Episode 3 A Summer in Wales


Episode 3

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Summer in Wales is a time of celebration...

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THEY CHEER

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Holidays...

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-I want to see a castle, pubs.

-Keep rowing!

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And the great outdoors.

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A time when many businesses must turn a profit...

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We have put everything we've got into this.

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..Or face a struggle to survive the rest of the year.

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You've just got to try and keep your head above water at the moment.

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A time when good weather can make all things possible.

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CROWD CHEER

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And bad can leave dreams in tatters.

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The weather could be a little nicer but that's not anybody's fault.

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The summer was truly extraordinary.

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Was that the cleverest idea at the time, take it down?

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It saw laughter...

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SHE LAUGHS

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Heartache...

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This can be a cruel game.

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Triumph...

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I came second.

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And despair.

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The weather's beaten us once again.

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These are our stories...

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Nice bit of pavement pizza in this corner here.

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..Filmed in every corner of the nation across the summer of 2012.

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You can't beat it, can you?

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This is a story of a summer in Wales.

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Let's get the show on the road.

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Summer 2012 may have turned out to be one of the wettest on record

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but a certain event did much to dispel the gloom.

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We are seconds away from the sounding of the great Olympic bell,

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the start of the London Games.

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the games of the 30th Olympiad.

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The spectacle of the London Olympic Games lifted the spirit of

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the nation and the competition kicked off right here in Wales.

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Cardiff, host of many of the Games' football matches

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and at the city's street cleansing headquarters,

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manager Juliet Gamlin is briefing her crew.

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The teams have already arrived. They are in the city centre.

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It's really important that we demonstrate

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what Cardiff has to offer.

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And you guys being on the front line there, are acting

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as ambassadors, representatives of Cardiff Council, so please be

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your normal friendly, helpful selves and I'm sure you will shine through.

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Today, not one but two Olympic football matches are scheduled

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to kick off in the capital.

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Street wash operator Rose Joseph

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and team mate Russell Davies have their hands full

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preparing the city centre for its moment in the Olympic spotlight.

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It's going to be pretty busy later on this morning.

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It's once in a lifetime, the Olympics coming to Britain.

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So we'll have every man and his dog round.

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But it's not the football that tickling Russell's fancy.

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Beach volleyball is the best one. Later on at night.

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The kids are in bed. Women in bathers.

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What more could you ask for?

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WHISTLING AND CHEERING

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THEY CHANT Suarez! Suarez!

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Summer is always a busy time for the cleansing team but with

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thousands of football fans flooding in to see Mexico play Switzerland...

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Excuse me, please. Any rubbish, anyone?

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..and then team GB play Uruguay just under three hours later,

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extra staff have been drafted in to help with operation

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Deep Clean Mode.

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They've brought us in to keep the city clean

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until the Olympics are over so this means I get wages.

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It keeps me busy. It keeps me off the streets.

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There's a carnival atmosphere in the city centre.

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How many times have I warned you?

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Three times in the first half. If you keep on doing it, you're off.

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Russell's daughter Sophie, a street cleanser like her dad,

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is taking it all in her stride.

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A special performance, that is.

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Welcome to Cardiff. Iechyd da! Caerphilly cheese! Enjoy!

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Team GB. Bring it on.

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Rose, swept up by the Olympic spirit,

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awards herself a gold medal.

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For being on the streets of Cardiff at 4.00am, Monday to Saturday,

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alternative Sundays.

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To keep the streets free of vomit, urine, grease,

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blood spillages, oil spillages etc etc.

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With one match about to kick off and more fans flooding in

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to the city centre streets ready for the second,

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the Cleaner Cardiff team have a long day ahead of them.

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Summer is a busy time for many of the nation's private country houses.

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On the border between Wales and England stands Bryngwyn Hall,

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ancestral seat of the Sandbach family

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and home of Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow.

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I've known this house since I was five

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and I completely fell in love with it.

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It was shut up. It had been occupied in the war.

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There was dry rot everywhere.

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But I had this great passion to want to restore this house.

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It was very exciting, actually,

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but financially it was extremely difficult.

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Right.

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To fund the restoration and running of Bryngwyn

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and its 60 acres of parkland,

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Lady Linlithgow has had to turn it into a moneymaking enterprise.

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I think I live in paradise here,

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and as I always say, paradise doesn't come cheap.

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Today, the household is playing host to an etiquette course

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run by former newsreader Diana Mather.

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Now, ladies, what we don't want is any of this.

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THEY LAUGH

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Our young ladies come onto the course to actually learn

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social etiquette, which is common sense and mainly good manners.

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The course is just one of a string of moneymaking ventures that

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Bryngwyn cook, Christine Horton, has seen Lady Linlithgow take on.

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We started doing tours of the house, then we started doing shooting

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and weddings and etiquette weekends.

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I've had to diversify in many ways,

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and I've had to just really laterally think about what

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we can do to keep this house running well and in good conditions.

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Then, if he's a real gentleman, he should actually help you out.

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That would be lovely.

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We're thinking of doing paranormal weekends and my daughter-in-law

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suggested that we have parties with butlers in the buff,

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which is an interesting thought at £45 an hour per bottom.

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SHE GIGGLES

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Sorry.

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SHE SNORTS

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That's very naughty of me, sorry.

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Now we're going to do sitting.

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Now when we sit, it's always knees and ankles together.

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Absolutely fine. And up again.

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Now keep the elbows in when you get up. So sit down.

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And keep your elbows by your sides. And up.

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Lovely.

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Lady Linlithgow herself has never attended an etiquette course.

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I wasn't given any training, no.

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I mean, I came from a background where manners were king, really.

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For Christine, courses usually mean an added workload.

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We've had one before and they've had a lady showing them how to

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walk properly and how to greet people correctly.

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And how to project themselves at interviews and things.

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So I'm not sure what this lot are doing

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but they're not having a cookery lesson, which is great.

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Follow me, please.

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You can look beautiful in a bin bag if you stand correctly

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and walk well.

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So, Edible And Medicinal Plants, here we go.

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So, looking straight ahead keeps my head still

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and my shoulders still, and my spine in line.

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Hands by your sides, just relax.

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SHE YELPS

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And straight ahead. Very nice indeed.

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SHE LAUGHS

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In addition to hosting the event,

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Lady Linlithgow plays a key part in the etiquette course.

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There are two different sorts of curtseys.

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There's the bob and it was literally that.

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But if you do a Royal curtsey, it's right down. Oops!

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If you're wearing high heels, it's not very easy. You go right down.

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And that was what you were learnt...you were taught to do

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at Madame Vacani's before you were presented to the Queen.

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Lady Linlithgow brings her experience.

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She and I are of an age where you actually did the season.

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That's what the finishing school was all about.

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To teach young ladies how to go out into society,

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how to behave properly and marry a very rich husband

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and live hopefully happily ever after.

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Of course, we all fell in love with a ski instructor, didn't we?

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We were given the oldest and ugliest instructor.

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But there were some very good looking younger ones.

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I don't know if I've even got a photograph of Maurice in here

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who I had a crush on.

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'I suppose I am on show as much as the house.'

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I certainly don't have as much of a private life as I used to have.

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'That has rather gone by the wayside

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'but I absolutely, passionately love this place.'

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I'm passionately determined that it's going to be handed over

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to the next generation in a good state. Depending on the taxman.

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SHE LAUGHS

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Just a glimpse of Welsh summer sun will see crowds of us

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flocking to a park, any park, particularly in Cardiff,

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which is blessed with more parkland per head

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than any other city in the UK.

