Race Across the World (2019) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Reaching the other side of
the world has never been easier.
However, by flying over, are
we forgetting how to travel through?
Singapore -
the furthest point from the UK
by road and rail.
Normally a 12-hour plane journey.
But could you get there for just
the price of the airfare
without taking a single flight?
What am I doing? Holy Moley,
that's going to be tough.
Five pairs of ordinary Brits are
about to attempt just that
Most people would go
from A to B on a plane,
but then they'd miss all this.
..in an extraordinary race.
Come on. At ground level,
they'll cover over 12,000 miles.
Oh, man! Look at that!
That's amazing.
Everybody wants to get
to Azerbaijan.
Who will finish first,
as they leave behind the trappings
of modern day life?
It's 34 hours on one bus.
Without their bank cards
We're going to run out of money
at some point.
..and their smartphones.
I don't want to argue about it.
Time's ticking on.
It will test them physically
This is where you find out
about yourself.
Sleep. Sleep where? You can't finish
the race if you're dead.
..and emotionally.
It's almost
like I'm questioning my purpose.
What is it that I want?
It's a bit much.
I'm at breaking point.
How will they triumph?
Tactics A new strategy -
blend in with the locals.
..resourcefulness
This is nice. It's actually lovely.
..risk taking Seriously running
out of food, proper water.
..or charm?
Can you take us to Greece?
For you, I want to help you.
The reward is great
It's about recapturing
the little bit of me.
..as the first team to Singapore
will claim the prize of £20,000
Argh!
..in a race across the world.
Shift your butt, come on.
50 days, blood, sweat, tears.
This programme contains
some strong language
The race begins in Greenwich -
the meridian line
separating east from west.
The Old Naval College is the former
home of the Royal Navy
and epicentre
of British exploration.
I can't wait. No.
I'm just so excited.
First to arrive,
best pals since school,
Sue and Clare.
Clare has been my best friend
since we were 11 years old.
I can't wait.
The most exciting thing
I think we've ever done.
When we were 21, we did an Interrail
trip together around Europe.
Good morning. Good morning. Morning.
We didn't have phones,
we didn't have the internet,
we had limited money.
Thank you.
Yes, we want to win, but I think
we also both want to enjoy
the experience of the journey.
Do you know where we are?
Well, we're at Greenwich.
The next team aiming to find
the fastest route
to Singapore without catching
a plane -
father and son Darron and Alex
from Bradford.
I think I'm going to be quite
hopeless at the start
because I'm used to my phone, like.
If I'm lost, I go on Google Maps.
But I'm going to win
because I've got my dad.
He knows how to travel.
You got used to your backpack yet?
A little.
I've slept in tents on top
of mountains, in the wilderness,
at the side of an active volcano.
I want something I've never
experienced.
Before the start of the race,
the teams have agreed to be stripped
of all mobile devices,
credit cards and cash.
Good morning. Good morning.
Do you have any mobile phones
or wallets with you? Yeah, I do.
Right, if you could hand that over
to my colleague for me, please.
Thank you.
What each team is provided with
is a world map,
a travel guide with local job ads
and two money belts.
Thank you.
Third up
..friends for over 30
years Natalie and Shameema.
You forget how pretty London is.
I know.
I would say Natalie's and I's
experience
of travel is very different.
My first expedition,
I went to Vietnam,
Cambodia, Thailand, Burma,
India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar,
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.
Setting off into the unknown is
something that I don't usually do.
You know, I've never even
owned a backpack before.
This trip has come
at a great time for me.
I've been married for 19 years,
but we've decided that
it's the right time for us to
separate and my two daughters
are growing into
strong, independent women.
So it's almost like someone saying,
"You've got permission to not
"be responsible for something,"
and that feels quite nice.
First thoughts when I say
race across the world.
Oh, shit.
Good morning. For the team's safety,
the only piece of technology
permitted is a GPS device
Thank you. ..that will track their
progress to the finish line.
Singapore - the furthest point
you can travel to
from the UK by road and rail -
a journey of over 12,000 miles.
But rather than a 12-hour
direct flight,
it will take an estimated 50 days.
Also joining the race -
husband and wife and owners
of a small retail chain
Jinda and Bindu from Nottingham.
We've been together
since we were children
and, after three decades,
you're going to know somebody very,
very well.
We've been through ups, downs.
We've been broke together,
we've been through crises together.
Our marriage has seen everything that
marriage can see and come out the other side.
It's made us so tough
and it's made us so determined.
Those skills, when you put them
in this type of situation,
it really boosts you along.
We need turbulence and stress
around us to perform.
There will be plenty of that on the
way.
Centre of time, centre of London.
I am so ready.
And completing the line-up -
best friends and business
partners Josh and Felix.
We've travelled a lot together
over the last five or six years.
We've had some incredible
adventures -
kind of a bit like Herge's Tintin.
Whether it's grizzly bears
in the Oregon mountains
or visit the Montenegrin Alps, we
know that anything this challenge
can throw at us we'll probably
be able to surmount.
This is going to be the most
rich and amazing experience.
We want to climb the hills
and swim in the lakes.
We want to eat it.
En route to Singapore, the teams
must pass through five checkpoints.
Only when they reach one will they
learn where the next will be.
Your first checkpoint will be
Delphi. Delphi. Where's Delphi?
France? Really?
Greece. The oracle. I've got
some Sophocles in my bag, so.
We're sorted.
Oh! Money.
Just over £1,300 per person gives
them a budget
of roughly £25 each a day.
