0:00:04 > 0:00:08and adventurer Ben Fogle
0:00:08 > 0:00:11sand desert in the world...
0:00:17 > 0:00:25of legendary British explorer
0:00:25 > 0:00:28their Oman expedition
0:00:28 > 0:00:32beset with problems.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36don't work very well.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47on the hand...
0:00:56 > 0:01:00so we can BLEEP go home. Come on.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02BLEEP you.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05at everything we try to do.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10one of the world's toughest deserts.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14and I don't have any food.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20for company...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28over the next two days.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31James! James! James!
0:01:31 > 0:01:39has only just begun.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55fourth day in the Arabian Desert.
0:01:55 > 0:02:09to check on the state team have been called in
0:02:09 > 0:02:13just to make sure it went down.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18to the bone only 24 hours ago.
0:02:18 > 0:02:27Might sting a bit. a more serious infection.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Yeah. Strap a pair on, Fergal.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36I'm pleased. I'm pleased.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39in my mouth or something. Ahh.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42third expedition together.
0:02:42 > 0:02:48crossed the Atlantic Ocean
0:02:50 > 0:02:53this is not a race.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57a lost friendship.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02James with a serious brain injury.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07seeing my family again,
0:03:09 > 0:03:10of the excitement for me.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19to Ben, to family,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24yeah, he's back, a tough time, that,
0:03:24 > 0:03:45and in three years, he's had hardly programme of rehabilitation
0:03:45 > 0:03:48over the last few years
0:03:48 > 0:04:08"It's not just you. There are lots "Ben, don't take it personally.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11that finally,
0:04:11 > 0:04:24Good morning, boys. where we are in our friendship.
0:04:29 > 0:05:24To let them go fast, want them to go fast or not. OK.
0:05:24 > 0:09:12seems to struggle But James's larger frame
0:09:42 > 0:09:49during the high heat of summer.
0:09:49 > 0:10:10to get to know each other to get a third trip,
0:10:10 > 0:10:21if we start something, we finish it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:37So the romantic notion is not Quarter. Did he walk it? No.
0:11:39 > 0:11:52I'd love Ben to stop doing friendship has changed.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54opinion.
0:11:54 > 0:12:01perceive that, but I also need it's how people are going to
0:12:01 > 0:12:05telling him he has to do this.
0:12:05 > 0:12:47Just say it rather than say, "If I'm saying "if you're to be honest".
0:12:58 > 0:13:06Mussallem has already You got a bigger hug than me!
0:13:06 > 0:13:14Wow. This already looks amazing. designed for James's large frame.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20my undercarriage. My balls.
0:13:20 > 0:13:36That's pretty good. I reckon how was it between your legs?
0:13:36 > 0:13:45Everything must be packed there is no time to acclimatise.
0:13:47 > 0:13:56So, everything is set up for us, saddles ready.
0:13:56 > 0:14:03because we are running out of with apprehension,
0:14:03 > 0:14:11and now we've got to deliver which didn't go well,
0:14:21 > 0:14:34Since Ben's injury,
0:14:37 > 0:14:44Keep it simple. Yes, yes.
0:14:45 > 0:14:59What are you doing? It's delicious. our camel meat there.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03dates and flatbread,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05as the first trip.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10If we work together, it'll be fine.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13all the work and I just hang around.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22they are now carrying riding helmets
0:15:24 > 0:15:27about water.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33if I predict something that's going which I probably shouldn't do,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36something like that,
0:15:36 > 0:15:41but it's 47 during the day out here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:57This new journey is ambitious,
0:15:57 > 0:16:08he rarely made long expeditions in the Empty Quarter,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18just radiating out.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I don't think it really matters.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Hot, and very hot out here.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27walking next to me
0:16:27 > 0:16:30should be fanning you in some way.
0:16:35 > 0:16:44James and Ben are determined a team of Bedouins to support him,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48and navigating by map and compass.
0:16:48 > 0:16:55and because I haven't got to the East mostly today
0:16:55 > 0:17:01and use their sunglasses,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05like an American football player.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09beforehand, with your skirt,
0:17:09 > 0:17:19The problem is, I've never put We just need a wig.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22spirits are remarkably high.
0:17:22 > 0:17:37disrupt the trip for everyone Come on, give me a hug. Give me control, it's my mood.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42Can I hit you with my stick? so if I am, just say.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Is that bad form? Am I ruining it?
0:17:46 > 0:17:50No, no, I'm just saying...
