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0:00:36 > 0:00:41- "My name is Elizabeth Watkin Jones, - or Lys as everyone knows me by now.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- ALARM CLOCK BEEPS
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- "I was born in 1888...
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- .."the fourth child - of John and Jane Jones, Blaenycwm...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- .."Cwm Cynllwyd, Meirion."
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- It's a sort of journal - my grandmother wrote.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- There's a chapter - to her grandchildren.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- My mother, Rhiannon, - was her daughter.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- I decided to take Lleucu, - my daughter...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- ..and Rhiannon, her daughter, - around the valley...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- ..to see the houses - my grandmother used to pass...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- ..on her way home from school.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36- My grandmother had lived - in Liverpool for much of her life.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41- Returning to Blaenycwm and Tanybwlch - filled her heart with joy.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- It's very close to us all - as a family.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Reaching Blaenycwm before nightfall
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- OK, Nanon fach?
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- The journey starts in Llanuwchllyn.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- We follow the road - through Cwm Cynllwyd...
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- ..over Bwlch y Groes - to Dinas Mawddwy.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- Blaenycwm, - where my grandmother was raised...
0:02:28 > 0:02:30- ..is the last farm in the valley.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- Today, our family inhabits - almost every house in the valley.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- They're all descended from one - of my grandmother's brothers...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- ..Uncle Johnny.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- Here we are - Llanuwchllyn Station.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- The train leaves from here.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- Before starting our journey - up the valley...
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- ..I was eager to meet someone - from Cynllwyd who remembered Nain.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- Margaret's lived in Bethesda - for the past 30 years...
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- ..but her memories of Cwm Cynllwyd - are very vivid.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- How are you, Margaret? - It's been a long time.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11- A long time.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Here are Nanon and Lleucu.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- You have the same name as Neina.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- Margaret is the daughter - of Auntie Bess...
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- ..who was the daughter - of Uncle Johnny, Nain's brother.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- Lys was Margaret's great aunt.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- It's odd to think that - Taid and Nain met at this station.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Taid didn't live locally.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- Nain came from Dolgellau. - She caught the train in Dolgellau...
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- ..and Taid - came from the other direction...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- ..and both trains arrived - at the station at the same time.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- That's how it all started.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- What kind of person was Neina, - your Auntie Lys?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- I was about 18 when she died.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- I can remember her being - a very busy person.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- She was very eloquent.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- She was a story teller.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- If anyone ever asked her how - she was, she would reply "Da iawn".
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- She used to drive the car.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Uncle Dan couldn't drive.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- He was a good back seat driver, - though!
0:04:21 > 0:04:22- Poor Lys!
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- Her family - was very important to her.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34- She wrote a lot about it in - her journal to her grandchildren.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- That's such a good idea.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- It all starts here, - at Llanuwchllyn Station.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- It traces the journey from - the primary school up to Blaenycwm.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- "Here we are at the station - in Llanuwchllyn.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- "Every Welsh child - has heard of Llanuwchllyn.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- "This is the home - of Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- .."the founder - of Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- "On leaving Heol yr Orsaf - and turning left...
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- .."you'll pass a special house - on the right.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- "Its name is Pengeulan, the home - of O M Edwards' grandfather."
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- This is where Gwilym lived.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- He would travel on the train - to Llanuwchllyn with Taid.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- I love the stonework.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- It's lovely. He knew Nain.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- In a way, - he introduced Taid to Nain.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- It's starting to rain.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Hoods up.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- "Let's move on. We have a five-mile - journey ahead of us.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- "We have many things to see - on the way."
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- We're going to cross the bridge - and walk up the path.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Do you remember the river's name?
0:06:02 > 0:06:03- Do you remember the river's name?- - Twrch.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- Like a pig!
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- "Walking is the best way.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- "We can see far more if we walk.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15- "In a car, we would rush past - all the interesting places.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- "We pass Yr Hen Felin and cross - the bridge over the River Twrch.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- "We'll be following the river - almost to its source."
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- Look at me. And get Gu in.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31- Smile!
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- "We can trim a quarter of a mile - off our journey...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- .."by walking up this path - on the right...
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- .."all the way up to Caeceunant."
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- You're doing well, Nanon.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- Be careful, cariad.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- "It's steep, but it will save us - walking an extra quarter of a mile."
