Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Candice Brown (Part Two)

Episode Date: October 31, 2024

We’re halfway through our walk with the brilliant Candice Brown as well as her three dogs Albus, Severus and Sibyl!Candice tells us more about her pre-Bake Off life working as a secondary school teacher in a special educational needs department and how she is driven by a strong sense of injustice. We also get a peek into the intensive process of getting on the Bake Off - and the positives and negatives that followed on from starring on that show. Follow Candice on Instagram @CandiceBrownWe highly recommend you take a visit to The Green Man in Eversholt - for a truly dog-friendly pub and the best bacon butty on earth as well as an amazing menu of fresh, local and seasonal food. Candice’s books Happy Cooking and Comfort are available now. You can buy your copy here!Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Really hope you enjoyed part two of Walking the Dog with Candice Brown. Do go back and give Part 1 a listen if you haven't already. And do go and visit her wonderful pub, The Green Man in Evershot, especially if you've got dogs because they'll thank you forever. Thanks so much for listening to Walking the Dog. And I'd also love it if you gave us a like and a follow so you don't miss an episode. Here's Candice and Albus and Severus and Sybil and Ray Ray. We should go back because prior to Bake Off,

you started out as a teacher didn't you? And it was for children with, is it, special educational needs? Yeah. Yeah, so I was a trained PE teacher at secondary school and look, you just wanted down. Severus Snape is very similar to Ray. You too.

You can't make your mind off ever where. Are your kindred spirits? Are you kindred spirits? Are we buddies? Oh, lovely friends. me buddies um I was a secondary school teacher trained in PE after two years became head of year so pastoral so behaviour and which is what I always wanted to do funnily enough and I always wanted to work in special educational needs

department but I knew I needed to get years under my belt before going into that and then the last two three years of teaching I was looking after the needs department with my incredible head of department Ellie we worked together to create this inclusion room for students that needed it and it was one of the the only places I'd seen this this place of inclusion for students that really really needed it and we used to laugh because I used to just say like I'd obviously how I understand these students because I am very much one of them and it was the same with the behaviour and things and I love teaching you know what

it's not often I blow smoke up my own ass but I was a good teacher. I was a really good teacher. Were you patient with the kids then? Because that's presumably a big thing, isn't it? I was patient, but I was also, and people don't believe this, I was bloody strict. I was their best mate.

And do you know what? PE teachers have a different relationship. Are you Miss Brown? Miss Brown, yeah. I think I would be quite scared of you. I was really strict. Not scared, but I would respect. I think I would know.

I'll tell you what I would feel with you, Miss Brown. I think I'd sense if you were disappointed in me. Yeah, and that's, and that's what it was. And I used to say some just, I know what you're doing or I know where this is going. Like, don't. Like, and I'd say to them like, do you know what?

Don't take the Mickey out of me. Like, I'm not doing this for my benefit, believe me. And that's what I was. I was strict, but I was also their mate when they needed me to be. And are the classic sort of, because I hate to say that, but the PE teacher,

when I look back to my school, it was always the PE teacher, who was the glamorous one, who stood out in my head as like, oh, I want to be like that. when I was growing up. Were you the glamorous PE teacher? I don't know about glamorous. I mean, obviously not glamorous as a PE teacher. Don't fall down there because you're not going to be happy if you get soaking wet. But I suppose more when I wasn't, because I still did like a few,

like still did a few hours of PE a wig. So not so glamorous in my trackies, but obviously when I was in having to be a little bit smarter, it's just I do like mum always said, never ever underdress and that's where the lipstick and stuff came from as well. Can I say, I'm so obsessed. by Sue. She's great. I love because that is very Queen Vic landlady. Honestly, she, people wouldn't, people wouldn't mess with her either because she just, she just, I don't know, just commanded this authority almost and it was, I was laughing. I was saying she, she had the perm and wore all the jewelry. He used to call her Mr. T because she'd wear all this jewelry and lipstick and she was just, I don't know, we laugh now like and just say,

I'll laugh and I'll go come on Cezie and she's all right Candice so it don't really work if I call you soon she's like it's not bloody funny is it um so like one of those strikes me as a sort of one of those real old school I mean it's not East End but you know what I mean like matriarch with balls yeah I call you know a hundred percent are you like that as well um I don't have any fear which doesn't bother me but it bothers the people that love me so there's been a and very few instance is in the pub where I have had to be authoritative, shall we say. And it hasn't gone down very well with people witnessing it, like Nikki. That's your partner. Why not? Just because I just will put myself in the middle of stuff without thinking. It's my pub. They're my staff. And in the, I suppose, in the words of Kevin McAllister, I have to defend it. Like, I do.

