0:00:02 > 0:00:06Imagine you've embarked on the journey of a lifetime.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10A luxury cruise around the world.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14I've done things and seen places that other people dream of seeing.
0:00:15 > 0:00:192,000 people are travelling some of the way,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23but 400 lucky souls have signed up for the entire adventure.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Well, this for me is the culmination of a life's dream.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It sure makes your eyes water.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34They'll be stopping at some of the most beautiful
0:00:34 > 0:00:36and exotic places around the globe.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It's the most amazing thing ever.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45But this all-inclusive package offers much more than sunshine
0:00:45 > 0:00:47and sightseeing.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49On this global odyssey,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51the passengers have their very own vicar.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Welcome, everyone, to this very special and very happy occasion.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59The ship IS my parish. Therefore I'm seeking to minister
0:00:59 > 0:01:03to everyone on board, whether they're believers or not.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Welcome to The Cruise.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Since leaving Southampton,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Balmoral has traversed the Atlantic
0:01:22 > 0:01:23and the Pacific...
0:01:26 > 0:01:28..and she is now approaching Australia.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34The Reverend Colin Still is the vicar on board.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37He's a long way from the Parish of St John in Brighton
0:01:37 > 0:01:39where he usually serves.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I have a very fulfilling ministry really,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and being able to take on the cruise chaplaincies as well,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49that's an added dimension.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Throughout the cruise, he's been kept busy -
0:01:54 > 0:01:57conducting daily services...
0:01:57 > 0:02:01counselling passengers,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03shepherding excursions...
0:02:05 > 0:02:07..and renewing wedding vows.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11..which is patient and kind, enduring all things without end.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16But this isn't just a place to celebrate nuptials.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19It's also fertile ground for new love to blossom.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24There are some on-board romances. Like any group of people, there
0:02:24 > 0:02:28are always some that are likely to be drawn together and find a partner.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32MUSIC: "At Last" by Etta James
0:02:40 > 0:02:44One such couple, John and Dylis, met on a previous cruise.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Their romance started with a brief encounter in a lift.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50She was going down to her quarters,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and she mentioned that there was something wrong
0:02:53 > 0:02:56with the plumbing in her cabin.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58I'd had exactly the same problem,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01I said, "I'll come and have a look and see if we can fix it."
0:03:01 > 0:03:05I was in the bathroom, and of course you know the size of them -
0:03:05 > 0:03:08they're quite small so it was quite an intimate sort of thing!
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Wasn't it, really?
0:03:10 > 0:03:12And that's where we sort of looked at each other...
0:03:12 > 0:03:16And you've heard of this, "our eyes met"...
0:03:16 > 0:03:18That was it.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22And from that moment, my fate was sealed.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35'We only met once, very briefly, for about two minutes.'
0:03:36 > 0:03:40After that we all went our separate ways,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and I went home and I thought,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47"What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? Is it just a holiday romance?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49"Is it something to forget? Is it ridiculous?
0:03:49 > 0:03:50"Am I making myself ridiculous?
0:03:50 > 0:03:54"I'm in my seventies, what the hell am I thinking about!"
0:03:54 > 0:03:58But I didn't get any peace, so eventually I rang her up
0:03:58 > 0:04:02and I said, "Was it just a holiday romance or what?"
0:04:02 > 0:04:07And she said something like, "I'm waiting for you."
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It's quite amazing how it all happened,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12because we both took a terrible chance, didn't we?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16It was almost meant to be. Quite extraordinary!
0:04:17 > 0:04:21'It just occurred to me that it might be nice to put a sign up,'
0:04:21 > 0:04:26and it's self-adhesive, and I put one up in the lift,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28the very lift on the Boudicca, where we met.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Sunday is Colin's longest day with two services for passengers...
