0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888
0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Do many of you recognise this place?
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- I don't think so.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- I'm in the Montesquiou area...
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- ..in the south of France...
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- ..not far from the Spanish border.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- Perhaps that's why the weather's - so fine.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- I'm at Pis Farm...
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- ..the home of Thomas Vaughan Jones, - his wife Sally and their children.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31- Thomas's roots are in the Bala area. - He's farmed in the Vale of Clwyd.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- Why did he come to France?
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- You'll find out when I find him!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- He certainly lives in a lovely area.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- November 2006
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- This field has been prepared.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15- Will you be growing barley here, - or oats, or wheat, or what?
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- Barley.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- Tell me, what are those - little buildings I can see?
0:01:23 > 0:01:24- The little sheds?
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- About 50 years ago, everyone - worked out in the fields...
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- ..and no-one had watches.
0:01:31 > 0:01:37- A bell was rung in town at noon, - so everyone knew it was lunchtime...
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- ..and they sheltered from the sun - in these buildings.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- These fields were worked by hand, - the same as at home.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- There were lots of labourers.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- There aren't many hedges, - just crops.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- There aren't any animals - here at all.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55- Not many animals.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- There isn't a boundary - between you and the road.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- In summer, the temperature - reaches 110 degrees...
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- ..so animals aren't generally - kept outside.
0:02:06 > 0:02:12- Animals are kept inside most of the - time and fed on hay and silage.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- You have to grow things you can use - in order to make money.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- There are only a few hedges.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Do you have to cut them regularly?
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- The scheme I'm on - is similar to SSSIs at home...
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- ..and I cut them once a year.
0:02:33 > 0:02:33- Roundup - no chance.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34- Roundup - no chance.- - Why is this an SSSI?
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- Why is this an SSSI?
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- It looks like good grazing land.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- There are rare orchids - and things like that.
0:02:43 > 0:02:49- The rules state that I can't graze - those fields or the hedges...
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- ..between April and September.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- I lose that grazing time.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- The trees are like trees in Wales - - oak trees.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- I've been cutting those - before the hedge cutters come.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- I want to put up an electric fence - from there to the bottom.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- I usually put up pig fencing...
0:03:15 > 0:03:20- ..but I have problems - with the wild boars that live here.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- They're about that big.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28- They run at the pig fencing - and take down 50 or 60 metres.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- Do they eat acorns?
0:03:30 > 0:03:31- Yes, they do.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- Also, with pig netting, - you put posts up in the winter...
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- ..put up the fence, pull it tight, - beautiful job.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- The following summer, - when it's 110 degrees...
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- ..the ground dries out and opens up - and the posts fall over...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- ..and the pig netting's gone.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- So I'm putting electric fencing - over there.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59- Are you allowed to kill badgers?
0:03:59 > 0:04:00- Are you allowed to kill badgers?- - Yes, I've got permission...
0:04:00 > 0:04:01- Yes, I've got permission...
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- ..during two months - of the year only.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- There are seasons - and they're strictly kept.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- During two months - - February and March, I think.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12- I can kill them during two months.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- I can kill them during two months.- - So they're out of the way...
0:04:14 > 0:04:14- So they're out of the way...
0:04:15 > 0:04:15- ..before cattle are let out.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- ..before cattle are let out.- - I've got permission, here.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18- I've got permission, here.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- If there's a problem, - you write to the Ministry...
0:04:22 > 0:04:23- ..and they tell you to carry on.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- ..and they tell you to carry on.- - Really?!
0:04:25 > 0:04:25- Really?!
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- You must have relatives - working with the government!
0:04:29 > 0:04:30- They look after you!
0:04:30 > 0:04:31- They look after you!- - In France...
0:04:31 > 0:04:31- In France...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- ..lots of people - live in rural areas...
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- ..and there are lots of farmers, - more than in Britain.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- It's a very big country.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- There are many more farmers - and they have more muscle.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Why did you come here?
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- You're from the Vale of Clwyd - originally.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- Bala first, then the Vale of Clwyd.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11- Bala first, then the Vale of Clwyd.- - I remember you in Llangynhafal.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12- I remember you in Llangynhafal.
0:05:13 > 0:05:13- You're from that area.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14- You're from that area.- - Yes, Llanbedr.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15- Yes, Llanbedr.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- Why did you and your family - move here?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- I had a small farm in Llanbedr...
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- ..with friends living next door - to me on both sides.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Buying land there was difficult - and expensive...
0:05:31 > 0:05:32- ..very difficult.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Yes, in the Vale of Clwyd. - Every acre is valuable.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- One year we went on holiday - to the north of France.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- We'd eat our evening meal - and then walk around town.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- I happened to see - an estate agent's office...
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- ..so I had a look.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54- The houses were cheap.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- Ten acres, quite a good price.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Twenty acres, quite a good price.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- So that's how it started.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- When you first came here, - you bought this place.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- How many acres do you have now?
0:06:10 > 0:06:11- How many acres do you have now?- - 130, here.
0:06:11 > 0:06:11- 130, here.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13- Really?
