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0:00:20 > 0:00:23- The first series of 04Wal - was broadcast ten years ago.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- Our trawl through the archives - has reached 2005.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- We'll leave the town and turn - our attention to country living...
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- ..starting in Aberthaw.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- In the Vale of Glamorgan, - not far from Rhoose airport...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- ..stands the home - of Rhodri Elis Owen.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- It's near the sea and in the shadow - of Aberthaw Power Station.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- Mam saw this house in the newspaper.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- We came here, saw the power station - and saw this perfect little house.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- I don't care about its location.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- It's like an old friend to me.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- I've come to love it.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- I like the contrast - between it and the power station.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- In what condition was the house - when you bought it?
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- There were holes - in the thatched roof.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- The walls were patched up - with concrete.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- It had no electricity or hot water.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- It's a listed building, so we were - restricted in what we could do.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- We had to seek permission - for aspects of the work.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- We wanted to make sure - that we did the work properly.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- I worked with CADW at the time, - so my job depended on it!
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- We carried out extensive research - into such things as the roof.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- We had to repair the thatch.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- The problem was finding craftsmen - who could do the work.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- The local authority provided us - with a list of thatchers.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- They are master thatchers.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- They can adapt their work - to suit the location.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- Glamorgan has its own thatch style.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- Different parts of Glamorgan - adopt a variation on that style.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Every thatcher leaves - his own signature on the roof...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..be it a curve or a gaping hole, - so he can come back and repair it!
0:02:46 > 0:02:52- The external stone walls - had been patched up with concrete.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- Experts told us to act immediately - or the house would deteriorate.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- All the concrete was removed.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- Some sort of mortar - was applied to the walls.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- It was then covered - with a lime mortar.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18- We matched the colour of the mortar - to lime mortar we found at the back.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- People remark - on its bright colour...
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- ..but that was the way - in olden days.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- People used bright colours.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- It's interesting to see - just how colourful houses were...
0:03:32 > 0:03:33- ..in past centuries.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- Would you say you're pickling - this house in a certain period?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- No, this isn't a museum.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43- This is a home.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- I wanted to be able to live here - in a contemporary manner.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- I've kept - all the original features...
0:03:52 > 0:03:56- ..but I tried - to bring them out a little.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- There's a strong French theme - upstairs.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- The chandelier above the stairs - is an example of that.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- Almost everything - in the master bedroom is French.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- That includes the wallpaper, - the bedspread and the bed itself.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23- The big pieces of furniture - fit well into a fairly small room.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- There are some lovely - unusual touches in here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- This chair is covered - in a leopard-skin print.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- The old wireless - also catches the eye.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- The most unusual touch of all - is the David lamp!
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- # Quand il me prend dans ses bras
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- # Il me parle tout bas
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- # Je vois la vie en rose #
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- The shape of the house - hasn't changed since day one.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- I didn't want to be the person - who changed the building forever.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- I wanted to keep - the footprint of the house...
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- ..and leave it as I found it.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- I'm proud of the work - that I've done to this house.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- At least the house is complete.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- The next owners - can put their own stamp on it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- Hopefully, this house will be here - for centuries to come.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Petite France en Glamorgan!
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- I was staying with my mother - and Tim saw this place.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51- You wouldn't have seen its potential - from the estate agent's photograph.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- It didn't look nice in the details.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- Tim came up here and he phoned me - to say he'd bought it!
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- It's magical up here.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- You can see Snowdonia - and Cadair Idris.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04- It's fantastic.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- This breathtaking view can be seen - from a home near Offa's Dyke.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- Facing west towards Wales, - it's home to Rena and Tim Clarke.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- Thanks to their efforts, the house - has been renovated and extended...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- ..without losing - its original character.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- It's a traditional Welsh longhouse.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- The farmer lived in one room - and the animals lived in the other.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47- The animals went into the warm room - where the fireplace stood.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- We wanted a bigger house - to make the most of the view.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- We tried to be sympathetic - with the tradition...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- ..in keeping - with the original building.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- We built an oak-framed extension.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- What did you have to do - in order to make it habitable?
