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0:00:20 > 0:00:24- Tonight's programme - is about farm buildings.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- Sarra Elgan is about to renovate - a shell of a building.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30- We'll see a stable in Llyn...
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- ..which now boasts a huge library - and is home to Jan Morris.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- First, we visit Stifyn Parri's - latest venture...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- ..to turn ruins into a home.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- These buildings were ruins - when we were last here.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Some had no roof. Some had no walls.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- It seemed some had no hope.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- What Stifyn Parri - has achieved here...
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- ..is a tribute to his determination - and that of his architect.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- Stifyn Parri bought this cluster - of buildings in September, 2003.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- They were in an awful condition.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- The buildings are on two sites - - two on the upper site...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- ..and one on the lower site.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38- Will this be the lounge?
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- Yes. A lounge, - leading into the kitchen.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- Everyone congregates in the kitchen - in my house in Cardiff...
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- ..so I may as well - have one, big room.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52- Come here, Aled.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54- You can see all the way up.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- What a great place - to dry your smalls!
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- Santa may struggle a bit!
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- Who last lived here and when?
0:02:05 > 0:02:10- Who last lived here and when?- - I heard a rumour that a shepherd - lived in this bit, 200 years ago.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- Since then, - they've been waiting for me!
0:02:16 > 0:02:17- I've arrived!
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- This is the bedroom.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- Are you only going to have - one bedroom?
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Yes. - I don't want to create pigeonholes.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- I need plenty of space - because I'm six foot three.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- You don't plan to have house guests?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- You don't plan to have house guests?- - They can bring a tent.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- You live near here. - They can stay with you!
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- The third building - is on the lower site.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- It's in better condition - than the others...
0:03:05 > 0:03:10- ..but making something of it - will be an even greater challenge.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- This is the third building.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16- What do you hope to do here?
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- What do you hope to do here?- - 'Intend' not 'hope'. Be positive!
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- What do you intend to do?
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- What do you intend to do?- - There will be a huge window there - and this will be the front door.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- You come in, through the front door, - into an L-shaped kitchen.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- There will be a small bathroom, - to your left...
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- ..and a double bedroom, - above the bathroom.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58- We went back six months later and - the plans had changed dramatically.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- Wow! This is completely different - from what I expected.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- This was meant to be the kitchen - but the plans have changed.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12- This is now a bedroom.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- There will be a fantastic fireplace - in the bedroom.
0:04:16 > 0:04:22- The bathroom - will be somewhere around here.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- It will be a small bathroom, - with just a shower.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- The bath will be over here, - in the bedroom.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- I'll have a bath, facing the fire.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- My bed will be here.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- This will be an enormous window.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- It should look like a chapel.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52- There will be a glass corridor here. - We're not allowed to build walls.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- This was going to be a bedroom - but it will now be a kitchen.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- The cooker will be in this area.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03- Here it is!
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- I'll sit over there - and the sun will set, right here.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- There will be French doors here...
0:05:16 > 0:05:17- ..leading to my garden.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- I wanted another room, - with a glass roof, here...
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- ..but they said, "No way, Jose!"
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- Work was progressing well...
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- ..but architect Donald Jones had - hit a snag in the third building.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58- My problem is we either - stick to the original plan...
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- ..or we change the staircase.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- It was meant to start here - and wind its way around the room...
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- ..with a mezzanine level - in that corner.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- Will it dominate the whole house?
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- As long as you keep the four walls, - as they are...
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- ..whatever you do to the interior - is completely up to you.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Have the mezzanine in that corner...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- ..with a small staircase - leading to it.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- A staircase, behind the bathroom?
0:06:34 > 0:06:35- A staircase, behind the bathroom?- - Yes.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Do you agree with me?
0:06:37 > 0:06:38- Do you agree with me?- - Yes.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Is it a cheaper option?
0:06:40 > 0:06:41- Is it a cheaper option?- - I aim to please.
0:06:42 > 0:06:42- Yes, but is it cheaper?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- Yes, but is it cheaper?- - Yes.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- Alfie! Bill! Come on.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- It's February, 2005, - and the work has been completed.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Was it worth the hassle?
