1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,760 (grandiose orchestral music) 2 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:03,830 Britain's great outdoors. 3 00:00:03,830 --> 00:00:04,920 Look at that view. 4 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:06,700 Breathtakingly beautiful. 5 00:00:06,700 --> 00:00:10,920 It's just absolutely incredible. 6 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:12,690 Dazzling in its diversity. 7 00:00:12,690 --> 00:00:15,690 It really is a beautiful part of the world. 8 00:00:15,690 --> 00:00:17,520 There's no better way to explore it 9 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:18,640 than on foot. 10 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:19,473 Come, Milo. 11 00:00:19,473 --> 00:00:22,191 With a faithful four-legged friend. 12 00:00:22,191 --> 00:00:24,416 Haha, you not wanna get your paws wet? 13 00:00:24,416 --> 00:00:25,890 (dog panting) I know, I love you too. 14 00:00:25,890 --> 00:00:27,760 What do the dogs see? 15 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:29,980 Can we get a dog's eye view? 16 00:00:29,980 --> 00:00:32,050 Always like a dog with a job. 17 00:00:32,050 --> 00:00:34,253 You are now camera dog. 18 00:00:36,570 --> 00:00:38,900 From stunning mountain treks. 19 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:41,200 That was quite a climb, but it was worth it. 20 00:00:42,930 --> 00:00:45,050 To meandering country walks. 21 00:00:45,050 --> 00:00:47,240 You enjoying your day in Suffolk, Billy? 22 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:48,880 It's nice, isn't it, lovely. 23 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:51,080 And rugged clifftop rambles. 24 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:52,427 Whoa, wow. 25 00:00:52,427 --> 00:00:54,510 (waves crashing) 26 00:00:54,510 --> 00:00:57,210 Join us and our best canine pals 27 00:00:57,210 --> 00:00:59,330 as we experience some incredible 28 00:00:59,330 --> 00:01:02,310 and unique walks with our dogs. 29 00:01:02,310 --> 00:01:05,963 I find this place surreal, but incredibly beautiful. 30 00:01:06,930 --> 00:01:10,240 This is as near to heaven as I'm likely to be. 31 00:01:16,492 --> 00:01:18,430 Come on, come on, come on. 32 00:01:18,430 --> 00:01:21,260 I'm heading out on one of my favorite dog walks 33 00:01:21,260 --> 00:01:23,980 along the tranquil bank of the River Thames 34 00:01:23,980 --> 00:01:25,377 with my faithful black Lab, Storm. 35 00:01:25,377 --> 00:01:27,119 There you go, come. 36 00:01:27,119 --> 00:01:28,040 (orchestral music) 37 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:29,660 Along the way, there's time to meet some 38 00:01:29,660 --> 00:01:31,373 of its most famous inhabitants. 39 00:01:32,279 --> 00:01:34,493 Oh, look how beautiful they are. 40 00:01:35,370 --> 00:01:37,692 And Storm and I enjoy a bracing dip. 41 00:01:37,692 --> 00:01:38,525 (woman laughing) 42 00:01:38,525 --> 00:01:39,358 Oh, that. 43 00:01:39,358 --> 00:01:40,670 (water splashing) (man laughing) 44 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:42,370 In its enticing waters. 45 00:01:42,370 --> 00:01:43,813 Come on, good girl. 46 00:01:43,813 --> 00:01:45,396 Come on, good girl. 47 00:01:47,286 --> 00:01:48,119 (dog barking) 48 00:01:48,119 --> 00:01:49,100 Come on, then. 49 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:51,260 Writer and broadcaster, Emma Kennedy, 50 00:01:51,260 --> 00:01:54,450 and her Maltipoo puppy, Molly, are in the Lake District. 51 00:01:54,450 --> 00:01:55,970 Ah, look at that. 52 00:01:57,086 --> 00:01:59,530 We're enjoying the spectacular landscape 53 00:01:59,530 --> 00:02:01,470 that inspired William Wordsworth. 54 00:02:01,470 --> 00:02:03,774 He must have spent many happy days writing here. 55 00:02:03,774 --> 00:02:05,910 Yeah, you can feel it, can't you? 56 00:02:06,767 --> 00:02:09,250 And with two long legs and four short, 57 00:02:09,250 --> 00:02:12,760 attempt to retrace the great poet's often arduous footsteps. 58 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:17,760 I very much understand the phrase, no pain, no gain. 59 00:02:19,020 --> 00:02:20,070 Because look at that. 60 00:02:21,670 --> 00:02:25,010 But first, presenter Helen Skelton is in Scotland. 61 00:02:25,010 --> 00:02:26,100 Wow, Barney. 62 00:02:26,100 --> 00:02:27,500 Discovering a hidden gem 63 00:02:27,500 --> 00:02:29,383 with her Blue Peter dog, Barney. 64 00:02:30,652 --> 00:02:34,111 (waves roaring) 65 00:02:34,111 --> 00:02:37,778 (tranquil orchestral music) 66 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:43,200 Wild, beautiful and off the beaten track. 67 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,920 The stunning seashore of Dumfries and Galloway 68 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:49,063 is often referred to as the Secret Coast. 69 00:02:51,310 --> 00:02:53,330 This corner of South West Scotland, 70 00:02:53,330 --> 00:02:56,020 with its miles and miles of dog-friendly beaches, 71 00:02:56,020 --> 00:02:59,579 is new territory for me and my nine-year-old dog, Barney. 72 00:02:59,579 --> 00:03:00,412 (dog barking) 73 00:03:00,412 --> 00:03:02,553 And we can't wait to explore it. 74 00:03:03,959 --> 00:03:05,290 Do you know, it's hard to put into words 75 00:03:05,290 --> 00:03:06,610 why I like walking with my dog, 76 00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:08,160 because for me, it's like saying 77 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,310 why do you put shoes on in a day? 78 00:03:11,310 --> 00:03:13,700 I walk with him because it's fun, it's company. 79 00:03:13,700 --> 00:03:16,780 He's loyal, he's loving, I can say stupid things to him, 80 00:03:16,780 --> 00:03:19,300 he doesn't judge me, and he takes me to places 81 00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:20,380 I would never go. 82 00:03:20,380 --> 00:03:23,930 He explores nooks and crannies I would wander past. 83 00:03:23,930 --> 00:03:25,427 He's a joy to be around. 84 00:03:28,070 --> 00:03:31,740 Barney is an eclectic mix of dachshund and red setter, 85 00:03:31,740 --> 00:03:35,113 which accounts for his stubby legs and beautiful coat. 86 00:03:36,330 --> 00:03:37,940 But he's no lap dog. 87 00:03:37,940 --> 00:03:39,810 With a double dose of hunting genes, 88 00:03:39,810 --> 00:03:43,290 if he gets a scent, there's no stopping him. 89 00:03:43,290 --> 00:03:46,083 So today is sure to be a workout for both of us. 90 00:03:49,550 --> 00:03:52,080 We'll be following a six and a half mile section 91 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,950 of the Urr estuary, starting at Rockcliffe 92 00:03:54,950 --> 00:03:57,823 and ending at wild and windy Sandyhills. 93 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,630 With Barney staying close to hand, 94 00:04:00,630 --> 00:04:03,280 we'll cross the mudflats to Rough Island, 95 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:06,880 visit some land art, and finish with an exhilarating run 96 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,323 along some breathtaking beaches. 97 00:04:10,410 --> 00:04:12,733 But we're beginning on a spectacular high. 98 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:16,700 Now, lots of people bypass Dumfries and Galloway, 99 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:19,140 favoring the major cities of Scotland 100 00:04:19,140 --> 00:04:21,120 and of course, the fabulous Highlands. 101 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:24,540 But this part of the world really rewards exploration. 102 00:04:24,540 --> 00:04:25,700 Now today, I'm not on my own. 103 00:04:25,700 --> 00:04:28,940 I have got my first baby, my loyal friend, Barney, 104 00:04:28,940 --> 00:04:31,370 who served on Blue Peter with me for five years, 105 00:04:31,370 --> 00:04:33,824 and he is almost as nosy as me. 106 00:04:33,824 --> 00:04:34,657 Come on then, Barney, let's go. 107 00:04:34,657 --> 00:04:36,442 Let's see what we can find. 108 00:04:36,442 --> 00:04:38,550 (grave orchestral music) 109 00:04:38,550 --> 00:04:42,103 And true to form, he's sniffing straight off ahead. 110 00:04:43,350 --> 00:04:46,140 At 140 foot above sea level, 111 00:04:46,140 --> 00:04:48,080 the grassy knoll we're passing over 112 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,320 was once an ancient hill fort 113 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,110 known as the Mote of Mark, 114 00:04:53,110 --> 00:04:55,873 a Celtic stronghold in the Dark Ages. 115 00:04:59,510 --> 00:05:00,720 And as we head downhill 116 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,720 through the autumnal splendor of Rockcliffe Woods, 117 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,933 Barney thinks he's smelled his lunch, and he's off. 118 00:05:06,933 --> 00:05:07,967 (bird wings flapping) 119 00:05:07,967 --> 00:05:09,290 (playful guitar music) 120 00:05:09,290 --> 00:05:12,193 Excuse me, (whistling) where have you gone? 121 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:15,090 Barney, this is not on the route. 122 00:05:16,750 --> 00:05:17,758 Excuse you, oy. 123 00:05:17,758 --> 00:05:19,094 (whistling) (hands clapping) 124 00:05:19,094 --> 00:05:20,225 Barney. 125 00:05:20,225 --> 00:05:22,676 Great, he's smelled something, the little rascal. 126 00:05:22,676 --> 00:05:24,250 Oy, oy, oy, oy, oy, oy, oy. 127 00:05:24,250 --> 00:05:26,090 No, no, no, no, no. 128 00:05:26,090 --> 00:05:28,607 Nah, nah, nah, nah, come on, chill, this way, good bay. 129 00:05:31,170 --> 00:05:32,670 Barney is a rescue dog 130 00:05:32,670 --> 00:05:35,600 who had a very difficult start in life. 131 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,150 Found tied to a crash barrier on a motorway in Ireland, 132 00:05:39,150 --> 00:05:42,323 it's no surprise he's got such a thirst for life. 133 00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:44,464 With him back at heel, 134 00:05:44,464 --> 00:05:45,713 (whistling) hip-up. 135 00:05:47,130 --> 00:05:48,210 Sort of. 136 00:05:48,210 --> 00:05:51,973 The trees give way to this glorious shoreline. 