0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today we're in a county that's home to the oldest motorsport venue in the world.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07But where are we, and why is it here?
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42On today's show, I'm helping a couple bid farewell
0:00:42 > 0:00:47to life down under, to reunite them with family on English soil.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49And our house hunt gets them in a bit of a flap.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I think I wasn't expecting quite as quirkiness,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54so I'll reserve judgement.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57But later on, confusion turns to jubilation.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59That is fantastic.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Well, today we're in Worcestershire at Shelsley Walsh,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09a tongue twister of a place with a racetrack to match.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Established back in 1905, it predates Le Mans and Monza
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and is a lovely testament to the history of British motorsport.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20The Hill Climb here is thought to be one of the oldest motorsports events
0:01:20 > 0:01:23in the world. Some of the greats have raced here,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26including Stirling Moss, back in 1947.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Now, later on in the programme, I'll be back,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30sampling the delights of this racetrack,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32but it's a lovely taster as to what the rest of Worcestershire
0:01:32 > 0:01:34has to offer.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Set in the West Midlands, Worcestershire is bordered
0:01:39 > 0:01:42by Herefordshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45To the west of the county sits the spa town of Malvern
0:01:45 > 0:01:48in the shadow of the Malvern Hills.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51With over 100 miles of footpaths and bridleways,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55this area offers spectacular panoramic views of the countryside.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00As the River Severn makes part of its 220-mile journey
0:02:00 > 0:02:02through this county, it passes through
0:02:02 > 0:02:04the historic city of Worcester.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Besides the magnificent cathedral, which dates back to Norman times,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10it's the home of Royal Worcester porcelain,
0:02:10 > 0:02:15whose former factory building from 1840 still survives.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Even though production ceased in 2008,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20there's a museum which houses the largest collection
0:02:20 > 0:02:23of Royal Worcester in the world.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Indeed, the heritage of its market towns and villages,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29combined with stunning countryside, make this county
0:02:29 > 0:02:32an appealing proposition for those seeking a rural move.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Now, in England and Wales,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40the average detached property will set you back around £255,000.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Here in Worcestershire, that figure is pretty comparable
0:02:44 > 0:02:48at £259,000, so as you can see, as counties go, this one
0:02:48 > 0:02:51is pretty much on a par with the rest of the country,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53but as ever, there are variations.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56House hunt around Evesham and you'll certainly get a bit more
0:02:56 > 0:02:59for your money, but head down south toward Broadway,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01with its lovely feel of the Cotswolds,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05you could easily add 40% to those national figures.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But wherever you decide to live in Worcestershire, as you can see,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12there's a rich array of architectural styles to tempt you.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Head to the south of the county, to villages like Wickhamford,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18and you'll find historic black-and-white timbered properties
0:03:18 > 0:03:24like this four-bedroom cottage, on the market for £525,000.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28If you're looking for Cotswold stone property with stature
0:03:28 > 0:03:30then head to Broadway, well known
0:03:30 > 0:03:32as one of the area's prettiest villages.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34This handsome house has four bedrooms
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and its very own music hall
0:03:36 > 0:03:42and if that strikes a chord, it could be yours for £925,000.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Cotswold villages such as Broadway are also home
0:03:45 > 0:03:47to some very affordable cottages.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Here, from around £275,000, you'll find two-bedroom properties
0:03:51 > 0:03:54brimming with character and charm.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00So, as you can see, some wonderful property on offer,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03plenty to whet the appetite if you think Worcestershire
0:04:03 > 0:04:05is where you would like to escape to the country.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07No surprise, then, that this part of the world
0:04:07 > 0:04:11also is where today's buyers hope to call home.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Lyndon and his wife Paula have been living in Australia.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They moved there to be closer to two of Paula's children
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and a growing brood of grandchildren.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24One of my sons moved out ten years ago
0:04:24 > 0:04:26and he moved out with four children.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- We went out to visit him and we really liked it, didn't we?- Yep.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33That was five years ago. Now they're back in the UK
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and staying temporarily with family in Surrey.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40As Lyndon recently retired from his work as a doctor,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43they've decided the time is right to return home
0:04:43 > 0:04:45and reconnect with family and friends.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49We're returning to our roots. We have family here, our ties are here.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52They were also starting to miss the English outdoors.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56On top of that, they want to get involved with the local community.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58If you took away the sunshine,
0:04:58 > 0:05:03the weather, aspects of English life, you just don't get there,
0:05:03 > 0:05:08you could never go down to a village and go in a village pub
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and have a drink. It would be nice to be back here
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and be able to go to English villages.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Having sold their house in Australia already,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20they're keen to find their country home here as soon as possible.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25The area we're looking to move to is North Worcestershire.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29There, we know fairly well and it's lovely countryside
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and, I'm happy to say, there are a lot of really lovely golf courses
0:05:32 > 0:05:35in the area, which would suit me enormously!
