Ieuan Williams Cefn Gwlad


Ieuan Williams

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-Ho!

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-# I received a short letter

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-# Fa la la la la la la la la la la #

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-You don't often see a post box

-so close to a farm.

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-This is Ty Canol Farm

-in Dolbenmaen...

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-..the home of Ieuan Williams

-and his wife, Gwenda.

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-And there's a woman

-who has a rather unusual job.

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-I don't know whether Ieuan

-is a lorry man or a farmer.

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-We'll find out, sooner or later.

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-This place has character.

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-It's not very far from the sea...

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-..or from mountains and snow either.

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-Winters can be very cold.

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-It's a very busy place.

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-Nel isn't here this morning.

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-But Ieuan and his wife

-are at home...

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-..and they're very busy.

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-Ieuan and Gwenda, it's rare

-to find both of you in the house.

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-Yes.

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-Where are you from, Gwenda?

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-Pencaenewydd, near Chwilog.

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-Really?

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-Have you always lived here?

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-Yes.

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-Did you start the lorry business,

-or was a family concern?

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-I started it.

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-The man who used to run the lorries

-retired.

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-Back in 1971, I think it was.

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-That's when I started the business.

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-I started transporting animals.

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-Are you interested in machinery?

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-You come from a mountain region

-where farming is prevalent.

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-Were you interested in lorries?

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-Were you interested in lorries?

-

-No, not really.

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-I don't know.

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-At the time, there was a

-decreasing demand for farm workers.

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-It was a chance to seek employment.

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-These days, this kind of thing

-is referred to as diversification.

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-You're a farmer,

-your animals look good...

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-..you have a good system.

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-Farming and the lorries

-go hand in hand.

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-Yes, you could say that -

-you do what you can.

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-What's your job, Gwenda?

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-I work full-time with the Farmers'

-Union of Wales, in Caernarfon.

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-Do you enjoy it?

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-Do you enjoy it?

-

-Yes.

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-They're in good condition, Ieuan.

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-They're in good condition, Ieuan.

-

-They're not bad at all, considering.

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-They've certainly had enough to eat.

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-These are mountain sheep.

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-Where do you buy them -

-in Dolgellau?

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-Yes, from there, and from Bryncir.

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-There seem to be lots of twins.

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-Yes, about half of them.

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-Is this one of your best farms?

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-The fields are lush.

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-Look at those lambs.

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-Do you use a ram

-for cross-breeding?

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-We sell half the older ewes

-and keep half of them.

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-They're mated with a Texel ram.

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-Four-year-old ewes still have

-their best years ahead of them.

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-That's true.

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-We sell half of them and keep

-half of them for another year.

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-They're strong sheep, and cross-

-breeding will often produce twins.

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-Yes, most of them do.

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-Yes, that's what I thought.

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-Though perhaps one large lamb

-would be better.

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-You could sell it sooner,

-when prices are high.

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-This is an interesting area.

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-It's been a traditional stronghold

-for the sheep industry.

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-Ieuan employs three drivers,

-including Nel Owen, a young woman.

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-She's already out on the road...

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-..so I join Selwyn to fetch lambs

-from Llandwrog, near Caernarfon...

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-..and take them back up the mountain

-for summer.

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-Early April is a busy time.

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-Bringing lambs home after winter.

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-There are competing demands...

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-..with lambing,

-and everything needs to be fed.

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-Calving too.

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-It's alright if the weather's fine.

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-Yes, but there's a lot more work

-this year.

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-I can't remember a previous April

-when the grass was so sparse.

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-It's terrible, this year.

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-It hasn't been so bad for years.

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-We've had very hard frosts.

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-Everywhere is bare - so bare.

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-We're in the vicinity

-of Garndolbenmaen and Bryncir.

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-We're not far from the sea.

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-That's right, it's not far.

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-It's just over there.

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-It's very handy, with sheep.

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-It means

-there's more grass available.

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-There's been no grass

-over winter because of wet weather.

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-The sheep haven't done

-as well as usual.