137 00:05:56,060 --> 00:05:57,520 Wow. 138 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,643 I mean, there are views, and then there's this. 139 00:06:00,643 --> 00:06:02,910 People travel all over the world 140 00:06:02,910 --> 00:06:05,010 to find things half as impressive as this. 141 00:06:05,980 --> 00:06:06,813 Stunning. 142 00:06:09,940 --> 00:06:13,440 This beautiful landscape is part of the Solway Firth, 143 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:15,550 which separates Dumfries and Galloway 144 00:06:15,550 --> 00:06:17,473 from Cumbria, where I was born. 145 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:21,890 It's doggy heaven, and Barney can roam free 146 00:06:21,890 --> 00:06:23,633 and really get his paws muddy. 147 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,220 And he's also sniffed out senior ranger, Karl Munday. 148 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:30,080 Hi, Helen, how are you? 149 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:31,780 How can't you be great in this? 150 00:06:31,780 --> 00:06:34,370 Oh, can't ask for better, can we? 151 00:06:34,370 --> 00:06:37,160 He's kindly agreed to help us navigate our way 152 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,780 across the tidal sands 153 00:06:39,780 --> 00:06:42,703 to the rugged beauty that is Rough Island. 154 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:46,780 I grew up not far from here 155 00:06:46,780 --> 00:06:49,720 and I had no idea this bit existed. 156 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,390 It is a little hidden gem, but if I'm honest, Helen, 157 00:06:52,390 --> 00:06:53,410 I'm a bit biased, but I think you could say that 158 00:06:53,410 --> 00:06:54,498 about a lot of places 159 00:06:54,498 --> 00:06:55,940 (Helen laughing) in Dumfries and Galloway. 160 00:06:55,940 --> 00:06:57,650 Now, Rough Island looks pretty busy today. 161 00:06:57,650 --> 00:06:59,150 There's quite a lot of people on the horizon there, 162 00:06:59,150 --> 00:06:59,983 isn't there? 163 00:06:59,983 --> 00:07:00,816 There certainly is. 164 00:07:00,816 --> 00:07:03,090 Volunteers come from throughout the UK 165 00:07:03,090 --> 00:07:04,607 and also around the world, 166 00:07:04,607 --> 00:07:07,380 and they get involved in all sorts of conversation tasks. 167 00:07:07,380 --> 00:07:09,377 It just so happens, today we're over on Rough Island 168 00:07:09,377 --> 00:07:11,050 and we're doing some meadow management. 169 00:07:11,050 --> 00:07:12,800 Now, I think we should go and join them for two reasons. 170 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,200 One, I feel guilty standing here watching them work, 171 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:16,898 and two, I'm pretty sure I'm sinking. 172 00:07:16,898 --> 00:07:18,150 (Karl laughing) 173 00:07:18,150 --> 00:07:20,230 Let's do it, let's go. I'm not imagining now, am I? 174 00:07:20,230 --> 00:07:21,167 No, not at all. 175 00:07:21,167 --> 00:07:22,000 (laughing) 176 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:22,833 (dark, mellow music) 177 00:07:22,833 --> 00:07:25,240 Cut off twice a day by tidal water, 178 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,800 visiting the island needs careful timing. 179 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,190 Thankfully, Karl has been looking after this area 180 00:07:30,190 --> 00:07:31,958 for over a decade. 181 00:07:31,958 --> 00:07:33,430 Do people get stuck ever? 182 00:07:33,430 --> 00:07:34,950 If you get caught between tides, 183 00:07:34,950 --> 00:07:37,130 you can be on the island up to seven hours, 184 00:07:37,130 --> 00:07:38,003 six, seven hours. 185 00:07:39,950 --> 00:07:41,560 With no shelter on the island 186 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,470 and half a mile of sticky mudflats to cross, 187 00:07:44,470 --> 00:07:46,170 I think we best get our skates on. 188 00:07:52,740 --> 00:07:56,180 Just 40 miles south across the Solway Firth, 189 00:07:56,180 --> 00:07:59,170 broadcaster Emma Kennedy and her puppy, Molly, 190 00:07:59,170 --> 00:08:02,314 are enjoying the dramatic panoramas of Cumbria. 191 00:08:02,314 --> 00:08:06,040 (uplifting instrumental music) 192 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,500 I've explored all over Great Britain, 193 00:08:09,500 --> 00:08:11,990 and I only recently discovered the Lake District, 194 00:08:11,990 --> 00:08:13,570 in fact, only three years ago. 195 00:08:13,570 --> 00:08:16,790 But since then, I've absolutely fallen in love 196 00:08:16,790 --> 00:08:18,850 with its spectacular landscape. 197 00:08:18,850 --> 00:08:20,410 I simply think it's one of the most 198 00:08:20,410 --> 00:08:22,440 beautiful places on Earth. 199 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,673 And the brilliant thing is it's right on my doorstep. 200 00:08:28,890 --> 00:08:30,220 A glittering gem in the heart 201 00:08:30,220 --> 00:08:32,330 of the magnificent Lake District 202 00:08:32,330 --> 00:08:35,150 is still waters and wooded slopes of Grasmere, 203 00:08:35,150 --> 00:08:37,853 or as close as you can get to a national treasure. 204 00:08:40,970 --> 00:08:42,940 So I'm very excited to introduce 205 00:08:42,940 --> 00:08:47,203 my Maltese terrier poodle cross to its considerable charms. 206 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:54,730 This is my Maltipoo, she's called Molly, 207 00:08:54,730 --> 00:08:56,670 and she's eight months old. 208 00:08:56,670 --> 00:09:00,530 We have a very loving, close relationship. 209 00:09:00,530 --> 00:09:02,545 She's adorable and I love her. 210 00:09:02,545 --> 00:09:04,670 (tranquil instrumental music) 211 00:09:04,670 --> 00:09:07,587 Molly's a spirited little thing, full of beans. 212 00:09:07,587 --> 00:09:08,730 (dog barking) 213 00:09:08,730 --> 00:09:10,100 Come on, then. 214 00:09:10,100 --> 00:09:13,873 But she's not quite used to such epic terrain as this. 215 00:09:18,370 --> 00:09:20,620 So like one of the area's favorite sons, 216 00:09:20,620 --> 00:09:23,110 William Wordsworth, we'll be making some time 217 00:09:23,110 --> 00:09:25,123 for quiet contemplation too. 218 00:09:27,430 --> 00:09:29,010 Ah, look at that. 219 00:09:29,010 --> 00:09:32,340 See, if I was a poet, Molly, like William Wordsworth, 220 00:09:32,340 --> 00:09:34,740 I'd come up with something amazing here, like saying, 221 00:09:34,740 --> 00:09:36,370 oh, lake you are so super, 222 00:09:36,370 --> 00:09:37,480 but I'm afraid I'm not. 223 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,270 I'm not as good as him. 224 00:09:39,270 --> 00:09:42,240 But what about that for a view, eh? 225 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:43,355 Pretty good. 226 00:09:43,355 --> 00:09:45,257 (lips smacking) 227 00:09:45,257 --> 00:09:46,090 Come on. 228 00:09:46,090 --> 00:09:48,623 (gentle instrumental music) 229 00:09:48,623 --> 00:09:50,470 Our four and a half mile round walk 230 00:09:50,470 --> 00:09:52,180 starts off in Grasmere, 231 00:09:52,180 --> 00:09:54,940 taking in some of Wordsworth's favorite haunts. 232 00:09:54,940 --> 00:09:56,040 And Molly's little legs 233 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,780 will get a workout scaling vertiginous Loughrigg 234 00:09:58,780 --> 00:10:02,103 before we head back to the village for a local delicacy. 235 00:10:04,849 --> 00:10:05,920 Right there. 236 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:07,990 You're a good girl. 237 00:10:07,990 --> 00:10:09,540 Molly is firmly on the leash 238 00:10:09,540 --> 00:10:12,380 as we join the hordes of hikers in Grasmere, 239 00:10:12,380 --> 00:10:15,050 but before head for the heroic hills, 240 00:10:15,050 --> 00:10:18,380 we're going in search of one of my literary heroes, 241 00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:19,653 William Wordsworth. 242 00:10:21,390 --> 00:10:22,990 And our first stop is a place 243 00:10:22,990 --> 00:10:26,790 which has become a point of pilgrimage for his many fans. 244 00:10:26,790 --> 00:10:29,680 So here we go, St. Oswald's Church 245 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:33,104 where William Wordsworth is buried. 246 00:10:33,104 --> 00:10:35,070 (melancholy guitar music) 247 00:10:35,070 --> 00:10:36,810 Wordsworth's headstone is here, 248 00:10:36,810 --> 00:10:39,880 along with his brother, John, and sister, Dorothy. 249 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:41,950 for whom William and his extraordinary talent 250 00:10:41,950 --> 00:10:44,450 became almost an obsession. 251 00:10:44,450 --> 00:10:45,350 And here they are. 252 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,560 I studied the great poet when I was younger, 253 00:10:49,560 --> 00:10:52,060 and now Molly and I have come to pay our respects. 254 00:10:54,820 --> 00:10:57,130 Dorothy was so devoted to William 255 00:10:57,130 --> 00:10:58,840 that the night before he got married 256 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,990 to his childhood sweetheart, Mary Hutchinson, 257 00:11:01,990 --> 00:11:03,590 she actually took the wedding ring 258 00:11:03,590 --> 00:11:05,570 that Mary was supposed to wear 259 00:11:05,570 --> 00:11:07,480 and wore it throughout the night. 260 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,870 And in the morning, she got dressed in white 261 00:11:09,870 --> 00:11:12,520 and there was a sort of a strange, 262 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:14,260 almost a betrothal ceremony 263 00:11:14,260 --> 00:11:16,810 between her and her brother, William. 264 00:11:16,810 --> 00:11:19,040 Emotionally, it took a great toll 265 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:20,803 that he was getting married. 266 00:11:24,620 --> 00:11:27,450 Thousands of people come here every here. 267 00:11:27,450 --> 00:11:31,471 In fact, it makes it one of the most visited literary spots 268 00:11:31,471 --> 00:11:33,410 in all of Britain. 269 00:11:33,410 --> 00:11:36,830 And as you can see, it's an absolutely beautiful churchyard 270 00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:38,910 and beautiful surroundings. 271 00:11:38,910 --> 00:11:40,615 Perfect place to be buried. 