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- If you don't mind me asking...
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- ..how much per acre - would a place like this cost?
0:06:21 > 0:06:21- You've got superb land.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22- You've got superb land.- - I bought the place in 1998...
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- I bought the place in 1998...
0:06:25 > 0:06:26- ..for 95,000.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29- Euros?
0:06:29 > 0:06:29- Euros?- - Pounds.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30- Pounds.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- The same price as a small house - at home.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- 95,000.
0:06:36 > 0:06:36- 95,000.- - Prices have gone up...
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- Prices have gone up...
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- ..the same as at home.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- I have 60 acres on the plain, - with permission to irrigate.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Those 60 acres - are worth a lot of money.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- I have about 20 acres of woodland.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- On the whole, it's quite good.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- I graze sheep and cattle.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- When you came here, you left - your family behind - your mother.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Mam and Dad.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- Dad's in hospital in Dolgellau. - He's been ill for a long time.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Mam still lives in Bala.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- One sister teaches in Liverpool...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- ..and another sister - teaches in Warrington.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- My brother's a train driver - - third generation train driver.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- My father and grandfather - were train drivers.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Great Western, the whole lot.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Did you start farming - after leaving school?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- No. After school - I went to college in Chester.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- I was there for a year.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- I trained to be a PE teacher.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- I was PE mad.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- After a year, my friends - were working and making money...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- ..and I was a bit depressed.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Back then, you received grants - but they weren't much.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- 70 per term or something similar.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- Weren't you a runner at one time?
0:08:01 > 0:08:02- Weren't you a runner at one time?- - I tried.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03- I tried.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Tell us what you did.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- When I was in school in Bala...
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- ..I represented Wales - at cross-country running.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- I won the 1,500 metres - in the schools championships...
0:08:18 > 0:08:19- ..in Aberystwyth.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21- Aberystwyth?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Yes, in Aberystwyth in 1975, - I think.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- I was in school at that time too!
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- I also ran at college, - when I was in Chester.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- I ran a mile in three minutes - and 57.9 seconds.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- I must comment on your hens.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- Yes, they're out.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43- I'm fattening them.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- They're for eating.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- They're special - - they can weigh up to 5kg.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52- How many children do you have?
0:08:52 > 0:08:53- How many children do you have?- - Five children.
0:08:53 > 0:08:53- How many children do you have?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Really? You obviously - get some leisure time, then!
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- The family allowance is good!
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- What are they? Boys, girls?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- Four boys and one girl.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- How are they doing, - now that they're growing up?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Your eldest is about 18, isn't he?
0:09:12 > 0:09:13- Your eldest is about 18, isn't he?- - He was 18 two weeks ago.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14- He was 18 two weeks ago.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- What do they do?
0:09:17 > 0:09:17- What do they do?- - He's a self-employed carpenter.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- He's a self-employed carpenter.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- He's just returned - after six months in Australia.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- He was out there working - and playing rugby.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- Do they all play rugby?
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- Do they all play rugby?- - Yes, they all play rugby...
0:09:29 > 0:09:30- Yes, they all play rugby...
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- ..for the same club - - quite a big club in town.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Rugby is popular here.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- Yes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Farming, rugby and hunting.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43- And eating!
0:09:43 > 0:09:43- And eating!- - Amen!
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- Amen!
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- It's true!
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- At noon, the bell rings - and everyone stops to eat.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Three or four courses - and red wine too.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- In the evening, at seven o'clock, - the cafes are full.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Half-past seven - they're empty.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04- Do you know why?
0:10:05 > 0:10:06- It's time to eat.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- French farmers are no different - from British farmers.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- They have to diversify...
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- ..as Vaughan and his wife Sally - have done.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- As has happened in Wales...
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- ..they've adapted old farm buildings - and old houses to create homes.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- Is this the old, run-down house - that you bought?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Yes. I bought it last year.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- We've been working on it - for nearly a year.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- My wife is the brain behind - the project and I'm the muscle...
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- ..and our son - is the skilled workforce!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Are there buyers interested in it?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- There's been a lot of interest.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- We received an offer last week, - so we have our fingers crossed.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- It's in the middle of the village.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- There are shops and a restaurant - nearby, a garage next door.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- What was this originally?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- A cattle market.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- From the '50s, I think, - until the '70s.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- There are photos - showing the place full of cattle.
0:11:22 > 0:11:22- .
0:11:28 > 0:11:28- 888
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- 888
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- I've come to the small town - of Lannemezan...
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- ..at the foot of the Pyrenees...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- ..to visit the sheep market.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- It's different from any other - sheep market I've been to.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- I can't understand people talking, - for a start.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- There's no auctioneer - - sales are made face to face.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- All these people are smiling, - so things must be working well.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- Vaughan is looking for a bargain - to take home.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- Those men in black coats are buyers, - are they?
0:12:41 > 0:12:42- Can anyone buy?
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- That's right, yes.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Soixante-quinze euro.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- This man knows L E Jones - and everyone else.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- They buy here too.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- HE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Did you sell?
0:13:54 > 0:13:55- Did you sell?- - Yes.