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- It's very slippery here.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Be careful near the road.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- "We join the road - near the old forge.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- "I remember when I used - to walk home from school...
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- .."I'd walk with Betty Edwards, - Coed y Pry...
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- .."for part of the journey.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- "As we walked, - she would hold on to my arm.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- "Coed y Pry was just below - the road...
0:07:29 > 0:07:35- .."and she would walk home - across the fields.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- "Four sons were raised here.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- "Three of them became prominent - in the world of education.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- "Sir Owen Edwards, Professor - Edward Edwards, Aberystwyth...
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- .."John Morgan Edwards, headmaster - of Holywell County School...
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- .."while the fourth son stayed home - to farm the family's land.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- "His name was Tomos.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- "On the right-hand side - of the road is a farm called Bryn."
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Do you think the man - who lives there is called Bryn?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- Bryn is the first house in the - valley where our relatives live.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Jac and Gwenfair live here.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- I'm not sure if these dogs - like children.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- You'll see plenty of dogs - in this valley.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- Jac's lived in Cwm Cynllwyd - all his life.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36- He's the son of Treb, and grandson - of Uncle Johnny, Nain's brother.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Lys was his great aunt.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- This is the corn harvest - in Tanybwlch.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- I brought a book - of Taid's photographs with me...
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- ..as well as Nain's journal.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- He was very interested - in the photos taken at Bryn.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- There's a 'nyrs' of trees there.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Is 'nyrs' the name - for a wooded area?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- I've heard of Craig y Nyrs.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Yes, a 'nyrs' of trees.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- Do you recognise some of these?
0:09:21 > 0:09:22- Do you recognise some of these?- - Is this Auntie Lys?
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Yes. That's my grandmother.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- Jac and Gwenfair recognised many of - the faces and places in the photos.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- This brought the photos alive.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- This is the last photograph - taken of her before she died.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38- Is this Meinir?
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- Is this Meinir?- - Yes - when I was three years old.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- She wrote the journal to her - grandchildren during that year.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- Who's this?
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Nannon. There's a striking likeness - with the rest of the family.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- That's my mother - and Lleucu's grandmother.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Can you see the likeness?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Nannon Sion.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- "Three returned to the old land,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- "Three links to wander,
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- "To tread old paths - and feel the rocks,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- "To see old faces from the ancestry.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- "Each link spread far and wide,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- "But the root - returns them to the family."
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- "Soon after leaving Bryn...
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- .."and Coed y Pry...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- .."we reach two houses - under the same roof.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- "They were known as 'dau ben ty'."
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Look, Lleucu - - I'm sure that's Afonfechan.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- Two houses joined together.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- "When my sister Margaret and I - started attending school...
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- .."from Monday to Friday, - every week...
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- .."we would stay - in the furthest of the two houses.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- "That's one major difference - between our childhood...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- .."and the present day.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- "Children today don't need - to walk all the way to school.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- "They travel by car or by bus...
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- .."and if the journey home - is too far...
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- .."the government pays - for their board through the week.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- "We had to walk - almost five miles to school.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- "We would stay in the village - for five nights a week.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- "When it was time to attend school - in Bala, we would stay in Bala.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- "Our parents had to pay our board.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- "There was one advantage - to living far from school.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- "The children's police - had little hold over us!
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- "And we always had a free morning - on Monday...
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- .."as we made - the five-mile journey to school."
0:11:59 > 0:11:59- 888
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- 888
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- So far, the journey - had been interesting and emotional.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- It was a joy to meet relatives - who remembered my grandmother Lys.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- It was also pleasing - to hear them talk about...
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- ..the people and places - she wrote about in her journal...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- ..and whose photographs - were taken by my grandfather.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- Rhyd-y-Bod is around here somewhere.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34- Beryl's meeting us there.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- She's responsible for tracing - the family's ancestry.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- She knows how everyone's related.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- Beryl is responsible - for researching the family tree.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- The family forest as she calls it.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- Hello, how are you?
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- It's been a long time.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54- How are you, Nanon?
