0:00:02 > 0:00:04Summer in Wales is a time of celebration...
0:00:04 > 0:00:05THEY CHEER
0:00:05 > 0:00:06Holidays...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- I want to see a castle, pubs. - Keep rowing!
0:00:09 > 0:00:10And the great outdoors.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14A time when many businesses must turn a profit...
0:00:14 > 0:00:17We have put everything we've got into this.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20..Or face a struggle to survive the rest of the year.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22You've just got to try and keep your head above water at the moment.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25A time when good weather can make all things possible.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26CROWD CHEER
0:00:26 > 0:00:28And bad can leave dreams in tatters.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31The weather could be a little nicer but that's not anybody's fault.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34The summer was truly extraordinary.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Was that the cleverest idea at the time, take it down?
0:00:37 > 0:00:38It saw laughter...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40SHE LAUGHS
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Heartache...
0:00:41 > 0:00:42This can be a cruel game.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Triumph...
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I came second.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And despair.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47The weather's beaten us once again.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49These are our stories...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Nice bit of pavement pizza in this corner here.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56..Filmed in every corner of the nation across the summer of 2012.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57You can't beat it, can you?
0:00:57 > 0:01:00This is a story of a summer in Wales.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Let's get the show on the road.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Summer 2012 may have turned out to be one of the wettest on record
0:01:16 > 0:01:19but a certain event did much to dispel the gloom.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24We are seconds away from the sounding of the great Olympic bell,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26the start of the London Games.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the games of the 30th Olympiad.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35The spectacle of the London Olympic Games lifted the spirit of
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the nation and the competition kicked off right here in Wales.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Cardiff, host of many of the Games' football matches
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and at the city's street cleansing headquarters,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52manager Juliet Gamlin is briefing her crew.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The teams have already arrived. They are in the city centre.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00It's really important that we demonstrate
0:02:00 > 0:02:02what Cardiff has to offer.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04And you guys being on the front line there, are acting
0:02:04 > 0:02:09as ambassadors, representatives of Cardiff Council, so please be
0:02:09 > 0:02:13your normal friendly, helpful selves and I'm sure you will shine through.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Today, not one but two Olympic football matches are scheduled
0:02:19 > 0:02:20to kick off in the capital.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Street wash operator Rose Joseph
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and team mate Russell Davies have their hands full
0:02:27 > 0:02:30preparing the city centre for its moment in the Olympic spotlight.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35It's going to be pretty busy later on this morning.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38It's once in a lifetime, the Olympics coming to Britain.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40So we'll have every man and his dog round.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47But it's not the football that tickling Russell's fancy.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Beach volleyball is the best one. Later on at night.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55The kids are in bed. Women in bathers.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57What more could you ask for?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00WHISTLING AND CHEERING
0:03:00 > 0:03:03THEY CHANT Suarez! Suarez!
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Summer is always a busy time for the cleansing team but with
0:03:06 > 0:03:10thousands of football fans flooding in to see Mexico play Switzerland...
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Excuse me, please. Any rubbish, anyone?
0:03:13 > 0:03:17..and then team GB play Uruguay just under three hours later,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20extra staff have been drafted in to help with operation
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Deep Clean Mode.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24They've brought us in to keep the city clean
0:03:24 > 0:03:28until the Olympics are over so this means I get wages.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It keeps me busy. It keeps me off the streets.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39There's a carnival atmosphere in the city centre.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44How many times have I warned you?
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Three times in the first half. If you keep on doing it, you're off.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Russell's daughter Sophie, a street cleanser like her dad,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55is taking it all in her stride.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59A special performance, that is.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Welcome to Cardiff. Iechyd da! Caerphilly cheese! Enjoy!
0:04:06 > 0:04:07Team GB. Bring it on.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Rose, swept up by the Olympic spirit,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12awards herself a gold medal.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15For being on the streets of Cardiff at 4.00am, Monday to Saturday,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17alternative Sundays.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20To keep the streets free of vomit, urine, grease,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22blood spillages, oil spillages etc etc.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27With one match about to kick off and more fans flooding in
0:04:27 > 0:04:29to the city centre streets ready for the second,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32the Cleaner Cardiff team have a long day ahead of them.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Summer is a busy time for many of the nation's private country houses.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45On the border between Wales and England stands Bryngwyn Hall,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48ancestral seat of the Sandbach family
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and home of Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I've known this house since I was five
0:04:53 > 0:04:55and I completely fell in love with it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57It was shut up. It had been occupied in the war.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00There was dry rot everywhere.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04But I had this great passion to want to restore this house.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06It was very exciting, actually,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09but financially it was extremely difficult.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10Right.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13To fund the restoration and running of Bryngwyn
0:05:13 > 0:05:14and its 60 acres of parkland,
0:05:14 > 0:05:19Lady Linlithgow has had to turn it into a moneymaking enterprise.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I think I live in paradise here,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and as I always say, paradise doesn't come cheap.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Today, the household is playing host to an etiquette course
0:05:28 > 0:05:31run by former newsreader Diana Mather.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Now, ladies, what we don't want is any of this.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37THEY LAUGH
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Our young ladies come onto the course to actually learn
0:05:39 > 0:05:43social etiquette, which is common sense and mainly good manners.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The course is just one of a string of moneymaking ventures that
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Bryngwyn cook, Christine Horton, has seen Lady Linlithgow take on.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57We started doing tours of the house, then we started doing shooting
0:05:57 > 0:06:02and weddings and etiquette weekends.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I've had to diversify in many ways,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09and I've had to just really laterally think about what
0:06:09 > 0:06:13we can do to keep this house running well and in good conditions.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Then, if he's a real gentleman, he should actually help you out.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18That would be lovely.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We're thinking of doing paranormal weekends and my daughter-in-law
0:06:21 > 0:06:24suggested that we have parties with butlers in the buff,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28which is an interesting thought at £45 an hour per bottom.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31SHE GIGGLES
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Sorry.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34SHE SNORTS
0:06:36 > 0:06:38That's very naughty of me, sorry.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Now we're going to do sitting.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Now when we sit, it's always knees and ankles together.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Absolutely fine. And up again.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Now keep the elbows in when you get up. So sit down.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56And keep your elbows by your sides. And up.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Lovely.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02Lady Linlithgow herself has never attended an etiquette course.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I wasn't given any training, no.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07I mean, I came from a background where manners were king, really.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13For Christine, courses usually mean an added workload.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17We've had one before and they've had a lady showing them how to
0:07:17 > 0:07:23walk properly and how to greet people correctly.
