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Original poster

Ben Fogle - New Lives In The Wild.

42 replies

HowlsMovingBungalow · 29/10/2019 22:14

Anyone else watching? I have loved his previous series
I admired the mother in this first episode, very brave out there on her own with little human contact.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 29/10/2019 22:19

What channel?

notacooldad · 29/10/2019 22:20

Channel 5
We just watched it.

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HowlsMovingBungalow · 29/10/2019 22:20

Channel 5

OP posts:
bobstersmum · 30/10/2019 09:51

I watched it! I couldn't decide what to make of it to be honest. I had to admire her courage and determination to live the way she wanted, but most of me felt that it wasn't OK to do it with such a young child. And the net bed guard Ben built was more of a hazard than no bed guard! The child could easily get his head in those holes.

purpleme12 · 30/10/2019 10:45

I love this programme

I couldn't instance her viewpoint though really this this one. She seemed to think sleeping on the streets was not too big a deal.

But her and her son seemed very content and close which was lovely to see.

timshelthechoice · 30/10/2019 13:51

I think the real heroes of this show were her parents. Bet they sold that holiday home and gave her and her brother the money to try whatever they could to keep their grandchild safer than a life on the fucking street or in squats. I can only imagine how worried and anxious they were and are about her. She got very lucky, tbh. What she did was really unsafe and silly.

She came across as a very loving and devoted mother I just hope she can accommodate her ideals with her son's needs and desires as he grows.

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HowlsMovingBungalow · 30/10/2019 14:06

I did wonder if drugs were involved when she was homeless. Maybe that is me being a judgey arse?

OP posts:
timshelthechoice · 30/10/2019 14:08

Maybe. One photo of her that she showed she was smoking something. May have been a rollie, though. I really felt for all the grandparents in this, tbh. Glad she at least had the sense and maturity to put her son first and stay in one place with a support system/his father and her parents not ridiculously far away.

notacooldad · 30/10/2019 22:09

I thought for someone that had spent a couple of years on the street whether drugs were involved or not the young woman looked remarkably healthy and well.
She is incredibly Intelligent and resourceful.
Fair player to her and I wish her well for the future.

cushioncovers · 31/10/2019 21:07

Just watched it. I admire her intelligence and resourcefulness but I do think the grandparents have obviously helped out. And I suspect she will get restless eventually and do something else.

Loopytiles · 01/11/2019 07:08

Article in Times on this, says her parents did give her a lot of money.

I like that Ben Fogle asks Qs about the money/economics.

purpleme12 · 01/11/2019 07:27

She said in the programme they gave her money

Mumdiva99 · 01/11/2019 07:33

I thought she was a lovely girl - who was being bank rolled by her parents. She hasn't actually faced the harsh realities of looking after herself. She's never had to pay a bill because she chooses not to have them. But it's only possible because there parents bought the land she lives on. She has a lot of maturing to do to understand how lucky she is. And all the bit about her parents are so lucky to be able to grow because of her choices. Fuck me. She sounds like a close family member I know who tells us how much we don't understand this that and the other - as they spout their latest theory - while he continues to be supported by family members.....

She does love her child in her way. And she's doing her best to keep him safe. But I would think allowing him to socialise with other kids would be good for him too.

cushioncovers · 01/11/2019 07:49

And It was convenient that Nico's paternal grandmother obviously lived close by and was able to help out with baby sitting. So not such a 'wild life' after all. But a nice adventure for her to look back on I suppose.

dottypotter · 01/11/2019 14:43

brilliant these programmes.

dontalltalkatonce · 01/11/2019 14:56

Yeah, I kept thinking, her folks sold a holiday home so she could buy land in Sweden and have it cleared so it's not built up around, but she's either on welfare or getting money from somewhere to get by doing a little busking. My husband said bet it's the maternal grandmother driving out there to pick up their laundry.

Her parents must have been out of their judgement with worry and anxiety for years with her.

She was very selfish and silly. And lucky, sadly many women living on the streets are targets for crime and abuse.

At least, with the laws in Sweden, she won't be able to take off on a bus to China with the kid if the child's father doesn't give permission.

She was very clever and educated and a good mum, but still has a lot of growing up to do.

dontalltalkatonce · 01/11/2019 14:57

paternal grandmother, sorry.

purpleme12 · 01/11/2019 16:23

Yes the bit about her parents being allowed to grow because of her! 😆

Wishuponaleprechaun · 02/11/2019 09:12

I thought she was a good mum and the bond she had with her child was sweet.

BUT, she was a complete hypocrite ‘I could never do the 9-5 life, it’s not for me.’ Fair enough, it is soul destroying however it was the 9-5 life that her parents lived that enabled them to buy property to sell to benefit HER! So she doesn’t want the life for herself but she’s happy to live off the proceeds of it by other people that have had to endure it Hmm

I wish her well but she’s slightly deluded!

Chottie · 02/11/2019 20:24

There was no mention about what happens if she or her child are ill or need a dentist etc. It would be interesting to revisit her in 5 years time and see how her life has changed.

I agree with PP about the knotted rope bed guard..........

dottypotter · 04/11/2019 16:17

she was not selfish and silly how opiniated and nasty to say that. She was doing whats right for her at the moment. I doubt it will always be like that as the boy grows up. Good for her.

Loopytiles · 04/11/2019 16:18

bankrolled by her parents and imposIng her wishes on her DC.

purpleme12 · 04/11/2019 16:33

But then every adult is imposing their wishes onto their child at that age. You bring your child up how you want. The child certainly doesn't know any different at this age!

Loopytiles · 04/11/2019 17:09

Sure, but her choices are extreme, and most of us fund our own choices.

cushioncovers · 10/11/2019 09:59

Anyone watched this weeks with Susan who's in Ethiopia? Brave lady.