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0:00:20 > 0:00:24- Tonight, a corner of France - in the Vale of Glamorgan...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- ..North Carolina in Llanharan...
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- ..and stacks of Staffordshire - in Flintshire.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- In the Vale of Glamorgan, - not far from Rhoose airport...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- ..stands the home - of Rhodri Elis Owen.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- It's near the sea and in the shadow - of Aberthaw Power Station.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Mam saw this house in the newspaper.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- We came here, saw the power station - and saw this perfect little house.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- I don't care about its location.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- It's become like an old friend - to me.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- I've come to love it.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21- I like the contrast between - this cottage and the power station.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- In what condition was the house - when you bought it?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- There were big holes - in the thatched roof.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- The walls were patched up - with concrete.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- It had no electricity or hot water.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- It's a listed building, so we were - restricted in what we could do.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- We had to seek permission - for aspects of the work.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- We wanted to make sure - we did the work properly.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- I worked with CADW at the time, - so my job depended on it!
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- We carried out extensive research - into things like the thatched roof.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- We had to repair the thatch.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- The problem was finding craftsmen - who could do the work.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- The local authority provided us - with a list of thatchers.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- They're actually master thatchers...
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- ..and they can adapt their work - to suit the location.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- Glamorgan has its own thatch style.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- Different parts of Glamorgan - adopt a variation on that style.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- Every thatcher leaves - his own signature on the roof...
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- ..be it a curve or a gaping hole, - so he can come back and repair it!
0:02:51 > 0:02:57- The external stone walls - had been patched up with concrete.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- Experts told us we had to act now, - or the house would deteriorate.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- The concrete was all removed...
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- ..and some sort of mortar - was applied to the walls.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- It was then - covered with a lime mortar.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23- We matched the colour of the mortar - to lime we found in the back garden.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- People remark on - its bright colour...
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- ..but that was the colour of houses - in olden days.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- People used bright colours.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- It's interesting to see - just how colourful houses were...
0:03:37 > 0:03:38- ..in past centuries.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Would you say that you're pickling - this house in a certain period?
0:03:45 > 0:03:46- No, this isn't a museum.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48- This is a home.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- I wanted to be able to live here - in a contemporary manner.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- I've kept - all the original features...
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- ..but what I tried to do - was bring them out a little.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- I'm a firm believer in - Old with Bold.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- Mixing the old and - the brand new works for me.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- The Philip Stark furniture - is modern, with a twist.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- It looks like an old sofa - but it's plastic garden furniture.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- It's a lovely combination - of the old and the new.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- We lived in Toulouse, France, - for a year.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- I embraced French furniture - and the French way of life.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- There's a strong French theme - upstairs.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- The chandelier above the stairs - is an example of that.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- Almost everything - in the master bedroom is French.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- That includes the wallpaper, - the bedspread, and the bed itself.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- It's surprising...
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- ..how well big pieces of furniture - fit into this fairly small room.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- There are some lovely - unusual touches in here.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- This chair - is covered in a leopard skin print.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- The old wireless - also catches the eye.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- The most unusual touch of all - is the head lamp!
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- # Quand il me prend dans ses bras
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- # Il me parle tout bas
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- # Je vois la vie en rose
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- # Il me dit des mots d'amour
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- # Des mots de tous les jours
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- # Et ca me fait quelque chose
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- # Il est entre dans mon coeur
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- # Une part de bonheur
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- # Dont je connais la cause
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- # C'est lui pour moi. - Moi pour lui
0:05:53 > 0:05:54- # Dans la vie
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- # Il me l'a dit, - l'a jure pour la vie... #
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Let's go back out, onto the landing.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- The bathroom is in front of me.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- In contrast to the warm, red room - next door...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- ..this, as you can see, - is white and cool.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15- There are splashes of blue here - and it's a far more modern space.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- The expanse of white - makes the room feel big.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- There are more items - of French furniture in here...
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- ..such as this distressed table.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- There are Welsh chairs here, too.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- The special painting on the wall - dominates this room.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- It carries us away - to distant lands.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12- If I lived in France...
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- ..this is - how I would furnish my house.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- Petite France, en Glamorgan!
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- There's an old fireplace - with a big inglenook in the lounge.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- I haven't changed that.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- I had a wood burner installed - to replace the old, rusty one.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- The fireplace in the dining room - dates back to 1620.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- It still works fantastically well.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- It's priceless, really.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- This room is very cosy - once we've lit the fire.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- It's lovely and warm.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27- The windows let in plenty of light, - which makes it feel quite spacious.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- The lounge is quite big - for such an old house.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- We found some old letters - in the cupboards when we moved in.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- I kept those.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- Mrs Thomas, whose family lived here - in the early 20th century...
