Timothy West and Prunella Scales hop back on the canals

Best on the Box: June 9th and Timothy West and Prunella Scales are back on the barge.

One to Watch: Great Canal Journey’s – Asian Odyssey, Channel 4 at 8pm

National treasures Timothy West and Prunella Scales have been exploring waterways all over the world during the past few years.

Both now in their mid-eighties, they admit that it might be nearly time call a halt to their more far-flung voyages, but first they decide to embark on one last great overseas adventure. In this epic two-part voyage, the intrepid and self-confessed ‘ancient mariners’ head for South East Asia and the canals and waterways of Vietnam and Cambodia.

The first part begins in north Vietnam, among the spectacular limestone islands of Halong Bay. Admiring this natural wonder and world heritage site, Tim and Pru also visit a floating village. They head down the Red River, to Vietnam’s capital Hanoi. South to Ninh Binh, Tim and Pru explore a unique landscape steeped in history and the site of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital in the 10th century.

They also visit the 16th century trading port of Hoi An. Known as ‘the Venice of the East’, the town is also famed for its lantern festival. As night draws in Tim and Pru drift down the Thu Bon river, as brightly coloured lamps are set adrift all around them.

Moved by the beauty of the scene, Pru turns to Tim and says ‘Thank you for a lovely life.’

Pru and Tim are back on their travels with Channel 4.

Jon and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, ITV, STV and UTV at 9.25.am

John Torode and Lisa Faulkner are back with a second seres of their weekend cookery and chat show. It’s almost like they’ve never been away. They once more invite us into their kitchen for a morning of feel good food. Everyone’s welcome from aspiring chefs to beginners and keen home cooks.

John Torode and Lisa Faulkner serve up a mouth-watering menu of easy to cook weekend recipes – cod goujons and a simple homemade tartare sauce, John’s best burger with super sides and a melt in your mouth brownie with an ingenious and speedy raspberry ripple ice cream.
Today’s special guest is actress Angela Griffin, who cooks her favourite curry recipe and shares her own love of food and cooking.

Equator From The Air, BBC Two at 9pm

Continuing his equatorial journey, in episode three Gordon Buchanan crosses the Pacific.

This rich source of life is under pressure from rising temperatures, pollution and overfishing. In the Galapagos Islands, Gordon sees how drones are helping protect baby hammerhead sharks, and the iconic giant tortoise.

On the other side of the Pacific, an aerial view sheds light on world’s richest marine habitats, and Gordon joins the search for clues about the future of our coral reefs in a mysterious tropical lake.