Paton Wanted Down Under

What if you were working so hard you never saw your children growing up?

Would you consider starting afresh

on the other side of the world?

If so, how would you persuade your wife to move

if she'd never left the village she grew up in?

'Just the thought of leaving her mum is breaking Sharon's heart.'

She...basically broke down,

saying things like she feels that she's never going to see us again.

'Alan's desperate to change his life and get his priorities straight.'

-Back home, I work roughly 90 hours a week.

-OK.

So I'm looking to reduce that.

'He has to prove that a fresh start would be worth the trauma of leaving loved ones.'

It was very sad.

'It's Alan's dream but, to make it a reality,

'he'll have to convince the family to follow him

'where he's wanted down under.'

'With its hot climate and 10,000 beaches,

'Australia is a popular destination for Brits.

'Over 35,000 people emigrate there every year.

'It doesn't work for everyone, as a third return to the UK

'missing their old lives.

'We're giving one family the chance to see if a new life could give them

'everything they dream of.

'They've got one week to find out.

'Tree surgeon Alan Paton, his wife Sharon and their three girls,

'ten-year-old Chantel, Demi, aged six, and Imogen, who's four,

'live in Carmarthenshire, south Wales.

'Sharon has always lived nearby but Alan, who moved from Scotland,

'is tired of putting his business ahead of his family,

'and sees moving as the solution.'

The stress is unbelievable. It's not worth it. I've been seven years at it.

Seven years I've lost of my kids growing up.

Nobody will give me that back.

'It's not just the kids who felt abandoned.'

It feels like I'm a single parent.

We want to bring us all together.

I don't think that, if we stay in the UK, it's going to be possible.

'They need to find out if there is something else out there for them.'

We get set in this rut where we all do our own little things.

Can you imagine? We'll be so distant if we carry on.

I'd like to get to Australia and sample what their life's all about.

'They've been planning for a while.

'The pressure is on to make sure they don't get the decision wrong.'

-As long as you listen to my opinions...

-I'll listen.

I'm not going through the stress of what I do to keep this house.

-I don't want you to.

-All it is is somewhere to get my head down at night.

-We're the family, us five.

-Yeah.

It's all about us, at this time now.

Is it going to be a good start for them, make them happy?

They're going to be healthy but they will miss my mum and dad.

VOICE BREAKING: And I just don't know how we'll be able...to do that.

'Eldest daughter Chantel struggles to even imagine leaving.'

There's still some questions of whether I'm going to go or not.

Sometimes I want to go but sometimes I don't.

I'll probably make some new friends and...

'For Sharon, separation from ONE person would be devastating.'

'I've been so close to my mum.'

And...

When I told her about the idea of moving to Australia she...

..basically broke down and was saying things

like she feels that she's never going to see us again.

So, emotionally, that's hard.

Um...thinking to myself that me and the girls

are not going to see them again.

They won't be brought up with their grandparents.

'So, emotionally, that's a big hit, a big issue.'

The Paton family face a tough challenge ahead of them.

They have to decide if moving to the other side of the world

really could give them a better future.

Will the trauma of leaving loved ones behind be too much?

'Alan's skills as a tree surgeon are in demand all over Australia,

'but it's vital they choose the right location.

'Their first potential destination is Hobart, the capital of Tasmania.

'Property is the cheapest in Australia,

'with an average home costing £185,000.

'But with a winter low temperature of just six degrees,

'it wouldn't offer the warm working conditions Alan hopes for.

'Their second potential destination is the unique

'but isolated city of Darwin.

'It might not be as well-known as other cities but Darwin isn't cheap,

'with property prices only a little less than Sydney at £315,000.

'The final option is Adelaide, where its small size

'and Mediterranean climate attracts over 2,000 Brits a year.

'House prices are reasonable, at an average of £255,000.

'With plenty of parks and green areas all over the city,

'there should be lots of work for tree surgeon Alan.'

Each option would offer them a new start, so where should they go?

We decided that Adelaide would give them the best experience for their trial week.