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-These lambs have been away

-over winter, have they?

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-Yes, about 150 of them.

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-The sheep were brought here

-on 1 October, were they?

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-Yes, that's right.

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-They have none of the usual colour.

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-No, they haven't done

-as well as usual, this year.

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-I prefer them rather more yellow.

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-It's quite dusty today.

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-It hasn't been dusty

-for a long time.

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-You're quite right.

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-What we need in April is grass,

-not dust.

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-Twenty-two?

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-That's twenty-eight in total.

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-In total.

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-Hah!

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-Oh!

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-They could play for Wales!

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-Hyah!

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-In here.

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-Imagine a dog race

-with three of these.

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-You need an able dog.

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-I left Sel, and headed for Croesor.

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-I can remember climbing up Cnicht,

-many years ago, with Wil Croesor.

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-I've met up with Nel.

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-There's an old saying, "She may not

-be big, but she's big enough."

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-She can turn her hand to anything.

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-You're happy to work

-with all kinds of machines.

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-Yes.

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-Are there stones in the fodder?

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-Yes, and we have to be careful

-when loading the machine.

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-They can damage the blades

-on the machine.

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-Are these good for sheep?

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-Yes, they eat a lot.

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-They'd eat it every day.

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-We feed them every other day.

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-This is the third or fourth load.

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-How much in a load?

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-A lot -

-this is an eight-wheeler load.

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-You get about 25 tonnes in a load.

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-It's a convenient feeding method.

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-Breaking it up

-makes it easier on their teeth.

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-Cattle will eat it too,

-but we keep it for the sheep.

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-Yes.

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-You're busy, moving from one job

-to another.

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-That's right.

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-The sheep have been waiting for you.

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-It's very windy here.

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-Yes, a hell of a wind!

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-A hell of a wind!

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-You said it!

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-Yes!

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-Right-ho!

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-It's been years

-since I was last here beside Cnicht.

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-On that occasion,

-I climbed to the top.

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-It's good to see it again.

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-I'm in Croesor.

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-Ieuan has land in this area,

-and his sheep also graze on Cnicht.

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-He and his grandson, Elis,

-are on their way here...

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-..bringing lambs that were brought

-from the coast this morning...

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-..back here for summer.

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-I'm on my way to meet them.

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-We leave the main highway

-and head for Croesor...

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-..and Cnicht, along narrow lanes.

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-It's very important that we keep

-these old traditions alive.

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-Go around them, Elis.

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-The lambs have come through

-the small village of Croesor.

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-Bringing them through

-is a tricky job.

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-There don't seem to be

-as many gates around...

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-..and the lambs get everywhere

-in search of grass.

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-Even here, there's more grass

-than there is on Cnicht.

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-Elis, Ieuan's grandson,

-is working with him.

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-Ieuan will tell you it's never too

-soon to start teaching these boys...

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-..how to do this work.

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-You have to be born in this place

-in order to farm here.

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-Alright, boys?

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-Champion.

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-Will the sheep stay here for long?

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-Will you shear them

-before taking them up the mountain?

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-Yes, as soon

-as the weather improves.

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-When they've had time to recover.

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-They were going everywhere

-in search of grass.

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-That's right.

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-Tell me about

-your link with Croesor.

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-I used to work here

-after leaving school...

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-..for a number of years.

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-I was privileged to be able

-to buy land here 20 years ago.

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-I've been here ever since.

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-I hope I'll have another 20 years!

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-Yes, indeed!

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

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-The weather today

-at Ty Canol, Dolbenmaen...

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-..is much better

-than the last time I visited.

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-Several months have elapsed

-and spring has arrived.

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-I'm joining Nel today.

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-We're picking up a load of lambs

-in Anglesey.

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-I'm looking forward to the trip.

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-Where are you taking them?

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-Where are you taking them?

-

-Merthyr Tydfil.

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-Down to Merthyr.

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-I won't be going all the way

-to Merthyr with you...