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Whether it's just to sit and watch the world go by...

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OK, ladies, we're going to warm up now. Just loosen up.

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Just get ourselves ready.

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..or indulge in more strenuous pursuits like this

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bunch of keen mums who come together for a vigorous outdoor workout.

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It's just lovely. You've got benches, fences, you've got the grass,

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you've got hills, so you can do a total body workout in the park.

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This time, girls, just change it to a side step.

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Three, two, one, let's go! In and out the buggies.

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Feet moving.

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If this looks a little too energetic for your tastes,

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there's always the more traditional park pursuits.

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Meet the boys of the Fair Oak Bowls Club.

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It's nice to play the game when the sun is out because,

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apart from having a good time, and the weather's lovely,

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you also get a good tan.

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It takes all your stresses away and you forget about everything.

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Keeps me out of mischief.

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It gets me out of the house from the missus.

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That's going out on the telly - be careful.

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THEY LAUGH

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You've just dropped yourself in it!

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These lads take their sport seriously.

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Everybody thinks it's an old man's game - it's not.

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It's not boring. There's no way it's boring.

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It's not as easy as it looks.

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Ask him with the cap what happened to him about two years ago.

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And as I was stepping forward to play the game,

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I fell backwards with a broken leg.

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The ambulance man Couldn't believe it. He thought this was a quiet, gentle game.

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And they blamed me for losing the match by one point.

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They may be getting on in years but they're certainly not over the hill.

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These silver bowlers have still got the killer instinct.

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Hang on. Hang on. Oh!

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We'll have a chat about this, that or the other but we never try

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to put each other off.

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It's in the ditch, Ken, it's in the ditch.

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Well bowled. HE LAUGHS

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See, they don't wind me up at all.

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LAUGHTER

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You just try to be as good as you possibly can.

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HE LAUGHS

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Sometimes you're rubbish.

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If you get the pace wrong, you're finished.

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Come on! Unlucky!

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Well, consistent!

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In the ditch.

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For Wales' farming community,

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summer is the season of the agricultural show.

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From what's claimed to be Europe's largest, The Royal Welsh,

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to more local affairs.

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THEY GIGGLE

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THEY CHEER

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This summer marks a milestone for the Welsh-speaking

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Jones family of Pencastell farm in Ceredigion.

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For the first time, Elin, aged five,

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Tomos, seven, and Sion Ifan, eight, will all be old enough to compete

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as young sheep handlers at the local Llanilar Agricultural Show.

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Proud dad Geraint will be helping them all the way.

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Pick the best ewe lamb to start with.

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-I want the number one.

-Number nine. Number nine.

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Number four, number four.

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THEY LAUGH

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Sion Ifan is an experienced handler.

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He competed last year and won a rosette

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but little sister Elin won't be outdone.

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This is the first time I've done the sheeps.

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I'm going to be first. And I'm going to win a prize.

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Hold the head up. That's the handbrake so she won't go forward.

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We are not only training the sheep,

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this is the process of training the children to handle the sheep.

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The job now is getting this sheep used to us handling her

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and getting her looking nice

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and by the time the show comes, she should be looking a million dollars.

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One thing's for sure - competition will be stiff.

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Elin and her brothers will have to practise long and hard

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before putting their skills to the test

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in the upcoming show in a few weeks' time.

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I've got her. I've got her.

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She likes kisses.

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SHE LAUGHS

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The bad summer weather has wreaked havoc with tourism

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all over Wales.

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On a little knuckle of rock in the chilly Bristol channel,

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Barry Island's funfair has had a disastrous season so far.

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But whenever the rain stops falling, the crowds flood in.

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Win a wet goldfish!

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Come on. Good boy. There we go, then. Thank you very much.

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-£10 worth, yeah?

-Yeah.

-Thank you very much.

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For manager Vernon Studt and his team, it's good news.

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We've got a few more coming in, William, aye.

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This is our Bill here. He's getting ready with the fish.

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They're all wet. They're all wet and orange, aren't they?

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THEY LAUGH

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Ring the bell.

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To be honest, I didn't expect this many people here.

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It's a horrible day, isn't it?

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It's overcast. But they're coming out, aren't they? It's filling up.

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A little bit more sunshine and it will be even better.

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Win a goldfish, all wet and orange. Are you having a go?

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But it's a case of too little, too late.

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In recent years, the funfair has been hit by washout summers

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and the writing is on the wall.

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Everybody is finding things difficult.

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I think it's the survive, certainly the survival of the fittest,

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and you've just got to keep going and try

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and keep your head above water at the moment.

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Park owner Ian Rogers has had enough.

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He's secured planning permission to demolish the funfair

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and replace it with an undercover leisure complex.

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Times change and we've got to change with them.

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So...it will always be a fantastic place, though, Barry Island,

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do you know what I mean?

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It's now just a question of when the work will begin.

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Will you drive one way around, please. No head-on bumping.

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RINGING

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Vernon is part of the Studt family funfair dynasty.

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A fourth generation showman.

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Can you come and help us out for a couple of hours?

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Oh, you're a good un. You're a good un.

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Until he took on Barry Island's summer pleasure park six years ago,

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he worked the travelling circuit all year round.

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Being the fairground manager has given him

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a chance to live a more settled life.

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Thank you.

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Partner Tracy is worried.

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Vernon will have to go back travelling with his, you know,

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with his dodgems, so...

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I think he's done his fair share of travelling now.

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I'd settle for a few more years still here, hopefully.

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When this is going to take place, I don't know.

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But maybe, maybe I'll be here next year. I don't know yet.

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Like I said, I've got to speak to Mr Rogers and see

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when development will start.

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Barry Island will always be Barry Island.

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What I want to do is make people talk about it even more,

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you know, for the right reasons.

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For Vernon and his fellow showmen,

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closing the funfair will be the end of an era.

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Very, very big shame.

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I came here in 1973, and it's gradually gone downhill.

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'The park will be closing in 15 minutes.'

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The park will close in 15 minutes. Thank you.

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Because Barry is going to finish, we're not going to just,

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you know, curl up and finish with the business, that doesn't happen.

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The show must go on.

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On the border between Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion is Hammet House.

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Philippa and Owen Gale bought it and invested their

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life savings to transform it into a luxury retreat.

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It's an ambitious project.

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The couple are giving the hotel an uncompromisingly modern make-over.

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But the refurbishment still has a long way to go.

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So we are going to go into room 15 now,

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which is one that we haven't really touched yet.

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And it's just a lot more traditional in feel.

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You've got ornate rolled-effect paintwork. Decorative borders.

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Very soon it's going to be completely redone

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in Hammet House style.

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Also, they're new to the hotel trade and found that delivering

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a luxury service means they have to be hands-on seven days a week.

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I'd say we are both pretty limited in our capacity to trust

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other people to do things absolutely properly.

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To make matters worse, summer is wedding season,

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the busiest time in the hotel calendar.

0:18:410:18:43

And just as it began, their chef decided to leave.

0:18:430:18:47

Now, one month later, a replacement has been

0:18:530:18:55

found in the shape of Andy Beaumont.

0:18:550:18:59

I've got a lot of experience of doing high-end food.

0:18:590:19:02

At the end of the day, we want to be as good as we can be.

0:19:020:19:05

And what they are doing out the front is very modern.

0:19:050:19:08

It's very funky. And we are doing that with the food as well.

