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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- Though I was born in Old Colwyn, - when I was about two...
0:00:36 > 0:00:41- ..Dad was appointed headmaster - of a school in the countryside...
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- ..in a beautiful village - called Dolwyddelan.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- I lived here - until I was seven or eight.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- It's where I spent - the happiest years of my life.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- I still feel longing for the place.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- It was a wonderful place - to be brought up.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- This is the balcony of Llais Afon...
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- ..the house Dad built - in Dolwyddelan.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- It was revolutionary - in Dolwyddelan at the time...
0:01:23 > 0:01:29- ..because among the stone and slate - houses was a modern '70s house.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- We lived upstairs - and slept downstairs.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- My friends thought that was wowee!
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- They'd come round to the house - just to see its design.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- We had an orange kitchen.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Mam decided to put orange Formica - in the kitchen.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- After taking about five years - to build it...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- ..we only lived in it - for three or four years.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Losing it affected me.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- After moving away, - I used to phone the house.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Whoever lived here answered it - and I'd put the phone down.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- I wanted to maintain a link - with the house I missed so much.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20- I remember Dad waking my sister - and I up from our bunk beds.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- He got us up out of our beds - in our night dresses...
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- ..put wellingtons on our feet...
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- ..and plonked us in the middle of - wet cement to get our footprints.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- It's so lovely - as I haven't seen these for years.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- These are my footprints. - I was six at the time.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- And my sister's little footprints. - She was four.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45- That's so lovely.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- We were a very close-knit family.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- We're still very close - even though we've lost Mam.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- We lost her when she was 50.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- This reminds me a lot - of when Mam was young.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- She was healthy and happy.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- She was young. She was - in her thirties when she was here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20- My memories of Mam here - are very happy.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- A young couple - starting their careers...
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- ..and giving the most wonderful - start to their two young daughters.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- We walked to school, of course.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- We used to walk downhill.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- We used to cross this field.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- It's a field - that is badly affected by floods.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- So we often had to go around it - in winter.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- We'd walk hand in hand with Dad...
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- ..through the field, - over the bridge...
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- ..to the school.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- That was our simple life.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- I'd say that my happiest memories...
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- ..are based around this school.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- It was a small school - of about 27 children, I think.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- There were only four in my year.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Two girls, Eifiona and me, - and Adrian and Paul.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- We were a very strong unit.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42- I'll never forget Dad saying he was - taking up a headship in Bangor...
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- ..and that we'd have to leave here.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- I knew I'd have to leave - this strong little unit.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56- I remember running from this room, - or from the hall, I think...
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- ..to the toilet - that was around the corner.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- I locked myself in - for about half an hour.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- I couldn't leave - I was crying so much.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- That heartbreak is still so real - in my mind.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- Coming back here, - the place is so small.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- It was a hive of activity.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- There was so much going on.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- It was very sociable.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Considering the very small number - of children here...
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- ..what happened in the school - is incredible.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- I was quite a shy and serious child.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- There were things - that really affected me.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- I was quiet, happy - and conscientious.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- I wasn't naughty at all.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- I was fairly quiet.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12- My sister was the nightmare.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Dolwyeddelan Castle - is very close to my heart.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- This is where we used to come - as children.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- What a place - to have as a playground.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39- There's an old legend about an old - cauldron buried under the castle.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- When we were children, we'd look - for the cauldron at weekends!
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- We really believed that we were - going to find this cauldron...
0:06:50 > 0:06:51- ..eventually.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- As Dolwyddelan Castle - is one of the few Welsh castles...
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- ..it attracts tourists.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- We took full advantage - as children.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- We charged them money.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- Eifiona, my friend, - had a horse called Pwtyn.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16- Without a saddle or anything, they - were plonked on the back of Pwtyn...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- ..and took them around the farm - for 10p.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24- We'd then go straight down to the - shop to buy sweets and ice cream.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- It's obvious how gorgeous - and lovely the place is.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Of course, you want to live - in a beautiful place.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- But it's more than that.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- The people made Dolwyddelan for me.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- They're down to earth - but there's a strong culture here.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- There are poets and singers here.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- I was surrounded - by these special people.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- I'd experience the culture - at chapel and local eisteddfods.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- They're simple, wonderful, - lovely people.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- This place - is most definitely a part of me.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- After the shock of leaving - Dolwyddelan when I was eight...