0:04:43 > 0:04:46# Amazing grace
0:04:46 > 0:04:51# How sweet the sound... #
0:04:51 > 0:04:53..And a late night communion with the crew.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59The crew's service is important because these guys don't see
0:04:59 > 0:05:01a priest from one month into the other.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- Nice to see you all, because you've had a long day, haven't you?- Yes.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12There are 500 crew on Balmoral, from many different faiths.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16The majority are Filipino Roman Catholics.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20It's just very useful for those that like to attend and worship
0:05:20 > 0:05:23to have that facility offered to them.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Well, hello, everyone, and welcome to our mass this evening.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Erm, it's good to see you...
0:05:30 > 0:05:33'And they are allowed to ask for time off if they want to come.'
0:05:33 > 0:05:37I clear that with the management if they are working.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38'Like the bar staff,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42'they frequently don't finish till two or three in the morning.'
0:05:44 > 0:05:49Some of the passengers keeping the bar staff busy are Ian Ernshaw
0:05:49 > 0:05:51and his group of merrymakers.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57Question three - who said "Work is the curse of the drinking classes?"
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Who put Robin Day down?
0:06:03 > 0:06:06'We've been at every quiz. I shouldn't be saying this...'
0:06:06 > 0:06:0915's about our best score.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- He can't hear, he can't write, he can't spell.- He's thick!
0:06:13 > 0:06:14I'm thick.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18There's not a lot going for us, you know.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23One of the gang is George Ayling, who's on his maiden voyage.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Is it?- Yeah.- Greaves? What - Jimmy?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31I've met some wonderful people. You know, it's a community.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34It's a village on the sea.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39And any village has the village idiot, well, this time I think
0:06:39 > 0:06:43they've got two - that's Ian and I - because we have such fun together.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47About 10 years I've been cruising, and they've all been long cruises.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51My first cruise was 76 days, and that was long. That was long.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54But George has come in to the deep end, 112. He didn't mess about!
0:07:03 > 0:07:05We said Gene Kelly, didn't we?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Add up the scores and pass them back to their owners.
0:07:08 > 0:07:0912.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11THEY GROAN
0:07:13 > 0:07:16One day, we'll win, one day.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18We've been here eight weeks!
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Balmoral has arrived at its first Australian port -
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Hobart, Tasmania.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44On the cruise, Colin represents the Mission To Seafarers.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50They are a charitable organisation linked with the Church of England
0:07:50 > 0:07:55and they provide chaplains around the major ports of the world
0:07:55 > 0:07:58as well as provide the chaplains for the cruise ships.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02He's arranged to meet Bruce Mitchell,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05the Mission To Seafarers' chaplain for Hobart.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- You must be Bruce. - I am, I am indeed. Nice to meet you.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Welcome to Hobart, I've heard lots of good things.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12Have you been waiting long?
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Not very long, no.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Bruce wants to show Colin around his parish,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20which has suffered recent devastation.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25This area was burnt out on the 4th January
0:08:25 > 0:08:29on a day where the temperature got to 41.8 degrees centigrade,
0:08:29 > 0:08:34and the fire took out housing and land.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37But fortunately no lives were lost.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42As you can see, there's not much of this place left, Colin.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Oh, it's heartbreaking, isn't it? - Yes.- It really is.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Everything has gone. It's extraordinary, isn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57Some of the fire reached 1,000 degrees centigrade and er...
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I mean the intensity must have been there
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- just to melt everything like it did. - Oh, yes.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It's a sad little scene, isn't it?
0:09:05 > 0:09:08How many homes have been lost overall?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Probably 80% of the houses in Dunalley have gone.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Something around 130,140 in this area.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21The local hotel at Dunalley survived and that became a community centre,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24with the public supplying free food and drinks.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36So how long have you been a chaplain to the Mission To Seafarers?
