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James and the Giant Tree House

James and the Giant Tree House: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - James and the Giant Tree House, Episode 1

James Aldred builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon in Central West Africa.

Following the fortunes of James Aldred as he builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon.

1/5. Like many small boys James Aldred loved climbing trees. Today, he stills loves climbing trees, but as a professional, helping scientists and wildlife filming crews into the canopy to study and film the wildlife there. As well as climbing trees, he loves building tree houses. When he isn't climbing trees, he's dreaming about them and scribbling designs for tree houses on scraps of paper or the back of cereal boxes. So, when he received a phone call inviting him to build a tree house which would be large enough to accommodate at least 4 people for over a month whilst they filmed Red-capped Mangabey monkeys in the forests of Gabon in Central West Africa, he didn't hesitate in accepting the challenge. This is the story of what happened; a terrific Boy's Own Adventure high above the ground in the forest canopy! 

The first challenge was to find a suitable tree. After several days searching in an area called Petit Luango, James finally finds a suitable tree. With microphones attached to his helmets, he uses ropes to climb up into the canopy to get a better look at the tree. Before he reaches the top though, he is attacked by a swarm of aggressive honey bees. High above the forest floor, he has to stay calm and transfer onto his abseil ropes, whilst receiving some 60 or more bee stings. Fortunately he makes it safely back down to the ground. But once back in camp, his entire face and head swell up like a football. Shaken but not deterred, James is determined to continue his search for a suitable tree and build the giant treehouse!

Narrated by James Aldred
Produced by Sarah Blunt.

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Following James Aldred as he builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon

Following the fortunes of James Aldred as he builds a giant tree house in the rainforest in Gabon

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