0:12:54 > 0:12:55- How are you, Nanon?- - And Lleucu.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- Beryl is Jac Bryn's sister.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- She's Treb's daughter - and Johnny's granddaughter.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- She's also my grandmother's - great niece.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- This is Rhyd-y-Bod.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- That's an interesting name. - The 'Rhyd' is very obvious.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Yes, you can see the river - down below us.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- There are two possible explanations - for the name.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25- Rhyd-yr-Abad.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Rhyd-yr-Abad.- - There's a possible - religious link there.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- The other explanation is 'boda' - meaning buzzard - the Roman buzzard.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38- The Romans used to place a statue - of the buzzard near the river.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- The bird?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- That's another possible explanation - for the name.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- There was a Roman road - in the next valley.
0:13:47 > 0:13:53- I don't know if you've passed - Brynmelyn in the next valley.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- We've just followed - Lys' notes, really.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- "A family of seven children - used to live here a century ago.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- "Robert Jones, John Jones, my - grandfather - my mother's father...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- .."Dafydd Jones, - who left for Patagonia...
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- .."and Margaret Jones - who married Tomos Ellis' friend."
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- The family moved here around 1830.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- It's quite a sad story.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- The father died.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- His widow was your - great-grandmother.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Of course, - my grandmother was your Auntie Lys.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- Yes, Auntie Lys.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37- The family lived here...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- ..when your grandmother - used to walk up the valley.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- She used to pass this house.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- The house was full of children - at the time.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- "Two field widths away, - we reach a fork in the road.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- "There are two chapels.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- "The Independent chapel - on the upper side...
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- .."and the Methodist chapel - on the fork between the two roads.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- "When my father was a young boy...
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- .."a school was held in the - Methodist chapel every winter."
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- This is Cwm Croes road.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- It leads to the Aran Mountain.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- This is the Methodist chapel.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- This is where Auntie Bess' funeral - was held.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- The Independent chapel - used to be up there.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Such a small place with two chapels!
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Come in, then.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- There aren't many seats here.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55- No.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- I should call them pews. - They're pews in a chapel.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- The 'sedd fawr' - the Deacons' Seat.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- A very important place to sit.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- This account book - belonged to Simon Jones.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- He's noted the contributions - made by people to build the chapel.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- It's all in English!
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- The official language!
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- Contributions of two shillings - and a shilling.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- You don't remember shillings - I do!
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- It names many of the farms.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- They've recorded some births here.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- This is my grandfather - - John Jones in 1878.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Uncle Daf in 1880.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- Auntie Maggie in 1883.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Here she is. Lys Jones.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- It's a record of her birth.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- It's a record of her birth.- - No! Well, well, well.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- # If I had fallen last night... #
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- "Talardd is another interesting - house on the banks of the Twrch.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- "An oil painting of the house, - with the Aran behind it...
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- .."was made in 1846.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- "In the painting, - you can see Tynycae...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- .."with smoke rising - from its chimney...
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- .."and beside the Aran, - Aran Benllyn and Nantybarcud.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- "In the distance, you can see - the summit of Aran Fawddwy...
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- .."which is a little higher - than Cader Idris."
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- "Take the road to the right - which crosses two rivers...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- .."and on to Cwm Croes, - following the bend in the river.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- "Along Cwm Croes - you'll pass seven farms.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14- "Talardd, Tynycae, Tymawr, - Gweirglodd-Gilfach, Nantyllyn...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- .."Nantybarcud and Cwmffynnon."
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- Cwm Croes is often considered - to be part of Cynllwyd...
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- ..but this little valley - feels very different.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- By the time we reach Cwmffynnon...
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- ..it feels as if we've reached - the end of the world.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- This is Cwmffynnon.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- It's tiny!
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- "No-one lives in Cwmffynnon now.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- "When I was a young girl, - I would regularly visit...
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- .."the kind family that lived there.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- "The father, John Evans, - lived until he was in his nineties."
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- How are you? This is Nanon fach.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- How are you? This is Nanon fach.- - This is Nanon? How are you, Nanon?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Gwynfor farms Cwmffynnon today.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- This is his paradise.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- Gwynfor is Jac and Beryl's brother.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- He is my grandmother's great nephew.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- "There was a great flood in 1926...
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- .."and the family were forced - to leave their home.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- "It's an old-fashioned house...
0:19:28 > 0:19:33- .."with a wide grate stretching from - one side of the hearth to the other.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- "The stairs rise up - next to the fireplace."
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- This is the fireplace. - It used to have a large chimney.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- The buttery and the wash house - were the other side of this wall.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- The water flowed down the ravine...
