Sussex Escape to the Country


Sussex

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Behind me is the Jacobean home to Britain's first-ever winner

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of the Nobel Prize for literature.

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After a childhood in India, then later America,

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he eventually found solace in this beautiful part of the country.

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So, which globetrotting author am I referring to,

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and where exactly am I?

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Find out in just a moment.

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Today, a high-flying pair are heading south

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in pursuit of a country pad and more.

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This would be ours, and the guests would be elsewhere.

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This is our space to enjoy.

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Let's see how nice the rest of it is before we give it up.

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LAUGHTER

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And we've got plenty of mouthwatering surprises to serve up on the menu.

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Eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms,

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bubble and squeak, black pudding.

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-You forgot the blueberry pancakes.

-Oh, that's in the oven, my friend.

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Today, I'm in Sussex, and this is Bateman's,

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home to poet and author Rudyard Kipling,

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perhaps best remembered for The Jungle Book

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and his Just So Stories.

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Kipling moved to this house, down the road from Burwash, in 1902

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at the age of 37,

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at the height of his fame.

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He saw Bateman's and the Sussex countryside

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as a place of respite from his new-found celebrity.

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One of his favourite pastimes was being chauffeur-driven around

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the lanes of his beloved Sussex

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in his Rolls-Royce Phantom,

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taking in the sights and drawing upon them

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as places in his stories and poems.

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And I must say, even today,

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as you drive around this beautiful county

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it's quite easy to see how it was such an inspiration.

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The counties of East and West Sussex

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are situated in the South of England,

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and are bordered by three other counties,

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with the southernmost edge running along the English Channel.

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Stretching from the holiday resorts of Camber Sands in the East

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to Chichester in the West,

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the region's coast couldn't be more diverse.

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From Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain

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rearing up to 530 feet with its vertical drop to the sea,

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to pretty coastal towns such as Rye,

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a port in Norman times.

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Away from the water, Rye's beautifully preserved

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narrow cobbled streets from the Medieval, Tudor and Georgian periods

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tell a story of the town's maritime past.

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In more recent times, the town has been associated with the arts,

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where writers such as HG Wells and Henry James once called home.

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Moving inland is Britain's newest national park,

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the South Downs, straddling both East and West Sussex.

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It only gained its protected status in 2011.

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Here country residences sit alongside crop-filled fields,

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while sheep graze in pasture that rolls away towards the sea.

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So, whether it's the beauty of the rural landscape that appeals,

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the stunning coastline,

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or the classically British towns and villages,

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Sussex is a place that manages to offer a slice of it all.

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As it stands, the average price of a detached house in East Sussex

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comes in at just under £360,000.

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But over in West Sussex, that figure jumps to nearly £430,000,

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a huge £150,000 above the national average.

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Why? Well, there's a huge array of historic property,

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especially around the town of Chichester.

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Plus, direct trains will hit London in under an hour.

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These two factors mean that the price will always be at a premium.

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But be warned, that's not to say

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East Sussex doesn't have its hotspots,

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especially around the towns of Rye and Lewes.

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So, where in Sussex as a whole are today's buyers looking to move?

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Let's meet them and find out.

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-I'm Paul.

-I'm Tony.

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Together we're Tony and Paul.

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LAUGHTER

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Tony and Paul are recent retired university lecturers from Glasgow.

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But they had 4,000 miles between them when they first met.

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We met in Manchester at a social gathering, 12 years ago.

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And at the time I was living in the US

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and we had a long-distance relationship.

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Back then Tony was a flight attendant on transatlantic flights,

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but after four years of commuting

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he decided to make Glasgow his home to be with Paul.

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We got married on the very first day that was legal in Scotland,

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in December 16th of 2014.

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We're living in a terrace house, built in about 1908.

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We've done extensive stuff since Tony has been here.

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That kitchen had to go.

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So, the month before I moved in,

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we had the kitchen and the bathroom torn out

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and redone to my design

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so I could work in it.

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The couple have had a great seven years in the Scottish city,

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but it couldn't be further away from Tony's old life across the pond.

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I've enjoyed living in Glasgow.

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I enjoy the city. I enjoy the people.

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The climate...

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is horrendous.

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I was born in Florida,

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and lived most of my life in the South of the US.

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So, coming to a place

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where you have the heat on and fire on in June

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is quite an adjustment.

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So, with their working days behind them,

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Paul and Tony have decided they'd like to say farewell

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to the wetter weather and their Scottish house

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in the hope they'll spend their retirement in warmer climes

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close to the sea in Sussex.

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I know the south coast because my mother lived there.

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And visiting her, coming from here, it's always sunny.

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And being retired, I expect to spend more time outside.

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And it'll be really nice to get into some gardening

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and be able to entertain in the garden.

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We're very social, so we like to have friends around.

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So, having a space that's welcoming and warm

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to accommodate people is a must.

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With more socialising and coastal walks together,

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as well as cooking and gardening high on the agenda,

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Tony also had grand plans to do a bit of work when they move,

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making a small income from home.

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I've had experience with B&Bs, helping my cousins

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with their five-star B&B in the US.

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So, I saw what they did and how they did it,

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and what worked and what didn't.

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Also, I've taught hospitality management for the past six years.

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So, I think I'm ready to go it on my own.

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But most of all, this committed couple

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are just looking forward to a new and relaxed life.

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We want to move to a place where we're happy,

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where we can be together

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and enjoy the things that we both like to do,

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separately and together, while we still can.

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So with their home sold and work ties to Glasgow no more,

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Paul and Tony are more than ready

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for the next stage in their life together,

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and the first house they've bought together.

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Every move is a different lifestyle. Every move is a change.

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So I'm prepared that it's going to be different.

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It's a challenge,

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and if you don't challenge yourself you just stagnate.

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Paul and Tony have asked us to focus their search close to the coast

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between the towns of Hastings in East Sussex

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and Chichester in West Sussex.

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Before we get out of the starting blocks in search of a sunny home,

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I'm meeting them in the county

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to make sure I know exactly what it is they're looking for.

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So, here we are in Sussex, gentlemen. Good flight down from Glasgow?