0:07:23 > 0:07:29And how to project themselves at interviews and things.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32So I'm not sure what this lot are doing
0:07:32 > 0:07:35but they're not having a cookery lesson, which is great.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Follow me, please.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40You can look beautiful in a bin bag if you stand correctly
0:07:40 > 0:07:42and walk well.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45So, Edible And Medicinal Plants, here we go.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51So, looking straight ahead keeps my head still
0:07:51 > 0:07:54and my shoulders still, and my spine in line.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Hands by your sides, just relax.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59SHE YELPS
0:07:59 > 0:08:03And straight ahead. Very nice indeed.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05SHE LAUGHS
0:08:05 > 0:08:08In addition to hosting the event,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Lady Linlithgow plays a key part in the etiquette course.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14There are two different sorts of curtseys.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16There's the bob and it was literally that.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20But if you do a Royal curtsey, it's right down. Oops!
0:08:20 > 0:08:23If you're wearing high heels, it's not very easy. You go right down.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27And that was what you were learnt...you were taught to do
0:08:27 > 0:08:31at Madame Vacani's before you were presented to the Queen.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Lady Linlithgow brings her experience.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36She and I are of an age where you actually did the season.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39That's what the finishing school was all about.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41To teach young ladies how to go out into society,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45how to behave properly and marry a very rich husband
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and live hopefully happily ever after.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Of course, we all fell in love with a ski instructor, didn't we?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53We were given the oldest and ugliest instructor.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56But there were some very good looking younger ones.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I don't know if I've even got a photograph of Maurice in here
0:08:59 > 0:09:01who I had a crush on.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04'I suppose I am on show as much as the house.'
0:09:04 > 0:09:08I certainly don't have as much of a private life as I used to have.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10'That has rather gone by the wayside
0:09:10 > 0:09:13'but I absolutely, passionately love this place.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:18I'm passionately determined that it's going to be handed over
0:09:18 > 0:09:22to the next generation in a good state. Depending on the taxman.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23SHE LAUGHS
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Just a glimpse of Welsh summer sun will see crowds of us
0:09:31 > 0:09:36flocking to a park, any park, particularly in Cardiff,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38which is blessed with more parkland per head
0:09:38 > 0:09:40than any other city in the UK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Whether it's just to sit and watch the world go by...
0:09:44 > 0:09:47OK, ladies, we're going to warm up now. Just loosen up.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Just get ourselves ready.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53..or indulge in more strenuous pursuits like this
0:09:53 > 0:09:57bunch of keen mums who come together for a vigorous outdoor workout.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02It's just lovely. You've got benches, fences, you've got the grass,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05you've got hills, so you can do a total body workout in the park.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11This time, girls, just change it to a side step.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Three, two, one, let's go! In and out the buggies.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Feet moving.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19If this looks a little too energetic for your tastes,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22there's always the more traditional park pursuits.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Meet the boys of the Fair Oak Bowls Club.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31It's nice to play the game when the sun is out because,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34apart from having a good time, and the weather's lovely,
0:10:34 > 0:10:35you also get a good tan.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38It takes all your stresses away and you forget about everything.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Keeps me out of mischief.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It gets me out of the house from the missus.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45That's going out on the telly - be careful.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47THEY LAUGH
0:10:47 > 0:10:48You've just dropped yourself in it!
0:10:51 > 0:10:54These lads take their sport seriously.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Everybody thinks it's an old man's game - it's not.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It's not boring. There's no way it's boring.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02It's not as easy as it looks.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Ask him with the cap what happened to him about two years ago.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11And as I was stepping forward to play the game,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14I fell backwards with a broken leg.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20The ambulance man Couldn't believe it. He thought this was a quiet, gentle game.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24And they blamed me for losing the match by one point.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28They may be getting on in years but they're certainly not over the hill.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32These silver bowlers have still got the killer instinct.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Hang on. Hang on. Oh!
0:11:37 > 0:11:40We'll have a chat about this, that or the other but we never try
0:11:40 > 0:11:41to put each other off.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It's in the ditch, Ken, it's in the ditch.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Well bowled. HE LAUGHS
0:11:47 > 0:11:49See, they don't wind me up at all.
0:11:49 > 0:11:50LAUGHTER
0:11:50 > 0:11:53You just try to be as good as you possibly can.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54HE LAUGHS
0:11:54 > 0:11:55Sometimes you're rubbish.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59If you get the pace wrong, you're finished.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Come on! Unlucky!
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Well, consistent!
0:12:08 > 0:12:09In the ditch.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19For Wales' farming community,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21summer is the season of the agricultural show.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26From what's claimed to be Europe's largest, The Royal Welsh,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28to more local affairs.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32THEY GIGGLE
0:12:32 > 0:12:34THEY CHEER
0:12:34 > 0:12:36This summer marks a milestone for the Welsh-speaking
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Jones family of Pencastell farm in Ceredigion.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44For the first time, Elin, aged five,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Tomos, seven, and Sion Ifan, eight, will all be old enough to compete
0:12:48 > 0:12:53as young sheep handlers at the local Llanilar Agricultural Show.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Proud dad Geraint will be helping them all the way.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Pick the best ewe lamb to start with.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- I want the number one. - Number nine. Number nine.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Number four, number four.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08THEY LAUGH
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Sion Ifan is an experienced handler.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17He competed last year and won a rosette
0:13:17 > 0:13:20but little sister Elin won't be outdone.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24This is the first time I've done the sheeps.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29I'm going to be first. And I'm going to win a prize.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Hold the head up. That's the handbrake so she won't go forward.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36We are not only training the sheep,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40this is the process of training the children to handle the sheep.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44The job now is getting this sheep used to us handling her
0:13:44 > 0:13:46and getting her looking nice
0:13:46 > 0:13:50and by the time the show comes, she should be looking a million dollars.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53One thing's for sure - competition will be stiff.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Elin and her brothers will have to practise long and hard
0:13:56 > 0:13:58before putting their skills to the test
0:13:58 > 0:14:01in the upcoming show in a few weeks' time.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02I've got her. I've got her.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07She likes kisses.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09SHE LAUGHS
0:14:13 > 0:14:16The bad summer weather has wreaked havoc with tourism
0:14:16 > 0:14:17all over Wales.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19On a little knuckle of rock in the chilly Bristol channel,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Barry Island's funfair has had a disastrous season so far.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27But whenever the rain stops falling, the crowds flood in.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Win a wet goldfish!