0:09:36 > 0:09:41I've been the Hobart chaplain since 2005, so around eight years.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43It's a fascinating position
0:09:43 > 0:09:47because you're caring for people of all sorts of nationalities
0:09:47 > 0:09:52and backgrounds, and one of the things that we make very sure about
0:09:52 > 0:09:55is there's no discrimination on the basis of race, creed or colour.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Bruce runs the Hobart Mission with a team of volunteers,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06who offer help to the crew of any ship that comes into port.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Most of them come in here to relax and to get away from the steel box
0:10:11 > 0:10:13in which they spend most of their time.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It's basically about providing physical, spiritual,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20social facilities for seafarers,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24most of whom come from Third World countries.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I've been to many Seamans' Mission Centres...
0:10:27 > 0:10:28So you usually go to it?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Yeah, when there is a Seaman Mission Centre, you just,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33the crews go there.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36One of the major things that happens when the seafarers get here
0:10:36 > 0:10:39is they hook into the computers so they can catch up
0:10:39 > 0:10:42with their families, in the Philippines or India
0:10:42 > 0:10:44or Ukraine, or wherever.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Have you done that today? - Yeah, just finished.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- And is everything OK?- Yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52One of the things that we provide here is a foreign exchange,
0:10:52 > 0:10:57but we also have bibles that are available to seafarers for free.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01If they've got problems with welfare injustice on the ship or some such,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06we can put them in touch with people who can look after them.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11Fortunately that doesn't happen very often, but we're here to be a home
0:11:11 > 0:11:14away from home. That's basically what it's all about.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17The Balmoral is more than a home.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22It's a floating village with shops, restaurants,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26and even a gym, which John uses to alleviate a critical condition.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30'I've got a degenerative spine condition,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'which is causing my spine to collapse.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'In my prime I was 5'10 and a half,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39'now I'm down to about 5'6 and a half.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43'When I get up, I attempt to stretch my spine,'
0:11:43 > 0:11:47just a fraction, and that relieves the pressure on the nerve,
0:11:47 > 0:11:48and then the pain goes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53'The future is something that I dread.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54'I could wake up tomorrow
0:11:54 > 0:11:58'and suddenly find that I can't move my legs, and one thing that
0:11:58 > 0:12:02'horrifies me is the thought of being doubly incontinent.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05'If it continues the way it has done, then I think I've got maybe
0:12:05 > 0:12:07'another three or five years...'
0:12:07 > 0:12:10of tolerable useful life.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Dylis also has health concerns.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19It's been noticeable to me, for about the last 18 months...
0:12:20 > 0:12:24..and I can't remember things. Like for example,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27suddenly words go, and...
0:12:29 > 0:12:33..it's upsetting. And I think... and it's going worse.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38It's just significant, and it, erm, shows me how my brain is going.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Their weakening conditions will soon cause them to seek Colin's advice.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53For most of the world trip, Balmoral has had a gentle ride,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56but the Tasman Sea has a fearsome reputation,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58and she can't escape the rough stuff this time.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06As we are encountering some movement, I urge you all to please
0:13:06 > 0:13:09use the handrails when moving around the ship.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13LAUGHTER
0:13:13 > 0:13:14I think we'll sit!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17OPERATIC SINGING
0:13:19 > 0:13:25Our estimated arrival time to Sydney is 1800 hours tomorrow evening.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30We are very sorry for this, but we are at the mercy of the elements.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45We've had to change plans a bit because we've been
0:13:45 > 0:13:51delayed by seven hours because of the rough weather. But I hope that
0:13:51 > 0:13:55we'll be able to get off the ship around seven o'clock this evening.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59# Singing Too-ra-lie, oo-ra-lie addity
0:13:59 > 0:14:03# Singing Too-ra-lie, oo-ra-lie, ay
0:14:03 > 0:14:07# Singing Too-ra-lie, oo-ra-lie addity
0:14:07 > 0:14:10# We're bound for Botany Bay. #
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Sydney is one of my favourite cities.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17This will be my 11th time that I've visited it.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21It's the first time on board a ship, and that's a much more gentle
0:14:21 > 0:14:25and comfortable way than flying that long distance.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's the most wonderful entrance into the harbour
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and it's the first time I've done it through the Heads,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and although it was a bit of a grey day,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39yes, it brings up water to your eyes. It's a very, very special place.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47After nearly two months at sea,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50the cruise has reached its halfway point.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00Colin's off to meet his niece - just a little later than planned.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Well, hello, everyone!