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-Yes.

-Good.

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This is your retirement you're looking down the barrel of?

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I'm just very recently retired.

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He's much older than me, so he's been retired for some time.

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So, what are you going to do?

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Well, I'm hoping to do some B&B

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to keep from annoying him all the time.

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So I'll have something to keep me busy.

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How low-key can we make this B&B business?

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Pretty low-key.

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I think the thing is,

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it would be nice to have some money from a B&B

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which was also an occupation that we enjoyed.

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It really is going to be a part-time thing.

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What about the property itself,

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what does it look like in your mind's eye?

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I'm quite open to any suggestions.

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I'm more concerned about how the house feels

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and how the rooms flow into each other.

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I think that's far more important than style.

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I like the idea of a very old place,

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and there are some of those around here.

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I want a garden.

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You want to grow things in your garden?

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Yes, and we want to have flowers.

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We want to have a tiny bit of vegetables.

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But not so big that you need a ride-on mower.

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He would be treacherous on a ride-on mower.

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-Oh, right, OK.

-Well, yeah.

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How many bedrooms do you want?

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I would say three bedrooms and a study, or four bedrooms.

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What about the location for your property?

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Do you want to be close to a community or do you want to just see that?

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Well, I think we want to be at the edge of a village, certainly.

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-I don't think we want a house in the middle of a field...

-OK.

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..with only fields around.

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How much money you looking to spend?

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£600,000.

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But we're willing to take on a bit of a project.

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Well, I got a good idea of what you're looking for.

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Let's get started. Come with me.

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For their budget of £600,000,

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Paul and Tony are hoping for a 2-in-1

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with their plans for a home and a B&B.

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They're open to the style of property they'd have,

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but they'd like the rooms to have a good flow.

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Tony would love a great kitchen,

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and Paul wants a garden they can entertain in.

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They'd like four bedrooms, or three plus a study.

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And location-wise, they prefer to be

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on the edge of a village.

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We've chosen a tempting trio of properties for Paul and Tony to view.

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But they'll only be furnished with the price of each

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after they've toured it.

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The final visit to the mystery house

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will definitely give them something to think about,

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as it a veers slightly off-piste from requirements

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but still manages to have so much to offer.

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To kick off our search, we're starting in East Sussex

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in the village of Ninfield,

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just over four miles from the seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea.

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There's an expansive pebbled beach here

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overlooked by a charming promenade, perfect for a seaside stroll.

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Ten minutes away, the village of Ninfield

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is served by a good selection of amenities,

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including a store and post office,

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traditional dining pubs,

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a village green,

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and a library housed in an attractive red-brick Edwardian building.

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On the outskirts of the village

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is this single-storey classic Sussex brick-and-flint cottage,

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thought to date back to the 1800s,

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with an extension built just three years ago.

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What's your first impression?

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What's the sort of vibe you get when you first see this place?

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I like the house, I like the look of it from the outside.

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It looks very cottagey, cos of the style of the garden with the steps.

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Well, the house itself is.

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Now, Tony, what's going through your mind?

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It's all one level, which is not a bad thing at all.

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-He's not getting any younger. So...

-Hey!

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I like the flint on the outside and the tile.

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-So, first impressions sound pretty good.

-Pretty good.

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Let's look inside.

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We're beginning our tour to the left of the front door

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in the breakfast room, which flows into the kitchen.

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OK, so, you've got these sort of cottagey proportions

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when you first walk in, haven't you?

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But...

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keep coming with me and...

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-Oh, wow!

-You're rewarded, aren't you?

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-Yes, actually.

-Boy, it really opens up, doesn't it?

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-Yeah.

-My initial impression is this would be ours...

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-Yeah.

-And the guests would be elsewhere.

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So, this is our private space. This is our space to enjoy.

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Let's see how nice the rest of it is before we give it up.

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LAUGHTER

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-Let me show you that living room.

-OK.

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The recent extension enlarged the kitchen

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and created the family room behind it,

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and includes a fabulous conservatory

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with a splendid outlook over the garden.

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Next door to the family room, and also at the back of the property,

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is a large lounge-diner.

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Now, then.

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-Look at this.

-Oh, yes.

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It's picturesque, isn't it?

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Yeah, see, I think this would be... For B&B this would be perfect.

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It's a lounge for the guests,

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a sit-down-and-eat-for-breakfast area for the guests.

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And it's separate, so they don't feel like they're underfoot,

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but it's also convenient.

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Since we're actually thinking about doing the B&B

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as not the main core of our life,

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then even if they had this space and this was where the guests were,

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we would be here a lot.

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Let's go and take a look at the bedrooms.

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Oh, yeah, bedrooms.

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You've got to sleep somewhere.

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Now, let's start with what I think would be your master bedroom.

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Yes, it is very nice.

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-Big enough?

-Yes.

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Oh, definitely.

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So this, I think, would remain your bedroom.

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OK?

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-Let's keep walking through.

-OK.

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So, that's the fourth bedroom or study, OK.

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Now, you've got a really nice family bathroom in here.

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-Oh, yes!

-I love the 1920s look of it.

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Yeah.

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A double bedroom here.

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Separate access to outside, there.

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-Oh, that's good.

-That's a good idea.

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And then you've got yet another bedroom here.

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That looks exactly the same size as the other one - well, nearly.

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As a guest you'd be pretty happy with this place?

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Oh, yes, yes, yes.

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-With the view, with the storage. Certainly.

-Yeah.

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So, let's go outside and have a look at the garden.

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That's right up your street.

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That's what I want to have a look at.

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Outside, there's a patio leading to a large, well-maintained garden,

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where the cottage's solar panels are visible.

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They save around £1,000 on energy costs each year -

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a handy saving, as the cash could be ploughed back

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into the marvellous half-acre garden.

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Now, then, Paul. Green-fingered Paul.

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-You look behind you, you can see some raised beds.

-Yeah.

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Just beyond those conifers.

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This is absolutely a perfect size of garden.

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-Is it?

-Yeah.

-You look over there...

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that small building there with the flint detail on the wall.

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Yes.