You have £1,329.
The cost of a direct flight
to Singapore.
So it's got to cover all expenses
on the race, including food, water,
travel and accommodation.
They'll have to work to earn extra
cash and travel smart
if they're to make it to Singapore.
We don't want to run out of money.
We can always work.
I'd rather budget and be careful.
We'll make it work.
We know how to live on a budget.
We'll make it work.
Yeah. I'm not worried.
The race begins at 14:00 hours.
Hi, guys. Do you need help?
No, it's sorted.
The intrepid adventurers
assemble at the start line
We meet at last.
..setting eyes on their competition
for the very first time.
Hello. Hi.
Our paths will, I suppose, cross.
We'll be a little bit ahead of you,
unfortunately.
All that stands between the finish
line and the £20,000 prize
is two continents, 21 countries,
four seas and each other.
We've got to be at least jogging.
We're in a race, remember.
So? I can't run with this pack on -
not yet.
I'm not talking running,
we're talking jogging.
Suck it up and jog. We don't need to
jog.
We'll just like walk really fast.
Should we look on the map?
No, not now. We can get going.
It's not going to move, is it?
Without smartphones to help plan
the route to the first checkpoint
I'll find somebody to ask
where Delphi is, yeah?
..they need to be sure where it is.
I was wondering if you could
help me.
No money. I don't need it.
I don't need money.
Delphi, Greece? Yep.
Almost 1,900 miles from London -
and the team's first checkpoint -
the ancient town of Delphi.
When the Greek god Zeus sought
to find the centre of the world,
he released two eagles - one to the
east and another to the west -
and Delphi was the point
at which they met.
It seems that the most direct route
is just a straight line
here, through Germany, Croatia,
Albania
There are two sensible routes
to Delphi -
the first could take the teams
through Western Europe, from France
to Italy, crossing
the Adriatic to Greece.
Transport is fast and reliable,
but can be expensive.
I don't think that's going to be
necessarily the quickest way.
The coastal route won't be
the quickest.
Or they could navigate
Central Europe to the Balkans,
where travelling can be cheaper,
but transport less reliable.
Let's get across to Germany first.
But first, they need
to get out of the UK.
I was thinking, get a train that'll
get us out of London and then try
and see if we can hitchhike.
We might be able to find someone
who's taking the ferry over.
Do you know, like, from Dartford,
which is the next town
in the direction towards Dover?
Well, the next big town's Gravesend.
We'll get to Victoria Coach
Station Yeah.
..see what coaches are due,
see where they go,
and we'll adapt
and adjust accordingly.
Yeah, we'll just see what happens.
Yeah, I mean, for all I know,
there might be one due to Paris.
Could you call a local taxi firm?
Hi, there.
I'm in Cutty Sark at the moment
and I need to get to Dover.
What is the best price
that you could do?
I know it's far.
105. OK.
It's not cheap to get out of London,
but I just want to move forward.
There's a little dock here,
where they have boats
that go back to Waterloo.
I think we can get a train to
Ashford International.
From there, see if we can negotiate
a ticket on the Eurostar.
Josh and Felix are on a mission
to cross the Channel today
at any price.
We'd like to go to
Dover or Folkestone.
We'd basically like to know
the prices.
It's 70 quid.
It's quite a lot of dosh.
The appeal of this, even though it's
more money than we want to spend -
we can be there in two hours.
I would like to sit down and look at
our budget because
I don't think we've got time
to plan our money properly
in the next 15 minutes. So, let's
just get on the fucking train.
We're the perfect partnership.
Already we're choosing the luxury
option, which is maybe mistake.
I think we're fine.
Working together and being friends,
we're charging forward for the same
goal and, although along the way
we might disagree,
it's never personal.
So long as we don't spend
any more money today.
We might make France this evening.
# Well, I'm on my way
I don't know where I'm goin' ♪
Also aiming for Dover,
but on the cheap
Just flag anyone down.
Natalie and Shameema have taken
a short train ride to Gravesend
and are now on the A2.
You're not going to Dover, are you?
No.
Are you going to Dover,
by any chance?
You're going to sleep!
Well, I'm on my way ♪
50 miles down the road,
two teams are already in Dover.
So, buddy, how much is that, please?
Jinda and Bindu have opted
for speed and comfort
You'll get it. Don't worry.
..but at a price,
blowing nearly 4%
of their entire budget.
She thinks this is cheap.
I just don't think
this is going to be cheap.
Two tickets, please.
Foot passengers. Foot passengers.
Ay-ay-ay.
If we spent money at this rate, we'd
be through our money in two weeks.
Goodbye, Angleterre.
Oh, my God.
We've been joined
by our competitors.
They're keeping their cards
very close to their chests.
I don't want to go near them
because they just keep talking.
As the first two teams
leave British shores
I think we've got to
head into Paris,
freshen up, we might have a drink.
Sue and Clare also
have their sights set on France
Ashford International.
..by taking the fastest route.
The Eurostar from Ashford in Kent.
Arrivals, that is.
So, when's departures?
Maybe that is the next train.
But that's coming in.
That's arrivals. Oh, is it? OK.
We're trying to find out where
to buy tickets for the Eurostar.
Oh, hello! Hello.
Is it the other side?
Oh, sorry, I've just recognised
who you are, Mr Merton.
You can get tickets over there,
if you go down there Yeah.
We're on a trip to Singapore.
Can I shake your hand because
I think you are brilliant?
