Episode 2 Stuck on Sheep Mountain

'Two ordinary families are about to go on a journey of a lifetime.

'They're travelling back in time over 120 years to 1890.

'For one month, they'll live like Victorian hill farmers,

'looking after all these animals.'

It's been ten out of ten hard.

'Coming up, things get tough for the families.'

- It's too much work for one person. - We're really panicking.

'Their food is running out.'

-They're eating everything!

-I miss chicken nuggets.

-'Money's so tight...'

-We're doomed!

-'..the lads find a job.'

-This is quarry property.

'And there's a short sharp shock at school.'

We do not yawn in class, boy! Sit up straight! >

It's been torture and the teacher's been awful!

'Two families, one mountain, one month.

'How WILL they survive stuck on Sheep Mountain?'

Baaa!

'Snowdonia, north Wales,

'and this Victorian hill farm has been home

'to our two families for three days.

'Tommy and Leah Braddock live in this pokey cottage.'

It is very different, but we could get used to it.

'Inside, it's the year 1890.

'There's no lights, no central heating and no bathroom,

'just an outside loo with no seat or loo roll.'

I'm a bit shaky about the toilet.

It couldn't have got that full from six people. I think the Joneses are coming over and using it!

'And here are the Joneses.

'Jac, Ela and their family live in a cottage that's even smaller.'

We haven't got room to keep things.

Jac was wearing my bloomers the other day!

It's a bit strange not being in your house you're used to.

'The families have never farmed, so farmer Gareth gave them a crash course -

'which nearly ended in a 12-sheep pile-up.'

Come on! Hands out your pockets as well!

'They thought they were on one big holiday,

'but in 1890, children had to muck in, too.'

-Tommy.

-Mm-hm.

-Fresh water!

-OK.

-I don't know what we're going to do with him.

'They'll have to pull their Victorian socks up if they're going to survive Sheep Mountain.'

If they don't work as a unit, they're finished on this mountain.

Baa!

'Today's a big day. They're going to Victorian school for the first time.

'Before that, they need to do their chores or they'll have farmer Gareth to answer to.

'Not to mention grumpy cows.'

-Can you just talk to her?

-I feel weird talking to a cow.

What should I say?

Erm, what are you having for dinner?

'Tommy and Leah can't wait to get to school.'

I am very nervous about the teacher.

I don't want to get told off, cos they're very strict.

So I want to be on my best behaviour.

I'm a bit confident, but...more nervous than anything.

'And so he should be.

'In 1890, school rules were very strict. They could get fined for looking scruffy.'

-Have you brushed your teeth?

-Yeah.

-Let's have a look!

'Ela's apron will keep her dress clean.

'There's no uniform, but even so, they have to scrub up.'

It's not supposed to look like that.

'In 1890, every day was a bad hair day.'

-Where's your cap, Jac?

-Don't know. Don't care.

'I wonder how Jac's going to get on at school(!)'

You stay away from Jac in school, you'll do well.

Baa.

'It's a big day for the lads, too, off to work in the slate quarry.'

Have you checked in your pockets?

Like anything else, I'll wing it.

What's the worst thing that could happen?

'The families were given enough food for a week, but with three days gone supplies are running out.

'In Tommy and Leah's house, their dad and big brothers

-'have been pigging out.'

-They're just eating everything.

'They're supposed to live off the farm, but at this rate, there won't be enough food.'

The men are nicking the food cos they're always hungry. So we need more money to get more food.

Have a good day.

< Don't get fined!

'They're off.

'For the next three weeks, they'll go to school between nine and four, Monday to Friday.

'They pay a penny a week each - a lot for our poor families.'

Who has the money?

A penny from Ela.

'The money would help to pay the teacher. Let's hope he's worth every penny.'

Thank you very much, indeed. >

'They're aged between nine to 13, but they'll be taught in one room.

'There's no electronic white board, just a blackboard and chalk.

'No computers or Biros, just pots of ink and slates.'

Ela Jones? > Yes, sir.

-Jac Jones? >

-Yes, sir.

'First, Mr Williams shows them who's boss.'

You do not speak until you are spoken to.

We must behave ourselves at all times. >

Do you understand me?

'Victorian teachers didn't take any prisoners.'

You do not yawn in class, boy! >

Sit up straight.

'Jac's got a lot to learn.'

Our teacher is mean and horrible.

I told you earlier that you have a neck for holding up your head.

'Here it's for show, but in 1890, that cane would have been used

'to make sure the children stayed in line.'

Going back to school would be lovely.

'The lads are also having a hard time.

'It's a five-kilometre walk, and they're shattered.'

-These boots weren't made for walking.

-How much further is it?

'In 1890, most of the world's roof tiles came from north Wales.