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- We could just about squeeze in.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Five of us lived here. - It was a squash!
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- It took time to get planning - permission and to build the house.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- I like unusual things.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- I'm not a minimalist - when it comes to interior design!
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- I surround myself with items - that say things about my family...
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- ..and my family's interests.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- I wanted the kitchen - to be the heart of the home.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- We spend lots of time in here.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- We have four children...
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- ..and they come and go, - as children do these days.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- We all congregate in here, - so it is the heart of our home.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13- Do you enjoy cooking?
0:08:14 > 0:08:15- Yes, I love to cook.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- I find it very relaxing.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- There's nothing better - than cooking for a full table.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- I enjoy eating and drinking - with a group of people.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- Did you choose the colours?
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- Yes. At one point, - there were 20 shades of pink here!
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- I wanted something warm.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- I get fed up with white.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- We've used a bit of white, - but I wanted something warm in here.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Your taste is eclectic.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Yes, I suppose.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- You collect items - from lots of different places.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Yes, and it's time to stop now - because we have more than enough!
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- It would take another lifetime - to use them all!
0:09:00 > 0:09:01- I use these plates.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- I take a plate off the wall - when I cook a special meal.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- I don't keep things - just as ornaments.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- I like the fact that everything - is used, even our old glasses.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- This is the modern part - of the house.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- This is completely new, isn't it?
0:09:36 > 0:09:37- Yes, that's right.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- Wow!
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- Why did you want such a large room?
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- We wanted a big room - because the others are so small.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- We wanted a contrast.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- We also wanted somewhere - where we could eat and relax...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- ..that was also ideal for parties.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58- This is a triumph.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- The wall of glass - capitalizes on the fantastic view.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Yes, it brings the outdoors - into the room.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12- Did you design it?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- Yes, with an architect friend.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- We sat down together - and created this.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- It's simple, really.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- We wanted to create - a baronial-style hall.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- We were keen - to keep it simple and natural.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- Would anything persuade you - to move away from here?
0:10:46 > 0:10:47- I'm not sure.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- I'm really fond of this area.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- Perhaps I'd move closer to the sea.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- I love the sea too, and I have - relatives in Pembrokeshire.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- I can't even imagine - living anywhere but here.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- I can see why.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Betsan was born in Wales, - but she grew up in London.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- She planned to stay there...
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- ..but things changed - when she met her husband.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- She decided to move - to a special house in Ferryside.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Initially, - we fell in love with the house...
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- ..but the beach is also enchanting - and the view is stunning.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- I found it on the Internet.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- I was bored one day.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- I went online - and found my dream home.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- The house was empty, wasn't it?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Yes. It had been empty - for around 20 years.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- In what condition was the house - when you bought it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- It wasn't good.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Water was leaking in at the back.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Dampness was a problem, - and there was Artex everywhere.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- It was in a poor condition.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- We could see its potential.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- We didn't have a vision as such...
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- ..but we recognized the things - that we could change in the house.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- It all came together.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- We knew that we could - make this house look great.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- What have you done to the exterior?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- The outside walls - were pebble-dashed.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- We removed the pebble-dash, - replaced the windows...
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- ..and applied a lime plaster - to the walls.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- All we did then was paint it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- We wanted it to blend in - with its surroundings.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- You've spent most of your life - in London.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- Ferryside must be a massive change!
0:13:35 > 0:13:41- Yes, it's far more peaceful - and far less stressful here.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- It's a much nicer place to live - than London.
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0:14:11 > 0:14:12- Welcome back.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Both homes featured in this part - are close to their owners' hearts.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- First, Jan Morris - and her house in Llanystumdwy...
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- ..then harpist Ieuan Jones's home - that's close to his family home.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Trefan Morys - is more than a house to me.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- It's a small building. - A very simple house.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- It was once a stable.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56- I don't care about that.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- To me, it's really grand.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- It's more of a concept - than a reality.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- Within the walls of my home...
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- ..is everything that has been - important to me during my life.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- The people I've loved, the animals, - my work and Wales itself.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- That's what I like to think.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30- As a travel writer...
