Pennod 1 Gardd Pont y Twr

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-After years of showing people

-what to do with flowers...

-..in this series,

-I face a new challenge.

-I'm Sioned Edwards.

-Six months ago,

-I moved to Plas Pont Y Twr...

-..with my husband Iwan

-and daughters Nanw and Malan.

-It's my grandparents' old farm, at

-the foot of Moel Famau near Ruthin.

-It has been in my father's family

-for four generations.

-I'm the latest to inherit it.

-The house is run-down.

-Our home for the next year

-is a rather cramped caravan.

-It's quite a challenge

-with two young children.

-We have to go in five minutes.

-This year's main project is

-to turn the field by the caravan...

-..into a vegetable,

-fruit and flower garden...

-..with a play area, of course.

-Hooray!

-My dream is to grow my own flowers

-for my work as a floral designer.

-With luck, next year

-they'll come from the garden.

-Iwan is passionate

-about green and organic methods.

-I could go to the toilet

-in the compost heap...

-..but Sioned vetoed that.

-After months

-of discussing and arguing...

-..we've finally agreed on a plan.

-High time too.

-Spring is here, so we have to start.

-Sioned, can you help

-plant the potatoes, please?

-This is a story

-about sweat, frustration...

-Hang on!

-..arguing and celebrating,

-as we try to realize the dream.

-Let me sit down. This is going

-to take time, I can tell.

-Not to mention headstrong chickens,

-greedy pigs and a cheeky cat.

-It's a big challenge,

-and we may not succeed.

-Good morning, Malan.

-Say good morning.

-The first day of the work

-begins with breakfast, as usual.

-Aah!

-Today, Malan, a big, big machine

-is coming to the garden...

-..with a long, long arm...

-..to move soil in the garden

-and make a path.

-It will make room

-for the greenhouse.

-There'll be a big mess!

-When you come back

-from Taid and Nain Grey's house...

-..the garden will have changed.

-It'll be covered in mud!

-Yes. Great!

-Yes. Great!

-

-No!

-Two big yellow machines are coming.

-A digger. Can you say that?

-Digger.

-And a dumper.

-Dumper.

-A digger and a dumper.

-We have to go in five minutes.

-How are we going to get Malan ready

-in five minutes?

-Time to go to school.

-Iwan has marked the paths

-and boundaries with hazel stakes.

-Soon, Eilir Meifod

-arrives with his digger...

-..to prepare and level the ground.

-The house was named

-after the Turbridge family...

-..a 17th century gentry family.

-The present brick house

-has stood here for over 200 years.

-My father's family moved here

-four generations ago.

-Who knows what

-we'll find in the soil?

-Hello, Auntie Rhiannon.

-My father's sister, Auntie Rhiannon,

-and her dog Ida...

-..have called

-to see what's going on.

-Here's a cup of tea.

-Thank you.

-Isn't it nice?

-It's marvellous.

-You remember this place as it was

-when you lived here as a child.

-Of course.

-My mother, your grandmother,

-grew vegetables.

-Here?

-Yes, all this area,

-down to the house.

-I thought Taid did that.

-Taid helped with the potato rows.

-But Nain did the gardening.

-I remember Taid stealing peas

-and Nain being cross!

-He ate them out of the pod,

-when they were sweet.

-All that remains

-from my grandparents' day...

-..is a small apple tree.

-I really want to keep

-the apple tree.

-I remember Nain making apple tarts.

-They were very tidy,

-right to the edge of the plate.

-Yes, and filled with apples.

-Marvellous.

-Maybe my apple tarts

-aren't as good as Nain's...

-..but I've certainly inherited

-her love of flowers.

-Nain grew flowers around the house.

-They always looked pretty.

-Yes.

-Red-hot pokers.

-This area became a field

-when we were young.

-When they were older,

-they put down a lawn.

-Taid called it the bowling green.

-The next time you come here,

-it will be very different.

-The digger is making quite a mess.

-The digger is making quite a mess.

-

-I'm looking forward to seeing it.

-Yes, it will be quite different.

-Yes, it will be quite different.

-

-Yes.

-There's a lot to do

-in the coming months...

-..but family and friends are ready

-to help with the heavy work.

-Our first task is preparing the

-vegetable garden to plant potatoes.

-It's an old field, so we must try

-to get rid of the couch grass.

-These long-rooted weeds

-spread like a plague.

-We need some expert help.

-Let's get the pigs!

-I've heard there's no better way

-of clearing ground...

-..than letting pigs loose on it.

-We don't have to go far.

-Our neighbour, Richard,

-has two hungry pigs...

-..that are ideal for the job.

-Sorry to drag you from your work.

-Sorry to drag you from your work.

-

-It's alright. It's nice to see you.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Fine, thanks.

-You'd spare my back...

-..and save me a lot of time

-if the pigs could do some rooting.

-Yes, they could do that.

-Would they eat roots?

-They'll go after anything.

-They'll dig it up with their snouts.

-Here they are.

-Yes, the two sows are here.

-SQUEALS

-SQUEALS

-

-Good grief!

-There are two lots of food.

-Yet they still fight for it.