Oh, are you? The Eurostar looks
closed at the moment.
Arrivals, it says 17:34.
I can't see anything on departures.
Can you? No.
Have you checked your timetables?
No. No.
Any idea that forward planning
might be a good idea in this?
I think our organisation
skills will come into it.
Careful organisation,
with a bit of speed and know-how.
That'll take you to the other side
of Ashford station,
where there's a ticket desk there.
Fantastic. That's lovely.
Thank you very much for your help.
Good luck to you. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Good to see you. Cheers. Bye. Bye.
Can you believe that?
I think that's the one - the left -
and I think the right one
is with a passport.
That's locked.
I'm not liking the look
of that thing there,
where there are no trains
..listed on the board.
That's not good.
Ashford depart
Unfortunately, the last Eurostar
today from Ashford left
over two hours ago.
Ridiculous. Well Right Let's
just go, back on a train.
I would have never thought that.
With two teams halfway across the
Channel and two teams trying
to reach Dover,
there's one duo yet to leave
London - father and son
Darron and Alex.
How much would it be for two tickets
to Dusseldorf? 43.90.
- 43 for two? Oh, that's not - That's
worth it. 20 something - Let's do it.
Yeah, we'll do that.
Nearly bought tickets to go to Paris
but, for a couple pound more,
we could get to Dusseldorf.
We travel overnight.
Set off eight o'clock this evening.
Get there at 7:00 in the morning,
so cheap tickets,
save on accommodation.
First 12 hours,
we're in Germany.
Dusseldorf tomorrow.
Budapest, Serbia, Macedonia
It's probably not the most
well-travelled of routes into
Greece,
but I think arguably it's one
of the most interesting ones.
Our strategy is, like, always
on the move.
If you're going to be sleeping,
hopefully be travelling
while we're sleeping.
I'm feeling tired.
Suck it up, Alex.
20-year-old Alex's parents
separated when he was four.
He now lives with his mum.
Got you some Oreos.
Alex has got a pretty cushy
life, no responsibility.
Does what he wants when he wants -
whenever.
I've already started packing a few
stuff Some cooling mist.
Two pairs of Versace aftershave.
You want to be smelling
nice wherever you go
and you're meeting new people.
Oh, that's not a pleasant smell.
First casualty of adventure is
hygiene.
As Darren and Alex bed down
for their 12-hour journey to
Germanystill stuck on the A2,
Natalie and Shameema.
Right. Come on, then, shall we walk?
We've been on an adventure
since we were nine years old.
There's no doubt
about her having my back.
She was there when my mum died.
Shameema was there when I got
hit by a car.
She wasn't there, but I think
she rang all the hospitals,
trying to find which ward I was in.
If I'm feeling weak, she knows
how to pick me up.
She knows that I can't do
this without her.
We're trying to get to Singapore.
We are now getting anxious because
we're like, "Oh, my God, it's getting dark!"
So we have a core belief
of what a good person
should be like in this world.
First stop is we're trying to get
to Dover.
And on this trip I'm hoping
to rely on the kindness
and the goodwill of strangers.
We could buy you a ticket to Dover
from Rochester, if you like.
They're going to want to do things
for us because we are kind people.
Thank you so much.
Bye. Thank you.
The girls head from Rochester
to Dover.
We hit the last passenger foot ferry
out of England by literally seconds.
Yes.
I never give up. We're getting
off UK soil today!
Whoa, whoa, stop. Sorry.
We're getting on the ferry.
No, you're not.
Not until tomorrow morning at 8:30.
Is that the last
passenger ferry?
That's the first full passenger
boat. Having run out of options
to leave the UK today, Natalie
and Shameema head off to find a bed
for the night.
Having reached Dover themselves, Sue
and Clare are also unaware the only
ferries at this time are not
taking foot passengers.
There's a 10:00 one.
OK. Yeah, let's go.
You should be able to get them for
tonight.
Do you want to get that one
now and get across? Yes.
And where are we going to stay in
Calais?
We might not stay in Calais, we
might find somebody on the
ferry that can give us a lift
to wherever they're going.
And we've got an hour and a half
to find that person.
Why are we in such a rush tonight?
Because I want to get on the way.
We haven't come very far.
What are places like here, in Dover?
Are there some nice places
to stay?
Yeah, there's plenty of B&Bs
and stuff like that.
Yeah. It's going to be really
expensive.
Oh, well, what?
Where else are we going to stay
tonight?
We're late finding somewhere. I
don't know, it depends.
£49 for double room with en suite.
Is it possible to reserve it?
OK. Awesome. Thank you.
Bye. Thank you so much.
26 miles away, the ferry
has docked in France.
Bonjour. We made it!
So country number one.
But with no trains or buses leaving
Calais tonight,
it's straight
to the nearest budget hotel.
We're leaving very early
in the morning,
so if you can maybe give us a room
just to stay in, a few hours,
get some rest. Just us two.
Guys. Ciao. Always one step ahead.
Would you guys mind - cos I was
just in the middle of a conversation
I didn't want to share, so would you guys
mind waiting outside? I'm sorry.
Shall we just go somewhere else?
They're not to be underestimated,
those two.
They've really gotthey've really
got some moves.
Can youcan you?
Normandy is 59.
OK, OK. Other people
Yeah? OK. Because we came first.
We came and found you.
Thank you.
Right. 59.
59 euros? Spent £100 today, so
we're three times over budget.
Settling down for the night
My son Steven? Yeah. Hello?