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- There was a period, early on, - just after I'd actually bought it...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- I had to remortgage - my house in Cardiff...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- ..because I couldn't get a mortgage - on this place.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- I had a moment of self-doubt.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- Since then, I haven't panicked.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- I had a clear vision and I was - confident throughout the process.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47- After a year of hard graft, - the buildings have been reborn...
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- ..and Stifyn has put - his unique stamp on the interior.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Both sites have been completed - - both upper and lower.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- We begin on the upper site.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- The national park didn't have - many rules for us to follow.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- I think I've turned every negative - into a positive.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- My original dream - was to have lots of stone walls.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15- Things have changed.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- You must add as many layers as - possible, for insulation purposes.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26- That's when I decided the interior - of the buildings would be modern.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- The negative turned into a positive.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- The same thing is true - of the corridor.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- The corridor looks really nice, - sandwiched between two barns.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- It's a long, clean strip of glass - and I think it works really well.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- To be honest, - I didn't have a definite plan.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- I just knew I was doing the - right thing and I'd be happy here.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- I've bought my Heaven on earth.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- This glass corridor leads you - from the lounge to the bedroom.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Walking through it is a unique - and very strange experience.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- It's almost like - swimming in a fish tank.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Another surprise awaits us in here.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- More than one surprise awaits us, - to be fair.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- Here's the first one - - a huge bath, in front of the fire.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- It isn't a bathroom.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- The toilet and shower - are over there.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- There's a comfy chair here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- This is actually a bedroom.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51- What a huge window!
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- The smallest building - offered the biggest challenge.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Stifyn has created a large space - in this small barn.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- This house is a complete package.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Everything you could possibly need - is under this roof.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- It's a room, rather than a house.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- I made sure it contains the - essentials for a week's holiday...
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- ..or a six-month stay.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35- It's all here.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- It's wonderful that you put - the dining area in the window.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- This is almost a feature, - within the room.
0:10:44 > 0:10:51- I toyed with the idea of putting a - sofa here and a dining table there.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- My instinct told me - it was a dining area.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- The sunsets you see from here - are absolutely fantastic.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- It upstages even the best cuisine!
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- You used the space behind you - very cleverly.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- This corner includes - all of life's necessities.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- This is the smallest kitchen - imaginable...
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- ..but it has everything, - apart from a washing machine.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- There's a dishwasher in there.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- I cooked Christmas dinner here - for my partner and my mother.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- The kitchen is big enough - for a small family.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45- I've calmed down.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- I'll have a cup of tea - in front of the fire...
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- ..rather than go out, partying.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- I'm in the right place - at the right time.
0:12:16 > 0:12:16- 888
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- 888- - 888
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- You need two things - to renovate an old house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25- Guts and vision.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Sarra Elgan and Simon, her partner, - have plenty of both.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- We'd been house-hunting - for six months...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- ..before we found the cowshed.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- We weren't - looking for a renovation project.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- We just wanted to - move out of Cardiff.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- We live in Cardiff Bay, - at the moment...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- ..and we felt the time was right - to grow up a bit.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- We wanted some land, too...
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- ..so, although this place needs - a lot of work, we jumped at it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- What appeals to you - about this place?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- It's a fairly awkward layout.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- It's one long corridor, really.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- It's one long corridor, really.- - Yes, it's an L-shaped corridor.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- The views are breathtaking - and it's really quiet, up here.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- It's lovely.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- The architect has been fab. - He's on his seventh design!
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- We've chopped and changed a lot.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- I think now we've decided - what we want to do...
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- ..and we can't wait to get started.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- This is the longest section - of the building.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Do you hope to keep the length?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Do you hope to keep the length?- - Yes. It will all be open plan.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- The kitchen will be in this area, - over here.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- That then leads to the dining room, - which leads to a living room.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- What sort of style kitchen - will you choose?
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- I want a farmhouse kitchen, - with a modern twist.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- I have an ideas book.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- I cut out pictures from magazines - and stick them in my book.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Simon thinks I'm crazy!
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- We have a few ideas.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36- We want to keep the same feel - throughout the property.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Will this be the lounge?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Yes, this will be the main lounge.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- We'll have a second lounge, - at the far end.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47- The view from here is fantastic.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- The view from here is fantastic.- - You'll put a window here, then?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- The view from here is fantastic.- - You'll put a window here, then?- - This will all be glass.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- That's a special stile, isn't it?