272 00:11:40,615 --> 00:11:41,733 Come on, then. 273 00:11:41,733 --> 00:11:43,760 (serene orchestral music) 274 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,280 From Wordsworth's final resting place, 275 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:47,910 Molly and I visit his home 276 00:11:47,910 --> 00:11:49,780 and then get the ultimate workout 277 00:11:49,780 --> 00:11:52,030 as we trek up into the hills 278 00:11:52,030 --> 00:11:55,273 in search of the sites and sounds that inspired him. 279 00:11:57,700 --> 00:12:00,110 While way down south, my Lab, Storm, and I 280 00:12:00,110 --> 00:12:02,577 are enjoying the rural pleasures of the Thames. 281 00:12:02,577 --> 00:12:04,244 Go on, go on. 282 00:12:04,244 --> 00:12:05,510 (water splashing) 283 00:12:05,510 --> 00:12:07,440 Meeting river royalty. 284 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:08,620 Morning, Ben. Look at that jacket. 285 00:12:08,620 --> 00:12:10,383 I'm feeling very underdressed. 286 00:12:10,383 --> 00:12:11,380 (men laughing) 287 00:12:11,380 --> 00:12:13,253 And his majestic charges. 288 00:12:16,590 --> 00:12:18,210 And Helen Skelton and Barney 289 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:20,740 slip and slide their way across the mudflats. 290 00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:21,790 Yeah, it's very slippy. 291 00:12:21,790 --> 00:12:23,195 I feel like I've had a drink. 292 00:12:23,195 --> 00:12:24,160 (Karl laughing) 293 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:26,560 To the stunning and remote Rough Island. 294 00:12:30,171 --> 00:12:33,400 (uplifting instrumental music) 295 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:37,040 We're walking with our dogs far and wide. 296 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,450 Barney, my dachshund red setter cross and I 297 00:12:39,450 --> 00:12:42,800 are discovering the spectacular secret coast, 298 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:43,933 the Solway Firth. 299 00:12:46,250 --> 00:12:48,860 And I'm introducing my eight-month-old Maltipoo, 300 00:12:48,860 --> 00:12:49,693 Molly. 301 00:12:49,693 --> 00:12:51,040 Good girl. 302 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:52,873 To Wordsworth's Lake District. 303 00:12:55,660 --> 00:12:58,380 While Ben Fogle is taking his Labrador, Storm, 304 00:12:58,380 --> 00:13:01,343 for a stroll along Britain's most famous waterway. 305 00:13:07,850 --> 00:13:10,060 Every great city needs a great river, 306 00:13:10,060 --> 00:13:13,300 and London has one of the most famous in the world, 307 00:13:13,300 --> 00:13:14,823 the mighty Thames. 308 00:13:15,750 --> 00:13:17,900 But away from the iconic landmarks 309 00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:20,080 and bustle of London life, 310 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,500 it takes on a totally different character 311 00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:26,590 here just 60 miles upstream and west of the capitol. 312 00:13:26,590 --> 00:13:28,370 Come on, Storm, come on. 313 00:13:28,370 --> 00:13:30,735 Perfect for a walk with man's best friend. 314 00:13:30,735 --> 00:13:32,706 (mellow instrumental music) 315 00:13:32,706 --> 00:13:33,539 Come on. 316 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,670 As a born and bred Londoner, the River Thames 317 00:13:40,670 --> 00:13:44,073 is part of me, part of who I am. 318 00:13:44,073 --> 00:13:45,350 (water splashes) 319 00:13:45,350 --> 00:13:48,560 Over the years, I've swum in it, I've rowed it, 320 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:51,010 I've walked along its shores, I've fished in it, 321 00:13:51,010 --> 00:13:53,820 and today, I've come to a place near Marlow 322 00:13:53,820 --> 00:13:56,283 in Buckinghamshire to introduce it to Storm. 323 00:13:59,270 --> 00:14:01,470 I've had Storm since she was a puppy. 324 00:14:01,470 --> 00:14:04,433 She pretty much stole my heart the moment I met her. 325 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:10,371 I'm a self-confessed crazy barking Labrophile. 326 00:14:10,371 --> 00:14:13,243 Come on, come on, come on. 327 00:14:16,593 --> 00:14:20,106 True to breed, Storm's a bit of a social butterfly. 328 00:14:20,106 --> 00:14:21,550 (dog barking) 329 00:14:21,550 --> 00:14:23,730 She loves people and other dogs, 330 00:14:23,730 --> 00:14:24,930 so I think she'll have a ball 331 00:14:24,930 --> 00:14:26,730 along this popular stretch of river. 332 00:14:31,430 --> 00:14:34,763 Now, Storm here is nearly two years old. 333 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,850 Labradors were actually designed to be swimming dogs 334 00:14:38,850 --> 00:14:40,030 to help fishermen. 335 00:14:40,030 --> 00:14:42,297 She's never been quite so sure about water. 336 00:14:42,297 --> 00:14:43,540 Got to entice her in. 337 00:14:43,540 --> 00:14:44,620 You ready? 338 00:14:44,620 --> 00:14:46,495 Go on, go on. 339 00:14:46,495 --> 00:14:47,900 (water splashing) 340 00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:49,120 Oh, yeah, we're getting there. 341 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,910 She's such a docile dog, she's brilliant with our children. 342 00:14:51,910 --> 00:14:53,870 She's a very, very easygoing dog. 343 00:14:53,870 --> 00:14:56,060 I'd like to say a bit like her owner. 344 00:14:56,060 --> 00:14:57,960 We're both pretty laid-back and chill. 345 00:14:59,050 --> 00:15:00,215 I think she's gonna like this walk. 346 00:15:00,215 --> 00:15:01,460 (water splashing) (Ben whistling) 347 00:15:01,460 --> 00:15:02,443 Come on, come on. 348 00:15:02,443 --> 00:15:05,808 Come on, come on, don't shake on me, don't shake on me. 349 00:15:05,808 --> 00:15:08,380 (cheerful folksy music) 350 00:15:08,380 --> 00:15:11,310 We're kicking off near Marlow in Buckinghamshire, 351 00:15:11,310 --> 00:15:13,600 following the river along a three and a half mile 352 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:15,943 dog-friendly section of the Thames path. 353 00:15:17,860 --> 00:15:20,460 Enjoying the surrounding open countryside 354 00:15:20,460 --> 00:15:22,500 before crossing over to the south bank 355 00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:25,673 to refuel and make a splash just outside Cookham. 356 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,270 There's plenty for Storm and I to see on this walk, 357 00:15:33,270 --> 00:15:38,270 not least the most regal of Thames' residents, its swans. 358 00:15:38,435 --> 00:15:40,450 (jovial chamber music) 359 00:15:40,450 --> 00:15:41,990 Ancient tradition dictates 360 00:15:41,990 --> 00:15:45,033 that the Crown owns any unmarked mute swan on the river. 361 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,870 And it's not every day you bump into the man tasked 362 00:15:51,870 --> 00:15:53,270 with looking after them all. 363 00:15:54,330 --> 00:15:56,050 David, I can't miss you. 364 00:15:56,050 --> 00:15:57,830 Morning, Ben. Look at that jacket, 365 00:15:57,830 --> 00:15:59,309 I'm feeling very underdressed. 366 00:15:59,309 --> 00:16:00,790 (laughing) 367 00:16:00,790 --> 00:16:01,840 This is Storm. 368 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:03,780 Storm, this is not a swan. Oh, hello. 369 00:16:03,780 --> 00:16:04,720 Nice to see you. 370 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,223 She's a very friendly dog. 371 00:16:07,380 --> 00:16:09,340 For the past 23 years, 372 00:16:09,340 --> 00:16:12,600 David Barber has been Her Majesty's swan marker. 373 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:13,607 Look at this. 374 00:16:13,607 --> 00:16:15,260 And Storm and I are joining him 375 00:16:15,260 --> 00:16:17,280 on one of his regular inspections. 376 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:18,350 (boat engine growling) 377 00:16:18,350 --> 00:16:19,600 Something tells me Storm and I 378 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:21,670 are slightly cheating on our dog walk 379 00:16:21,670 --> 00:16:24,492 by going down the river, but I think it's worth it. 380 00:16:24,492 --> 00:16:27,242 (David laughing) 381 00:16:28,917 --> 00:16:31,350 How would you describe your role? 382 00:16:31,350 --> 00:16:34,570 Well, the role is all about monitoring the welfare 383 00:16:34,570 --> 00:16:35,810 of the Thames' swans. 384 00:16:35,810 --> 00:16:39,110 The swan population isn't increasing on the Thames, 385 00:16:39,110 --> 00:16:41,470 it's actually going down slightly, 386 00:16:41,470 --> 00:16:44,310 so we're here trying to protect the wildlife 387 00:16:44,310 --> 00:16:46,140 and the swans, especially. 388 00:16:46,140 --> 00:16:47,910 What is it, do you think, about swans 389 00:16:47,910 --> 00:16:50,090 that has this effect on humans? 390 00:16:50,090 --> 00:16:52,500 Well, they're serene, and course, 391 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:54,390 they've got the royal connection. 392 00:16:54,390 --> 00:16:56,960 Mm-hmm. It's been in royal hands 393 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,570 for nearly 1,000 years. 394 00:16:59,570 --> 00:17:01,301 So they're precious. 395 00:17:01,301 --> 00:17:03,670 (jovial guitar music) 396 00:17:03,670 --> 00:17:07,580 Now, I think we're just coming up to a family of swans here. 397 00:17:07,580 --> 00:17:09,233 Oh, look how beautiful they are. 398 00:17:09,233 --> 00:17:10,066 Yeah. 399 00:17:11,330 --> 00:17:13,800 As the Queen's representative on the river, 400 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:17,330 David leads the annual swan upping event in July, 401 00:17:17,330 --> 00:17:20,960 when splendidly liveried men and women like himself 402 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,680 cruise the Thames, catching swans to count them 403 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,593 and check their health. 404 00:17:25,593 --> 00:17:27,590 I guess I've got my swan eyes on. 405 00:17:27,590 --> 00:17:29,570 So we got another swan here. Now, that's the cob bird 406 00:17:29,570 --> 00:17:31,120 from the pair up there. Oh, is it? 407 00:17:31,120 --> 00:17:32,373 He's the male bird. 408 00:17:32,373 --> 00:17:33,645 Should I throw a piece of bread? 409 00:17:33,645 --> 00:17:34,650 He's quite angry. 