Jinda receives an emergency call
on the producer's phone.
Is it bad?
My mum's in hospital and
..she's taken a slight
turn for the worse.
Cos my mum was really keen for me
to do this and my dad was as well,
everyone's just saying, "Look, just, you
know, carry on doing what you're doing."
There's a huge family, everybody's
rallying around, and sort of me
being there isn't going to make
a huge difference right now.
I know. She was fine.
She's been poorly
for about three months,
so, you know, I couldI could
possibly finish all this, and still
she could be in the same
kind of situation.
So we're just weighing
everything up, and
it just feels like I should carry
on,
and that's what everyone's
telling me to do.
After a restless night, Jinda and
Bindu are up early
What time is it?
Quarter past five.
..to catch the 6.17 train
to Lille
and then a coach to Aachen in
Germany.
But last night's call from home
is playing heavily on Jinda's mind.
I feel helpless in this situation
with my mum.
I'm so many miles away.
I feel like one of the people
who would be most proud
if we won this would be her.
So I feel like I want I don't
want to just go home and say,
"Oh, well, I've come home to see
you,"
and sit by her bedside for a
couple of hours
and then get back into my routine.
I want to go home
having achieved something.
Darron and Alex's overnight
coach trip has paid off.
They've leapfrogged the other teams
to arrive in Dusseldorf 215 miles
closer to Delphi than their nearest
rivals.
It wasn't the most comfortable
coach.
Alex is still a bit cranky
because he didn't sleep well.
It's only day two and I'm already
stinking!
And there's still a long way to go.
Nice and refreshing.
Alex, have a go. No, no.
I'll hold your glasses and cap.
No, I'm all right, thank you.
Alex and I used to be really close.
Alex lived with me till
he were about 16 and he moved
to his mother's and, without a
shadow of a doubt,
we have drifted apart,
and we've drifted apart pretty
severely.
It does wake you up. It's full of
moss. I'm all right.
Nothing's going to hurt you.
I'm all right.
He's getting to the age where I
think, if we don't reconnect now,
it's going to be harder and harder,
the older he gets.
I can't remember where we are.
Is it Dundeldorf?
Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf.
Dumbledore! Oh, I'll have to
remember that! Harry Potter!
That's what I were thinking! Yeah!
300 miles away
Look at that! Yeah.
The White Cliffs of Dover.
..Sue and Clare
We've left British soil!
..and Natalie and Shameema are on
their way to France.
Now it feels like it's real.
There's no going back for the next
seven, eight weeks,
until we get to Singapore.
George and Felix may already
be across the Channel
We get the, like, train to Lille
And the coach from there. Yeah.
Just if you had the internet,
we could just check that, you know.
..but are having trouble getting
out of Calais.
The current frustration is working
out how to book
an online-only bus
company without getting online.
Pardon, monsieur.
Un telephone? Google?
What is it called, EasyBus? Oui.
I can't explain. It's probably easier to find
someone else we can talk to about it. Can we?
Your phone - may we use it?
Pour le internet? No. No, don't
worry. Don't worry, don't worry.
No, no, no, no. No worries. Er
Merci beaucoup.
Merci, merci. De rien. Merci.
Without the credit or debit card,
how can we make a reservation?
If you have only cash,
that's the problem. You need to find
someone that can buy
with the credit card
and you give him the money.
If you have 44 euros Yes.
..maybe I can help you.
Oh yeah.
Because it is my good day and!
Thank you.
Great!
So if you want to collect credit
card
Oh!
The way we travel normally,
it's not unusual for us to find
ourselves talking to random
strangers and finding out
information.
I think it's quite liberating.
It is better than the Internet.
It's always the best way of doing
it, but it doesn't mean it's easier.
While Josh and Felix head
to Lille
..Sue and Clare have
already arrived.
Pardon. Parlez vous Anglais?
Un petit peu?
At the northern tip of France,
it's a blend of north European
and French culture, and
a good leaping-off point
to most European destinations.
See, I did say in France
that people didn't speak English.
The girls board a bus to Paris,
looking to head south and push
on into Italy.
I'm just very frustrated that
How many hours is it since we left?
I just don't think we need to be
thinking about that too much, Sue.
Can I just speak? I know you can.
Thank you. OK.
So 24about 30 hours after we've
left,
we're in Lille,
when the journey from thefrom
London to Paris takes two
and a half hours.
So I'm just shocked
how long it's taken us to get here.
But this has been one mistake
that we made
by not being able to get
on the Eurostar -
not knowing that we couldn't
get on at that station.
13 euros for both of us.
To get to where? Lyon.
Also in Lille, Natalie and Shameema
are hustling for tickets.
That's all right.
If you want to buy it for us,
we're happy to take gifts,
if you're rich!
I don't understand.
How's it going, guys?
How's it going?
Oh, my God! No way!
Oh, my God!
When did you get to France?
Yesterday. Oh, right.
We only got here this morning.
Yeah, I thought so.
I don't think it actually
benefited us any
because we rushed,
we bought expensive transport.
We stayed in a hostel
we didn't really want to stay in.
We spent so much money,
you would not believe. Really? Yeah.
Where did you guys stay last might?
We stayed at
the Travelodge for free.
Very nice! How did you manage that?
Well, we're hustlers.
Blagging skills, yeah!
Where are you going? Paris?
No, no. I can't tell you.
Natalie will kill me.
Maybe we should go
where they're going.
No. No, we've got a good plan,
actually.
I better go before I speak too much.