-Yes. They're quite friendly,

-but they quarrel about food.

-How old are they, Richard?

-How old are they, Richard?

-

-Five years old.

-Or thereabouts.

-Do they have piglets every year?

-Twice a year.

-A sow gestates for three months,

-three weeks and three days.

-Really?

-Have they had piglets this year?

-Yes. They're in the other shed.

-They're two months old now.

-They're still small.

-They're ready for the abattoir

-when they're five months old.

-I'd have trouble letting them go.

-I'd have trouble letting them go.

-

-They're sold at Ruthin market.

-There's no sign of a trailer.

-We'll have to herd them home

-to Pont Y Twr. Oh, dear.

-Stand there.

-Let's see if they come out.

-They might go ahead of us.

-We'll drive them that way.

-They're grunting.

-They eat anything.

-They like eating chicken manure.

-Do you shoo them like sheep?

-No, you can't treat them like sheep.

-They know where they're going.

-They know where they're going.

-

-Do they?

-Have you had a word with them?

-Have you had a word with them?

-

-We'll see.

-Sometimes, they escape.

-They can open the gates.

-With their snouts?

-Yes, their snouts are very strong.

-They're bigger than I expected.

-I'm worried they'll be a handful.

-Will they turn on you?

-No.

-The only time they might...

-..is when newborn piglets squeal.

-A few might turn on you.

-A few might turn on you.

-

-Right.

-Should we go after them?

-Will you go?

-Will you go?

-

-I'll try.

-Just go in front, they'll turn.

-Well done, Sioned.

-Can you see me keeping pigs?

-You're used to them already.

-I'd be afraid. They're big.

-They're not like sheep.

-I'm used to sheep.

-If we kept pigs,

-I might become a vegetarian.

-It's eating...

-It's eating...

-

-..manure.

-Oh!

-Oh!

-

-They eat anything.

-That's horse manure.

-LAUGHTER

-Go on, that way!

-Ugh!

-It's quite far for pigs' trotters,

-but there's a handy mud pool...

-..where they can cool down

-and catch their breath.

-Once they reach their temporary

-home, they leave their mark.

-Fertilizer!

-They're eating the roses now.

-They're eating the roses now.

-

-You shouldn't eat those!

-Not here, go on.

-We'll have to keep an eye

-on these two!

-You're staying here now.

-Richard said the sows will do

-a much better job than a rotavator.

-Pigs eat the plant and the roots.

-A rotavator cuts up the roots,

-leading to more couch grass.

-Things get worse with a rotavator.

-Things get worse with a rotavator.

-

-Yes.

-To get the best out of the pigs,

-we offer five-star accommodation.

-Anyone would feel special, getting

-so much attention from the staff.

-Do you like pigs?

-Do you like pigs?

-

-Yes.

-Do you?

-OK.

-They're pink.

-They're not pink.

-What colour are they?

-Er...

-..red.

-No!

-Pink.

-Pink.

-

-Yes.

-There go our leftovers.

-GRUNTS

-In no time, thanks to the pigs,

-the vegetable garden is ready.

-Sioned, can you help

-plant the potatoes, please?

-OK.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-We've started to prepare

-and level the ground.

-The pigs cleared most of the couch

-grass before going home, well fed.

-Today, the potatoes

-are ready to be planted.

-I'm using a different technique.

-There's no need

-to dig the ground first.

-It saves time,

-it's easy to maintain...

-..and more importantly for me,

-it's totally organic.

-I hate chemicals

-and waste of any kind.

-This is an experiment

-and I'm not sure if it will work.

-Good grief.

-Sioned! Sioned!

-Can you help plant the potatoes,

-please? I have to go to work.

-I'll show you how to do it quickly.

-OK.

-Are you planting potatoes

-in this mess?

-Yes. We have to.

-Aren't you making a bed first?

-No.

-We don't have to prepare the soil.

-We're using the no-dig technique.

-The pigs have finished.

-They've made a mess.

-I know, but this is perfect.

-That box of potatoes

-needs to go in today.

-I have to go to work.

-OK.

-OK.

-

-Shall I show you how to do it?

-Yes. I don't have a clue.

-Yes. I don't have a clue.

-

-We'll start here.

-Wait.

-First of all, you need gloves

-with the bonemeal.

-OK.

-Right.

-That feeds the worms.

-So they don't eat the potatoes.

-So they don't eat the potatoes.

-

-Next, cardboard to deter weeds.

-OK.

-Next, manure.

-Alright.

-Do you want that covered?

-I want it all covered with manure.

-Then put hay or straw over it.

-Won't it get blown away?

-Once it rains, it'll stay in place

-if there's a big pile.

-It should be this high.

-Next, use this

-to plant the potatoes.

-It's an old spade handle.

-Push through everything.

-Will I be able to do this, Iwan?

-Just turn it and it'll go through.

-Through the cardboard?

-Through the cardboard?

-

-Yes, it's already gone through.

-Twist it.

-This is perfect,

-there's a bud on top.

-Plant it like this.

-Plant it like this.

-

-With that on top, OK.

-Push it in. Use this, if you like.

-Carefully, so it isn't squashed.

-Plant them a foot apart.