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Hey!
0:15:08 > 0:15:14'Liz is very special because when she was a baby I baptised her
0:15:14 > 0:15:19'in my parish church, and I've enjoyed spending time with her
0:15:19 > 0:15:21'and Gavin, her partner, in Sydney.'
0:15:22 > 0:15:25The Mission To Seafarers chaplain took us to his home
0:15:25 > 0:15:29and the fire came almost to within a kilometre of where he lived.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31So you could see all the damage?
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Oh, we visited one of the sites and it was just a chimney left.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36It was awful.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39'We always see it as important, seeing members of the family,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43'and particularly Liz, because she's out on a limb, as it were,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46'here in Australia, and she misses her family in Canada.'
0:15:47 > 0:15:51I think they said there's 269 ships docking there this year,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- just in that Sydney slot.- Yes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56That's how popular it is. Yeah.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58It is the perfect slot.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Oh, it's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04And tomorrow is a very busy day on the ship, because 600 passengers
0:16:04 > 0:16:09are getting off, and 500 passengers are getting on - all tomorrow!
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Wow!
0:16:10 > 0:16:13'I've got a glass of wine in my hand'
0:16:13 > 0:16:17because, yes, I have broken my Lent and fast, but before I started
0:16:17 > 0:16:20the Lent and fast, I said, "When I'm in Sydney,
0:16:20 > 0:16:25"I will break it and then I will resume it on... When we leave."
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Cheers! Good to meet you, finally!
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Yes, lovely to meet you!
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Cheers!- Welcome back to Sydney!
0:16:33 > 0:16:37The Cruise continues north along Australia's east coast,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41to one of one of the wonders of the natural world -
0:16:41 > 0:16:42the Great Barrier Reef.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The reef stretches for over 2,000 kilometres
0:16:50 > 0:16:55and today Colin's taking a diving party to have a closer look.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59'With every port, there'll be excursions,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03'and I, like other members of the entertainment team,'
0:17:03 > 0:17:06have the opportunity of volunteering as an escort.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09# Somewhere
0:17:09 > 0:17:11# Beyond the sea...#
0:17:11 > 0:17:14'It's an opportunity to meet a lot of passengers that
0:17:14 > 0:17:17'I don't otherwise meet, because they don't necessarily come to
0:17:17 > 0:17:20'any of the services, or they dine at a different time.'
0:17:31 > 0:17:34'Well we've just had a two-and-a- half-hour journey from the ship
0:17:34 > 0:17:37'to this pontoon. It's an extraordinary experience
0:17:37 > 0:17:40'because we're right in the middle of nowhere,'
0:17:40 > 0:17:44so I'm looking forward to seeing quite a lot of fish.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47'I'm planning to do some snorkelling. I've only ever done it once,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49'quite a long time ago.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'I didn't make a great success of it and I kept going round in circles!'
0:17:54 > 0:17:57That looks mighty long to me.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00'I'm keen to do it because it's something I haven't mastered'
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and it's important not to let it be something that I can't do.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13'Well, I gather it's teeming with fish
0:18:13 > 0:18:17'so I'm just looking forward to really seeing lots of coloured fish,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21'and some stingrays maybe and whatever comes along.'
0:18:41 > 0:18:45'I've enjoyed doing quite a lot of active things during my life.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47'I jumped out of airplanes,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51'and I enjoyed that. That was a great experience.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'And I've climbed mountains and, er, yeah, I've got to the stage now...'
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I think where perhaps I ought to start stopping!