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Come on. Good boy. There we go, then. Thank you very much.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- £10 worth, yeah?- Yeah. - Thank you very much.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41For manager Vernon Studt and his team, it's good news.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44We've got a few more coming in, William, aye.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48This is our Bill here. He's getting ready with the fish.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51They're all wet. They're all wet and orange, aren't they?
0:14:51 > 0:14:53THEY LAUGH
0:14:53 > 0:14:54Ring the bell.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57To be honest, I didn't expect this many people here.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It's a horrible day, isn't it?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02It's overcast. But they're coming out, aren't they? It's filling up.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05A little bit more sunshine and it will be even better.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Win a goldfish, all wet and orange. Are you having a go?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11But it's a case of too little, too late.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14In recent years, the funfair has been hit by washout summers
0:15:14 > 0:15:17and the writing is on the wall.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Everybody is finding things difficult.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24I think it's the survive, certainly the survival of the fittest,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26and you've just got to keep going and try
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and keep your head above water at the moment.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Park owner Ian Rogers has had enough.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33He's secured planning permission to demolish the funfair
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and replace it with an undercover leisure complex.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Times change and we've got to change with them.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43So...it will always be a fantastic place, though, Barry Island,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45do you know what I mean?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It's now just a question of when the work will begin.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Will you drive one way around, please. No head-on bumping.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52RINGING
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Vernon is part of the Studt family funfair dynasty.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58A fourth generation showman.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Can you come and help us out for a couple of hours?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Oh, you're a good un. You're a good un.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Until he took on Barry Island's summer pleasure park six years ago,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08he worked the travelling circuit all year round.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Being the fairground manager has given him
0:16:11 > 0:16:14a chance to live a more settled life.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15Thank you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Partner Tracy is worried.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Vernon will have to go back travelling with his, you know,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22with his dodgems, so...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I think he's done his fair share of travelling now.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I'd settle for a few more years still here, hopefully.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33When this is going to take place, I don't know.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36But maybe, maybe I'll be here next year. I don't know yet.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Like I said, I've got to speak to Mr Rogers and see
0:16:38 > 0:16:40when development will start.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Barry Island will always be Barry Island.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46What I want to do is make people talk about it even more,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49you know, for the right reasons.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51For Vernon and his fellow showmen,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54closing the funfair will be the end of an era.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Very, very big shame.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00I came here in 1973, and it's gradually gone downhill.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07'The park will be closing in 15 minutes.'
0:17:07 > 0:17:11The park will close in 15 minutes. Thank you.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Because Barry is going to finish, we're not going to just,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19you know, curl up and finish with the business, that doesn't happen.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21The show must go on.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33On the border between Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion is Hammet House.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Philippa and Owen Gale bought it and invested their
0:17:39 > 0:17:43life savings to transform it into a luxury retreat.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46It's an ambitious project.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52The couple are giving the hotel an uncompromisingly modern make-over.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56But the refurbishment still has a long way to go.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58So we are going to go into room 15 now,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02which is one that we haven't really touched yet.
0:18:02 > 0:18:08And it's just a lot more traditional in feel.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14You've got ornate rolled-effect paintwork. Decorative borders.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Very soon it's going to be completely redone
0:18:17 > 0:18:19in Hammet House style.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Also, they're new to the hotel trade and found that delivering
0:18:23 > 0:18:27a luxury service means they have to be hands-on seven days a week.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33I'd say we are both pretty limited in our capacity to trust
0:18:33 > 0:18:36other people to do things absolutely properly.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41To make matters worse, summer is wedding season,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43the busiest time in the hotel calendar.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47And just as it began, their chef decided to leave.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Now, one month later, a replacement has been
0:18:55 > 0:18:59found in the shape of Andy Beaumont.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02I've got a lot of experience of doing high-end food.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05At the end of the day, we want to be as good as we can be.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08And what they are doing out the front is very modern.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11It's very funky. And we are doing that with the food as well.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15To spread the word about their new fancy cuisine,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18they've decided to stage a seven-course tasting event
0:19:18 > 0:19:21showcasing their chef's culinary talents.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24A select group of high-profile diners will be attending,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26including a food reviewer.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31So then, Andy, Welsh tasting menu. Are you happy? Everything prepped?
0:19:31 > 0:19:32- Ready to go?- Yep.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36It's quite an important night. Seven courses.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Seven chances to get something wrong. So, yeah.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We're obviously quite nervous about the evening.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46We've got to make sure it goes without fault.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48We have got a very important guest from the bank coming.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52It's always important to impress Mr Bank Manager.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Everything has to be perfect.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14In recent years, Wales has become one of Europe's top destinations
0:20:14 > 0:20:17for sport enthusiasts.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21From the extreme...
0:20:26 > 0:20:27..to the downright quirky.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36This summer, in celebration of the London Olympics,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40the tiny town of Llanwrtyd Wells in the very heart of Wales
0:20:40 > 0:20:43stages the world's first ever alternative games event.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Over the course of a fortnight,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50competitors attempt all manner of weird and wonderful sporting events.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52From bath tubbing...
0:20:54 > 0:20:56..to pea shooting.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Turn the table only once.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02And even Russian egg roulette.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04You take those eggs.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Six of those will be hard boiled, two of them will be raw eggs.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12You shoot your forehead, and you can see who is staying and who is gone.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17It's a family-friendly sport with no skill required.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19CROWD CHEER
0:21:23 > 0:21:25The climax of the event is a mid-Wales favourite,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27the bog snorkelling championship,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30in which competitors swim two uninterrupted lengths
0:21:30 > 0:21:32of a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Three, two, one, go!
0:21:41 > 0:21:43If they come in fancy dress, they're here for a laugh.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46About four people then we're up.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49We hand-stitched every cotton ball on to our costume.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51Two days' hard work.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54And it will probably be washed off in about four seconds.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57ALL: We're going in!
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I didn't know until I turned up! THEY LAUGH
0:22:02 > 0:22:05You will see the people here who are determined to win.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08They'll be trying to work out what particular stroke they can do.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I just get in and swim, to be honest.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12CHEERING
0:22:15 > 0:22:16Am I in the lead?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- 157.3.- Dammit.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Stop the competition now!
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Rather them than me!
0:22:29 > 0:22:33My objective is to not be sick in my own snorkel from over-exertion.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40THEY CHEER
0:22:42 > 0:22:45There goes the bride-to-be!
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- We think it's crazy, but it's a good crazy.- Much fun.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59We love that. We feel sorry because French can't do that.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02They're too serious or too...I don't know what.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Quel dommage, madame!
