0:01:49 > 0:01:54- PHONE RINGS Wilcox here.- Colin?- Hello, Graham.
0:01:54 > 0:02:01- Want to know something?- 'What?' - We're in the files. Well, I am. Under MER.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06- Well, that's right, MER.- You don't realise. I've just seen it.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11I'm a code number with a life expectancy of years and days.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Years? Not where I'm concerned.
0:02:15 > 0:02:22What a hangover! I've already lost half the pensionable female population of London.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27- We've been computerised by our own computers.- Everybody has.
0:02:27 > 0:02:34It makes you think, when you see it for the first time in black and white. Pension - X years. Finish.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43- But who wants to know about one's future anyway?- 15 years is nothing.
0:02:43 > 0:02:51- That wasn't life expectancy. That was before pension. You'd only be... - I've already worked it out. Thanks.
0:02:51 > 0:02:58- Then what?- There's all sorts of things you could do. Retire. Buy a nice little place in the country.
0:02:58 > 0:03:06- Get married...again. Write your book about the Marsh Arabs, or something. - That's what I should be doing now.
0:03:11 > 0:03:18- Oh, save my life, Flo. I'll never drink again. - Buy one of these for the raffle.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23There's a lovely first prize in the fridge there. >
0:03:32 > 0:03:35You were saying, Graham?
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Oh, yes. I was saying, um...
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Oh, I don't know. Doesn't matter.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52 The winner is 1-0-0. One hundred.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00Blast, 99 ! ..Hey, Graham! One hundred, that's yours! Flo!
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Here you are, my love. First prize.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07APPLAUSE
0:04:42 > 0:04:44'From that first day,
0:04:44 > 0:04:52'I imagine the otter had singled me out from the thousands who passed the pet shop window every day.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55'Yet I found it intriguing.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10'It was uncanny.
0:05:10 > 0:05:18'Every time I passed, he seemed to be watching me, and me alone.
0:05:19 > 0:05:25'At first, I thought it was only my imagination.
0:05:25 > 0:05:31'But whatever I did, he seemed to sense that I was there... and fixed me with his beady eyes.'
0:05:50 > 0:05:53'Clearly, I was "the chosen one".
0:05:53 > 0:05:56'I found it curiously flattering.
0:05:56 > 0:06:05'I refused to believe the otter was only watching me because he'd seen me with a most beautiful fish.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08'No, it had to be something special,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12'and this otter had the good sense to see it.
0:06:12 > 0:06:20'I didn't really take it seriously, yet I had to admit that I was feeling rather pleased with myself.'
0:06:34 > 0:06:41'Years ago, when I'd travelled in Arabia, I'd watched wild otters playing in the marshes.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44'There, they had more sense of fun.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49'They seemed very different from this one.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54'For, like myself, it was now a prisoner in London.'
0:06:54 > 0:07:01Yah, it's OK. > Nice size, good condition. It'll fit into the act very nice.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I'll try anything, but...otters?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The battle-diving act with an otter?
0:07:07 > 0:07:14Exactly. To see humans do it is nothing now. This is something different.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18How are you gonna make him do it?
0:07:18 > 0:07:25When I have finished with him, oh, yes. You see, otters love water.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39SQUEAKING
0:07:44 > 0:07:47SCRAPING
0:07:49 > 0:07:52EXCITED GRUNTING
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Hello, old chap!
0:08:06 > 0:08:11'I called my otter Mijbil, after an Arab sheik I'd known long ago,
0:08:11 > 0:08:16'and whose name intrigued me, with an imagined picture
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'of a platypus-like creature.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23'Physical description -
0:08:23 > 0:08:26'head ill-shaped, ears placed low,
0:08:26 > 0:08:31'eyes small and homely, a lurid aspect,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34'awkward motions...
0:08:34 > 0:08:38'The otter is naturally of a savage disposition,
0:08:38 > 0:08:43'and has been known to sever human fingers with its bite,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47'without pause for bone,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51'or the pain thus afflicted.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56'The otter's flesh is extremely fishy and disagreeable to taste.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02'However, the Romish Church permits its consumption on Fridays.'
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Tell you what, Mij... - GRUNTING
0:09:12 > 0:09:17you don't bite me, and I won't eat you on Friday.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23PHONE RINGS
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Hello? Colin?
0:09:29 > 0:09:34He's arrived, yes. Just nosing around.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Right now, he's having a cup of tea.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39He's very...quiet and peace-loving.
0:09:39 > 0:09:46He's just rummaging around the wastepaper-basket, inspecting the furniture.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Having a look at my desk... and the table-LAMP!...!
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Did you hear something? I think it was the people upstairs.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Hang on. There's somebody at the window, um, door.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18MIJ!
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Hello? Hello, Colin?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29We were cut off.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34Well, as a matter of fact, I'm just tidying my shirt drawer.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Yes.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- EXCITED GRUNTING - Um... Look, I'd better go.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44He's asking for...a drink. Yes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Mij. Steady, Mij!