0:18:59 > 0:19:03I'm much happier being by the water,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06on the water, but not UNDER the water.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22John and Dylis are facing an uncertain future.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26So John's come to talk to Colin
0:19:26 > 0:19:28about a particularly difficult issue.
0:19:29 > 0:19:35I'm in a situation where I have got a sort of progressive disease
0:19:35 > 0:19:39in old age, which has caused me a lot of pain.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43If things just carry on, I'm going to die in a horrible manner,
0:19:43 > 0:19:48and my partner has recently been diagnosed with dementia.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53If there is a loving God, why does he want to make us suffer?
0:19:53 > 0:19:57I'm told the answer's simple - God moves in mysterious ways,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00he can't be understood, don't question it.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03But I DO question it and I'm sorry if that's wrong.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07I don't think God is expecting us not to question.
0:20:07 > 0:20:13God loves you, that's the important thing, and he wants what's best for you.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17And life, I mean the body is built to decay and to wear out,
0:20:17 > 0:20:24um, but the way in which it happens sometimes is grim, and it's for us
0:20:24 > 0:20:29to try and alleviate that suffering, and which medics very often do.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34As you know, the medical profession are committed to saving life.
0:20:34 > 0:20:40Um...from two stand points, we don't want to have to go through that procedure and decline
0:20:40 > 0:20:46in that terrible fashion, and also we don't want to be a burden, and an expense to other people,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49because that doesn't seem fair.
0:20:49 > 0:20:55And if things continue as they are...in as far as these things are predictable,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57we might have another three or four years.
0:20:57 > 0:21:04By that time, she'll be about 90, I'll be about 80, and er...
0:21:06 > 0:21:13..she's begged me, "if I decline quicker than you, don't let me get into this terrible state,
0:21:13 > 0:21:18"don't let me become a burden, I want you to put me to sleep".
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Rightly or wrongly, we feel rightly, we'll stop our lives
0:21:25 > 0:21:29when they're no longer pleasurable,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31when the pain increases to the point where
0:21:31 > 0:21:35it's controlling everything, or where something has happened
0:21:35 > 0:21:38where we can't look after ourselves.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43We don't want to become a burden, and we intend to put ourselves to sleep.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Maybe arm-in-arm, and fade away.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49And I can't think of anything nicer, quite frankly.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53And that's how we feel and that's what we'd like to do.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Because really...if I lost John...
0:21:58 > 0:22:00..well...
0:22:00 > 0:22:02You'd have to do your own cooking.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04(LAUGHS) True.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Very good, yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16That is a real Christian problem for our ethics.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21The Christian Church has always said that suicide is not allowed,
0:22:21 > 0:22:26that God has given us life and it's only God that should take it away.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32But that presents us all with a conundrum, as you expressed yourself.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37It's a very difficult decision because my Church condemns
0:22:37 > 0:22:41suicide, and does not in any way encourage euthanasia.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46It's my duty obviously, to let anyone, like John, know the position,
0:22:46 > 0:22:51and I'm empathetic with him, but at the same time I would want to
0:22:51 > 0:22:56emphasise the hospice movement and that side of the Christian ministry
0:22:56 > 0:22:58which is so important
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and has done such valuable work for people who are dying and
0:23:01 > 0:23:04certainly gives them an opportunity
0:23:04 > 0:23:06to die with dignity.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09People think of it in terms of "but we're losing you."
0:23:11 > 0:23:18But I think the point is, if we get to the point that we're talking about, we'll be gone anyway.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22I'd like people to remember me as I was.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I've had a good life, an interesting life.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29Met some marvellous people, and done lots of things.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Travelled the world...so what more could you ask?
0:23:33 > 0:23:36And to meet John, and have somebody
0:23:36 > 0:23:41who loves me so dearly, and is such fun, actually...
0:23:41 > 0:23:44(LAUGHS)
0:23:45 > 0:23:47..yes, life has become fun.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50So I hope it continues until whenever...you know?
