burger.- I'm ready.

0:22:09 > 0:22:12I'm ready for any challenge the day may throw at me from here on in.

0:22:14 > 0:22:16There will be a stampede for these.

0:22:22 > 0:22:25We're keeping an eye out for the little, rippling Test River

0:22:25 > 0:22:29which is up to its armpits in trout.

0:22:36 > 0:22:38Chamberlain writes that Izaak Walton,

0:22:38 > 0:22:42author of the famous fishing tome The Compleat Angler,

0:22:42 > 0:22:44wrote highly of the trout in these parts...

0:22:44 > 0:22:45if we can find the river.

0:22:47 > 0:22:50I wouldn't mind a bit of trout. Ah, we're crossing something here.

0:22:50 > 0:22:52Yeah, this might be it, Tels.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02'That looks like a complete angler to me.'

0:23:02 > 0:23:06- WHISPERING:- Hello, Miles! Miles, we're keeping it down.

0:23:06 > 0:23:08We don't want to disturb the trout.

0:23:08 > 0:23:12'It's Miles Levy, river keeper.'

0:23:12 > 0:23:14Nice to meet you. How are you doing?

0:23:14 > 0:23:17This river is choked with fish, according to all reports.

0:23:17 > 0:23:18There's a lot of fish in here.

0:23:18 > 0:23:21All the Test Valley is full of trout.

0:23:21 > 0:23:23Is it stocked deliberately with trout?

0:23:23 > 0:23:25It is, yes. There's a lot of wild fish, still.

0:23:25 > 0:23:27It's a very skilful thing, fly fishing.

0:23:27 > 0:23:31It is - when it's done properly, it's a very skilful thing.

0:23:31 > 0:23:35If it's not done properly, you can end up with a fly in your ear.

0:23:35 > 0:23:37And other places, yeah.

0:23:37 > 0:23:40The River Test is associated with dry fly fishing, which is basically

0:23:40 > 0:23:42a fly on the surface of the water.

0:23:42 > 0:23:45Before, it was all done with sinking flies or wet flies

0:23:45 > 0:23:47that hang in the surface water.

0:23:47 > 0:23:50- It's all trickery, subterfuge? - Exactly.

0:23:50 > 0:23:51Outsmart the fish.

0:23:51 > 0:23:54We're trying to trick the fish into thinking it's a natural food item,

0:23:54 > 0:23:56which is the tricky part.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01Now we've found the river and some fish,

0:24:01 > 0:24:05we need some intrepid soul to get us one onto a plate.

0:24:05 > 0:24:11Mason McQueen once again goes forth. This time, fly fishing.

0:24:11 > 0:24:13Dry fly fishing.

0:24:13 > 0:24:15One motion. Very good.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22Ain't this lovely?

0:24:22 > 0:24:26- I know I'm not catching nothing, but it's so lovely.- That's a good one.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29I remember my father was a fly fisherman.

0:24:29 > 0:24:31I spent a lot of time like this,

0:24:31 > 0:24:36standing by the banks of a river, waiting for something to happen.

0:24:36 > 0:24:39It never did.

0:24:39 > 0:24:41If he moves or if he opens his mouth...

0:24:41 > 0:24:43Keep letting it come round.

0:24:43 > 0:24:47At least when I was with my father, I had corned beef sandwiches.

0:24:48 > 0:24:50And a fizzy drink.

0:24:54 > 0:24:56That's lovely.

0:24:56 > 0:25:00I suppose it's the taking part that counts.

0:25:00 > 0:25:02A bit like the Olympics.

0:25:02 > 0:25:06Don't lose him, Mason. Don't lose the little swine.

0:25:06 > 0:25:09Keep that rod nice and high and start reeling the reel.

0:25:09 > 0:25:13Keep that pressure on, keep going.

0:25:13 > 0:25:15OK, what a beautiful fish.

0:25:15 > 0:25:17That's a lovely brown trout.

0:25:17 > 0:25:19- It's exciting, isn't it?- Lovely.

0:25:19 > 0:25:21Here he comes.

0:25:21 > 0:25:23I've got a tiger shark, Tel!

0:25:23 > 0:25:26I'm telling you.

0:25:26 > 0:25:27Here he comes.

0:25:27 > 0:25:32- Oh, lovely.- Here he is, come on. Give in, son, you're beat.

0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Yeah, we've got him.- Hey!

0:25:35 > 0:25:37Oh, that's a cracking fish, isn't it?

0:25:37 > 0:25:41Yes, a brown trout. Not a lot of people can say they've done that.

0:25:41 > 0:25:43No, it was your coaching, mate.

0:25:43 > 0:25:45A bit of teamwork.

0:25:45 > 0:25:46You're not going to throw him back?

0:25:46 > 0:25:48He's a good fighter.

0:25:48 > 0:25:51He deserves another chance.

0:25:51 > 0:25:53I was looking forward to that.

0:25:53 > 0:25:57A few chips and tartare sauce, lightly grilled.

0:25:57 > 0:25:59Back in the Test.

0:25:59 > 0:26:03What's the point? What is the point?

0:26:04 > 0:26:08- There we go.- Yeah?- There he is.

0:26:08 > 0:26:12- Great stuff.- Well done. - Cheers, mate.

0:26:12 > 0:26:14Great job. Great job.

0:26:20 > 0:26:23'Luckily, chef Chris Hodder,

0:26:23 > 0:26:26'who specialises in feeding discerning anglers,

0:26:26 > 0:26:28'has cooked up a banquet for us, including some trout

0:26:28 > 0:26:32'that encountered someone less charitable than Mason.'

0:26:32 > 0:26:35It looks magnificent.

0:26:35 > 0:26:37Fantastic doesn't even sum it up.

0:26:37 > 0:26:41I'd better have some of the smoked trout just for appearance sake.

0:26:43 > 0:26:46- I'm going to come your way.- Hit me!

0:26:52 > 0:26:55So, you fellas, you come down here and you fish every day

0:26:55 > 0:26:59- and you eat like this all the time? - I wish it was true.

0:26:59 > 0:27:01Only twice a week.

0:27:02 > 0:27:04It can't be easy for you(!)

0:27:04 > 0:27:06So, it doesn't matter whether you catch a fish or not,

0:27:06 > 0:27:10- you're going to eat like this twice a week?- Yes.- Good.

0:27:10 > 0:27:14You say it's the most famous trout river in England?

0:27:14 > 0:27:16Absolutely, the River Test, yeah.

0:27:16 > 0:27:20People come from all over the world to fish the short streams.

0:27:20 > 0:27:24- And you mastered it? - Well, I know where it is now.

0:27:24 > 0:27:28- I passed the 'test', yeah?- Yeah, you have. You've passed the test.

0:27:32 > 0:27:34I thought when I came in here first

0:27:34 > 0:27:36you said the car was all right.

0:27:36 > 0:27:37The car IS all right.

0:27:37 > 0:27:38Don't worry.

0:27:38 > 0:27:40Is the oil coming up to the tappets?

0:27:40 > 0:27:42It looks a bit suspect, doesn't it?

0:27:42 > 0:27:46The horn thruster, I think, probably needs a bit of attention.

0:27:48 > 0:27:50- LAUGHING:- Do you know about engines? - Nothing.

0:27:50 > 0:27:53- How did you know? - We're looking good.

0:27:53 > 0:27:56- Jump aboard, Terence. - All right, my boy.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59The Cuisine Cab is about to pull out of Hampshire.