0:17:50 > 0:17:53You didn't talk about this
0:17:53 > 0:17:56home birthing and hypno birthing,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00in your bucket
0:18:00 > 0:18:03in the other person's bucket.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07either call me a grumpy idiot
0:18:07 > 0:18:10OK. And I'll know what you mean.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I think we've done two more hours.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Well, I don't know.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20then. You were, you were, yeah.
0:18:20 > 0:18:27Empty it out. Sorry, dude.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Are you loving life?
0:18:36 > 0:18:40with a guy in a cut off dishdasha
0:18:40 > 0:18:47who looks like a drag queen.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53get some bad looks at the well.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02they decide to make camp.
0:19:03 > 0:19:12I was finding it tougher today
0:19:12 > 0:19:15out here last time, definitely.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19were tiring, you know.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23tired in the desert than me,
0:19:25 > 0:19:30We can feel drained.
0:19:30 > 0:19:37It's a good look, James, by the way. and they're built for the desert.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40some bikini-clad girl.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45though. You'd be a lot poorer.
0:19:45 > 0:19:51me and this for nothing. Eh?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54to cheat on you, little man.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10We've come straight from London.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14and yet...
0:20:14 > 0:20:18James and I, James in particular,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21frame of mind now.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25the full distance we wanted.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28as were we,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32to stop a little bit earlier,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55a military camp 40km away,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01hours of the morning
0:21:01 > 0:21:04new saddles.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11No, I'm OK, actually.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16OK. I'm worried.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19my legs won't lift up.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27so I have some vague control.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30tch, tch, tch, tch, tch...
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Just one of the buckles broke off.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52already.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56their first test
0:21:56 > 0:21:59are evaporating.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04The metal's actually snapped.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06while we're walking,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10with a jigsaw puzzle, I reckon.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20things go from bad to worse.
0:22:24 > 0:22:30You know what? Stuff goes on out
0:22:56 > 0:23:13Well caught. I've got less sympathy A long way to the well.
0:23:13 > 0:24:24If he's got that much energy
0:24:24 > 0:24:32I'm going to drop. I'm just saying. to lag behind.
0:24:33 > 0:24:41No, we'll stop. We'll stop.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45semi-collapsing on the ground,
0:24:45 > 0:24:55It's ridiculous that the camels The camels and I are wilting.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59I can run in 40 minutes.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01and that's...
0:25:01 > 0:25:03across a sand dune.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05it has to be.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08you're a bloody good athlete.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11made for the desert, but...
0:25:11 > 0:25:14than me. But, yeah, you're right.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26the end of the day, so they must enough water to last them to
0:25:40 > 0:25:45collapse in the sand
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and go to sleep for half an hour.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52at about five,
0:25:52 > 0:25:57for more than 12 hours.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03They walk without rest
0:26:03 > 0:26:06just before sunset.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16This is a sandstorm.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25of the military base.
0:26:25 > 0:26:31when we really had pushed ourselves.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51cos there's no point going on
0:26:51 > 0:26:53where we're going.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01to the well tonight,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05before the camels have water.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14of energy from me, the camels, Ben.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and run out of food.
0:27:18 > 0:27:24as yet no sign of the camp, so...
0:27:26 > 0:27:35If it's not, a better place when we get there.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40of the desert summer.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49and mentally drained.
0:27:49 > 0:27:56makes to the whole desert experience.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05I don't really understand camels.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08desert and they were rubbish today.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11or the sand was too hot.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16The sand's hot?
0:28:16 > 0:28:20in the desert. Oh, hang on.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23in someone else's bucket, then,
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I can't wait for tomorrow,
0:28:27 > 0:28:34absolutely fantastic.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44that's for sure.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47we had before? Well, yeah.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51have 200 kilometres ahead of them.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55this little dot just here.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01that we want to follow all the way
0:29:01 > 0:29:04all the way up here,
0:29:07 > 0:29:12up here, all the way to that point.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16where we'll get water.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20over 100 kilometres away.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26spent between wells.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28that's the military base.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31course of about 30 degrees
0:29:34 > 0:29:37still rising every day,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41enough water to survive any delays.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44if we get there at midnight,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47obviously, it doesn't matter.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52we've just got to get there, so...
0:29:52 > 0:29:55very long, thirsty, hot day.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01long desert expeditions.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07the modern ship of the desert.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14beginning to unravel.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Coming off, coming off.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31What happened, mate?
0:30:33 > 0:30:37trapped around his leg and me,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40They're animals, aren't they?
0:30:40 > 0:30:42dealing with an animal -
0:30:44 > 0:30:50it's an animal that's totally...
