The Real Marigold on Tour

Aired 2016-12-27

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.

Aired 2016-12-30

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.