'There should be plenty of work in a temperate climate for Alan,

'and Adelaide's small-town feel should make it easier for Sharon.

'The Paton family will try out all aspects of life in Australia.

'They'll see if they could find a home to replace the one they love.'

It's pushed a couple of buttons.

'They'll test out their dream lifestyle.'

I'm very envious of it.

'But it won't all be fun.'

What's wrong with you?

We're all crying!

'Traumatised by the emotional impact of leaving loved ones behind,

'Sharon decides if she could follow Alan's dream

'and give up the only life she and her daughters know in Carmarthenshire.

'After an exhausting journey,

'the family try out a new life

'10,000 miles away from home in south Wales.

'It should have taken just under a day but, with delays,

'they spent 33 exhausting hours in transit.'

Last I slept...

Well, I got up 5am Saturday morning, so it's 47 hours.

The longest I've spent with the kids in a long time.

'Sharon's heart is still in the UK.'

Even in a week, I think I'm going to miss family.

It's not just phoning Mum whenever I want, cos of the time difference.

I think, by the end of the week, I think it will start to hit home.

'For Chantel, emotions are bubbling just below the surface.'

Thinking of me moving here makes me sad,

thinking of my friends back home.

We need to prove to her that... What's out there for her.

The only way to prove that is if we can prove that YOU like it.

I want to be a bit more realistic about it.

We'll just wait and see what the next few days show.

'For Alan to stand a chance of making his dream a reality,

'he needs to make sure

'the family feels settled as quickly as possible.

'But the final 45-minute drive has taken its toll on certain members of the family.

'They're staying in an impressive four-bedroom

'two-bath rental property in McLaren Vale, with fantastic living space

'and views over the fields beyond.'

Wow.

'Alan's doing his best to get them all excited about their new base.'

Look at the views.

Everywhere you look you've got miles of it.

'But there's a difference of opinion already.'

It's very spacious but I'm still quite, um...

still got my own individual rooms in mind at the moment.

-I prefer open plan.

-You prefer this?

-Open plan will bring us together.

What do you think, Imogen?

You just want a bed, don't you?

SHARON: Have you found one? CHILD: Yes!

-Oh!

-ALL GIRLS: I'm on the top!

You having fun up there? ALL: Yeah.

< We're not going to have arguments?

ALL: No!

'Outside, they're reminded of why they want to move.'

Girls? Can you see what's over there?

GIRL: Treehouse. SHARON: And the swing on it.

'They want the girls to have a more active outdoor lifestyle

'and, most importantly, they need more time together.'

-The love it, don't they?

-Yeah.

-They don't do this at home.

-No.

'For Alan, it's crucial this move lets him reclaim his life.

'Sharon still worries if it's truly realistic.'

Running my own business, I've missed the last five, six years.

Doesn't matter how much money I make, you'd never buy that back.

SHARON: If we can't afford it,

then...I don't want to struggle.

We haven't come here to struggle. We've come to better our lives.

'But there's a bigger emotional hurdle they must get over first.'

Knowing that my mum's not round the corner or a phone call away, even.

SHARON: I'm torn at the moment. I'm torn.

I want to come out here for this.

But then...I'd be on my own.

SIGHS It's really...

It's frightening to know that I could do it. It IS possible.

'If Sharon can't face the trauma of leaving everyone behind, they won't be going anywhere.

'The Patons live in an impressive 16-room home in Carmarthenshire,

'south Wales.

'Sharon fell in love with the house the moment she saw it.

'They've worked hard to make it their own.

'It has four reception rooms, a bedroom each for the girls, and even a flat on the ground floor.

'With fantastic countryside nearby, a hot tub in the garden

'and a playground, they try to live the outdoor life, but the weather is a problem.

'Their happiness in Australia rests on finding

'the right house in the community.

'There are several places they could live.

'Adelaide is the thriving cultural centre of South Australia.

'Areas like Collinswood offer tree-lined streets

'and plenty of green space, but it's pricey.

'This £420,000 three-bed home offers a decent garden.

'A small living space and old-fashioned finish wouldn't be to everyone's taste.