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Here in Wales, we know how to let our hair down.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10SHE SCREAMS
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Whatever the weather, come rain or shine,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22summer's a busy time for those of us with allotments.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Oooh. Still crackers, Merv.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26THEY LAUGH
0:23:26 > 0:23:28I think mine are better than yours anyway.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Oh, aye, aye.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35In South Wales' Cynon Valley, retired miners Mervyn Owens
0:23:35 > 0:23:38and Horace Rogers have been growing veg
0:23:38 > 0:23:41and getting mud in their wellies for the last 30 years.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46I'm 68 now. You know, a lot of people at my age,
0:23:46 > 0:23:47they couldn't do this.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50A day in the allotments is equivalent to a day in the gym.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I've got a bit of a tummy now, mind. That's from good eating, that is.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- Beer pot.- No, I don't think so.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58THEY LAUGH
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Growing your own may be all the rage, but for Horace and Merv
0:24:01 > 0:24:06it's never been out of fashion. They're allotment old guard.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09We're out here on average at least six hours a day, isn't it, Merv?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Yeah, seven days a week. Rain come shine, we do the lot.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Well, I told you earlier on, I nearly had a divorce for this game.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21These boys are serious gardeners,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25and regularly compete in the cut-throat world of vegetable shows.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Dai Blainey over Tonyrefail, John Sugar, John Oliver.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31They're top gardeners, very top gardeners.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33There's always a bit of banter, you know.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34"I've had you. I've had you."
0:24:34 > 0:24:37And always Horace says, "Next year. I'll have you next year."
0:24:37 > 0:24:39I'm going to have John Sugar next year, Merv.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40I'm going to take him out.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43To compete against them and win is an achievement.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45And on behalf of this young man here now,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47it's an achievement I'm very proud of.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Yes, thank you, Merv.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53All too often, fate can deal the vegetable grower a cruel blow.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55I could pull all these and I wouldn't get a decent carrot.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57You know, it's as simple as that.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I had it here one year, it was three years ago,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01the fly went all through them.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03- They just...- Oooh, heartbreaking.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06But there are compensations.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- We never buy vegetables.- Oh.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I've got three freezers in the shed there.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14All the veg we grow, freeze it, in the shed.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Now that's a cracking carrot that is, look. That's a good carrot.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Nice fresh onion. I'm not much of a chef but the flavour is there,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I can guarantee you that. Isn't it, Merv?
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I can cook as well. I can cook anything. I cook everything.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31As long as it doesn't move on the plate, I'll eat it.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Look at the colour on them. Fit for a queen, Merv, eh?
0:25:35 > 0:25:39See the board there. Won first, second, first, second, third.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Oh, Merv. It's spot-on, Merv, this is.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Oh, lovely!- Stunning. You couldn't buy this stuff.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48THEY LAUGH
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I don't need a woman, Merv. I grow it, I cook it.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54What more do you want?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57From the garden to the pot, that's the saying, isn't it?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01People think we're nuts. Are we nuts, Merv?
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Aye.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11In Ceredigion, it's the day of the Llanilar Agricultural show.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Time for the Jones family children to put weeks of preparation
0:26:15 > 0:26:18to the test in the young handlers' event.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22I've been practising a lot.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I want to win a rosette.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Dad Geraint has high hopes for Elin
0:26:28 > 0:26:31but also has his own eye on another prize.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33It smells nice, anyway.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37There is a competition in the show for the men to bake a cake.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40I like cooking with my dad.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Yeah, we're allowed to make a mess when we cook, don't we?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Yeah.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Some people probably take it a bit serious
0:26:47 > 0:26:49but no, there's no need to take it serious.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51It's all a bit of fun.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54My cake looks better than that one.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Yeah, there is quite a few cakes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Here's some stiff competition coming now.
0:27:00 > 0:27:01I reckon.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Yes, I think I have got the beating of you this year, Ger.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Nah.- Let the best man win, Ger?
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Yes, I will
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Elin?
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Cake competition aside, it's time for Elin's young handler's event.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17There we go.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Now the judge is now going to be judging you.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22What's your sheep called?
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Um...Nesta.- Nesta.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27At only five years old, she is one of the youngest competitors.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Oh, dear.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Back in the main tent, the public have been cleared
0:27:33 > 0:27:35and the cake judging has begun.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38It's down to Glenys Jones and Phyllis Eldridge
0:27:38 > 0:27:39to pick the winners.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45We pick the best three and we taste them.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51They are more presentable than the ladies'.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56What breed is this one then?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- A Lleyn.- A Lleyn? Right, we'll go on now then.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Tension is mounting.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10You're not supposed to speak with your mouth full.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Finally, it's decision time.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20- First.- First. Second.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23This young lady again.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26You know quite a bit about the sheep and she's a very good handler
0:28:26 > 0:28:28so second prize to her.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33And of course, the final winner for showing the sheep. There we are.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34APPLAUSE
0:28:34 > 0:28:38I did very well. I came second.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Right, then. Let's see about this cake.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Yeah. Very important competitors coming through.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52That can't be yours.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54No. Is it? Billy Morris has won.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58It's a fix. What happened to yours, then?
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I don't know. Where is the judge? We need to have words.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06As the day comes to a close, there's been disappointment for Geraint
0:29:06 > 0:29:09but success for the children, particularly Elin.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Time to head for home to celebrate with a slice of Dad's cake.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Now that the writing is on the wall for Barry Island,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Vernon's other showman ventures are more important than ever.
0:29:27 > 0:29:28OK, here we go. Hold tight.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33He's travelled to Aberystwyth to check up on an amusement ride pitch
0:29:33 > 0:29:35he leases on the promenade.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Well, basically, what you have here is a children's train ride,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41which folds down.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Behind you, you have the children's cups and saucers.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48And I think what might stand to be very popular is, just over there,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50you have the children's bungees.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52I think they'll work pretty well here.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55I love Aberystwyth. The people of Aberystwyth are great,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58and it's a nice part of the country, Aberystwyth.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03Our family have been associated with fairgrounds here for 130, 140 years.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Despite being based in Barry for a large part of the year,
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Vernon has kept his close ties with the travelling showman community.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Vernon is a cousin of mine, and he's known me all my life.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Yes, he's a nice fella, Vernon is.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Although we're in Barry Island, I've never given up the travelling side.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24And maybe one day I'll come back myself in here
0:30:24 > 0:30:27and bring my own equipment, it all depends.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31For Vernon, a move west could well be on the cards.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Back on Barry Island, it's another washout day,
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The school holidays have started and the park should be at its busiest.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44But with no hope of the weather improving,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Vernon has decided not to open the funfair.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51A familiar sight, looking at those gates closed over there.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Time is running out for Vernon and his team.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57And Ian the park owner now has news of when the demolition work
0:30:57 > 0:30:58is scheduled to start.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01This is the day, isn't it? It's the day for it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Nice warm cup of tea there for you, Ian.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08We need something to try and warm us up because nothing else is.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11This is the second day this week now.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It's not giving any of us a chance, none whatsoever.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18With the new complex down here, whatever it might be, whether it's
0:31:18 > 0:31:21retail, cinemas, bowling alleys, whatever you have in mind,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24it's got to be better than what it is at the moment.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26One thing's for sure, we're ready to go.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31The area where the log flume is, is going to be demolished first.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33So come the end of September,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35all these rides will be pulled off the site.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40It's bad news for the funfair, but Ian does have a proposal for Vernon.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Are you going to be interested in coming into the new development?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Well, yes. I would like to be along, and come on board.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49The way I see it is, you know, anybody that's supported me
0:31:49 > 0:31:52through the hard times, and it's been very hard in the last...
0:31:52 > 0:31:54We're certainly having them now, aren't we?
0:31:54 > 0:31:57..five years. Yeah. And I'm glad to hear that you're interested.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Oh, yes. Yes, definitely.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02I'm not going to, at the end of the day, I'm here now.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04And with basically the old expression,
0:32:04 > 0:32:05taking the good with the bad,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09and then hopefully there's got to be some good at the end of all this.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12It will be cracking. It will be cracking.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17So they say on Gavin And Stacey. Is that right, Vernon?
0:32:17 > 0:32:19THEY LAUGH
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Barry Island's cracking. I wouldn't lie to you. That's what they say.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24THEY LAUGH
0:32:31 > 0:32:36Some 200 miles north of Barry Island lies the Llyn Peninsula,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39a finger of land reaching out from the mountains of Snowdonia
0:32:39 > 0:32:41towards the Irish sea.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44On its south coast, known as the Welsh Riviera,
0:32:44 > 0:32:48lies the stylish seaside resort of Abersoch.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Famed for its iconic beach huts, it's a fashionable destination
0:32:52 > 0:32:55for well-healed British holidaymakers.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Jan Atherton's family has been coming here for four generations.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09My great-grandparents came to Abersoch first
0:33:09 > 0:33:12and then my grandparents and then my mum and dad.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15So I've been coming before I was born, if you know what I mean.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18The beach huts are basically upmarket sheds with hardly
0:33:18 > 0:33:22enough room to swing a kiss-me-quick hat. On average, 9ft square,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24they've no running water or electricity.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27But do come with a bit of beach attached.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30They're such a must-have for the fashionable holiday makers
0:33:30 > 0:33:35of Abersoch that one was recently snapped up for a staggering £85,000.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39People hold on to beach huts because they're gold dust, really.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44Jonny Hancox's family have been proud owners for the last 90 years.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47My great-grandfather had five children,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50and all of those families continue to come down here.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56I've come to Abersoch for as long as I can remember and it's my summer.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00It's everything all in one, sailing, usually sun, not this year.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04This is the heights of my children throughout the years
0:34:04 > 0:34:07so obviously they're up and up and up. I'm not sure where I am.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Yes, in the '60s or even going back to 1950s there as well.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15For Jonny and his fellow holidaymakers,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18the highlight of the long summer holiday is the Abersoch Yacht Club's
0:34:18 > 0:34:22best-dressed beach hut competition.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Jan Atherton and her family have gone for a jazz theme.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I don't think we'll win because there's some fantastic entries
0:34:30 > 0:34:33but we'll have a go, we'll have a go.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Further along the beach, the Bale family are hoping to shock
0:34:36 > 0:34:39the judges into awarding them a prize.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43We're doing an operating theatre theme for our beach hut competition.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46The important thing is attention to detail.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48And scaring the judges.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52That looks really real, that's horrible.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Jan's neighbours, the Mount family, have gone Mexican.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58A lot of competition - we're friends, great friends,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00but a lot of competition here.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02We don't like them. THEY ALL LAUGH
0:35:02 > 0:35:05We just put up with them all the time.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07I think the moustaches here are, they're a bit...
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Oh, they're here!
0:35:11 > 0:35:14The competition judges have arrived.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16These are my little amigos.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Loving the hats, just a little something you had lying around.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Just literally, just found it underneath the beach.
0:35:22 > 0:35:23Rivalry is keen.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Is any bribery allowed?
0:35:25 > 0:35:28No, definitely, definitely not. No. We have to be totally impartial.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Fingers crossed. Enjoyed it. That's the main thing.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Took part. Took part.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Who's going to tell me what it's all about?
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Is it the Olympics?
0:35:39 > 0:35:40Yes.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Wow, how old are you? That one? Three?
0:35:44 > 0:35:48He's on his podium with his gold medal. Well done.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50Thank you very much.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53We're seeing an Olympic theme this year, aren't we?
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Finally, the judges arrive at the Bale family's beach hut.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00We're in a field hospital, are we? Oh, dear.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02So I shall...are you ready?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Can I come in? Oh!
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Which limb should go first?
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Very good.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14It's decision time.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23We do have one outright winner, and it's hut N,
0:36:23 > 0:36:28and their first prize is this cup and their theme was the Olympics.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30APPLAUSE
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Well done.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Medals.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38You can share it. That's good.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41The Bales too win a prize.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45- I got a medal.- A highly commended.- Highly commended.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47And though Jan's hut doesn't get a mention,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50her neighbours, the Mounts, are also rewarded.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53It was a really good turn-out this year
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and it was a good reflection on the effort that people put in.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00As the curtain falls on another fun-filled regatta events week,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Jan's in good spirits.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Generations of families come year after year.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09So the parents form friendships and then their children do.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12And it's sort of like reunion time in the summer.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14I just feel totally content here.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Very, very special friendships, and a beautiful place.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25For those of us with families, late summer means one thing,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27school holidays.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30A time for bored children and panicking parents.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32A time where an outdoor living history event
0:37:32 > 0:37:34never looked more appealing.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42At Caerleon Amphitheatre in south-east Wales, a host
0:37:42 > 0:37:47of re-enactors are laying on a weekend-long Roman extravaganza.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50We're just Romans generally everywhere where we can be.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54It is how I fill my summer and most of my life as well.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Looking to try her hand at what is known in the trade as
0:37:58 > 0:38:02live costume interpretation is Linda Bailey, who normally spends
0:38:02 > 0:38:07her Saturdays leading Gavin and Stacey tours around Barry Island.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09If I start saying things like, "What's occurring?"
