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Having road-tested retirement in India, Miriam Margoyles, Wayne Sleep, Bobby George and Rosemary Shrager are reunited to discover what it is like to grow old in other countries around the world.
2017
After exploring what it is like to grow old in India, Miriam Margolyes, Wayne Sleep, Rosemary Shrager and Bobby George reunite for another global adventure. This time they sample retirement in China. The group stay in the capital of the Sichuan Province, Chengdu. A bustling city of over 14 million people, all the group find the language barrier difficult, and Miriam in particular struggles with the regional cuisine. A swim in a high-tech pool, in one of the world's biggest buildings, makes a bad situation worse as Miriam discovers a modern China at odds with her memory of it from a trip 30 years ago. After experiencing city life, the group opt for an overnight stay in a country retreat. A ride on a high-speed bullet train takes them high into the mountains surrounding the city. Home to the giant panda, a feeding session at a local sanctuary leads to an emotional moment for Miriam, while Rosemary can't quite understand what all the fuss is about. Back in Chengdu, a final night at the Sichuan opera gives the group an opportunity to reflect on their bewildering and dazzling time in China.
Miriam Margoyles, Wayne Sleep, Bobby George and Jan Leeming reunite to head to the hot and vibrant city of Havana, Cuba, where life expectancy is high, food is rationed and the way to travel is in iconic 50s cars. After being wowed by the pink Cadillacs that pick them up from the airport, the group spend their first night learning to dance with the locals. Later in the week, Wayne visits a dance troupe and realises his classical training doesn't count for much when it comes to learning Cuban dance. But much to his joy, he is invited to participate in the annual Cuban carnival. Meanwhile, Miriam struggles to adapt to life without high-speed broadband, although at least she still has gin. Perhaps the biggest change comes for Jan, who meets a Cuban man while sea swimming. Not put off by the language barrier, the pair decide to go on a date. As the visit draws to an end and the group celebrate with their new friends, there's time to reflect on life in this fascinating and fast-changing country.
Sheila Ferguson, Rustie Lee, Paul Nicholas and Dennis Taylor reunite and head on an adventure to the cold but beautiful country of Iceland, where they split their time between a small fishing village and the capital, Reykjavik. In Hausavik, the ladies visit a senior citizens centre - much to Sheila's initial trepidation. Meanwhile, Paul and Dennis join an all-male choir and end up singing to a huge audience in a canyon. The team then reunite to head out whale watching and are moved to tears by what they see. After experiencing the peaceful, slow pace of life in Hausavik, the foursome head six hours south to the capital, where the pensioners' pastimes include aqua aerobics and gymnastics. Paul tries his hand at a handstand for the first time in many, many years! Sheila goes on a date with an Icelandic man and realises that, despite usually living thousands of miles apart, they have a lot in common.
Rosemary Shrager, Sheila Ferguson, Paul Nicholas and Dennis Taylor explore Thailand. They try their hands at tai chi and take advantage of the opportunity for retired people to attend free schools. A Buddhist meditation retreat proves more relaxing to some of the group than others, and Rosemary investigates cheap dental work. They conclude their trip by attending a Ladyboys show, with Paul and Dennis joining the performers on stage. Last in the series.
2016
Miriam Margoyles, Wayne Sleep, Bobby George and Rosemary Shrager jet off to Florida, a major retirement hotspot thanks to its low taxes and sunny weather. Many retirees here live in gated villages, and the gang experience living in two different communities at either end of the price scale. As well as taking part in more traditional retirement activities such as daily exercise, bingo and dance classes - the latter started by Wayne - there are visits to a local gun shop and a look at an alternative way to stay looking young - plastic surgery. The idyllic atmosphere does not last forever as Miriam becomes involved in a heated political discussion and struggles to fit in.
Miriam Margoyles, Wayne Sleep, Bobby George and Rosemary Shrager experience retired life in Japan, a country with one of the longest life expectancies in the world. They move in with 73-year-old twin sisters in historic city of Kyoto, where Miriam immediately struggles with Japanese etiquette. The group join elderly residents across the country in a nationally broadcast morning fitness class, and also look into gaining employment - many retired people in Japan actually keep working into their seventies and eighties. Bobby and Miriam look for work at an OAP job centre, while Rosemary and Wayne get jobs in one of the busiest noodle bars in Kyoto. Another traditional activity is taking a soak in the communal hot springs dotted around the country, though the idea of being naked does not appeal to Miriam and Rosemary.
Streaming availability information not available
Tom Hollander
Self - Host
Bobby George
Self - Host
Miriam Margolyes
Self - Host
2019
Miriam Margolyes, Bobby George, Sheila Ferguson and new recruit Stanley Johnson explore retirement in the largest country in the world, Russia. First stop on their journey is the cultural capital of St Petersburg, where they visit a lavish retirement home for retired actors, before leaving their comfortable surroundings of the city for a night in a Russian Sanatorium.
Paul Nicholas, Sheila Ferguson, Wayne Sleep and Jan Leeming embark on an adventure in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, first paying a visit to a late night Tango event where they spend the night dancing with the locals. The following day, the group explore what the cultural capital of Argentina has on offer. Having duetted together in the past, Sheila and Paul book a Tango singing lesson, while Wayne and Jan enrol in a life drawing class. For their final night in Buenos Aires, Sheila and Paul find a venue where they can perform the Tango song they learned earlier in the week.
Marigold On Tour veterans Paul Nicholas and Rosemary Shrager are joined by new recruits Syd Little and Stephanie Beacham for an adventure in the heart of Vietnam. Beginning their time in the hot and humid capital city of Hanoi, Rosemary and Stephanie explore their local neighbourhood while Syd and Wayne decide to cool off with an afternoon dip. Teaming up with a local swimming club, the pair discover that the banks of the famous Red River are a haven for locals who like to shed their clothes and make the most of the sheltered surroundings. The next day begins with a 5am wake up call as the group join hundreds of local pensioners exercising around the idyllic Hoan Kiem Lake. Reunited after their time in India, Syd and Stephanie decide to enrol in an art class which brings them face to face with a downed B-52 bomber, a stark reminder of the Vietnam War. For the second half of their stay, the group swap the heat of the city for a cooler climate in the mountainous region of Lao Cai. Teaming up with a travelling party of pensioners, Stephanie and Wayne decide to make the 180-mile journey on a coach, while Syd and Rosemary share an adventure, and a cabin, on the overnight sleeper train. Amazed by their spectacular new surroundings the group decide to end their time in Vietnam by scaling the summit of its highest mountain. After a terrifying cable car journey, the high altitude means not everyone makes it all the way to top. However, after a hectic stay in the city, the imposing mountain provides the perfect backdrop for the group to reflect on their dizzying time in Vietnam.
Marigold On Tour favourites Paul Nicolas and Rosemary Shrager are joined by comedy duo Ian and Janette Tough to experience the secrets of a happy retirement in Mexico.