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That's a double garage, with a man cave at the back of it.

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That has previously held planning consent...

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-Really?

-For conversion to residential accommodation.

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-Two-bedroom residential accommodation.

-Wow!

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Oh, that would be great!

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How much do you think this property is on the market for, gentlemen?

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I'm... going to take a stab

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at 565 with my fingers crossed.

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I think it's 580.

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The estate agent is asking for

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between £575,000 and £625,000.

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Go back into the house, refresh your memories,

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and I'll meet you whenever you're done.

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-Thank you so much.

-See you in a moment.

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If Paul and Tony manage to get this 19th century property

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for the bottom end of the guide price

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they'd still have £25,000

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to help transform it into the B&B

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that Tony's got his heart set on.

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Two generous-sized reception areas

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would allow privacy for and from guests.

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Plus, there are just the number of bedrooms they want,

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with the option to create even more rooms in the garage.

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And the outside space

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is just what gardening-loving Paul is hoping for.

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It's nice to find something that has age and character

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and is all one level.

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I like the house, I really do.

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It's cute without being cutesy.

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It's period without being restrictive.

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I can stand up in most of the rooms

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and walk through most of the doorways.

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It's all got potential.

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Liveability for us, if it were just for us,

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would be pretty close to spot-on.

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However, to make it into a B&B with en-suite bathrooms,

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that would take some thought and some work

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and, of course, a bit of money.

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So, we'd have to really figure that in

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before we decided to go with this one.

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So, gentlemen, how much would you pay per night

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to stay in a room in this place?

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I think £50, £55 a night.

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-I'd like to stay here.

-Good. That's it, isn't it?

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If you'd like to stay here, hopefully other people would mirror that.

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OK, on to the next one.

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Both East and West Sussex are home to some stunning countryside,

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including the classic scenery of the South Downs to the West.

0:16:590:17:03

And it's in the South Downs National Park

0:17:030:17:05

that the RSPB has a home at Pulborough Brooks,

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a 618-acre nature reserve

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dedicated to the conservation of natural wildlife in the county.

0:17:100:17:15

Nature-lovers Paul and Tony

0:17:150:17:17

are keen to create a garden paradise in their new home,

0:17:170:17:20

and have come to meet Anna Allum, the visitor experience manager here,

0:17:200:17:24

to find out about getting closer to nature.

0:17:240:17:26

We're just wondering what sort of wildlife do you have here?

0:17:260:17:29

What sort of special wildlife do you have?

0:17:290:17:31

Well, it's a fantastic site for lots of different kinds of wildlife.

0:17:310:17:34

So the RSPB are probably best known for their work with birds,

0:17:340:17:37

but actually we're giving all sorts of nature a home here.

0:17:370:17:39

This time of year it's things like the insects that take centre stage,

0:17:390:17:42

so butterflies, dragonflies, moths and things like that.

0:17:420:17:46

Is it something special about this county that draws them here?

0:17:460:17:49

Well, it's a really diverse county.

0:17:490:17:52

We're located in one of the best areas for wildlife

0:17:520:17:54

in the entire country.

0:17:540:17:56

That's because you've got so many different kinds of habitat

0:17:560:17:58

in a really small area.

0:17:580:17:59

Do you mainly do conservation work here

0:17:590:18:01

or are there other things that you do here as well?

0:18:010:18:03

We have a big education programme here,

0:18:030:18:05

so lots of school parties come and visit.

0:18:050:18:07

We do lots of events, so lots of families come and visit.

0:18:070:18:10

We do evening walks, where we go listen

0:18:100:18:12

for nightingales and bats and nightjars and things.

0:18:120:18:14

And summertime ones, where we go looking for insects.

0:18:140:18:17

That's what we're going to do with you today.

0:18:170:18:19

We're going to try doing a big butterfly count.

0:18:190:18:21

Enjoy the sunny weather and all the butterflies that are enjoying the flowers.

0:18:210:18:24

-We can talk a bit about that, but if you're ready to go, let's get started.

-Fantastic.

-Sure.

0:18:240:18:28

A butterfly count is simply counting and recording

0:18:310:18:34

how many butterflies are spotted in a 15-minute period.

0:18:340:18:37

The Big Butterfly Count was started in Sussex five years ago

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and is the world's biggest survey of butterflies.

0:18:410:18:44

Last year, over 44,000 people took part,

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counting almost 560,000 individual butterflies and day-flying moths

0:18:480:18:52

across the UK, and then logging their findings online.

0:18:520:18:56

Butterflies are actually a really important species.

0:18:570:19:00

So, like bumblebees and honeybees, they're good pollinators

0:19:000:19:03

of all of our plants and things.

0:19:030:19:05

So knowing what's happening with them is important for that.

0:19:050:19:08

Also, being the RSPB and being keen on our birds,

0:19:080:19:12

butterflies and moths provide lots of caterpillars

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for those young, hungry birds.

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Making sure the butterfly population is doing well

0:19:150:19:18

helps all sorts of wildlife.

0:19:180:19:20

Anna's taking Paul and Tony to a prime area for butterfly-spotting.

0:19:200:19:24

So, I've brought you here to this meadow.

0:19:240:19:26

I thought it'd be a great place for us to do a big butterfly count,

0:19:260:19:29

because you've got lots of different wild flowers up here. It should be a nice spot.

0:19:290:19:32

Are there any endangered or rare ones that we might run across?

0:19:320:19:35

About three quarters of the UK's butterfly populations

0:19:350:19:38

are actually in decline.

0:19:380:19:39

So, actually quite a few of them are struggling.

0:19:390:19:41

I wouldn't expect any rare ones particularly in this habitat.

0:19:410:19:44

OK, so we've got everything we need.

0:19:440:19:46

We've got our charts. We've got our nets.

0:19:460:19:48

-Let's get started.

-Let's go!

0:19:480:19:49

With their butterfly-counting gear at the ready,

0:19:530:19:56

it's time to try and gently catch

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any of the delicate insects they spot,

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before identifying them on a chart,

0:19:590:20:02

making a note of what they've caught and letting it go.

