Alaska/Nottingham The Life Swap Adventure

Many of us feel like we're stuck in rut.

My heart sinks when I think about sitting in front of a screen

for another 20 years.

But what if you could experience a world

which couldn't be further from the one you know?

There's so much more to life than going to work.

Imagine being flown across the world

and opening your eyes...

Wow!

..to find yourself in someone else's life.

-Good grief!

-I'm certainly outside the M25 now.

In this series, six Brits...

Excuse me, do you speak English?

..will swap places with complete strangers...

-Welcome to your new home.

-..from across the globe.

I never dreamed to be in a place like this.

While their opposite numbers...

-Are there any crocodiles in here?

-No.

..test drive life in Britain.

Oh, my gosh! Is that Big Ben?

For seven days...

-Car is coming!

-..both will be immersed in a culture

which is totally different from their own.

I'm not in Kansas any more, Toto.

LAUGHTER

Could walking in someone else's shoes...

It's been a wake-up call.

..pave the way to a better life back home?

I really want to have a life just like this.

What can you learn by seeing your world through a stranger's eyes?

Hi!

What would you do if you were me?

I really don't know what the impact of this is going to be.

We're just constantly in a temporary state.

And I don't know if it was Einstein said,

the only thing that never changes is change itself.

This week, two women from different sides of the world

have agreed to swap lives.

Keep your eyes closed.

Both are in their 50s.

Count to ten for me.

-OK.

-And both want to shake up their lives.

One's had enough of being an army wife.

We have moved 17 times in the last 25 years.

While the other is desperate for adventure.

I want to be an explorer, I want to be Columbus,

I want to be Star Trek Captain Kirk, going where no man's gone.

They're about to get a window into each other's lives,

to see if it could help them change the way they live their own.

For nearly 30 years, 51-year-old nurse Lillian has followed her

husband's military postings.

There are two sides to being an army wife.

One side that gives you immense security.

The downside is that you never really have anywhere to call home.

They've moved every two years, and each time,

Lillian has created a temporary social circle for herself

and a temporary home for the family.

She's given up a hell of a lot to follow me around, and, every time,

that's a whole new life you have to start.

There's a saying with army families that you can count your associates

in the hundreds but your good friends on one hand.

But this year, Stuart is due to retire from the army.

And finally, Lillian has a chance to put herself first and think about

what to do with her future.

She's done this for 30-odd years, now.

So she's not really known something constant.

You have all these dreams.

"When we leave the army, we'll do this.

"When we leave the army, we'll do that."

But we don't have a blooming clue what we really want to do.

I want to find the thing that fulfils me most.

Hoping to find some answers,

army wife Lillian is about to swap lives

with wild Alaskan girl, Leslie.

I've always been a big wannabe traveller.

53-year-old bed-and-breakfast owner Leslie

wants to escape her remote island community to see the world.

I think I'm in my prime.

Leslie's home town of Wrangell in Alaska is more than 150 miles

from the nearest major city.

Cut off from the mainland, it's home to just over 2,000 people.

Slo-o-ow!

Life in Wrangell is very, very slow.

She's one of those adventurous types that always thinks

maybe something's better somewhere else.

I've dreamt of going abroad my whole life.

The adventure begins when they open their eyes.

Three, two, one...

Open.

Wow!

Oh, wow!

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

I have no idea where I am.

Maybe Piccadilly Square?

BELLS TOLL

Oh, my gosh!

Is that Big Ben?

First job for both women -

find their way to their new home and their new identity.

Leslie, Wrangell, in Alaska.

All they have to go on is each other's name and address.

Lillian Trowell.

That must be my new identity.

OK.

Where is Wrangell?

Who is Leslie?

That's Big Ben. That is Big Ben.

I've wanted to see this my whole life.

Holy cow!

It's her first time outside of North America,

and Leslie isn't exactly sure where she is.

It's completely different than anything I've ever seen.

The buildings are so close together, all the people...

There's no place like this in the States.

Hello, is this Piccadilly Square?

-Well, no, you're in Nottingham now.

-I'm in Nottingham?

-Yeah.

-So, Nottingham, is this...?

Like, I don't mean to sound silly,

but that's like Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood?

That's it.

Wow! So, is there a kingdom around here?

-No. There's no...

-Oh. No kingdom.

In Alaska, Lillian is navigating her way to Leslie's home.

Wrangell's an island! I like islands.

22 miles from the Canadian border,

Wrangell Island is a remote outpost in southeastern Alaska.

Just 28 miles long and five miles wide,

the residents of this small island are a close-knit group.

Hi. I'm really sorry to disturb you.

I'm looking for somebody called Leslie.

What's the name of Alan and Leslie's place?

-Grand View.

-Grand View Bed and Breakfast, is one Leslie.

And if this is not the Leslie you're looking for, this woman will know.

-Right.

-How's that?

-OK.

There are three Leslies in town and one of them runs a B&B.

I'm fairly sure that's a good place to start.

Lillian has spent the last 25 years putting her own life on hold

while she followed her husband Stuart's military career.

Everything that we have done since we got married

has been because Stuart's in the army.