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- ..we moved to Bangor as a family, - to Penrhosgarnedd.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- It's about a mile up the road - from Menai Bridge.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- This stretch of the Menai Bridge...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- ..became very, very important - to me...
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- ..as a young child, as a student - and as an adult.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- It's a place that's meant a lot - to me many times during my life.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- I wasn't very adventurous...
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- ..when choosing - where to go to university...
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- ..because I stayed near this river - - I went to Bangor University.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- I decided to study Welsh and Drama.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- This part of the Menai - really brings me joy...
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- ..without being over-sentimental.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- My whole family can see - one small part of the Menai.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Dad lives in Caernarfon, - which is right on the Menai.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- My sister looks over - this small bit of the Menai too.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47- When I worked up here, - I rented a place on the Menai too.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- There was something nice about - knowing that every night...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..that we all could see this one bit - of the Menai.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- I'm not sure what the real name - of this place is...
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- ..but I've always called it - the fairies' circle.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- It's where we came as children - to start being independent...
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- ..doing what children do.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- A lot of foolish evenings - were spent here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Lots of talking and gossiping...
0:10:23 > 0:10:24- ..and growing up.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- After leaving the fairies' circle, - you turn left along the Menai...
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- ..and then go along the path that - takes you along the Belgian Prom...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ..before turning - to go over the stone bridge...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- ..towards Llantysilio island.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- The small church between Britannia - Bridge and Menai Bridge...
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- ..has given me so much - comfort and peace over the years.
0:11:02 > 0:11:08- Llantysilio island has been a - pilgrimage for me for many decades.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- It's been important to me - in good times and bad.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- It's given me tranquillity.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- Having said that, I've had a lot - of fun on this little island too.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- As students at Bangor University...
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- ..we'd go over Menai Bridge...
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- ..and find our way to this island.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- Cynan has been buried here.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- We had some silly evenings - by the grave...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- ..reciting poetry and so on.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- As life got a bit harder...
0:11:52 > 0:11:57- ..I've found that walking - over the bridge along the Menai...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- ..has helped the soul.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- This small church means a lot to me.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20- When I lost Mam when I was 26...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- ..it was hard - to make sense of things.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Why she had to die so young.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- Coming to this place on my own...
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- ..to clear my head - and try to find something.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- I'm not religious at all...
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- ..but I liked the tranquillity - and simplicity of this place.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- It's unassuming, simple - and puts a smile on my face.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55- Those are three things - that I associated with my mother.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- So, it's also a very happy place.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05- It's quite a special place.
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0:13:16 > 0:13:16- Subtitles
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- The third place isn't a place.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Rather, it's a thing, - a part of life.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- I'm talking about the road - from North to South Wales...
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- ..or from South to North, - the blinking A470.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- It's a part of us. - It even has its own Twitter page.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- It's legendary - and part of being Welsh.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- # The A470 is calling
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- # Following the white line - on the road
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- # It's far if you come from Anglesey
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- # The A470 is calling
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- # Back to the city down south #
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- I love driving.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- Though I curse the A470...
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- ..I'm happiest when I'm in the car.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- I don't if it's because Dad put me - in the car when I was a baby...
0:14:19 > 0:14:20- ..to get me to sleep!
0:14:27 > 0:14:33- The place I stop for petrol most of - the time is Cwt Gwyn in Dolgellau.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- I hate stopping for petrol, which - I know is a silly thing to say...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- ..because you need it - to continue your journey.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- But I do hate stopping for petrol.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50- Hello!
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- Hello! Are you OK?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- I'll have my usual coffee.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- I like to stop for coffee.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- I'm very familiar - with the coffee machine.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- The staff are very welcoming. - They all speak Welsh.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- They ask me whether I'm on my way up - or my way down.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- It's now a tradition.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- If I don't stop there...
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- ..I know that something's - not right with the journey.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- I love driving - and I love being in the car.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- It's a four-hour journey...
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- ..and if I do it as often as I have - been doing in the past few years...
0:15:54 > 0:16:00- ..that's eight hours a week, almost, - of being on my own.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- So my mind does wander.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- # Up and down, up and down #
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- I do listen to a lot of music.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- I sing and let my mind wander.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- As very often happens, - I come to and think...
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- .."I've no idea where I am!
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- "Have I been through Llanelwedd? - Have I been in Llanbrynmair?"
