A glorious series. Truly uplifting and joyful. I could happily watch more of it. I've always fancied India, and this has just increased the interest.

Jan just seemed lonely.

Miriam Margolyes's partner must be very patient.

BiB - 'Ain't that the truth!

It does indeed look like a terrific place to visit, but my not very robust constitution couldn't cope with living there full time.

Totally agree.

Shame it was only for 3 episodes.

Really enjoyed the whole crew but agreed it was a shame there wasn't much focus on Roy, Sylvester and Patti.

Me too. Wonderful programme.

Just finished watching it tonight and I did enjoy the series, but.....

It really could have been made by the 'Retirement in India' tourist board. Everything was about niceness, serenity, spirituality, cheap cost of living etc. and it made living in India look like a no-brainer.

We didn't see any beggars following you for hours at a time, we didn't see it being like living on a rubbish tip for miles in any direction, people pissing and shitting up any vertical surface, wrapped up bodies by the roadside. Everyone bothering you for money and trying to rip you off.

It was a bit like one of these programmes that makes out you can break down somewhere in rural France and the whole village turns out to bring you bread, wine and cheese. Whilst some moustachioed mechanics in blue boiler suits mend your car for nothing before offering you a bed for the night.

India's interesting, and everyoen should see it, but I don't think the reality of moving there will be anything like what was shown.


ETA: One thing that I did enjoy about it was that the people selection was just a bunch of nice, normal people. It stayed all about their experience in India (apart from maybe Jan going on a bit about being the world's loneliest woman) and wasn't about who would have an argument with who, fallings out, etc.

Undoubtedly there were rose tinted specs at work, but it warmed my heart for a few cold evenings in January and February! Delightful programme.

Yes, I imagine you are right, but the programme that was made was very enjoyable to watch, whereas the one showing the begging, unsanitary behaviour etc. would have been..... less so.

You've just described the village where our little bolt hole in France is situated - I can't recall seeing you there though?

Yes, you're right too. It was a nice change to watch a nice programme about nice people.

I was the guy in a broken down car. A load of surly teens ignored me, whilst the woman in the Creperie made out like she couldn't understand me when I pronounced 'Nootella' as 'Noutella'...

I agree with the above but I don't think that's what the programme was about.

I have spent time in India and my favourite part was Jaipur/Rajasthan. Rajasthan is very pretty.

There is an awful lot of poverty in India and some very unsanitary practices but if you have the funds it is very easy to not see any of that. Most of the beggars I saw were near tourist areas as thats were the money is. Mumbai was pretty grim but again, it comes down to money. If you have it you can live like a King out there.

Bodies being carried around on stretchers and burnt in public was hardly the "highlights of India".

That made me laugh out loud!! Fond memories of visits to France methinks!

I did think it was all somewhat romanticised and sanitised - there seemed to be no negatives whatsoever. Like others I'd loved to have seen and heard more from Sylvester McCoy who seems a well-travelled and articulate person - I'm sure he had a lot more interesting things to say. Maybe he wasn't as good television as the others: the same with the other two who were left in the shadows.

I enjoyed it immensely despite what I felt was a lack of balance although I appreciate others' comments: that you can live in India without seeing the poverty and beggars.

They were a great mix of people and like johnny, I loved how it was about their experiences and not falling out, etc - it wasn't, thank goodness, a version of Big Brother!

My wife and I enjoyed this short series too. However we got the impression that the only person who didn't really seem to enjoy himself was Roy Walker. Would love to know which if any of them have gone back or are making plans to do so.

I agree with you guys.
I loved it and wanted it to be longer.
Great series which showcased BBC at its very best.

I was expecting a little bit at the end giving an update. 'Bobby and his wife decided against a move to India ...' , 'Jan booked to go back for 3 months...' etc

I was very surprised there was nothing at all.

Well Rosemary was certainly stunned she possessed the ability to meditate, but perhaps not enough to do more than join a class down the road! Jan on the other hand fell in love with the idea, but I wonder once home if she'll struggle to get past her own insecurities and hurdles to find the courage to go for it - especially on her own! The one person who I genuinely believed would give it serious consideration was Wayne. The experience had a profound effect on him and having had his health scare, he was coming at it more from a - why not, I've got nothing to lose, point of view.

I love programmes on India, but can't agree with my fellow posters that it should have lasted longer. Three participants were left out mostly due I wonder because they had nothing positive to say? So maybe it was a sponsored "Retire to India campaign."

I far preferred the Indian Railway series, and Guy Martin's series was a real eye opener. Turned me off ever to visit when he said 70% of all Indians crap in the street. He showed a television advert "Don't Poo, Use the Loo." (I cook my own Indian food now.)!

Mentioning the purchase price of housing was misleading too. I was watching a programme on India years back when they said it was the fastest growing economy in the world and I thought, I'll have some of that.
No you won't as only available to Indians. Although of course Indian, Chinese, Russian and any other nationality may purchase property in UK, forcing the prices up and driving hard working British on minimum wage out.

I don't believe any one of the participants would consider retiring to India. Jan Leeming for one spends time in South Africa and Australia.

Bobby was just tagging on his missus for a free holiday.

Rosemary would hardly spend time there when she's set up a new business in the UK.

Wayne might possibly go into retreat with his partner for a week.

As for the other three, who knows as the programme decided to ignore them.

No sorry, not they who were taken for a ride, but us!

Not saying you were fooled, but you were. Celebs on a freebie to India. See them all eating egg on toast? Not a spice in sight!

Just caught up with the last episode. Was interesting in a sarcastic way - fed up with seeing Jan, Rosemary, Wayne and Miriam. Felt sorry for Roy Walker, as he appeared not to enjoyed himself too much and where was Patti Boulaye all the time - hardly saw her.

Glad it is over - had to see all episodes , could have been much better, but wish it was a programme, titled 'Retirement in Ireland' or some other country. It was just a jolly 3 week holiday.

It was simply a reality show, but I do think it genuinely surprised a couple of them. I agree with you Mutter, that Wayne was the only one who might give it a try if his partner was up for it and yes, of course you'd try a quick holiday first.

This is the Hindustan Times' take on the programme.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/...v6k36ScyL.html

Thanks for the link Nesta.
All of the participants in the programme are well set up for their retirement. To think any one of them may retire to India is laughable and laughing at us who believe they might. Bobby George got the best deal, shipping in his wife for a free holiday.

Me too. I was convinced there'd be a caption at the end updating who'd gone back.

Miriam didn't appear to be there the day they did the elephant safari.

She was, she said I hope it can hold my weight.