0:11:13 > 0:11:17Mij, how COULD you? They were friends of mine.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38LOUD SPLASH
0:11:41 > 0:11:49'That first night, I learned something I would never be allowed to forget.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54'Water to an otter is as vital as air to a bird.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58'But water must be kept on the move and made to do things.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03'It must be extended and spread about the place.
0:12:03 > 0:12:10'A bowl must be at once overturned or must be sat in and sploshed, until it overflows.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Oh, Mij! You're wet. Get off!
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Come here. Lie down.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53It's not funny, Mij.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56My toe!
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- Colin!- What ho!
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- Oh, come in, Colin.- Oh... - Bit of drama.- Yes, so I see.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- I'd give you a hand, but I'm useless at this sort of thing.- Yes, I know.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Ah.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02Well, you've made one or two changes, I see.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- Is it to keep otters in and humans out, or the other way round?- Depends.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Go in.- Any charge for admission (?)
0:14:10 > 0:14:18- Where is he, by the way?- Mij? In the bedroom, having a rest. - From the decor (?) Fascinating.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Oh, I love your mobiles!
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- Do they work?- Um, help yourself. - Thanks very much.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- What's Mij doing in the bedroom, anyway?- He's in disgrace.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35- He taught himself to turn the bath taps on.- How sweet. Very touching.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38What about the landlady?
0:14:38 > 0:14:44- She insists I find alternative accommodation.- Where would you go?
0:14:44 > 0:14:51- She suggested I move into the local police station. She said their caging was free.- Quite.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Thanks. Sit down.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Um...how?- Oh.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Ah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Thank you.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- Well, cheers.- Cheers.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18It seems a shame, when you've made so many, um...improvements.
0:15:18 > 0:15:24Surely he'll have to go, won't he? You can't keep an otter in London.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- You'll simply have to find him a home.- I s'pose you're right.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I've got to do something. Rapidly.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Won't I, Mij, old chap?
0:16:22 > 0:16:29'In that moment, I realised for the first time how deeply I was involved.
0:16:29 > 0:16:36'I hadn't just bought myself an otter, I'd taken a step that was to change the course of my life.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39'This otter had become a part of me.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43'I was bound to this engaging pest.'
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Listen, Mij. "Escape the rat race.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52"Exclusive olde-worlde cottage. West coast of Scotland. Ideal for author.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55"Long lease. A few minor repairs.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59"Quick sale to right person." Off the lamp.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02"Box 4881."
0:17:03 > 0:17:08"Escape the ra..." "Escape the rat race," Mij.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- MIJ PLAYS NOISILY - "Ideal for writer"?
0:17:12 > 0:17:20'It's not the easiest thing in the world, to travel by train... with an otter!
0:17:20 > 0:17:25'The regulations say he's a wild animal, and must travel in a box.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30'The regulations don't know the first thing about otters and boxes.
0:17:30 > 0:17:38'I felt Mij trusted me completely, and I wasn't going to betray his trust by putting him in anything.'
0:17:38 > 0:17:44- Single. Inverness. First-class sleeper and a dog ticket.- £12.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Breed?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Hmm? What was that?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- What kind of dog is it?- What kind?
0:18:00 > 0:18:04A diving terrier.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Diving?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11D-i-v-i-n-g
0:18:12 > 0:18:14t-e-r-r-i-e-r.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Come on, Mij.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Did he say DIVING terrier?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34D-i-v-i-n-g
0:18:34 > 0:18:38t-e-r-r-i-e-r.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46TRAIN'S HORN BLASTS
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Um, just a minute.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Sorry about this, old chap.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Just stay there.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Um, come in.- Good evening, sir.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- Can I check your ticket, sir?- Yes.
0:19:19 > 0:19:25So you're travelling alone, sir? In that case, I'd better lock off...
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- Um, tea in the morning, sir? - Yes, thank you.- 7 o'clock?- Fine.
0:19:30 > 0:19:38- Shall I put your luggage up?- No. No, thanks. Is that ventilator working? - It is, if you turn it on, sir.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41First seating dinner. 7.30, sir.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46OK, Mij. You can come out now.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Mij! MIJ!!
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Sorry. Thought it was my otter.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00SCREAMING
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Don't make a noise, you'll... - SCREAMS
0:22:32 > 0:22:36All right. Who's responsible for this?
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Don't worry, Mij. I never did like travelling by train. Come on.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Look, Mij!
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Travel by bus.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19And there's one due in...
0:23:22 > 0:23:24six hours.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Come on, Mij. Come on.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Oh, look, steady, Mij.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48DRIVER BLASTS HORN
0:24:51 > 0:24:54HORN BLARING
0:25:19 > 0:25:26- Um, which way to the village? - Oh, you just follow the road, over that hill.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- Oh, I wouldn't go there.- Oh?
0:25:36 > 0:25:41- Why not?- The cottage you want is a few miles in the other direction.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Just a wee walk from here.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- But how will I know when I'm there? - Och, you can't make a mistake.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54You understand, there's this cottage, and after that, there's the sea.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Come on, Mij.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33Don't worry, Mij. "It's just a wee walk" (!) Come on.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56Why couldn't I pick a horse for a friend? Sorry, Mij.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Listen.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04You go and let off steam. I don't need to.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23This way, Mij.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36'Exclusive olde-worlde cottage.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39'Ideal retreat for writer.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44'A few MINOR repairs...?
0:28:44 > 0:28:47'Quick sale to right buyer.
0:28:47 > 0:28:54'But to me, at that moment in my life, it was the most beautiful place in the world.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57'The place I knew I wanted to be.'
0:29:24 > 0:29:28SNUFFLING
0:29:28 > 0:29:34Go to sleep, Mij. It's only the hunting bats.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38- Go to sleep. - MIJ SQUEAKS
0:30:02 > 0:30:08'There's nothing like an early morning cold bathe in the burn.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11'For an OTTER!'
0:30:22 > 0:30:30'I realised it was the burn and the sea that gave Camusfearna its essential character.
0:30:30 > 0:30:38'A silvery reflecting circle that rings the fields and makes Camusfearna almost an island.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:45Come on, Mij. I'm daydreaming. Got to get ourselves organised.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Mij!
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Come on.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Sorry, Mij.
0:30:53 > 0:31:00- INDIGNANT SQUEAKING - I'm only going to the village. You can come next time.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10You're making it very difficult.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13You're wasting your time.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- Doesn't he open today?- That depends.
0:33:15 > 0:33:22- Depends on what?- On how the fish are biting in the burn.- I see.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25What was it you were wanting?
0:33:25 > 0:33:30- Methylated spirits. - Och, just you try the doctor's.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36- The doctor's?- Aye. The first house round the corner.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41- They'll maybe have a drop to spare. - Thanks.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Through that door. The doctor's in.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Sit down, please.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20- I was told the doctor was in.- Yes?
0:34:20 > 0:34:24..You? I see. I thought, um...
0:34:24 > 0:34:29- Yes?- I thought perhaps you were the doctor's daughter.- I am.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34My father died eight years ago now. I decided to continue his practice.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Did you know him?- No.
0:34:37 > 0:34:45- Well, I won't take up your time with quite a trifling...- Look, please tell me what the trouble is.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- Name?- Merrill.- Double 'l'? - Double 'l'.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- Age?- Thirty-nine.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- Thirty-nine?- Forty.
0:34:58 > 0:35:06- Where d'you live?- London. Um, that is, till two days ago. - Holiday?- Not exactly.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I'm here for, um, personal reasons.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Where does it hurt?
0:35:12 > 0:35:17- Well, I...- Pain. Lumbar region.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Yes, um, that's it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:28- I think I must've wrenched my back. - Done this before?- No. - Take off your coat.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Can you touch your toes, please?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Yes, easily.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Straight knees. Is it difficult?
0:35:44 > 0:35:50- Well, it's always difficult. - Will you lie down, please?
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I'm afraid my hands are rather cold.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- Painful?- Um...yes. Very.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Hmm.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09- Put your coat on. I'm afraid you've pulled a muscle.- Oh.
0:36:09 > 0:36:16- The best thing is rest, on a firm bed. Board's the best. - Not too difficult to arrange.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22- Take two every four hours. Come back in a few days.- I'd like to.
0:36:22 > 0:36:30- There.- Oh, there's just one thing before I go. I wonder if you could let me have some methylated spirits.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34For my stove.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Janet!
0:36:38 > 0:36:43- You're, um, sure it's for your stove?- Yes, of course it is.
0:36:44 > 0:36:52On his way out, would you give Mr Merrill a little methylated spirit? ..For his stove.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57- Goodbye, Mr Merrill. Nothing strenuous, mind.- Of course not.
0:36:57 > 0:37:04- Those WERE tame swans on the loch, this morning?- No. Why?
0:37:04 > 0:37:09- They could've broken your arm. - I know, but...
0:37:09 > 0:37:14- The cygnet was caught in the wire, you see.- I see.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49You're supposed to be helping, Mij.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Now, stop messing about!
0:38:01 > 0:38:07'I've always had the highest regard for beachcombing as a way of life.
0:38:07 > 0:38:14'Now I found myself considering every piece of flotsam and jetsam, wondering how I could use it.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19'Something to sit on would present no problems.'
0:38:28 > 0:38:31What, what, what, what?
0:38:31 > 0:38:36This, Mij, is what is known as otter-proof whitewashing.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45No, you don't.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53MIJ!
0:39:10 > 0:39:13What, what, what, what?
0:39:13 > 0:39:18That, Mij, is what is known as otter-safe roof repairing.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Mij!
0:39:32 > 0:39:35What, what, what, what?
0:39:35 > 0:39:39What an idiot I am!
0:39:51 > 0:39:56'If we didn't always agree on the whats and the wherefores,
0:39:56 > 0:40:04'we made up for it afterwards on the beach, which lay over the hill, on the north side.'
0:41:31 > 0:41:38- In heaven's name, what have you there? - Sea monster, washed up by the tide.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42Sea monster(!)
0:41:42 > 0:41:45So that's what the tracks were.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50- What were you doing?- Playing noses and toeses. It's an old otter game.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55- I see.- It's a tame otter. - Well, I gathered that!
0:41:55 > 0:42:00- Who lives here with me.- ..Here? In this beautiful cove?
0:42:00 > 0:42:04- You sound disappointed.- I am.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07I don't mind the otter, but...
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Thanks.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I'm sorry.
0:42:12 > 0:42:20I don't mean to be rude. It's just that I... I never thought of anyone living here. It was so perfect.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- I'll try not to change anything. ..Doctor?- Mary.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Graham.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Of course, you know that. Mij.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Come and meet Mary.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- Does he bite?- Sometimes.
0:42:38 > 0:42:44- I don't think he'll bite you.- He'd better not. What's he called?- Mij.
0:42:44 > 0:42:51- After an Arab sheik. - Well, he's very beautiful, in spite of his name.
0:42:51 > 0:42:57- It's just as well I didn't bring Johnny.- Who's Johnny?- My dog.
0:42:57 > 0:43:05- I've heard that dogs and otters are deadly enemies.- Yes, but Mij doesn't know he's an otter.- Funny.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08Johnny doesn't know he's a dog.
0:43:09 > 0:43:15I'll not keep you from your game, and I must get back to the surgery.
0:43:15 > 0:43:20- You'll come again?- Perhaps. - And bring Johnny.- I'll see.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22By the way, how's your back?
0:43:22 > 0:43:27- How d'you mean? ..Oh, my back! - Yes.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31The meths cured it.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Goodbye, Mij.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Don't worry, Mij.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49She's not my type.
0:43:54 > 0:43:58TWO GUNSHOTS
0:44:23 > 0:44:31'I don't mind wild goose for dinner at all. But not in summertime, when the water-birds raise their young.'
0:44:44 > 0:44:46Mij!
0:45:09 > 0:45:15'They were grey-lag geese, the wild variety of the Scottish seashore.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20'It was their mother that had been killed by the poacher's shot.'
0:45:27 > 0:45:35'Hungry, afraid, they were driven by instinct to follow anything that faintly resembled a grown goose.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38'Even an otter!
0:45:38 > 0:45:44'It was very clear, whatever our feelings were.
0:45:44 > 0:45:50'Like it or not, our family had just grown by four.'
0:45:56 > 0:46:01'Those few "minor repairs" took more than a few weeks.
0:46:01 > 0:46:09'When, at last, I had my house in order, I sat down to begin the job I'd set for myself.
0:46:09 > 0:46:14'To write my book about the Marsh Arabs.
0:46:14 > 0:46:21'But there was something wrong. Thinking about it was as far as I got.'
0:47:36 > 0:47:44Now, listen, chaps, if you want to learn to fly, you've got to show a little determination. ..Come on.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47Come on.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51Come on! Are you following?
0:48:00 > 0:48:06You'll never get airborne THAT way. Flap your wings at the same time.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10Now, come on. Let's try again. Into position.
0:48:10 > 0:48:15Ready for take-off. Come on.
0:48:17 > 0:48:24Now, are you ready? You start with a slow, graceful, rhythmic movement.
0:48:24 > 0:48:30The way I do it. Now, watch. Follow me. Slowly, and faster... And faster...
0:48:30 > 0:48:34And faster and faster...
0:48:34 > 0:48:38And faster and fast... Arghhh!
0:48:48 > 0:48:53- We seem to be interrupting your ballet lesson(!)- No, I...
0:48:53 > 0:48:58I really came to introduce Johnny to the sea monster.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02I was, um...teaching them to fly.
0:49:02 > 0:49:08- WHINING - You're frightening the dog. - Sorry. Come and meet Mij.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Are you sure? Johnny's very playful.
0:49:18 > 0:49:23- I'll see if I can find Mij. - Johnny. Johnny, stay here. Sit!
0:49:23 > 0:49:26Sit. You're going to meet Mij.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27JOHNNY BARKS
0:51:00 > 0:51:08- Partly to finish my book.- Why write a book about Marsh Arabs?- I lived with them. Before I was married.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11- I see.- And divorced.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14SHE CHUCKLES
0:51:18 > 0:51:22Come on, Johnny! You must stay here.
0:51:22 > 0:51:30- Don't worry about Johnny. There are only a lot of old fish boxes.- He'd better stay because of Mij. Sit.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13Only fish boxes.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16It's just beautiful.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19Our first visitor, Mij, old chap.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23You might see the lady seated first.
0:52:25 > 0:52:30He's not very used to visitors. Still, he's been very clever today.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34- He caught us our supper.- Us?
0:52:34 > 0:52:38Yes. Look.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53I hope it's all right.
0:53:00 > 0:53:07'When we first arrived at Camusfearna, the eels were migrating into the burn,
0:53:07 > 0:53:11'and there was no problem about food for Mij.
0:53:11 > 0:53:16'I opened the door in the morning and he caught breakfast.
0:53:16 > 0:53:23'But as the summer wore on, the eels stopped coming into the burn. Then, one day, they were gone.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26'Now they had returned to the sea.
0:53:26 > 0:53:31'There would be no more eels until the following spring.'
0:53:48 > 0:53:53That's nine and tuppence change. And a big, hefty man like that!
0:53:53 > 0:53:58Oh, you're right, Sarah. And a fourpenny stamp.
0:53:58 > 0:54:06I've nothing against folk fraternising with animals, but an otter?
0:54:06 > 0:54:15There's something very strange about that, if you ask me. Yes, and he should be doing a job.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19Maybe Mr Merrill has money.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21If he has, you'd never know.
0:54:21 > 0:54:26- His clothes are no' exactly... - I know what you mean, Flora.
0:54:26 > 0:54:33- Good morning, Jeannie. - Morning, Mary.- How are you, Dougall? - Fine.
0:54:33 > 0:54:39You'd never think that a lady doctor... Oh, it's yourself, Mary.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Good morning, Sarah. Hello, Flora.
0:54:42 > 0:54:48Would that be all, Flora? I'll have a fourpenny stamp.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53ANOTHER fourpenny stamp? Just to be on the safe side.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56What can I be doing for you, Mary?
0:54:56 > 0:55:01- Graham asked me to send this telegram. It's rather urgent.- Oh?
0:55:05 > 0:55:11Twenty. That's twenty words at... That's 8/4d, including the address.
0:55:11 > 0:55:20- If you've any mail for the islands, Hughie's flying me out tomorrow morning.- Nothing serious?- Hope not.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26- 8/4d.- Thank you.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Wait now till I read it over.
0:55:28 > 0:55:34"Clifford Wilcox, 22 Battersea Park Road, London SW15.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36"Food situation desperate.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41"Please send large container live...eels.
0:55:46 > 0:55:53- "Regards, Graham."- That's right, Sarah. Don't forget the mail, mind. - Oh, no. I'll not forget.
0:55:56 > 0:56:01Live eels. Whatever next? My, these Londoners are awful odd.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04You mean "Graham"(!).
0:56:04 > 0:56:09Dover sole, dear? Here we are. One nice Dover sole.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13I can promise you, you'll enjoy that.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18Morning, sir. Can I help you? Have you any live eels, please?
0:56:18 > 0:56:26Live? Not this time of year. Oh, dear. THEY may be able to help.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Thanks. Not at all.
0:56:34 > 0:56:41Can I help you? I'd like some live eels. Eels? Oh. They're over here.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45Siamese Kuhlia. From Siam!
0:56:45 > 0:56:50They're very small, aren't they? Let's see, now. One large container.
0:56:50 > 0:56:58I think I'll need about...four or five hundred. How much are they? Seven guineas a pair. They're fun!
0:56:58 > 0:57:01..Mm. Well, thanks very much.
0:57:24 > 0:57:28'Food for Mij became a real problem.
0:57:28 > 0:57:35'I often spent several hours a day catching fish for him... or trying to!
0:57:35 > 0:57:41'There were many basking sharks now migrating from northern waters.
0:57:41 > 0:57:47'They were completely harmless, feeding on plankton, untoothed.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50'Frightening only due to their size.
0:57:50 > 0:57:54'As I watched, I began to see them in a new light.
0:57:54 > 0:58:01'There, in the fin, was a whole year's supply of shark steaks.'
0:58:37 > 0:58:41- Did you forget something?- Um...no.
0:58:41 > 0:58:48- That isn't a deep-freeze out there? - You could call it that. - Does it work?
0:58:48 > 0:58:56- It did once. Just after the war. - Who does it belong to now?- Well, now, that's difficult to answer.
0:58:56 > 0:59:04- But if you're interested, you can have it for a few shillings. Just for the delivery, of course.- Thanks.
0:59:04 > 0:59:11- Any chance of getting it to start? - With a wee drop of meths and a lot of persuasion,
0:59:11 > 0:59:14I'd say you'd a chance in a million.
1:00:06 > 1:00:09MOTOR STOPS
1:00:27 > 1:00:30Faster.
1:00:33 > 1:00:36Faster!
1:00:54 > 1:00:57FASTER!
1:01:06 > 1:01:11Hold her steady! Use the oars!
1:01:48 > 1:01:55- You said he wasn't dangerous.- No, I said he had no teeth. The book said.
1:02:04 > 1:02:08Graham? Graham!
1:02:17 > 1:02:21Come on. Oh! Let me help you.
1:03:15 > 1:03:18'At last, the shark lay cut up in the freezer.
1:03:18 > 1:03:23'I hadn't dared let Mij out at all during the preparations.
1:03:23 > 1:03:29'I felt quite sure he'd gorge himself to death.'
1:03:46 > 1:03:49Mij! Mij!
1:03:51 > 1:03:54Food, Mij!
1:04:02 > 1:04:07Not yet, Mij. And don't disturb Mary.
1:04:09 > 1:04:12Oh, Mij. There you are.
1:04:12 > 1:04:17- Did you think we were never coming back? I did.- Here, Mij.
1:04:17 > 1:04:21Poor Mij. He must be starving.
1:04:21 > 1:04:23A whole year's supply.
1:04:23 > 1:04:30- I'm almost sorry to have found such a permanent solution so easily. - Easily?
1:04:31 > 1:04:34I mean, no more fishing for Mij.
1:04:34 > 1:04:39I'm worried. I won't have an excuse now for not writing my book. Mij!
1:04:39 > 1:04:44Here, Mij.
1:04:45 > 1:04:48Mij? Mij, come back! Mij!
1:04:52 > 1:04:55Mij! Mij!
1:04:55 > 1:05:00MI-IJ!
1:05:08 > 1:05:13- You were, um, saying, Graham? - Oh, yes, but I didn't mean it.
1:05:13 > 1:05:20- You don't need to worry now. - There are nearly 400 shark steaks. Everyone likes them.
1:05:20 > 1:05:24I hope YOU do.
1:05:26 > 1:05:28Mij?
1:05:47 > 1:05:56'After two weeks of boiled, baked, grilled and curried shark, Mij and I were in complete agreement.
1:05:56 > 1:06:01'Basking shark was not fit food for man nor beast.
1:06:06 > 1:06:11'In desperation, I made a trip to the nearest fishing port.
1:06:11 > 1:06:17'To be on the safe side, I bid for a mixed box.'
1:06:17 > 1:06:20AUCTIONEER TAKES BIDS
1:06:23 > 1:06:27RAPIDLY CALLS BIDS
1:06:28 > 1:06:318/3d. Right, 8/3d.
1:06:43 > 1:06:526/9d. I'm bid 7. 7/3d, 7/9d. Eight bob. Who'll bid 8/3d? Now, you all finish 8/3d.
1:06:52 > 1:06:58Now, 5/6d. I'm bid 6/3d. 6/9d. Seven bob.
1:06:58 > 1:07:027/3d, I'm bid. Seven and a half now.
1:07:02 > 1:07:077/9d. Eight bob. 8/3d. Eight and a half. We finish at 8/6d.
1:07:07 > 1:07:14Eight and six it is. A lovely bit of mixed fish here. BIDDING CONTINUES
1:07:22 > 1:07:266/9d. Seven bid. Seven shillings and three.
1:07:26 > 1:07:32Seven and a half. And nine. Eight bob. 8/3d. 8/9d. Nine bob.
1:07:32 > 1:07:35You all through at nine bob? Nine.
1:07:35 > 1:07:38Right, on we go now. Haddock.
1:07:38 > 1:07:42How many bob again? BIDDING BEGINS
1:07:42 > 1:07:47Nine. 9/3d. Nine and a half. Ten bid. Ten and a half. Eleven and a half.
1:07:47 > 1:07:52Twelve shillings. Finish at twelve bob over there.
1:07:52 > 1:07:57< What d'you say now? A bit of cod here...
1:08:32 > 1:08:37- Mind, you've got a bit of everything there.- Yes. Just playing safe.
1:08:37 > 1:08:44- Quite a mixed bag. Everything except shark.- I could let you have a bit of that.- No.
1:08:44 > 1:08:47No, thanks. Not really.
1:08:47 > 1:08:51There's nothing can beat a well-grilled shark steak.
1:10:19 > 1:10:22You can put up your windows now.
1:11:16 > 1:11:18Mij!
1:11:18 > 1:11:22Mij!
1:11:26 > 1:11:29Mij!
1:12:12 > 1:12:15- Johnny!- I'm sorry.
1:12:15 > 1:12:20- The whole village seemed to be in the surgery. Any sign of Mij?- No.
1:12:20 > 1:12:23Coming past the point just now,
1:12:23 > 1:12:30- Johnny kept whining, looking out to the lighthouse, as if he sensed something I couldn't.- The island?
1:12:30 > 1:12:38I doubt it. It's a long way off. Too far for Mij to go. Perhaps we'd better take a look.
1:13:07 > 1:13:13Rob! Ciamar a tha thu? 'S mise a th' ann! Mairi NicChoinnich.
1:13:13 > 1:13:18O! 'Se, 'se. Mairi NicChoinnich. Chan fhaca mi thu bho chionn fhada.
1:13:32 > 1:13:36- Tha am feasgar breagha. - Tha e alainn.
1:13:36 > 1:13:41- Seo Mr Merrill.- Tha e tioram. - ..Anabarrach tioram.
1:13:41 > 1:13:45..What does he say?
1:13:45 > 1:13:48- He says it's a nice day.- And Mij?
1:13:50 > 1:13:57- Tha sinn a'sireadh dorann a chaill sinn.- Tha a dha an seo.
1:13:57 > 1:14:02- Air a'chreig sin thall.- O!
1:14:13 > 1:14:16There WERE otters here. Two.
1:14:16 > 1:14:21Bha e araid. Thainig fear suas dha mo chois.