But if we're going to survive as a couple then we need to do something

that helps us both to live the lives that we want to lead.

And stay together.

Lillian Trowell.

In Wrangell, Leslie always dreamed of a world

beyond her small community.

Have you ever heard of Lillian Trowell?

I haven't, I'm afraid.

But for the last hour,

she's been lost in a city of a little over 300,000 people.

Excuse me? Do you know who Lillian Trowell is?

'I've always lived where they knew my name.'

Do you know Lillian Trowell?

'So to be completely anonymous,'

that is exciting.

Lillian Trowell?

There's a place called Trowell.

There's a place called Trowell?

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much.

I'm travelling from Alaska.

And I've got to try to find this place.

The bus to Ilkeston.

-Excuse me?

-The bus to Ilkeston.

-What is that?

-I don't know where the bus would be.

-It would be at the top.

-It's a bus?

-Yeah.

Like that bus right there?

-No, not that. You go up the road.

-It's a yellow bus.

It's a yellow bus?

-To Ilkeston.

-I cannot understand that.

-To Ilkeston.

-To "Alcason"?

-Ilkeston.

-OK, thank you.

-Just a single fare, yeah?

-Yes.

-Just for you, yeah?

Have you heard of a woman named Lillian?

No, I've not.

While Leslie struggles to find her way...

I'm looking for somebody called Leslie.

In Alaska, Lillian is having better luck.

-I worked for Leslie!

-She works for Leslie.

-You work for Leslie! Hi.

-Nice to meet you!

-Would you like a ride or anything?

-If it's less than a mile

then I'm going to walk, if that's OK?

I'm definitely on the right road?

-You're on the right way.

-Yes, yes, you are.

Nice to meet you.

'They're all so friendly.

'And they all make eye contact when they're talking to you as well.'

Which is something quite new.

That's what I want.

DOORBELL

In Nottingham, Leslie has made it to Lillian's Street.

Hi, I'm not selling anything.

-That's good, cos I'm not buying.

-I saw your sign.

I am looking for a woman named Lillian.

Do you know any neighbours named Lillian in this area?

No, I don't know who that is.

I could not tell you who that is at all, my darling.

Well, this is frustrating!

If this was Alaska, the first person would tell me.

DOG BARKS

But I'm not in Kansas any more, Toto.

But finally... DOORBELL

..her persistence pays off.

I am looking for a woman on this street named Lillian.

Yeah, she lives right next door.

-Right here?

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Yeah!

-Oh, thank you.

# Hallelujah! #

Is this the house of Lillian?

-You've got it.

-Yeah!

-I'm Leslie.

-Hiya, Leslie.

-I'm Stuart, pleased to meet you.

-Hi, Stuart. Pleased to meet you, too.

Lovely home.

Grand View.

We're here, hooray!

Lillian, too, has made it to her new home.

-Lillian?

-Yeah.

-I'm Alan. Come on in.

-Thank you very much.

For the next week, Lillian will have to run this beach-side B&B

with views across the Gulf of Alaska...

What a stunning place. I can see why you call it Grand View.

I'll show you the moose room first...

-OK.

-..and you'll see why.

-OK.

-There's just moose everywhere.

There's a moose loose aboot this hoose!

..while in Nottingham Leslie will live with Lillian's husband, Stuart,

and their two youngest kids, Ellie and Aaron.

-Look at this.

-Full of teenagers' stuff.

Perfect. I think I can sleep in that bed very well.

After a long journey, both women take time to settle in.

Check this out. There is a picture that's going to blow your mind.

It's Princess Diana, pinning a medal on our very own Stuart.

And she's looking at him all appreciative.

I can't believe how humbled I am.

The other one I totally adore is Stuart and Lillian

on their wedding day.

Military wedding.

It's just awesome.

They just look so in love, and so happy.

You know, boy meets girl, he's a handsome young soldier,

and she's a young nurse, and this is sort of like a love story.

It's a Cinderella, Prince Charming thing.

'My husband says that it's my turn now,

'and I want to prove to myself that

'all these little personal dreams that I have could be a reality.'

And when you're given that amount of freedom, it's just mind-boggling.

But now, after today, I really am very excited.

I think we've just slipped into a routine that's simple and easy,

and really we could both do

with a bit of shaking up now.

Today, I'm going to be in the working class.

It's Lillian and Leslie's first morning in their new lives.

Do you think I'll see any blood?

Although Leslie takes care of people in her own job,

a day of volunteering at the hospital where Lillian works

is a daunting prospect.

I can comfort, I can do bedside,

"I'm so sorry you're in this situation,"

but if I have to dress a wound, we'd be in real trouble!

-No, no, no, you be all right.

-OK.

But first, she has to drive Lillian's car to work.

Just make sure that you bring it back in one piece!

I will do my best.

-It's Lil's pride and joy.

-I'm an excellent driver.

-Good.

ENGINE STALLS

SHE LAUGHS

Come on, car. Oh, I know why.

I'm in third.

-SATNAV:

-'At the end of the road, turn left.'

Right, I'm following this guy.

OK. Off we go.

There's a lot going on. I need to pay attention and focus.