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Because I had a swimming pool in Australia,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40if there happened to be one with an indoor swimming pool,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43that would be fantastic.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47And when our buyers do finally make the move back to the UK,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49not only does Lyndon want to finish writing his book,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53but he also wants to take advantage of what the countryside has to offer.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I love cooking and one thing I have missed out in Australia,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00which surprised me, was a lot of good fresh produce.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I thought that would be in abundance,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05but in fact, it's been quite hard to find
0:06:05 > 0:06:09and I look forward to visiting the local places in the UK,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12where I know that fresh produce is a priority.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But the other priority, of course,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19is going to be the budget for their new home.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Our maximum budget would be £400,000,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26but obviously if we've got to spend money on the house,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28we would have to go down from there.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Lyndon and Paula want us to focus their house search
0:06:38 > 0:06:40towards the north of the county,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44preferably in the area around Blakeshall.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I'm meeting them to discover more about what they want
0:06:46 > 0:06:48from their country property.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Lyndon and Paula, welcome back to the West Midlands.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- This is originally home for you. - Yes.- And a return to your roots.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Big change, though, from Australia.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Many people looking at your life over the last five years
0:07:01 > 0:07:05will say, "Why are you coming back?" Sunshine, pool...
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Well, there are several reasons, in actual fact,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10but probably the main one is the fact that we
0:07:10 > 0:07:14actually want to return to where we came from.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18To be with family, friends and all the areas that we know.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21What sort of spec are we looking for in our ideal property?
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Ideally three bedrooms.- Yeah.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27And I think one of the things that we need is another room,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31either for as a bedroom to convert to a study for Lyndon
0:07:31 > 0:07:35to write his book, or a study downstairs.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Now, the book writing is interesting, isn't it?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40We don't often get writers on this show, but it's always an idea,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43but I get the feeling with you that this is going to happen,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- you're going to write it.- It's partly written. It's on its way.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- So, a nice writer's den... - Absolutely.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- A light and airy kitchen, living space.- Yes.- Three bedrooms.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Outside space?
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Not so worried about garden, because neither of us
0:07:58 > 0:08:00are hugely enthusiastic gardeners,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- but the thing I really want is a view.- Yeah.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- I want to see the country.- OK. So, it's all to play for, then.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Yeah, all to play for.- All to play for.- We've got three to show you
0:08:10 > 0:08:12including, of course, our mystery house
0:08:12 > 0:08:16and £400,000 of your hard-earned and saved money to spend.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- Great.- Shall we?- Look forward to it. - Come on, then, follow me.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25So, with a budget of £400,000 banked from the sale of their house
0:08:25 > 0:08:27in Australia, Lyndon and Paula have drawn up a wish list
0:08:27 > 0:08:30of what they hope this will buy them here in Worcestershire.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33They want a large kitchen, three bedrooms,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37a room or outbuilding for a study, views over countryside
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and a manageable English country garden.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42We have three properties with which to tempt them,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but I'll only reveal the price tag at the end of each tour.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Our last offering will, of course, be the mystery house,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52which promises to take them right out of their comfort zone.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59To begin our property shopping, we're heading to Wolverley,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01a pretty village on the banks of the River Stour
0:09:01 > 0:09:02and the Staffordshire
0:09:02 > 0:09:04and Worcestershire Canal.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08It's a peaceful location suited for connecting with life outdoors.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10And the village amenities are a good starting point
0:09:10 > 0:09:15to meet local residents for some inside knowledge about the area.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Well, Wolverley seems to me like a fairly nice place to live.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- You would agree, I presume? - We certainly would. Yes, indeed.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- What are the best bits about it? - Village community.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29The village shop, certainly, is the centre of the village.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33The church is 14th century. It's mentioned in the Domesday book.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37The pub is about 14th century as well, so it's got massive history.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Now, you mentioned the pub - this is something you're hankering after,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- following five years in Oz.- Yes.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45We've missed the good old British pub while we've been in Australia.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49We've been into four in the last two days!
0:09:49 > 0:09:50You've got some catching up to do!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I'm beginning to think that we might have started in the right place!
0:09:53 > 0:09:59- Yeah!- I think we should drink up and go and find property number one.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Well, the community certainly made us feel welcome
0:10:05 > 0:10:09and just a short walk away is our first property.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Well, we've already given you a taster of the delights
0:10:12 > 0:10:17of Wolverley village itself, and what we'd like to offer you,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20for our first property, the dovecote.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- That's pretty amazing.- Impressive.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25We thought we'd start with quirky. As you can see,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- it's arranged over four floors. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30It's quite a clever conversion, it's quite difficult
0:10:30 > 0:10:34to incorporate modern homes into structures like this,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37which, of course, were never designed to be domestic.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38It's worth pointing out here,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41you can see this garage arrangement, but what it offers is
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- a footprint, potentially, for your writing studio.- OK.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47You mean I can shut him in the shed!