See you later. Take care. Bye.
We've managed to get here in
the same time, doing probably
a lot harder route and
saved a lot more money,
sothat's given me a boost.
Absolutely neck and neck and they
definitely spent less money than us
because they said they didn't spend
money on the hotel yesterday, so
Perhaps we're not exploiting
Getting stuff for free?
..getting stuff for free.
We're too willing to pay for things.
While Josh and Felix
are en route to Munich
..Jinda and Bindu
are already in Germany.
150 miles farther east,
in the cathedral town of Aachen,
resting place of
the medieval emperor Charlemagne.
My sock has been off my ankle,
bugging me all day long.
Before thy can settle in, though
..Jinda receives a second call
from home on the producer's phone.
Hi, baby, you OK?
Yeah, yeah.
Really?
What?
Oh, God.
I'll come back.
I'm coming. All right?
We're going to head back, OK?
All right. Thanks.
All right. See you when we get back.
Yeah, love you. See you soon.
Bye. Bye. Bye, Mum.
I would have loved to
be able to get to the end.
I think we would have met
a lot more people along the way
and hopefully we'll get to do
something like this again one day.
One day, yeah.
But right now I just want to
I just want to hold my mum's hand
and let her know that I'm there.
Jinda and Bindu's departure
means that a reserve team
have been called upon.
Does anybody know where Delphi is?
Retired PE teachers Tony and Elaine,
who have been married
for over 40 years.
I can't believe it,
we're here and we're doing it.
And it's about to start,
about to kick off.
We're about to cross the world.
Yeah.
Five hours ago, they dropped
everything to join the race,
starting from London with
the same budget as the other teams,
and are now making a final
phone call to take over the baton
from Jinda and Bindu.
How are you guys doing?
We've got caught
a little bit cold on it all,
but we're just so very sorry to hear
that you've had to withdraw
so early on.
Basically, you're representing
us now. Yes, we are.
We were in Aachen. Yes. And we were
going to get a lift to Cologne.
And then
..on to Milan. Milan.
And then that should get you on
to Delphi in Greece.
While Tony and Elaine
fast-track their way to Milan,
having left Paris, Sue and Clare
are heading in the same direction.
So we've been into Switzerlandfor
about five minutes.
I was just thinking how amazing it
was to actually come all this way,
you know, Paris to Milan,
for 45 euros.
Natalie and Shameema
have disembarked in Lyon.
Let's go and sit on the other side.
We're in Starbucks,
brushing our teeth.
That feels so much better.
Sticking to their strategy of
nonstop coach travel
has got Darron and Alex
halfway to Delphi,
arriving in Budapest.
Tired after a long journey.
400 miles behind them,
Josh and Felix are
in the capital of Bavaria.
With almost 12,000 miles of
the race still to run,
they have spent close to an eighth
of their total budget already.
We've got to look at our classified
ads
All the teams have been provided
with a directory of local job
opportunities and Europe is an early
chance to pick up a good wage.
We have brilliantly got work,
so no travel.
Some people would consider it,
if they wanted to win this leg,
a shot in the foot.
But we'll spend our hard-earned wad
on a getting on the fastest train
out of here tomorrow. A speed boost.
They've secured some manual labour
at stables just outside Munich,
helping out the owner, Oliver,
who's broken his arm.
Let's start.
Bring up the gravel.
25 tonnes. 25 tonnes.
And afterwards, you roll it. Yeah.
We've shovelled poo, rolled gravel
and had the satisfaction
of being able to work for 250 euros.
It makes a difference
to getting back to
where we were to start off with.
We stop for no-one.
They're friendly,
they're helpful, they're
..the best guests we have.
Travel the world, they said!
See new places, they said!
The opportunity to race across
the world has come at a good time
for these best friends
Go on! Get your anger out.
..who have spent the past four years
building a creative hub together
in Tottenham, London.
We have theatre Sunday to Thursday
and then we have big music events
and parties on the weekends.
In four months' time, unfortunately,
none of this will be here.
It'll be knocked down and turned
into a block of luxury flats.
We've got two months
to decide what our future is,
so this is the perfect
opportunity to find out.
Got it? Yeah.
We do something like this for
a day, we spend all of our energy
and we'll lie down tonight and
our minds will be buzzing with,
like, what we could do when
we get back to London
or how we could bring something that
we've learnt here back to our lives
and improve them, and now
there's a lot more riding on it.
We're older, we've got
girlfriends to think about.
We'll have a new plan
by this time tomorrow, mate.
Don't you worry.
On the banks of the River Danube,
the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
Created in 1873 by
the merger of three cities -
Pest, Buda and Obuda -
here, Darron and Alex are also
hoping
to earn their first extra money.
Excuse me, do you have a phone we
can borrow to make a call, please?
We need to ring this number.
Hello?
In English?
Alex has spotted an ad
that could continue to keep
their accommodation costs to a
minimum by offering bed and board.
We've seen your advert for
the paprika harvesting.
Right. No worries.
All right. Thank you, Anita.
Speak to you later. Bye.
But it's not the bed and board
Alex is used to.
They said that we can sleep outside,
but we don't have tents.
Could we sleep on
the factory floor?
She said it was dirty and that,
so we're in a big pickle here.
We're in this competition to win it,
but one of the challenges will be
for me to step back and go,
"No, Alex, you need to step up."
And I need to encourage him
and let him step up.
What do you want to do?
I don't know.
I don't want to sleep outside.
Youyou make a decision.