Up to 90,000 commuters navigate their way

through suburban Nottingham each morning.

Don't be jumping out there, buddy.

A far cry from what small-town girl Leslie is used to.

It's very narrow. The roads are narrower.

The cars are all smaller too.

-BUMPING

-Oops.

Slow. Is that a castle?

-SATNAV:

-'Turn right.'

-Yes, ma'am.

HORN HONKING

Oh, shut up!

And she's still got five miles to go.

-HORN HONKING

-Oh, shut up!

Go, go, go, go.

I'm really worried about this.

In Alaska, Lillian is taking over Leslie's duties at the B&B.

Oh, no. That's one's a disaster.

Guests at the Grand View expect to receive impeccable service.

Those don't taste right. OK.

We need to find the recipe.

That would never happen if Leslie were here.

It's a lot of responsibility for somebody who's new in post.

For an outsider, a newbie, a transplant,

as we would call them, to get liked

just be a hard worker, and an asset to the community.

Look at that!

Now, that is a pancake.

You've got to be funny,

you've got to have a little humour about things.

She seems a bit quiet, so it's a 50-50.

We'll either like you, or we won't.

-There we go.

-Thank you.

-I'll get that for you.

After a shaky start, Lillian finally manages to serve up breakfast.

Are they up to the usual standard?

They're a little tough.

Oh, no!

-And, erm...sour.

-Well, it's sourdough.

-I know.

More than normal.

They were very tough customers, but quite right.

I don't want to let Leslie down.

You're doing amazing.

-Do I get the job?

-Yes, you're hired!

-LILLIAN LAUGHS

Wa-hey!

It's hot, and it's muggy.

It just feels sick.

It feels sickly.

In Nottingham, Leslie has arrived at City Hospital.

However, there's people in here that need help.

Lillian has worked here since moving to Nottingham two years ago,

but today, complete novice Leslie

will be assisting the nurses on shift.

A completely different field for me.

-What do you normally do?

-I have a bed and breakfast.

-I run a bed and breakfast.

-Oh, very different.

-I've done many things...

-We do do bed and breakfast.

Oh, yeah, it's a little bit different.

-Ready?

-OK, here we go.

Luckily, Leslie's first task is something she's used to.

-Dirty ones in there.

-Right, got it.

You tuck the top in.

-Voila!

-Voila! Nicely done.

Beds made, Leslie wants to know more

about what it's like working in such an environment.

-Do you enjoy your work?

-Yeah, I do, yeah.

'It was very eye-opening for me.

'They take a lot of pride in what they do.'

They're not only saving lives or...

They're improving the lives of the people that they're working with.

And all of this is covered under the scope of HSN?

-NHS.

-NHS.

-National Health Service.

Home Shopping Network, HSN!

We have a lot of health care issues in the States.

Like, if we didn't have insurance - we do, but if we didn't -

then they base what you pay on your income.

Do you have anything like that here?

Not for health care.

-So if you're assessed...

-Everybody's covered?

-Absolutely, yeah. Universal coverage.

-Wow.

In America, we tend to think that

the higher of the dollar of your health care,

the better the care is.

I don't know if that's necessarily so.

Whereas I think the playing field is more even here in Britain.

It doesn't matter whether you're poor or rich,

you all get the same care and they're absolutely committed

to giving you the best care available.

And that seems pretty appealing.

-There you go.

-Bed two. Thank you. Here's your dinner.

-Oh, thank you.

-I hope you enjoy it.

OK, well, we'll keep our fingers crossed.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt,

that I could not perform that duty day in and day out.

-You're wonderful, Katie, thank you.

-Oh, thank you.

-In we go.

-OK. Wonderful.

Now, please don't make me clean their toilet!

THEY LAUGH

When I was training to be a nurse,

bed making was almost an examination standard,

and if you didn't get your hospital corners in

and your fold-overs done properly,

the sister on the ward would come and strip it all down

and you'd have to do it again!

And there's something quite satisfying about a well-made bed.

As her first day comes to a close,

Lillian gets to enjoy one of the perks of the job.

Ooh!

There are three orcas in the water.

A little one and two bigger ones.

They seem to be swimming round in a circle.

-SHE LAUGHS

-The most excitement I get

is a squirrel or a fox!

-SHE GASPS

-Wow!

Even if I don't do anything else this week,

that just made my year.

My job, I'm looking after people who are at the end of their life,

and so many times they've said to me,

"I wish I'd done this...

"I wish I'd done that...

"And now I've run out of time."

I would like to run some kind of B&B

cos it's a way to make new friends

and learn about yourself, as much as learn about anybody else.

You can't just give up on life.

You have to make the most of what you've got.

And in Nottingham, Leslie, too,

is starting to think about the week ahead.

It's beyond what I thought.

I thought it was a way to get out of my situation for a day or two

and what I'm finding is that I get to experience England

as an English person.

It's kind of fairy tale-y, to be honest.

Today, Leslie's English fairy tale is about to move up a notch.

She's been enlisted by Stuart to attend a black-tie dinner

at his military barracks.

Have you gone to these events with him before?

-When I was a lot younger.

-When you were a lot younger.