410 00:17:34,650 --> 00:17:35,483 Is he? 411 00:17:35,483 --> 00:17:37,240 We're passing through his territory, 412 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,200 which has clearly ruffled his feathers. 413 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:40,160 Don't be angry. 414 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:41,807 There you go, that's from Storm. 415 00:17:41,807 --> 00:17:44,650 (David laughing) 416 00:17:44,650 --> 00:17:46,310 Storm may be friendly, 417 00:17:46,310 --> 00:17:48,810 but dog attacks alongside fishing tackle 418 00:17:48,810 --> 00:17:50,890 are one of these birds' biggest threats. 419 00:17:50,890 --> 00:17:52,900 So dog owners really have to take responsibility 420 00:17:52,900 --> 00:17:53,733 with their dogs when 421 00:17:53,733 --> 00:17:55,410 they're walking around. Well, yes, 422 00:17:55,410 --> 00:17:58,310 if there's wildlife around, you've got to be careful 423 00:17:58,310 --> 00:18:01,045 and put your dog on the lead. 424 00:18:01,045 --> 00:18:04,360 Luckily, Captain Storm is decidedly uninterested, 425 00:18:04,360 --> 00:18:06,823 and instead, guides us both back to dry land. 426 00:18:07,930 --> 00:18:09,570 Okay, Storm. 427 00:18:09,570 --> 00:18:10,950 But my pal's not too keen 428 00:18:10,950 --> 00:18:13,050 on the welcome committee on the riverbank. 429 00:18:13,050 --> 00:18:14,090 Storm, come. 430 00:18:14,090 --> 00:18:14,923 Hello, cows. 431 00:18:16,964 --> 00:18:19,214 (chuckling) Come on, don't worry, stay close. 432 00:18:20,710 --> 00:18:23,890 Thankfully for Storm, we're moving on 433 00:18:23,890 --> 00:18:25,410 to a country pub downriver 434 00:18:25,410 --> 00:18:28,213 where dog food takes on a whole new meaning. 435 00:18:28,213 --> 00:18:30,881 (water bubbling) 436 00:18:30,881 --> 00:18:33,770 (peaceful electric guitar music) 437 00:18:33,770 --> 00:18:36,370 I'm on the coast of Dumfries and Galloway, 438 00:18:36,370 --> 00:18:39,920 taking advantage of low tide to walk my dog, Barney, 439 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:43,083 to the beautiful nature reserve at Rough Island. 440 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:45,910 We're squelching across the sand, 441 00:18:45,910 --> 00:18:48,483 guided by senior ranger, Karl Munday. 442 00:18:49,750 --> 00:18:50,750 In just four hours, 443 00:18:50,750 --> 00:18:53,800 high tide will reclaim this part of the estuary, 444 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,690 but for now, we have it all to ourselves. 445 00:18:56,690 --> 00:18:58,529 This really is quite breathtaking. 446 00:18:58,529 --> 00:19:00,640 You'd think, (chuckling) without being harsh, 447 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,220 you could say this is just a load of mud. 448 00:19:03,220 --> 00:19:04,053 You could. It's more than that, 449 00:19:04,053 --> 00:19:05,530 isn't it? It's a lot more than that. 450 00:19:05,530 --> 00:19:08,780 It is full of a host of different shellfish. 451 00:19:08,780 --> 00:19:10,760 I can see evidence of lots of worms. 452 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:12,450 There's certainly lots of lugworm casts. 453 00:19:12,450 --> 00:19:15,300 They create these wonderful U-shaped tubes. 454 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:18,210 Because of all the shellfish, because of all the worms, 455 00:19:18,210 --> 00:19:20,470 it's food for a lot of different species. 456 00:19:20,470 --> 00:19:22,490 Things like oystercatcher, curlew, 457 00:19:22,490 --> 00:19:23,810 and they'll come to places like this 458 00:19:23,810 --> 00:19:26,176 because of the abundance of food and shelter. 459 00:19:26,176 --> 00:19:27,812 It's quite slippy, this stuff, isn't it? 460 00:19:27,812 --> 00:19:29,990 (both laughing) It is, it's very slippy. 461 00:19:29,990 --> 00:19:31,058 I feel like I've had a drink. 462 00:19:31,058 --> 00:19:31,900 (Karl laughing) 463 00:19:31,900 --> 00:19:34,750 Four legs are clearly better than two here, 464 00:19:34,750 --> 00:19:36,470 so I'm keeping Barney on the lead 465 00:19:36,470 --> 00:19:39,662 as there's no way I'd catch him if he made a run for it. 466 00:19:39,662 --> 00:19:41,120 (orchestral piano music) 467 00:19:41,120 --> 00:19:44,110 Excellent, well, we've made it to the shore. 468 00:19:44,110 --> 00:19:46,360 We certainly have. 469 00:19:47,990 --> 00:19:49,490 And it's worth the walk. 470 00:19:49,490 --> 00:19:53,650 Millions of pretty cockleshells surround the 20-acre island, 471 00:19:53,650 --> 00:19:56,080 and it's these, worn away over time, 472 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:57,320 which help give the area 473 00:19:57,320 --> 00:19:59,973 its distinctive pinky white beaches. 474 00:20:02,366 --> 00:20:04,183 It's a real kaleidoscope of colors though, isn't it? 475 00:20:04,183 --> 00:20:06,980 It is, and again, it's another really dynamic habitat, 476 00:20:06,980 --> 00:20:09,690 the shingle, because there's certain types of plants 477 00:20:09,690 --> 00:20:12,150 which colonize and use the shingle, 478 00:20:12,150 --> 00:20:14,750 but obviously, it's constantly changing. 479 00:20:14,750 --> 00:20:17,500 Rough Island was once grazed by cattle, 480 00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:20,450 but these days, its volunteers clear it of bracken 481 00:20:20,450 --> 00:20:22,650 to help nurture wildlife meadows, 482 00:20:22,650 --> 00:20:24,860 perfect for attracting red butterflies 483 00:20:24,860 --> 00:20:27,373 and ground-nesting birds like ringed plover. 484 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,053 And I'm happy to pitch in and lend a hand. 485 00:20:33,490 --> 00:20:35,700 In return, I've asked Karl to keep an eye 486 00:20:35,700 --> 00:20:37,493 on my little escape artist. 487 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,120 Oh, look at this. 488 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:43,260 Teamwork makes a dreamwork. 489 00:20:43,260 --> 00:20:45,117 So Andrew, what made you wanna do this? 490 00:20:45,117 --> 00:20:46,280 You know, I love the countryside. 491 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,760 I use it all the time for walks and things, 492 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:50,870 and gives a chance to put some work back. 493 00:20:50,870 --> 00:20:53,580 Fair play because it's not easy work, is it? 494 00:20:53,580 --> 00:20:55,460 No, you'd break a sweat every now and then. 495 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:56,930 I mean, it's good place to go on holiday. 496 00:20:56,930 --> 00:20:58,600 Good food, good people. 497 00:20:58,600 --> 00:20:59,880 I love that you're calling it a holiday. 498 00:20:59,880 --> 00:21:02,770 It is, it's a working holiday, so. (chuckling) 499 00:21:02,770 --> 00:21:05,236 I don't take a rake with me on holiday, Andrew. 500 00:21:05,236 --> 00:21:08,013 (merry guitar music) 501 00:21:08,013 --> 00:21:10,763 (brush scraping) 502 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:15,720 They seem to be managing perfectly well without me. 503 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:17,920 And as Barney and I have a tide to catch, 504 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:20,633 we can honorably make our excuses and leave. 505 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:26,390 From Rough Island, a cockle causeway spreads out 506 00:21:26,390 --> 00:21:30,130 before us, guiding us back to the mainland and a beach 507 00:21:30,130 --> 00:21:33,530 where Barney can run free to his heart's content. 508 00:21:33,530 --> 00:21:37,101 (waves crashing) 509 00:21:37,101 --> 00:21:41,184 (calming guitar and piano music) 510 00:21:44,460 --> 00:21:46,290 We're in William Wordsworth Country 511 00:21:46,290 --> 00:21:47,353 in the Lake District. 512 00:21:48,626 --> 00:21:50,760 Good Molly, keep going. 513 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,673 About to tweak some of the great poet's words. 514 00:21:57,290 --> 00:21:58,450 For here are Molly and I, 515 00:21:58,450 --> 00:22:00,903 wandering all alone under the clouds. 516 00:22:02,250 --> 00:22:04,450 Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 517 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:06,773 where walking the dog is such a wheeze. 518 00:22:08,010 --> 00:22:10,510 Oh, well, there's nothing quite like the original. 519 00:22:11,984 --> 00:22:13,030 Come, Molly. 520 00:22:13,030 --> 00:22:15,070 So we're saying goodbye to Grasmere Village, 521 00:22:15,070 --> 00:22:17,010 and following the steps Wordsworth 522 00:22:17,010 --> 00:22:18,463 would've taken to his home. 523 00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:27,170 Dove Cottage is now a museum, all a bit highbrow for Molly, 524 00:22:27,170 --> 00:22:29,790 so we're taking in its idyllic gardens 525 00:22:29,790 --> 00:22:32,693 where curator Jeff Cowton can often be found. 526 00:22:37,490 --> 00:22:40,140 He was incredibly prolific when he was here, 527 00:22:40,140 --> 00:22:41,010 wasn't he? He was. 528 00:22:41,010 --> 00:22:42,607 And did he come to the garden every day to-- 529 00:22:42,607 --> 00:22:45,380 Oh, yeah. To seek inspiration and... 530 00:22:45,380 --> 00:22:48,140 The garden was this wonderful refuge, you know? 531 00:22:48,140 --> 00:22:50,790 And Wordsworth talked about the garden 532 00:22:50,790 --> 00:22:54,160 as the loveliest spot that man has ever found. 533 00:22:54,160 --> 00:22:56,340 He must have spent many happy days writing here too. 534 00:22:56,340 --> 00:22:58,057 Yeah, you can feel it, can't you? 535 00:22:58,057 --> 00:23:00,690 And when you look across the fells there, 536 00:23:00,690 --> 00:23:02,210 that is the same skyline, isn't it? 537 00:23:02,210 --> 00:23:03,510 Yeah. When the trees have changed, 538 00:23:03,510 --> 00:23:04,680 the buildings have changed. 539 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:05,860 Yeah. But the skyline 540 00:23:05,860 --> 00:23:06,766 must be exactly as he saw it. 541 00:23:06,766 --> 00:23:08,762 Yeah, it would've been exactly the same. 542 00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:11,080 (mellow guitar music) 543 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:13,650 It's amazing to think Wordsworth would've sat here 544 00:23:13,650 --> 00:23:16,950 with his own pet pooch, a terrier called Pepper 545 00:23:16,950 --> 00:23:18,940 who looked a little bit like you, Molly, 546 00:23:18,940 --> 00:23:21,680 but it's all rather an odd tale. 547 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:24,770 The library next door, we also have an envelope. 