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-..but I look forward

-to the trip to Anglesey.

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-Away we go, Nel.

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-You need plenty of room

-for such a big lorry.

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-How long have you had a HGV licence?

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-It must be four years

-or thereabouts.

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-Really?

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-Or maybe five years.

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-I was 19 years old

-when I passed the test.

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-I'm now 23 years old.

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-Good gracious.

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-Did you drive a big lorry

-for your test?

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-Yes.

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-I did my test in Caernarfon.

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-I drove through Bangor too.

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-How many lambs will you have in the

-lorry after you've finished loading?

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-Five-fifty or five-sixty.

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-It depends.

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-It depends on their size.

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-These lambs are fairly big.

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-What's your maximum speed?

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-Forty - you can drive

-at about forty.

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-You can't go much faster than that,

-when loaded.

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-Do you often make the trip

-from Anglesey to Merthyr?

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-Yes, that's where we go, nowadays.

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-The other abattoir closed.

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-Did you lose a lot of business?

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-Did you lose a lot of business?

-

-Yes, it was terrible.

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-What's the longest distance

-that you travel?

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-Do you drive to Scotland

-occasionally, for autumn sales?

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-Yes.

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-I've been to the mart in Kendall.

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-We've had collections in that area.

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-Bentham, Skipton - all those places.

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-You can drive for four hours.

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-You can drive for four hours.

-

-Four and a half hours.

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-Then you must stop.

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-How much can you drive in a day?

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-Four and a half hours,

-then a 45-minute break...

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-..then another

-four and a half hours.

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-Do you bring your own food?

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-Do you bring your own food?

-

-Yes, usually.

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-I have to stop, anyway.

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-If you hear a noise,

-it'll be me snoring!

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-It's a very comfortable seat!

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-Do you breed calves as well?

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-No, we buy stores.

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-You've got to load

-plenty of food too.

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-How many do we have?

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-How many do we have?

-

-Seventy-five.

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-Seventy-five?

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-Seventy-five?

-

-Were you expecting more?

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-I thought he'd said

-one hundred and something.

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-This is a difficult job.

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-You have to count carefully

-and load them properly...

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-..and you're always working

-against the clock.

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-But she's managing well.

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-Count how many there are left.

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-Isn't it good to be young and agile?

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-There's not much room

-between these floors.

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-We're in Anglesey,

-land of the can-do people.

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-All credit to Anglesey's farmers -

-these lambs are in good condition.

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-She looks like a pretty little dog!

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-Loading is a tough job.

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-Yes, it's a tough job.

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-They're fine lambs.

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-Yes, very fine lambs.

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-How are you doing?

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-One more lot to come.

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-I'll go and count them.

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-SHE WHISTLES

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-Good.

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-Well done.

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-Silage today?

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-Silage today?

-

-Yes, finishing it.

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-It's good to have fine weather.

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-It's good to have fine weather.

-

-It makes a change from rain.

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-Mind your feet.

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-It has quite a strong spring.

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-I doubt if it could lift me, though!

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-It's a good day

-to travel on top of a lorry!

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-Nice to see you.

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-Nice to see you.

-

-You too.

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-Keep up the good work!

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-I'll take that.

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-Seventy-seven.

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-The mobile phone is one

-of the worst things ever created.

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-MOBILE PHONE

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-Hello.

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-How's things?

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-Yes, I'm leaving Plas now.

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-Good, no problem.

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-Shall I meet you in Brynsiencyn?

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-Yes.

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-Meet me at the top of the lane.

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-I'll do that.

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-Do you get the movement licence?

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-Do you get the movement licence?

-

-Yes.

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-I'll be on the quad bike.

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-No problem.

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-Thanks.

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-What time will you arrive home

-tonight?

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-I won't be coming home tonight.

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-I'll find a place to park tonight,

-and drive back tomorrow morning.

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-Is there much work in this area?

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-Yes, we transport lots of cattle.

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-Sometimes we'd take a load

-practically every day.

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-Are they taken to St Merryn too?

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-Yes, to St Merryn in Merthyr.

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-Yes, to St Merryn in Merthyr.

-

-Thank the Lord for it.

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-The closure of the Gaerwen abattoir

-was a huge blow.

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-Yes, especially for us.

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-Where did you take

-your first-ever load?

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-I remember where I picked up

-my first load.

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-In Tywyn.

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-In Meirionnydd?

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-In Meirionnydd?

-

-Dolgellau, yes.

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-Is this your man?

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-Yes, this is the job.

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-He's got huge tyres

-on that motorbike.

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-Six.

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-WHISTLING

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-Thank you.

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-I shall leave you now, Nel.

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-There we go, champion.

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-Not that I've been much help.

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-Will you have to do

-the unloading yourself?

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-No, there are men to do it.

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-The lorry will have to be washed.

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-It's been quite an experience.

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-You have a decent load to transport.

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-Yes - about five-forty.

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-Yes - about five-forty.

-

-Do you enjoy your work?

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-Yes.

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-Yes.

-

-It's hard work.

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-Yes, it is.

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-There aren't many women

-who drive big lorries.

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-Look after yourself.

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-I will.

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-Don't make a fortune, because

-that's what I'm trying to do!

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-Thanks, ta-ra!

0:20:260:20:28

-This is Cwm Pennant, is it?

0:20:460:20:48

-This is Cwm Pennant, is it?

-

-Yes.

0:20:480:20:49

-Many of these houses

-are probably holiday homes.

0:20:500:20:53

-Yes, they are.

0:20:530:20:55

-Those two,

-and there's another behind us.

0:20:550:20:58

-That one, too.

0:20:590:21:00

-There's a church and a church house.

0:21:010:21:04

-Is that Cwm Pennant church?

0:21:040:21:06

-Yes, Llan church.

0:21:070:21:09

-I don't know

-when it stopped being a church.

0:21:100:21:13

-Do you remember services there?

0:21:130:21:15

-Do you remember services there?

-

-No.

0:21:150:21:16

-You're too young!

0:21:170:21:18

-Well, yes!

0:21:180:21:20

-You have a little freedom

-at the moment.

0:21:210:21:24

-It's nearly the middle of June.

0:21:240:21:27

-The lorries will be getting busy.

0:21:270:21:29

-It's hard work, managing lorries

-and raising cattle.

0:21:290:21:33

-I spend most of my time at home.

0:21:340:21:36

-I sometimes unload or pick up,

-when the need arises.

0:21:360:21:41

-Whoa, boys.

0:21:420:21:43

-You won't have any trouble

-selling these.

0:21:450:21:48

-With a bit of luck.

0:21:490:21:50

-They've had plenty to graze.

0:21:510:21:53

-Food is what they need.

0:21:530:21:55

-They're black Limos and Charolais,

-are they?

0:21:550:21:59

-Yes.

0:21:590:22:01

-We get heifers from the black Limo.

0:22:010:22:03

-I have several cows with some

-Welsh Black and Aberdeen in them.

0:22:040:22:09

-We can keep our own heifers.

0:22:090:22:11

-It's important to have the

-native breed on the maternal side.

0:22:120:22:16

-You need good milk producers.

0:22:170:22:19

-Without milk,

-you don't have anything.

0:22:190:22:22

-The Charolais are a good shape.

0:22:220:22:25

-You must have a good bull.

0:22:250:22:26

-You must have a good bull.

-

-We have our own bull.

0:22:260:22:27

-He's home-bred, from a heifer we

-bought in Welshpool a few years ago.

0:22:280:22:33

-From Pennie in Welshpool.

0:22:330:22:35

-It has the right breeding.

0:22:360:22:38

-They calve quite easily too.

0:22:380:22:40

-Did he sire that white heifer?

0:22:410:22:43

-No.

0:22:430:22:44

-She was sired by next-door's bull!

0:22:450:22:47

-You have good neighbours!

0:22:480:22:50

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.

0:23:180:23:21

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