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Shut him in the shed! - THEY LAUGH
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Interesting and different.- Yes.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Interesting is a slightly loaded comment, isn't it, sometimes?- Yes.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- We didn't expect that.- No. - Ready for a bit of quirky?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- Yeah.- Yeah.- Come and have a look.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02This extraordinary 18th-century building
0:11:02 > 0:11:05has clearly stopped Lyndon and Paula in their tracks.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It extends over four levels,
0:11:07 > 0:11:11so we'll start at the rear entrance and work our way up.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Come in.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15LYNDON LAUGHS
0:11:15 > 0:11:21- What do you reckon? - It's a lovely kitchen.- It's nice.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- I like that kitchen. - Straight in to it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I love cooking, so kitchens are important to me.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28It's a real sort of usable kitchen.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31We like that configuration.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- We like a dining kitchen. Yeah. I like that.- Good.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37As I said, it's arranged over four floors,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- so there is only one way to go from here.- And that's up.- Yeah.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Follow me this way.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46So, the kitchen has definitely kept their interest on simmer.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48From here, the stairs lead up to the next level
0:11:48 > 0:11:51and a generous reception room.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- Wow! Different.- Unexpected, this house, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00The key thing with a building like this is space, you know,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04it is a kind of vertical series of spaces.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07No... Actually, that's a good-sized room.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11That's fine, we don't want it too large, but that's... Yeah, I like that.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- How's the quirky going down? - The quirkiness is going down, but...
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It's got stuck!
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I think I wasn't expecting quite as quirkiness,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- so I'll reserve judgement.- OK. There are two more floors to see.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Right.- Let's go up and look at those.- OK.- Follow me.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32The stairs from the front hallway lead up to the next level,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35where there are two bedrooms, one of which could make a great study
0:12:35 > 0:12:38for Lyndon, and there's also a small family bathroom.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Now, finally, we've reached the top.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45You'll be pleased to know. Come on in.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Come in, Lyndon, grab the door. - Yeah.
0:12:48 > 0:12:55- So, this is your master floor.- It's nice, it has a nice feel about it.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59I like all the light, I like the unusual windows, that's great.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- These round windows are lovely. - They're lovely.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- You've also got an en suite in there, have a look at that.- OK.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- Shower room and so on.- Yeah, OK, another round window, the skylight.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- That's quite roomy.- That's nice.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- You're still smiling, that's the main thing.- I know.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16It's very different.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I sense that Lyndon and Paula's initial enthusiasm
0:13:21 > 0:13:24has waned somewhat, but I think they'll be impressed
0:13:24 > 0:13:29by the space outside, which has an English country garden feel.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34Let's settle down here, halfway down the garden,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36and take in its two very distinct halves,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- because that's quite a surprise. - It is.- Isn't it?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- Yeah.- Didn't expect to see that.- No!
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Lovely mature orchard, loads of apple trees in there,
0:13:44 > 0:13:48at the bottom of it, quite a useful little summerhouse.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- I'm thinking another writing option. - Another location for me to write in!
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- You're getting to the bottom of the garden.- Yeah, that could be good.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Let's have a think about the price, then.- Mm.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Who's going to go first?
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- I think it's probably somewhere near the top of our budget.- Yeah.
0:14:05 > 0:14:11It was 400,000, I'd probably think about sort of 385.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14385, yeah. Paula?
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- Yes, I'd probably say 395. - 395. Well...
0:14:21 > 0:14:23You're going to hate this. He's right.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24Really?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26THEY LAUGH
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- I AM going to hate that! - Well done, Lyndon.- Thank you.- Yeah.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Property number one, dovecote, could be yours for £385,000.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Go and indulge it a little bit more and I'll catch up with you later on.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- All right.- Off you go.- OK, thanks.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Cheerio.- OK.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Under budget at £385,000,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53this converted dovecote may have an unconventional layout,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55but it does answer the criteria on their wish list,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59giving them a large modern kitchen, three bedrooms,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01a garden with an orchard
0:15:01 > 0:15:05and it puts them in the heart of a vibrant village community.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Well, when we first arrived, I saw a quirky
0:15:10 > 0:15:15and exciting challenge, but going into the house
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and seeing the various rooms around the house,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I thought it was interesting,
0:15:21 > 0:15:26but the thing that put me off was the stairs, because I think that as
0:15:26 > 0:15:32we get older, I don't want to be going up and down three flights of stairs.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34That would be too much of a challenge for me.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35When I first saw this house
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I thought it wasn't quite what I wanted -
0:15:38 > 0:15:42too many floors. When you see inside, it's actually quite interesting.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46I don't know whether it's quite for us, so I just think
0:15:46 > 0:15:47we need to have a think about that
0:15:47 > 0:15:49and perhaps see what else you have to offer us.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Well, there we are. Property number one. We started with quirky for you.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56You certainly did!
0:15:56 > 0:16:00The question is, what's next? Let's go and find out.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19A typical scene played out on village greens across England
0:16:19 > 0:16:20is the game of cricket,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24one of the country's most popular home-grown sports.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Although its origins are disputed,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29the use of a basic ball of wool or rags to bowl
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and a bat in the form of a shepherd's crooked staff
0:16:32 > 0:16:34reveals that the roots of the game are distinctly rural
0:16:34 > 0:16:38before it became the sport of high society in the 18th century.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Worcestershire's own sporting heritage is bound up in the sport,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46with over 50 active cricket clubs in the county, meaning our
0:16:46 > 0:16:50sport-loving couple will only be a backswing away from this most
0:16:50 > 0:16:52traditional of British pastimes.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55With that in mind, earlier in the week, we arranged for them
0:16:55 > 0:16:58to visit the old village forge in the hamlet of Drayton, where
0:16:58 > 0:17:02passionate cricket brothers Mike and Rob Hawk have turned their hand
0:17:02 > 0:17:05to making cricket bats for the past 16 years.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10What are the stages in making a bat?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13It looks a long way from that to what we know as a cricket bat.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15We'll draw the face off this to decide where
0:17:15 > 0:17:18we're going to make the cricket bat from, which is going to be
0:17:18 > 0:17:21the hitting area, and then we'll move it through a pressing process.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23After it's pressed, it's roughly shaped
0:17:23 > 0:17:27and then the handle is fitted, and when the two are married together
0:17:27 > 0:17:32it has a basic shape of a cricket bat and then it's finally shaped,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35sanded and re-pressed for its total performance.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39The art of the bat maker is to make that sweet spot
0:17:39 > 0:17:40as big as possible.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Why don't we pick this one up, go through to the workshop and start the process?
0:17:44 > 0:17:45- OK.- That'd be good, great.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46Carry on.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51In its raw form, the cricket bat is known as a cleft.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54The brothers use British-sourced materials throughout
0:17:54 > 0:17:57the process, which happens here in their workshop.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02I'm going to show you the first stage, which is drawing the cleft.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We're going to work the wood backwards here to find out
0:18:05 > 0:18:06which is the best area
0:18:06 > 0:18:08to make the hitting area of the cricket bat from.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12We put the drawknife at a slight angle
0:18:12 > 0:18:15and work it through and across.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Work from the edge.
0:18:17 > 0:18:23- If you want to try that. - OK, thank you. I'll give it a go!
0:18:26 > 0:18:30It's actually harder than it looks just to get it smooth.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I think I need a lot more practice at this, Mike!
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Mike and his brother can make up to 25 bats every week.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Next up in the process is pressing the wood.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Now we've reached the final pressing process.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47This puts the final performance into the bat.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Does it ever crack the bat?
0:18:53 > 0:18:54Sometimes, yes, if you get it wrong
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and also it causes the performance to die away
0:18:57 > 0:18:59if you press it too much.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00If it's pressed too softly,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04the ball can damage the face in every bat, if it's done like that.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08It's not done to a certain poundage, it's all down to hand and eye.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Right, if you just tap onto the face in this area
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and see what you think of the performance.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18So, with this bat needing a little more finessing, Mike is taking
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Lyndon and Paula out to have a quick practise with the finished products.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Oh, Lyn!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Now that they've had a playful reminder of English sporting
0:19:30 > 0:19:34tradition, let's hope they don't get caught out as we return
0:19:34 > 0:19:35to our property search.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44For our second house, we're heading to Alveley, which just nudges us
0:19:44 > 0:19:46over the border into Shropshire.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Surrounded by countryside, this village has a number of historic
0:19:50 > 0:19:55pubs, as well as a post office and a church dating back to 1140.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58On the outskirts of Alveley, we find our second property,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01a mid-19th century farm worker's cottage
0:20:01 > 0:20:03set on a quiet country lane.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- There. That is property number two.- OK.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- Aw!- A much more conventional approach, we thought, on this one
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- than property number one... - I like it.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17..with a very nice surprise in the garden.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- Really? Ah, yes.- We're looking forward to that.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21So, yes, I think, hopefully,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- this will feel a little bit more like home.- Outside, appealing.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- Is it appealing?- Yes.- In what way?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31I just like the look of the style,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35I like the fact that it's got some frontage for cars
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and I like the fact that it's in a lane,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- so it's got a country feel about it.- OK.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Let's have a look and see what you think.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47'With the thumbs up for the style and setting of this one,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50'I'm hoping those positive reactions continue as we pass through
0:20:50 > 0:20:54'the dining area and head towards the kitchen.'
0:20:54 > 0:20:56There we are.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- Oil-fired range for you. - That's lovely.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00So, if you want that country feel...
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Yes.- A nice kitchen. - A nice kitchen, plenty of space.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07And this sense of open-plan that we've hinted at,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10coming through from the dining room into here, is it big enough?
0:21:10 > 0:21:14I know we were talking about you having a chance to chat to Lyndon...
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- I'll find a way with that! Yes.- OK. - No, that's fine.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24Now, through there is a downstairs loo and a door through to the garage,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- which is quite handy.- Excellent. - So, if it's chucking it down
0:21:27 > 0:21:29and you want to unload the car, that's fairly straightforward.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32And a little hint of the garden beyond.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Great. Living room.- OK. - Come through here.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Oh, wow.- Yes?- Look at that!
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Plenty of character, lovely. You like that?
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Yes, I like that, I do. It's been modernised, so I like it.
0:21:51 > 0:21:57- So, it's got a touch of Australian modernism.- Yes. That's fine.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02There's also a large conservatory with views onto the garden.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05But before we head outside, let's explore upstairs, where
0:22:05 > 0:22:10there are three bedrooms, including a large double and a single.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Plenty of room for when visiting friends and family come to stay.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16There's also, of course, the master.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19See if you can squeeze in...
0:22:19 > 0:22:20to your bit.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Now, this is the focus of your interest, I think,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27because it's got the en suite with the shower next door.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30But obviously, across the landing we've got the main family
0:22:30 > 0:22:33bathroom, guest bathroom, call it what you will.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- Smaller than we're used to. - Yes.- But...
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- We'd never get a bedroom as big as the last two.- No, we're not.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I think we're scoring quite well on this one, aren't we?
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- We are.- We certainly are.- OK. Good.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Well, we've given you a conservatory,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- I keep teasing you with the surprise that's in the garden...- OK.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52I'm going to give you something you're going to love.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- OK, OK.- I promise you.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56If you don't, I'm in real trouble!
0:22:58 > 0:23:01'Outside, the garden itself is mainly laid to lawn
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'and will be easy for them to maintain.'
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Look at this weather. Beautiful!
0:23:06 > 0:23:09You see what I mean by a more manageable garden?
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- Oh, definitely. That is just right. - Yeah.- Yes, yes.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16But what about that?
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- That looks interesting!- As garden offices go, that is a beauty.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22That looks perfect!
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Ready?- Yes.- Yes.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- I love this.- Oh, yes.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37That's really impressive.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39If you can't write a book in here, Lyndon...
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- It looks great. - ..you're not trying.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- This is a modern den, definitely. - A modern den.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50- The question is, of course, can we afford it?- Yes, that's the question.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55- Give us a price.- Honestly, I think it would be over our budget.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57I'd probably say about 420.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00420,000? Yes.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06I would like to think it was less than that, so on a positive note,
0:24:06 > 0:24:11- I'm going to say our budget of 400,000.- 400,000.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15If only it were 400,000. I'm afraid it's not 400,000,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19nor is it £420,000.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22You would have to fork out the grand sum
0:24:22 > 0:24:24of £365,000.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Yes!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Seriously? How about that?! Oh, yes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35- That is great! - I'm gobsmacked.- I like it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Right, then, off you go. Go and explore.- All right, thank you.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Go and enjoy what could be your new house.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I'm in the mood for a bit of writing. Might go and sit down.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Well, our buyers are delighted with the price tag,
0:24:52 > 0:24:57which, at £365,000, comes well in under budget.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Set in a rural location,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03the house is full of character with a large kitchen and three bedrooms.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Outside, there's a generous garden
0:25:05 > 0:25:07that's easy to maintain, and finally,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11in the words of Lyndon, a modern den at the bottom of the garden,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14a perfect retreat in which to write a book.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Immediately, I felt it was the type of house that we were looking for.
0:25:18 > 0:25:24Then the view going out onto the garden with the office at the bottom.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25That was amazing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30A little bit small for us, so that would be my reservation.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36But I think with some adaptation that we could work around that.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37This is definitely a contender.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39We could see ourselves moving in here
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and living here straightaway, which is a real plus.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46The only negative side to the house is the space upstairs.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50There's a lovely studio at the end of the garden, which really is super
0:25:50 > 0:25:56and the sort of place where I could write in. The ultimate male den.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Good, well...
0:25:59 > 0:26:03As quick as a flash, our house tour of property number two is over.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08- But I do think it worked rather well.- It did. It worked very well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09Definitely.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12OK, you've got lots to think about overnight, but not forgetting,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14of course, it's an early start.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Our mystery house beckons tomorrow morning.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Are you going to sleep well, I wonder?!
0:26:32 > 0:26:35As the sun sets over the Worcestershire countryside,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37our buyers have a chance to mull over
0:26:37 > 0:26:41the properties they've seen during their first day of house hunting.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49With a budget of £400,000, Lyndon and Paula want to move back
0:26:49 > 0:26:52to rural Britain after spending five years in Australia.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55So far, we've taken them to two contrasting homes.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57One with unique historic bones,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01while the second had a fantastic writing studio.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03So, could what's coming up in the mystery house
0:27:03 > 0:27:05keep their dream afloat?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07And I'll be ramping up a gear
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and experiencing Worcestershire at high speed.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Oh, my God!
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Well, with one more day to go, we have just a few hours left
0:27:20 > 0:27:24to complete our house search with Paula and Lyndon.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27But what, I wonder, are they going to make of our final offering,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29the mystery house?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Well, following time-honoured tradition, it will challenge them
0:27:32 > 0:27:34and with a bit of imagination, I think,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37could produce the perfect family home for their future...
0:27:37 > 0:27:39with any luck.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44So, have either of you ever lived in the country before?
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I certainly have because I was actually born in a small village.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49A village called Highley,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51which is between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Yes.- I lived there until I went up to medical school.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57You might catch a glimpse of that later. You never know.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59That would be interesting!
0:28:00 > 0:28:02For our mystery property,
0:28:02 > 0:28:06we're heading to the village of Lindridge, set in the Teme Valley.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Lyndon and Paula are keen to reacquaint themselves with the
0:28:09 > 0:28:13British countryside, and we think it's hard to beat our final location.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Our mystery house was a grade II listed barn conversion that
0:28:20 > 0:28:24has huge potential, which really means it needs some work.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28But Paula wanted a swimming pool and her wish is my command.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Right, we're going to start, on the mystery house, in the garden,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34because of that.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- Oh, my goodness.- Yes, you said we wouldn't find a pool!
0:28:38 > 0:28:46- I know. I did. That is fantastic. - It's a beauty, isn't it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48- I can't believe it, really.- I know!
0:28:48 > 0:28:53There's even a hot tub down there, a little pool house. It's heated.
0:28:53 > 0:28:54That's the pool, all right?
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I thought we'd go for the big sell first, on this one.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01- Let's think about the property. This is what I want you to look at.- OK.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- It's the bit to the left of those two white gables.- OK.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Now, originally, it was all one property
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- and they are in the process of doing up this one.- Oh, right, OK.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12And it slightly works in reverse
0:29:12 > 0:29:15because it's been done up from the top down.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18So, as you'll see, the kitchen and some of the ground floor
0:29:18 > 0:29:22reception rooms are, you know, a work in progress, shall we say?
0:29:22 > 0:29:26What's interesting is that this house was once owned by the parents of Douglas Adams,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- who wrote Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.- Oh, right.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31It's thought that quite a lot of that was penned
0:29:31 > 0:29:33in one of the spare rooms here.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37- So, if you do as well as he did, mate!- It's got a writing legacy.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Well, exactly. You could be the next writing incumbent, who knows!
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Come and have a look inside.- OK.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47'Paula is thrilled with the swimming pool.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51'As for Lyndon, he seems both inspired and intrigued,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55'so let's carry on our journey into the unknown and explore inside.'
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- There.- OK, that's a nice, big kitchen.- Yeah.- Isn't it?
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- Great scale.- Yeah, that's a lovely big kitchen.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10And you can configure it exactly how you want it to be.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14In terms of a project, Lyndon, you've gone very quiet.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16- Certainly possibilities.- Yeah.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18"Possibilities"! Yeah, I'm not convinced!
0:30:18 > 0:30:20You're thinking, "Oh, no, what have you done?"
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- I'm trying to be imaginative. - Go for it.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- Just take off the bridle and be as imaginative as you can be!- OK.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29All right? Come this way.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Now, off the kitchen, through this little hallway,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39is this, which I think is quite sweet, really. It's a little snug.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- OK, yeah.- Yeah.- Wood burner.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48But given the kitchen-diner would be a very big value room anyway,
0:30:48 > 0:30:53- I think one could begin to see how the spaces might work.- OK, yeah.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Yeah?- Yeah.- Lyndon...
0:30:55 > 0:30:56THEY LAUGH
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- ..it gets better, mate, trust me! - OK, OK!- We'll go up.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03On this floor, there's also a cloakroom
0:31:03 > 0:31:07and a utility room that also need a bit of updating, but upstairs,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11there are four bedrooms laid out over two other levels.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Three of them are on the first floor.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17There are a pair of good-sized doubles that showcase
0:31:17 > 0:31:19and include exposed timbers.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21One of them has its own en suite
0:31:21 > 0:31:25and the family bathroom is perfectly positioned next to the master.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31Let's wind it up...in here.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32I like this one because it's vaulted.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37- You've got this lovely open space... - That is nice.- ..above, all done.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40It's not en suite, but there is one down the corridor if you want that.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- Love the windows. Again, two views. - Yes.- That's absolutely great.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46It's a bit away from my comfort zone
0:31:46 > 0:31:49to be thinking in terms of lots of beams.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54It's not something which I have been used to and my head is tuned into.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Interesting. What about you?
0:31:56 > 0:32:00I'm more comfortable with it, but then on the other hand,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02do I want to live with him if he's uncomfortable?
0:32:02 > 0:32:05BOTH MEN LAUGH
0:32:05 > 0:32:08I hope you recognise that what we've been able to show you
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- here is scale.- Sure.- And the pool, come on!
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- And the views.- That's... - The pool and the views.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- Those are certainly bonus points. - Yeah, let's take another look at those and we'll talk about
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- the price, cos that might persuade you - you never know.- OK.- OK.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24The beams are also a feature of the fourth bedroom up in the attic,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27which also has its own shower room.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30As we move outside, though, I sense our buyers
0:32:30 > 0:32:33are being really tested by this one, although to be honest, the scale
0:32:33 > 0:32:37of the renovation wouldn't be much more than a decorative overhaul.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Mystery house. Which, you can probably tell, I think has got a lot of potential.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48It has, it has got a lot of potential.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52But the price is clearly going to have a major impact
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- on your thoughts here, I suspect. - Mm.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57And you've got £400,000, madam.
0:32:57 > 0:33:04- I would say 295.- You are joking?- No, I'm not.- You are absolutely joking.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06- There you go.- OK. Right, then.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10No, I think it's probably a bit nearer our budget level,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13but it does need some work doing to it
0:33:13 > 0:33:17and I would think 350 would be not unreasonable.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21Yeah, that's a more sensible offer. 375 is what it's on the market for.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24I see an awful lot here in terms of space
0:33:24 > 0:33:27and, in particular, location.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Not just the pool, so bless you, I'm afraid if it was 295,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35they'd be queueing up from here to the county border. It is not.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37We've talked about stretching your imagination.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Go and stretch it a bit more, off you go. OK.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I'll catch up with you later. Brilliant.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Well, there you go. That was our mystery house.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47To be honest, how would I summarise this one?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Well, some you win, some you lose.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Under their budget by £25,000, our mystery property has
0:33:59 > 0:34:02so much potential, it really could make their dream a reality.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07However, I get the feeling our buyers think it's a project too far.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10But for all that, it does have a large kitchen-diner,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13four double bedrooms, two with en suite,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16and a lovely garden with a swimming pool.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23The mystery house was certainly interesting.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25I use the word advisedly!
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I'm not sure whether it's the sort of house which I would
0:34:28 > 0:34:30want to live in, even if it was done up
0:34:30 > 0:34:34to the sort of standards which we can envisage.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37The mystery house was a surprise.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41There was more to do to it than I had anticipated
0:34:41 > 0:34:43but then, on the other hand,
0:34:43 > 0:34:49I was just really amazed that it's got a pool, and that was fantastic.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54I think it would be a little too much of a challenge for us.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- All done?- Mm, yes.- Yes?- All done. - LYNDON LAUGHS
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Look at you - you can't wait to go, can you?
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- Right, then. I think we've shown you some interesting options.- Yes.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- You've still got some thinking to do.- Mm-hm.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08- Let's go think.- OK.- OK.- Come on.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Worcestershire is a rural county featuring open countryside
0:35:24 > 0:35:26and extensive river and canal networks.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Plenty of places to get away from it all for a bit of peace and quiet.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33CAR REVS
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Well, that is...unless you end up at Shelsley Walsh,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39the oldest operational racetrack in the world.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43This famous circuit is also home to one of the oldest motorsport events,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47the Speed Hill Climb organised by the Midland Automobile Club.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I've come to meet two racers, Toby Moody and Mike Cockayne,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54to find out more about its contribution to
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Worcestershire and Britain's sporting history,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59a story that continues to this day.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Now, to anyone driving around this county,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04one thing it is not short of are hills.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06But why did this racetrack end up here?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09The Midland Automobile Club used to have hill climbs on other hills
0:36:09 > 0:36:12in the Midlands, but they were really on public roads.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15In 1905, we came across this little track,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18it was covered in brambles and suchlike, and we made it a bit more
0:36:18 > 0:36:20of a racetrack, and on August 12th that year,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22we had our first hill climb.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24The ghosts of motorsport are here ever since.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Amazing. You make it sound like you were there, Toby!
0:36:26 > 0:36:31- You've aged very well! - I comb out the grey hairs quite well, I rather fancy!
0:36:31 > 0:36:34What is it about a hill climb as opposed to circuit racing
0:36:34 > 0:36:37that really sets it apart? What's in it? Where's the bug?
0:36:37 > 0:36:40You need to be 120% committed straightaway.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- It's the 100-metre sprint, it's the Usain Bolt of motorsport.- It is.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45- You have no second chance.- No.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50Circuit racing, you have maybe a half-hour race, hundreds of corners.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Here at Shelsley, here at hill climbing, it's a one-hit.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56You've got to get the start, the first, the second corner,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59perfect gear changes to the hundredth of a second,
0:36:59 > 0:37:04and now it's gone from a record of some 70 seconds down to 22.5.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10- 22.5 seconds?!- Yes.- 147mph through the top gate to the finish.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Back in those early days of the 20th century,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16pioneers of motoring wanted to prove that their motorised
0:37:16 > 0:37:22horse carts could climb very steep hills - and this is very steep.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26The track climbs 100 metres at an average gradient of 11%,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29but at its steepest, it's as much as 16%.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32I've got a chance to sample the delights of this track today.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Who's going to be my driver?
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- I'll certainly offer you a ride in my Healey.- This is a beauty, Mike.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38When does that date from?
0:37:38 > 0:37:421962, the car was built, with about 200 brake horsepower at the wheels.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- It's a nice, quick car. - Gosh, it's very low, isn't it?
0:37:46 > 0:37:50- Is that as wide as it gets?- Yes!- OK.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- Well, that feels... - Yes, secure.- Secure!
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- OK?- Yep.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58ENGINE STARTS
0:38:07 > 0:38:08REVVING
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- So, that's the tyres warm.- Yes. - OK, right.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15REVVING
0:38:19 > 0:38:20Oh, my God!
0:38:22 > 0:38:25It's terrifying! Oh, my God!
0:38:41 > 0:38:43JULES CHUCKLES
0:38:43 > 0:38:44Oh, my God!
0:38:47 > 0:38:49HE LAUGHS
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Wow!
0:38:51 > 0:38:56That was a very memorable trip down motoring's memory lane
0:38:56 > 0:39:00and to think they've been doing this here since 1905.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- Mike, thank you very much...- It was a pleasure.- ..indeed.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- Absolute pleasure. - Absolutely extraordinary.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- Have we got time for one more?- Yeah. - One more, right, we're off.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10See you later.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Playing with fast cars on a racetrack,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21as you could probably tell,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23that really was my idea of a great day out
0:39:23 > 0:39:27and it's a nice analogy, because we are, of course, speeding towards
0:39:27 > 0:39:30the end of the show, but there is one more question to ask
0:39:30 > 0:39:33and that is, have we managed to find Paula and Lyndon
0:39:33 > 0:39:35their new dream home of the future?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Well, they are in there thinking about it. Let's go and ask them.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Well, here we are, then. Several thousand miles from Australia.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Have we managed to satisfy you
0:39:51 > 0:39:55in terms of any of the properties that we've had a chance to look at?
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- We started with our very quirky dovecote.- Mm-hm.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00What were your thoughts on that one?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I thought it was interesting, I thought it was quirky,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05but probably not for us.
0:40:05 > 0:40:11- Because of it being on four floors. - Yep.- And also the size of it.- Yep.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- It was a bit too small.- OK. Lyndon?- Yeah, I felt the same.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19That it wasn't quite the sort of property that we had in mind.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22It was just the house wasn't exactly what we wanted.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Then we went to property two which, as we said,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27was a much more conventional approach
0:40:27 > 0:40:30with that fantastic studio in the garden.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- What are your thoughts on that one? Cos that seemed to go rather well. - Yeah.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37There really isn't anything I don't like about the property,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40with the exception of the size, probably.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43It'd have to be a readjustment of thought
0:40:43 > 0:40:48- on downsizing our furniture.- OK.- But I really liked the property.- Lyndon?
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Yeah, I think one of the really nice things about that property
0:40:52 > 0:40:55was the conservatory. That's the sort of property we'd like,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57the sort of conservatory,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59that lovely studio office in the bottom of the garden.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Those were real positive points. We could live there.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05That's really what you need to do, to think, "Could I live there?"
0:41:05 > 0:41:09- The answer is, "Yes, we could live there."- Yep.- Good, OK.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13- So, it's still on the agenda? - Yep.- Still on the agenda.- Now, then.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16I know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it anyway.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Is our mystery house on the agenda?
0:41:19 > 0:41:21ALL LAUGH
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I think there are two issues there, really, with that house.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27One is the fact that it's still a work in progress.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31That's something I found a bit difficult to come to terms with.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Also, its location. It's a bit far away from the sort of area
0:41:35 > 0:41:37we were looking at as a central hub.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Well, I did try and sell it to you as best I could.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42- I know. - But I was clearly pushing uphill!
0:41:42 > 0:41:44So, where do we go from here?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47You've got just a few weeks till all the gear turns up.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- The pressure's on. - Well, actually, that's quite easy.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55I'm going to get some family to come and have a look at property two,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59because I really like that property and I feel I could live there.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02- As a reintroduction back to UK, it was spot-on.- Brilliant.- It was.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Guys, I'm delighted.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- Do have a look at property two.- I will.- And let us know how you get on.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I'd love to hear that you've managed to buy it - and soon!
0:42:12 > 0:42:13THEY LAUGH
0:42:19 > 0:42:22You know, in some respects, there have been some obvious
0:42:22 > 0:42:25frustrations for Paula and Lyndon on this house search.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27They've had to leave behind a home in Australia which
0:42:27 > 0:42:31they built from scratch and which, in many ways, was perfect for them.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Then they had to reconcile the idea that the English property market
0:42:34 > 0:42:38is essentially second-hand. Fitting yourself into somebody else's home
0:42:38 > 0:42:42is never an easy business, but hopefully in property number two
0:42:42 > 0:42:45we've found a working solution, which is just as well,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48because in a few weeks' time, they'll be reunited
0:42:48 > 0:42:51with all of their worldly goods, so whatever they do,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54they're going to have to do it fast. I'll see you next time.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Lyndon and Paula did go back to see house number two
0:42:59 > 0:43:04and I'm delighted to say they've put in an offer, which has been accepted.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06So, they're set to move to the country very soon.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Northern Ireland or England, and would like our help,
0:43:13 > 0:43:19then please apply online at:
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