0:13:55 > 0:13:55- Yes.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57- Yes.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- That was extremely slick!
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- A bit of this and a bit of that!
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- A bit of this and a bit of that!- - Does he have to pay...?
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- With a big buyer like him, - there'll be a cheque and a bill.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- They pay after the sale.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- That was very slick selling!
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- You know, when you think - of the old drovers back in Wales...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- ..look how neatly - these men do their hair!
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- They take time - over their appearance!
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- It doesn't all go smoothly - for everyone.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- Some arrive late.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- Some can't strike a bargain.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- And as for others - well... !
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- He says 38kg, - but the buyer says 25kg!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- They'll have to weigh them.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- He says he weighed them - before he came.
0:15:01 > 0:15:01- They're not 38kg.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02- They're not 38kg.- - They're in good condition, though.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- They're in good condition, though.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- 26kg to 28kg, I'd say.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- These small ones won't fetch much.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- 58 euros for them all - - the whole lot.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- How much is that? 40?
0:15:15 > 0:15:15- How much is that? 40?- - 58 euros...
0:15:15 > 0:15:16- 58 euros...
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- 58 euros...
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- You have to use that?
0:15:23 > 0:15:23- You have to use that?- - Let's see.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24- Let's see.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- 58 euros - that's 41.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- That's right.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- Right?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- They're only small - about 15kg.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- If our boys got 41 for lambs - like those, they'd be laughing.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Are these going to Spain - for slaughter?
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- Yes, lambs for slaughter.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- Why do they want such small lambs - in Spain?
0:15:51 > 0:15:51- Do they eat them whole?!
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Do they eat them whole?!- - They serve them whole...
0:15:53 > 0:15:54- Do they eat them whole?!
0:15:54 > 0:15:55- ..in restaurants, on a spit.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56- ..in restaurants, on a spit.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- Every week in Lannemezan, - a street market is held...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- ..where all kinds of things - are sold.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Air travel security restrictions...
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- ..meant I couldn't bring my stick - with me.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I was lost without it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37- There are some over there.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38- There are some over there.- - I should have borrowed a fence pole!
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- I should have borrowed a fence pole!
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- These look good.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43- Would you like to try them?
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Would you like to try them?- - They're quite long.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48- That would do. It's long enough.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49- That would do. It's long enough.- - Is it too long?
0:16:49 > 0:16:50- Is it too long?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- A bit.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:16:56 > 0:16:57- How much is it?
0:16:57 > 0:16:57- How much is it?- - Six euros.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58- Six euros.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Six euros. What's that in pounds?
0:17:00 > 0:17:01- Six euros. What's that in pounds?- - 3 or so.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02- 3 or so.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Five euros...
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- ..five euros, for you.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- Five euros? Oh.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- Thanks very much!
0:17:19 > 0:17:20- There, I'm sorted!
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- I'm lost without a stick - - I can't even think!
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Shall we move on?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- What fish is that?
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- A trout.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- You speak the language well.
0:18:02 > 0:18:02- I try!
0:18:02 > 0:18:03- I try!- - How long have you been here?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- How long have you been here?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Six years... no, eight years.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10- Time flies.
0:18:10 > 0:18:10- Time flies.- - You've learned the language well.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- You've learned the language well.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- They sell everything here.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15- Potatoes.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16- Potatoes.- - Everything. Onions.
0:18:16 > 0:18:16- Everything. Onions.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18- Lots of cheeses.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- They sell ewe's milk cheese here.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23- I think it's expensive.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- 18 euros a kilo.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- 9 a kilo, more or less. 10.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- 10 a kilo. That's expensive.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- You retain some characteristics - of the Vale of Clwyd!
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- You take note of the prices!
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- Yes, one must be careful!
0:18:43 > 0:18:48- Look at those carrots, - We've got better carrots at home.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49- They're poor.
0:18:49 > 0:18:49- They're poor.- - Yes. We've got better carrots.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- Yes. We've got better carrots.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- The smells are making me hungry.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- A meat stall. - You can't beat meat!
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- All kinds of pig products.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02- That's horse meat!
0:19:02 > 0:19:03- Have you ever eaten horse meat?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- Have you ever eaten horse meat?- - Yes, several times.
0:19:05 > 0:19:05- Have you ever eaten horse meat?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- I've eaten it once.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08- I found it too sweet.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09- I found it too sweet.- - Yes, it is rather sweet.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10- Yes, it is rather sweet.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- A bit sweet, but lovely.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- The smells tell you the food's good.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- It's hot too - made this morning.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- That's a lovely flan.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:19:36 > 0:19:37- It smells good.
0:19:37 > 0:19:37- It smells good.- - Extremely good.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38- Extremely good.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Do you knock their prices down - every week?!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- I haven't had breakfast yet!
0:19:46 > 0:19:47- This is lunch and that's breakfast!
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- This is lunch and that's breakfast!- - There's no point setting a price...
0:19:49 > 0:19:49- There's no point setting a price...
0:19:50 > 0:19:51- ..because you haggle!