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Yes. That's where Simon - popped the question.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- Fair play to him.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- He's a hopeless romantic, - the poor boy!
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- I think I can guess - what this used to be!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- You won't keep it - as a milking parlour?
0:15:21 > 0:15:22- No, I don't think so!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- It was fully-equipped, - three weeks ago.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- We're going to get rid of that wall.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- The plan is to create a large hall.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- That's always been our intention.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- We want a large hall.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43- That's the first thing people see, - before they step in to the house.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- The bathroom goes over here.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47- The bathroom goes over here.- - In the hole?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- The bathroom goes over here.- - In the hole?- - No, we'll fill it with concrete!
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- There will also be a bedroom here.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- You're going to - build an extension here.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Yes, the extension - will go out, from here.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- It will include a second living room - and a bedroom.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07- It will be a big house.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- It will be a big house.- - Yes. It should be lovely.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- It's difficult to imagine it, - at the moment...
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- ..but I hope it's quite nice, - at the end of the day.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- It will be - a breathtaking transformation.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Yes.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- I look forward - to coming back to see it.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Projects like these are exciting.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- It will be great - to see the whole thing evolve.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- I can actually visualise the house - but I struggled, at first.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- I had no idea of the scale - of the work needed here.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- I'm really excited now and - I can't wait for the work to start.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- I want to know how it will turn out.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- This is more than a house to me.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29- It's a small building.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- A very simple house.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- It was once a stable.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- I don't care about that.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- It's really grand, in my eyes.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- It's more of a concept - than a reality.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Within the walls of my home...
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- ..is everything which has been - important to me, during my life.
0:17:59 > 0:18:05- The people I've loved, the animals, - my work and Wales, itself.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- That's what I like to think.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11- As a travel writer...
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- ..Jan Morris praises cities - and countries across the world.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- Home is where her heart is and - her home it here, in Llanystumdwy.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- I've lived in this house - for more than 30 years.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- I've written more than 30 books - during that time.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44- I've seen my children grow up - and my grandchildren arrive.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- I'll live here - for the rest of my life...
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- ..with the woman who has - been my partner for 50 years.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Elizabeth Morris.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- Happily ever after.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- You'd expect an author's house - to be full of books...
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- ..and this house doesn't disappoint.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- This central room is full of books.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- Jan works and reads in here.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- It's a pleasure to be here.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- What adds to the ambience of this - room is the floor, funnily enough.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- It's lino - but it has a classical look.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- I told Jan I thought it was Roman...
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- ..and she said - it came from Blaenau Ffestiniog!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- There's an amazing variety - of books here.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- There are books - on every subject here.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Jan has varied interests.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Before we moved in, - horses and stablehands lived here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- I can feel their presence - in the wood and the stones.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Owls also lived here.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- We see bats here, from time to time, - and too many spiders!
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- The roots of this house - are deep in the soil of the area.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- In the soil, - in the wildlife, in nature...
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- ..and in its own history.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- It's built from local stone.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48- No house in the world - is more organic than Treflan Morris.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- The same pattern - continues upstairs, to some extent.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- This room is full of things - which are close to Jan's heart.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- Pictures of the family - and of places she's visited.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- A painting of Venice - and a painting of Cricieth.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- We're in the structure - of the roof itself.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- You can see the row of A-frames - stretching from end to end.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- This, in essence, - is the length of the house.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- The stablehands slept here, - above the horses.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Some of these books - were written by Jan.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- They're in - every language imaginable.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- If I step out of the lounge, you can - see to the far end of the house.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- This is a small gallery.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Some of these pictures - relate to historical events.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07- This is a picture of Everest - when it was conquered in 1953.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- This is an interesting cartoon - by Frank Brangwyn.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- It once hanged in the House of Lords - but it's now in Brangwyn Hall.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- This is a picture of Jan, herself.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- This staircase - takes us back to the kitchen.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- It's quite a tricky manoeuvre, - for a man who loves chips!
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- It's very narrow.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- I hope the Morris family lives here - for ever.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- I hope this house stands here - for ever...
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- ..as a symbol of thanksgiving - to Wales.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- This house has been my inspiration.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:49 > 0:23:51