0:20:020:20:05

You can have a swish if you see one coming past.

0:20:060:20:09

But you don't want to be bashing around with them.

0:20:090:20:11

-We don't want to harm any of them.

-No.

0:20:110:20:13

-Do they go on siesta?

-Yeah?

-LAUGHTER

0:20:130:20:16

It's one there. You get that, I think.

0:20:160:20:18

No, it got away.

0:20:180:20:20

That's a dark-brown one, what would that be?

0:20:210:20:24

I think that was a Ringlet.

0:20:240:20:25

Ringlet. There it is.

0:20:250:20:28

-I got one!

-Well done!

0:20:280:20:30

Can you identify this for us?

0:20:300:20:32

Let's see if we can have a look before it flies off.

0:20:320:20:34

There we go.

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-Did you see it?

-Yeah.

0:20:350:20:37

It looked like a Meadow Brown.

0:20:370:20:39

I think we can be safe and put it down as the Meadow Brown, yeah.

0:20:390:20:41

As you can see, it can be quite tricky catching them with the net.

0:20:410:20:44

-Very difficult to get.

-They're quite speedy.

0:20:440:20:46

You don't have to have a net to do the Big Butterfly Count,

0:20:460:20:49

we've seen quite a few flying around

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-and it's been easier to spot them flying than to catch them.

-Yes.

0:20:500:20:53

So, after their intimate brush with nature,

0:20:540:20:57

Paul and Tony are now completely clued up

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on how to spot these beautiful and fragile creatures

0:21:000:21:03

in their new rural retreat.

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But first, we've got to help them find it.

0:21:050:21:07

For our second property, we are staying in East Essex

0:21:100:21:12

and travelling 10 miles west,

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just outside of the town of Hailsham,

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which is less than 20 minutes' drive from the coast.

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This historic market town has its roots in the 13th century,

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and is centred on the attractive St Mary's Church

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and the market square.

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There's a true blend of old meets new,

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with modern shopping precincts sitting alongside historic buildings

0:21:300:21:34

housing a good mix of shops and eateries.

0:21:340:21:37

The residential streets are peaceful and leafy

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and the town is enveloped by beautiful Sussex countryside.

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Just a few minutes from the centre of town

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is our next offering.

0:21:450:21:47

Now, for option number two,

0:21:500:21:53

we're looking around an up-and-running B&B. All right?

0:21:530:21:57

First impressions?

0:21:570:21:59

Very nice.

0:21:590:22:00

We want somewhere we can live,

0:22:000:22:03

and make a bit of money on the side, as they say.

0:22:030:22:06

Well, this could be that. Come with me.

0:22:060:22:08

This detached house was built in 1938,

0:22:090:22:13

supposedly for the nephew of the lord of the manor nearby.

0:22:130:22:16

It's now in its fifth year running as a B&B.

0:22:160:22:20

We're going inside and heading for the guests' breakfast room,

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which runs from the front to the back of the property,

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with a conservatory behind it overlooking the garden.

0:22:260:22:29

-It's big enough!

-It's big!

0:22:300:22:32

First impressions - I want to walk towards that window,

0:22:320:22:35

-which, I suppose, is a good thing.

-Yeah.

0:22:350:22:37

There's a nice brick fireplace -

0:22:370:22:39

it's OK.

0:22:390:22:40

-"OK" isn't necessarily a home...

-Yeah, it's not singing and dancing

0:22:400:22:44

in this room, but maybe I write my own music, as it were.

0:22:440:22:48

Well, there's nothing sweeter than the sound of cash in a till.

0:22:480:22:51

LAUGHTER

0:22:510:22:52

And that's maybe what this place can give to you.

0:22:520:22:54

-Let's keep walking around.

-OK.

0:22:540:22:56

And happy customers are usually well fed ones.

0:22:590:23:03

So, we're going to where cook of the pair, Tony,

0:23:030:23:05

would prepare the guests' grub.

0:23:050:23:07

Now, the kitchen is by no means open-plan,

0:23:090:23:12

-but it is a chef's...

-No.

0:23:120:23:14

-..paradise! Look at that!

-Yes, it's got lots of bits.

0:23:140:23:18

Eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms,

0:23:180:23:20

bubble and squeak, black pudding!

0:23:200:23:23

You forgot the blueberry pancakes.

0:23:230:23:25

Oh, that's in the oven, my friend.

0:23:250:23:26

Could you work in this environment?

0:23:280:23:29

It's definitely a workable kitchen. Yes, definitely workable.

0:23:290:23:33

It sounds to me like you're starting to get your head around

0:23:330:23:35

the fact that the business element is more than catered for here.

0:23:350:23:39

But we need to remind ourselves that you need a home,

0:23:390:23:41

and what I like about this place is your accommodation is very private.

0:23:410:23:45

-And it's this way.

-Oh, OK.

0:23:450:23:46

Next to the kitchen is a utility room

0:23:490:23:51

and, next to that, at the back of the house,

0:23:510:23:53

is another sitting room,

0:23:530:23:54

again with double doors to the garden.

0:23:540:23:56

It's a nice, cosy space.

0:23:570:24:00

For the way that we live...

0:24:000:24:02

This is OK.

0:24:020:24:03

-This would be a nice-size sanctuary.

-Would it?

-Yeah.

0:24:030:24:07

You've got a really nice modern shower room and loo next door

0:24:070:24:12

and a lovely double bedroom.

0:24:120:24:14

I'm keen on showing you where the money's at.

0:24:140:24:16

-Come with me.

-OK, after you.

0:24:160:24:18

As it stands, this property has five bedrooms.

0:24:210:24:24

There's another one down here,

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originally a separate dining room, also served by a smart bathroom.

0:24:250:24:30

When the owner started her B&B business,

0:24:300:24:32

she made £2,000 in her first year.

0:24:320:24:34

And by year three, she was bringing in £25,000.

0:24:340:24:38

So, if Paul and Tony are up for it,

0:24:380:24:40

they could have a rather nice little earner

0:24:400:24:42

along with their new home.

0:24:420:24:44

Upstairs are three double bedrooms.