'The slate rock was blasted out of the mountains

'and then split into slates in big quarries.'

-It's not going to be easy, is it?

-Nothing's been easy so far.

'They're late - on their first day.'

Come in.

'The quarry boss is not amused.'

I'm very disappointed with you.

You start at nine o'clock and you finish at half past five.

Get a shovel and get cracking, OK?

'It's tough, physical work, and the lads aren't used to it.

'Lucky the quarry boss is there to offer a few words of encouragement.'

Don't use your feet! You're not a chicken! Use the shovel!

Let me show you how to shovel.

Get your knee going there. See?

It's not easy.

It's a lot of work, considering the walk we've just done.

Without a cup of tea as well. It's really hard.

Use that knee! Push it in!

'If they don't work hard, they won't get paid. There's more bad news.'

-Do we get paid weekly?

-You won't be paid till the end of the month.

'So pay day's over three weeks away and their food's about to run out.

'They'll have to think of another way to earn cash. Jac and Ela's dad's worried.'

Ben's already eating me out of house and home.

'On the farm, Jac and Ela's mum is fattening up the pigs.'

Ooh! OK!

Are you nervous I'm going to take you to the butcher's?

'They may be cute, but these animals are not pets.

'The pigs, chickens and geese can be eaten. How will Jac and Ela cope?'

I don't think Jac will be bothered when they go to the butcher's.

If Ela gets too close to the pigs, she'll get really upset.

'Ruth the cow can produce three buckets of milk a day.

'Lots to drink and plenty left over to make butter to sell.

'But Jac and Ela's cow, Ceridwen, can be a bit...MOOdy!'

She's given that a good whack!

'And she keeps on trying to do a runner.'

How do you move a cow?!

Hey, you. We're going to fall out!

I don't know what to do with her.

'On a hill farm, a cow is important to keep the families fed.

'She has to be treated gently, and with a bit of respect.

'The mums are finding out that farming's messy and they've got to get their hands dirty.'

MR WILLIAMS: Twice one is two.

Twice two... > Is four.

'It's mid-morning, and Mr Williams is taking a maths lesson

'without the harsh Victorian beatings.

'Lessons concentrated on the three Rs -

'reading, writing and arithmetic. That's maths.'

Twice one is two... Twice two is four.

'Children learned multiplication tables by reciting them.

'It worked, but it was very dull.'

You're almost singing it.

That way, it will sink in.

'Nine-year-old Leah is doing her best.'

-Um...32...

-No! >

Four sixes is...24.

I know bits and bobs, but not every single one.

'Next, Mr Williams takes the class back to basics with a lesson on how to write Victorian style.'

You dip your pen in your ink. >

Be careful in case the pot falls over. >

'They're using a pen with a metal nib which they have to dip into ink

'every few words.'

It's like scratching.

When you scratch the paper too much it goes everywhere.

I'm getting on quite well. It's a bit slow. I'm taking my time.

-You've got very neat handwriting, Leah.

-Thank you, sir.

'Looks like Leah's up to scratch. Jac's about to blot his copybook.'

Jac! Jac! Jac! Jac! >

Pick up your blotting paper and wipe that off the floor.

Suck it up! Don't just spread it out.

Put the blotting paper down and let it be sucked up into the paper.

If you must slouch about, that is what happens.

-Do not lean forward. Do you understand me?

-Yes, sir.

Ink is not cheap, boy.

I don't know why, but he doesn't quite like me.

No play time for you. You will be writing "I must not spill ink".

If someone else knocks an ink thing over and he doesn't give them a punishment, I'm going to sue him!

'At the quarry, the lads have moved up a gear,

'learning how to split the big blocks of slate.'

Twisting at the same time... >

'With no electric tools, it's hard work.'

You need quite a bit of power in your arm.

With practice, I'll get used to it.

'Next, they're shown how to turn the slates into roof tiles.'

Half again and half again, so we get eight slates from it.

'Jamie's still a bit rough round the edges.'

It's important to keep the chisel steady.

-'Jordan turns out to be a natural.'

-The best one so far!

I did enjoy that. It was good fun.

'Aged 16, Jordan's an apprentice.

'In 1890, boys could leave school at 13 and start as an apprentice.

'It took five years' training, they were only paid a few pennies

'and had to do all the boring jobs.'

I would be just making myself helpful.

Picking up the rubbish and the leftovers - the jobs the older men didn't want to do.

The lads will need a cup of tea in about quarter of an hour.

Can you start the water going? Thank you.

'Jordan's trying hard to impress, unlike Ben and Jamie,

'who seem to think they're here to enjoy themselves.

'Someone's going to hit the roof!'

Ben! Jamie! Come here!

I don't find it a laughing matter.

I'm going to find you a ha'penny each.

I caught you chucking stones, like school children.