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- ..and washed away the stone - and walls into the farmyard.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- They re-built this wall - but didn't re-build the chimney.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- It was very dangerous.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- The water poured in - through that little door.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- The kitchen filled up - with sand and gravel.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Hannah and the farm-hand - fled for their lives.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- They ran up to the ridge - behind the house.
0:20:22 > 0:20:29- # After the pain - of the long journey
0:20:29 > 0:20:37- # And the harsh oppression
0:20:37 > 0:20:43- # A joyous balm - from heaven above... #
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- Gruffydd and his sister Hannah - lived in Cwmffynnon...
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- ..before the great flood.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- The dogs and Gruffydd - didn't get on that well.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- Look at Beryl laughing!
0:21:02 > 0:21:08- Hannah looked after the dogs - far better than Gruffydd did.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15- When he wanted to go and round up - the sheep, he'd take them with him.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- This one time, he was rounding up - the sheep on the mountain.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- The dogs were in the house with - Hannah so he shouted after them.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- "Hannah!" he shouted. Hannah - was on the doorstep watching him.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- "What, Gruffydd?" she replied.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- "Let the dogs out, Hannah!"
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- "They're not here, Gruffydd."
0:21:36 > 0:21:41- "I can see their white teeth shining - under the table!" he replied.
0:21:52 > 0:21:52- 888
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- 888
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- My mother, Rhiannon, would describe - herself as a Cynllwyd girl...
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- ..even though she was raised - in Liverpool and Cardiff.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14- This valley means so much to so many - of us who have never lived here.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- The attraction to the land and the - unique way of life is very powerful.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- I used to cut peat years ago - on the slopes around here.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- On the land around Tanybwlch.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- I say "I" used to cut peat. - I'd go with my uncle.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- He used to cut peat - - Uncle Sei, Mam's brother.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- My mother's brother.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Cousin. Your mother's cousin.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- Your grandmother's brother, - of course.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- Well, your grandmother's - brother's son, to be precise.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- For Uncle Sei, - cutting peat was an art form.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- He used to cut peat in May.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- It was left on the hillside - for a few days...
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- ..and then made into a pile - in the shape of a wigwam.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- When the peat was dry, - it was brought down...
0:23:06 > 0:23:07- ..to the house.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- ..to the house.- - And burnt.
0:23:09 > 0:23:15- The smell of burning peat was truly - wonderful, like an exquisite balm.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- I can well appreciate - the warmth in winter.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23- In those days, - peat was an integral part of life.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- David's mother is Bess, - Uncle Johnny's daughter.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- She's niece to my grandmother, Lys.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- David is also Margaret's brother.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- We met Margaret at the beginning - of the journey in Llanuwchllyn.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- This is the fairies' rock.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45- In the land of the fairies, - no-one ages.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- When I was younger, - around your age...
0:23:49 > 0:23:55- ..I used to find letters - from the fairies under this rock.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00- The letters would invite me - to the land of the fairies.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06- I was supposed to hit - this enormous rock...
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- ..three times.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Once.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Twice.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15- Three times.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- The rock would open.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- A ladder would lead you - right to the bottom...
0:24:23 > 0:24:29- ..to a road made of gold and silver.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- If you walked along - this gold and silver road...
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- ..you would reach - the land of the fairies.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44- The problem was hitting this - enormous rock in the correct place.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- I still haven't found - the correct place.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- With our feet - firmly back on the ground...
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- ..following the main road - through the valley...
0:24:55 > 0:24:59- ..we reached the house - at the fork to Blaenycwm - Tynant.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04- "George Borrow - wrote about Tynant in 'Wild Wales'.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08- "He described how he walked - up to the door to ask for a drink.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- "The door was opened by a woman.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- "She could well have been - one of our relatives...
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- .."the older sister - of my great grandfather...
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- .."Simon Jones, Blaenycwm - and Mary Jones, his wife.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- "My daughter, - Rhiannon Prys Evans, Llangadog...
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- .."has a silver spoon - with the engraving 'M J'."
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- This is the road over Bwlch y Groes.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- We're taking the right-hand fork - to Blaenycwm.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- This is the road to Blaenycwm.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42- We'll be there before nightfall - to meet Arwyn and Glenys.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- They've got a lot of dogs.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- They've got a lot of dogs.- - Nanon will love that!
