The Lakes With Rory McGrath

Rory McGrath narrates a new series of the programme following some of the characters who live and work in the Lake District during the summer months. Today's episode features Rob Rose, a man who has spent the last 15 years on a mission to breed the perfect pet pig. When the piglets are old enough to be sold to their new owners, will Rob be able to let them go? Joe and Lyndi are preparing for what they hope will be a perfect lakeside wedding. But on the big day, will the famous Lake District rain force them inside? Last year, hotelier Thomas 'The Gladiator' Noblett made a valiant attempt to swim the Channel and this summer he has another epic challenge lined up much closer to home.

Members of the travelling community descend on the village of Appleby for the annual Horse Fair, with local vicar Sarah Lunn preparing for a large number of baptisms, which have become a tradition of the event over the years. Plus, the owners of an American-themed B&B in Ambleside talk about their establishment, and newlyweds Joe and Lyndi Pester begin a honeymoon with a difference - taking part in the Ullswater sailing regatta.

he Langdale Chase Hotel hosts the wedding of general manager Andrew 'The Admiral' Tighe's cousin. As friends and relations arrive, Andrew tries to ensure he does them proud while also enjoying the day as a guest. At secluded Knipe Tarn, the Cunliffe family are working on transforming their lodge into a luxury hotel. Back on Windermere, the lake wardens look forward to another busy summer and recall the terrible floods that occurred earlier in the year.

Micropig breeder Rob Rose has a soft spot for the cute little porkers he breeds as pets. Today he's taking two mini-boars to the Bowland Wild Boar Park in Lancashire for breeding, so that the park can introduce micropigs to its herd. While he's there, Rob can't resist getting into the paddock with some of the really wild, and somewhat dangerous, boars.

Hairdresser Andrew Mottram talks about his love of animals and goes on a mission to photograph local wildlife. Hotelier Thomas Noblett heads to Dover for a second attempt at swimming the English Channel, and barrister-turned-farmer Thomas Ballantine Dykes prepares his sheep for shearing day at Ewe Close Farm near Cockermouth.

Rory visits one of the biggest annual events in the Lakes - the Windermere Airshow - and meets some of the local volunteers who help run it. At the show, former RAF officer Bill Hartree has to decide whether the cloudy skies are safe enough for the air displays to go ahead. The programme catches up with Amanda Davies, who left the rat race behind to open Brambles Tea Room. One year on, is she missing Peterborough or has her move been a dream come true? Plus hotelier Thomas Noblett prepares for his latest challenge - a boxing match against Cumbria's Deputy Chief Constable.

Rory catches up with micropig breeder Rob Rose as he tries to bring a grumpy pig back into the fold with the help of his long-suffering partner Helen. At Knipe Tarn, the Cunliffe family continue to work against the clock to turn their old family home into a luxury five-star retreat. And Rory makes the first visit of the summer to Muncaster Castle to see Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington and his family.

Local hairdresser and nature enthusiast Andrew Mottram goes in search of the rare pine marten, joining animal expert Neil Jordan from the Vincent Wildlife Trust in Grizedale Forest to try to capture the elusive creatures on camera. At the Langdale Chase Hotel, psychic investigator Dean `Midas' Maynard investigates reports of strange occurrences in one of the rooms.

In this ninth episode, we discover another attraction at Muncaster Castle… birds. The castle has been the home of the World Owl Trust since 1986 and now, the birds of prey perform their display on the front lawn twice a day. Head keeper Raedwulf Ingham otherwise known as ‘Wulf’ - has a very special relationship with all the owls and birds and this year he has a new arrival to take under his wings – baby owlet Metro - who is destined to become the new ambassador for the trust… if he can gain his flying wings. Over at Penrith, we catch up with hotelier Thomas ‘The Gladiator’ Noblett and his admiral as they lead a team from the South Lakes against their rivals from the North Lakes team in a charity truck pull. The North Lakes definitely have the strong arm of the law on their side, led by Deputy Chief Constable of Cumbria Stuart Hyde - so how will Team Noblett stand up against them? Meanwhile at Ullswater we witness a once-in-a-lifetime sight as 1930s steamer The Western Belle arrives to join the Ullswater Steamer Company’s fleet. After making her way along the M6 she has to be lifted by crane and carefully lowered into the lake during the hours of darkness.

A couple decide to renew their wedding vows - this time with their two children as guests of honour. Ambleside hairdresser and self-taught nature detective Andrew Mottram reveals another string to his bow when he aims to take the world of wildlife DVDs by storm using a compilation of his own video footage. The three Nield Brothers of Windermere go head-to-head in the annual sibling sail-off, but as the big day arrives, there is one key element missing on Windermere.

In this eleventh episode we take a seat ringside as the day of hotelier Thomas ‘The Gladiator’ Noblett’s charity boxing challenge arrives. But his opponent, Stuart Hyde, Deputy Chief Constable of Cumbria, is hoping to prove that the long arm of the law is also the strong arm of the law. So can Thomas stay standing for three, two minute rounds? Over at Muncaster Castle everything seems to have been turned on its head because today is the annual Feast of Fools. It’s the one time in the year where the castle jesters get to run the show and it’s all rounded off with a dinner with a difference as the Pennington family take on the role of servants and dish up some of the strangest food you’ve ever seen. Meanwhile at Knipe Tarn, the opening day has almost arrived for the Cunliffe family’s new, luxury lakeside retreat. But despite the deadline, mum Christine still isn’t prepared to cut any corners – as her architect son Ben finds out.