0:19:52 > 0:19:53- THEY SPEAK FRENCH
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- She looks like she could be Welsh.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Yes, same type.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- They're very nice people.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- Merci beaucoup.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- Hard work, fresh air and good food.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38- They're all an intrinsic part - of life in this area.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- They're also very keen - on playing rugby.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- They start playing - at a very young age...
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- ..and that's true - of Vaughan and Sally's sons.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Rugby is a big thing here.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Very big. It's almost a religion.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- From children who start before - they're six, right up to seniors.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- They're all here together today.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- All the professional players - at the rugby club...
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- ..have to come here every Wednesday - to teach the children.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19- They teach the children.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- The professional players - have to do this?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- That's right. All of them.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- That guy over there - is an ex-professional.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- All of them put something back - into the club.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- They finish with the club - but they come back to teach.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- There are usually - 200 to 250 children...
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- ..playing here each Wednesday.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- It's a good place to play...
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- ..and there's a harness racing track - around the perimeter.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52- Yes, harness racing.
0:21:52 > 0:21:52- Yes, harness racing.- - This is the hippodrome in... Auch.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- This is the hippodrome in... Auch.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Pronounced "Osh"!
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- I'll get it right eventually!
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- I've called it "Och" and "Ouch"!
0:22:02 > 0:22:07- I know her too - - she's a dinner lady at the school.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- The boys who play rugby - are given more food than the others!
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- They're brought up with rugby, - aren't they?
0:22:17 > 0:22:22- Yes, and it's full contact, - not touch-tackle like at home.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- They start with full tackling - before they're six.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Some of them, like my children, - live 20km away...
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- ..so it's quite a large - catchment area.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- They don't just know children - from the town...
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- ..but from the wider area too.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43- .
0:22:54 > 0:22:54- 888
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- 888
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- You can see half of France - from here!
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- Is it mostly sheep you keep up here?
0:23:10 > 0:23:11- And lower down.
0:23:11 > 0:23:11- And lower down.- - But they graze up here too?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- But they graze up here too?
0:23:14 > 0:23:15- Yes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- What happens is...
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- ..this area dries up in the sun.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22- Yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Marvellous views.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- Those fields - right down the bottom...
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- ..I cut them all for hay - before the end of May.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- Before the end of May.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43- I leave them about a month - and then I put sheep in there.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48- Do you fatten lambs on that grass, - or do you use a creep?
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- No, everything gets fattened - indoors. That's what's wanted.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- I have technicians who come round.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00- They want rose meat, - not red meat like we get at home.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- What breed of sheep do you keep?
0:24:04 > 0:24:09- Purebreds, they call them BMC. - Blonde du Massif Central.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- You've heard about Blonde cattle?
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- These are the sheep - you find in this area.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18- Do you cross them with Texels?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Do you cross them with Texels?- - Yes. They produce a lot of milk.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26- I cross them with Texels - so I get the best of both worlds.
0:24:27 > 0:24:27- Do you keep female lambs?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Do you keep female lambs?- - The first cross.
0:24:29 > 0:24:29- The first cross.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35- My flock is small so I have to - change my ram every three years.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- How many sheep do you have?
0:24:38 > 0:24:43- Over the course of a year, - on average, 200 to 220.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48- But the number's reduced in summer, - because of the hot weather.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- I sell some of them - until I have 150 over the summer.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- By Christmas, I increase the numbers - to 220 or maybe 300.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- I buy in 50 in-lambers.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- 40, 50, 60, depending on the price.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Is that your livelihood?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- You have 130 acres of land.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- Something like that.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Is that your stock? - 250 to 300 sheep?
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- That's all.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- Can you live on that?
0:25:18 > 0:25:18- Can you live on that?- - We try.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19- We try.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- We also have houses in town. - We renovate houses and sell them.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29- Are there any subsidies - you can claim here in France?
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- Subsidies for what?
0:25:31 > 0:25:32- For farming.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- EEC subsidies - are the same as you get at home.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- We've started on all farm payments.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Here, with sheep and cattle, - it's split.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48- You get 50% all farm payment - and 50% depending on headage.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54- So this year I get something like - 21 or 22 euros lowland payment...
0:25:54 > 0:25:55- Per head?
0:25:55 > 0:25:56- Per head?- - Per head, headage.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57- Per head, headage.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02- And I get an LFA top-up - - this area is an LFA.
0:26:02 > 0:26:08- I get a top-up of about seven - or eight, so it comes to 30 euros.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- We have the Tir Cymen - and Tir Cynnal schemes...
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- ..and grants for fencing and - improving your farm's appearance...
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- ..and conservation is a big thing.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Whatever's going, I get it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- That's the Vale of Clwyd - coming out in you again!