Like, one of my favourite films. in the world um i'm born at christmas i think i'm part elf um but i i yeah so and then it's one of those things like someone said so they saw the c tv and they said oh we wouldn't want to cross you and i just went i was going like that shaking my head at them going shush don't and then please don't tell dad i will i will tell you dad because you can't keep doing this but i don't have any fear and i i fully believe that i don't i you treat people how you wish to be treated and the part of is a family regardless the people that work there there's a reason why we have people that have been with us since they were started of pot washing at 13 14 and

they're now 18 19 20 after uni but still coming back in holiday time we are a family we look after each other and it's how yeah but so are the Corleone's well happy with that we're with the Browns no honestly I it's funny I am the kind of And again, it's one thing, I won't often say nice things about myself, but I know I am the kindest person. But the sense of injustice I have is something I'm really, really struggling with. And it's something I've been working my therapist on. This almost compulsive obsession, like this all, yeah, I know this form of OCD that focuses so much on things that I can't control, that it's ruining day to day life for me.

it's ruining parts of my brain because I can't, that form of injustice, and that comes from so much of just wanting such good for people and those people I love, and for animals and for things like that, that when it doesn't work, this fierceness in me, this fire, is the one thing I always say, I am the kindest, gentlest person, but don't hurt those that I love, because there's another side of me. And if again, with anything with animals, it's a different side to me that I will never, ever apologise for because the protectiveness in me is something I'm very, very proud of. We should get on to Bake Off because it really was life-changing for you.

Of course, yeah. It's going on Bake-off. Look at this little sod, sorry. He knows we're on the way back now. He's a little, sorry, he's like, we're on the boat. I know the way, this is the way home now. Sevi, are you a sod? Yeah. Yeah, you little sod. Yeah, Bake-Off, sorry.

So, Bake-Off, you applied to be on the Great British Bake-Off. I did. Three times, is that right? Yeah, three times. It's a funny one because I just loved baking. I loved cooking. And I loved the show, I mean, loved it. And I just wanted to be part of it so badly.

I wanted to be part of something I loved so much. and it was never a case of watching it and going, I could do that, I could do that, I could win that. It was never that. It was just, I want to be part of that. I want to be part of Bake Off. I want to be part of it. So you wouldn't, for example, have applied to any other reality shows.

It was just specifically about Bake Off. Yeah. There was something sort of pulling you towards it. Just so special, so gentle, like a warm, hug that was reliable in that you knew what was going to happen. You knew what was happening. You knew there was cake. You knew the people were wonderful. The presenters were wonderful. And I just loved baking so much. And it just, maybe also as well, one of the things for me is I love a challenge. I love learning. And I knew I could learn so much from it. And I did

in 10 weeks. What happened when you found out you'd gone on? Did they call you all right? Yeah, I mean the process was really long. I don't think it's as long now, but it was a big application form. Then it was phone call. Then it was a almost a little test on the knowledge test on the phone. What did they ask you? So they're like literally on the phone. So how would you make a enriched dough? What's the difference between a Swiss meringue and an Italian meringue? Those sorts of things. So obviously you've put on the phone. So just say, FYI, I've not got into Baycock at this point. Well, it enriched those maybe egg and butter, like a brieosh. So it's, so that and then invited down to take a sweet and savory bake and then they taste that in front of you and then they might ask you to stay or go and obviously was asked to stay and you did like a little on-screen interview. And then invited down again to do almost a technical bake. Were you nervous? Terrified. Terrified. and I was teaching a dance I always laughed teaching a dancer so not as you being a PE teacher and I am much more suited to outdoor sports I'm not a dancer I can barely do a forward roll I can't even do a cartwheel I'm so shit at gymnastics and I was teaching this dance lesson and down in like it was a dojo so it was literally in there there was no certain...