No. We make the decision.
You say you don't want to do that.
What do you want to do?
I don't have a clue.
Do not have one single clue.
Am I allowed to bang his head
against the wall on camera?
Dissing ideas but not
coming up with a solution -
anybody can do that, it's easy.
Him growing, him becoming
a more rounded individual
and still winning
It's going to be It's going to
be a tough balance at times.
Just feeling a bit I don't know.
Bit homesick, I suppose.
Don't know.
Could just do with
some advice from my mum, I reckon.
My mum just helps me get stronger
and she's always got
the right advice to tell me.
I've made an executive decision.
We're going to stay here tonight.
Try and get a cheap hotel. I think
you will feel massively better.
Sue and Clare have arrived in Milan,
considered one of
the fashion capitals of the world.
It's good to have
covered some miles now.
I feel like
we've actually got somewhere
because yesterday
Justit felt like we were taking
one step forward, two steps back.
But there's no stopping
to admire the fashionistas.
Platform 14. OK. Trains.
They're aiming for Venice
and, from there,
to catch a ferry to Greece.
We haven't really found out
any information about any boats,
but I think
..it might be easier
to find that out in Venice.
Lagging 270 miles behind them
..Natalie and Shameema are in Lyon.
A sugary smell in the air.
Sweet smell of patisserie.
It's the gastronomic capital
of France and they're looking to
pick up some paid work in
the city's famous bouchons -
family-run brasseries.
Morning. So we are trying
to get a job for the day.
Do you ladies know anyone
that might need any help,
like, to do anything?
Good luck!
Thank you. Thank you.
Bye-bye.
People don't like people walking in,
asking for jobs. Yeah.
I think I've got that sense of that.
Excuse me.
Do you know somebody that could
give us a job for the day?
I don't know. I call my friend -
he has a restaurant. OK. Cool.
Relying on
the kindness of strangers.
OK. Oh, have you got a job?
Can I hug you?
Thank you!
Once again,
the girls' strategy pays off
Hi, I'm Natalie.
..as they secure a shift
for ten euros each an hour.
Let's work it, baby.
Should I put some lipstick on?
You're serving, so you better do.
All right!
You want coffee? Oui. Cafe?
Two, please. S'il vous plait.
I mean, the car hire -
what do you reckon?
I think, while we're in places where
we can get there
on public transport, that's got to
be cheaper. By reaching Milan,
race newcomers Tony and Elaine have
completed the initial travel plan
they inherited from Jinda and Bindu.
Customer service.
There you are, Tony.
Now they're on their own
and looking to find a train to Bari,
on the heel of the boot of Italy.
95 a person to Bari.
That's like 200 euros. Yeah.
And we're going for
the overnight one.
How much more expensive,
for the sleeping, for one person?
70 euro more. 70 euro more.
Do we want to sleep in a bed?
No. We'll sleep in the seat.
I'm from Yorkshire. We're tight.
Anyway, we've not got enough
euros, to be honest.
We've got next to nothing to spend,
right, and just,
you know, being a Yorkshireman
with short arms and deep pockets,
right up our streets.
What can we get for five euros?
Cheapest pizza?
Cheapest pizza is eight.
No, that's too much.
Cheapest one's nine euro.
Pizza, water, and a coffee,
all for seven euros. Happy days.
You like to do a pizza? Oh, yeah.
What's your name? Antonio.
Antonio! Oh, yes.
Oh, yeah.
Clothes for you. Fantastic.
We worked as teachers for 40 years,
so we can communicate and hopefully
this communication will transcend
any language barriers
we come across.
Wahey!
I think age will be in our favour.
We don't need a lot of sleep.
We don't eat a lot.
Wow.
One, two, three, hyaah!
It's a long race.
It's more of
a marathon than a sprint.
Madame, here we go.
If we are the oldest contestants,
then it would prove
what we think, deep down,
that old people can do it.
I've made you
Dinner! First time in 40 years.
Oh, God, it's amazing.
140 miles further into Italy
..Sue and Clare arrive
in the floating city of Venice.
But rather than explore
its 170 canals and 417 bridges
..they have their sights set on
getting a ferry across the Adriatic
and as near to Delphi as they can.
As cheaply as possible
and fairly quickly.
For today? Yes.
From Venice, they are twice
or three times a week.
Nothing today? There is tomorrow.
What time? At two o'clock.
Does it say how long
that journey is?
Uh It should be 36 hours.
36 hours? 36?
With the ferry to Petraeus
not departing for 20 hours,
the girls can see
the sights after all.
I've never been to Venice.
You wouldn't give us
a one-minute ride for free?
Woo!
Oh, this is the life, isn't it?
As Clare spends half her year
in Spain, this is the most time
they've spent together since their
Interrailing days over 30 years ago.
So this is the partner in crime
all those years ago
and we were unlikely friends because
Sue was a little bit square.
It's those early days that really
count, the youth clubs and the boys.
All of those silly things
that you do together
have made our friendship.
So we went to Paros
and that was a lovely young man.
Still remember his name well -
who wouldn't? Konstantinos Panos.
He probably fancied me.
Can you take us to Greece?
Oh, do you know what?
I think he was police. Was he? Yeah.
The race will be tough.
There will be tough times.
I know. But I think
it's strong enough to survive
anything, really, our friendship.
Oh
I'm so glad that we've had
the time to just come here.
In Budapest
What's the cheapest twin room
available to us? 60.
60 euros for the night.
It's the most expensive Eastern
European country I've been in.
