Ep 31. Greenways
- February 23, 2015
Four in a Bed is a popular British reality TV show that is centered around four bed and breakfast owners taking turns to stay at each other's establishments and rate their experience. Each episode features the hosts visiting the different bed and breakfasts, engaging in various activities, and ultimately revealing their ratings and feedback.
In season 8, episode 31, titled Greenways, the four bed and breakfast owners are in Devon, a county in Southwest England renowned for its stunning natural beauty and charming seaside villages. The competitors are staying at Greenways, a family-run bed and breakfast in the picturesque coastal town of Paignton.
Greenways is owned by Lou and Dave, who have been running it for about two years. They have put their heart and soul into transforming the property into a comfortable and welcoming haven for their guests. The bed and breakfast has five individually decorated rooms, each with an en suite bathroom, and a stylish dining room where Lou serves up hearty breakfasts.
The other competitors are Caroline and Chris, who own Burrow Farmhouse in Axminster, Debbie and Rob, who run The Old Rectory in Boscastle, and Amanda and Dan, who own The Riverside in Boscastle. Each of them comes with their unique style and personality, adding to the fun and drama of the show.
As the episode begins, Greenways' owners Lou and Dave welcome the other competitors and show them around the property. The guests are impressed with the tasteful decor and cozy atmosphere and are looking forward to a good night's sleep.
The first activity of the day is a visit to the nearby Paignton Zoo, where the contestants get to see all sorts of exotic animals, including gorillas, tigers, and penguins. They also take part in an animal handling session, where they get up close and personal with some of the zoo's residents. The four competitors are enjoying themselves, but tensions are simmering under the surface as they start sizing each other up.
Later in the day, the group meets up again for a cream tea at Greenways, and Lou shows them how it's done the Devon way – with jam first, then cream. The competitors exchange pleasantries, but there is an undercurrent of competitiveness as they try to evaluate each other's performance.
The next day, after a hearty breakfast at Greenways, the group heads off to the local market to buy ingredients for their cooking challenge. The task is to prepare a dish using ingredients from the market, and the guests will rate each other's culinary skills.
Back at Greenways, the contestants get to work in the kitchen, and there are some interesting choices of dishes, from fishcakes to frittatas. They present their meals to the others, and the dining room erupts in both praise and criticism.
As the competition heats up, the contestants take a walk along the scenic coastline, and tempers flare as they start to criticize each other's establishments. There are accusations of dirty bathrooms, pokey rooms, and ho-hum breakfasts.
At the end of the day, the contestants return to Greenways for dinner, and the atmosphere is tense. They know that the time has come to rate each other's bed and breakfasts, and they are nervous about the outcome.
The next day, Lou and Dave reveal the scores, and the tension is palpable. One competitor has been marked down for dirty rooms, while another has been criticized for a poor breakfast. The group is divided, and there is no clear winner.
As they say their goodbyes, the owners reflect on the experience, grateful for the chance to meet new people and promote their businesses. Greenways may or may not come out on top, but they know that the experience has been worth it. And who knows – they might even make some new friends along the way.