Is that like where judo? Yeah so it was like a great little space for a mind that poo. A great little space for a great little space for like dancing things but there was no servicing and then I had my phone playing out music and as soon as I got to the came out and got the lesson of finch got to the top of the stairs there was one voicemail and I honest I knew that it was bake-off and um you must have been so thrilled well yeah they just said oh can you give us a call back and I rang them and they were like oh we're just pleased to let you know and I literally was just like what and I just remember ringing you roll in that and I'm going to hose you down that's like and you

don't eat that either. Why do they go near horse poo? I don't know. It's really weird, isn't it? Because Ray, look, Ray was going to try and go near it. Why are you all acting? Why are they all acting like this is some sort of like eaten mess or something? Yeah, honestly. It's gross. It's horse poo. Horses don't even like it. No, they don't. Yeah, and I just, I just was just, it was that, oh my God, oh, like what? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I bet Sue was thrilled. And yeah, just, I mean, just cried. And interestingly, though, because I was going through quite a lot of mental health bits and pieces.

Like one of my friends would say to me, what are you up to? And I say, I'm baking. She said, right, I'll be over because it was my place where I'd go and I'd need to be all consumed by something. And she kind of said, it was Anna. And she kind of said, do you think you're okay to do this? And I said, yeah, I want to do it so badly. I'm interested in how relationships change, you know, just with friends and people that know you. I don't necessarily mean intimate relationships.

in general, when you suddenly go on a show like that, and, you know, it was, what, 15 million people we're talking about, you know, it was huge. And your life changes. Suddenly everyone recognises you pretty much overnight, because you've presumably filmed all that and then you're waiting for this day. And it's like, oh my God. When were you first aware that life had changed for you after the first bake-off? I'm just interested. Was there a particular moment when you thought this is weird? I think when I said, when I said, when I said, when I was being put on the front of the papers, just for, I mean, the press gave me a really hard time. I got really, really badly trolled. I mean, death threats, rape threats. They just took a dislike to me. Some people, I mean, the positive outweighed the negative completely, but we always remember the negatives, don't me? Yeah. But I think it was after Bread Week maybe, or... And one of the papers put me on the front of the newspaper, like front page,

like Candice throws a wobbler over uncooked dough or some silly headline. And I was just thought, okay, one, it wasn't a wobbler, because you don't understand the panic that was going through me then was, I've really messed up. I've let Paul and Mary down. I just wanted to impress them. I wanted to know what had gone wrong with what my bake was. and I couldn't control my emotions in that point

because I was just in tears because I was so embarrassed and that whole I don't know that voice that goes see you weren't good enough to be on it kind of took over then and then the sort of people messaging

and just being a bit... And it was just like right, okay, well this is weird but then also the messages of complete and utter support was just wow okay this is different and... But presumably no one also prepares you, I suspect they'd probably be more likely to do it now. Yeah.

You know, there'd be much more support. But, sorry, can you just see our dog, Severus and Raymond? I know, they're having a little loving, isn't they? Do you know, they've really getting on, Candace? Yeah, they are. But I think it strikes me that that is such an unnatural position for someone to be put in. And just to suddenly walk down the street one day, you wake up. up and everyone's looking at you. Yeah. Did that take you by surprise? It completely

taken me by surprise but it still takes me by surprise when people will ask about the dogs and I have to rack my brain thinking, oh bloody hell do I know you? Like, well they'll go, oh no, no, no, just obviously just send you on social or you're my favourite on Bake Off. And so that is just completely wild to me because I'm like, I'm just me. And I am the exact same as I was then as I am now. I'm still an absolute clown. I am still a complete and utter idiot. I am sweary, I am stupid, I am full of love and gratitude for everything that has kind of come my way and that's how I am. I have not changed one bit and people say, you're exactly the same. I'm like, no, I know, because if I wasn't, my dad would have soon kicked me up the ass and told me to sort

my shit out. So it was weird and it still is weird, but it just shows you what, a show like the Bake Off, how it encompasses people. But I will say as well, with Bake Off, the support that we did and I received from Sheila and Amanda, I'm not, I think they're still there, they were still there. These were from the production team. They were just phenomenal. They were just phenomenal. And the experience for me was I loved every single second of it.