548 00:23:24,770 --> 00:23:26,480 Perhaps we should close Molly's ears 549 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:27,390 at this point. (Emma gasping) 550 00:23:27,390 --> 00:23:30,320 We have an envelope, inside, a piece of Pepper's tail. 551 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:31,780 So, that's a-- Oh, what happened 552 00:23:31,780 --> 00:23:33,290 to Pepper's tail? 553 00:23:33,290 --> 00:23:34,284 We know what happened to the tail, 554 00:23:34,284 --> 00:23:35,770 it's what happened to Pepper that we don't know. 555 00:23:35,770 --> 00:23:36,830 I'm quite surprised William 556 00:23:36,830 --> 00:23:38,860 didn't write a poem about that. 557 00:23:38,860 --> 00:23:39,989 Well, it's lost if he did. 558 00:23:39,989 --> 00:23:42,239 (laughing) 559 00:23:44,500 --> 00:23:47,290 Thankfully, my little Molly is still in one piece, 560 00:23:47,290 --> 00:23:49,190 and it's time for us to carry on our way 561 00:23:49,190 --> 00:23:51,394 to the more challenging part of the walk. 562 00:23:51,394 --> 00:23:52,227 Good girl. 563 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:57,330 Looming at the end of Grasmere Lake 564 00:23:57,330 --> 00:24:00,060 is the daunting peak of Loughrigg. 565 00:24:00,060 --> 00:24:03,220 And while Molly and I pluck up the courage to tackle it, 566 00:24:03,220 --> 00:24:06,800 our path leads us through this calming lush green woodland. 567 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:08,406 This way, Mol. 568 00:24:08,406 --> 00:24:09,239 Good girl. 569 00:24:15,210 --> 00:24:17,440 Wordsworth was a great lover of nature, 570 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,890 and he would've spent hours every single day 571 00:24:19,890 --> 00:24:22,090 walking in this woodland. 572 00:24:22,090 --> 00:24:23,830 Come forth into the light of things, 573 00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:26,610 he once wrote, let nature be your teacher. 574 00:24:26,610 --> 00:24:30,200 And he was such a great fan of walking that his friend, 575 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,720 Thomas De Quincey, estimated that he must have walked 576 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:38,050 180,000 miles during the course of his lifetime, 577 00:24:38,050 --> 00:24:40,588 which is absolutely incredible. 578 00:24:40,588 --> 00:24:42,770 (tranquil instrumental music) 579 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:46,170 It's not the distance that worries me about my walk today, 580 00:24:46,170 --> 00:24:47,958 but the height, eh, Molly? 581 00:24:47,958 --> 00:24:49,600 (dog barking) 582 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:51,250 Come on, then. 583 00:24:51,250 --> 00:24:54,060 And as we cross over the wooded banks of the River Rothay 584 00:24:54,060 --> 00:24:57,200 that flows between Grasmere and Rydal Water, 585 00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:01,360 we know it's uphill to over 1,000 feet above sea level 586 00:25:01,360 --> 00:25:03,113 to that intimidating summit. 587 00:25:05,455 --> 00:25:06,288 Come on, Molly. 588 00:25:06,288 --> 00:25:09,038 (gate squealing) 589 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:14,830 On the banks of the River Thames, 590 00:25:14,830 --> 00:25:16,680 Storm and I make new friends. 591 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:17,513 Any takers for the sausages? 592 00:25:17,513 --> 00:25:19,680 (bystanders laughing) Oh, yeah, we have a few. 593 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:22,163 When we pause for a delicious dog's dinner. 594 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:25,921 And Barney runs wild 595 00:25:25,921 --> 00:25:26,754 (dog barking) 596 00:25:26,754 --> 00:25:30,424 as we're blown away by the beauty of the Solway Coast. 597 00:25:30,424 --> 00:25:31,507 Look at this! 598 00:25:33,547 --> 00:25:34,703 Wow! 599 00:25:38,015 --> 00:25:40,728 (mellow piano music) 600 00:25:40,728 --> 00:25:42,040 (birds chirping) 601 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:43,820 I'm messing about along the River Thames 602 00:25:43,820 --> 00:25:45,940 with my two-year-old black Lab, Storm. 603 00:25:45,940 --> 00:25:47,047 Come on, Storm. 604 00:25:48,990 --> 00:25:51,640 While I'm enjoying the vast empty beaches 605 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:53,060 of Dumfries and Galloway 606 00:25:54,380 --> 00:25:56,373 with my mischievous mutt, Barney. 607 00:25:58,292 --> 00:26:00,020 And my puppy, Molly, and I 608 00:26:00,020 --> 00:26:03,030 are about to begin our ascent to the top of Loughrigg, 609 00:26:03,030 --> 00:26:05,310 an impressive peak which gave the poet, Wordsworth, 610 00:26:05,310 --> 00:26:07,103 magical views close to home. 611 00:26:09,390 --> 00:26:11,300 Coming from leafy Surrey, 612 00:26:11,300 --> 00:26:14,180 this is a lot tougher than our normal workout. 613 00:26:14,180 --> 00:26:16,080 So we're enlisting keen fellwalker, 614 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,350 Becky Heaton Cooper for a bit of moral support. 615 00:26:19,350 --> 00:26:20,183 Are you Becky? 616 00:26:20,183 --> 00:26:21,028 Hello, yes, I'm Becky. 617 00:26:21,028 --> 00:26:22,837 Nice to meet you, by the way. Oh, hello, nice to meet you. 618 00:26:22,837 --> 00:26:23,670 Hello, yeah? Well, this is Molly. 619 00:26:23,670 --> 00:26:24,590 Oh, hi, Molly. 620 00:26:24,590 --> 00:26:25,423 My Maltipoo, Oh, she's gorgeous. 621 00:26:25,423 --> 00:26:27,270 Look, she's raring to go already. 622 00:26:27,270 --> 00:26:28,400 Yeah, yeah, she is. 623 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:30,000 So, you're a fellwalker. 624 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,220 Yes, I get out onto Loughrigg often. 625 00:26:32,220 --> 00:26:35,188 It's a very low fell, right in the middle of the lake. 626 00:26:35,188 --> 00:26:37,470 (wheezing) Doesn't look very low to me. 627 00:26:37,470 --> 00:26:40,260 Compared to the other ones around, this is quite low. 628 00:26:40,260 --> 00:26:41,093 Yeah. I know it looks quite steep 629 00:26:41,093 --> 00:26:42,557 to start with, but it's fine. It's certainly daunting. 630 00:26:42,557 --> 00:26:44,929 You'll be fine, it's definitely worth the effort. 631 00:26:44,929 --> 00:26:45,762 (upbeat guitar music) 632 00:26:45,762 --> 00:26:47,303 Molly doesn't look so sure. 633 00:26:49,220 --> 00:26:52,330 Let's go, come on. 634 00:26:52,330 --> 00:26:53,309 I'm coming. 635 00:26:53,309 --> 00:26:56,059 (Becky laughing) 636 00:26:57,580 --> 00:26:59,990 In Wordsworth's time, the Lake District 637 00:26:59,990 --> 00:27:03,340 was well off the beaten track, but his words helped turn it 638 00:27:03,340 --> 00:27:05,660 into a magnet for people like Becky 639 00:27:05,660 --> 00:27:07,230 who love scaling as many peaks 640 00:27:07,230 --> 00:27:09,133 as their mind and bodies can take. 641 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:13,125 All Molly and I have to do is keep up. 642 00:27:13,125 --> 00:27:14,310 (Emma groaning) 643 00:27:14,310 --> 00:27:16,720 Just slow right down now. 644 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:18,380 Yeah, we were pacing up there. 645 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:19,601 Yeah. 646 00:27:19,601 --> 00:27:20,434 (Emma sharply exhaling) 647 00:27:20,434 --> 00:27:23,260 But a lot of people do, they actually run up this. 648 00:27:23,260 --> 00:27:24,543 We're actually showing off. 649 00:27:24,543 --> 00:27:25,376 (Becky laughing) 650 00:27:25,376 --> 00:27:26,989 (upbeat bass music) 651 00:27:26,989 --> 00:27:29,620 At just over 1,000 feet high, 652 00:27:29,620 --> 00:27:31,680 Loughrigg's supposed to be a mere bagatelle 653 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:34,420 in the pantheon of Lakeland peaks. 654 00:27:34,420 --> 00:27:36,980 And Becky and Molly are off like mountain goats, 655 00:27:36,980 --> 00:27:40,545 so it seems it's only me that's feeling the strain. 656 00:27:40,545 --> 00:27:44,370 I seem to have disproportionately short legs, 657 00:27:44,370 --> 00:27:47,250 although Molly has technically shorter legs than me, 658 00:27:47,250 --> 00:27:50,378 and she's gone up here like a flippin' rocket. 659 00:27:50,378 --> 00:27:52,010 (orchestral piano music) 660 00:27:52,010 --> 00:27:55,713 Stone after stone, the effort seems relentless. 661 00:27:58,360 --> 00:28:01,720 Unlike Becky, I think I must have peaked too early. 662 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,400 And faithful Molly feels my pain. 663 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:05,420 Oh, thank you. 664 00:28:05,420 --> 00:28:07,170 A bit of brandy would've been nice, Mol, 665 00:28:07,170 --> 00:28:08,313 but thanks anyway. 666 00:28:11,030 --> 00:28:14,060 And at last, comforted by my canine good Samaritan, 667 00:28:14,060 --> 00:28:16,810 we're ready for the final push to the summit. 668 00:28:23,310 --> 00:28:27,370 I think only lung is punctured, so that's good news. 669 00:28:27,370 --> 00:28:31,440 But now, I very much understand the phrase, 670 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:34,590 no pain, no gain. 671 00:28:34,590 --> 00:28:36,030 Because look at that. 672 00:28:36,030 --> 00:28:39,697 (swelling orchestral music) 673 00:28:41,930 --> 00:28:43,111 View's here amazing, 674 00:28:43,111 --> 00:28:44,438 aren't they? It's fabulous, isn't it. 675 00:28:44,438 --> 00:28:46,947 I mean, you've got 360 rewarding you. 676 00:28:46,947 --> 00:28:48,700 You do have a sense of achievement 677 00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:49,533 when you get here, 678 00:28:49,533 --> 00:28:50,367 don't you, so. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. 