0:19:080:19:11

To spread the word about their new fancy cuisine,

0:19:110:19:15

they've decided to stage a seven-course tasting event

0:19:150:19:18

showcasing their chef's culinary talents.

0:19:180:19:21

A select group of high-profile diners will be attending,

0:19:210:19:24

including a food reviewer.

0:19:240:19:26

So then, Andy, Welsh tasting menu. Are you happy? Everything prepped?

0:19:260:19:31

-Ready to go?

-Yep.

0:19:310:19:32

It's quite an important night. Seven courses.

0:19:320:19:36

Seven chances to get something wrong. So, yeah.

0:19:360:19:40

We're obviously quite nervous about the evening.

0:19:400:19:43

We've got to make sure it goes without fault.

0:19:430:19:46

We have got a very important guest from the bank coming.

0:19:460:19:48

It's always important to impress Mr Bank Manager.

0:19:480:19:52

Everything has to be perfect.

0:19:520:19:54

In recent years, Wales has become one of Europe's top destinations

0:20:090:20:14

for sport enthusiasts.

0:20:140:20:17

From the extreme...

0:20:200:20:21

..to the downright quirky.

0:20:260:20:27

This summer, in celebration of the London Olympics,

0:20:330:20:36

the tiny town of Llanwrtyd Wells in the very heart of Wales

0:20:360:20:40

stages the world's first ever alternative games event.

0:20:400:20:43

Over the course of a fortnight,

0:20:430:20:46

competitors attempt all manner of weird and wonderful sporting events.

0:20:460:20:50

From bath tubbing...

0:20:500:20:52

..to pea shooting.

0:20:540:20:56

Turn the table only once.

0:20:560:20:59

And even Russian egg roulette.

0:20:590:21:02

You take those eggs.

0:21:020:21:04

Six of those will be hard boiled, two of them will be raw eggs.

0:21:040:21:08

You shoot your forehead, and you can see who is staying and who is gone.

0:21:080:21:12

It's a family-friendly sport with no skill required.

0:21:130:21:17

CROWD CHEER

0:21:170:21:19

The climax of the event is a mid-Wales favourite,

0:21:230:21:25

the bog snorkelling championship,

0:21:250:21:27

in which competitors swim two uninterrupted lengths

0:21:270:21:30

of a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog.

0:21:300:21:32

Three, two, one, go!

0:21:340:21:36

If they come in fancy dress, they're here for a laugh.

0:21:410:21:43

About four people then we're up.

0:21:430:21:46

We hand-stitched every cotton ball on to our costume.

0:21:460:21:49

Two days' hard work.

0:21:500:21:51

And it will probably be washed off in about four seconds.

0:21:510:21:54

ALL: We're going in!

0:21:540:21:57

I didn't know until I turned up! THEY LAUGH

0:21:570:21:59

You will see the people here who are determined to win.

0:22:020:22:05

They'll be trying to work out what particular stroke they can do.

0:22:050:22:08

I just get in and swim, to be honest.

0:22:080:22:10

CHEERING

0:22:100:22:12

Am I in the lead?

0:22:150:22:16

-157.3.

-Dammit.

0:22:160:22:19

Stop the competition now!

0:22:200:22:22

Rather them than me!

0:22:250:22:27

My objective is to not be sick in my own snorkel from over-exertion.

0:22:290:22:33

THEY CHEER

0:22:370:22:40

There goes the bride-to-be!

0:22:420:22:45

-We think it's crazy, but it's a good crazy.

-Much fun.

0:22:500:22:54

We love that. We feel sorry because French can't do that.

0:22:540:22:59

They're too serious or too...I don't know what.

0:22:590:23:02

Quel dommage, madame!

0:23:020:23:04

Here in Wales, we know how to let our hair down.

0:23:040:23:08

SHE SCREAMS

0:23:080:23:10

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine,

0:23:160:23:19

summer's a busy time for those of us with allotments.

0:23:190:23:22

Oooh. Still crackers, Merv.

0:23:220:23:24

THEY LAUGH

0:23:240:23:26

I think mine are better than yours anyway.

0:23:260:23:28

Oh, aye, aye.

0:23:280:23:30

In South Wales' Cynon Valley, retired miners Mervyn Owens

0:23:310:23:35

and Horace Rogers have been growing veg

0:23:350:23:38

and getting mud in their wellies for the last 30 years.

0:23:380:23:41

I'm 68 now. You know, a lot of people at my age,

0:23:430:23:46

they couldn't do this.

0:23:460:23:47

A day in the allotments is equivalent to a day in the gym.

0:23:470:23:50

I've got a bit of a tummy now, mind. That's from good eating, that is.

0:23:500:23:53

-Beer pot.

-No, I don't think so.

0:23:530:23:55

THEY LAUGH

0:23:550:23:58

Growing your own may be all the rage, but for Horace and Merv

0:23:580:24:01

it's never been out of fashion. They're allotment old guard.

0:24:010:24:06

We're out here on average at least six hours a day, isn't it, Merv?

0:24:060:24:09

Yeah, seven days a week. Rain come shine, we do the lot.

0:24:090:24:12

Well, I told you earlier on, I nearly had a divorce for this game.

0:24:120:24:15

These boys are serious gardeners,

0:24:190:24:21

and regularly compete in the cut-throat world of vegetable shows.

0:24:210:24:25

Dai Blainey over Tonyrefail, John Sugar, John Oliver.

0:24:250:24:28

They're top gardeners, very top gardeners.

0:24:280:24:31

There's always a bit of banter, you know.

0:24:310:24:33

"I've had you. I've had you."

0:24:330:24:34

And always Horace says, "Next year. I'll have you next year."

0:24:340:24:37

I'm going to have John Sugar next year, Merv.

0:24:370:24:39

I'm going to take him out.

0:24:390:24:40

To compete against them and win is an achievement.

0:24:400:24:43

And on behalf of this young man here now,

0:24:430:24:45

it's an achievement I'm very proud of.

0:24:450:24:47

Yes, thank you, Merv.

0:24:470:24:48

All too often, fate can deal the vegetable grower a cruel blow.

0:24:480:24:53

I could pull all these and I wouldn't get a decent carrot.

0:24:530:24:55

You know, it's as simple as that.

0:24:550:24:57

I had it here one year, it was three years ago,

0:24:570:24:59

the fly went all through them.

0:24:590:25:01

-They just...

-Oooh, heartbreaking.

0:25:010:25:03

But there are compensations.

0:25:030:25:06

-We never buy vegetables.

-Oh.

0:25:060:25:08

I've got three freezers in the shed there.

0:25:080:25:11

All the veg we grow, freeze it, in the shed.

0:25:110:25:14

Now that's a cracking carrot that is, look. That's a good carrot.

0:25:140:25:18

Nice fresh onion. I'm not much of a chef but the flavour is there,

0:25:180:25:22

I can guarantee you that. Isn't it, Merv?

0:25:220:25:25

I can cook as well. I can cook anything. I cook everything.

0:25:250:25:29

As long as it doesn't move on the plate, I'll eat it.

0:25:290:25:31

Look at the colour on them. Fit for a queen, Merv, eh?

0:25:310:25:35

See the board there. Won first, second, first, second, third.

0:25:350:25:39

Oh, Merv. It's spot-on, Merv, this is.

0:25:400:25:43

-Oh, lovely!

-Stunning. You couldn't buy this stuff.

0:25:430:25:46

THEY LAUGH

0:25:460:25:48

I don't need a woman, Merv. I grow it, I cook it.

0:25:490:25:52

What more do you want?

