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Image via WikipediaThe press release for it reads...Northern Exposure: Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen explore Northern Ireland
Celebrity husband and wife team Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen take to the roads of Northern Ireland for a trip with a difference.
In a new six-part series for BBC Northern Ireland, Laurence And Jackie's Northern Exposure, the celebrity designer/presenter and his wife Jackie visit a different county each week.
During their road journey filmed over the past few months, the pair divided their time travelling in a sometimes temperamental convertible and a back-up white Volkswagen convertible.
With Jackie at the wheel and Laurence providing the navigation, they have sampled some of the hidden gems on offer, which they hope will encourage people to rediscover and perhaps discover new parts of Northern Ireland.
While filming they stayed overnight in a lighthouse cottage in County Antrim; tried microlighting in County Armagh; had a cookery lesson and went canoeing in County Fermanagh; sampled the delights of a seaweed bath in County Down; stayed in Dungiven Castle in County Londonderry and Omagh B&B Mullaghmore House in County Tyrone.
The series begins on BBC One Northern Ireland on Friday 25 July 2008 at 9pm with County Antrim.
With a bit of squabbling en route, the pair kick off their tour in Ballymena and manage to find their way to Bushmills, Randalstown and Lisburn among other places.
In the first programme, Laurence proves he's no match for Jackie when it comes to shooting and comes a bit too close for comfort to a snake, and the couple spend a romantic night at a very unusual property.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: "It was a magical mystery tour, as every day we had no idea where we were going, what we were going to be doing or what we were about to experience.
"Each programme we made we were constantly astounded by how much there was to do in Northern Ireland.
"We found ourselves doing things we never thought we would, like microlighting, hanging out with owls – and eating genuine Australian crocodile in an Australian restaurant in Armagh is an experience neither of us will forget!
"I think a lot of people know that the landscape here is astonishingly beautiful but unless you really experience it yourself you have no idea quite how staggering the countryside can be, moving so quickly from coast to mountain to plain to moor, it's just beautiful."
Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen added: "It has been lovely and it's just like being on a complete voyage of discovery, it really has been like being on a treasure hunt and each day and each different experience was unique.
"The series really demonstrates the varied experiences that people can have in Northern Ireland.
"Northern Exposure has felt like the perfect holiday even though we've been working and surrounded by a television crew.
"Both Laurence and I have fallen in love with Northern Ireland. It's the ultimate destination for close to home holidays and as yet undiscovered."
Simon Miller, Series Producer, said: "Filming with Laurence and Jackie as they undertook their road trip has been an absolute laugh a minute, so we're hoping that'll transfer onto the small screen.
"No matter what they were told to do, they got stuck in – whether it was handling hissing cockroaches or going dirt buggying, I think what viewers will see is that Laurence and Jackie are just like any other couple – and that includes the arguing and getting lost!
"Hopefully it will also tempt people to go out and try some of the things in the programme themselves!"
At the end of every episode, Jackie and Laurence argue about their three favourite activities in that county.
To find out more about those, and how viewers can experience them for themselves, visit the programme's website: bbc.co.uk/northernexposure.
In the midst of Googling for info about the programme I discovered a blog by Simon the producer. He writes...I’ve really enjoyed working with Laurence and Jackie - they are both very, very funny and nice people, and I think that’ll really come through in the programmes. Filming has been manic though for a couple of reasons. The shooting schedule demands that we film six different locations (sometimes seven) over two days. When you take into account travelling time, time to rig lights and so on, that’s not much time at all to get a sequence shot.
Secondly, I’ve found being out on the road with a crew of 15 people a bit tiring at times as well - just making sure everyone knows what’s going on whilst trying to work it out in your own head is a bit knackering, but luckily I’ve been blessed with a great team of people who’ve made things very easy.
The third thing that has made life a bit awkward is that the car we hired in for the series, a 1966 Ford Mustang has broken down on nearly every shoot. To the point that it’s been nick-named Mariah Scarey after another break-down prone star.
I've already subscribed, via Google Reader,to Simon's blog and I'll try my best to watch Mr and Mrs Llewelyn-Bowen on TV tonight.
3 comments:
Got here through Google, Hi!
Just three questions:
Did you manage to watch the programme?
Did you record/save it?
Most important, would you mind to share it?
I'd love to see these shows but BBC's iplayer doesn't like people outside UK.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00cp25x
I'll check later your blog, just in case... See you!
Yael
Hi Anon.
I managed to watch the show on TV and you should check with the BBC about being able to view it yourself.Or even call at the producers blog which I linked to earlier and ask him if you've nay trouble.It was a good show and I'm looking forward to the next 5 episodes.
Many thanks for your response, d@Ve!
I've sent e-mails everywhere but no positive answer has arrived yet.
BBC's online player only works for UK residents, I'm in America.
Anyway, thanks and enjoy the shows!
Yael
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