'A better option might be Coromandel Valley, 30 minutes out of town.

'Here, life is lived at a more sedate pace.

'This five-bedroom home perched on the hillside

'would give them plenty of space, a fantastic view and a pool,

'all for under £330,000.

'Coming from the Welsh valleys, this might feel like

'a home away from home.

'Another possibility is to move closer to the beach.

'Areas like Seaford Rise are popular with ex-pat Brits.

'Houses are relatively affordable, with this four-bedroom

'offering good living space but no garden for just under £300,000.

'Taking into account everything Alan and Sharon are looking for,

'we're showing them two homes in the country and one by the coast.

'With £250,000 to spend, it'll take something special

'to make them even consider leaving their home in south Wales.

'Property One is in the suburb of Woodcroft,

'with four bedrooms and two outdoor areas,

'on the market for £250,000 - at the top of their budget.

'They'll all need to feel at home to justify the expense.'

The room's not a bad size.

You're coming straight in the front door into your sitting area.

-You're right.

-I like the kitchen and dining room to be together.

'As the eldest, Chantel would get first choice of bedroom,

'but she's used to a large double.'

Do you like this one? It's a bit small.

-Shall we find another one?

-Yeah.

SHARON: This is a bit bigger. This is better.

I don't know if I like the idea of this bedroom here and the other bedrooms over that side.

The music she's playing, I'd be happy!

-Could you see yourself in here? >

-There's enough room for you here.

'It's a tough act to follow their home in Wales.

'It isn't winning them over. Having space for guests is a big concern.'

We've got more space in this bedroom the way it's set out.

I'm a bit concerned about the two smaller ones if we get visitors.

-I've seen nothing yet for them.

-No. It would be tight.

'But it's outdoor living that they've come in search of.'

A pool. Wow! That's nice.

You wanted a pool.

You'd have fun in there.

'It might have a pool, but this wouldn't convince them to leave their home.'

We don't need the size of house we have but this is too small.

This wouldn't convince me to give it up.

'Without the space they're used to, even Alan

'is struggling to see the dream.

'He'll hope for far more from the next two properties.

'Property Two is in Old Reynella, 40 minutes from the centre of town.

'It's on the market for £240,000, has five bedrooms

'and a fantastic outside space with pool.

'Estate agent Wendy Court is waiting to meet them.'

You've come to a lovely area. Old Reynella is very popular.

Pop on through and have a look for yourself.

'First impressions are key.'

SHARON: This is quite nice. I like the floor. It's big enough.

It's not small.

So far, so good. Shall we go and see what else is here?

Yeah. Let's go, then.

SHARON: Oh, this is quite nice.

Good size, isn't it? Do you like this wall?

-Could you cover it up?

-I knew something would come along.

I've always got to do something, Chantel, haven't I?

Keeps you busy.

'Alan would have some DIY to do.

'He's determined the days of working ridiculous hours are behind him.'

-DEMI: This could be your office.

-I don't want an office, darling.

I was thinking more along the lines of a walk-in wardrobe.

It's a bit small.

You've got a bit of work space. It's dated as well.

-This is the dining area.

-It's a fair size.

I wouldn't mind something a bit...bigger.

That's a shame.

'This house isn't big enough.'

I'm not going to sleep in this bedroom.

-Why?

-You don't like this one?

No? It is smaller than the one she's got back home.

SHARON: It started off good but I'm feeling it's going down a bit.

'They had expected more from property in Australia.'

If I'm giving up my house,

I want to walk in and think, "I can see myself here and I like it."

Feel homely in it.

And these two properties haven't done that for me.

'It's down to Property Three to save Alan's dream.

'This home in Sellicks Beach offers something different.

'It's 50km from the city,

'but the beach is 500 metres from their front door.

'It would stretch their budget but, with good sized bedrooms,

'a large outdoor area and fantastic views, it might turn things around.'

My first impression here, Alan, is "Wow!"

-Definitely, yeah.

-We'll see what the rest is like.

We were impressed with the second one at the beginning.