The highlight of the military social calendar,

black-tie dinners are a rather formal affair...

I didn't have a whole lot of time to pack, so I just threw stuff in.

This is just a...

-like a dress with some leggings.

-Mm-hmm.

..so Leslie has asked Ellie to help choose some suitable attire.

I have to do this with my mum all the time.

-OK.

-I like it.

-I like the daisies.

-You DO like it?

-Yeah.

-Number one.

When my dad and my mum first met she went to one of these events,

and the dress she was wearing had a slit up her leg,

up to here. And apparently that's not allowed.

I think my dad got told off and he had to do, like,

extra duties or something.

It's quite traditional.

OK. Ellie.

-It's very summery.

-It's very what?

-Summery.

-Summery. Yeah, OK.

'This is worrying me, because it's out of my comfort zone.'

I mean, these are, like, military stiffs.

And I'm very casual, American slacker.

So I'm going to be on my best behaviour

because I'm with the Queen's army.

OK, this is the most comfortable.

-I like that one the most.

-You do?

-Yeah.

-Shut the front door!

-I do.

-You're just saying that.

-Really?

-No, I really do like that one.

I want to look the part. I want to, you know, shine.

Nice choice.

My favourite.

-Appreciate it.

-No problem.

Whoo!

Oh, I'm nervous!

In Alaska, Lillian and Alan are heading into town

to pick up supplies.

Need a step ladder!

I have never been in something this size.

-Really?

-Never.

The largest and one of the least populated states in America,

Alaska is often referred to as the last frontier.

There's a deer, right there.

-Oh, yeah.

-See the little deer?

Yeah. Aw, they're so sweet.

I understand why you don't want to leave.

Aw, this place is great.

-Yeah.

-I love it here.

Wrangell itself is one of the oldest towns in Alaska.

Strategically located near the mouth of the Stikine River,

it was founded by fortune-seekers

during three major gold rushes in the 1800s.

And it's a chance for Lillian to see

what it's like to live in a small community.

Eggs...

-Then hash browns.

-OK, they're down here.

-I think we'll get another half gallon of milk.

-OK.

And everyone wants to meet Wrangell's newest resident.

I'm Judy. I'm Leslie's friend.

-Hello, it's really lovely to meet you, Judy.

-You too.

-I'm Lil.

Well, welcome.

-It's lovely to meet you.

-I'm sure we'll see you around.

I'm sure you will.

It's quite scary how willing people are here to come and say hello

and make friends.

How do you like it in Alaska so far?

-Oh, it's amazing.

-Awesome. Here, you have that back.

-Thank you very much.

-You have a great day.

Thank you very much indeed.

It feels as if they are genuinely interested in you.

Which is completely new for me.

As a military wife, Lillian and her family have had to move home

every two years and start afresh.

And each move has felt like another compromise and another compromise,

till I've completely lost touch with who I thought I was.

I want to stop.

I want to put down roots and establish myself somewhere.

That looks like a whole piece of history.

Here. Nobody's in a hurry,

everybody's quite happy to slow down

and have a good look at you, as they go past.

It's just so unusual.

But it feels really nice as well.

I want to be part of a community. I'm done moving.

I feel honoured. I feel like it's a privilege,

and my goal is to be respectful

and not open my mouth and say anything inappropriate.

In the UK, Leslie is getting ready for the black-tie dinner

at Catterick Garrison.

If you want to be seen, stand up, if you want to be heard, speak up,

if you want to be respected, shut up!

So that's my mantra.

I've got to get ready.

SHE GRUMBLES

Are you decent, Leslie?

-Ooh!

-Check you out. Very nice. There you go.

-You clean up good, too.

-Scrub up well!

Wow!

Built in the early 1900s,

the barracks is steeped in British military history.

This is a table that we stole from Napoleon.

-SHE GASPS

-Shut the front door!

This would go really good in my bed and breakfast.

SHE CHUCKLES

That's the Boer War.

Look at the picture of the Queen.

-That's her sister.

-I'm going to take a picture of her.

HE LAUGHS

So, in here, reading room, library.

And it's a chance for Leslie to really take in history.

There's a distinct and amazing...

-aroma.

-HE LAUGHS

SHE SIGHS

I feel so grateful to see England in this way.

Oh, my gosh, this should be, like, in Buckingham Palace or something.

I don't think any American ever gets afforded this type of a tour.

So this is where we're going to have dinner tonight.

Oh! Oh, my word! Are you kidding me?

-How does this match up to your B&B?

-It doesn't even come close!

-HE LAUGHS

-I thought I had a nice B&B.

-SHE GASPS

-That's Princess Di.

Yup, certainly is.

-SHE SNIFFS

-I feel like crying.

HE LAUGHS

I need to take a picture of this, this is really moving.

Wow.

I just feel unworthy.

-Hi, Judy.

-Hi. Venison burgers.

Venison burgers, awesome.

Holy smokes, you've been busy, huh?

-This is Lil.

-Lily.

-Lil.

-Lil.

-Very pleased to meet you.

As evening draws in in Alaska,

Alan is keen that Lillian gets into the small-town spirit

and is throwing a barbecue for some friends and neighbours.