0:25:520:25:54

From the garden to the pot, that's the saying, isn't it?

0:25:540:25:57

People think we're nuts. Are we nuts, Merv?

0:25:580:26:01

Aye.

0:26:010:26:02

In Ceredigion, it's the day of the Llanilar Agricultural show.

0:26:070:26:11

Time for the Jones family children to put weeks of preparation

0:26:110:26:15

to the test in the young handlers' event.

0:26:150:26:18

I've been practising a lot.

0:26:180:26:22

I want to win a rosette.

0:26:220:26:24

Dad Geraint has high hopes for Elin

0:26:260:26:28

but also has his own eye on another prize.

0:26:280:26:31

It smells nice, anyway.

0:26:310:26:33

There is a competition in the show for the men to bake a cake.

0:26:330:26:37

I like cooking with my dad.

0:26:370:26:40

Yeah, we're allowed to make a mess when we cook, don't we?

0:26:400:26:43

Yeah.

0:26:430:26:45

Some people probably take it a bit serious

0:26:450:26:47

but no, there's no need to take it serious.

0:26:470:26:49

It's all a bit of fun.

0:26:490:26:51

My cake looks better than that one.

0:26:510:26:54

Yeah, there is quite a few cakes.

0:26:550:26:57

Here's some stiff competition coming now.

0:26:570:27:00

I reckon.

0:27:000:27:01

Yes, I think I have got the beating of you this year, Ger.

0:27:010:27:05

-Nah.

-Let the best man win, Ger?

0:27:050:27:07

Yes, I will

0:27:070:27:08

Elin?

0:27:080:27:10

Cake competition aside, it's time for Elin's young handler's event.

0:27:110:27:15

There we go.

0:27:150:27:17

Now the judge is now going to be judging you.

0:27:170:27:20

What's your sheep called?

0:27:200:27:22

-Um...Nesta.

-Nesta.

0:27:220:27:24

At only five years old, she is one of the youngest competitors.

0:27:240:27:27

Oh, dear.

0:27:270:27:29

Back in the main tent, the public have been cleared

0:27:300:27:33

and the cake judging has begun.

0:27:330:27:35

It's down to Glenys Jones and Phyllis Eldridge

0:27:350:27:38

to pick the winners.

0:27:380:27:39

We pick the best three and we taste them.

0:27:420:27:45

They are more presentable than the ladies'.

0:27:470:27:51

What breed is this one then?

0:27:540:27:56

-A Lleyn.

-A Lleyn? Right, we'll go on now then.

0:27:560:27:59

Tension is mounting.

0:28:010:28:03

You're not supposed to speak with your mouth full.

0:28:070:28:10

Finally, it's decision time.

0:28:130:28:15

-First.

-First. Second.

0:28:160:28:20

This young lady again.

0:28:220:28:23

You know quite a bit about the sheep and she's a very good handler

0:28:230:28:26

so second prize to her.

0:28:260:28:28

And of course, the final winner for showing the sheep. There we are.

0:28:280:28:33

APPLAUSE

0:28:330:28:34

I did very well. I came second.

0:28:340:28:38

Right, then. Let's see about this cake.

0:28:450:28:47

Yeah. Very important competitors coming through.

0:28:470:28:50

That can't be yours.

0:28:500:28:52

No. Is it? Billy Morris has won.

0:28:520:28:54

It's a fix. What happened to yours, then?

0:28:540:28:58

I don't know. Where is the judge? We need to have words.

0:28:580:29:01

As the day comes to a close, there's been disappointment for Geraint

0:29:020:29:06

but success for the children, particularly Elin.

0:29:060:29:09

-Bye-bye.

-Bye-bye.

0:29:090:29:11

Time to head for home to celebrate with a slice of Dad's cake.

0:29:120:29:15

Now that the writing is on the wall for Barry Island,

0:29:200:29:23

Vernon's other showman ventures are more important than ever.

0:29:230:29:27

OK, here we go. Hold tight.

0:29:270:29:28

He's travelled to Aberystwyth to check up on an amusement ride pitch

0:29:290:29:33

he leases on the promenade.

0:29:330:29:35

Well, basically, what you have here is a children's train ride,

0:29:350:29:39

which folds down.

0:29:390:29:41

Behind you, you have the children's cups and saucers.

0:29:410:29:44

And I think what might stand to be very popular is, just over there,

0:29:440:29:48

you have the children's bungees.

0:29:480:29:50

I think they'll work pretty well here.

0:29:500:29:52

I love Aberystwyth. The people of Aberystwyth are great,

0:29:520:29:55

and it's a nice part of the country, Aberystwyth.

0:29:550:29:58

Our family have been associated with fairgrounds here for 130, 140 years.

0:29:580:30:03

Despite being based in Barry for a large part of the year,

0:30:030:30:06

Vernon has kept his close ties with the travelling showman community.

0:30:060:30:10

Vernon is a cousin of mine, and he's known me all my life.

0:30:110:30:15

Yes, he's a nice fella, Vernon is.

0:30:150:30:18

Although we're in Barry Island, I've never given up the travelling side.

0:30:180:30:22

And maybe one day I'll come back myself in here

0:30:220:30:24

and bring my own equipment, it all depends.

0:30:240:30:27

For Vernon, a move west could well be on the cards.

0:30:270:30:31

Back on Barry Island, it's another washout day,

0:30:320:30:36

The school holidays have started and the park should be at its busiest.

0:30:380:30:42

But with no hope of the weather improving,

0:30:420:30:44

Vernon has decided not to open the funfair.

0:30:440:30:47

A familiar sight, looking at those gates closed over there.

0:30:470:30:51

Time is running out for Vernon and his team.

0:30:510:30:54

And Ian the park owner now has news of when the demolition work

0:30:540:30:57

is scheduled to start.

0:30:570:30:58

This is the day, isn't it? It's the day for it.

0:30:580:31:01

Nice warm cup of tea there for you, Ian.

0:31:010:31:05

We need something to try and warm us up because nothing else is.

0:31:050:31:08

This is the second day this week now.

0:31:080:31:11

It's not giving any of us a chance, none whatsoever.

0:31:110:31:14

With the new complex down here, whatever it might be, whether it's

0:31:150:31:18

retail, cinemas, bowling alleys, whatever you have in mind,

0:31:180:31:21

it's got to be better than what it is at the moment.

0:31:210:31:24

One thing's for sure, we're ready to go.

0:31:240:31:26

The area where the log flume is, is going to be demolished first.

0:31:260:31:31

So come the end of September,

0:31:310:31:33

all these rides will be pulled off the site.

0:31:330:31:35

It's bad news for the funfair, but Ian does have a proposal for Vernon.

0:31:350:31:40

Are you going to be interested in coming into the new development?

0:31:400:31:44

Well, yes. I would like to be along, and come on board.

0:31:440:31:46

The way I see it is, you know, anybody that's supported me

0:31:460:31:49

through the hard times, and it's been very hard in the last...

0:31:490:31:52

We're certainly having them now, aren't we?

0:31:520:31:54

..five years. Yeah. And I'm glad to hear that you're interested.

0:31:540:31:57

Oh, yes. Yes, definitely.

0:31:570:31:59

I'm not going to, at the end of the day, I'm here now.

0:31:590:32:02

And with basically the old expression,

0:32:020:32:04

taking the good with the bad,

0:32:040:32:05

and then hopefully there's got to be some good at the end of all this.

0:32:050:32:09

It will be cracking. It will be cracking.