So that's a penny now, I've fined you out of your wages.

'Not a great start to the job.'

'Back at the farm, the bread the families were given has run out.'

Oh, dear!

'Mum's having a go at making some.'

The last time I cooked anything was probably in school when I was 13.

'Victorian hill-farming mums never bought bread from a shop.

'They made their own from flour, yeast and black treacle. Easy!'

I don't care what I make, as long as I make something. They'll have to eat it!

'Jac and Ela's mum isn't doing any better.'

I don't know what I'm doing. I'm trying to follow the recipe.

It doesn't make sense.

This dough is far too wet for my liking.

The boys are going to kill me if it goes wrong.

'Well, let THEM make bread out of treacle!

'Last lesson of the day and Mr Williams has an announcement.'

Tommy, you are of an age to become a pupil teacher.

'At the grand old age of 13, Tommy's old enough to be a pupil teacher.

'He'll be paid to help Mr Williams teach and get the children through their exam.'

We shall be having our standard examination.

And you will be assisted by Tommy. >

If the children are successful in the test, at the end of next week,

you will be given two shillings and eight pence.

'That's around a quarter of the weekly rent, but there's a catch.'

If the children do not come up to scratch, >

I'm afraid it will be reflected in Tommy's pay. >

'As long as they pass, it's good news for Tommy and his family.'

'I'm very proud of Tommy.'

It's good to get more money in the family so we can get more bread cos we're running out.

I want to do it, but whether my mum wants me to do it.

But yeah, I like the idea.

'Time to head home.

'Tommy can't wait to give his mum the news.'

-Hello! Did you have a good day?

-Yeah.

-Wow! What happened?

I get to be promoted. Oh, right.

As a student teacher. A student teacher? Wow!

I earn money. Do you?

He'll get paid and that'll be a huge help to the family.

'Not everyone's happy. Jac's been stewing.'

They've got three men in the quarry. We've got two.

So they've got four jobs and we've got two jobs so it's not quite fair.

'Jac's worried that the other family are making more money. By tea-time, even Ela's spoiling for a fight.'

-I haven't got any room!

-She's right on me, Mum!

Right, there's plenty of room. No fighting today.

Ela, you move your chair... Touch me again, I'll kill you!

Are you being silly? You move to that chair, please.

No!

You move to that chair or you go to bed. It was his fault!

That's all the tea all over.

You should go to your bedroom and think.

What's the matter with her, Jac? Nothing's the matter with me! >

Mrs Dramatic! JAC GIGGLES

Take no notice of her. Let her calm down a bit.

'Jac's taking it all in his stride.'

Sometimes, we can be really good friends.

Sometimes, we can really fight.

It depends, like, what mood she's in and what mood I'm in.

My brother does get on my nerves.

He can be a baby. Mum softens up to him then picks on me.

'It's been a long day for everyone. They're tired and hungry.'

'Supper time, and at Tommy and Leah's it's time to try Mum's first homemade loaf.'

Loaf one is burnt. Loaf two isn't too bad.

As long as it's doughy in the middle, we'll be fine.

You're doing a good job, Mum. Oh, thank you, darling. >

'To go with the crusty loaf, there's boiled veg and potato bake.

'Back in the 1890s, the food was a bit boring.

'Leah's missing her favourite meal.'

I miss my baked beans. I really like them. They go with a lot of stuff.

I miss chicken nuggets and milk shakes.

'Jac and Ela's mum is serving up her wholemeal bread and vegetable soup.'

-It's the worst bread.

-It's nice when you dunk it in soup.

-You've stuffed it all at once!

-It's not nice!

'There isn't a scrap of meat left in either house, so it's vegetables all round.

'Jac's fed up.'

Yeah. Missing stuff from the 21st century.

I'm missing chocolate a lot, and fish and chips.

'But at least there's food on the table - for now.'

-Can I spit this out?

-No.

-It's not that bad.

-The bread is.

COCK CROWS

'Seven o'clock in the morning.

'Ela and Jac's family are up and at it, tackling their chores.'

It's too much work for one person. It's got to be a team effort.

'Jac has the most important job - emptying the pee pot every morning.'

It's nothing, like, too gross, or anything.

It's only pee.

'With their work done, the family get breakfast going.'

It's really important the men get out to work on time.

We need every penny we can get because food is running a bit low.

'At Tommy and Leah's, it's a different story.

'There's no sign of them.

'Their mum is struggling to milk Ruth and make pancakes for six people all on her own.'

We're supposed to get up as a family. It's difficult to get everyone up.

I got a bit carried away sleeping. I had a bit of a lie-in.

'Now, guess what. Breakfast's running late.'

They're not going to cook in time for them to go to work.

At home, you could microwave it. Ding!

