America loves BBC show Great British Bake-Off... says BBC

[Frances144]

Another series you might enjoy (and also look for related ones by the same team.  All very good)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Farm

[kimmer]

Thanks so much, Frances! I'll definitely look for the painting challenge.

Victorian Farm reminds me a show PBS did several years ago. Families had live back in the 1800's without all the time savers and hygiene and such that we had in the 1990's--or maybe it was 1980's--I can't remember. Memory is that most families didn't make it all the way through the experiment--or maybe M and I gave up on the show. Still, I'm gonna see if I can find this as well.

I'm totally confused with the baking show ... some older series are on Netflix, some on Amazon and they are all numbered wrong. Netflix says first series, but it was actually series three; and I can't seem to find the actual first series on either site. Fortunately, it doesn't really matter and I’m enjoying cheering folks on all over again. 

[Frances144]

I don't know if you can see what we see on t'net but I have just discovered some very good programmes.

They are known as the "Slow TV" genre and one is drone cameras over The Great Wall of China (going to watch that tonight - A Slow Odyssey:  The Great Wall of China - there are others in the series.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0002dtj/a-slow-odyssey-the-great-wall-of-china

And the other, which Richard (professional Yorkshireman) wants to watch is - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6020078/?ref_=ttpl_pl_tt

All Aboard:  The Country Bus - which is a lovely bus journey around North Yorkshire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFCE77mAIN0

Anyway, I just thought I would share.

[Frances144]

This was the original Slow TV film that got us just watching.  It was mesmerising.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxSkdcoXqoE

(man making a Windsor chair)

[kimmer]

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out this evening when I sit down for TV time (I can see youtube on my tv).

If I'm allowed, I have to say I'm really chuffed at finding all these quality shows.

[Frances144]

If you want, I can go on recommending stuff we watch endlessly, if you like.   There are some real gems out there which makes me pay my BBC licence fee (if grudgingly).

[kimmer]

If you want, I can go on recommending stuff we watch endlessly, if you like.   There are some real gems out there which makes me pay my BBC licence fee (if grudgingly).

Yes, please keep recommending. Why do you have to pay a BBC license fee?

[Frances144]

I really don't know. It is the Law and we have to.

I found this - "The licence fee allows the BBC's UK services to remain free of advertisements and independent of shareholder and political interest."

It is an archaic system, though.

(Btw, the Great Wall of China programme was incredible - we watched it yesterday to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  I thoroughly recommend.)

[Frances144]

Another programme I have loved

BBC - Ancient Invisible Cities - they go round various cities with scanning equipment and peel back the years of history and architecture to show how it was all put together.

Istanbul was amazing
-----
And another.....

Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Francesco%27s+Mediterranean+Voyage

Architect and historian Francesco da Mosto embarks on a journey to cross the Mediterranean sea - it is amazing.  He is fascinating and the captain of the Black Swan is very easy on the eye!

[Highmac]

To add to the 'slow' shows. How do you fancy a three-hour train ride, with no commentary, no music, just the sounds of the train, passengers talking and on-train announcements.

You'll be travelling through Australia on The Ghan, which runs from Adelaide in the south, via Alice Springs to Darwin in the north. I read somewhere that there is a 15-hour version, but have failed to find it - ! The full journey is 2,979km  (1,850 miles) over 54 hours from the bottom to the top of the country.
Click here for the three-hour version...

[Xairbusdriver]

I believe Sweden has a live feed of at least one scheduled train. Lots of snow, no talking. Not too many passengers on some lines, especially late at night.

[Frances144]

I would love that!

[Highmac]

More train journeys, lots with former politician Michael Portillo who had been a member of Margaret Thatcher's cabinet.

He then built a career on riding on trains all over the world. He started with Great British Railway Journeys, which is now in its 10th series, with recent offerings being Great American and Alaskan RailROAD Journeys and Great Canadian RailWAY Journeys. He's also travelled Europe and India. Most episodes are 30mins, giving him just enough time to learn about the places he stops at as well as sampling local dishes and, quite often, making a fool of himself with local activities like hanging off the CNN tower after admitting he hates heights, and joining tribal dances. Travelogs really... 

He's always accompanied by the appropriate historic guide - Appleton's in North America, Bradshaw's in the UK.

[Highmac]

Going back to the Bake-off... The production company making the show sold the first few series to the BBC, but later ones were taken up by the commercial Channel 4. Some of the presenters - including Mary Berry - chose not to move over, hence the changes 

[Xairbusdriver]

...expect to see a lot more brands mentioned.