0:32:090:32:12

So they say on Gavin And Stacey. Is that right, Vernon?

0:32:120:32:17

THEY LAUGH

0:32:170:32:19

Barry Island's cracking. I wouldn't lie to you. That's what they say.

0:32:190:32:23

THEY LAUGH

0:32:230:32:24

Some 200 miles north of Barry Island lies the Llyn Peninsula,

0:32:310:32:36

a finger of land reaching out from the mountains of Snowdonia

0:32:360:32:39

towards the Irish sea.

0:32:390:32:41

On its south coast, known as the Welsh Riviera,

0:32:410:32:44

lies the stylish seaside resort of Abersoch.

0:32:440:32:48

Famed for its iconic beach huts, it's a fashionable destination

0:32:480:32:52

for well-healed British holidaymakers.

0:32:520:32:55

Jan Atherton's family has been coming here for four generations.

0:33:010:33:05

My great-grandparents came to Abersoch first

0:33:050:33:09

and then my grandparents and then my mum and dad.

0:33:090:33:12

So I've been coming before I was born, if you know what I mean.

0:33:120:33:15

The beach huts are basically upmarket sheds with hardly

0:33:150:33:18

enough room to swing a kiss-me-quick hat. On average, 9ft square,

0:33:180:33:22

they've no running water or electricity.

0:33:220:33:24

But do come with a bit of beach attached.

0:33:240:33:27

They're such a must-have for the fashionable holiday makers

0:33:270:33:30

of Abersoch that one was recently snapped up for a staggering £85,000.

0:33:300:33:35

People hold on to beach huts because they're gold dust, really.

0:33:350:33:39

Jonny Hancox's family have been proud owners for the last 90 years.

0:33:390:33:44

My great-grandfather had five children,

0:33:440:33:47

and all of those families continue to come down here.

0:33:470:33:50

I've come to Abersoch for as long as I can remember and it's my summer.

0:33:520:33:56

It's everything all in one, sailing, usually sun, not this year.

0:33:560:34:00

This is the heights of my children throughout the years

0:34:000:34:04

so obviously they're up and up and up. I'm not sure where I am.

0:34:040:34:07

Yes, in the '60s or even going back to 1950s there as well.

0:34:070:34:11

For Jonny and his fellow holidaymakers,

0:34:120:34:15

the highlight of the long summer holiday is the Abersoch Yacht Club's

0:34:150:34:18

best-dressed beach hut competition.

0:34:180:34:22

Jan Atherton and her family have gone for a jazz theme.

0:34:220:34:25

I don't think we'll win because there's some fantastic entries

0:34:270:34:30

but we'll have a go, we'll have a go.

0:34:300:34:33

Further along the beach, the Bale family are hoping to shock

0:34:330:34:36

the judges into awarding them a prize.

0:34:360:34:39

We're doing an operating theatre theme for our beach hut competition.

0:34:390:34:43

The important thing is attention to detail.

0:34:430:34:46

And scaring the judges.

0:34:460:34:48

That looks really real, that's horrible.

0:34:480:34:52

Jan's neighbours, the Mount family, have gone Mexican.

0:34:520:34:55

A lot of competition - we're friends, great friends,

0:34:550:34:58

but a lot of competition here.

0:34:580:35:00

We don't like them. THEY ALL LAUGH

0:35:000:35:02

We just put up with them all the time.

0:35:020:35:05

I think the moustaches here are, they're a bit...

0:35:050:35:07

Oh, they're here!

0:35:090:35:11

The competition judges have arrived.

0:35:110:35:14

These are my little amigos.

0:35:140:35:16

Loving the hats, just a little something you had lying around.

0:35:160:35:19

Just literally, just found it underneath the beach.

0:35:190:35:22

Rivalry is keen.

0:35:220:35:23

Is any bribery allowed?

0:35:230:35:25

No, definitely, definitely not. No. We have to be totally impartial.

0:35:250:35:28

Fingers crossed. Enjoyed it. That's the main thing.

0:35:300:35:33

Took part. Took part.

0:35:330:35:35

Who's going to tell me what it's all about?

0:35:350:35:37

Is it the Olympics?

0:35:370:35:39

Yes.

0:35:390:35:40

Wow, how old are you? That one? Three?

0:35:400:35:44

He's on his podium with his gold medal. Well done.

0:35:440:35:48

Thank you very much.

0:35:490:35:50

We're seeing an Olympic theme this year, aren't we?

0:35:500:35:53

Finally, the judges arrive at the Bale family's beach hut.

0:35:530:35:56

We're in a field hospital, are we? Oh, dear.

0:35:560:36:00

So I shall...are you ready?

0:36:000:36:02

Can I come in? Oh!

0:36:020:36:04

Which limb should go first?

0:36:040:36:08

Very good.

0:36:080:36:10

It's decision time.

0:36:120:36:14

We do have one outright winner, and it's hut N,

0:36:180:36:23

and their first prize is this cup and their theme was the Olympics.

0:36:230:36:28

APPLAUSE

0:36:280:36:30

Well done.

0:36:300:36:32

Medals.

0:36:320:36:34

You can share it. That's good.

0:36:360:36:38

The Bales too win a prize.

0:36:380:36:41

-I got a medal.

-A highly commended.

-Highly commended.

0:36:410:36:45

And though Jan's hut doesn't get a mention,

0:36:450:36:47

her neighbours, the Mounts, are also rewarded.

0:36:470:36:50

It was a really good turn-out this year

0:36:510:36:53

and it was a good reflection on the effort that people put in.

0:36:530:36:56

As the curtain falls on another fun-filled regatta events week,

0:36:560:37:00

Jan's in good spirits.

0:37:000:37:02

Generations of families come year after year.

0:37:020:37:05

So the parents form friendships and then their children do.

0:37:050:37:09

And it's sort of like reunion time in the summer.

0:37:090:37:12

I just feel totally content here.

0:37:120:37:14

Very, very special friendships, and a beautiful place.

0:37:140:37:17

For those of us with families, late summer means one thing,

0:37:220:37:25

school holidays.

0:37:250:37:27

A time for bored children and panicking parents.

0:37:270:37:30

A time where an outdoor living history event

0:37:300:37:32

never looked more appealing.

0:37:320:37:34

At Caerleon Amphitheatre in south-east Wales, a host

0:37:390:37:42

of re-enactors are laying on a weekend-long Roman extravaganza.

0:37:420:37:47

We're just Romans generally everywhere where we can be.

0:37:470:37:50

It is how I fill my summer and most of my life as well.

0:37:510:37:54

Looking to try her hand at what is known in the trade as

0:37:540:37:58

live costume interpretation is Linda Bailey, who normally spends

0:37:580:38:02

her Saturdays leading Gavin and Stacey tours around Barry Island.

0:38:020:38:07

If I start saying things like, "What's occurring?"

0:38:070:38:09

it's not going to go down well, I don't think.

0:38:090:38:11

Val Williams is a professional costume interpreter

0:38:110:38:14

who's agreed to train Linda to play the role of a Gladiatrix.

0:38:140:38:17

That's a female Gladiator to you and me.

0:38:170:38:20

Pleased to meet you, Val.

0:38:200:38:22

-You look lovely but not quite...

-I know.

0:38:220:38:25

-Will you transform me, babes?

-I will do my best.

-Thank you.

0:38:250:38:29

The event has drawn interpreters and re-enactment groups from

0:38:310:38:35

far and wide, eager to celebrate all things Roman.