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Have you had enough tea?
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- I don't think she likes it!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- The next house we pass - on this road is Tynyfron.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- It's a wonderful house.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- It's a wonderful house.- - Auntie Gwyneth lives here.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- It's not her, but her husband, - that's related to me.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07- Simon Jones - Uncle Sei.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- I think he was - my grandmother's nephew.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- Oh, Lys.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- There's a car here. - I think she's in.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22- Come on, Nanon, come and meet - Auntie Gwyneth for the first time.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Hello. How are you, Auntie Gwyneth?
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- Auntie Gwyneth's husband, - Simon Jones, Tanybwlch...
0:26:34 > 0:26:36- ..was Uncle Johnny's son.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38- Gwyneth is niece-in-law to Lys.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41- You've kept so many photographs.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- Nain was Neina to me.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- Nain Nannon.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- And Nannon's mother.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- Auntie Lys.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56- Is that Auntie Lys? - Which college did she attend?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58- She went to college in Bangor.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- I think she studied Zoology.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- Whether that was her only subject, - I'm not sure.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06- This is Jane.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11- Today, Auntie Gwyneth is the - mother figure of Cwm Cynllwyd.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- She's the mother of the two who farm - the last two farms in the valley...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- ..Tanybwlch and Blaenycwm.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- Doris and Gwenan and the children.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Where is it?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- Tanybwlch is straight up that way.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- "If we stay on the road - under Craig yr Ogof...
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- .."we can see - a wide valley beneath us...
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- .."wider than anywhere - upwards of Llanuwchllyn.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- "This is Cwm Cynllwyd - and this is my old home.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46- "There are two farms here, - on either side of the river.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- "The River Twrch is a narrow - strip of water between both.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- "Tanybwlch is directly below us.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58- "This is where I lived - with my parents from 1901...
0:27:59 > 0:28:01- .."until I wed in 1915.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- "This is my home...
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- .."though I spent most - of my time at school and college...
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- .."and teaching in Dolgellau."
0:28:13 > 0:28:18- Gwyneth and her husband Simon used - to farm the land here years ago.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- Today, her grandson Simon - farms the land...
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- ..along with his mother Doris - and his sister Gwenan.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- Simon and Gwenan are - Auntie Gwyneth's grandchildren.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35- Uncle Sei was Lys' nephew, so Nain - is their great-great aunt.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38- That's Nain, looking very romantic!
0:28:38 > 0:28:42- I'm not sure - where that photograph was taken.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- We might have more luck - with the next one.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- You can see the river here.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- Do you recognise this picture, - Doris?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- I'd say it was taken - at Pont Blaenycwm.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58- It's very similar. - The wall is very similar.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- They've built a bridge here now.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- Just a footbridge.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04- That tree is still there.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06- I think so.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- I think so.- - It's a bit thicker now!
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- I'm going to re-take - some of these photographs.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Here's the Blaenycwm family.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- Uncle Daf, - Auntie Winnie and Auntie Bess.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- Uncle Johnny is your great - grandfather. He's not in the photo.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26- That wasn't taken in Blaenycwm. - It was taken here.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Do we need the outline - of the mountain behind us?
0:29:35 > 0:29:39- The River Twrch flows - between Tanybwlch and Blaenycwm.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- It inspired my grandfather, - Dan Thomas...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- ..and it featured - in many of his photographs.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- It might not be possible - to find the same locations today...
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- ..but the backdrop of the riverbanks - and meadows around the river...
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- ..are very similar, I'm sure.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- "The five of us - were born in Blaenycwm...
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- .."the farm on the other side - of the river.
0:30:15 > 0:30:21- "Johnny, David, Margaret, - myself and Simon.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26- "I have very fond memories - of my childhood.
0:30:26 > 0:30:32- "I imagine that Blaenycwm - was once an elegant house.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37- "But by the time we lived there, - it was on old, rundown building...
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- .."in dire need of repair.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- "The roof leaked...
0:30:42 > 0:30:47- .."and we'd often find a mound of - snow on the floor in the morning."
0:30:47 > 0:30:52- I remember hearing about Uncle Dei - working in the snow one time.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- He took off his wet clothes - and went to bed.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- The following morning, - he tried to put his trousers on...