0:24:440:24:47

A sunny one in use as a twin with an outlook to the side.

0:24:470:24:51

And there's another rather plush one at the front.

0:24:510:24:54

These two rooms have a shared bathroom between them.

0:24:540:24:57

But we're heading to the third bedroom,

0:24:570:24:59

that spans the depth of the house.

0:24:590:25:01

This is your biggest room, and it's en suite.

0:25:010:25:04

Right. It's a very nice size of a room.

0:25:040:25:06

-It's a room you could spend time in.

-Yeah.

0:25:060:25:09

What I like is the business element is up here -

0:25:090:25:13

we're down there.

0:25:130:25:14

-Let's go out to the garden.

-I really want to do that.

0:25:140:25:17

I know you're keen on that, and that will give you a break

0:25:170:25:19

-from talking all this business about bed-and-breakfast.

-Absolutely.

0:25:190:25:22

-Come on then, let's go.

-There we go.

0:25:220:25:24

Outside there's a garage at the front.

0:25:260:25:28

And then, at the back,

0:25:280:25:30

the perfectly manicured gardens extend to around half an acre,

0:25:300:25:33

surrounded by pretty flower beds and majestic mature trees.

0:25:330:25:36

There's also a patio to the side,

0:25:370:25:39

which the owner's sitting room opens onto.

0:25:390:25:42

The garden is really a sculptural masterpiece, I must say.

0:25:420:25:46

I don't know how she keeps it in this order.

0:25:460:25:48

I'm sort of fearfully thinking about doing it myself.

0:25:480:25:51

-She's got a gardener.

-Ah, very sensible.

0:25:510:25:54

You've had a look around.

0:25:540:25:55

How much do you think this place is on the market for?

0:25:550:25:58

I'm going to say it's probably a bit over our budget.

0:25:580:26:01

I'm going to say 615.

0:26:010:26:03

OK. Paul?

0:26:030:26:04

I don't think it's as much as that.

0:26:040:26:06

I would say 580.

0:26:060:26:08

Asking price...

0:26:080:26:09

is £600,000.

0:26:090:26:11

BOTH: OK.

0:26:110:26:12

It's been on the market quite some time.

0:26:120:26:14

At the same price.

0:26:140:26:16

We fit the profile of the people who might buy it.

0:26:160:26:19

Which might put us in a strong bargaining position.

0:26:190:26:22

Something to think about, but I think now is the time

0:26:220:26:24

to go back into the house

0:26:240:26:25

and really consider, "Could it be a home?"

0:26:250:26:27

All right, I'll meet you when you're done.

0:26:270:26:29

Thank you very much.

0:26:290:26:30

This house couldn't be more suited

0:26:350:26:36

to what Paul and Tony want for their new life.

0:26:360:26:39

And at £600,000,

0:26:390:26:41

it still manages to fall

0:26:410:26:42

right on the nose of their budget.

0:26:420:26:44

It's got all the space they need

0:26:440:26:46

in a home and a B&B,

0:26:460:26:47

with the potential for no less than five bedrooms.

0:26:470:26:51

Outside is not only perfect to keep Paul busy gardening,

0:26:510:26:54

but would also suit their entertaining aspirations too.

0:26:540:26:58

It's a very nice house and the garden is wonderful.

0:26:580:27:02

Walking up to the property gave a wonderful impression.

0:27:020:27:05

It's settled very nicely in the setting here.

0:27:050:27:09

It's a really nice experience to walk around outside.

0:27:090:27:13

The inside...

0:27:130:27:15

while very much a clean slate,

0:27:150:27:18

had some drawbacks.

0:27:180:27:20

For me the big question mark was the kitchen.

0:27:200:27:23

I'm not sure that the kitchen in its present state

0:27:230:27:26

would be usable to cater for a number of people.

0:27:260:27:31

The fact that this is, obviously, a successful B&B

0:27:310:27:34

and a nice house

0:27:340:27:36

is a bit of a trade-off

0:27:360:27:37

to a beautiful house and a possible B&B.

0:27:370:27:40

So, I was thinking...

0:27:430:27:45

that you've got one house each today.

0:27:450:27:48

I think that's a fair assessment.

0:27:480:27:50

So, tonight, over dinner, it's all about an arm wrestle

0:27:500:27:53

about who gets their own way,

0:27:530:27:55

-ahead of the mystery property tomorrow, yeah?

-Yes.

0:27:550:27:57

-Well, I always let him have my way.

-Good man!

0:27:570:28:00

It's day two of our Sussex search

0:28:110:28:13

for a country home where Paul and Tony from Glasgow

0:28:130:28:16

can spend their retirement.

0:28:160:28:18

They've got £600,000 to spend on a property,

0:28:180:28:21

which Tony is hoping will come with B&B potential,

0:28:210:28:25

even though that's not at the top of Paul's wish list.

0:28:250:28:28

We've still got a visit to the mystery house to come,

0:28:280:28:30

which will require the pair to employ some creative thinking.

0:28:300:28:33

Have the cattle moved out?

0:28:340:28:36

-Yes, thank you.

-The cattle have been converted. Right.

0:28:360:28:39

And I'll be learning how an ancient battle technique

0:28:390:28:42

is enjoyed as a sport today.

0:28:420:28:43

Clearly what we saw yesterday

0:28:490:28:50

is that Paul and Tony do want different things

0:28:500:28:53

when it comes to this new property down here in Sussex.

0:28:530:28:56

So, today we're going to take a gamble with the mystery property,

0:28:560:28:59

and that is moving this business element out of the equation.

0:28:590:29:04

But in doing so, it'll allow us to show Paul and Tony

0:29:040:29:08

a really nice countryside property in a fantastic rural location.

0:29:080:29:13

But there's the other gamble -

0:29:130:29:15

the location of the mystery house may well be to rural.

0:29:150:29:18

We won't find out until we show them.

0:29:180:29:20

For our mystery house,

0:29:230:29:24

we're journeying some 40 miles west into West Sussex

0:29:240:29:27

and to the hamlet of Bilsham,

0:29:270:29:29

which is just south of the village of the Yapton.