0:26:26 > 0:26:31- You can't keep more than - a certain number of animals, though.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37- No. I'm restricted to 6.6 sheep - per hectare - two and a half acres.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- That's two to the acre.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41- It's not a lot.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- That's how it was in Wales - 50 years ago.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51- At this time of the year it looks - lovely, there's plenty of grass.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- Looking at your farm, - it's a good farm.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- Maybe it gets hot - on the upper slopes.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- But you have land lower down too.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02- But you have land lower down too.- - It's fine lower down.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03- It's fine lower down.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- Do you have to buy hay or silage?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Just some hay. Not a lot.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15- I make about 200 big bales a year, - and maybe 1,500 small bales.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18- That's every year.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23- I start feeding hay to the sheep - in September.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- If it's sunny and dry, - I start with the hay.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Do you apply lime to the soil?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- I have done, right at the start.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35- I have done, right at the start.- - You have to use lime.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36- You have to use lime.
0:27:36 > 0:27:41- Are you allowed to apply nitrogen - as you see fit?
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- No, the use of nitrogen - is restricted.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Life is quite enjoyable here, - isn't it?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- People aren't so impatient.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- No.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- Here, if a field - comes up for sale...
0:27:55 > 0:28:01- ..the seller comes to me and asks if - I'd like to buy the field next door.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- If I say no, he says, - "It doesn't matter."
0:28:05 > 0:28:11- But at home, if the field next door - comes up for sale...
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- ..a war breaks out to buy it!
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- You're right - it's like a war!
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- No-one here - has heard of land auctions.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27- Remind me again - if I wanted - to buy good fields like those...
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- ..how much per acre or per hectare - would it cost?
0:28:32 > 0:28:33- Those fields?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- It's good land, grade one arable.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42- There's also an irrigation system - in the fields across the river.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Something like 3,000 euros - per hectare.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47- That's about...
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- That's something like 1,000 - an acre.
0:28:51 > 0:28:51- And that's the best land.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- And that's the best land.- - Fantastic.
0:28:53 > 0:28:53- Fantastic.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- And it includes irrigation.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- The Almighty looks after that - back home!
0:29:00 > 0:29:03- This kind of land, - where we're standing...
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- ..you can buy this kind of land - for 400.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- I must say, - you're in a lovely place.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- It's a lovely place to live.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- Yes, it's lovely.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- Everything's at a slower pace.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- You phone someone up - - "Oh, tomorrow."
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- Tomorrow or next week!
0:29:26 > 0:29:27- It's lovely!
0:29:47 > 0:29:49- Here are your sheep.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- The Texel stands out quite clearly - in some of them.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55- Do you shear them once a year?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- Do you shear them once a year?- - Once a year.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- Is there a market here for wool?
0:29:59 > 0:30:00- Is there a market here for wool?- - No. We burn it.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01- No. We burn it.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02- Really?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- Do you do the shearing yourself?
0:30:05 > 0:30:05- Do you do the shearing yourself?- - Me and my mate.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06- Me and my mate.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- But you don't get anything - for the wool.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- Nothing at all.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- Every year I burn the lot - on November 5 - Bonfire Night.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- Wool isn't the easiest thing - to burn.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Well, you use a little diesel.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29- We're not allowed to burn anything - back home.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Here, we're allowed to burn stuff - after September.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35- Before September - no chance.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- It's too dry - - everything would go up in flames.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Do the sheep suffer from diseases - like footrot?
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Is it a problem for you?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Well, you have to be careful.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- In summer, we get thunderstorms.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- They're terrible - - they go on for half an hour...
0:30:56 > 0:30:58- ..and everywhere gets soaked.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- Half an hour later, - it's 110 degrees.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07- So they get mud in their feet, - which is dry an hour later.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11- You have to be careful - - it can cause footrot.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16- I bring all the sheep in - once a fortnight and check them.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18- Do you clean their feet?
0:31:18 > 0:31:19- Do you clean their feet?- - Not all of them.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20- Not all of them.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22- The ground's full of clay.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27- You can see where we brought the car - down through that sludge.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28- It dries hard.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29- It dries hard.- - Yes, that's what happens.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30- Yes, that's what happens.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- Is fluke a problem, - like it is at home?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- At home, - snails are a host for fluke.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Here, we get the lesser liver fluke.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Ants are the host - for lesser liver fluke.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- There's not much food for them - in summer.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50- Ants?
0:31:50 > 0:31:50- Ants?- - Yes.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51- Yes.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- That's what they get here - - lesser liver fluke.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- You have to be careful.
0:31:58 > 0:31:58- Do you dose the sheep?
0:31:58 > 0:32:00- Do you dose the sheep?- - Yes, twice a year...
0:32:00 > 0:32:00- Yes, twice a year...
0:32:00 > 0:32:05- ..a month before lambing - and then again in summer.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- I dose the lambs that are outside...
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- ..every six weeks or so.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- ..every six weeks or so.- - Same as we do.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- How do you buy sheep?
0:32:17 > 0:32:20- You said you buy 50 sheep.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Are they advertised in a paper?
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- I buy in-lambs through a paper.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- There are registered breeders.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- There's one not far from here, - others are further away.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35- I buy from them too.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- If you're buying purebreds, - there are subsidies available.
0:32:41 > 0:32:47- You get... for 18-month-old sheep, - you get 30 back for each one.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- You pay something like 70, 80...
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- ..and you get 30 back - from the government.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58- The aim is to improve stock.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- I see.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Do they loan you money too?
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- When you're starting off, - as a young farmer...
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- ..up to three times...
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- ..you can receive an interest-free - loan to buy up to 350 head.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- And you can buy three times?
0:33:19 > 0:33:20- Three times.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21- Three times.- - Three years, in other words.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22- Three years, in other words.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26- That's right. - You can buy about 1,000 sheep.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- And with these loans, - for young farmers...
0:33:30 > 0:33:31- ..it's interest-free credit.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- You get interest-free credit - for five years...
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- ..and you don't pay anything - for the first two years.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- So you get seven years - to pay off the loan.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Exactly how close to heaven - are you?!
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- That's what I think, too!
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- It's a lot of help.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20- Agricultural methods in general - are the same as they are in Wales.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- But the weather is a lot milder.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- Of course, - some things are different.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- For example, cattle - spend more time indoors.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36- The poultry are similar - to what you see in Wales.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44- But some things are different.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- Vaughan showed me - some of these differences.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- This is drying corn.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- Is this ground down to feed cattle?
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Yes. It's dried in these cages...
0:34:56 > 0:35:00- ..and then ground to provide food - for cattle and hens.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- They're sold, too, - at the end of the year.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11- It's high up off the floor - to stop mice from getting to it.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- It's quite high too.
0:35:13 > 0:35:19- I'm not exactly sure, but I've got - something like 100 acres of maize.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21- It takes a lot.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22- It takes a lot.- - How many cattle does that feed?
0:35:22 > 0:35:23- How many cattle does that feed?
0:35:23 > 0:35:25- 135, on this farm.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30- Looking at them from afar...
0:35:30 > 0:35:31- ..I thought they were Charolais.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32- ..I thought they were Charolais.- - No, they're Blonde d'Aquitaine...
0:35:32 > 0:35:33- No, they're Blonde d'Aquitaine...
0:35:34 > 0:35:34- ..purebred.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35- ..purebred.- - They're on silage.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36- They're on silage.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Are they kept in at night?
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- They're fed in the morning - and then they go out all day...
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- ..and they're brought in at night.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- Was the silage - produced on this land?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53- Is the land ploughed - fairly regularly?
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- The farmer's keen - he re-seeds - every field every two years.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00- Re-seed, re-seed.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Is it just him and his son?
0:36:03 > 0:36:03- Is it just him and his son?- - Yes, he and his son work the farm.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- Yes, he and his son work the farm.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11- When they're busy in summer, - they call me to come and help.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13- Baling, usually.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16- Do you do any contract work?
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- Not contract work.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- I do a day here and there.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25- The money isn't much - pocket money - for the weekend, maybe.
0:36:26 > 0:36:26- .
0:36:33 > 0:36:33- 888
0:36:33 > 0:36:35- 888
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- Is this your village?
0:37:08 > 0:37:09- It's a small village.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- About 700 people live here.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Does it have a post office?
0:37:15 > 0:37:16- Does it have a post office?- - Yes. It has nearly everything.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17- Yes. It has nearly everything.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18- A shop, post office, restaurant...
0:37:18 > 0:37:19- A shop, post office, restaurant...- - And a hotel.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20- And a hotel.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- Yes, the hotel's behind you.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23- Yes, the hotel's behind you.- - This is a busy little place.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24- This is a busy little place.
0:37:25 > 0:37:26- It's the mayor's office.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- In France, - the mayor is your top man.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- He's called the Chef.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- The mayor's involved in everything.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- Is this the school - your children attend?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44- That's right.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- One of my sons goes there. - There he is, look.
0:37:49 > 0:37:49- In the red shirt.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50- In the red shirt.- - They're taking photographs today.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51- They're taking photographs today.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53- How many children go there?
0:37:53 > 0:37:54- How many children go there?- - About 50.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55- About 50.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- There used to be about 100.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- They've lost a teacher.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- The same happens at home.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Pupil numbers go down - and schools lose teachers.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09- A BELL RINGS
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- Is this the village square?
0:38:14 > 0:38:14- Is this the village square?- - Yes.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15- Yes.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19- A chateau used to stand here, - before the Revolution.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- It was pulled down - after the Revolution.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- It's a busy little village.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- The village is extremely busy - in the morning.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- People gather for a chat and so on.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- It's very busy in the morning.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- Everyone goes for lunch at noon.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- After lunch, it's siesta time.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- I've said it before - - we should do the same at home...
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- ..this siesta business!
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- Everyone can sleep after lunch...
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- ..but not everyone - can sleep at night!
0:38:53 > 0:38:54- They start work early.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55- They start work early.- - Children start school early too.
0:38:55 > 0:38:56- Children start school early too.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- Yes, they start at 8.00am.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04- Your wife said as they get older, - school ends later in the evening.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- Yes, it's nearly 6.00pm - by the time they get home.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14- Children at the maternelle, or - nursery school, have a siesta too.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- Small children.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Don't children go to school - full-time...
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- ..when they're two and a half?
0:39:21 > 0:39:22- ..when they're two and a half?- - Yes...