0:31:02 > 0:31:03- ..but they were frozen solid.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06- I wouldn't fancy that today.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- We're so used - to central heating these days.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- Today, Arwyn looks - after Blaenycwm...
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- ..and the land that's been - in the family for generations.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24- He's Simon and Auntie Gwyneth's son - and Johnny's grandson.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- This little family - had finally reached Blaenycwm.
0:31:31 > 0:31:36- Nanon, the city girl, - loved the countryside, the people...
0:31:36 > 0:31:38- ..and the animals.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45- "I don't remember - having many wooden toys.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50- "We used to invent our own games - using the things we found around us.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- "One of our most popular games - was 'playing house'.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59- "There was a large yew tree - near the house.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- "Our little 'house' was always - positioned near its trunk.
0:32:03 > 0:32:09- "Every nook and cranny was decorated - with a plate or a cracked cup.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- "We'd light a fire - and boil some water."
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- How are you, Uncle Dei?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- Hello, how are you?
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Hello, how are you?- - You look very comfortable.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- Can we join you?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- Is this the yew tree - my grandmother talked about?
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Yes, this is the one. It's - the only yew tree in the valley.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38- It's around 200 years old.
0:32:38 > 0:32:44- We believe that Simon Jones, - my great-great grandfather...
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Not another Simon Jones!
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Another Simon Jones!
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- He planted it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- He was keen on planting trees.
0:32:54 > 0:33:01- He wrote that he'd once paid - William Thomas from Dinas Mawddwy...
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- ..23 to plant hedges and trees.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- That was a lot of money - in those days.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13- I'm very proud of the fact - that my great-great grandfather...
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- ..was planting trees in 1814...
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- ..150 years before - the Countryside Council for Wales.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- He was my great-great-great - grandfather.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- You might want to add - another great in there!
0:33:28 > 0:33:33- Uncle Dei, or Dafydd Wyn, - is Simon Blaenplwyf's son.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36- He moved away - to farm in Dinas Mawddwy.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- Simon is Lys' brother.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- Simon Jones - lived here 200 years ago.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43- He was Simon Jones.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45- He was Simon Jones.- - And your father was Simon Jones.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48- There are a lot of Simons - in the family.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50- Yes, strangely enough.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53- It's rather complicated.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- There's a record of a John - who died...
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- ..in the middle - of the eighteenth century.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- He had a son called Simon.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- Simon had a son called John.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09- John called his son Simon and - that Simon planted this tree.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12- Simon named his son John.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- I'm descended from Simon.
0:34:16 > 0:34:22- He had a son named John - who was Nain's elder brother.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24- Uncle Johnny.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- John's son was Simon - and he was my father.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- I'm not called John or Simon...
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- ..but one of my brothers - was called John...
0:34:34 > 0:34:38- ..and my brother was called - Simon, son of Simon.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48- "The history is passed on to - the granddaughters and grandsons.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52- "Nain wrote about her ancestry.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58- "So that they could enjoy - and trace their roots."
0:35:00 > 0:35:05- "On Saturday nights in the summer, - my brother Simon and I...
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- .."would ride the horses - to the summit of Craig y Nyrs...
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- .."to give them fresh pasture - for the week-end.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- "The view from the summit - was incredible."
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- Do these fields have names?
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- Yes, we've named all the fields.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29- Cae Newydd, Tyn Cae Newydd, - Yr Hen Rhos, Cae Mawr Isaf...
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- ..Y Rhos Goch, Beudy Rhos Goch, - Cae Mawr Uchaf...
0:35:35 > 0:35:40- ..Dol Wen, Yr Erw - and Cae Bach in the distance.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- The one behind the house.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46- All these are on this side - of the River Twrch.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- The river separates - Tanybwlch and Blaenycwm.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- "If I were a poet, - I would write about the view...
0:35:57 > 0:36:02- .."on a summer's night - as the sun gradually sets.
0:36:02 > 0:36:09- "The way ahead lit up - as the golden sun shines down on it.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14- "The sun sets slowly until - it disappears over the horizon.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- "I would love to see that view - once more.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23- "Then again, I'd rather not.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- "It will never be the same.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- "My mother was waiting for us, - having prepared our supper."
0:36:36 > 0:36:43- In memory of - RHIANNON PRYS EVANS 1919-2006 - Nannon, daughter of Ly
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- S4C subtitles by Rh Sion Morgan