679 00:28:50,367 --> 00:28:52,356 It is. It's an effort to get here. 680 00:28:52,356 --> 00:28:54,060 (laughing) It is worth it. 681 00:28:54,060 --> 00:28:54,980 Molly's done well as well. 682 00:28:54,980 --> 00:28:56,360 You've been very brave. She's done super. 683 00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:57,813 It's been fantastic. 684 00:29:02,260 --> 00:29:05,433 And now I've seen the views that so inspired Wordsworth. 685 00:29:07,393 --> 00:29:09,480 Molly and I can look forward to a well-earned, 686 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:11,593 world famous local delicacy. 687 00:29:24,894 --> 00:29:28,061 (mellow guitar music) 688 00:29:29,210 --> 00:29:32,380 My lovable Labrador, Storm, and I are two and half miles 689 00:29:32,380 --> 00:29:34,450 into our stroll along the River Thames, 690 00:29:34,450 --> 00:29:36,400 just outside Marlow in Buckinghamshire. 691 00:29:42,780 --> 00:29:44,210 We're crossing the river now, 692 00:29:44,210 --> 00:29:47,113 over the Bourne End Railway Bridge to the south bank. 693 00:29:49,380 --> 00:29:51,370 But before we continue downstream, 694 00:29:51,370 --> 00:29:54,540 we're making a short detour, a dog leg, if you like, 695 00:29:54,540 --> 00:29:56,413 to give Storm a tasty treat. 696 00:30:00,250 --> 00:30:03,390 A hearty lunch is just what you need after a bracing walk, 697 00:30:03,390 --> 00:30:06,500 and the pub that I'm heading for isn't just for humans. 698 00:30:06,500 --> 00:30:08,730 They've got their own doggy menu. 699 00:30:08,730 --> 00:30:10,308 Come on, Storm, come on. 700 00:30:10,308 --> 00:30:12,891 (folksy music) 701 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:16,220 Hemmed in by fields and the river, 702 00:30:16,220 --> 00:30:18,819 you can't reach The Bounty by car. 703 00:30:18,819 --> 00:30:21,480 But if you want a pub lunch for your pooch, 704 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:22,913 this is the place to come. 705 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:26,520 They've tapped into a growing market 706 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:30,290 by offering doggy-sized portions of the plat du jour. 707 00:30:30,290 --> 00:30:32,580 Right, sausages are up. 708 00:30:32,580 --> 00:30:34,620 We all deserve a treat once in a while, 709 00:30:34,620 --> 00:30:36,710 and armed with today's special, 710 00:30:36,710 --> 00:30:38,600 Storm and I quickly make friends. 711 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:39,844 Have we got any takers for the sausages? 712 00:30:39,844 --> 00:30:41,610 (bystanders laughing) 713 00:30:41,610 --> 00:30:42,650 Yeah, we have a few. 714 00:30:42,650 --> 00:30:43,483 There you go. 715 00:30:43,483 --> 00:30:44,920 Oh, look, a retriever, yeah. 716 00:30:44,920 --> 00:30:46,683 Here you go. 717 00:30:46,683 --> 00:30:48,123 What well-behaved dogs. 718 00:30:50,010 --> 00:30:51,050 Hello, everyone. 719 00:30:51,050 --> 00:30:52,430 How are you all doing? Hi, good. 720 00:30:52,430 --> 00:30:53,437 That is quite a collection of dogs 721 00:30:53,437 --> 00:30:54,470 that we have here. (people laughing) 722 00:30:54,470 --> 00:30:56,200 Oh, hello, hello, do you want to come up? 723 00:30:56,200 --> 00:30:57,070 Come up if you want. 724 00:30:57,070 --> 00:30:58,197 But not, you're not having the sausages. 725 00:30:58,197 --> 00:30:59,330 (people laughing) 726 00:30:59,330 --> 00:31:01,410 This is definitely what I'd a call dog-friendly pub. 727 00:31:01,410 --> 00:31:02,580 Yeah. You're all dog owners, 728 00:31:02,580 --> 00:31:03,413 obviously. 729 00:31:03,413 --> 00:31:04,640 Yeah. Have you all been out 730 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:05,473 walking the dogs? 731 00:31:05,473 --> 00:31:06,984 Or have you walked the dogs here specifically 732 00:31:06,984 --> 00:31:08,231 to come to the pub? 733 00:31:08,231 --> 00:31:10,020 We walked here specifically to come to the pub. 734 00:31:10,020 --> 00:31:10,853 Oh, okay, very good. Yeah. 735 00:31:10,853 --> 00:31:12,100 I like your style here. (people laughing) 736 00:31:12,100 --> 00:31:14,630 And everyone's very well-behaved so far. 737 00:31:14,630 --> 00:31:15,650 You're all very well-behaved, aren't you? 738 00:31:15,650 --> 00:31:16,483 Hello, hello. 739 00:31:16,483 --> 00:31:18,610 Every now and then, one dog will come along, 740 00:31:18,610 --> 00:31:20,070 and the whole lot will go off. 741 00:31:20,070 --> 00:31:20,903 It's quite funny. 742 00:31:20,903 --> 00:31:21,780 Oh, really, then-- And then fight, 743 00:31:21,780 --> 00:31:22,977 all the barking and 744 00:31:22,977 --> 00:31:23,810 what have you, yeah. Oh, really, what, 745 00:31:23,810 --> 00:31:24,643 just one dogs comes in, 746 00:31:24,643 --> 00:31:27,063 puts up a swagger or something and no one likes it. 747 00:31:28,483 --> 00:31:32,960 So, a chip and a piece of scampi for the road. 748 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:35,560 Yeah. A piece for Storm, 749 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:38,010 and I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of the meal. 750 00:31:39,290 --> 00:31:41,320 Refueled and primed for action, 751 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:42,910 Storm and I get ready to take part 752 00:31:42,910 --> 00:31:47,537 in the newly revived pastime, swimming in Old Father Thames. 753 00:31:53,082 --> 00:31:58,082 (gentle piano music) (waves crashing) 754 00:31:58,690 --> 00:32:00,390 I've cycled to the South Pole 755 00:32:00,390 --> 00:32:02,103 and kayaked the mighty Amazon. 756 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:06,670 But up until today, Barney and I had never set foot here 757 00:32:06,670 --> 00:32:08,923 on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth. 758 00:32:09,989 --> 00:32:11,110 (bird wings fluttering) 759 00:32:11,110 --> 00:32:12,510 Right, Barney, we've got two options. 760 00:32:12,510 --> 00:32:14,600 We can go up and over the cliffs to Sandyhills, 761 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:17,963 or we can go down and along the beach. 762 00:32:18,995 --> 00:32:20,610 I think gravity's answered that one. 763 00:32:20,610 --> 00:32:23,153 Come on, let's go with the momentum and go along the beach. 764 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,206 Come on, Barn. (whistling) 765 00:32:27,206 --> 00:32:28,356 You're gonna love this. 766 00:32:29,323 --> 00:32:30,323 Oh, my word. 767 00:32:33,060 --> 00:32:36,030 With the tide out, the dog-friendly Portling Bay 768 00:32:36,030 --> 00:32:39,070 opens up to us and our route hugs the shoreline 769 00:32:39,070 --> 00:32:40,793 for miles into the distance. 770 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:44,200 Virtually empty except for Barney and I, 771 00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:47,903 it's the perfect place for his little legs to run free. 772 00:32:47,903 --> 00:32:51,040 Wow, Barney. (laughing) 773 00:32:53,026 --> 00:32:54,109 Look at this! 774 00:32:55,520 --> 00:32:56,353 Wow! 775 00:33:02,947 --> 00:33:07,150 In our walk in this wild and windy epic coastline 776 00:33:07,150 --> 00:33:08,880 is just the kind of landscape 777 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:11,873 where both of us love to come and feel alive. 778 00:33:15,490 --> 00:33:17,910 This is probably gonna sound forlorn, but actually, 779 00:33:17,910 --> 00:33:20,480 going for a walk with your dog is incredibly grounding. 780 00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:22,793 When I've had horrible things happen in life, 781 00:33:22,793 --> 00:33:24,740 like you lose people, you have your heart broken, 782 00:33:24,740 --> 00:33:26,460 things don't go the way you want, 783 00:33:26,460 --> 00:33:28,420 he's been there for all of it. 784 00:33:28,420 --> 00:33:32,150 And always loyal, always unquestioning, 785 00:33:32,150 --> 00:33:34,473 always only ever wanting a walk. 786 00:33:35,320 --> 00:33:37,420 He's such a precious member of our family. 787 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:39,994 He is. (lips smacking) 788 00:33:39,994 --> 00:33:41,423 A total best friend. 789 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:43,494 I love you. 790 00:33:43,494 --> 00:33:44,800 (lips smacking) 791 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:46,950 You're a good dog. (lips smacking) 792 00:33:46,950 --> 00:33:48,863 Oh, that's nice, oh, that's meaty. 793 00:33:48,863 --> 00:33:52,530 (serene instrumental music) 794 00:33:54,980 --> 00:33:58,060 With the tide out, there's time for us to savor the moment 795 00:33:58,060 --> 00:34:02,234 and discover what other treasures this magical beach holds. 796 00:34:02,234 --> 00:34:04,734 (dog barking) 797 00:34:05,960 --> 00:34:08,570 While in the Lake District, Mol and I get a feast 798 00:34:08,570 --> 00:34:11,247 for our eyes as well as our tums. 799 00:34:11,247 --> 00:34:12,490 That is absolutely delicious. 800 00:34:12,490 --> 00:34:13,860 Come on, Molly. 801 00:34:13,860 --> 00:34:16,133 Let us go to the lake and fill our boots. 802 00:34:19,113 --> 00:34:21,089 And as I take the plunge. 803 00:34:21,089 --> 00:34:22,080 Oh. 804 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:24,817 It's Storm that gets cold feet in the River Thames. 805 00:34:24,817 --> 00:34:26,925 You coming in, Storm? 806 00:34:26,925 --> 00:34:29,813 Come on, Storm, come on, come on. 807 00:34:31,337 --> 00:34:34,950 (lighthearted music) 808 00:34:34,950 --> 00:34:37,320 In the Lake District, my Maltipoo, Molly, and I 809 00:34:37,320 --> 00:34:39,600 are in need of some urgent refueling 810 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:43,163 after our heroic ascent and descent of Mt. Loughrigg. 811 00:34:44,780 --> 00:34:47,910 And the last part of our walk back into Grasmere 812 00:34:47,910 --> 00:34:49,650 takes us to a local delicacy 813 00:34:49,650 --> 00:34:52,013 that's bound to spice up our aching limbs. 814 00:34:52,013 --> 00:34:54,980 (sighing heavily) 815 00:34:54,980 --> 00:34:57,680 First produced over 160 years ago, 816 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:00,433 Grasmere Gingerbread is famous around the world. 817 00:35:01,540 --> 00:35:05,000 Owner Joanne Hunter is making sure the original bakery 818 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:06,480 is still going strong. 