0:39:22 > 0:39:22- Yes...
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- ..but they get time off - on Wednesdays.
0:39:26 > 0:39:31- They're in school four days a week, - from 8.00am to 5.30pm.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- There's a war memorial - like you see in Welsh villages.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43- People here had a hard time - during the war.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47- Auch, ten miles away, - had a particularly bad time.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- The local community in Gers - in the south of France...
0:40:06 > 0:40:07- ..has accepted the family.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- There's a proverb that says, - "A friend nearby...
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- ..is better than a brother - far away."
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- HE SPEAKS FRENCH TO THE DOG
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- This farmer's grass is excellent.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Plenty of food.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- Those sheep are Berrichons, - aren't they?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- Does he specialise in Berrichons?
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- He's a breeder.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- They're all pedigrees.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- He buys AI.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43- He uses insemination.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- In September.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50- But he's put a ram among them now - to use as a sweeper.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52- Look at this grass.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- You couldn't use any machinery - on this land, it's no good.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- But it's fine for sheep.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01- It's a lovely spot.
0:41:02 > 0:41:02- There's shelter.
0:41:02 > 0:41:03- There's shelter.- - It's fantastic.
0:41:03 > 0:41:04- It's fantastic.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06- There's enough shelter for lambing.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07- There's enough shelter for lambing.- - Does he bring them in for lambing?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09- Does he bring them in for lambing?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Well, it's down to money.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16- They're worth a lot of money, - so he brings them in.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20- You met this gentleman - while hunting, did you?
0:41:20 > 0:41:21- Yes.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- He's my best friend here in France.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27- My first friend too.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- HE CALLS IN FRENCH TO THE DOG
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- He seems to be quite a character.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- He's got excellent dogs.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42- Good sheepdogs, good hunting dogs, - good fox terriers...
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- ..good sheep.
0:41:44 > 0:41:45- He's a great man.
0:41:45 > 0:41:45- He's a great man.- - He's a specialist.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46- He's a specialist.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- You can tell - by looking at his animals.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53- It's worth coming here - just to see his dog working.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- That dog's father - came from the Ruthin area!
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- From Bodfari? - He mentioned Glyn Jones.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- Glyn sells his dogs everywhere.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05- We're far from Bodfari now!
0:42:05 > 0:42:10- He has a video tape of Glyn Jones - working his sheepdogs.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- He phoned me up - and asked if I knew him.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- He lived next door to me - near Llanbedr.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- "Could you buy a dog for me?"
0:42:22 > 0:42:27- I phoned Glyn Jones, went over - and brought a dog back for him.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- One of his terriers - comes from Llanbedr too.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- Yes, one of the Jack Russells - comes from Llanbedr.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- I'm not the only one from Wales - in this area!
0:42:46 > 0:42:48- How much do they weigh?
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- These ram lambs - are about eight months old.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54- The biggest are eight months old.
0:42:55 > 0:42:56- They weigh up to 90kg.
0:42:56 > 0:42:57- They weigh up to 90kg.- - He has good rams. A good length.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59- He has good rams. A good length.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- I think he feeds them cake.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03- HE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:43:04 > 0:43:05- Oh, oats and...
0:43:05 > 0:43:05- Oh, oats and...- - Maize.
0:43:05 > 0:43:06- Maize.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- Oats, maize and...
0:43:11 > 0:43:12- ..barley.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16- It's healthier than anything else.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18- HE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:43:18 > 0:43:20- It's all grown here.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- The whole lot.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27- Do you give them minerals or cake - or anything like that...?
0:43:27 > 0:43:29- He's French!
0:43:29 > 0:43:30- He's French!
0:43:34 > 0:43:36- You're doing well, fair play.
0:43:42 > 0:43:47- The neighbours are excellent - and France is a lovely country.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50- People have time to talk and laugh.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- The cattle couldn't be finer.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Many farms keep a lot of geese.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- You never see them in Wales - these days.
0:44:04 > 0:44:08- The villages still retain - their old, familiar character...
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- ..and the machinery too, at times.
0:44:14 > 0:44:19- Food and mealtimes - are very important to French people.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23- A siren sounds - when it's time to eat...
0:44:24 > 0:44:26- ..and they eat, siren or not.
0:44:26 > 0:44:31- How many farmers' wives in this area - work every day?
0:44:32 > 0:44:34- It's hard to tell.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- I'm not sure how many - work outside the farm.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41- But many of them work - with their husbands.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46- In Wales, it's common for - farmers' wives to teach in schools.
0:44:46 > 0:44:47- No, they usually...
0:44:47 > 0:44:48- No, they usually...- - Lots of young wives...
0:44:48 > 0:44:49- Lots of young wives...
0:44:49 > 0:44:52- Here, they usually stay at home.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55- They stay home - and look after the children...
0:44:56 > 0:44:59- ..and they help out on the farm.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02- This is good.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04- Reasonably priced too.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06- When you first came here...
0:45:07 > 0:45:09- ..had you seen it advertised...
0:45:10 > 0:45:11- ..in a paper or something?