You have an English accent.

I have a Scottish accent.

-Scottish. Oh, OK. OK.

-Hello, Catherine, it's lovely to meet you.

I'm Todd.

-Todd. I am never going to remember all these names!

-Oh, that's OK.

And it's giving Lillian a better understanding

of exactly what she's been missing.

-We're also close-knit.

-Yeah.

-And we all come together,

whether we know each other a lot or not much at all.

People here make eye contact.

And it doesn't feel threatening.

-Yeah.

-It feels welcoming.

What are the disadvantages of living in such a tight-knit community?

Dating!

-Yeah.

-You better know you're not related first.

When you move every two years,

the friends you make are never really friends.

They're acquaintances

because you never develop the depth of relationship that allows you

to continue when you're no longer together.

Are you lonely?

Yes.

Incredibly.

That's the joy of being an army wife.

So, what do you think about all this history?

Cos to me this feels like the Oscars or something.

It's very posh.

This mess is particularly beautiful.

In the UK, before dinner

Leslie gets a chance to mingle with the other guests.

So is all Army so tall?

-SHE LAUGHS

-The officers' mess was just

reeking with importance.

It was regal, that's a good word.

But I just felt awkward in the beginning.

So what's midget? About 5'10" or so?

You guys are all so tall.

'I didn't know how to act, quite.

'And so I was just trying to, kind of, feel it out.'

But I just got a brand-new rifle.

-Huh.

-Yeah, a Henry Repeating .22.

It's got an octagon barrel, so you can load 15 rounds at a time.

-OK.

-It's a replica, obviously, but it's pretty sweet.

What do you shoot with that?

Whatever gets in my way, how about that!

-Yeah.

-Ladies, gentlemen, dinner is now served.

-Please start making your way through.

-This is so fun.

My stuff's on the left?

-Yeah, that's right.

-OK.

-And you start outside, going in.

You start from the inside going out?

-Outside going in.

-Outside going in, thank you.

Keep helping me!

We don't have stuff like this in America.

Spending time in the formal environment of a regimental dinner

is proving a revelation for Leslie.

In my everyday life, I'm, like...

you know, boisterous

and making noise.

So, you got a little filly on the side, are you think about

-settling down?

-Er... No. No, I'm absolutely not, no.

'I just feel like I want to be a little softer'

when I go home and a little bit quieter.

31. I'm sure Mom's pushing.

-Yeah.

-It's time for some grandkids, Richard.

-I know. Yeah.

I feel that as well.

Whoohoo!

'Cos I've just been seeing things through my eyes

'and I'm sort of seeing it through a different set of eyeballs.'

Honestly, this day...

..could quite possibly be one of the best days of my life.

This is something I will never forget as long as I live.

I am one lucky chick.

Goodnight.

It's halfway through the week and both women have now spent several

days living in each other's worlds.

England's old.

You know, you can see it in the buildings,

you can see it in the architecture and the landscapes.

It just has an aura of old.

America feels more new.

Feels more shiny, feels more superficial and shallow.

This has more deep meaning.

This experience has taught me that

I'm just so insignificant in the big scheme of things.

I mean, I'm just a little piece of sand on a humongous planet,

in a huge universe.

I have never felt so like the real me...

..as I do at the moment.

I want to go back to a time where communities actually worked

together and people were valued for being part of the community,

not because they had a job to do.

But most of all, I want to laugh with my husband,

because I've laughed so much since I've been here.

But Stuart and I don't laugh together.

And we used to. We used to laugh together, before the children

and before mortgages and bills and the cares of the day.

We used to laugh quite a lot together.

We need that back.

It's so shocking how fast time goes,

so, you know, just enjoy the ride

and enjoy this moment as it is.

When I walked in this morning, there was a bald eagle just flew leisurely

-past the window.

-I know.

-And it's just like...

-SHE LAUGHS

-It's really cool.

Now that she's settled in, Alan is keen to show Lillian

some Alaskan wilderness

and has decided to take her on her first ever deer hunt.

I'm excited in the fact

that I'd get to see the wildlife in their natural habitat.

The idea that something at the end of it might end up on my plate

is something I'll have to deal with.

The best spot to hunt deer around here is Zarembo Island,

a 30-minute boat journey west of Wrangell.

This is just spectacular.

I can see why you and Leslie enjoy doing this.

Oh, we do, we love it.

She gets away from the bed and breakfast, we just get out of town,

the cellphones don't work.

-Yeah.

-It's our favourite thing to do.

Lillian wants to know more about the realities of living

in such a small community.

If you do fall out with someone,

how do you get round that and does the community get involved as well?

Just like a family, you know.

-Yeah.

-I mean, you get upset with a family member, be mad at them,

-you might not talk to them for a week or something and...

-Yeah.

..you just kind of let bygones be bygones.

Don't let them know where your goat's tied up, you know?

I've never heard that before.

You know, people can get your goat,

they can't get it if they don't know where it's tied up.

And just let it flow.

Oh, dear!

How's the temperature in the car for you?

-Yeah, fine.

-OK, good, I tend to get a little warm.