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Over that way. That way.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07only 10 kilometres.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18little rest of my legs, so unfair.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21endless battle here.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25goes according to plan,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32You're an unfit camel.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38you're not good for us. All right?
0:31:38 > 0:31:41for a desert camel.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48attitudes towards their animals.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52You happy to go on?
0:31:56 > 0:31:59I know you don't want to.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13rather than the stick.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17we only have a stick, and that means
0:32:17 > 0:32:22and water pressure, you know,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39HE GRUNTS
0:32:44 > 0:32:49You OK? A-a-argh!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52James, James, James, calm down.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06Wasn't the softest landing.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20the better.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23that seething anger,
0:33:23 > 0:33:29has, the more aggressive he becomes.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32It puts pressure on it,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35put pressure on a friendship.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42the strain of the journey
0:33:42 > 0:33:44in their characters.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50the gap between them remains.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56to punch a camel on the jaw
0:33:56 > 0:33:58come off way worse,
0:33:58 > 0:34:03get angry and I know from, you know,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06as a sportsman,
0:34:06 > 0:34:11I'm a realist when it comes to be in a team with.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18in every sense of the word.
0:34:18 > 0:34:25or what weaknesses there were, what weaknesses there are,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46I've been quite surprised myself.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51of the weather, the heat,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55know what we're doing out here,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07and the camels were,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13and...
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It'll flatten out,
0:35:17 > 0:35:22until it happens.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26and I need to stop that,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29into other people's buckets
0:35:41 > 0:35:48Woo-hoo!
0:35:50 > 0:35:57We are jogging nice and easy. the camels are feeling fresh.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05if the camera breaks.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Hence the not-very-good picture,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16I'm happy. Ben's happy.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27the camels.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30since just after dawn.
0:36:30 > 0:36:38It's like they're different I've got a massive smile on my face.
0:36:38 > 0:36:47I could sing to you now some cloud cover so it's not as hot.
0:36:57 > 0:37:03It's been quite exhilarating,
0:37:03 > 0:37:12is to stop for a break in the sun
0:37:13 > 0:37:27James and Ben have had the best
0:37:37 > 0:37:45we really are up against a deadline,
0:37:48 > 0:37:54They travel for an astonishing
0:37:54 > 0:37:56pushing 45 degrees.
0:38:09 > 0:38:15I'm feeling them not want to walk as I'm pulling them now.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21I can just hear, talking to you,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25than it started the day,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29on empty in terms of water.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35is a large oil well
0:38:41 > 0:38:51when he entered the Empty Quarter he was escaping from
0:38:53 > 0:39:06Anyone would think that we've the well brings life-saving water.
0:39:06 > 0:39:17How are you? Hello, very well. Hello. Salam alaikum.
0:39:17 > 0:39:24We've got some big bags to fill up.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32drinking it,
0:39:32 > 0:39:53But simmering tensions They've had a successful day.
0:39:53 > 0:40:05You're also lying, Ben. to start heading out into the dark.
0:40:05 > 0:40:26I would prefer not to sleep next to I would.
0:40:26 > 0:40:35You know what? You're lying, dude, for the camera.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45I am now out here on my own.
0:40:45 > 0:40:52HE LAUGHS
0:40:52 > 0:41:05I think why I got
0:41:05 > 0:41:11Why would he even question
0:41:15 > 0:42:06that I would prefer to sleep out James said to me that I was lying,
0:42:06 > 0:42:10a video-diary camera there.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21anyway because...
0:42:31 > 0:42:38was blown apart by a comment by me
0:42:40 > 0:42:44before we start another day.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51on a sad note.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56from my side or anything,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59I wanted the day to end
0:42:59 > 0:43:18James, the reason I got frustrated and honest with each other.
0:43:18 > 0:43:36James and Ben are
0:43:38 > 0:43:46But I think my interpretation
0:43:46 > 0:43:50in the conversation is worse.
0:43:58 > 0:44:03is me, being me.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11little changes
0:44:11 > 0:44:15might not notice, I do.
0:44:19 > 0:44:26And I suppose I'm now beginning to misunderstanding things.
0:44:40 > 0:44:46I think we've come down...
0:45:04 > 0:45:17I would say we turn back,
0:45:26 > 0:45:29threatening to topple their camels.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36he hates it when the others go off.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47we really are lost,
0:45:47 > 0:45:51our water, everything.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55are up, he's looking around.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59go very fast in a second
0:46:45 > 0:46:50supposed to come down that.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13we can do it, we can do it. Yeah.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18them down one at a time.
0:47:18 > 0:47:22about bringing them down that.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24to be a news story -
0:47:24 > 0:47:27in desert basin.
