I watched the series start to finish. And although I agree, health and safety these days would have put restrictions on certain things (human poo, dog poo and horse manure aside), it seems to have been as realistic as the producers could make it.
I for one would be up for having a go, though I admit to being a bit on the older side, and not as fit as I used to be. But after all, the old (some far older than my 57 years) lived worked and survived (one of my great x 4 grandmothers lived to be 98!
What it didn't show was that some people, just like benefit scroungers today, actually preferred to be in the workhouse. Now I'm not saying that they scrounged back then, they had to work for shelter and food, unlike today! But it did mean a regular meal, a bed and a roof over their heads, and a job, albeit what they were told to do. I too, have had ancestors having to go to the workhouse, when the husband/father died, not an easy life, but better than starving. In fact, my great Granddad b. 1875 d. 1935 was educated in the Industrial school at the age of 7 when his dad died, split up from his mother and other siblings. That must have been soul destroying, but it didn't kill him!...as the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"...
I wonder if they wll be doing another series?