0:38:350:38:39

CHEERING

0:38:420:38:44

I work on computers all day so this is, to an extent, escapism.

0:38:440:38:50

I adopted the pseudo name of Sextus Julius Frontinus

0:38:520:38:56

who was the leading Roman surveyor.

0:38:560:38:58

And he was the guy who actually founded Caerleon.

0:38:580:39:00

So quite by coincidence, I have returned to my original base.

0:39:000:39:05

One thing sets Linda and Val apart from this lot.

0:39:090:39:12

They're what's known as first person interpreters.

0:39:120:39:16

Not only dressing up as historical characters

0:39:160:39:18

but actually acting like one as well.

0:39:180:39:22

You have got to really pretend you are the person.

0:39:220:39:24

In this, you are my youngest sister.

0:39:240:39:27

I have retired honourably from the arena.

0:39:270:39:30

Right.

0:39:300:39:31

You are still fighting

0:39:310:39:32

but I think it is time that you actually give up.

0:39:320:39:35

In fact, you should be really authentic, be bare breasted.

0:39:350:39:39

Right.

0:39:390:39:40

THEY LAUGH

0:39:400:39:42

I tend not to do first person re-enactment

0:39:420:39:44

because they think we might be slightly mad but they are barking.

0:39:440:39:49

This is my sister, Achilia.

0:39:540:39:56

And she's intending fighting here this afternoon.

0:39:560:39:59

For the titillation of men not as well bred as yourself, sir.

0:39:590:40:03

For goodness' sake, will somebody tell her it's time

0:40:030:40:05

she rested on her laurels and gave it up.

0:40:050:40:07

My name is Achilia.

0:40:070:40:09

And anyone who is going to take me on, I am going to a-kill-ya.

0:40:090:40:12

You're scaring me.

0:40:120:40:13

Come on.

0:40:130:40:15

Linda seems to be getting right in to her role.

0:40:150:40:17

I think for the first time, fair play, that was amazing.

0:40:170:40:21

At the moment, we are having a little mingle and a bit of training, really.

0:40:240:40:28

Finding out what exactly went on in this era

0:40:280:40:31

and my history lesson is going quite well.

0:40:310:40:35

GROANING

0:40:350:40:37

Linda comes across a troupe of fellow gladiators

0:40:380:40:41

all the way from Italy.

0:40:410:40:43

Hello. I am fighting this afternoon.

0:40:430:40:46

OK, with us?

0:40:460:40:48

No, I wouldn't dare.

0:40:480:40:50

We are from Italy. We are Italians.

0:40:500:40:53

Oh. Talking Italian. Oh, my God.

0:40:530:40:56

That's it now. I'm hooked.

0:40:560:40:58

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

0:41:010:41:03

It looks like this job has its perks.

0:41:040:41:07

Are they coming back here for a pint after?

0:41:070:41:10

What Linda needs to do now is learn to fight convincingly.

0:41:130:41:18

Well, she's doing all right but I think I'm right.

0:41:250:41:27

She should retire. It is time for her to give up the ring.

0:41:270:41:30

Yes! No!

0:41:330:41:35

On the other hand, if this was her first ever fight

0:41:350:41:37

she would be doing brilliantly.

0:41:370:41:39

GRUNTING

0:41:390:41:41

Tired now?

0:41:490:41:51

Shattered.

0:41:510:41:52

It's been a long day for Linda.

0:41:580:42:00

But this could well be the curtain raiser

0:42:000:42:02

on the whole new stage of her career as a guide.

0:42:020:42:05

Well, everything has drawn to a close so...

0:42:050:42:07

-I know. It's been a good day. It's been great.

-Good.

0:42:070:42:10

Fair play, you have really thrown yourself into it.

0:42:100:42:13

Yes, I shall be very sad to see Achilia disappear

0:42:130:42:17

for I don't know how long.

0:42:170:42:19

A little bit more training.

0:42:190:42:21

I think she could very well be in that arena by next year,

0:42:210:42:24

don't you think?

0:42:240:42:26

Even be fighting those men gladiators, I reckon.

0:42:260:42:29

But to be honest with you, I can't wait to take my outfit off now.

0:42:290:42:32

I am cooking.

0:42:320:42:34

For your average overseas holidaymaker,

0:42:370:42:40

a tour of North Wales' famous Caernarfon Castle

0:42:400:42:42

is a must-do activity.

0:42:420:42:44

But this evening, for one group of American tourists,

0:42:440:42:47

the town's main attraction

0:42:470:42:49

is the terraced home of the Leung family.

0:42:490:42:51

If everyone would like to take their seats.

0:42:530:42:55

-There we go.

-Nice to meet you.

0:42:550:42:57

-It's our kind of chocolate. From California.

-Thank you.

0:42:570:43:01

Monica, her husband and children are throwing a home host dinner party

0:43:010:43:05

for six transatlantic guests

0:43:050:43:07

on a tailor-made package holiday to the UK.

0:43:070:43:09

Home hosting is a part of their holiday

0:43:110:43:14

and they get it in whatever country they're going to.

0:43:140:43:17

They come and have a meal with us

0:43:170:43:20

and really become a part of the family for the evening.

0:43:200:43:24

It's just a nice way to spend an evening.

0:43:240:43:27

You're going to make tea anyway. I think for us, the food is secondary

0:43:270:43:33

to chatting, having fun and interacting with the family.

0:43:330:43:36

I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to write down your name,

0:43:360:43:39

otherwise, when I walk back in the kitchen,

0:43:390:43:42

I'm going to have a brain freeze and I'm not going to remember.

0:43:420:43:45

-Who've we got here?

-Cyril. C. Y. R. I. L.

0:43:450:43:48

-My name is Ellie. Short for Eleanor.

-Ellie.

0:43:480:43:53

I'm Irene. From Southern California, the Los Angeles area.

0:43:530:43:57

-Herb. H. E. R. B.

-H. E. R. B.?

0:43:570:44:01

I'm Ray. R. A. Y.

0:44:010:44:03

-I'm Esther.

-Esther.

0:44:030:44:05

You're going to tell me now how many home hostings

0:44:050:44:09

you've been to and I'm going to go to pieces.

0:44:090:44:12

This is the Leung family's second year of home hosting

0:44:120:44:16

and Monica still finds it a nerve-racking experience.

0:44:160:44:19

They're obviously seasoned travellers. They've done it a lot.

0:44:190:44:23

That makes me a little nervous.

0:44:230:44:25

I feel like I've got a lot to match up to.

0:44:250:44:29

Home hosting is really about enjoying the company

0:44:290:44:32

but at this stage, I go in to major frantic panics.

0:44:320:44:36

The guests are expecting a traditional local three-course meal

0:44:360:44:40

but when it comes to starters, chez Monica,

0:44:400:44:43

things are very cosmopolitan.

0:44:430:44:45

I serve pate or melon. I mean, obviously pate is French

0:44:450:44:49

and we're supposed to be serving typically British food,

0:44:490:44:53

but it would be typically British of us to eat it, wouldn't it?

0:44:530:44:57

Everything's all in. Fingers crossed it doesn't burn.

0:44:580:45:02

The pate is the best I've ever eaten.

0:45:050:45:09

It is wonderful. I may move back to Wales.

0:45:090:45:12

So far, so good. Now for the main course.

0:45:120:45:16

I'm going to have something burning if I'm not careful.

0:45:160:45:20

Why do I do it?

0:45:200:45:22

I do it because a friend of mine did it

0:45:220:45:25

and she said she really enjoyed it.