So...

Raar!

Nice one.

In Nottingham, Leslie is braving the English roads once more.

Whoa!

Now, if I make you nervous, let me know.

And this time, she's bringing Lillian's daughter Ellie

along for the ride.

Whoop.

She wants to show her her favourite Alaskan pastime.

Do you know what a .44 is?

A .44, like, we call it the Dirty Harry.

That big pistol.

That's got a lot of firepower.

They're heading to a shooting range.

What's your feeling about this or your anxiety level?

Erm...I'm slightly nervous.

You're slightly nervous?

Yeah, just cos I don't think I should be in charge of something

-as powerful as a gun!

-Yeah, but you're the one that has the power.

It's like... Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

You know? Oops.

-ENGINE CRUNCHES

-Sorry.

Raar.

Mmm. That was incredible.

In Alaska, Lillian and Alan have arrived at Zarembo Island.

All you can hear is water and wildlife.

There are no permanent residents on the island...

Push down on it.

..but for the past 20 years,

hunters have shipped in beaten up old pick-up trucks...

-I like the paint job.

-Yeah?

..to use as transport around Zarembo.

Anyone can use them. CAR STARTS

The only rule is

leave enough gas in the tank for the next hunter who comes along.

-This is a nice rig.

-Yeah!

With its 183 square miles of pristine wilderness...

-That's some view.

-..Zarembo Island is a hunter's paradise.

See it running in the road down there.

So what other animals are there on the island?

There's moose, elk, porcupines, squirrels, wolves...

Tonight, Lillian and Alan will stay in an isolated lodge

before they begin their hunt in the morning.

I'm looking forward to doing something different

and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

And I've never done anything like this before.

And that's pretty cool.

But at the back of my mind,

this is not some benign little wander in the woods, though, is it?

It's hunting. And I think I'm going to struggle with this.

GUNSHOTS In the UK, Leslie and Ellie have

arrived at the shooting range.

Ellie, here, we have to go a little ginger with

because she... She said guns scare her.

OK, this is the gun we're going to be using. 20 bore.

Empty gun. Bring this hand up on to there.

This hand up on to there. Lower the gun down.

-Just want to check the eye.

-Oh, it's heavy.

-Now just focus.

-You think it's heavy?

Honey, you're a natural, I'm telling you.

-Thanks.

-Right.

GUNSHOTS

Are you still having anxiety or have you calmed down a little?

I don't know. We'll see.

We'll see? You're going to be fine, I promise.

When I was in high school, I took a riflery class.

It was all boys.

Football, fishing, firearms.

Boy magnets.

So, anxiety level?

-It's gone up a bit.

-It's gone up!

Quit asking her.

Right.

That right eye.

-Pull.

-Nice and steady.

-Boom!

-Well done.

Pull, boom!

Boom. Boom.

-Well done.

-This is a blast!

It's so fun, Ellie.

Especially when you hit it.

Bring your hands round like I showed you.

Take it. Finger off the trigger.

-Pull.

-Nice and gently.

-OK? Now...

-Ugh.

Do you mind if I stop?

No problem at all. OK?

Are you OK?

-ELLIE SNIFFS

-Tell me.

I'm fine, I just didn't like it.

You just don't like it. And that's OK.

You don't have to like it. Some things are for somebody,

just like when I went into that hospital where your mom works.

Honey, I was coming out of my skin, just the smell of death.

-It does smell.

-Yes.

And so I'm really proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone.

You did really good.

-Thanks.

-OK? And it's OK to show emotion.

It's OK to be sensitive.

-It's much better to be sensitive than to be insensitive.

-Yeah.

So, I love you for trying.

-Thanks, honey.

-That's OK.

-OK.

Thanks for being my little gun girl.

Oh, that's OK.

'So, obviously, this was a little hard on Ellie.

'You know, the thing that occurs to me is

'she has a father in the military.'

Growing up with the thought that maybe my dad's in danger

and guns is a big part of that.

She's battling a fear and just the idea that she tried it is huge.

That's the way I feel.

Ellie is not the only one with a fear of guns.

-Does that coat fit OK?

-Yeah.

Today, Lillian is joining Alan on her first ever deer hunt.

I think she's excited about seeing the island.

Not so excited about killing a deer.

Literally, sick.

Physically sick.

I feel sick every time I look at the gun.

SHE GROANS

Lillian and Alan will be stalking Sitka black-tailed deer.

-WHISPERING:

-I shot a nice deer standing right there one time.

I was standing right here,

and there was a buck standing right there.

By those rocks, and shot him right here.

It was nice.

Native to southeastern Alaska, they're small and agile,

and hard to spot as they blend into their natural environment.

'It's clear that hunting is such a big part of this community.

'Doesn't mean I want to do it.'

-CREW MEMBER:

-Is this quite a challenge for you, then?

This is a real challenge.

HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLE

It's not about the hunting, it's about the taking of life.

I'm a nurse. I preserve life.

It's a doe, but it's up on that other ridge.

But she's looking right at us.

-Can you see her?

-No.

Out here, hunters are only allowed to shoot mature male bucks.

Killing female does is strictly off-limits.