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- ..Jan Morris praises cities - and countries across the world.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Home is where her heart is, - and that's here in Llanystumdwy.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- I've lived in this house - for more than 30 years.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- I've written more than 30 books - during that time.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- I've seen my children grow up - and my grandchildren arrive.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- I'll live here - for the rest of my life...
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- ..with the woman who has - been my partner for 50 years.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Elizabeth Morris.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Happily ever after.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- You'd expect an author's house - to be full of books...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- ..and this house doesn't disappoint.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- This central room is full of books.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- Jan works and reads in here.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- It's a pleasure to be here.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- What adds to the ambience of this - room is the floor, funnily enough.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- It's lino, - but it has a classical look.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- I told Jan that it looks Roman.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- She said that it came - from Blaenau Ffestiniog!
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- There's an amazing variety - of books here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- There are books - on every subject here.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Jan has varied interests.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- Before we moved in, - horses and stablehands lived here.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- I can feel their presence - in the wood and the stones.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- Owls also lived here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- We see bats here, from time to time, - and too many spiders!
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- The roots of this house - are deep in the soil of the area.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- In the soil, - in the wildlife, in nature...
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- ..and in its own history.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- It's built from local stone.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- No house in the world - is more organic than Trefan Morys.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- The same pattern - continues upstairs, to some extent.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- This room is full of things - that are close to Jan's heart.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- Pictures of the family - and of places she has visited.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- A painting of Venice - and a painting of Cricieth.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- We're in the structure - of the roof itself.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- You can see the row of A-frames - stretching from end to end.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- This is the length of the house.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- I hope that the Morris family - lives here forever.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- I hope that this house - stands here forever...
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- ..as a symbol of thanksgiving - to Wales.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26- Ieuan Jones, the former Harpist - to the House of Commons...
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- ..sold his London home in 2003 - and moved back to his native Powys.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- He was born a stone's throw - from this house.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- Once the farmhand's house, - it's now home to Ieuan and his wife.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- A whitewashed cottage - in rural Wales. Lovely.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- There's much more to this house - than this idyllic facade suggests.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- I grew up in Mathrafal, - the neighbouring farm.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- My father bought this house - in the 1940s...
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- ..when he and my mother - came to Mathrafal.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- My parents used it - as a farmhand's house.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- When did the house become yours?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- I lost my father - three or four years ago.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- My mother - wanted to sort a few things out.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- She gave this house to me...
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- ..because she knew of my interest - in renovation projects.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- I believe that I have a good eye - for what needs to be done.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- What state was the house in - at that time?
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- No work had been carried out here - for years.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- We had to make a fresh start.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- We stripped everything back - down to the stone walls.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- There were no floors.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- We went down to the actual soil - that lay beneath the- tiles.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- Is this a load bearing beam - or it is purely decorative?
0:21:26 > 0:21:27- It's cosmetic.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- I wanted to see some wood - from the old house.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- It was too complicated - to add lots of beams.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- It would look artificial.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- This is here - purely to break up the room.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- It certainly isn't load bearing.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- Step this way. - I have a surprise for you.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- Walk through the bookcase - and you'll find another room.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- I thought that you wanted me - to read a book!
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- Well, well! This is breathtaking.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- This is my tiny workshop!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- You practise in here?
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Yes. I practise - and give recitals here.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10- I also teach here.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- Did you need such a huge room?
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- When we built the extension, - the room was only half this size.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- There was a door here.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- When it was complete, - I had a change of heart.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- I bought a piano - and I had two harps in here.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- It was very cramped - and I need lots of space.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- I went back to the builder - and asked for double the space...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- ..with a fireplace at the end.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- The fireplace - is the finishing touch.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- This is the extension - on the extension!
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Yes. People were surprised - to see us adding another extension!
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- In order to use this room - for professional purposes...
0:22:59 > 0:23:00- ..I needed more space.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- It's now the perfect size.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- I remember coming here - as a child...
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- ..to play with the children - who lived here.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- I never imagined - that I'd return here.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- It's a strange feeling, - in some respects.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:58 > 0:23:58- .