Let's have a look at the rest of it.

'Sharon's excited.

'Hopefully, disappointment isn't around the corner.'

SHARON: Oh, wow!

-Oh, this is it, isn't it?

-This is nice, huh?

It's beautiful, isn't it? The work space, breakfast bar.

-Modern kitchen.

-Yeah.

-The prices are... There's not a big difference between the prices.

-No.

I'd rather go that little bit more, Alan, and get something like this.

Definitely, but don't get too excited. We haven't seen the rest.

It's looking very promising.

'Alan's the voice of reason, but enthusiasm is hard to contain.'

-I like this.

-It's a good size, too.

-This is nice.

-Look at the view.

-Imagine it in the evenings with a glass of wine.

-Look at that!

-That's gorgeous.

-It's lovely having that view.

Every morning, waking up to this.

'Property Three has raised the bar, but if the girls don't settle

'there's no chance Sharon will.'

This is nice. This is MY room.

This is my mine. Mine.

Shall we have a look outside, girls?

A hot tub. Wow!

-This is nice, huh?

-Yeah.

'Chantel would leave everything she knows, so it's vital she feels she could live in Australia.'

I think it is tempting me a bit for moving here.

Because it's got a lot of room and there's quite big rooms in there.

'She's coming round to the idea but if this hasn't won Sharon over, the move could be in trouble.'

This has pushed a couple of buttons. It could be in our price range.

It is within our reach. It won't be stretching the budget too much.

'They may be able to afford it, but it could leave little left

'to enjoy the lifestyle they crave.

'They need to weigh everything up.

'The Patons have seen three very different homes.

'The size of the first two was a disappointment

'but Property Three won them over

'with its stunning living space and views.

'Leaving their home in the UK would break all their hearts.

'Could they do it for the houses they've seen?'

Based on the properties that we've seen in Australia, our vote is...

SHARON AND ALAN: Australia.

'But it wasn't an easy decision.'

I think I might be a bit sad to leave our house back home.

What's wrong with you? Huh? What's wrong?

SHARON: We're all crying now, are we?

I didn't think this would be so emotional.

'Just the thought of leaving south Wales is traumatic.

'The Patons are starting to realise the cost of moving to Australia.

'They crossed the world to get here, but they have a long way to go.

'Back in the UK, Alan runs his own tree surgery business.

'It's something he's proud of, but building it up has taken its toll on the rest of his life.'

Here in the UK, my dream always was to run my own business.

And now I've done it, no.

I leave in darkness and come home in darkness.

I never see the kids. I never see the house.

'Whether they move or not, Alan's determined to change his life.

'He's considering taking a step backwards to work for someone else.

'This could have an impact on his wage, so Alan needs to find out if he could support his family.

'We've arranged for him to meet Luke Adcock, a tree surgeon,

'to find out if they do things differently.

'Alan needs to make sure his skills would be in demand.'

There's a lot of trees! There must be plenty of work.

Yes, there is plenty of work. There's plenty.

You can work more than 50 hours a week, if you'd like to.

-Well, back home, I work roughly 90 hours a week.

-OK.

-So I'm looking to reduce that.

-No worries.

'A 40-hour week is what Alan dreamed of but he needs to like the work

'and be happy working for someone else.

'Sharon's a qualified nurse but she won't work whilst Chantel, Demi and Imogen settle in.

'They've come to try one of their favourite hobbies, dancing, to see if they'd fit in.

'Leaving their friends would be very difficult

'so it's vital they'll be able to make new ones.'

-They're doing quite well. They seem to be enjoying it.

-Really well.

-Imogen's got such a nice grin!

-She's loving every minute.

'Sharon's new friend Kylie is a good sounding board for her concerns.'

Are you worried about the girls settling in? Are they nervous?

Chantel, being older, I am a bit concerned how she'd settle.

Obviously, I'm the same as her.

I don't know how it would be with me making friends here.

It's handy having the girls cos it gets me out to meet people as well.

-We're just concerned.

-You'll find you'll fit in well here.

There is a large population of British people. You'll fit in well.