0:29:290:29:32

Yapton has its own local hall and a number of knapped-flint buildings,

0:29:320:29:36

including the parish church, which dates back to the 13th century.

0:29:360:29:40

Nearby is the attractive coastal village of Middleton-on-Sea.

0:29:400:29:44

Here there's a farm shop, a selection of restaurants,

0:29:440:29:47

and all the essentials, as well as local artisan traders.

0:29:470:29:52

Then, there's the beautiful stretch of sandy beach,

0:29:520:29:54

ideal for bathing and coastal walks.

0:29:540:29:57

A three-minute drive and we're in Bilsham

0:29:580:30:00

at our third and final property -

0:30:000:30:01

the mystery house.

0:30:010:30:03

This striking former barn.

0:30:030:30:05

Now, for our mystery house we are going along the conversion route.

0:30:060:30:11

-Indeed.

-What say you?

0:30:110:30:13

-Have the cattle moved out?

-Yes, thank you.

0:30:130:30:15

The cattle have been converted.

0:30:150:30:17

-The setting's wonderful.

-It is lovely, it really is.

-Quiet.

0:30:170:30:23

-The occasional sheep vocalising.

-Yes!

0:30:230:30:26

First impression's quite good.

0:30:260:30:28

I'm withholding judgments.

0:30:280:30:30

-Let's have a look inside.

-OK.

0:30:300:30:31

This brick and flint converted barn

0:30:330:30:35

was built over 200 years ago to house livestock.

0:30:350:30:39

It became a residential property in 1970,

0:30:390:30:41

and today the current owners have already moved out.

0:30:410:30:45

It sets out in an L shape,

0:30:450:30:46

and we're entering through the front door into the hallway,

0:30:460:30:49

which leads to an ultramodern kitchen-diner.

0:30:490:30:52

OK.

0:30:520:30:53

Now, let's start in Tony's room.

0:30:530:30:58

Yes, yes. A nice layout, very open.

0:30:580:31:01

Good work surfaces. Yeah, good start.

0:31:020:31:05

The kitchen is huge.

0:31:050:31:06

If this was the heart of the home, it certainly would be a big heart.

0:31:060:31:11

And it just has to be that, just a kitchen-diner.

0:31:110:31:14

You've got a fantastic living room through there.

0:31:140:31:16

-So let me show you.

-OK.

0:31:160:31:18

I know you talked about a flow, but I also like the fact

0:31:190:31:22

your living room can be made completely separate

0:31:220:31:24

from the smells of burning next-door. LAUGHTER

0:31:240:31:27

-I like the living room.

-Nicely proportioned.

-Right shape.

0:31:270:31:30

It lends itself to entertaining and to relaxing.

0:31:300:31:34

As you can tell, with this mystery house

0:31:340:31:37

-the business element has taken very much a back seat.

-Right.

0:31:370:31:41

I'm trying to be your best mate today.

0:31:410:31:44

Well, except that I want to keep him out of my way, you know.

0:31:440:31:46

Well that's why the kitchen is separate to here.

0:31:460:31:50

The home may be the star here rather than the business opportunity,

0:31:500:31:54

but the mystery house is designed to challenge.

0:31:540:31:57

And with some compromises,

0:31:570:31:58

there could still be options to welcome paying guests.

0:31:580:32:02

On the other side of the kitchen is a small utility room.

0:32:020:32:05

Beyond that lies a neutral family bathroom

0:32:050:32:07

and a bright hallway leading to three bedrooms.

0:32:070:32:10

There's a small one at the front, a larger double with dual aspect,

0:32:110:32:15

then at the back there's the master with its own en-suite shower room.

0:32:150:32:19

-That's nice.

-A nice-size room. It's not cavernous, good storage.

0:32:200:32:24

-Look at the sunlight.

-I think it's really nice.

-Private.

0:32:240:32:27

-It's very nice.

-Yes, it works.

0:32:270:32:29

Good. Let's go out to the garden.

0:32:290:32:31

-I think that is equally attractive. Come with me.

-OK.

0:32:310:32:34

Outside, there's a generous lawn

0:32:370:32:39

fully enclosed by a high brick-built wall.

0:32:390:32:41

Now, garden-wise, for a fairly recent barn-conversion development,

0:32:410:32:47

you get loads here.

0:32:470:32:48

Easy to do something with, it's big enough to do something with.

0:32:480:32:51

Some lovely history here. There used to be a structure here -

0:32:510:32:54

these old pillars the remains of the support there.

0:32:540:32:56

And these were cattle sheds,

0:32:560:32:58

and so there'd be a dairy here as well,

0:32:580:33:01

-so they were milked nearby

-Right, right.

0:33:010:33:03

Before I ask you to guess the price, I will say one thing -

0:33:030:33:06

we've been in East Sussex, we are now in West Sussex.

0:33:060:33:09

More expensive.

0:33:090:33:10

With that in mind...

0:33:100:33:12

How much is this house?

0:33:120:33:13

Well, I'm going to be hopeful and say it's not too much over budget.

0:33:150:33:18

And say...

0:33:180:33:20

610?

0:33:200:33:22

-OK.

-I think 625.

0:33:220:33:24

Well, your guess is a lot closer to the original asking price,

0:33:240:33:27

but it's now been reduced

0:33:270:33:28

to offers around £597,500.

0:33:280:33:32

-OK.

-See, there or thereabouts.

0:33:320:33:34

Are you prepared to put that business element to one side

0:33:340:33:37

in order to get a home that you really rather like, from where I'm standing?

0:33:370:33:40

-I'll catch you later on.

-OK.

-Thanks very much.

0:33:400:33:42

This beautifully converted 19th-century barn

0:33:480:33:51

has managed to come in £2,500 under

0:33:510:33:54

Paul and Tony's budget.

0:33:540:33:56

The contemporary interior

0:33:560:33:57

is finished to a very high standard.

0:33:570:33:59

Although there aren't

0:33:590:34:01

the number of bedrooms they hope for,

0:34:010:34:02

there's still scope to provide B&B

0:34:020:34:04

if they're willing to share

0:34:040:34:05

their living space.