Well, that's one deer.

This is a killer spot.

'I know the damage that guns can do.

'I've seen the impact that it has on people.'

She's moving away from us.

-It's amazing, three steps, and she's disappeared.

-She's gone.

HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLE

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

-Can you see it? See the deer? See it moving?

-No.

HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLE

Nothing. That was a big, fat doe.

It's only the girlies coming out today.

With a storm brewing on the horizon, much to the relief of Lillian...

Hurray for the deer!

..Alan decides to call it a day.

The fact that we did not shoot anything made me feel so happy.

It was nice to be in the vicinity of something that escaped unharmed.

In the UK,...

Is there any castles?

I don't think so.

When am I going to see a castle?

..Stuart has agreed to show Leslie the English countryside.

You are the tour guide.

Yeah.

Oh! This is so cool.

Woohoo! This is like going into outer space.

We have now been rocketed into a fourth dimension.

Whoo!

They're on their way to one of his favourite spots

in the Yorkshire Dales.

-Oh, wow.

-Cool, huh?

That looks ancient.

I really enjoyed seeing England on the back of a motorcycle.

It's very different than Alaska.

In Alaska it's still, kind of, untamed and jagged, and rough.

I mean, I have sort of a healthy fear of the wilderness.

If you're not prepared, you're not going to make it.

Whoo! I feel like a princess.

As they stop for a break in the Yorkshire Dales...

Look over the grand vista.

Ah! Breathtaking!

Leslie wants to know more about

Lillian and Stuart's plans for the future.

-Sit on this rock.

-I am not a city girl.

-Pull up a rock.

-Pull up a rock. A stump.

There you go. That's the Pennines.

After nearly 40 years of a regimented army lifestyle,

she's keen to know how Stuart thinks he will explore

his upcoming freedom.

-The army, it's been my life since I left school.

-Right.

But I've enjoyed every minute of it.

And you start thinking differently

-when you're hitting your 50s.

-You certainly do. Yes.

You work for the man for many years. I want to work for me.

I don't want to be reporting to somebody else,

or having to do what I'm told.

I just want to get on and do something for myself.

-Right.

-So, what I want to do when I leave the army,

is I want to set up a motorcycle tour company.

Organised tours around parts of the UK,

the scenic parts of the UK, this being one of them.

I can certainly see why.

It's absolutely fun.

So, you set up the motorcycle business,

what do you think Lillian's going to want?

She wants to do something different, I know that.

It's now providing that opportunity for Lil to be part of it as well.

That's why you get married, that's why you get together.

-Right.

-To be together.

-That's huge.

So next year is going to be the start of it,

and let us build it, and hopefully, if it succeeds, then, yes.

-Well, the beauty of life is we have choices.

-Yes.

But, erm...compromise.

What are you going to give, OK?

I'll give this, if you give that.

-So it's striking a deal between each other.

-That's exactly right.

And so there's the yin and the yang.

Why not, indeed? It's glorious, isn't it?

You set this company up, and I'll be your agent in Alaska.

I'm serious. I can be your American propaganda machine.

Yeah, why not?

The future for us now...

..is all changed.

We're both at a crossroads,

and we don't know which way it's going to take us next.

I just want to encourage you to take the risk,

because otherwise you're always going to wonder.

-It sounds exciting.

-Let's hope so.

Aah! I love it when we go fast!

Stuart wants to find a way that he and Lillian

can take on the next part of their life as a team.

THUNDER RUMBLES

And in Alaska, Lillian's thoughts too are turning to their future.

He's been saying it for a long time.

"When I finish in the army it's your turn next, honey."

But the reality of that, I think...

..could be a little different.

He's been in the army since he was 17,

and when he gets out next year, he'll be 55.

That's a lifetime.

And that change in status is very subtle.

But it's very powerful.

And he won't... And the respect he commands now

will disappear overnight.

This is when he needs me most.

But it's a two-way thing, because he also has to be open and receptive.

I really don't know what the impact of this is going to be.

We're going to get out of here before this storm really gets bad.

I'm in.

-Good trip.

-I enjoyed it.

Yeah, it was a good time.

It will be a fun ride.

-You don't get seasick, do you?

-No, I don't get seasick. No.

Whoa!

Whoo!

'When I go back, the conversation is going to be more about

'how can we find a shared purpose?'

How do we move forward and how do we do it together?

Woohoo!

We're going to get around the corner here, and it's going to be nice.

Alan, it was excellent.

I'm just going to tell Leslie to stay in the UK. I'm stopping here.

Can we do it again?

Life's too short to hold back because you're frightened

or worried about what other people might think.

This is the strangest way to make coffee I've ever seen in my life,

but as long as I get that caffeine, that's the whole point.

OK.

It's Leslie's last day in Nottingham.

There's definitely some work here.

Ooh, look at that. That's an antique!

I like dirt. Mother Earth.

It's where we all come from.

This experience has taught me a lot of stuff about who I am,

and who I'm not.

More about who I'm not.

I fancy myself to be this world traveller and,

"Oh, yeah, I could go visit London, Paris,"

but, you know what? It's really not who I am.