-OK.

-Measure it with your foot.

-I'll try my best.

-Do you think

-you could finish the box?

-I'll try my best.

-Off you go. I'll see you later.

-Ta-ta.

-Let's hope Nanw and I

-remember Iwan's orders.

-Flowers are my thing, after all.

-First of all, a layer of bonemeal,

-which is full of phosphorus.

-This organic fertilizer

-feeds the all-important worms.

-Did you make a robot?

-Next, cover the soil with cardboard

-to deter weeds.

-We'll lay this flat.

-We'll lay this flat.

-

-Here.

-Now manure.

-Yes.

-Manure gives nutrients

-to the soil and insects.

-It's a good thing for every plant.

-Next, pile straw on top

-to protect the young potatoes.

-It will gradually rot

-back into the soil.

-Make a deep hole for each potato

-about a foot apart.

-Remember, the bud goes on top.

-Push it right down.

-You can feel it go down.

-That's it. Let's hope Iwan

-appreciates our hard work.

-We've finished!

-Yes.

-I'm tired now.

-Fingers crossed,

-the technique will work...

-..and we'll get a good crop

-of new potatoes in a few months.

-LAUGHTER

-There's a lot of clearing to do

-before the next job.

-We're building a dry stone wall.

-Hi, are you alright?

-Hi, Sions!

-Hello, how are you?

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Fine.

-We're marking

-where the wall will go.

-OK.

-We've decided...

-..to build a swimming pool instead.

-Right!

-I've got good news

-about the apple tree.

-Yes?

-I'll tell you later.

-We want to build a wall

-and steps by the house.

-We've asked Richard Jones to help.

-He's a Ruthin builder

-who specializes in dry stone walls.

-I've always wanted to learn

-how to build walls.

-I was going to be a waller

-when I was in college.

-I had a romantic idea

-about being a waller...

-..alone on a mountain,

-in the silence...

-..with birds singing

-and the sun shining, of course.

-Of course!

-That doesn't often happen.

-That doesn't often happen.

-

-I thought you'd say that.

-I get a lot of pleasure

-out of building walls...

-..especially dry stone walls.

-It's traditional round here.

-Do you enjoy it more

-than building a mortar wall?

-Yes.

-Mortar holds everything together.

-When you build a dry wall,

-it has to stand by itself...

-..whatever the weather.

-It's like a jigsaw puzzle

-without the picture.

-Try that one...

-..in that gap.

-I heard someone say you should

-never pick up the same stone twice.

-That's the aim.

-A lot of time is wasted if you pick

-a stone that doesn't fit...

-..then you have to get another one.

-What I try to do...

-..is to assess which stone I need

-before picking it up.

-If it doesn't fit,

-find another place for it.

-Right.

-Then go back.

-I try not to put them down.

-Will you fill that?

-Will you fill that?

-

-No.

-Is that gap alright?

-Is that gap alright?

-

-I thought you wanted wildlife here.

-Yes, I want holes for wildlife.

-A dry wall

-is much better for wildlife.

-They can live in the nooks.

-They can go inside.

-And find shelter.

-Do we have enough stones?

-No.

-No.

-

-Ah.

-But we have more stones

-in the next field...

-..to allow Richard

-to carry on with the wall.

-Sioned!

-I have a lovely surprise for you.

-I phoned the bloke

-at the orchard where we got this.

-This tree hasn't been named yet.

-It was called CF1-11.

-I managed to get them

-to name it after you.

-No!

-No!

-

-Yes!

-So you have a fruit tree

-named after you.

-How nice. Thank you!

-It's the most romantic thing

-I've ever done for you.

-Yes. It has a nice smell!

-It isn't this one, unfortunately.

-It isn't this one, unfortunately.

-

-Not this one?

-No, that's a crab apple.

-No, that's a crab apple.

-

-OK.

-It's this one.

-This is mine. There's a difference.

-Are you trying to say something?

-This one is really pretty!

-So, Sioned.

-So, Sioned.

-

-Sioned.

-We're keeping the top corner

-by the caravan as an orchard...

-..as it was in my grandparents' day.

-This young tree

-is the most recent addition.

-There we are.

-This is the new home

-for our tree - Sioned.

-It's time for a cuppa.

-It's time for a cuppa.

-

-Oh!

-Will you help me

-scythe this area when it's time?

-I'd cut my foot off!

-I'd cut my foot off!

-

-No, it's quite safe.

-In the past, people got up

-at four in the morning to scythe...

-..taking a jug of cider with them.

-They worked until eleven.

-Between eleven and three,

-they had time off to drink cider.

-Nothing was done after that!

-Nothing was done after that!

-

-Nothing was done after that.

-I think I'll use the same idea.

-I'll find you giggling under a tree.

-Next time,

-the machines move up a gear.

-Everything's happening today.

-Sioned, come here!

-The stress is starting to show.

-You don't want me to prune that.

-You don't want me to prune that.

-

-No.

-What seems simple on paper

-gets complicated.

-I really don't want...

-I really don't want...

-

-Hang on, let me sit down.

-This is going to take time,

-I can tell.

-S4C Subtitles by Gwead

-.