0:45:250:45:27

So I said I'd try and see if we enjoy it. And now we're hooked!

0:45:270:45:33

Chicken and leek pie is a very sort of old traditional dish

0:45:360:45:41

that a lot of people, especially in Wales, would eat.

0:45:410:45:45

Mushy peas is a staple British diet, I think.

0:45:450:45:51

We haven't just taken normal peas and mushed them up.

0:45:510:45:55

They're split peas and they've been soaked in bicarbonate of soda.

0:45:550:46:00

Mushy peas are delicious, but they're mushy!

0:46:000:46:02

I make ham and pea soup and it reminds me of that. I like that.

0:46:040:46:07

I'm wondering how she got them so green. I was going to ask you that.

0:46:070:46:11

Next up, dessert. And Monica has gone classically British.

0:46:110:46:16

There's the trifle.

0:46:160:46:19

I do feel that we're ambassadors for the country.

0:46:190:46:23

There we are. We'll see who's into puddings now.

0:46:230:46:26

Oh, my God!

0:46:260:46:28

Look at that! Wow!

0:46:280:46:30

We're all on diets.

0:46:300:46:31

THEY LAUGH

0:46:310:46:33

He's just loosening his belt.

0:46:330:46:36

This one is rhubarb and apple crumble. This is hot custard.

0:46:360:46:41

And hot custard is something that's very, very popular in the UK.

0:46:410:46:46

-What did you call it?

-This one? Hot custard.

0:46:460:46:49

Do you know what I think we should do, we should test both of them

0:46:490:46:53

and we'll tell you which one we like the most.

0:46:530:46:57

He will tell you which one he likes the best.

0:46:570:47:00

It's a big hit with the guests! Monica's done us proud.

0:47:010:47:06

How have you found Wales?

0:47:070:47:09

Has it been how you imagined before you set off

0:47:090:47:11

or have you been here before?

0:47:110:47:14

We just got here this afternoon.

0:47:140:47:15

So far, you've been rushed in to somebody's house,

0:47:150:47:19

thrown trifle at.

0:47:190:47:21

What a wonderful start.

0:47:210:47:23

What I like about this place is that

0:47:230:47:25

we can come back here tomorrow and have dessert again.

0:47:250:47:28

THEY LAUGH

0:47:280:47:30

It was wonderful, and the trifle and the what do you call that?

0:47:300:47:34

-Rhubarb crumble.

-Yes, it was wonderful.

0:47:340:47:37

I love Wales.

0:47:370:47:39

The people are wonderful. This was a wonderful experience.

0:47:390:47:41

I'm just sorry that I'm too old to rent a car and run around Wales

0:47:410:47:45

and stay in the B&Bs, because it looks delightful.

0:47:450:47:48

I seldom go back to the same place twice

0:47:480:47:50

but I would consider coming back here.

0:47:500:47:53

I liked it very much. The dessert was the best part.

0:47:530:47:56

THEY LAUGH

0:47:560:47:58

Monica's American guests leave stuffed and happy.

0:48:000:48:06

They did a good job of demolishing the trifle and the crumble.

0:48:060:48:11

They were pudding people, I think.

0:48:110:48:13

Hwyl fawr!

0:48:130:48:15

It couldn't have been nicer.

0:48:170:48:19

Glad to hear it, madam.

0:48:190:48:20

Over 100 miles to the south, at Hammet House,

0:48:270:48:31

it's the evening of the seven-course tasting menu,

0:48:310:48:34

the event planned to showcase the talents of new chef

0:48:340:48:37

Andy Beaumont to a select gathering of VIP guests.

0:48:370:48:41

Yes, it's a little nerve-racking.

0:48:430:48:45

I'm putting a calm front on, like I say.

0:48:450:48:48

But inside, I'm a little nervous, to be honest.

0:48:480:48:51

Fingers crossed it'll be all right.

0:48:510:48:54

Right, so we'll head on up. I'll show you to your room.

0:48:540:48:56

-Lovely, thank you.

-Can I take that bag for you?

0:48:560:48:59

One person that Owen and Philippa particularly hope to impress

0:48:590:49:02

is editor and food reviewer Joanna Busk of Fork Magazine.

0:49:020:49:07

A good write-up from her could propel them

0:49:070:49:10

to the top league of luxury Welsh hotels.

0:49:100:49:12

But as Joanna is shown to her room, it soon emerges there's a problem.

0:49:120:49:18

Owen and Philippa have had to leave the hotel.

0:49:180:49:20

-The owners of the house...

-Yes.

0:49:200:49:23

Are they here at the moment or are they coming down later?

0:49:230:49:25

Unfortunately not.

0:49:250:49:27

Which means I'll be covering the hotel manager's position tonight.

0:49:270:49:30

It's now down to trainee manageress Amy Cross to ensure it all

0:49:300:49:35

runs smoothly front of house.

0:49:350:49:37

It wasn't planned for me to be here by myself tonight

0:49:380:49:41

but everything is planned and is going to go according to plan.

0:49:410:49:44

As it always does here at Hammet House.

0:49:440:49:46

With the staff busy preparing for the evening ahead,

0:49:470:49:51

Joanna is left alone to take a tour of the hotel.

0:49:510:49:55

Great mirror. Fantastic.

0:49:550:49:58

It's a lovely room.

0:49:580:50:01

It's very unusual.

0:50:010:50:03

It's certainly isn't what you wouldn't expect to find in

0:50:030:50:07

an old country house hotel in this little corner of Wales.

0:50:070:50:11

Left to roam, she even wanders into the un-renovated areas.

0:50:110:50:16

You can see that there are some bits have been done

0:50:160:50:18

and some bits that haven't.

0:50:180:50:20

It's still got the smelly carpet.

0:50:200:50:22

I was just saying it feels quite schizophrenic.

0:50:220:50:25

Next up for Joanna is the kitchen.

0:50:250:50:27

-Andy, hello.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

0:50:270:50:30

-How are you?

-Very well, thanks. Yourself?

-Excellent.

0:50:300:50:32

Would you like this to be a destination restaurant,

0:50:320:50:35

for people to be coming sort of from outside the hotel?

0:50:350:50:38

Definitely. I want to make this basically the best place to

0:50:380:50:42

eat food in, well, most definitely Pembrokeshire, but primarily Wales.

0:50:420:50:45

I won't stop till I get there.

0:50:450:50:48

Wow. That's fighting talk.

0:50:480:50:50

As the VIP guests arrive,

0:50:500:50:53

Amy and the front of house team jump into action.

0:50:530:50:56

My shift started at this 7.00 this morning.

0:50:580:51:01

But still feeling good. The adrenaline has kicked in.

0:51:010:51:04

In the kitchen, Andy is prepping his modern take on ham, egg and chips.

0:51:050:51:10

This is a warm jelly. You can warm up to about 60 degrees

0:51:100:51:13

and it still stays as a jelly.

0:51:130:51:14

Then we have got a half poached quail egg to go on top.

0:51:140:51:17

A little diced crisped potatoes and some smoky tomato sauce.

0:51:170:51:21

Right, Andy. So we are ready to move through for half past, if you are.

0:51:210:51:26

OK? Thank you.

0:51:260:51:27

As the guests move into the dining room,

0:51:270:51:30

the hotel's fate hangs in the balance.

0:51:300:51:32

If the evening goes well and Joanna writes a good review,

0:51:320:51:36

Hammet House's reputation will be given a huge boost.

0:51:360:51:40

All facing the same way, yeah?