1:14:21 > 1:14:24- It must've been Mij.- Why?
1:14:24 > 1:14:27He said one almost touched his leg.
1:14:27 > 1:14:33An sin, shnamh iad air falbh, gu Eilean an Druin.
1:14:35 > 1:14:37- Oh.- What does he say?
1:14:37 > 1:14:41They swam off to the island of Druin.
1:14:49 > 1:14:55- What d'you want to do, Graham?- How d'you mean? Go there, of course.
1:16:04 > 1:16:07MIJ!
1:16:42 > 1:16:46Well, if he tried to get here, he didn't make it.
1:16:46 > 1:16:53After all, he's never been swimming anywhere before...except the burn or the bathtub.
1:16:53 > 1:16:57- Graham, is that just seaweed? - Where?
1:16:57 > 1:16:59There.
1:17:12 > 1:17:14- It looks like...- Mij. Mij!
1:18:25 > 1:18:29'Mij took some time to recover.
1:18:29 > 1:18:36'He seemed unwilling now to leave Camusfearna. Even to stray out of my sight.
1:18:36 > 1:18:41'Except for an occasional dip in his pool.'
1:18:56 > 1:19:01'I realised I had been drawing only one aspect of Mij,
1:19:01 > 1:19:04'and not the best, at that.
1:19:04 > 1:19:08'An otter on land is as graceless as a grounded bird.
1:19:08 > 1:19:11'I needed to sketch him underwater.
1:19:11 > 1:19:16'A bit of beachcombing would produce, I hoped,
1:19:16 > 1:19:21'what I now could use to further my small artistic ambition.'
1:19:23 > 1:19:26Graham?
1:19:27 > 1:19:32Oh, um, Mary, stay there. I'll be right out.
1:19:32 > 1:19:39- What are you making?- Oh... Nothing. J-Just a swimming pool.
1:19:39 > 1:19:41I've brought you a telegram.
1:19:41 > 1:19:50- It's been at the post office a few days, but Sarah says it's not important.- Worth reading?- Doubt it.
1:19:52 > 1:19:56- Oh. Very bad news, indeed.- Oh?
1:19:56 > 1:20:03- I've got to go to London.- When? - Before spring. - No wonder they sent you a telegram.
1:20:03 > 1:20:06Come and see Mij.
1:20:06 > 1:20:11- You're invited to a birthday party on the twenty-first.- Yours?- Mij's.
1:20:11 > 1:20:19- It's a Sunday.- I should be able to make it. How d'you know it's on the 21st?- First day of his birth sign.
1:20:19 > 1:20:22Aquarius.
1:20:22 > 1:20:27Come on, Mij! You'll miss your birthday party.
1:20:34 > 1:20:37Hope this thing works.
1:20:46 > 1:20:49Come on, Mij.
1:21:16 > 1:21:19Swimming pool.
1:21:21 > 1:21:26Come on, Johnny. Come on. Get down. There's a good boy.
1:23:34 > 1:23:40'Autumn in the Highlands begins the day the water fowl start to gather.
1:23:40 > 1:23:42'The swans were heading south,
1:23:42 > 1:23:47'and my geese, who had finally learned to use their wings,
1:23:47 > 1:23:52'joined the wild flocks from the Hebrides.'
1:24:04 > 1:24:09'The first snow fell at Camusfearna.
1:24:09 > 1:24:14'It lay for weeks... to Mij's delight!'
1:25:52 > 1:25:59You don't understand. It's a business trip. Come out, Mij.
1:26:01 > 1:26:06Look, Mij, it takes a day to get there and a day to get back.
1:26:06 > 1:26:10Of hard travelling, by bus and by train. Yes, by train.
1:26:10 > 1:26:14I'll only be gone a week.
1:26:15 > 1:26:19Seven days!
1:26:19 > 1:26:23It's like a jail sentence.
1:26:26 > 1:26:31Look, Mij, it's not for ever. There'll be Mary and Johnny.
1:26:31 > 1:26:34BARKING
1:27:16 > 1:27:24- You'll need this to take him back to the village.- I hope you have a safe journey, and we'll...
1:27:24 > 1:27:29- We'll all miss you.- Thanks for looking after Mij. Oh, um...
1:27:29 > 1:27:33- In case he tries to follow me.- Oh.
1:27:33 > 1:27:38Well, I'll just slip away while he's...
1:27:38 > 1:27:40Bye.
1:27:40 > 1:27:44Bye, Mij.
1:28:10 > 1:28:14BARKING
1:29:13 > 1:29:16Oh, come on, Johnny.
1:29:16 > 1:29:19Don't be such a coward!
1:29:19 > 1:29:24Do something about it. It's lovely in there. Isn't it, Mij?
1:29:42 > 1:29:45Well, come on, you two.
1:29:45 > 1:29:48We'll be late for surgery.
1:29:48 > 1:29:51Come on.
1:30:39 > 1:30:42JOHNNY BARKS
1:30:50 > 1:30:55- I'll bet the water's cold up there at the falls, Doctor.- It was, indeed.