Darron and Alex have been
struggling for three hours
to find a place to sleep
I honestly don't think
we're going to find a room tonight.
..and are facing the prospect
of a night on the streets.
We'll sort something out.
It's getting cold now.
No room available.
OK. Thank you.
That's OK.
We'll sort something out.
I just feel like shit.
Do you want to try a coach first?
I don't care.
We've got to do Sitting here's
not going to achieve anything.
Having a bit of a breather,
that's fine.
I'm at breaking point.
No, you'll be fine, Alex.
Just It's a small hiccup,
that's all it is.
I absolutely hate Budapest
and I never want to come back.
It's been the worst day of my life.
Meanwhile, 400 miles due west
Wow.
Good evening.
Oh, look at this. Fantastic.
The smorgasbord is out.
Are you hungry?
..Josh and Felix are sitting pretty.
A hard day's work has not only
earned them a stash of cash
It's nice to have you here. Yes.
It's been lovely staying. Thank you.
..but also a free bed for the night.
Oh
Oh You know what?
It's cosier than the couch.
Yeah. I would rather be here.
I would much rather be here.
This is
I'd genuinely rather be here.
After a five-hour hunt
and shelling out £68,
Darron and Alex finally
find shelter for the night.
Oh, I'm buzzing!
I'm absolutely buzzing.
You've got a bed.
I'm just so happy right now.
Act like you've never had
a bed before. It feels like it.
It's been, what, three days? Yeah.
But it feels like it's been a month.
When people get upset,
especially Alex,
I can't quite understand it.
Maybe it, maybe
that's based on my lack of empathy
and I don't know,
but I need to try to
..show a little more compassion
and understanding for Alex
and what he's going through,
which is not
going to be easy for me.
It's those what push through
which are going to be
the ones what survive and win.
It's going to be fun. Yeah.
Having spent time working in Munich,
Josh and Felix are still 1,100 miles
from the Delphi checkpoint.
Seven hours on a high-speed train.
This is like the mental challenge
of getting transport to transport,
or sitting on transport
and not going mad.
To speed things up,
they plan to travel 30 hours nonstop
on the fastest transport.
We're on a train to Budapest.
It cost 120 euros for both of us,
which is twice as expensive
as the night train version,
which we could have got tonight.
We used the money that we earned
on the farm for this train.
Settling in for the next seven
hours. Jet train!
Speed boost! Speed past everybody.
As Josh and Felix
fast-track it to Budapest
Certainly been given
a colourful paint job.
..just leaving, Darron and Alex.
Absolutely buzzing.
On our way to Serbia
and we've gone for the risk.
We don't know where
we go from Serbia!
They've decided to take
the path less travelled,
heading through the Balkans.
Definitely feels
coming off the beaten track.
The line we're going on is
almost like some
..forgotten part of the world.
We're just praying and hoping
that we can get
straight to Greece tonight.
We don't want to be stuck in Serbia,
go straight to Delphi from here.
Hopefully, there's
going to be a connection.
Ticket office.
Hello.
We're looking for a train to Greece
ASAP, really.
No trains?
No No train whatsoever?
Oh, this ain't good.
So what exactly did she say?
She said that,
after the 30th of September,
it doesn't go to Greece.
Let's try to think of
the best way to do this.
There is potential for us to be
stuck here with no way out. I know.
With Darron and Alex
in danger of getting stuck
600 miles from Delphi.
I tell you what, this is going
to be a totally different ferry
to anything we've been on before
because it is just full of truckers.
..closing in, Tony and Elaine,
and Natalie and Shameema.
That is our ferry.
Both teams have motored down from
Milan to ports in southern Italy
and Natalie and Shameema are
on the faster crossing.
We're going to Greece, baby!
But Tony and Elaine have a plan
to save time and money
when they get to the other side.
We're hoping one of the truck
drivers will give us a free lift
from Patras up to Delphi.
We're trying to get to this place,
Delphi. Do you know?
Do you know where this is?
Delphi?
No? No?
No chance?
Can you go to Delphi?
Yeah? No Delphi. Athens.
Athens.
Oh, here we go.
Yeah, yeah.
Even if we don't get a lift,
I'm happy!
Grazie.
We will fly to Delphi.
We'll get there, Sue.
We'll get there.
Also heading across
the Adriatic Sea - Sue and Clare,
halfway through
their 36-hour voyage.
We could have done it quite
a lot quicker, actually, I suppose.
But how boring is it,
you know, just sitting on a bus?
It's about a journey.
It's about recapturing
a little bit of me, this,
with my best friend, Sue.
The trip that we did before -
I've got a few photos here.
You with your dungarees.
Thought they were wonderful.
Oh, well, of course
Go on, then. I know you like
saying it, Clare. Say the name.
Konstantinos Panos.
I think it was only because we had
matching shorts that he liked me.
I feel a little bit of, you know,
the young Clare, the free Clare.
I feel like crying. It's, like,
really emotional for me, really.
After several hours
stuck in Belgrade,
Darron and Alex took
the first available bus south
and have landed in Skopje,
Macedonia.
What's your opinion, Alex?
I think we should get a taxi.
Not willing to risk another delay,
they commit to their
biggest spend so far.
We need to go to Greece.
For 120 euros? 120. Right.
Is it possible to swing by
the Alexander the Great statue?
Yes. OK. No problem.
En route,
Darron insists on a quick detour.
If it wasn't for him
you may have had a different name.