0:47:29 > 0:47:36carrying the saddles out.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40we've moved on. Yeah.
0:47:43 > 0:47:48than they fell over at last time.
0:47:48 > 0:47:54a tediously slow progress.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57up and down.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02we were going to be stuck.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04a case of calling Mussallem
0:48:14 > 0:48:18clouds that come and go,
0:48:18 > 0:48:20have lifted for a bit.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33JAMES LAUGHS
0:48:33 > 0:48:36we were tested physically.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39that frustration got on top of us
0:48:39 > 0:48:42of a situation
0:48:48 > 0:48:50and the stress of the day?
0:48:50 > 0:48:58misreading the subtleties the aspect of
0:49:00 > 0:49:05has this on a daily basis -
0:49:05 > 0:49:09or a snapped answer?
0:49:09 > 0:49:13when I'm tired, I think...
0:49:15 > 0:49:18self-analytical
0:49:18 > 0:49:21a reaction you haven't had before.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23I have to think about.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27as well, it adds to it.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30each other again, mate. Yeah.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43good progress through the dunes,
0:49:43 > 0:49:48than on any other day.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05last night
0:50:05 > 0:50:10been able to work together today,
0:50:12 > 0:50:15I feel.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18conquests along the way
0:50:18 > 0:50:24of stepping stones.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27of stepping stones
0:50:39 > 0:50:41quite an emotional one.
0:50:42 > 0:50:47the first time we both...
0:50:51 > 0:50:53about James today.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59also had the most efficient day.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11of their journey.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17the space to talk.
0:51:19 > 0:51:2260km from the quicksands.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28at the difference in you.
0:51:36 > 0:51:51I'm sure your negativity that I've found hardest -
0:51:51 > 0:52:00And in terms of the cloud, to have felt that or said that.
0:52:00 > 0:52:09Because you may, and rightly so,
0:52:09 > 0:52:16But...
0:52:16 > 0:52:20and Bev have seen me... Mm.
0:52:20 > 0:52:28And that's, you know, And they see me every day.
0:52:28 > 0:52:33And in the same way, I don't want for the last three.
0:52:33 > 0:52:40But it's great spending time and you build your life from that.
0:52:40 > 0:52:46..knew me before, knows me
0:52:46 > 0:52:54And I think that's been to front up and see them.
0:52:54 > 0:52:59I felt I'd lost you through the trip, as well.
0:52:59 > 0:53:04And I feel I've kind of found you
0:53:14 > 0:53:27You can do that in your sleep. 60, it's nothing. Nothing!
0:53:27 > 0:53:32Do you want a little bit What do you think?
0:53:32 > 0:53:38I don't want you to look old! OK.
0:53:38 > 0:53:45So long, camp.
0:53:57 > 0:54:02# Oh-dinay, oh-dinay
0:54:02 > 0:54:09# Oh-dinay, oh-dinay. #
0:54:19 > 0:54:23we are making.
0:54:23 > 0:54:29and the thirst threshold. Last day!
0:54:47 > 0:54:49sniggering away.
0:55:06 > 0:55:13they were hoping for.
0:55:15 > 0:55:21And a little bit of our, a thoroughly worthwhile journey.
0:55:21 > 0:55:26And that's, you know, has been rebuilt.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28of satisfaction
0:55:31 > 0:55:38I'm leaving with my pride the camel and this time, certainly,
0:55:48 > 0:55:54Ben's public image,
0:55:54 > 0:55:58there is there.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01"Aw, he's a nice guy."
0:56:02 > 0:56:06the nicest people I know.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10but he's one of competitive people I know
0:56:10 > 0:56:13and achieve his goals.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16a real positive combination.
0:56:16 > 0:56:20learning from, to be honest.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30always about trapping James
0:56:32 > 0:56:36we've cried. You name it.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44the map of where we're heading,
0:56:56 > 0:57:01three camel bites and a broken rib,
0:57:01 > 0:57:03the quicksands
0:57:13 > 0:57:15if you'd seen this first up,
0:57:15 > 0:57:17of the Somme
0:57:23 > 0:57:28he was amazed by it. But...
0:57:33 > 0:57:36Stuck it out, man.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40I haven't got a sense of smell
0:57:40 > 0:57:42not smell that great.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44to hug the camels!
0:57:54 > 0:57:57a week.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00I tell you, these nether parts...
0:58:01 > 0:58:04going "tsss" off my undercarriage,
0:58:16 > 0:58:19carbonated drink.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23of water. That would be...
0:58:23 > 0:58:26You dream big! I do.