'At Jac and Ela's, the porridge is ready.'

I think me and Ben have got ten minutes to go to work.

So we'll have some porridge quickly.

'It's eight o'clock, time to leave or they'll be late.'

WHISTLES

'But Leah and Tommy's family are still eating.'

I'm making scrambled egg now. This is a last resort.

We haven't had a very successful morning on breakfast.

'Jamie won't leave till he's scoffed some eggs.

'They'll never make it on time and the boss won't be pleased.'

Good morning.

So you are late again this morning. Jamie, you made all the men late.

-I'm going to fine you a ha'penny.

-Oh, my days!

'So far, Jamie's been fined a penny - more than he's earned.

'In other words, he's paying the boss.'

Let's get going, lads.

'Over at the school, it's time for PE or, as the Victorians called it, "drill".'

Now, are we ready for our morning's drill session? Follow me outside.

Exercise is important for the body. What is the saying? >

ALL: Healthy minds in healthy bodies.

'The Victorians thought drill was a good way to keep kids fit

'and to teach them to follow orders.'

Forward and back.

And up and down. Up and down.

And rest.

It's been torture. It's been boring and the teacher's been awful.

'The mums are desperate for cash, and breaking into the rent money.'

That's another one.

'They need to pay rent because, like most Victorians, they don't own their homes.

'They're off to the local shop to buy food.

'This is the only shop around here.

'Mr Evans sells food and lots more besides.

'Like a supermarket without queues and loyalty cards!'

My husband has told me not to go mad today in the shop.

-Money short?

-Yeah. Very short at the minute.

Yes, waiting for wages to come in.

-Can I have a pound of flour as well?

-One shilling four pence ha'penny.

'Jac and Ela's mum is being careful not to spend too much.

'But Tommy and Leah's mum can't resist the sweets.'

If I get pear drops, they'll be mine for ever, the children.

'Oh, dear! Now she's having a real blow-out!'

-I'll have some cake.

-OK.

-How much is all that together?

-Two shillings and thruppence.

'That's almost double what Ela and Jac's mum spent, and is one-fifth of the weekly rent money.

'Those pear drops had better be good.'

Your moment has arrived. Will you come forward with the geography book?

'Tommy is about to take his first lesson as a pupil teacher.

'He's more nervous than his pupils!'

How long is the English border in length?

-Jac?

-365 miles?

No, I've got 3,000.

'He's got to do a good job to earn money for his family so they can buy food.'

MR WILLIAMS: Are you sure that is the question you should be asking?

So the question is not the English border but the English...

Coastline. Sorry, guys.

MR WILLIAMS: So change the question. "How long is the English coastline?"

It's important that the children do well.

If they do, I get paid.

I've never been in charge of a class before, but I'll get used to it.

MR WILLIAMS: Class dismissed. Girls first.

'After his nerve-racking first day as pupil teacher, Tommy's mum has a surprise for him.'

GASPS Pear drops!

Oh, I would've...! I would have known!

'Like many poor Victorian children, Tommy's got a job.

'It's a big responsibility and he has to bring his work home with him.'

ELA: Tommy has to do homework.

He's got to do reading cos he's a pupil teacher.

-Which means he has to teach.

-Teacher's pet!

TOMMY: If I'm not doing my job, like teaching the children, I could have my job taken off me.

Which I don't really want because...we really need the money.

'Too right. Work at the quarry's been rained off. If they don't work, they don't get paid.'

-Tomorrow, we've got to work twice as hard now.

-I'm dreading that.

'With money tight, it's the last thing the families need.

'But it's going to get a lot worse, because they're about to have an unwelcome visit.'

Hello. Is that Master Braddock?

'The dreaded rent collector has arrived.

'He doesn't want rent now, which is lucky.

'Mum's spent some on sweets! But he can ask for money at any time.'

I'll try and give you notice, but if I can't, I'll just turn up.

-All right?

-Yes.

-Nice to meet you all.

-And you. Thank you.

-Bye bye.

'He's off, but he'll be back for his money

'and the families will have to pay or get thrown out of the cottage.'

If we don't pay the landlord he'll tell us to go somewhere else.

'So we are really panicking.'

-How are we going to do it?

-I don't know.

-We'll have to...

-You can sell butter, Mum. >

You might have to make some butter and sell it at market.

-When do you get paid?

-Some time this week.

'Tommy is the only one earning.

'With no pay from the quarry till the end of the month, they need other ways to earn some cash.

'And quick.'

We're doomed!

It's really scary!

'Next time, it's the weekend, but the work doesn't stop.'

There's just so much stuff to do.

'It's sheep's heads for tea.'

I can't believe people eat it!

'And they have a Victorian fun day out, without the fun.'

I, personally, want to go back to my own life.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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