0:51:400:51:42

But a bad one could spell disaster.

0:51:420:51:45

Whoa. They've got to be level. You have to use two hands.

0:51:450:51:48

Three hours and seven courses later, it looks like Andy's home and dry.

0:51:570:52:01

But what's Joanna's verdict on the food?

0:52:080:52:12

There were some great bits and not-so-great bits.

0:52:120:52:15

He's only been in the kitchen for a month.

0:52:150:52:18

This whole operation is quite new.

0:52:180:52:19

I would never expect to come into somewhere so early

0:52:190:52:22

and find everything perfect.

0:52:220:52:24

I think they are going places

0:52:240:52:26

and I think Andy will do some great stuff here.

0:52:260:52:28

It's the end of a long, stressful day for Andy

0:52:280:52:32

and the Hammet House staff.

0:52:320:52:34

Now they will just have to wait until the review is written up.

0:52:340:52:37

Summer is festival season in Wales, with hundreds of events,

0:52:450:52:49

from local to international, taking place across the country.

0:52:490:52:53

For the nation's event caterers, it's their busiest season.

0:52:530:52:56

CHEERING

0:52:570:52:59

Jonathan Williams is the founder and owner of Cafe Mor,

0:53:010:53:04

a mobile catering business

0:53:040:53:06

specialising in fresh Welsh seafood.

0:53:060:53:08

The company's only a year old, but this summer,

0:53:090:53:11

Jonathan's launched himself into festival season in a big way.

0:53:110:53:15

Won't be long. Five minutes.

0:53:150:53:16

So far, with the help of his supportive mum Tina,

0:53:160:53:19

he's catered the Hay International Book Festival.

0:53:190:53:22

And Wakestock. Which didn't go well.

0:53:230:53:26

It's the worst I've ever seen at a festival.

0:53:260:53:29

So I've just cut our losses, really.

0:53:290:53:31

And all between running a pitch in the Athletes' Village

0:53:310:53:34

of the London 2012 Olympics, and welcoming his first child.

0:53:340:53:38

Meet Josie. I'm a ya-ya, Greek for granny.

0:53:390:53:42

Poor old Hannah has been at home looking after our lovely baby girl

0:53:430:53:49

and I've just been running around like a madman.

0:53:490:53:51

So looking forward to getting home

0:53:510:53:53

and hopefully giving her a little rest.

0:53:530:53:55

Now he's catering the National Eisteddfod,

0:53:550:53:58

one of the oldest cultural festivals in Europe.

0:53:580:54:02

It's an opportunity to get his business back on track.

0:54:020:54:05

Wakestock was just the wrong clientele,

0:54:050:54:07

but we're still fighting, we're still getting strong.

0:54:070:54:10

It kind of puts the pressure on the Eisteddfod.

0:54:100:54:12

Cos obviously, you just want to try and make things work here.

0:54:120:54:15

We've got lots of bilingual signs everywhere.

0:54:150:54:17

I'm not a Welsh speaker so we had to find someone that spoke Welsh.

0:54:170:54:21

Cafe Mor's latest recruit, Angharad Rosser, is fluently Welsh speaking.

0:54:230:54:27

I've been teaching Jonathan a few phrases like dyma chi. Here you are.

0:54:280:54:33

Unrhywbeth arall? Anything else?

0:54:330:54:36

I'm the worst student ever cos my brain doesn't work with languages.

0:54:370:54:41

I can barely speak English so trying to learn any other language

0:54:410:54:45

is a mammoth, mammoth task.

0:54:450:54:48

What's please in Welsh?

0:54:480:54:50

-Please? Diolch? That's thank you. Erm, prynhawn da. No. Croeso.

-No.

0:54:500:54:57

Os gwelwch yn dda, but a lot of people just say plis.

0:54:580:55:01

What's that?

0:55:010:55:03

-For please.

-Just plis? Yeah, it's confusing, you see.

0:55:030:55:06

Jonathan's new approach seems to working well.

0:55:080:55:12

It's all looking good.

0:55:120:55:14

We're not running off in the middle of the night on this one.

0:55:140:55:17

In Cardiff city centre, it's early evening.

0:55:230:55:26

And the second Olympic football match of the day is about to

0:55:260:55:29

kick off in the capital's Millennium Stadium.

0:55:290:55:32

Cleaner Cardiff team member Sophie is still hard at it

0:55:340:55:37

collecting litter from Olympic football fans.

0:55:370:55:41

THEY SING

0:55:410:55:43

If there were two British teams, there would be a lot more rubbish.

0:55:430:55:47

Like people from all over the world and stuff

0:55:470:55:50

are a lot cleaner because they have a lot more respect.

0:55:500:55:53

It's like the British people,

0:55:530:55:55

they look at you and they drop it on the floor.

0:55:550:55:57

Come on!

0:55:570:55:59

You don't get none of that from like the international people

0:55:590:56:03

or anything like that.

0:56:030:56:04

You. Off!

0:56:060:56:07

As the last match of the day kicks off and the streets

0:56:070:56:10

empty of fans, the Cleaner Cardiff team leaps into action.

0:56:100:56:13

Their mission, to give the city centre a deep clean

0:56:170:56:20

before the final whistle blows and the fans hit the streets again.

0:56:200:56:23

The game has kicked off and they've let us in for about 90 minutes

0:56:250:56:28

to do a quick clean up, and then the night crew will come in

0:56:280:56:30

to finish off then when the game has finished.

0:56:300:56:33

It's such a tight window, the crews must work quickly.

0:56:330:56:36

Our boys have been cleaning, cleaning and cleaning.

0:56:390:56:41

They haven't got time to take it out so they dump it here.

0:56:410:56:44

And let me come across and get it.

0:56:440:56:46

As the end of his shift approaches, Russell is feeling the strain.

0:56:520:56:56

Oh, God! I don't know.

0:56:560:56:59

Tired. You try getting up at 2.45 every morning.

0:57:000:57:04

Catches up by the end of the week.

0:57:040:57:06

He's in one of his happy moods today.

0:57:060:57:09

When he grits his teeth together like that, stand back.

0:57:090:57:12

In no time at all, the city centre streets are clean.

0:57:150:57:19

We take pride in our city.

0:57:190:57:21

We see it before and we'll see it again at the end

0:57:220:57:24

when it's all finished and it gives you a good sense of

0:57:240:57:27

we've done that.

0:57:270:57:28

Every person that comes into the city centre more or less has cameras

0:57:280:57:31

or videos, so they are taking that back to their own places,

0:57:310:57:35

showing how Cardiff is.

0:57:350:57:37

Come on, GB.

0:57:370:57:39

When the fans pour out, the litter picking will start all over again.

0:57:400:57:46

Next time...

0:57:460:57:47

Let's get the show on the road!

0:57:470:57:49

It's Mardi Gras in Cardiff.

0:57:520:57:55

Come on, we're late. Hurry up!

0:57:550:57:57

Open the gates!

0:57:570:57:58

Things get explosive at Bryngwyn Hall.

0:57:580:58:01

Who am I going to fall out with today?

0:58:010:58:03

The ballroom gets a last-minute make-over at Hammet House.

0:58:050:58:08

-It's going to be a tight one.

-See if you can cancel the wedding.

0:58:080:58:11

I don't think that's really an option.

0:58:110:58:14

It's got to be done.

0:58:150:58:17

Is it the end of the line for Vernon and the Barry funfair?

0:58:170:58:21

I'm a showman. I don't retire.

0:58:210:58:23

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