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- ..worked as a buyer for Harrods.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Her family lived here - and she was raised here.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- She came back to live here - during the War.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Her son was the last person - to live in this house.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- He died when he was in his nineties.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- He was a remarkable character, - by all accounts.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15- Nobody knew he'd been a spy - until he was on his deathbed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- He was in the Navy - during the War...
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- ..and he worked as a spy for Britain - in The Netherlands.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- The only thing left here - was the chair in the lounge.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- It was by the fire - when we arrived at the house.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- We wanted to keep the chair and we - had it re-covered, as you can see.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- It forms a link with the past.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- That's one of my favourite chairs.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- The shape of the house - hasn't changed since Day One.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- I didn't want to be the person - who changed the building for ever.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- I wanted to keep within the shape - of the walls of the house...
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- ..and leave it as I found it.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- I'm proud of the work I've done - to this house.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- At least the house is complete.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- The next owners - can put their own stamp on it.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Hopefully, this house will be here - for centuries to come.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Petite France en Glamorgan!
0:10:31 > 0:10:31- 888
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- 888- - 888
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- A Flintshire farmhouse which has - an extension on the extension.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- This is high-quality, clever - building work.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- This is the home - of Paula and John Jones.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- From the hall, - through the dining room...
0:11:20 > 0:11:21- ..to the original hall.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Where there was once a door, - there is now a window.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Classic patterns in new colours - adorn the walls.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- The clock at the top of the stairs - belonged to John's father.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Tell me about the collections.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- Tell me about the collections.- - They're gifts - things my sister - and John bought for me.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Like most collections, - they just seem to evolve.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- They take on a life of their own.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Yes, they grow naturally.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- John's mother started our collection - of Staffordshire dogs.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- It's grown, like everything else.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- There's another collection - in the kitchen.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- My husband comes from Swansea - and he loves rugby.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- We go to France, Italy and Ireland - to watch Wales play.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Tell me about - some of your other collections.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43- You collect cockerels.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- You collect cockerels.- - That's another rugby connection.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- I bought my first clown - on a rugby trip to France.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- I was a bit tipsy when I bought it!
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- My first clown was called Coco...
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- ..after Coco Chanel, - not Coco the Clown!
0:13:03 > 0:13:04- John is fond of old wood.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06- He isn't keen on new wood.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- You can feel something in it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15- The wood is old - and it has a story of its own.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- Something comes out from it, - like an old house.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- There are no ghosts here - but there are plenty of stories.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- When this house was built...
0:13:25 > 0:13:30- ..people came upstairs this way, - around the bannister...
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- ..to the bedrooms - at the front of the house.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- Paula and John moved the rooms - to the front.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- They blocked off that corridor - and created a new one.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Why? All will be revealed.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- Here we are, walking down - what is the corridor at the rear.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- This is narrow - because this is the old chimney.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- One advantage of having a corridor - running across the rear...
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- ..is you can venture through - the wall into a new extension.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- This double bedroom - is the new extension.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- The colours are lighter than those - used in the rest of the house.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- You'd swear this had always - been here, wouldn't you?
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- It looks natural - and it suits the house.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- This is one of two extensions.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25- Let's head back.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27- This wall is very uneven.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- It's an old wall, - plastered to look like an old wall!
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- There's no point - trying to fool anyone!
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- This is the second extension.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38- A bathroom.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- We're in the roof - above the kitchen.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- You can relax in the bath and watch - 'Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol'...
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- ..or even '04Wal' on the television.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- This is the master bedroom.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- If you could weigh luxury, - this room would be very, very heavy.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- These curtains are very substantial - and the colours are rich.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- A lovely shade of red and feathers. - Please!
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- The dark wood adds to - the luxurious feel of the room.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- You'd want to spend time in here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- It's really cosy.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- There's even more through here.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- Walk through the dressing room - and you find a majestic bathroom.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- There's a bath - and a separate shower in here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- If only you had a fridge - to keep your lager cold...
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- ..what would be the point - of leaving these two rooms?
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- You're interested - in your surroundings...