0:38:09 > 0:38:11it's not going to go down well, I don't think.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Val Williams is a professional costume interpreter
0:38:14 > 0:38:17who's agreed to train Linda to play the role of a Gladiatrix.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20That's a female Gladiator to you and me.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Pleased to meet you, Val.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- You look lovely but not quite... - I know.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- Will you transform me, babes? - I will do my best.- Thank you.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35The event has drawn interpreters and re-enactment groups from
0:38:35 > 0:38:39far and wide, eager to celebrate all things Roman.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44CHEERING
0:38:44 > 0:38:50I work on computers all day so this is, to an extent, escapism.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56I adopted the pseudo name of Sextus Julius Frontinus
0:38:56 > 0:38:58who was the leading Roman surveyor.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00And he was the guy who actually founded Caerleon.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05So quite by coincidence, I have returned to my original base.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12One thing sets Linda and Val apart from this lot.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16They're what's known as first person interpreters.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Not only dressing up as historical characters
0:39:18 > 0:39:22but actually acting like one as well.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24You have got to really pretend you are the person.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27In this, you are my youngest sister.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30I have retired honourably from the arena.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31Right.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32You are still fighting
0:39:32 > 0:39:35but I think it is time that you actually give up.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39In fact, you should be really authentic, be bare breasted.
0:39:39 > 0:39:40Right.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42THEY LAUGH
0:39:42 > 0:39:44I tend not to do first person re-enactment
0:39:44 > 0:39:49because they think we might be slightly mad but they are barking.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56This is my sister, Achilia.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59And she's intending fighting here this afternoon.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03For the titillation of men not as well bred as yourself, sir.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05For goodness' sake, will somebody tell her it's time
0:40:05 > 0:40:07she rested on her laurels and gave it up.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09My name is Achilia.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12And anyone who is going to take me on, I am going to a-kill-ya.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13You're scaring me.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Come on.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Linda seems to be getting right in to her role.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21I think for the first time, fair play, that was amazing.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28At the moment, we are having a little mingle and a bit of training, really.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Finding out what exactly went on in this era
0:40:31 > 0:40:35and my history lesson is going quite well.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37GROANING
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Linda comes across a troupe of fellow gladiators
0:40:41 > 0:40:43all the way from Italy.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Hello. I am fighting this afternoon.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48OK, with us?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50No, I wouldn't dare.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53We are from Italy. We are Italians.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Oh. Talking Italian. Oh, my God.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58That's it now. I'm hooked.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- Thank you.- You're welcome.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07It looks like this job has its perks.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Are they coming back here for a pint after?
0:41:13 > 0:41:18What Linda needs to do now is learn to fight convincingly.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Well, she's doing all right but I think I'm right.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30She should retire. It is time for her to give up the ring.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Yes! No!
0:41:35 > 0:41:37On the other hand, if this was her first ever fight
0:41:37 > 0:41:39she would be doing brilliantly.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41GRUNTING
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Tired now?
0:41:51 > 0:41:52Shattered.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00It's been a long day for Linda.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02But this could well be the curtain raiser
0:42:02 > 0:42:05on the whole new stage of her career as a guide.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Well, everything has drawn to a close so...
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- I know. It's been a good day. It's been great.- Good.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Fair play, you have really thrown yourself into it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Yes, I shall be very sad to see Achilia disappear
0:42:17 > 0:42:19for I don't know how long.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21A little bit more training.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24I think she could very well be in that arena by next year,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26don't you think?
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Even be fighting those men gladiators, I reckon.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32But to be honest with you, I can't wait to take my outfit off now.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34I am cooking.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40For your average overseas holidaymaker,
0:42:40 > 0:42:42a tour of North Wales' famous Caernarfon Castle
0:42:42 > 0:42:44is a must-do activity.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47But this evening, for one group of American tourists,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49the town's main attraction
0:42:49 > 0:42:51is the terraced home of the Leung family.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55If everyone would like to take their seats.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- There we go.- Nice to meet you.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01- It's our kind of chocolate. From California.- Thank you.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Monica, her husband and children are throwing a home host dinner party
0:43:05 > 0:43:07for six transatlantic guests
0:43:07 > 0:43:09on a tailor-made package holiday to the UK.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Home hosting is a part of their holiday
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and they get it in whatever country they're going to.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20They come and have a meal with us
0:43:20 > 0:43:24and really become a part of the family for the evening.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27It's just a nice way to spend an evening.
0:43:27 > 0:43:33You're going to make tea anyway. I think for us, the food is secondary
0:43:33 > 0:43:36to chatting, having fun and interacting with the family.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to write down your name,
0:43:39 > 0:43:42otherwise, when I walk back in the kitchen,
0:43:42 > 0:43:45I'm going to have a brain freeze and I'm not going to remember.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48- Who've we got here? - Cyril. C. Y. R. I. L.
0:43:48 > 0:43:53- My name is Ellie. Short for Eleanor. - Ellie.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57I'm Irene. From Southern California, the Los Angeles area.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01- Herb. H. E. R. B.- H. E. R. B.?
0:44:01 > 0:44:03I'm Ray. R. A. Y.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05- I'm Esther.- Esther.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09You're going to tell me now how many home hostings
0:44:09 > 0:44:12you've been to and I'm going to go to pieces.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16This is the Leung family's second year of home hosting
0:44:16 > 0:44:19and Monica still finds it a nerve-racking experience.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23They're obviously seasoned travellers. They've done it a lot.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25That makes me a little nervous.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29I feel like I've got a lot to match up to.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Home hosting is really about enjoying the company
0:44:32 > 0:44:36but at this stage, I go in to major frantic panics.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40The guests are expecting a traditional local three-course meal
0:44:40 > 0:44:43but when it comes to starters, chez Monica,
0:44:43 > 0:44:45things are very cosmopolitan.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49I serve pate or melon. I mean, obviously pate is French
0:44:49 > 0:44:53and we're supposed to be serving typically British food,
0:44:53 > 0:44:57but it would be typically British of us to eat it, wouldn't it?
0:44:58 > 0:45:02Everything's all in. Fingers crossed it doesn't burn.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09The pate is the best I've ever eaten.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12It is wonderful. I may move back to Wales.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16So far, so good. Now for the main course.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20I'm going to have something burning if I'm not careful.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22Why do I do it?