Alex was genuinely named
after Alexander the Great
and his achievement.
Alexander conquered a large part
of the known world at the time
in his 20s - done Greece,
Persia, commanded it all.
If you think,
you can't even make your own bed.
Look what he did at that age.
He enjoys this sort of stuff
and I'm not normally
keen on this sort of stuff,
but maybe, after spending
time together and bonding,
we are seeing similarities
which we didn't know.
As father and son share
a historical moment together,
Josh and Felix
have edged ahead of them
after enduring
a marathon 450-mile bus ride.
They've now crossed
the Macedonian border into Greece
and are looking for a shortcut
to the checkpoint.
We've hit a problem. Really?
We're trying to get to Delphi. Our
original plan was to go to Athens
and get the bus back.
Do you know if there is
any other way to get to Delphi
without having to go to Athens,
essentially?
So I think, if you go to Athens,
you make kind of a big detour.
Athens is 100 miles south of Delphi.
Sticking to their current plan
will take them
three hours out of their way.
Yeah?
You're our hero!
That's amazing. You couldn't
do that on the internet.
Back in their taxi, Darron and Alex
are hot on their heels.
We're in Greece. Very, very close.
I can smell
the competitors close by.
The sooner a team reaches
the checkpoint, the sooner
they can leave on
the next leg of the journey.
I think there's
a very strong possibility
we're going to be in Delphi tonight.
So every second counts.
Goodbye.
Thanks, man. So, yeah.
Good luck, guys. Thank you so much.
Excuse me, sir.
Are you going to Delphi?
Delphi?
No, I don't think this is it.
Did our friend phone you?
Delphi?
I know.
Can we buy a map
so that we could hike there?
I mean, it's 60km -
it's going to can take two days.
Thessaloniki,
150 miles from the checkpoint.
First time we've seen Delphi.
You have tickets?
No, we want to buy tickets.
What's your name? Alex.
Alexander. Alexander. The Great?
Ish, yes!
38 each. 76 euro.
My ticket. We're going to Delphi.
Buzzing, absolutely buzzing!
Delphi? No.
Oh
Maybe we should hitchhike.
Come on. It's not it.
No? I don't know.
It's indicating Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That's it!
Yes. Yes!
Hi.
Thank you for being our saviour.
Our ability to follow a hunch and
take risks is one of our strengths.
Ingenuity, local knowledge
Lateral thinking. ..lateral thinking
and dedication to, like, our quest
that's really come to the fore.
Here! This is it
Making their last connection,
Darron and Alex
Thank you.
I'm saying our place is either
second or third,
but obviously
you'd like to be first.
I don't think we're last.
..whilst two of the teams are
still at sea.
We've got no idea where the other
teams are No.
..and I hope we're not coming
in last.
We're still talking to each other.
That's not bad, after a week, is it?
Yeah, no, it isn't.
Sue and Clare
and Tony and Elaine
What's that like as a pillow?
..won't reach the checkpoint
tonight.
Luxury.
We're in Greece! ♪
But Natalie and Shameema have
hit dry land
Buses seem impossible.
..and despite no public transport
leaving at this hour
What about if we hired a car?
..they're not giving up just yet.
Hello. Hello, how are you?
Is there any car for hire today?
We need to get to Delphi.
How much is your rates?
140. 140?!
I know those negotiation tactics.
No, no. We have no driver for you.
No driver?
Do you want us to buy you a coffee
or tea?
Great, so do you want to buy us
a tea or coffee?
Darron and Alex arrive in Delphi.
Their GPS tracker tells them the
exact location of the checkpoint
Hotel Amalia Delphi.
..a mile away,
on the other side of town.
Right, let's ask people. Go.
No, no, no. These, run. Excuse me.
Can tell me where Hotel
Amalia is round here?
OK. Alex.
Alex!
Come on.
Headless chicken.
We found a driver.
You found a driver?!
Oh. Got a shiver.
He's not killing people. I know!
We're going to Delphi!
Dad, it's here!
After six days
It's here. Oh, fantastic.
..and 1,900 miles,
their first checkpoint.
Hello. Hello, welcome to Amalia.
We'd like to check in, please.
Where did we finish?
Each team must sign in to find
out its position in the race.
Second. Oh, damn.
Hey! Hello!
Congratulations.
Thought we'd give you a chance on
the first leg.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
We did say you are our biggest
competitors - in the thing.
We said it's between us four.
Well, the game is afoot.
You've won the first leg,
but we'll win the important one
at the end.
Fighting talk.
Last one to Singapore buys the
beers.
Yeah.
We're here! Oh, my gosh.
Hello!
While Natalie and Shameema
take third place
..two teams still have some
way to go.
It's just one decision, one trip,
that could change everything.
I expect it to get far more intense,
far tougher
..and far more exciting.
All is still to play for
This storm is coming.
Fast, fast, fast
..over the remaining 10,000 miles.
It's a lot further than we think.
..to Singapore.
Well, we're fucked.
Looks like we're staying here.
It's a crazy, wacky, woopy place.
This shit just got real.
Shut up.
Next time
Good to meet you.
..the teams leave Delphi
The next checkpoint is Baku. OK.
..for Azerbaijan.
"The team that reaches there in
fifth place will be eliminated."
The sword of doom hanging over our
heads now.
Now I'm going to start playing
dirty. Are you?
It's Baku
No euro. No euro, pound.
Oh, it's problem.
..or bust.
That's it, that's it! Come on!
I want to carry on.
I'm not ready to finish yet.