The Real Marigold Hotel

Yes it would be interesting to find out how they get on if they do decide to stay. My husband was quite taken with the lovely flats that can be rented and is muttering about renting one for four months of our winter!

The last programme of the series and several of the group seem to be seriously considering moving there, even if only for part of the year. They've all had a very positive experience and it's lovely to see. I am surprised that they managed the heat and Rosemary and Miriam loved the festivals and threw themselves into the dancing, some feat for a couple of ladies carrying extra weight!
I'd like to see a follow up series if any of them do actually take the plunge and move to India. Especially Bobby, I never thought he'd take to it as he has.

I loved the programme. We have had ten holidays in India and it has a special atmosphere. As I have asthma though, I do have to restrict my visits to very busy towns because of the dust.

Well I must admit I enjoyed this little series.

I actually want to go to India and if it wasn't for my health I honestly think I would give it a bash, not to move there or live there for any length of time but say a months holiday. I think the fact they all said they loved the experience surprised me but Bobby George getting his wife out to experience India and possibly spend time out there was not why I expected would happen, Jan Leeming yes not Bobby.

I guess they had the opportunity to experience India with the safety net of being in a group and researchers doing the groundwork but I think they all were totally genuine in expressing their love for the country and it's people. Nice one.

We wondered about the fortune teller too and decided that the taxi driver told him and he googled Jan. Shame we only saw Jan visiting him though.

I thought it got really interesting tonight. The fortune teller was amazing unless it was a set up by the programme makers, or the driver had given him her name in advance and he googled it! Why can't British doctors speak so plainly to overweight patients? They needed telling - and helping. A few months of Indian food might do the trick for them though! I'm looking forward to next week!

I thought the whole feel of the programme was different tonight, much more serious. I didn't expect the show to tackle head on the vulnerabilities of each person and I was rather touched by it all.

Actually I think Jan does look her age, but she's great at looking her best though. Long hair suits her and the colour is very flattering - not quite grey, but not blonde either. Hate those daft things she wears on top of her head though, plus I think they're very aging. She wears clothes in styles and colours which suit her too and her accessories keep her style young. She had great jewellery on tonight. But she's really thin and if she put on a little bit of weight, I think it would suit her.

Did anyone else think that Roy and Jan should think about trying to become friends, so they could be companions for holidays and things? And Rosemary and Jan could become friends too. It would be nice to think the ones who are lonely could become friends that keep in touch with each other after the series.

Will definitely keep watching.

Watched the second episode tonight. Very interesting that they've all gone for medical checks which apparently are as good as anywhere. Miriam and Rosemary are coping extremely well considering their particular health issues. Trying to get around in that heat, in those crowds and with the lack of decent loos would try somebody a lot younger and fitter.
It's a great programme for showing India though, really gets the atmosphere. Love it.

I thought tonight's episode was very revealing, they're all showing their more vulnerable sides now. Poor Jan is really very lonely isn't she? Can't believe she's 74 though...

MM and I have something in common! She said she made a rule of not doing housework she's my kind of gal.

One or two of them were really porky. How they cope in the heat I don't know. Maybe they will lose weight in their new environment.

Well I passed Miriam's autograph to DS and his Hungarian fiancee was thrilled to see it was Professor Sprout! Harry Potter reaches to all corners

I think Wayne's had a hip replacement too.

grammar, oh dear

I thought Wayne's tap dancing was absolutely fine, I am sure, having recovered from cancer, that he will not be leaping around doing the sort of acrobatic dancing that he did as Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet - for a while anyway.
He has also does a lot through his Foundation to help youngsters achieve their dreams through scholarships.

All we're doing is commenting on each other's posts, just like you Nonnie. I think everyone understands it's a light entertainment programme and edited for maximum effect.

I don't think there was anything wrong with Wayne's tap dancing.

Some seem to have missed the point that it is supposed to be amusing and light! It has obviously been very edited and does not actually show the 'real' India! The producer has given us what he/she thinks we want and has, imo, perpetuated some old perceptions. Yes, the streets really are crowded and some people really are poor and some rich but the contrasts are not as stark as it would appear. The slebs will also have bean told what to say for the camera in some cases and they are really not being themselves they are doing what the producer wants them to.

You haven't so far seen 5 people on a motorbike for instance! Look out for how clean most people's clothes are as another example. I will be surprised if you see anyone smoking, they generally don't, they chew tobacco. I think these are the real India.

What was wrong with Wayne's tap dancing? I think it was good at any age and none of us could probably do it.

Looking forward to watching this. I've always admired Miriam M. and always wanted to visit India.

Am rethinking my opinion on MM, also find Patti vain !!!

She was explaining the religious belief, but that doesn't change the fact that in this reincarnation she's at the top of the tree and they're at the bottom. It was a direct contrast to the tour guide actively trying to better himself and hitting brick walls. He clearly doesn't believe he should accept that his caste means he cannot improve his situation in life. I find it hard to believe he is the exception and others do not have similar ambitions.

I wondered how many of the audience at the evening of entertainment understood what was being said. If you watch what's going on in the background, not everyone is enthralled by the spectacle. I bet some just wanted to be on TV or were there for the food and drink. Some like the tour guide's family probably felt obliged to attend. Of course, then there's always the matter of tipping at end of the stay. I'm sure the staff and the tour guide rely on getting good tips, so will keep smiling through it all.

Jing surely the Maharini was explaining the Hindu belief that a life is only a step on a progression towards perfection. She was not excusing the poverty but clarifying why those who are so poor seem to accept their lot in life. If this is their religious belief, then it needs to be respected. It is a very different culture from ours, where acceptance of one's lot is not a common trait.

I've just watched the first episode and enjoyed it for what it was- just light entertainment.

India isn't somewhere I have ever wanted to go and to see the streets with their noise and chaos confirmed that for me , but I will enjoy seeing how this group get on.

MM reminds me of my mother...and that's not all good !!

Worth seeing the next episode though.

The 'entertainment' was the final straw for me merlotgran, so toe-curlingly awful I stopped watching once Wayne Sleep started tap dancing ???

Goodness knows what their hosts and family must have thought- perhaps they imagined this is what we enjoy as 'entertainment' at home ?

Heaven help us!

I have some Indian friends who hate visiting relatives there, they say ' too hot, too dirty, too many beggars.' Needless to say, they have lived in the UK for a number of years.

Yes, it was embarrassing, wasn't it? The audience was of course very polite, but they must have been wondering why any of them actually got paid for doing that in the UK!

As for MM declaring, loudly 'I am Professor Sprout'...

Am I the only one who cringed when they put on their 'entertainment?'

It reminded me of 'It Ain't 'Alf Hot, Mum'