The Real Marigold Hotel

I loved it. I was fascinated by Miriam Margoyles (sp) - not sure I liked her but I found her fascinating. I did warm to the darts player, possibly Bobby George, who I had expected to be as brash as his jewellery. I'll be watching again too!

I saw that too, very interesting. Never really felt the "pull" of India, maybe the only time I have seen it on TV it is in a negative light, poverty etc. The scenery last night, amazing. Also helps that I know something of the celebrities taking part. Look forward to the next instalment.

I watched it too and as I worked in India in the early 80s as a tour escort I was interested in the scenes in Jaipur. It seems just the same as I remember.
Not sure if I'd want to retire there even though the people are lovely and the place is fascinating. It really is just too damn hot!
I will continue to watch from my sofa instead.

It was much better than I thought it would be and will definitely watch the next episode. The group is an interesting bunch!

I'd really love to visit, especially the Taj Mahal, but DH reckons I wouldn't be able to take the heat. Judging by some of the red faces last night he might have a point! Loved Jan Leeming with her parasol!

I watched it, purely by chance and I am so glad I did.

I too was fascinated by MM kittylester who seems to be a "what you see is what you get" type of person with absolutely no heirs and graces!

I didn't warm to Patty Boule (sp?) though who seems incredibly vain.

I wonder who will have the first disagreement?

It was interesting to see the different personalities emerge.
Was it Rosemary who said she couldn't possibly be with a nicer bunch of people? I wonder if any cracks will appear in episodes 2 and 3 - perhaps not now they have servants to do the washing up etc (i noticed how one or two managed to get out of helping )

Yes, Patti seems like a self-absorbed diva.
Liked Wayne!

I could not live there, cannot manage without air con.

We were out last night so I missed it but having read this will watch on catch up. Think it will make us want to go back, we had a wonderful holiday there and the people really were lovely and such wonderful colours everywhere. For anyone thinking of going the Taj Mahal is even more wonderful then you expect and the Golden Temple at Amritsar is well worth a visit and you can watch the border ceremony on the same trip. Don't remember it being too hot in March.

Wondered about health care as some of them seemed pretty decrepit old for their years. And family? Leaving friends and family behind.

Anya I needed a doc when I was there and he was quick, efficient and cheap. I don't think they have all moved here!

I watched as we went to India a couple of years ago and found it the most fascinating country. I wouldn't want to live there though.
, one of those things you
Pittcity we went in November and found the weather was just right.

As for the programme , the places ,scenery and all the smiling faces bought back lots of happy memories. Some of the poverty can be upsetting . I too found MM very interesting and couldn't decide if I liked her or not. It was interesting to see the personalities of the others coming out.

Nonnie I agree the Taj Mahal is just breath taking, you just cannot describe it.

I thought Rosemary had the makings of a proper memsahib!

Just watched it on catchup and thoroughly enjoyed it I shall be watching next week .

It was good and interesting but it looked flippin' hot! My feet would be twice their normal size there. Don't do extra heat!

It was a great programme and apart from seeing India and the fantastic people, it is going to be good seeing the relationships between all the people, Agree that Bobby George seems to be a nicer person than I had expected, I loved Miriam Margoyles. Think that the ex Doctor Who actor could end up being a bit irritating.

I went to India to visit my son in the 90's and it doesn't look as though much has changed! I don't think I'd like to retire there, really.

It'll be interesting to see how all the characters get on as the weeks go by. I guess they're sort of 'honeymoon happy' for now.

One of my dd's and I went to see MM speak about her new book last year. As others are saying here, she was fascinating to listen to but I was not sure I liked her.

I've had to catch up with it on iPlayer so I'm half way through.

Aren't the bedrooms lovely?

I missed the programme, so can't comment on the characters - it will be interesting to see how it develops.
Our second son lives there, and I've visited twice. They're up in the mountains in the SE. The Indian people I met were lovely, and they seem to have a similar sense of humour to the British. All those I met spoke english.
But the climate is difficult - apart from the heat, many areas have the monsoons, nonstop rain for weeks.
And the class differences I found upsetting - a level of poverty we have no concept of in the West. About the level of the Calais "jungle."
Personally I wouldn't want to retire there - son has said we could come and live with them, but they have no room, and it's very "different."
But I would love to go back.

Good programme, varied mix of celebs. Loved the colour and warmth aspects and seeing the yoga and relaxation some tried out. I'll definitely watch again.

Yes I enjoyed it, as much for the mad characters as for the beauty a and contrasts of India. MM is very eccentric, a real Dickensian .I understand she is a Dickensian expert ; seems to have rubbed off. Rosemary would drive me mad....a person who insists on over organizing regardless of the talents of others. Shall watch again.

A party of wealthy celebs, who have probably amassed more than enough dosh to support themselves adequately in the UK, are unlikely to feel the need to retire to the Third World, unless the idea of having a host of subservient cleaners, drivers, and other domestics to wait on them hand and foot gives them an undeserved feeling of superiority.
MM must have someone looking after all her needs if she refuses to do anything for herself. Someone must rince out her knickers and vacumn round once in a while.
Afraid I thought this was pure fantasy, giving some aging celebs the chance to earn a last few quid, to enable them to support their declining years in the UK.

We aren't supposed to believe that they've really retired there...

For a start, most of them have spouses or partners.

Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode. Not too sure about retiring there, although I'm fascinated by the culture and history of India and would love to visit. Looking forward to the next one.