-I can understand your accent, too!

-That's a good start!

We can have a conversation!

'Demi, Imogen and Chantel enjoyed the class and Sharon got some great advice.

'In Rostrevor, Alan has an important question he needs answered.'

If you don't mind me asking, what's the wages?

About 20 to 35 to 40, depending on the skill and qualifications of the climber.

-Better than the UK.

-How does that compare to a yearly total?

-Say, £20,000...

-Yeah.

-I'm not too sure what that would be.

Out here, you're looking at £40,000, so it's double.

'That has come as a very pleasant surprise.

'Alan is used to working up to 90 hours a week back in the UK.'

The wages,

I knew they were a bit better here, but they're almost double.

And discussing the hours with them,

they try and work, if they have to, a maximum of 50 hours.

That would be like part-time for me, what I'm used to.

Very happy with the wages, the hours and the climate. Fantastic.

'£40,000 for a 40-hour week would change Alan's life.

'However, he wouldn't be working for himself, so how would this affect his vote?'

My decision's going to be...Australia.

'With a great wage and reduced hours Alan's dream is closer than ever,

'but there's a long way to go before it becomes a reality.

'It's been an enlightening week for the Paton family.

'After a disappointing start, they found the home of their dreams,

'but it brought the reality of leaving into sharp focus.

'For Alan, it was essential he could work less and earn a good wage.

'They still need to know if the lifestyle is attainable,

'and to face up to the true cost of tearing their family away from loved ones,

'before making the hardest decision of their lives -

'whether to move over 10,000 miles away from the home they love.'

Alan has been won over.

Working for someone else would mean spending more time with his family.

Now he needs to prove to Sharon it will be quality time.

They dream of owning a boat but will it live up to their expectations,

and can they really afford it?

'After seeing Property Three, they've fallen for coastal living.

'They'd love a boat. It wouldn't be their first.

'They had one in the UK but a combination

'of Alan's long hours and poor weather meant they hardly used it.

'It should be a different story in Adelaide.

'At a local boat dealer, they'll get to see how realistic their budget of £15,000 is.'

Prices are more than what we were expecting.

-But...

-It's something worth stretching to.

This is the lifestyle we want,

so it might be worth going that little bit extra

to get the dream we were looking for.

'It may not be necessary to stretch too far.

'Owner Tim Hurst has found a secondhand solution for a more affordable £18,000.'

This is in the price range.

There's seating for six to eight adults inside there.

'Seeing the boat is different to experiencing the lifestyle.

'Tim's agreed to show them what life on the water is all about.'

-Want to go a bit faster, girls?

-ALL: Yeah.

'But it's not all fun on the water. This would be a serious purchase.

'Alan needs to know he could afford to run it.'

-How expensive is this on fuel?

-A tank would probably last a day.

Yeah. That's not too bad, then.

'With costs escalating, they need to know it would be what they want.'

I get out on the water at 6 o'clock, just sit there and it's dead calm.

-You can hear the city tick into life.

-This would be the dream.

-Imogen's fallen asleep.

-Has she?

-Yeah.

-OK, she's enjoying it!

'Imogen might be asleep,

'but Chantel and Demi are making the most of it.'

It's really good to get on a boat. It's fun.

-Want to go a bit faster?

-SHARON: Yeah, let's go!

How did you enjoy that trip, girls? Was that a good day out?

I'd like to do it every weekend.

< We'd have to move to Australia!

CHANTEL: Ah!

'They've blown away the cobwebs and loved their time on the boat.

'But it would be a huge expense.

'Have they been convinced by the lifestyle in Australia?'

Our vote's going to be...

-Australia.

-Australia.

SHARON: What did you think, Imogen?

Even though you slept, you still had a lot of fun? Good girl!

It's a big thumbs-up for life on the water.

Although they haven't bought a boat yet, Alan's doing a great job selling the dream.

But can the Paton family afford to live here?

It's time to find out how much their house in Wales is really worth.

'They're hoping to get near £300,000 for it, so we sent two estate agents

'to see if that's close.