0:45:22 > 0:45:25I do it because a friend of mine did it
0:45:25 > 0:45:27and she said she really enjoyed it.
0:45:27 > 0:45:33So I said I'd try and see if we enjoy it. And now we're hooked!
0:45:36 > 0:45:41Chicken and leek pie is a very sort of old traditional dish
0:45:41 > 0:45:45that a lot of people, especially in Wales, would eat.
0:45:45 > 0:45:51Mushy peas is a staple British diet, I think.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55We haven't just taken normal peas and mushed them up.
0:45:55 > 0:46:00They're split peas and they've been soaked in bicarbonate of soda.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02Mushy peas are delicious, but they're mushy!
0:46:04 > 0:46:07I make ham and pea soup and it reminds me of that. I like that.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11I'm wondering how she got them so green. I was going to ask you that.
0:46:11 > 0:46:16Next up, dessert. And Monica has gone classically British.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19There's the trifle.
0:46:19 > 0:46:23I do feel that we're ambassadors for the country.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26There we are. We'll see who's into puddings now.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Oh, my God!
0:46:28 > 0:46:30Look at that! Wow!
0:46:30 > 0:46:31We're all on diets.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33THEY LAUGH
0:46:33 > 0:46:36He's just loosening his belt.
0:46:36 > 0:46:41This one is rhubarb and apple crumble. This is hot custard.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46And hot custard is something that's very, very popular in the UK.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49- What did you call it? - This one? Hot custard.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53Do you know what I think we should do, we should test both of them
0:46:53 > 0:46:57and we'll tell you which one we like the most.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00He will tell you which one he likes the best.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06It's a big hit with the guests! Monica's done us proud.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09How have you found Wales?
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Has it been how you imagined before you set off
0:47:11 > 0:47:14or have you been here before?
0:47:14 > 0:47:15We just got here this afternoon.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19So far, you've been rushed in to somebody's house,
0:47:19 > 0:47:21thrown trifle at.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23What a wonderful start.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25What I like about this place is that
0:47:25 > 0:47:28we can come back here tomorrow and have dessert again.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30THEY LAUGH
0:47:30 > 0:47:34It was wonderful, and the trifle and the what do you call that?
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- Rhubarb crumble. - Yes, it was wonderful.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39I love Wales.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41The people are wonderful. This was a wonderful experience.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45I'm just sorry that I'm too old to rent a car and run around Wales
0:47:45 > 0:47:48and stay in the B&Bs, because it looks delightful.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50I seldom go back to the same place twice
0:47:50 > 0:47:53but I would consider coming back here.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56I liked it very much. The dessert was the best part.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58THEY LAUGH
0:48:00 > 0:48:06Monica's American guests leave stuffed and happy.
0:48:06 > 0:48:11They did a good job of demolishing the trifle and the crumble.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13They were pudding people, I think.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15Hwyl fawr!
0:48:17 > 0:48:19It couldn't have been nicer.
0:48:19 > 0:48:20Glad to hear it, madam.
0:48:27 > 0:48:31Over 100 miles to the south, at Hammet House,
0:48:31 > 0:48:34it's the evening of the seven-course tasting menu,
0:48:34 > 0:48:37the event planned to showcase the talents of new chef
0:48:37 > 0:48:41Andy Beaumont to a select gathering of VIP guests.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45Yes, it's a little nerve-racking.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48I'm putting a calm front on, like I say.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51But inside, I'm a little nervous, to be honest.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54Fingers crossed it'll be all right.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Right, so we'll head on up. I'll show you to your room.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59- Lovely, thank you. - Can I take that bag for you?
0:48:59 > 0:49:02One person that Owen and Philippa particularly hope to impress
0:49:02 > 0:49:07is editor and food reviewer Joanna Busk of Fork Magazine.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10A good write-up from her could propel them
0:49:10 > 0:49:12to the top league of luxury Welsh hotels.
0:49:12 > 0:49:18But as Joanna is shown to her room, it soon emerges there's a problem.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Owen and Philippa have had to leave the hotel.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23- The owners of the house...- Yes.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25Are they here at the moment or are they coming down later?
0:49:25 > 0:49:27Unfortunately not.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30Which means I'll be covering the hotel manager's position tonight.
0:49:30 > 0:49:35It's now down to trainee manageress Amy Cross to ensure it all
0:49:35 > 0:49:37runs smoothly front of house.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41It wasn't planned for me to be here by myself tonight
0:49:41 > 0:49:44but everything is planned and is going to go according to plan.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46As it always does here at Hammet House.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51With the staff busy preparing for the evening ahead,
0:49:51 > 0:49:55Joanna is left alone to take a tour of the hotel.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58Great mirror. Fantastic.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01It's a lovely room.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03It's very unusual.
0:50:03 > 0:50:07It's certainly isn't what you wouldn't expect to find in
0:50:07 > 0:50:11an old country house hotel in this little corner of Wales.
0:50:11 > 0:50:16Left to roam, she even wanders into the un-renovated areas.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18You can see that there are some bits have been done
0:50:18 > 0:50:20and some bits that haven't.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22It's still got the smelly carpet.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25I was just saying it feels quite schizophrenic.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27Next up for Joanna is the kitchen.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30- Andy, hello. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32- How are you?- Very well, thanks. Yourself?- Excellent.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Would you like this to be a destination restaurant,
0:50:35 > 0:50:38for people to be coming sort of from outside the hotel?
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Definitely. I want to make this basically the best place to
0:50:42 > 0:50:45eat food in, well, most definitely Pembrokeshire, but primarily Wales.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48I won't stop till I get there.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50Wow. That's fighting talk.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53As the VIP guests arrive,
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Amy and the front of house team jump into action.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01My shift started at this 7.00 this morning.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04But still feeling good. The adrenaline has kicked in.
0:51:05 > 0:51:10In the kitchen, Andy is prepping his modern take on ham, egg and chips.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13This is a warm jelly. You can warm up to about 60 degrees
0:51:13 > 0:51:14and it still stays as a jelly.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17Then we have got a half poached quail egg to go on top.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21A little diced crisped potatoes and some smoky tomato sauce.
0:51:21 > 0:51:26Right, Andy. So we are ready to move through for half past, if you are.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27OK? Thank you.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30As the guests move into the dining room,
0:51:30 > 0:51:32the hotel's fate hangs in the balance.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36If the evening goes well and Joanna writes a good review,
0:51:36 > 0:51:40Hammet House's reputation will be given a huge boost.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42All facing the same way, yeah?