It's sort of a pipe dream.

Really, I'm just a hometown country girl from Alaska.

And that's where I'm most comfortable.

I thought I was looking forward to being in a place

where nobody knew me,

however, abs... What's that saying?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

That's a fact.

I do have a deeper appreciation of what I have

and my life back home.

Oh, that's amazing.

They should bottle that.

This has really taught me that I have to appreciate everything

as it is at this moment.

The weather changes.

The scenery changes.

The flowers change, and we all are, like,

in a season, changing all the time.

And instead of worrying about the past, or worrying about the future,

I just need to enjoy this moment as it is.

Oh, my!

Here, fishy, fishy!

Here, fishy, fishy!

Lil, how was you guys' ride home from Zarembo?

It was excellent. I love it.

-Yeah?

-I absolutely love it.

That's good. You can come back and go fishing with me then

if you want to. If you ever toughen up!

In Alaska, Lillian's time in the small town of Wrangell is nearly up.

What are you going to miss most about Wrangell?

I think I'm going to miss the people most.

-The people? Aw!

-The people most.

-She tells the nicest lies.

'From first arriving here,'

the calm and the beauty of the island,

and the friendliness of the first people I met...

Ten on a number three.

..every experience I've had since then

has just deepened those first impressions.

-I got a winner!

-150.

I won 150!

Whoo!

This has been a life-changing moment

and maybe it's time to do something.

-You're going to sign the post?

-She's going to sign the post.

'Moving somewhere like this,

'that has the same kind of community values and spirit.'

-I was here.

-Lil was here.

-Yeah.

You're part of the furniture.

To be honest, as soon as Lil come through the door,

she really didn't seem like a stranger.

20, 40, 50.

-Thank you very much.

-You are welcome.

She's just a friend.

There ain't nothing to making money in Alaska.

Nothing to it.

What's important is relationships.

And the people in your life that sustain you.

So, doing something adventurous...

..and doing it with Stuart, who else?

Who else, really?

Do I trust?

And be there to back me up, and he ticks all those boxes.

And I love him so much.

Well, by the time I figure out where everything is,

it's time to go.

Lillian and Leslie's week is up,

and it's time for them to say goodbye to their host families

and head for home.

Thank you for everything you did for me.

I think Leslie had a significant life experience by coming here.

So, thanks again, I sure appreciate everything.

Coming to the UK has convinced me

that I have to stop fighting where I belong.

-See you.

-Thank you.

-Safe trip back home.

I am anything but a world-class jet setter!

I'm really glad to have met her. She's just a great soul.

She's a special lady.

Today's it, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Well, it has been a wonderful week.

The key to happiness has got to be doing what feels right.

Not what you think is right.

Before they return home, the two women will get a chance to meet.

I feel like Lillian really puts out a lot for others,

and what is Lillian doing for Lillian?

If you're just pouring out of the cup all the time,

what's left in the cup?

What's going to recharge your battery?

I've been inhabiting her life for a week.

And sometimes you can... You get so close to things

that you can't see them for yourself,

and you really need somebody else to be that mirror.

Hang on a minute.

That would be me!

Hi!

Hello. So, how was in Nottingham?

Nottingham is...

-Yes.

-Really different.

I was on your block, knocking on doors,

and they didn't even know who you were.

-Yeah.

-That blew my mind.

After this adventure, I'm not so...

I don't think it's so bad here.

Listen, your community is perhaps one of the most cohesive...

..amazing communities I've ever had the pleasure to be part of.

Do you know, I'm really glad that you talked about our community,

because I didn't realise how much it meant to me that everybody knows me,

everybody knows my name.

They all know my story.

And it's, like...

It gave me a sense of belonging.

You have what I want.

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, but Stuart is getting ready to retire.

He adores you,

I got the sense that he wants you to work along with him

on the tour thing.

Yeah. Having something that we can work on together,

a shared sense of purpose, is absolutely what we need now.

Well, I think whatever you decide is OK with him.

So what a great experience, huh?

-It's been phenomenal.

-It has been phenomenal.

-Thank you.

-So, let's go home.

It was more comfortable than I thought it was going to be

and she was everything I thought

and I feel like I have a new sister in the UK now.

My goodness, Leslie's a force to be reckoned with, isn't she?

It was lovely. It was lovely, and, once again, it's that openness

and that friendliness and the directness

that can be quite disarming.

I'm so happy to be Leslie.

I think that my whole life I've looked at life as...

"I'll be happy when I am doing something different."

And I really got a sense of "I'm happy now."

The whole experience, blimey!

Mind-blowing, for me.

And certainly life-changing for me.

Change is a slow process

and you have to take the people with you as you make the changes.

Hello!

Hello!

Oh! Where have you been?

I've been globe hopping!

Oh! I'm so glad... Mmm-hmm!

Next time...

Wow, where am I?

..a tribesman from Guyana...

Can you please help me?

..tries to get to grips with the urban jungle.

This is my first time trying to put my finger on a computer.

While a civil servant from London...

..goes back to basics in the Amazon rainforest.

I'm hungrier than, probably, I've never been in my life before.

What will they learn from each other's worlds?