'They don't immediately feel nostalgic for south Wales.'

-Raining, as usual.

-Shows you how good it is here.

A little small but nice and warm.

-Not that small.

-No.

-Lovely size kitchen for a family.

-House looks nice, girls.

-Yeah.

-'Time for a second opinion.'

-I'll feel strange going back there.

-I'm not looking forward to it.

This would do it for me. That definitely is the wow factor.

Be interesting to see what they say at the end.

And the lovely uninterrupted views to the back.

-See?

-But look at that weather.

-I know.

-Gets me down, that weather.

'Time to find out if it's really worth £300,000.'

For a quick sale in this market,

you would have to keep it below 250,000, so I would market it at...

-No way.

-Not happy with that!

I would place the property on the market at 250,000

with a view of taking an offer.

If they needed a quick sale, I would pitch a little bit below that,

around 230,000.

-That's way too low.

-No chance.

-I'm a bit disappointed. I thought it would be more.

-Definitely.

-For a quick sale, 230.

-That's giving it away.

-Exactly.

-Exactly.

-That's giving it away.

'With a big question mark over the value of their home in south Wales,

'it's even more important to find out exactly where their money will be spent.

'Alan's determined to change his life so they're basing their sums on him working a 40-hour week.

'We prepared a comparison of costs

'so they can work out where they stand.'

The moment of truth.

Our monthly bills. What are we looking at?

Mortgage...

-Our Australian one is 1,013.

-So that one's better.

That could possibly be payments for a boat, repayments for a boat.

Gas and electricity, 160 in Australia.

-150 back home.

-I thought it would be more expensive back home.

-Health and dental insurance.

-No. Get the NHS back home.

School dinners, almost £50 here.

Wow. Crikey, that IS expensive.

More than double. The everyday things in Australia -

hair cuts, school trips -

that kind of stuff is a bit more expensive.

'Sharon plans to work part time once the girls are settled into school.

'So, with her wage included, they need to know if, overall, they'd be better off in Oz.'

-The difference between the two is...

-2688.

-Yeah. Big difference.

-That is a big difference.

It seems to be ticking all the boxes with a 40-hour week.

'With fewer outgoings but higher wages, they've calculated that

'after tax, they'd be £2,000 a month better off in Australia.

'That could change everything.

'They couldn't afford to live in the UK if Alan limited his hours.

'Sharon is realising that, for Alan, this move isn't a luxury, but a necessity.'

After working out the costs of living, our vote goes for...

BOTH: Australia.

-No surprise there.

-It had to be.

-Yeah.

Decision time's fast approaching.

Sharon loves her social life back in the UK,

so it's essential she finds out

if they could make new friends and fit in with Aussie life.

The pressure's on.

'They've come to meet Kylie Rowan, who they met in the dance class,

'her husband Declan, daughters Orphia and Hannah and their ponies.

'If they don't think they could make new friends, the move would be harder to contemplate.'

-This is Alan.

-Nice and private here.

-It's beautiful.

-This is the type of thing we'd be looking for.

-Away from neighbours!

-My daughters can be very loud.

-Run around as much as you want. >

'Although they haven't ridden much, Imogen's keen to give it a go.

'For Sharon, it's an eye-opener.

'She's seeing a different side to Australian living.'

Are properties cheaper in this area?

The further out from town they are,

you get more land.

SHARON: I'd feel at home with all the hills.

At home, it's hilly and green.

'Sharon's looking for a lifestyle that could bring them all closer.'

It makes you get together as a family. There's so much to do.

Would you like this, Chantel? >

Would this make you give your bedroom up? Maybe.

Still a maybe? > Yeah.

'Alan's determined to reclaim his life and is taking inspiration from Declan.'

-Where do you find time to do all this?

-I just enjoy it all.

Monday to Friday in the office. On the weekends, you're doing this.

I barely find time to sleep back home.

The kind of lifestyle that you're leading is what I'm after.

In the UK, it sounds like the weather just limits you.

It restricts a lot. What you have here, I'm very envious of it.