0:34:050:34:07

Outside, the walled garden

0:34:070:34:08

has great potential.

0:34:080:34:10

And although the location is rural,

0:34:100:34:12

it's not too far from amenities

0:34:120:34:13

or the sea.

0:34:130:34:15

This house scores really well on the garden,

0:34:150:34:19

and the public areas can be transformed to anything we want.

0:34:190:34:22

The B&B possibility is pretty much nil.

0:34:220:34:27

In terms of bedrooms,

0:34:270:34:29

uh, never mind opening a B&B,

0:34:290:34:32

just thinking about, you know, having friends come to stay,

0:34:320:34:35

if it had one more bedroom,

0:34:350:34:37

just one more bedroom would be really good.

0:34:370:34:40

The big advantage of this is there's certainly nothing to undo,

0:34:400:34:43

and it's open to anything we want to do.

0:34:430:34:46

Now, then.

0:34:470:34:48

I'm sorry there's no B&B opportunity here for you,

0:34:480:34:51

but it was well worth coming here, wasn't it?

0:34:510:34:53

-Very well worth it.

-It's a very interesting, nice house.

0:34:530:34:55

I was hoping we would have the opportunity to see a barn conversion.

0:34:550:34:58

-Well...

-There we go.

-There you are.

0:34:580:35:00

Let's find you somewhere to sit down and have a bit of a chat, shall we?

0:35:000:35:03

We need to do that.

0:35:030:35:05

In the heart of West Sussex lies Arundel Castle.

0:35:110:35:14

Founded back in the late 11th century by Norman lord Roger de Montgomerie.

0:35:140:35:19

Today, this magnificent medieval edifice

0:35:190:35:22

is home to the Duke of Norfolk.

0:35:220:35:24

The stately home receives 160,000 people every year,

0:35:240:35:28

who visit it's interior and gardens.

0:35:280:35:31

But it also plays host annually to the largest re-enactment

0:35:310:35:35

of a medieval jousting tournament of its kind in the country,

0:35:350:35:38

and attracts participants from around the globe

0:35:380:35:41

in a show of skill and bravery.

0:35:410:35:43

To find out more about the thrills and spills of this ancient art,

0:35:430:35:46

I've come to meet Kate Vigurs,

0:35:460:35:48

a historical interpreter who comperes the joust here.

0:35:480:35:52

This is a tournament, right?

0:35:520:35:54

Yep, this is an international medieval tournament.

0:35:540:35:57

This is absolutely competitive.

0:35:570:35:58

Some people play football, some people play rugby -

0:35:580:36:00

these guys joust.

0:36:000:36:02

So, how did jousting first come about?

0:36:020:36:03

This is centuries old, isn't it?

0:36:030:36:05

It is. It started in the Middle Ages as a practice for battle, really.

0:36:050:36:09

You needed to get the horse used to battle, men would be in armour.

0:36:090:36:12

And it just derived, really, as a way of preparing the horse

0:36:120:36:15

and the man for battle.

0:36:150:36:16

Now, who was taking part in these jousts?

0:36:160:36:19

Normally knights.

0:36:190:36:20

It's men at arms, um, people who are wealthy.

0:36:200:36:23

You won't get commoners being able to joust.

0:36:230:36:25

It's called the sport of kings for a reason.

0:36:250:36:27

Why did it die out, then?

0:36:270:36:29

It died out as armour died out, really.

0:36:290:36:31

Warfare moved on, the invention of the gun meant that armour

0:36:310:36:34

started to die away and jousting just started to peter out.

0:36:340:36:38

But when jousting, in its first incarnation, was alive,

0:36:380:36:41

it was some of the more unlucky participants who died.

0:36:410:36:44

There are two types of jousts.

0:36:440:36:46

There's a joust a l'outrance, which is a joust to the finish,

0:36:460:36:49

and the idea would be to finish off your opponent, to kill them,

0:36:490:36:52

or to maim them in some way.

0:36:520:36:54

The joust we replicate is the joust a plaisance,

0:36:540:36:56

a joust of peace.

0:36:560:36:58

So the idea is lances will shatter on impact.

0:36:580:37:01

The men will rock back in their saddles,

0:37:010:37:03

but the idea is that they get to the other end pretty much unharmed.

0:37:030:37:06

Well, that's good to hear.

0:37:070:37:09

The tournament here at Arundel Castle is now in its ninth year

0:37:090:37:12

and this week there will be eight knights competing,

0:37:120:37:14

all wearing historically accurate suits of armour

0:37:140:37:17

from the Middle Ages.

0:37:170:37:19

Kevin Leg is a master armourer,

0:37:190:37:21

and he's responsible for repairing armour damaged during the tournament.

0:37:210:37:25

When you're not doing running repairs,

0:37:250:37:27

you're obviously making stuff.

0:37:270:37:29

I'm making new armour.

0:37:290:37:30

Right, OK. Anything I can get involved in?

0:37:300:37:33

-I'm working on a helmet here.

-That's a helmet?

0:37:330:37:36

It will be, it will be in the end.

0:37:360:37:38

It needs heating up, ready for me to start hammering.

0:37:380:37:40

If you want to get on the bellows, that'll be great.

0:37:400:37:43

-Look at the heat coming out of that!

-Yeah, it certainly gets up to a high temperature.

0:37:430:37:47

The fire there can burn up to 2,000 degrees centigrade.

0:37:470:37:50

If you want to grab that, we'll move across on to the stake.

0:37:500:37:52

-You want the metal over the hot bit.

-There it goes.

0:37:520:37:55

Hot bit towards the stake.

0:37:550:37:56

And if I grab it, then...

0:37:560:37:58

And away we go.

0:37:580:38:00

HAMMERING CONTINUES

0:38:010:38:03

So, how long will it take you

0:38:030:38:05

to turn that into one of these beautiful-looking helmets?

0:38:050:38:09

One of these helmets is going to take at least 30 hours of hammering.

0:38:090:38:13

-30 hours!

-30 hours.

0:38:130:38:15

Well, listen, it sounds like you've got enough to be getting on with.