1:30:55 > 1:31:01You'll get another wetting before you get back. The rain's starting.
1:31:01 > 1:31:05I felt it myself. Johnny! Mij!
1:31:17 > 1:31:20Angus!
1:31:20 > 1:31:23I thought it was just an otter.
1:32:14 > 1:32:16Thanks, Ewan.
1:32:19 > 1:32:27- What a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect you here. - Thought I'd come and meet the bus.
1:32:27 > 1:32:32- How's the most beautiful doctor in Scotland?- Fine.- Mij?- Well...
1:32:32 > 1:32:39- You're going to tell me he wrecked the surgery and frightened Janet to death.- He behaved perfectly.- Good.
1:32:39 > 1:32:44I brought him a present. His favourite. Slinky.
1:32:46 > 1:32:48Graham.
1:32:48 > 1:32:52It... It's a joke.
1:32:58 > 1:33:01Mij is dead.
1:34:34 > 1:34:39Don't move. Don't get up. I've never seen a writer at work before.
1:34:39 > 1:34:42- Hello, stranger.- Hello.
1:34:42 > 1:34:45I didn't come before, Graham.
1:34:45 > 1:34:50- Last week, when...- Busy? - ..Yes. Yes, quite.
1:34:50 > 1:34:53Well, you'll see I finally started.
1:34:53 > 1:34:57Oh, I'm so pleased.
1:34:57 > 1:35:01- How's the book going?- Very well. Very well, indeed.
1:35:01 > 1:35:07At least I've got the title down, but I think it's the wrong one.
1:35:07 > 1:35:15- I should go back to Arabia to write about Arabs. - Leave Camusfearna?- Yes.- Could you?
1:35:18 > 1:35:20No.
1:35:20 > 1:35:27- But I can't spend the rest of my life being a beachcomber. - Why not, if it serves the purpose?
1:35:27 > 1:35:31Because it's only a way of escaping.
1:35:31 > 1:35:33I realise that now.
1:35:33 > 1:35:37Come on, I'll show you what I mean.
1:35:37 > 1:35:39If it's still there.
1:35:54 > 1:35:57That'll never get you to Arabia!
1:35:59 > 1:36:04- It was washed up on the beach, about two days ago.- Strange.
1:36:04 > 1:36:07"RC."
1:36:07 > 1:36:10I wonder what the flag stands for.
1:36:10 > 1:36:12Antique.
1:36:12 > 1:36:18- Early 15th century, I'd say. - Of course. Petrol-driven.
1:36:18 > 1:36:21Used for transporting pilgrims.
1:36:21 > 1:36:29- To Mecca?- Certainly not. RC - Roman Catholics.- RC - Robinson Crusoe's more likely!
1:36:29 > 1:36:31Here's a very delicate object.
1:36:31 > 1:36:34Oh, also antique?
1:36:34 > 1:36:37A monocle for a near-sighted whale.
1:36:40 > 1:36:42This is a very interesting thing.
1:36:42 > 1:36:47Skin-diving suit for a miniature octopus.
1:36:47 > 1:36:50Who didn't quite make it.
1:36:52 > 1:36:55Graham...
1:37:02 > 1:37:05It can't be.
1:37:11 > 1:37:14We can watch them from the hill.
1:37:42 > 1:37:45They're coming to Mij's pool.
1:37:55 > 1:37:57Why should wild otters come here?
1:37:57 > 1:38:00Unless...
1:38:00 > 1:38:05- Mary, you remember what the lighthouse-keeper said?- Rob.
1:38:05 > 1:38:11- There must be dozens of wild otters round here.- But these are Mij's.
1:38:30 > 1:38:37Well, isn't that the way it ought to be? Wild otters swimming in the burn.
1:39:12 > 1:39:15Mij!
1:39:53 > 1:39:59# Where sun and wind play
1:39:59 > 1:40:03# On a ring of bright water
1:40:03 > 1:40:10# That's where my heartland will be
1:40:10 > 1:40:14# The deer on the hill
1:40:14 > 1:40:18# In the first snow of winter
1:40:18 > 1:40:24# The gull in the sky winging free
1:40:25 > 1:40:29# I wandered away
1:40:29 > 1:40:34# From the dark, crowded city
1:40:34 > 1:40:40# Leaving my old life behind
1:40:40 > 1:40:44# And came to a place
1:40:44 > 1:40:48# Where a ring of bright water
1:40:48 > 1:40:54# Dazzled the care from my mind
1:40:54 > 1:41:03# So I live with the wonder
1:41:03 > 1:41:10# Of the sky and the sea
1:41:10 > 1:41:16# And I'll always remember
1:41:16 > 1:41:25# Who revealed them to me
1:41:25 > 1:41:30# But now you are gone
1:41:30 > 1:41:34# With your whirlpools of laughter
1:41:34 > 1:41:40# Racing me down to the sea
1:41:40 > 1:41:49# But I always smile When a ring of bright water
1:41:49 > 1:41:57# Echoes your laughter to me. #