0:51:42 > 0:51:45But a bad one could spell disaster.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Whoa. They've got to be level. You have to use two hands.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Three hours and seven courses later, it looks like Andy's home and dry.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12But what's Joanna's verdict on the food?
0:52:12 > 0:52:15There were some great bits and not-so-great bits.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18He's only been in the kitchen for a month.
0:52:18 > 0:52:19This whole operation is quite new.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22I would never expect to come into somewhere so early
0:52:22 > 0:52:24and find everything perfect.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26I think they are going places
0:52:26 > 0:52:28and I think Andy will do some great stuff here.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32It's the end of a long, stressful day for Andy
0:52:32 > 0:52:34and the Hammet House staff.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37Now they will just have to wait until the review is written up.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49Summer is festival season in Wales, with hundreds of events,
0:52:49 > 0:52:53from local to international, taking place across the country.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56For the nation's event caterers, it's their busiest season.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59CHEERING
0:53:01 > 0:53:04Jonathan Williams is the founder and owner of Cafe Mor,
0:53:04 > 0:53:06a mobile catering business
0:53:06 > 0:53:08specialising in fresh Welsh seafood.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11The company's only a year old, but this summer,
0:53:11 > 0:53:15Jonathan's launched himself into festival season in a big way.
0:53:15 > 0:53:16Won't be long. Five minutes.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19So far, with the help of his supportive mum Tina,
0:53:19 > 0:53:22he's catered the Hay International Book Festival.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26And Wakestock. Which didn't go well.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29It's the worst I've ever seen at a festival.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31So I've just cut our losses, really.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34And all between running a pitch in the Athletes' Village
0:53:34 > 0:53:38of the London 2012 Olympics, and welcoming his first child.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Meet Josie. I'm a ya-ya, Greek for granny.
0:53:43 > 0:53:49Poor old Hannah has been at home looking after our lovely baby girl
0:53:49 > 0:53:51and I've just been running around like a madman.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53So looking forward to getting home
0:53:53 > 0:53:55and hopefully giving her a little rest.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58Now he's catering the National Eisteddfod,
0:53:58 > 0:54:02one of the oldest cultural festivals in Europe.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05It's an opportunity to get his business back on track.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Wakestock was just the wrong clientele,
0:54:07 > 0:54:10but we're still fighting, we're still getting strong.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12It kind of puts the pressure on the Eisteddfod.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15Cos obviously, you just want to try and make things work here.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17We've got lots of bilingual signs everywhere.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21I'm not a Welsh speaker so we had to find someone that spoke Welsh.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27Cafe Mor's latest recruit, Angharad Rosser, is fluently Welsh speaking.
0:54:28 > 0:54:33I've been teaching Jonathan a few phrases like dyma chi. Here you are.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36Unrhywbeth arall? Anything else?
0:54:37 > 0:54:41I'm the worst student ever cos my brain doesn't work with languages.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45I can barely speak English so trying to learn any other language
0:54:45 > 0:54:48is a mammoth, mammoth task.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50What's please in Welsh?
0:54:50 > 0:54:57- Please? Diolch? That's thank you. Erm, prynhawn da. No. Croeso.- No.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Os gwelwch yn dda, but a lot of people just say plis.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03What's that?
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- For please.- Just plis? Yeah, it's confusing, you see.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Jonathan's new approach seems to working well.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14It's all looking good.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17We're not running off in the middle of the night on this one.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26In Cardiff city centre, it's early evening.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29And the second Olympic football match of the day is about to
0:55:29 > 0:55:32kick off in the capital's Millennium Stadium.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37Cleaner Cardiff team member Sophie is still hard at it
0:55:37 > 0:55:41collecting litter from Olympic football fans.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43THEY SING
0:55:43 > 0:55:47If there were two British teams, there would be a lot more rubbish.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Like people from all over the world and stuff
0:55:50 > 0:55:53are a lot cleaner because they have a lot more respect.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55It's like the British people,
0:55:55 > 0:55:57they look at you and they drop it on the floor.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Come on!
0:55:59 > 0:56:03You don't get none of that from like the international people
0:56:03 > 0:56:04or anything like that.
0:56:06 > 0:56:07You. Off!
0:56:07 > 0:56:10As the last match of the day kicks off and the streets
0:56:10 > 0:56:13empty of fans, the Cleaner Cardiff team leaps into action.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Their mission, to give the city centre a deep clean
0:56:20 > 0:56:23before the final whistle blows and the fans hit the streets again.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28The game has kicked off and they've let us in for about 90 minutes
0:56:28 > 0:56:30to do a quick clean up, and then the night crew will come in
0:56:30 > 0:56:33to finish off then when the game has finished.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36It's such a tight window, the crews must work quickly.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Our boys have been cleaning, cleaning and cleaning.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44They haven't got time to take it out so they dump it here.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46And let me come across and get it.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56As the end of his shift approaches, Russell is feeling the strain.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59Oh, God! I don't know.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04Tired. You try getting up at 2.45 every morning.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Catches up by the end of the week.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09He's in one of his happy moods today.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12When he grits his teeth together like that, stand back.
0:57:15 > 0:57:19In no time at all, the city centre streets are clean.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21We take pride in our city.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24We see it before and we'll see it again at the end
0:57:24 > 0:57:27when it's all finished and it gives you a good sense of
0:57:27 > 0:57:28we've done that.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31Every person that comes into the city centre more or less has cameras
0:57:31 > 0:57:35or videos, so they are taking that back to their own places,
0:57:35 > 0:57:37showing how Cardiff is.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39Come on, GB.
0:57:40 > 0:57:46When the fans pour out, the litter picking will start all over again.
0:57:46 > 0:57:47Next time...
0:57:47 > 0:57:49Let's get the show on the road!
0:57:52 > 0:57:55It's Mardi Gras in Cardiff.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57Come on, we're late. Hurry up!
0:57:57 > 0:57:58Open the gates!
0:57:58 > 0:58:01Things get explosive at Bryngwyn Hall.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03Who am I going to fall out with today?
0:58:05 > 0:58:08The ballroom gets a last-minute make-over at Hammet House.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11- It's going to be a tight one. - See if you can cancel the wedding.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14I don't think that's really an option.
0:58:15 > 0:58:17It's got to be done.
0:58:17 > 0:58:21Is it the end of the line for Vernon and the Barry funfair?
0:58:21 > 0:58:23I'm a showman. I don't retire.