I laughed. We laughed as a 12 from the moment we met. And we're still laughing now. We talk weekly in our little WhatsApp group still. And it is just the most special thing. loved every single second of it. You know, Madonna always said, I think, that she said, working in the entertainment industry, someone said, have you survived? And she said, I developed the skin of an armadillo. And I suspect that is true of some people, you know, that they've had to

sort of almost do that a bit in order to survive. Yeah. Did you find yourself, I guess, thinking oh wow this is this feels raw and exposing i mean there was some pretty bad press some horrendous false press i was called every name under the sun for baking because they didn't like my mouth they didn't like my teeth i was called the c word i used to make a joke um watching the episodes like how long we'd take a bet because we'd all get together and watch them all together Because some of my family obviously knew that I'd won, but some friends and family didn't. So we'd watch it together, had these viewing parties. And we'd take a little, we'd do bets as to how long it'd be into the episode that I'd get called a C word on social media.

But also, again, the pub set me up for that baby. Oh, the nosy neighbours back, Candace. Hello, puppy. I know. Look at him. I know. How's the charm school working? out. Yeah. Blessing. I know. I actually love that dog. We're going. And I realize now, I realize

when I hear that, I think, oh, he's just saying how he'd be talking. Yeah. He could well be saying, how are you? Haven't seen your phages? Hello. Yeah. So go on. What are you saying? Candace? Um, just, by, my friend. Like, so the pub, as you're saying, like, kind of did that set me up for different things? Oh, like I said, thick skin wise, I was being called stuff. I'd not been called, I'd never not been called before. Is that the right way? Because I grew up in a pub. I've been called every name under the sun growing up in a pub, of course. I'd heard every name under the sun. So do you know what? It didn't really fuss me. The stuff that bothered me was when people would say she looks like a bitch, she looks like those mean girls at school, she looks like a bully and

and I think, gosh, you are beyond as far away as you can imagine, or they'd question kind of my integrity. And I think you've got no idea what's going on because I was battling a whole other stuff down here, like some sort of weird duck in a big old swamp, but up here I had lipstick on because that was my suit of armour and the concentration face that I'd been nailed for growing up because I looked frosty,

but that was the ADHD of me trying my hardest to concentrate. concentrate. So it didn't fuss me at all really. It was just those more stuff that shouldn't never bother me that it was gosh you why did would you think that about me? But you know what Candace a man would never ever be asked to justify his facial expression. No. And I think when God forbid I wore heels and I wore lipstick to bake. I mean God forbid I mean I should have been arrested in all the honesty. I mean who on earth would do that? I mean that literally it was just wild wild but I think even back then which was what we're talking memories is 2016 and I think even in the last sort of you know seven or eight years

I think we've moved forward so much in terms of we understand much more about that sort of entry-level misogyny that people didn't even realize people wouldn't have known that recognize that as misogyny then it was coming from it was coming from women as well women with but women can contribute to that because they're brainwashed by patriarchy. So it's like the daily male. They don't understand that actually when people say, oh, it's all women that buy that and women say mean things.

You think, oh yeah, but actually it's men that own that. Yeah, yeah. But like what was interesting as well is how I used to kind of fight it. Because I don't have it in me, although sometimes, I mean, some choice swear words went through my brain. I would never, I would never be horrible back. so I'd actually maybe message them and say just to let you know I've seen this

it's really hurtful I see in your picture you're either a dad with young daughters or there you've got daughters within your family I really hope no one calls them the name you've just called me because it's really hurtful and they'd come back you know what most of the time would come back and say oh my God I'm so sorry I didn't think you would see it and I'd say just think and they go yeah I am actually sorry

Sometimes you would get them arguing, yeah, but you deserve it, but right, you should expect this and I'd go, do know what, you can't argue with stupid right now. Just have your day, have a good day, I hope you are well, I hope you are okay, and just you just crack on. And that's how I kind of dealt with it. But I think as well, more so now, is some of the stuff that was kind of written about me and also the trolling and also the trolling. and the papers and things like that. I mean, honestly, it sounds like I'm really honing in on that. The positive was so unbelievably positive. It was so overwhelmingly positive.

Yeah, but we don't remember that. That's the problem. And we have to work hard to remember it for sure. Of course. And it's, you know, I know comics will always tell you. You can do a gig in front of 2,000 people. One person will not be smiling. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's the person you'll remember forever. I think for me, as the years have gone on, what was written and I mean some horrendous things some horrendous false things and I just put up and shut up that was one of the things as a teacher I used to say to the students do you know what you're okay as you are you are you are fine as you are don't ever pretend to be someone else don't ever worry about how good you are because you are enough as long as you're kind and you're not hurting other people that is okay and what was it like for you Candace when you because after baking

off presumably you couldn't go back and teach just because I did did you what was that like when you went in the school the kids were hilarious the kids were so funny because kids are kids they don't give a shit like they don't care so I'd be walking down the crowd and they'd go bake off and hide and I'd go I know or they'd go oh me she'd look really ugly when you cry and I go yes I'm very well miss we much we want Salasi to win or blah blah blah or we saw you last night like but yeah we don't think you're gonna win and I'll be like okay that's fine like laughing and then like maybe they'd wait until everyone had left when I remember one of the lads in quite a difficult class I had quite behaviourally challenged shall we say and he stayed behind and he said miss I just wanted to say you're my family's favourite and we're watching you every week and we really hope you win and then he ran off before anyone could hear him say anything and that was just amazing but I had no expectations I didn't know what was going to happen I didn't know if I was going to be liked I didn't know if there was going to be opportunity as I say you

we as a 12 we went on this show because we loved baking and we love the show I didn't go into it thinking right I want this I want that and I do believe that's changed a little bit now and that hurts my heart because it was so pure and just such a heartwarming hug well I went back to teaching and it was my head teacher that gave me that opportunity and he pulled me in and he said what are you doing I said I don't know and he went go and do this go and do it he said we're teachers and I'm a head teacher and the most easy way possible. We're teachers because we're encouraging students to follow dreams and do something they want to do. He goes, and I've got to encourage my teachers to do that as well. Can I just say, I'm going to let this go. I've just about moved on, but I was so angry about the dancing on ice. Oh, yeah, a lot of us were. You were so good on that. And I remember your dance thinking, wow, she's brilliant. Yeah. So, I mean, we did, we did lifts in the first week that people weren't doing in the final. Oh, not just that, but it was also your. You're not. You're not just that, but it was also your. You could tell your elegance and the way it was like you're very graceful.

I don't know about grace, I don't know about elegance. But for me, do you know what? Dancing and Ice led me to one of my most favourite people in the world. I have my best mates, Sharves and Anna. And then I have Matt, who I, again, I believe he is my person. He... Well, don't tell Nikki that. No, Nikki's absolutely fine with that.

Absolutely fine with that. He's just the most incredible... This is Matt Evers, isn't he? The most incredible human. And that led me to him. So I cannot moan. I would have loved to... Because the thing, as I said before,

I love a challenge. I want to learn. I want to do better. And I still do. I'm still learning with the pub. I'm still... I want to absorb everything. Take it all on,

which sometimes leads to burnout, and I do need to stop. You're having this life post-bay cop. which obviously you could have just continued to do lots of sort of entertainment related spin-offs. But then you decided to buy a pub in Evershort. Yeah, why not? And it's, I can see already, having spent the morning with you at the pub, you know when people say, oh, I've bought a pub and they literally drive there from their Cotswolds estate,

maybe three times a year, they just lend their name to it. You're pulling pints, you're changing barrels, you're frankly cleaning up dog poo this morning. Yep. A kind courtesy of Raymond. Absolutely. You really are all in. Don't you worry.

You're all in, aren't you? I live above it. I'm there 24 hours a day at the moment. We're a chef short, so I'm doing all the chef hours. So I'm in the kitchen all week. So when we finish this, I start at three in the kitchen. I'm in the kitchen all weekend. If we're short at the front, then I'm out the front.

If there's a flood, I, bail out the cellar. I am, yeah, I am across all of it and I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, a little bit less stress would be ideal. Hospitality as many other industries

but hospitality is on its ass. It is struggling. It is an impossible industry at the minute and the panic is daily. You strike me, I hope you don't take it wrong with it, but you strike me as someone who takes on everything. Yeah. Like you need to do it yourself or it's not done properly.

Sometimes I can delegate and I will delegate and I have to delegate. You having a little lay down, Raymond? That's a nice spot to lay down. This is such a calm walk. The reason I say that is because of the ADHD thing, which I relate to in that perfectionism is one of the things. Yeah, which is weird, which I'd go, I'm not perfectionist, but I completely and utterly 100% am.

But the thing is, like, I will run. myself into the ground doing stuff because it needs to be done because I don't have a choice. It is we, this place has to survive. I have put, we have put too much into it. I have put too much into it not. I would never, and I never wanted to put my name to anything and then not be part of it. I mean, it'd be nice to be a little bit less of a part of it. But as everybody knows in hospitality, staffing is difficult.

The cost of everything is insane. And I just... Are people thrilled when they come into the pub? I mean, I know you've got locals and people have got used to you now, presumably, but there must have been a bit of a buzz at first when you came in. I don't know. It's fun. One of the things that makes me laugh, if there's any houses for sale around here,

they put near the green man owned Viscount. I saw that on a right move advert and I thought, you fucking idiot. Sorry. But I was like, really? That's going to make them not want to live here. So that makes me laugh. But do you know what? But they can't people, the comments are, is we didn't expect to see you or, oh God, you actually work here.

Yeah. Like that, I think that surprises them. Even people that know me are like, you really are here. I mean, it's tough. I'm not going to make any bones. I have cried this morning before you got here. Oh, give me a heart. I cried yesterday.

It's tough. It is stressful. Thank you. Do you know what? Well, I think what it is. And I think it's just things are just heavy at the moment. aren't they and our own daily stresses then become I think you are probably quite sensitive and empathetic and that's lovely it means you're probably

someone who people like to call and they think we'll be understanding and all that sort of stuff but then that also means that you take on the the worries of the world yeah and I can listen I can give advice until I'm blue in the face can't listen to my own can't listen to advice either look at her she you know what there's a good girl good walking zibs we met your partner and he seems lovely he's great what would he say was the one quality of yours he would change if he could people pleasing yeah without a doubt putting everybody before myself people pleasing and just just going and going and going and going.

I know you've said that when you did Bake Off, you were constantly apologising to Paul and Mary. Yeah. Did you just find yourself constantly saying sorry? Yeah. Just sorry for being rubbish. Sorry. If I've made a mistake, I'm like embarrassed.

What can I do to get better? I don't understand like I just want to learn like and just that complete. Good girl. Good walking. Good walking. Come on then. Come on then. You'll walk a little bit more. I love you. She's just the best.

She's too much. She's the best. Hello my love. She's such a special girl. Hello my love. We'll go back home. I'm so special. My little babe.

Yeah, just, I just, I think it's just, just that worry of just, I don't know, looking silly or just letting people down. It's a funny one. It's a funny one and I think as humans we, I think it's ingrained in us to say sorry without kind of, it's just, sorry, just almost without meaning it. And I'm trying to sort of work on that a little bit more and kind of maybe explain things a bit better rather than straight away going for the apology. And also sometimes, you know what, I'm not actually sorry because I haven't done anything wrong, which has happened a couple of times and I feel really brave about it. And I have to go away, Miller.

Well, I'm glad you guys found each other. And I'm glad you have this wonderful pub, which we're going to go back to you now. You're going to taste some baking experiments as well. We've been walking for at least an hour, and I've been desperate for you to say that canvas brown. There you go, absolutely. I can do. It's one thing I can do. Look at the little Tudor cottages.

I know. There's so many jocerans. I think there was 13 pubs in Everschalt once and now because there's 13 ends. You've seen them all off. Absolutely. No, I think they were gone a long while ago but there's now only the one which is our one but there's 13 ends and there was a pub on every end apparently. There's that water end, Witt's end, oh Witt's end. I don't know. You're quite a risk taker, aren't you?

Massively. Because you're chasing the dopamine, isn't it? Well, you moved here and look at this. on this site September 5th 1782 nothing happened brilliant what does that I love that brilliant because yeah I think it's because you know you get those plaques don't it's like on this site Emily Bronte once had a wee in the street I like the people that live in that house we won't name it but it was it's a beautiful house isn't it honestly the houses are so stunning around here so you got like the post office the old post office the old bakery

and all of that I suppose that's what they're they all wear. Isn't this amazing how your life has changed that presumably you know doing bake-off as well put you in a position where you were able to invest in a pub and all the... Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's I mean, like incredible, obviously being able to do that and obviously give it a little bit of a profile, which is incredible. In the foresight of everything, it was, we opened it a year before COVID, which was fine, but just at the moment, it's just, it is tough yeah and I know so I mean if Michelin star chefs are struggling I mean and places are closing in London then it's gonna be the same hi yeah you're right yeah yeah

it's a difficult it's a difficult industry at the minute and I I really hope there's change obviously for us but for other people who are working so hard in the industry come across sevsev you hop on Raymond but yeah but yeah I mean like this is just I've done a lot and it's been credit so I've written two books comfort and happy cooking I'd love to do another but I mean the industry is very very busy at the moment I know there's not a lot of money and TV and things but as I said I just keep keep plugging away keep working keep learning and hopefully other bits and pieces well do you know what can this as well you might have another regular on your hands

Because I'm really, I loved it. As I said, a friend of mine lives up this way, and she took me for a tour last time, and I kind of fell in love with it then. I've now been reminded, it is so beautiful this village. It really is. Perfect, perfect day for it.

I mean, yesterday might have been a little bit different because it was peeing down yesterday, but perfect day. And do you know, it's so beautiful. So, yeah, absolutely. Come and join us. Isn't it weird, Candice, When you see people having a lovely pint outside a pub,

it's sort of, you know, at lunchtime in the country, it seems so lovely and civilised. If I saw that in London, I think, is everything all right at home? It's very different, isn't it? Because you know people are drinking out of pleasure here rather than stress. Yeah. Well, we're back at the Green Man now. We are.

And I really loved our walk. Oh, me too. Did you enjoy it? Oh, honestly, I loved it. Oh, there's mum. Oh, Sue's off. Sue's off. She just kicked off at someone.

Out of my pub, she said. Out of my pub, I say that's my line. Are you popping over the weekends at all? Well, I'm working, but maybe pop over on Sunday with Dad, because otherwise I'm not going to see you and Dad, are you, am I? He's lovely, isn't he? Who's that? Sue's talking about my face.

Yeah, obviously. And so, Nanny, you did good walking, Sybil. Where do you think you must be in a way? Just up the track and back. So nice. carried most of the way. It's really nice. Well, we've had a lovely time.

It was lovely to meet you. All right, I'll speak you later. Bye, Sue. Love you. Love you, bye. I kind of love you as well. Everyone does. You're quite amazing.

Everyone does. Bye. See you later. She's amazing. And you know what? She probably gets the brunt of me. Not, but just in the morning, I get up and I come and she's in. and I'm just trying to do a hundred things straight away

and she's there and she just wants to talk and I'm a bit like, I just need 10 minutes. But you know, you can show you should reveal yourself to your mom in the way that no one else would see that side to you, you know. She is formidable, she really, really is. But yeah, back at the Green Man. Here we go. Well, I've loved our walk, Raymond.

Have you enjoyed it here? Have you had the best time? Well, we've loved. Right, don't start showing off now. So this is, so this is then. Right. What's that? Albus, you're going to let yourself down now. So Albus is quite highly strung, possibly, probably ADHD in dog form.

So he will shout at cars. If a bird dares fly through the sky, he will shout at the bird. He will shout at a plane if a plane also goes through. He's got a lot of sensory, he's reactive, yeah. Complete reactive. And he could be fast asleep. If a bird flies past the window, he's up. He's just, sensory overload, bless him.

Candace, I've loved her. What, would you say goodbye to Raymond? Raymond? Hi. Hi, buddy. Thank you so much for your company. Little Squish face. Oh, kisses for me. Thank you. I really hope you enjoyed that episode of Walking the Dog.

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