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- Since so many parts of the road - look similar to another part...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- ..I very often - don't know on which bit I'm on.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- # Up and down, up and down
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- # In the air, on the ground #
0:16:47 > 0:16:53- One part of the journey that - takes my breath away every time...
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- ..is Bwlch yr Oerddrws.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- It doesn't matter if I'm travelling - from north to south...
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- ..or from south to north, Bwlch yr - Oerddrws has something to offer.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- If I'm going from south to north...
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- ..you can't beat the car chugging - just as it gets to the top...
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- ..and then it feels like - it deserves something at the end.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- What it gets is - as you come over that ridge...
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- ..you see the expanse of Cader Idris - and the other mountains.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- If you go from north to south, - seeing that and leaving it behind...
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- ..just before you go downhill...
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- ..you know that one of the best - stretches on the A470...
0:17:37 > 0:17:38- ..is coming up.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- # Up and down, up and down
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- # In the air, on the ground #
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- I use the car very often...
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- ..if I have something to learn.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- I'll turn into a layby - or I'll park in a park...
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- ..because in the house, - I'll find something else to do.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- I feel that the car - restricts me to one place.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- But you don't feel lonely - if you're parked somewhere.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- You still see the world - going on around you...
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- ..yet you don't have to talk - to anyone.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- I'd say that most of my lines - over the years...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- ..have been learnt in the car.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36- "I have suckled a baby...
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- "..and I know how sweet it - is to love the baby at my breast."
0:18:40 > 0:18:45- After leaving university, I made a - living as a presenter to begin with.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- In time, - the acting bug caught me again.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- I've had great parts over the years.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- The ones that come to mind - are Llinos in Amdani...
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- ..Theatr Genedlaethol's Siwan - and Anweledig's one-woman show.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Also, the part of Alwena - in Rownd a Rownd...
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- ..and more recently, - Rhiannon in Byw Celwydd.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Unfortunately, as I get older...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- ..my nervousness - is actually getting worse.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- I suffer a lot with nerves.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Not just on stage, any more.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- I suffer with nerves - when doing television work too.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- I didn't suffer from that at all - when I was younger.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- For years, I had a superstition...
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- ..of waving at a plastic chef...
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- ..that was outside a cafe - near Bryncir.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- I did it for years.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- If I didn't wave - at the little chef...
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- ..I thought - that something bad would happen.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- That was - until I passed the cafe one day...
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- ..and someone - had stolen the little chef.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- It was made of plastic.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- Because that happened, I decided - I had to find something...
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- ..that would never move - and no-one would be able to steal.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25- So I've chosen - a statue in Mid Wales...
0:20:25 > 0:20:30- ..I know that even a nuclear bomb...
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- ..wouldn't be able to shift.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- It's a statue - of David Davies, Llandinam.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- I forgot to wave once.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- This is no word of a lie.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- I'd gone about five miles...
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- ..but I drove back to do the wave - before continuing.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- That's the level of superstition - I've reached.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- # It reaches the horizon - through the drizzle
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- # It plays on my mind - like an old song
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- # Only ninety miles to go
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- # Before I see the sea
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- # The A470 leads me back #
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- I think I am a bit of a gypsy.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- It's reflected in the type of career - I've decided to follow.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- I can't tie myself - to one place for too long.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- Though I was in Rownd a Rownd - for eight years...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- ..I also lived far away...
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- ..so that gave me the variety - in terms of travelling.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- In general, - I'm not one who likes commitment.
0:22:02 > 0:22:08- But, as I get older, - I do crave some stability.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- I have decided to try and look - for more work in Cardiff...
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- ..or base myself in Cardiff - at least.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35- When I return to the city, I make - sure I reconnect with friends.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- I don't see a lot of them - during the week.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- One of the places I love doing that - is Chapter.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- After four hours on the A470...
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- ..there's nothing better - than seeing a familiar face.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- I sit with a friend discussing - the week that's gone by...
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- ..with a large glass of red wine.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02- Cheers.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Reaching the end of any journey - is nice...
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- ..but reaching the end - of the A470 is lovely...
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- ..because I know I'm home.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Choosing the places I have...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- ..makes me realize that this road...
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- ..connects me to two other - very important places in my life.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28- But I hope that this is - only half the journey...
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- ..and that there's a nice, - very happy road in front of me.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- I hope!
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:56 > 0:23:56- .