0:45:11 > 0:45:13- ..in a paper or something?- - I made a phone call...
0:45:13 > 0:45:16- ..to the Ministry of Agriculture - here...
0:45:16 > 0:45:21- ..asking if there was anything - for sale to young farmers.
0:45:21 > 0:45:26- They sent some details and that's - how I started looking around.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28- Did your neighbours welcome you?
0:45:28 > 0:45:30- You were foreigners, after all.
0:45:30 > 0:45:31- You were foreigners, after all.- - The man next door...
0:45:31 > 0:45:33- The man next door...
0:45:33 > 0:45:37- ..after a fortnight, - he wanted to buy the place.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40- But a fortnight - after we moved to France...
0:45:41 > 0:45:43- ..he knocked on the door...
0:45:43 > 0:45:47- ..and said, "No hard feelings, - good luck to you."
0:45:48 > 0:45:52- Farmers are a sociable group - and hunting's very important.
0:45:52 > 0:45:53- You hunt together.
0:45:53 > 0:45:54- You hunt together.- - I took my fox terriers for a walk...
0:45:54 > 0:45:56- I took my fox terriers for a walk...
0:45:57 > 0:45:58- ..and someone saw them...
0:45:58 > 0:46:04- ..and that same night someone called - and invited me to come to hunt.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06- On my first hunt...
0:46:06 > 0:46:11- ..the only French word I knew - was the word for 'hole' - 'trou'.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15- I had terriers, - and I said, "Trou, trou, trou!"
0:46:16 > 0:46:19- Terriers in the trou - in the hole!
0:46:19 > 0:46:20- That's how it started!
0:46:21 > 0:46:22- It was fun.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35- France has its priorities right.
0:46:38 > 0:46:43- Farms must make a profit - and be a place to raise a family.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51- Was it easy for Vaughan and Sally - to move their family to France?
0:46:51 > 0:46:52- Or was it a difficult process?
0:46:52 > 0:46:54- Or was it a difficult process?- - It was easy.
0:46:54 > 0:46:54- Or was it a difficult process?
0:46:54 > 0:46:56- It was easy.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- We got a handout to buy stock.
0:46:59 > 0:47:03- You get interest-free loans - for seven years.
0:47:03 > 0:47:09- I think it was a handout of 30,000 - to buy stock to start off.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12- This is a great help, Sally.
0:47:12 > 0:47:13- The banks are on your side.
0:47:13 > 0:47:14- The banks are on your side.- - Yes, definitely.
0:47:14 > 0:47:15- Yes, definitely.
0:47:15 > 0:47:21- If you have a degree in agriculture, - or been to college, is that a help?
0:47:22 > 0:47:23- Definitely.
0:47:23 > 0:47:28- You don't even need to have - such good qualifications as that.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31- Any basic young farmer's - qualification is sufficient.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34- Something like an NVQ.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- Anything like that - - anything on paper...
0:47:37 > 0:47:41- ..from a college - Coleg Llysfasi, - or Glynllifon or wherever.
0:47:42 > 0:47:47- Did the fact that you had children - help you when borrowing money?
0:47:47 > 0:47:50- Don't they take children - into account?
0:47:51 > 0:47:54- Yes, and they help - on the farm too.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59- There's a good family allowance - if you live on a farm.
0:48:00 > 0:48:00- Excellent.
0:48:00 > 0:48:01- Excellent.- - Tell us more, tell us more!
0:48:01 > 0:48:03- Tell us more, tell us more!
0:48:03 > 0:48:06- The more you have, the more you get.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09- They compensate you - for staying at home.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14- They like mothers to stay at home - until the children are three...
0:48:14 > 0:48:17- ..and you get extra family allowance - for that...
0:48:18 > 0:48:22- ..which is better than somebody else - bringing up your children.
0:48:22 > 0:48:28- You get help for them going back - to school - for clothes, books, etc.
0:48:28 > 0:48:33- Sally, how easy was it to come here - and get established?
0:48:33 > 0:48:37- It was time-consuming, - trying to get everything in place...
0:48:37 > 0:48:41- ..to be able to make a serious offer - and move here.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46- We were told at one time - "You haven't got a chance,"...
0:48:46 > 0:48:48- ..because someone local wanted it.
0:48:48 > 0:48:53- It went before a local committee - to decide who'd get the farm.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56- How did it come into your... ?
0:48:56 > 0:48:57- How did it come into your... ?- - Because we had the children...
0:48:57 > 0:48:58- Because we had the children...
0:48:58 > 0:49:02- ..and they felt - we would be more beneficial...
0:49:02 > 0:49:06- ..supporting local schools - and living as a proper family...
0:49:06 > 0:49:11- ..and that the farm would stay - as one and not split up...
0:49:11 > 0:49:12- ..which they liked.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24- A young family making a new life - for themselves in France.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27- And who could blame them?
0:49:28 > 0:49:30- One thing's for sure...
0:49:30 > 0:49:34- ..rural Wales and Welsh rugby - are poorer without them.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05- S4/C subtitles by TROSOL Cyf.
0:50:05 > 0:50:05- .