0:38:150:38:18

I'm going to go and check out the jousting.

0:38:180:38:20

-Cheers, Kevin.

-Take care.

0:38:200:38:21

This year the English team, Arundel Castle's home team,

0:38:230:38:27

has opponents from countries as far-flung

0:38:270:38:29

as America, Canada, Poland and more.

0:38:290:38:32

And even the rain is not going to put them off.

0:38:320:38:34

Are you ready to see some jousting?

0:38:340:38:36

-CHEERING Yes!

-We need all the impressments we can get.

0:38:360:38:40

It may be wet, but I've got a ringside spot under cover.

0:38:400:38:43

And Stacy Van Dolah-Evans, who's the joust master,

0:38:430:38:46

is on call to explain the action to me.

0:38:460:38:48

CHEERING

0:38:490:38:51

Come on, England!

0:38:510:38:52

Each knight has a lance

0:38:530:38:55

and, though they may not be designed to maim nowadays,

0:38:550:38:57

I'm not sure I'd fancy it,

0:38:570:38:59

even though each one only weighs about the same as a bag of sugar.

0:38:590:39:02

You'll know about that, wouldn't you?

0:39:050:39:07

The idea is to shatter the lance on your opponent

0:39:070:39:10

in certain locations.

0:39:100:39:11

You hit the shield, you get three points,

0:39:110:39:13

or the head, you get three points.

0:39:130:39:15

You hit the body, you get two points.

0:39:150:39:17

You get the arm, you get one point.

0:39:170:39:18

Each joust is between two knights from opposing countries

0:39:180:39:22

and everything is watched by the eagle eye of the marshal.

0:39:220:39:26

Now they're going to charge the wooden barrier there.

0:39:260:39:30

Get in!

0:39:310:39:32

If the coronel, the rubber tip of the lance,

0:39:320:39:35

strikes the opponent's shield,

0:39:350:39:36

our English jouster will get his full three points.

0:39:360:39:40

So, he's absolutely smashed his own lance, which is good?

0:39:400:39:43

-That means he's getting more points.

-Yes.

0:39:430:39:46

Oh, I like that one!

0:39:520:39:53

Well, it's certainly an exciting sport,

0:39:530:39:55

even as a spectator.

0:39:550:39:57

And as the winner is announced,

0:39:570:39:59

I wonder if England will come out on top.

0:39:590:40:01

They're hoping to regain their title after losing out last year.

0:40:010:40:04

And your winner, ladies and gentlemen -

0:40:060:40:08

for England, Darth Rimmer with 16 points.

0:40:080:40:10

-Come on, England!

-Come on, Darth!

0:40:100:40:12

I tell you what, I've absolutely loved this, but I'm going to leave you to it.

0:40:140:40:17

I'm going to go and try to find someone selling mead.

0:40:170:40:19

-OK, have a good one.

-Thanks, mate.

0:40:190:40:21

Normally, I have an inkling

0:40:240:40:26

of where our buyers' thoughts are at this juncture.

0:40:260:40:30

But when you've got a couple that want slightly different things,

0:40:300:40:33

and where we've offered three properties all quite different,

0:40:330:40:36

I have no clue what I'm about to hear.

0:40:360:40:39

Well, gentlemen,

0:40:460:40:47

are we any closer to a decision, do you think?

0:40:470:40:50

They all three have resonance with me,

0:40:500:40:52

for completely different reasons.

0:40:520:40:54

I was in fear of just this answer.

0:40:540:40:57

This is what I was worried about.

0:40:570:40:59

The first house was my favourite, I think. I like that very much.

0:40:590:41:02

-Yeah.

-The core of it has got a medieval bit of wood.

0:41:020:41:06

And it was usable shape, a great garden.

0:41:060:41:09

You also have views over the fields to the hills.

0:41:090:41:11

Very, very nice.

0:41:110:41:13

We definitely want to go back and look at the first house.

0:41:130:41:15

Again, certainly.

0:41:150:41:16

And we definitely want to go back and look at the mystery house,

0:41:160:41:20

and have a discussion with the owner

0:41:200:41:22

-about the possibility of extending.

-Right.

0:41:220:41:24

We'll check with her to see what the possibilities are.

0:41:240:41:26

If that's a possibility, then it will be worth having a discussion.

0:41:260:41:29

But if that can't happen, it's definitely not for us.

0:41:290:41:32

Fine, fine.

0:41:320:41:33

Whether or not they can...

0:41:330:41:35

..upgrade themselves from just second-viewing fodder

0:41:360:41:38

to a potential new home, we'll wait and find out.

0:41:380:41:42

But do, please, tell us. I am dying to hear what you do next.

0:41:420:41:45

-We certainly will.

-Thanks, we certainly will.

0:41:450:41:47

-Wish you the very best of luck.

-Thank you very much.

0:41:470:41:49

Whilst it's great to hear that Tony and Paul are going back

0:41:540:41:57

for second viewings on two houses,

0:41:570:41:59

they are looking at two very different properties.

0:41:590:42:01

The first house is a lovely property with potential for the B&B,

0:42:010:42:06

the mystery house is just a home.

0:42:060:42:09

And being so different, I think they're going to

0:42:090:42:11

struggle to come to a decision.

0:42:110:42:12

Maybe this second viewing will flush that out,

0:42:120:42:15

but if not I think they need to go back to the drawing board

0:42:150:42:18

and decide exactly what kind of property they're after.

0:42:180:42:21

Whatever they decide, I'm sure, like me,

0:42:210:42:23

you wish them both the very best of luck.

0:42:230:42:25

Well, Tony and Paul only ended up revisiting house number one,

0:42:280:42:31

and, after viewing a further 33 properties

0:42:310:42:34

it was still the first house that shone out above the rest.

0:42:340:42:38

And I'm delighted to report that they have had their offer on it accepted.

0:42:380:42:42

We wish them every happiness in the Sussex countryside.

0:42:420:42:45

If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Scotland,

0:42:480:42:50

Wales or Northern Ireland, and I need our help,

0:42:500:42:53

please apply online at:

0:42:530:42:58

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