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- ..judging by the maps on the walls.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- I liked geography and maps, - as a child.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- I wanted to buy a John Blaeu - or a John Speed.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- I found a John Speed map - of Flintshire.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- Do you know anything about the - previous occupants of the house?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- Yes, thanks to a census - carried out in the 1880s.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- A John Jones lived here.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- He had a son called Daniel Jones - and so do we, peculiarly enough.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- The children have left and this is - a big house for the two of you.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Would you consider - moving to a smaller house?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- No, both my heart and John's heart - are in this house.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- The children also love the house and - we've buried our pets in the garden.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- You'll stay here for ever?
0:16:39 > 0:16:39- You'll stay here for ever?- - Yes.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40- Yes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- The only way I'm leaving - is in a box.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- 'Log Village'. - We must be on the right road.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- I'm looking for a wooden village - on the top of the hill.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- This is more North America - than South Wales.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- You can see a log cabin - under construction.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- People hanging around - doing nothing, as usual.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Even so, - they have completed Winkipop...
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- ..the home of Eirlys and Rhys - Edwards and Ela and little Tomi.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- We saw a picture of it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- Eirlys was keener than me, at first.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- We saw a picture in the newspaper - about two years ago.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- It was an architect's drawing - of a log cabin.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- I loved the idea of sitting - in a rocking chair on a veranda.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- We came up here - but there was nothing to see.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- All we saw was lots of wood!
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- We fell in love with the place.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- We wanted to live in - an unusual house...
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- ..with something happening - outside it.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- This house is quite small inside...
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- ..but the veranda - gives you a second living area.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- That idea appealed to me.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- The Waltons lived in a log cabin...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..and I like to think - we're like the Waltons!
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- The name comes from - a beach in Australia.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- We were out there on our honeymoon.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- We were on the beach - next to Bells Beach in Melbourne.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- It isn't really a beach - - it's a break.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- It's called Winkipop.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- I said it was a great name.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- We came back from our honeymoon and - talked about names for the house.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- This name came up.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48- I thought it was nice but I didn't - think we'd call our house Winkipop.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53- I came home one day and Eirlys had - put a wooden plaque near the door.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- I had no choice in the matter!
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- We lived in the centre of Cardiff.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- There were - shops and takeaways nearby.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- You become too familiar with - having everything on your doorstep.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- It's nice not to have that here.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- Now, we go for walks in the woods - or sit outside and read a book...
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- ..rather than going to town - to buy CDs.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- You revel in the fact - you're cut off from amenities?
0:19:45 > 0:19:46- Yes.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- Did you have any say - in the layout of the house?
0:19:51 > 0:19:52- Yes, in theory.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- We told them what we wanted - and they ignored us and built this!
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- You can choose between - four different models...
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- ..depending on - the size of the house.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- We went for the small one.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- The cheapest one!
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Everyone tried to put us off - coming here.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- People I hadn't been in touch with - for years wrote to me...
0:20:16 > 0:20:17- ..and told us not to do it!
0:20:18 > 0:20:19- That went on for a while.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- People's attitudes changed - when we moved in last year.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- Our friends and families - came up here for the first time.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- They'd heard about it - and they thought we were crazy.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- They came here, had a look around - and thought it was fantastic.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- They all wish they lived here.
0:20:39 > 0:20:45- That was enough for us to finally - believe we made the right decision.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- The only company - willing to give us a mortgage...
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- ..was the Organic Mortgage Company.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- We asked loads of companies...
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- ..but we were told we couldn't - get a mortgage on a log cabin.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- The Organic Mortgage Company - even offer mortgages on mud huts!
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- They ship the stuff - from North Carolina to Liverpool...
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- ..and these huge chunks of wood - turn up on the site.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- Once the stuff arrives, - the houses go up in no time.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41- It's like Lego.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- Number One sticks to Number Two - to Number Three to Number Four.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- The windows and doors - come with the kit.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- They say a log cabin's insulation is - six times better than a brick house.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15- There's a big gap between the houses - and we have sizeable gardens.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- Two of our neighbours - have a hot tub in their gardens.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26- We can't afford a hot tub, so we - hope to be invited to their parties!
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- We could be sitting outside in one - drinking wine in the winter!
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Yes, the red fridge!
0:22:37 > 0:22:43- If you put a big, red object - in the centre of your house...
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- ..it gives the house and the family - some sort of energy.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- I don't know if that's true, - but that's why we have a red fridge.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- We got the fridge - in the price of the kitchen.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- The more expensive the fridge, - the smaller the kitchen!
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:53 > 0:23:54