819 00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:08,080 At last. 820 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:10,130 Joanne, you're a sight for sore eyes. 821 00:35:10,130 --> 00:35:11,670 I had some few dark moments of Hi. 822 00:35:11,670 --> 00:35:13,040 the soul up that mountain. (Joanne laughing) 823 00:35:13,040 --> 00:35:15,510 The thought of your gingerbread has been keeping me going. 824 00:35:15,510 --> 00:35:16,343 Oh, good. 825 00:35:16,343 --> 00:35:17,380 I bet you're for some, aren't you? 826 00:35:17,380 --> 00:35:18,400 I certainly am. 827 00:35:18,400 --> 00:35:19,233 Would you wanna come in 828 00:35:19,233 --> 00:35:20,066 and see how it's being made? 829 00:35:20,066 --> 00:35:21,420 I'd love to, can Molly come? 830 00:35:21,420 --> 00:35:23,360 No, Molly will have to stay outside 'cause it's food, 831 00:35:23,360 --> 00:35:24,690 but if you just put the lead on the fence, 832 00:35:24,690 --> 00:35:26,020 she can have a drink of water. 833 00:35:26,020 --> 00:35:28,342 Well, she is ginger, we don't want her going in the bread. 834 00:35:28,342 --> 00:35:29,300 (Joanne laughing) 835 00:35:29,300 --> 00:35:30,254 Come on in. 836 00:35:30,254 --> 00:35:31,087 (dog whining) 837 00:35:31,087 --> 00:35:33,660 Joanne Hunter's family have been baking the delicacy 838 00:35:33,660 --> 00:35:35,960 on this site for three generations, 839 00:35:35,960 --> 00:35:37,890 since taking over 80 years ago 840 00:35:37,890 --> 00:35:40,130 from the original Mrs. Nelson. 841 00:35:40,130 --> 00:35:41,610 But the traditional ingredients 842 00:35:41,610 --> 00:35:43,393 and uniform remain unchanged. 843 00:35:44,370 --> 00:35:45,203 What'd you think, yeah? 844 00:35:45,203 --> 00:35:46,280 Oh, it suits you. 845 00:35:46,280 --> 00:35:47,160 Great. Yeah. 846 00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:48,359 Lovin' it, let's go. 847 00:35:48,359 --> 00:35:49,192 Come on. 848 00:35:50,100 --> 00:35:53,940 How did gingerbread, of all things, come to Grasmere? 849 00:35:53,940 --> 00:35:55,810 Well, it was really because in the Victorian times, 850 00:35:55,810 --> 00:35:58,140 all the spices and alcohol was coming over 851 00:35:58,140 --> 00:36:00,690 from the Caribbean into Whitehaven on the west coast. 852 00:36:00,690 --> 00:36:01,523 Yeah. 853 00:36:01,523 --> 00:36:03,980 And then Sarah Nelson set up the business 854 00:36:03,980 --> 00:36:06,350 in 1854 selling the gingerbread 855 00:36:06,350 --> 00:36:09,270 Amazing. to the Victorian tourists. 856 00:36:09,270 --> 00:36:10,930 So how'd you make it? 857 00:36:10,930 --> 00:36:12,107 It's a secret recipe. 858 00:36:12,107 --> 00:36:12,940 What d'you mean? 859 00:36:12,940 --> 00:36:14,670 Well, the recipe's locked away in the bank. 860 00:36:14,670 --> 00:36:15,620 Well, do you know-- 861 00:36:15,620 --> 00:36:16,600 I don't know the recipe. 862 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:17,490 Stop it. 863 00:36:17,490 --> 00:36:18,770 (lighthearted, playful music) 864 00:36:18,770 --> 00:36:20,630 With Molly still happy outside, 865 00:36:20,630 --> 00:36:23,080 I am going to be trusted with one job. 866 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:25,073 This is a fine art. 867 00:36:25,073 --> 00:36:26,500 Joanne's been wrapping gingerbread 868 00:36:26,500 --> 00:36:27,904 since she was five years old. 869 00:36:27,904 --> 00:36:29,316 (paper rustling) 870 00:36:29,316 --> 00:36:31,083 Whoa, whoa, whoa, there. 871 00:36:32,950 --> 00:36:34,419 Gee, whiz. (Joanne laughing) 872 00:36:34,419 --> 00:36:35,252 So there you go. 873 00:36:35,252 --> 00:36:36,260 Can I have a go at wrapping one? 874 00:36:36,260 --> 00:36:37,545 Yeah, of course you can. 875 00:36:37,545 --> 00:36:39,140 Right, right. There you go. 876 00:36:39,140 --> 00:36:39,973 Say when. Yeah. 877 00:36:39,973 --> 00:36:40,806 Okay, go. 878 00:36:42,016 --> 00:36:44,770 I can't even get. (laughing) 879 00:36:44,770 --> 00:36:46,572 Don't worry, Emma, there's a queue in the shop. 880 00:36:46,572 --> 00:36:48,930 (laughing) I'm going as fast. 881 00:36:48,930 --> 00:36:50,210 All fingers and thumbs, 882 00:36:50,210 --> 00:36:52,974 this is like being in the generation game. 883 00:36:52,974 --> 00:36:54,190 (Emma and Joanne laughing) 884 00:36:54,190 --> 00:36:56,334 And almost as funny. 885 00:36:56,334 --> 00:36:57,334 There we go. 886 00:37:00,867 --> 00:37:03,334 Ah, well, not bad for a first attempt. 887 00:37:03,334 --> 00:37:04,411 (Emma and Joanne laughing) 888 00:37:04,411 --> 00:37:06,973 It is the eating I really expect to excel at. 889 00:37:08,787 --> 00:37:10,520 Mm, that is absolutely delicious. 890 00:37:10,520 --> 00:37:11,900 Come on, Molly. 891 00:37:11,900 --> 00:37:14,419 Let us go to the lake and fill our boots. 892 00:37:14,419 --> 00:37:18,090 (orchestral piano music) 893 00:37:18,090 --> 00:37:21,190 It's easy to be overwhelmed by the beauty of this jewel 894 00:37:21,190 --> 00:37:22,590 in the heart of Cumbria, 895 00:37:22,590 --> 00:37:25,267 especially as the sun sets over Loughrigg. 896 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:28,310 And unless you're a poet, 897 00:37:28,310 --> 00:37:31,050 it can sometimes leave you lost for words. 898 00:37:31,050 --> 00:37:35,350 For Molly's first trip to the lakes, it's just been fab. 899 00:37:35,350 --> 00:37:36,740 We've had a wonderful day 900 00:37:36,740 --> 00:37:38,800 retracing William Wordsworth's steps 901 00:37:38,800 --> 00:37:41,310 and understanding the inspiration 902 00:37:41,310 --> 00:37:43,320 that he gathered from the area. 903 00:37:43,320 --> 00:37:46,170 And I'm pretty certain that it's an area that myself 904 00:37:46,170 --> 00:37:49,353 and Molly are going to return to again and again. 905 00:37:57,145 --> 00:37:59,984 (tranquil piano music) 906 00:37:59,984 --> 00:38:02,236 You all right, pup? 907 00:38:02,236 --> 00:38:04,440 Come on, come on. 908 00:38:04,440 --> 00:38:06,810 In Scotland, Barney and I are coming to the end 909 00:38:06,810 --> 00:38:08,720 of our six and a half mile walk 910 00:38:08,720 --> 00:38:10,940 along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. 911 00:38:10,940 --> 00:38:12,963 Look, Barney, you can go crazy in here. 912 00:38:14,080 --> 00:38:15,890 And this mile stretch along the beach 913 00:38:15,890 --> 00:38:17,800 from Portling to Sandyhills 914 00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:21,400 is a great place to indulge our love of exploring. 915 00:38:21,400 --> 00:38:22,500 Oh, I'm kind of expecting someone 916 00:38:22,500 --> 00:38:24,750 to jump out of the shadows. 917 00:38:24,750 --> 00:38:25,583 Bluh, creepy. 918 00:38:28,500 --> 00:38:31,953 And up ahead, we've spotted something even more intriguing. 919 00:38:33,730 --> 00:38:36,680 The man behind this maze of swirling sand 920 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:39,090 is land artist, Jim Buchanan. 921 00:38:39,090 --> 00:38:41,030 Look, Barney loves it. 922 00:38:41,030 --> 00:38:43,360 Jim, talk me through what is going on here? 923 00:38:43,360 --> 00:38:45,130 I'm creating a work of art. 924 00:38:45,130 --> 00:38:48,100 I'm excavating a sand labyrinth 925 00:38:48,100 --> 00:38:49,560 and then shortly it's gonna interact 926 00:38:49,560 --> 00:38:52,230 with the incoming sea, which I think is very exciting. 927 00:38:52,230 --> 00:38:53,890 Well, is that not heartbreaking? 928 00:38:53,890 --> 00:38:55,350 No, it's part of the process 929 00:38:55,350 --> 00:38:58,350 because I'm very interested in nature's rhythms. 930 00:38:58,350 --> 00:39:00,350 With Barney off enjoying the beach, 931 00:39:00,350 --> 00:39:01,400 time to get digging. 932 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:02,430 (Barney barking) 933 00:39:02,430 --> 00:39:04,930 Now, I'm no artist, but it's an honor to help finish 934 00:39:04,930 --> 00:39:07,303 this truly elemental creation. 935 00:39:12,810 --> 00:39:14,390 Like a bold hieroglyphic, 936 00:39:14,390 --> 00:39:16,770 it's inspired by ancient sites. 937 00:39:16,770 --> 00:39:19,610 Yet it exists only in the moment. 938 00:39:19,610 --> 00:39:21,340 I don't wanna point out the obvious, 939 00:39:21,340 --> 00:39:22,523 but the tide is coming out. 940 00:39:22,523 --> 00:39:24,050 It's just there. 941 00:39:24,050 --> 00:39:25,467 Yes, that's right. 942 00:39:25,467 --> 00:39:27,100 Right, okay, come on. It's racing in, so. 943 00:39:27,100 --> 00:39:28,410 Okay. 944 00:39:28,410 --> 00:39:29,580 I don't know why I'm saying, come on, 945 00:39:29,580 --> 00:39:31,111 you've been at this for hours. 946 00:39:31,111 --> 00:39:32,170 (laughing) 947 00:39:32,170 --> 00:39:33,606 Come on, less talking, more digging. 948 00:39:33,606 --> 00:39:36,070 (lively guitar music) 949 00:39:36,070 --> 00:39:37,790 Barney's back to inspect our work 950 00:39:37,790 --> 00:39:42,000 and we've just time to hotfoot it around our masterpiece. 951 00:39:48,071 --> 00:39:50,121 I don't know if we're gonna make it, Jim. 952 00:39:56,165 --> 00:39:57,380 Oh, it's coming. 953 00:39:57,380 --> 00:39:58,464 Ahh! 954 00:39:58,464 --> 00:40:01,047 (Jim laughing) 955 00:40:03,429 --> 00:40:04,813 Yay! 956 00:40:04,813 --> 00:40:05,646 (hands slapping) 957 00:40:05,646 --> 00:40:06,479 Great job, 958 00:40:06,479 --> 00:40:09,062 this looks amazing! Thank you. 959 00:40:12,220 --> 00:40:14,360 No sooner complete, then slowly, 960 00:40:14,360 --> 00:40:17,590 the waves engulf our sandy creation. 961 00:40:17,590 --> 00:40:21,153 Our artwork vanishes, reclaimed once again by the sea. 962 00:40:21,153 --> 00:40:23,903 (waves crashing) 963 00:40:25,410 --> 00:40:28,570 And tomorrow, Jim will find another blank canvas 964 00:40:28,570 --> 00:40:32,343 somewhere else along this inspirational stretch of coast. 965 00:40:34,918 --> 00:40:38,420 (instrumental pop music) 966 00:40:38,420 --> 00:40:41,810 The last leg of Barney and my walk takes us a short distance 967 00:40:41,810 --> 00:40:44,230 to the sheltered beach at Sandyhills. 968 00:40:46,230 --> 00:40:48,540 It's another loved place for dog walkers, 969 00:40:48,540 --> 00:40:51,002 and there's plenty out today. 