0:23:51 > 0:23:55INAUDIBLE CHATTER
0:23:55 > 0:24:01John is very much aware of his own pain and disability with the problem with his bones,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05and with Dylis, there's a bit of dementia, but if that doesn't get any worse,
0:24:05 > 0:24:10there's every prospect of them having many years ahead together.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15I think our future will be very happy, very busy and very fulfilling.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18There's still life left in the old dog!
0:24:18 > 0:24:20I'm not talking about you.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24As long as you don't say "the old bitch!"
0:24:24 > 0:24:25That's naughty...
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Sorry.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37At their final Australian stop, Colin's busy escorting again.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Every day seems to have quite a few challenges and differences.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47It seems to have picked up as the cruise has gone along, and yesterday was pretty hectic and heavy,
0:24:47 > 0:24:53and today has been quite a full one too and we're only in the afternoon at the moment.
0:24:55 > 0:25:02We're on the river Adelaide, and we've just been watching the crocodiles jumping.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07And there are quite a lot of them in this river, so it's...and they've jumped up,
0:25:07 > 0:25:08and it's been quite spectacular.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15One passenger not on this excursion is thrifty Ian,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18who normally arranges his own trips.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23By travelling over these ten years now, I know if you do your homework,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26you can save yourself a lot of money.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29There's a Yorkshire war cry...
0:25:29 > 0:25:32..and the Yorkshire war cry is "How much?!"
0:25:33 > 0:25:38But If Ian wants to see the legendary komodo dragons at their next stop,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41he has to join the official tour -
0:25:41 > 0:25:44the only way onto the Indonesian Island.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49This particular place we're never ever going to visit again,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53so I'm really looking forward to seeing these dragons.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I just hope they've been well fed.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I heard they like chicken, Ian, so that lets me out.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05C'mon, George! We're all dressed up ready, look. Plenty of repellant on...
0:26:05 > 0:26:08..it'll even keep Maureen away from me.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13So that should be OK, shouldn't it?!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Got away from one dragon, now I'm going to see another one.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17THEY LAUGH
0:26:17 > 0:26:20You said that, Pete. You said that, not me.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22And these dragons climb... Can they climb?
0:26:22 > 0:26:25The small ones can climb, but the big ones cannot.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Right, I need to know that.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44OK?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Good luck, chaps.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50It's going to be hard for me to keep my mouth shut!
0:26:53 > 0:26:59The danger the dragons pose isn't just from their shark-like teeth and fearsome claws,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02but also from their venomous bite.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03Smile!
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I'm trying...I don't want him coming up behind me.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12He's on the move now, look.
0:27:12 > 0:27:18My grandson, Stanley, was talking about the animals in the world that are most ferocious,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and this has got to be somewhere near the top,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24because just looking at the creature frightens you.
0:27:26 > 0:27:32It beats all my expectations...this is the one tour that I'm glad I did not miss.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Worth every penny, every penny.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I just couldn't get over how big they were, they were enormous!
0:27:42 > 0:27:48I felt privileged to be there amongst these prehistoric monsters.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Did you feel threatened at all?
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Not at all, but they didn't have an antidote if you got bitten by these dragons,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58which we was surprised at.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Even a couple of the rangers had been bitten...and had been killed,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05and of course there's...there's no doctors there.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10One turned round and I thought to myself "Ian, get ready to run."
0:28:10 > 0:28:13At least all three of you are back again, safely back,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17so...and everyone is back to tell the tale. Brilliant.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21All the hands are here...feet...good.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Next time we'll be having breakfast at the Zoo...
0:28:24 > 0:28:26And there a tiny two-week-old baby.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30I was so close to him and I blew him a kiss...like that.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33..and changing plans put Choirmistress Sue under pressure.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35There are setbacks all the time, so...
0:28:35 > 0:28:40..we'll keep saying our prayers and hope for the best on Sunday.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd