Its summer, and the Double Deckers are off on their hols ( hooray! ). Instead of staying indoors and watching programmes like this ( which is what many of us did in those days ), they take to the road with a wagon and a donkey for company. Albert goes with them. As the sun beats down, they sing a cheerful song and do cartwheels along a riverbank ( like you do ).
Needless to say, they run into trouble. A snobbish middle-aged couple called Gerald ( Hugh Paddick ) and Millie ( Betty Marsden ) take exception to their blocking the road. Gerald beeps the horn furiously, giving Doughnut a start and causing his jam tart to splatter the windscreen. So now its war.
An attempt by Gerald to shift the wagon results in him ( or rather his stunt double ) falling into the river. When Millie tries to get him out, she winds up in the drink with him.
By a staggering coincidence, the couple pitch their tent only a short distance from where the Gang have theirs. The donkey wanders off and eats the spread Millie has laid out on a trestle table. Furious, Gerald complains to Farmer Giles ( yes, you read that correctly ) whose land they are camping on. Old Giles decides that the Gang can stay.
That night, as everyone lays fast asleep, a rainstorm begins...
The presence of two of the stars of the classic radio comedy 'Round The Horne' gives this episode a lift. For Marsden, sleeping in a tent was hardly a new experience - she shared one with Terry Scott and Charles Hawtrey the year before in 'Carry On Camping'. Thankfully, Millie does not have that aggravating laugh, the one that makes me reach for the 'mute' button on my remote whenever that particular film is on. Stout, balding George Woodbridge is the farmer. Often to be found in Hammer horror films as frightened innkeepers ( "You doan wannabe going' up to the castle a'this time of night, Miss! Its 'aunted!" ). He is best remembered for the children's series 'Inigo Pipkin' in which he played the title role.
As Tiger sleeps in a rocking chair, Billie sings a song entitled: "Grannie's Rocking Chair", and the other Gang members join in. Ahhhh.
Funniest moment - Gerald's car going out of control and crashing into a haystack, which in turn crashes into Farmer Giles' barn. From the way he moves, you can see why his name became Cockney rhyming slang for a certain painful rectal affliction.
Needless to say, they run into trouble. A snobbish middle-aged couple called Gerald ( Hugh Paddick ) and Millie ( Betty Marsden ) take exception to their blocking the road. Gerald beeps the horn furiously, giving Doughnut a start and causing his jam tart to splatter the windscreen. So now its war.
An attempt by Gerald to shift the wagon results in him ( or rather his stunt double ) falling into the river. When Millie tries to get him out, she winds up in the drink with him.
By a staggering coincidence, the couple pitch their tent only a short distance from where the Gang have theirs. The donkey wanders off and eats the spread Millie has laid out on a trestle table. Furious, Gerald complains to Farmer Giles ( yes, you read that correctly ) whose land they are camping on. Old Giles decides that the Gang can stay.
That night, as everyone lays fast asleep, a rainstorm begins...
The presence of two of the stars of the classic radio comedy 'Round The Horne' gives this episode a lift. For Marsden, sleeping in a tent was hardly a new experience - she shared one with Terry Scott and Charles Hawtrey the year before in 'Carry On Camping'. Thankfully, Millie does not have that aggravating laugh, the one that makes me reach for the 'mute' button on my remote whenever that particular film is on. Stout, balding George Woodbridge is the farmer. Often to be found in Hammer horror films as frightened innkeepers ( "You doan wannabe going' up to the castle a'this time of night, Miss! Its 'aunted!" ). He is best remembered for the children's series 'Inigo Pipkin' in which he played the title role.
As Tiger sleeps in a rocking chair, Billie sings a song entitled: "Grannie's Rocking Chair", and the other Gang members join in. Ahhhh.
Funniest moment - Gerald's car going out of control and crashing into a haystack, which in turn crashes into Farmer Giles' barn. From the way he moves, you can see why his name became Cockney rhyming slang for a certain painful rectal affliction.