970 00:40:51,002 --> 00:40:53,920 (dog barking) 971 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:55,340 And at the end of our adventures, 972 00:40:55,340 --> 00:40:58,423 the perfect spot for me to get a dog's eye view. 973 00:40:59,370 --> 00:41:01,020 Go! 974 00:41:01,020 --> 00:41:01,853 Where is it? 975 00:41:04,490 --> 00:41:05,904 Daft dog. 976 00:41:05,904 --> 00:41:06,737 Go! 977 00:41:07,910 --> 00:41:10,743 (camera clacking) 978 00:41:13,940 --> 00:41:16,250 Today's actually reminding me of how rewarding life 979 00:41:16,250 --> 00:41:18,740 with a dog can be because yes, they need you, 980 00:41:18,740 --> 00:41:20,670 but in looking after them, you're looking after yourself. 981 00:41:20,670 --> 00:41:23,310 You have to go for a walk, you have to take time out. 982 00:41:23,310 --> 00:41:26,180 So Barney, you've taken me on a new adventure 983 00:41:26,180 --> 00:41:27,767 and, yeah, he needed it. 984 00:41:27,767 --> 00:41:30,890 But if I'm honest with myself, I think I needed it. 985 00:41:30,890 --> 00:41:32,700 It's been a day well-spent, pup. 986 00:41:32,700 --> 00:41:33,533 Thanks. 987 00:41:36,930 --> 00:41:38,880 Come on, Barnacle Bill. 988 00:41:38,880 --> 00:41:40,830 Don't drink the seawater, you crackpot. 989 00:41:47,220 --> 00:41:49,512 (folksy music) 990 00:41:49,512 --> 00:41:50,440 (gate clanking) 991 00:41:50,440 --> 00:41:53,460 After our delicious detour, my black Lab, Storm, and I 992 00:41:53,460 --> 00:41:55,050 are heading back downstream 993 00:41:55,050 --> 00:41:56,610 on our three and a half mile walk 994 00:41:56,610 --> 00:41:57,857 along the River Thames. 995 00:41:59,167 --> 00:42:01,020 Ah, look, some friends. 996 00:42:01,020 --> 00:42:02,315 Morning, how are you doing? 997 00:42:02,315 --> 00:42:03,187 Hi, how do you do? Having a nice walk today? 998 00:42:03,187 --> 00:42:04,788 [White-Haired Man] Yeah, yeah. 999 00:42:04,788 --> 00:42:07,594 Looks like these guys have been in. 1000 00:42:07,594 --> 00:42:08,427 [White-Haired Man] They like the water, 1001 00:42:08,427 --> 00:42:09,311 they were chasing the ball. 1002 00:42:09,311 --> 00:42:12,200 It's a very good place for dogs to be social, 1003 00:42:12,200 --> 00:42:13,033 look at that. 1004 00:42:13,033 --> 00:42:13,866 [White-Haired Man] Oh, definitely. 1005 00:42:13,866 --> 00:42:14,699 So what are these? 1006 00:42:14,699 --> 00:42:15,532 I can't even tell what breeds they are. 1007 00:42:15,532 --> 00:42:18,387 That's Banjo, he's Jack Russell and Shih Tzu. 1008 00:42:18,387 --> 00:42:19,220 And him. Yeah. 1009 00:42:19,220 --> 00:42:21,260 He's a Irish fox terrier. 1010 00:42:21,260 --> 00:42:22,148 Very nice. 1011 00:42:22,148 --> 00:42:23,025 And he's a very naughty boy. (dog barking) 1012 00:42:23,025 --> 00:42:24,410 (Ben laughing) He gives me a lot of grief. 1013 00:42:24,410 --> 00:42:25,820 And I won't keep you up. 1014 00:42:25,820 --> 00:42:26,798 See you later. Bye, guys. 1015 00:42:26,798 --> 00:42:28,985 Bye-bye, bye. See you later. 1016 00:42:28,985 --> 00:42:30,033 Come on. (hands clapping) 1017 00:42:30,033 --> 00:42:33,170 (jovial music) 1018 00:42:33,170 --> 00:42:34,840 The great thing about this dog walk 1019 00:42:34,840 --> 00:42:37,521 is there's a chance to get in the water at every turn. 1020 00:42:37,521 --> 00:42:39,620 (water splashing) Oh, pull, pull, pull. 1021 00:42:39,620 --> 00:42:41,200 Good girl. 1022 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:43,940 And Storm's confidence seems to be growing. 1023 00:42:43,940 --> 00:42:45,740 That was a bit deeper than you thought. 1024 00:42:45,740 --> 00:42:48,433 But she's not the only one enjoying a dip today. 1025 00:42:49,540 --> 00:42:53,016 (water splashing) 1026 00:42:53,016 --> 00:42:54,173 Look at those swimmers. 1027 00:42:54,173 --> 00:42:55,690 More and more people are venturing 1028 00:42:55,690 --> 00:42:57,970 into the silky waters of the Thames 1029 00:42:57,970 --> 00:43:00,923 as the popular Victorian pastime returns to vogue. 1030 00:43:02,377 --> 00:43:03,530 (water splashing) 1031 00:43:03,530 --> 00:43:05,380 Wild swimming devotees, Katia Vastiau 1032 00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:10,050 and Jeremy Laming certainly look ready to dive right in. 1033 00:43:10,050 --> 00:43:12,580 So tell what do people get out of open water swimming, 1034 00:43:12,580 --> 00:43:13,413 wild swimming? 1035 00:43:13,413 --> 00:43:15,520 Well, I think it's just that wonderful sense of freedom 1036 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,630 that you don't really get when you're trapped in a pool. 1037 00:43:17,630 --> 00:43:18,463 And I suppose, Katia, 1038 00:43:18,463 --> 00:43:19,960 you get very close to the wildlife, 1039 00:43:19,960 --> 00:43:21,290 you're closer to nature here. 1040 00:43:21,290 --> 00:43:22,270 Yeah, yeah, yeah. And closer to dogs then, 1041 00:43:22,270 --> 00:43:23,103 am I right? (Katia laughing) 1042 00:43:23,103 --> 00:43:23,936 Look, there's dogs in the water. 1043 00:43:23,936 --> 00:43:24,769 Yeah, there's lots of dog here, 1044 00:43:24,769 --> 00:43:26,168 but no, we've got everything. 1045 00:43:26,168 --> 00:43:28,510 Grebes, ducks, it's really nice. 1046 00:43:28,510 --> 00:43:29,860 Can anyone go wild swimming? 1047 00:43:29,860 --> 00:43:32,110 Is it something you can just take your clothes off, 1048 00:43:32,110 --> 00:43:32,943 jump in the water? 1049 00:43:32,943 --> 00:43:34,680 You know, there's obviously a safety element 1050 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:36,220 that you need to take account of. 1051 00:43:36,220 --> 00:43:38,070 We have other users on the water, 1052 00:43:38,070 --> 00:43:40,880 there's areas of the river that aren't particularly safe. 1053 00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:42,610 It's just about applying common sense, really, 1054 00:43:42,610 --> 00:43:44,530 and making yourself as visible as possible. 1055 00:43:44,530 --> 00:43:45,870 And going with a buddy, presumably, is a good-- 1056 00:43:45,870 --> 00:43:47,310 Yeah, always swim with someone, yeah. 1057 00:43:47,310 --> 00:43:49,090 Never, never go alone. 1058 00:43:49,090 --> 00:43:50,630 You realize all this gassing, all this chatting 1059 00:43:50,630 --> 00:43:51,463 is just trying to 1060 00:43:51,463 --> 00:43:52,506 put off the inevitable Yeah, yeah, I know. 1061 00:43:52,506 --> 00:43:53,370 (Katia laughing) that I'm gonna have 1062 00:43:53,370 --> 00:43:54,570 to go in, aren't I? 1063 00:43:54,570 --> 00:43:55,773 What sort of temperature are we talking? 1064 00:43:55,773 --> 00:43:56,606 19? 1065 00:43:56,606 --> 00:43:57,560 That's okay. Yeah. 1066 00:43:57,560 --> 00:43:58,609 Roasting. I can deal with that. 1067 00:43:58,609 --> 00:43:59,442 (Katia laughing) I can deal with that. 1068 00:43:59,442 --> 00:44:01,060 I'll be back in a moment. 1069 00:44:01,060 --> 00:44:02,810 I'm no wild swimming novice, 1070 00:44:02,810 --> 00:44:05,120 and I've braved far cooler waters than these, 1071 00:44:05,120 --> 00:44:06,890 but even on a warm summer's day, 1072 00:44:06,890 --> 00:44:09,310 the first steps are always the hardest. 1073 00:44:09,310 --> 00:44:10,474 Okay, shall we do this? 1074 00:44:10,474 --> 00:44:11,307 Yeah. 1075 00:44:11,307 --> 00:44:13,079 Yeah, it does get a little bit cold. 1076 00:44:13,079 --> 00:44:13,912 It's nice, guys. 1077 00:44:13,912 --> 00:44:14,745 Yeah, very nice. 1078 00:44:14,745 --> 00:44:15,578 (people chattering) 1079 00:44:15,578 --> 00:44:17,590 For me, a slow and controlled immersion 1080 00:44:17,590 --> 00:44:22,035 is always best, but there's other more brutal methods too. 1081 00:44:22,035 --> 00:44:22,868 (water splashing) 1082 00:44:22,868 --> 00:44:24,860 (woman laughing) Oh, that! 1083 00:44:24,860 --> 00:44:26,367 (water splashing) (men laughing) 1084 00:44:26,367 --> 00:44:29,970 Ah! (water splashing) 1085 00:44:29,970 --> 00:44:30,803 Oh. 1086 00:44:30,803 --> 00:44:32,050 Yeah, there you go. 1087 00:44:32,050 --> 00:44:33,930 You coming in, Storm? 1088 00:44:33,930 --> 00:44:36,800 I was hoping Storm would give us a little moral support, 1089 00:44:36,800 --> 00:44:38,280 but she seems rather overwhelmed 1090 00:44:38,280 --> 00:44:40,833 by us less hirsute companions. 1091 00:44:41,705 --> 00:44:42,575 Come on. 1092 00:44:42,575 --> 00:44:43,643 Yay. Come on, good girl. 1093 00:44:43,643 --> 00:44:44,710 Good girl. 1094 00:44:44,710 --> 00:44:45,872 Come on. 1095 00:44:45,872 --> 00:44:48,999 Good girl, good girl, come on. 1096 00:44:48,999 --> 00:44:51,830 (mellow music) 1097 00:44:51,830 --> 00:44:53,380 Fans of wild swimming claim it 1098 00:44:53,380 --> 00:44:56,670 can boost your immune system and reduce stress, 1099 00:44:56,670 --> 00:44:59,053 which might explain its surging popularity. 1100 00:45:01,270 --> 00:45:03,360 But Storm's not so keen on the crowds 1101 00:45:03,360 --> 00:45:06,083 and makes hers a very quick dip. 1102 00:45:06,083 --> 00:45:07,960 (pelt flapping) 1103 00:45:07,960 --> 00:45:10,440 What a beautiful way of exploring the Thames. 1104 00:45:10,440 --> 00:45:12,130 I think you've won me over, guys. 1105 00:45:12,130 --> 00:45:13,910 The sun's coming out. 1106 00:45:13,910 --> 00:45:15,804 I can feel the weeds on my legs, but... 1107 00:45:15,804 --> 00:45:16,993 (swimmers laughing) 1108 00:45:16,993 --> 00:45:18,596 It's not so bad, this is lovely. 1109 00:45:18,596 --> 00:45:21,346 (birds chirping) 1110 00:45:27,485 --> 00:45:29,001 Hey, Storm, what's up? 1111 00:45:29,001 --> 00:45:30,530 What's up with you? 1112 00:45:30,530 --> 00:45:32,139 You Labradors, you can't hack it, can you? 1113 00:45:32,139 --> 00:45:34,536 (Katia laughing) Hey, you Labradors. 1114 00:45:34,536 --> 00:45:36,780 (joyful guitar music) 1115 00:45:36,780 --> 00:45:39,750 What an amazing end to our day by the Thames. 1116 00:45:39,750 --> 00:45:42,863 We've walked it, sailed it, and now we've swum it too. 1117 00:45:49,846 --> 00:45:52,340 I've been coming to the Thames ever since I was a young boy. 1118 00:45:52,340 --> 00:45:54,580 I've been lucky enough to explore it 1119 00:45:54,580 --> 00:45:57,590 all the way from its source to its mouth. 1120 00:45:57,590 --> 00:45:59,080 But coming back today with Storm 1121 00:45:59,080 --> 00:46:02,500 has reminded me what a perfect place this is 1122 00:46:02,500 --> 00:46:04,973 for both people and their dogs. 1123 00:46:12,082 --> 00:46:15,832 (inspiring orchestral music)