'Sharon and Alan are impressed but they've all got tough decisions.'

-SHARON: Chantel's loving it.

-Pool or horse?

Horse.

Pool or horse? Pool.

Pool or horse? Pool.

'The lifestyle has given the Patons something to work towards,

'but leaving everyone back home

'will test their determination to move to its limits.'

It's been a great experience,

but making new friends doesn't make the heartbreaking thought

of leaving loved ones behind in the UK any easier.

Could seeing messages from back home change everything?

'We've prepared a DVD of their friends and family

'to remind them of everyone they'd have to leave behind.'

-Hi, Alan.

-Hi, Sharon.

-< Hello to the girls.

-Hello, my beautiful granddaughters.

Hi, Alan, Sharon, Chantel, Demi and Imogen.

-Alan is...Alan.

-Yeah.

< He's a hard-worker.

Chantel is a very reserved child.

< Demi is more out-going and a very loving child.

-She'll think nothing of coming up and saying...

-I love you. Yeah.

She goes, "I love you, Nanny."

< And gives a kiss and a hug. Imogen just follows whatever Demi does.

< I think it's really hard, Chantel,

< because it's, like, the other side of the world

and everybody's in this country.

< I was upset for a long time.

I couldn't think about it without breaking down.

< I try not to think about it too much because it does upset me.

The moment that she told me, I was so sad.

< I felt like I was going to cry or something.

People say you can talk on the phone, get a webcam from Australia,

but it can't make up for the arms round your neck, and the hugging and kissing.

-Oh, God!

-And the funny little things.

-Yes.

< We've always wanted to be grandparents.

They've been so close as well.

But there's nothing there to change it, is there? If you could...

They'd be devastated.

Give us five.

'Seeing loved ones upset has pushed their emotions to breaking point.'

That's the hardest bit, girls.

CHILDREN SOB

SHARON, LAUGHING: I thought we weren't all going to cry!

Oh, wow! That had a bit of an impact, didn't it?

'It's left Sharon painfully aware of what affect their leaving could have on her parents.'

They'd never get over it.

It would be just as hard for them as it is for us to come out here.

'For Chantel and Demi, leaving friends and family would be devastating.'

It was nice to see them say things like that about me.

Because every day I see them in school

and on the weekends they usually come over.

I don't know what it'll be like to be without them.

It was very sad.

This is the biggest decision we'll ever have to make.

You won't make one as big as this.

'But time has run out to make up their minds.

'The Patons have been through a week of emotional turmoil.

'They found a place to call home, a lifestyle they'd love

'and made good friends easily.

'Hanging over them has been a threat of separation from loved ones.

'For Chantel, making such a huge decision is almost too much to bear.'

Back home, I've been with my friends since we started school.

When I'm over here, I've only got my mother, father and two sisters.

I wish that I didn't have to make such a big decision.

'Alan and Sharon are under huge pressure to get this right.

'A split vote could leave their lives in limbo.'

There's no way I'm carrying on working the way I am any more.

Obviously, I'm worried and concerned that I might make the wrong choice.

If my final vote turned out to be that I wanted to stay in the UK,

then Alan would be absolutely devastated.

But if my vote went for Australia,

that would be the icing on the cake, he'd love me forever for that.

'Their happiness is hanging in the balance.

'Can they really turn their backs on south Wales

'to follow Alan's dreams on the other side of the world?'

This has been my dream. My goal was to get here and see what it's like.

We've met some fabulous people and our vote goes for...

SHARON AND ALAN: Australia.

Oh.

They all vote for home.

You surprise me, kids. I didn't see that coming.

-I knew YOU'd be convinced.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

I wasn't sure about Chantel,

but I thought the other two might have gone for Australia.

I've got to redo my cost of living

cos I'll have to buy a pool, a boat and a pony to get the kids here.

-What do you think, kids?

-Maybe. Maybe.

Chantel, Demi and Imogen still need persuading,

but Sharon's been won over and is willing to give life in Australia a try.

Alan's dream is one huge step closer to becoming a reality.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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