0:00:26 > 0:00:28Wild skies,
0:00:28 > 0:00:29meandering waterways
0:00:29 > 0:00:31and windswept hillsides.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35The Brecon Beacons. Just look at this place.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38It's a landscape waiting to be explored
0:00:38 > 0:00:41and today is going to be full of digital discovery for me
0:00:41 > 0:00:44because I'm going geocaching, and if you've never heard of it before,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47think of it as a 21st century treasure hunt.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- Got it.- Have you?- Yeah.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55How far in was that? How are you supposed to find that?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Helen is taking a walk in the wild with a difference.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00One thing you have to... Just give him a little bit of a tug.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03They need to know who is boss.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05You can see we are off the road.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Tom is asking why so many horses and riders are being injured
0:01:08 > 0:01:10and killed on our roads.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11I'm extremely lucky to be alive.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Digby basically saved my life.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17If I was cycling up here that day, I would have been killed.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18And Adam is visiting a hospital
0:01:18 > 0:01:21where they are helping dogs with cancer.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24It's extraordinary seeing this human technology
0:01:24 > 0:01:26being used on dogs.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And brilliant that they can find out whether the cancer
0:01:28 > 0:01:31has spread and then whether it is worth doing operations.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Lush, steep valleys crowned with spectacular summits.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Today we are visiting the unmistakable outlines
0:01:53 > 0:01:55of an ancient glacial landscape.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Covering nearly 520 square miles of glorious Welsh valleys,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03the Brecon Beacons National Park
0:02:03 > 0:02:07stretches from Llandeilo in the west to Abergavenny in the east.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Somewhere in these hills,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13hidden treasure is waiting to be discovered.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19And making sure that I don't get lost before I've even started,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22are the National Park's very own geocaching officers,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Ilona Carati and Billy Morgan.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29They've set up simple trails around the Beacons,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32melding modern technology with an ancient landscape.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Now, I've been billing this as a kind of
0:02:35 > 0:02:3821st-century treasure hunt.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39Ilona, is that fair?
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Yeah, it's exactly what you are doing.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45You are going out and you are finding caches, as they are called.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47You are using modern technology to do it with.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51And no two caches are the same,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54but almost all contain a logbook to record your discovery
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and often trinkets to exchange with fellow geocachers.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03But it's the technology that is the key to unlocking the landscape
0:03:03 > 0:03:04for the younger generation.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Tell your child that you are going for a walk,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10the first things they'll say is, "How far?", or, "How long?"
0:03:10 > 0:03:13So what we'd find with geocaching is that you've got some piece
0:03:13 > 0:03:16of technology, usually that they are more familiar with than an adult,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18or they will be very quickly,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20and then they've suddenly walked
0:03:20 > 0:03:23three, four kilometres without even really thinking about it.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Certainly in our purposes, that's amazing
0:03:25 > 0:03:29because we are working with children that are very physically inactive.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32So you can be quite extreme with it.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37You can hit mountaintops or some are right next to where you park.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38They are called cache and dashes.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42And that's quite handy, maybe, if you are differently abled.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45You might need somewhere that's got wheelchair access.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Before I can get started, I need the tools of the trail
0:03:51 > 0:03:52and Billy has got just the thing,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56a hand-held navigational device similar to a car sat-nav.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58But we are heading strictly off-road.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02It's sending me this way.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03There we are.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I am using this little electronic gizmo,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10but it's just as easy to go geocaching
0:04:10 > 0:04:12with a free app on your smartphone.
0:04:12 > 0:04:1579 metres. 79 metres to go.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16So this little device here, then,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19it's in conversation with satellites.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Yes.- That's how it's working. - It tracks a number of satellites,
0:04:22 > 0:04:23a minimum of three.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25So, for those with smartphones that want to go out,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28how many points around Britain are there?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30I'd say there's tens of thousands around Britain.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Around 2.5 million worldwide,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35so really, anywhere you want to go you can find a geocache.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Say, Siberia and the Sahara Desert, not so good,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40but the rest of the world, yeah.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Once you get the bug, then, there's no stopping you.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48At what point do you put the device down and start searching?
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I mean, how accurate are these things?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- It's generally, we say, it's about a radius of about ten metres.- OK.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58The clue we give them is, "Look for a Bronze Age standing stone."
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- So we'll give you that clue. - Ideal.- Here it is.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02We are certainly in the right ballpark.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03In this particular instance,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07you're looking for a box, I would say, about that size.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Right.- Bear in mind it's well hidden.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16This fence line would be quite an attractive place
0:05:16 > 0:05:18to put it, maybe.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23What about this post here?
0:05:25 > 0:05:26No.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Can you see it?- No.- No.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- Ah. OK, that helps. - That wouldn't be much fun.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Was I right when I said I was being drawn to this area?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39You are definitely in the right area.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Was it the post?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Ah, well, we are not going to tell you exactly where.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Have a good, good luck. Long, hard look.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Ah!
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- I've found it.- There you go.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54See, I said at the beginning
0:05:54 > 0:05:56this wonderful straining post would be it.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00So, "Congratulations. You've found geocache JT3.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01"Time standing still."
0:06:03 > 0:06:04This trail of geocaches holds more
0:06:04 > 0:06:07than just the thrill of discovery.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Each one contains a little info
0:06:09 > 0:06:11about the history of its hiding place.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15In keeping with geocaching etiquette,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I am recording my visit and swapping some knick-knacks.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I just need to write my name in.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21Name and a date is nice
0:06:21 > 0:06:24because then the next person that comes along and finds it,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27it sort of provides a whole trail.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30So that's my first-ever geocache in the bag.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31Or box.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Time to pop it back in its rightful place.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Horses and their riders have been a common sight on our roads
0:06:40 > 0:06:45for centuries, but today, as more and more cars use those same roads,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48are they risking their lives more than ever?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00It's a picture postcard scene.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Horses and riders enjoying the beautiful British countryside.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08But there is another more dangerous side to this popular pastime
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and that's here on our rural roads.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Whoa!- BLEEP.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Get a bit- BLEEP- closer, you idiot!
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- Whoa!- BLEEP.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21This is the danger,
0:07:21 > 0:07:25filmed by people on the country's highways and byways.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28BLEEP.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Horse riders are some of the most vulnerable road users.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34BLEEP.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36On average, there is an incident involving horses
0:07:36 > 0:07:38every day in the UK.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45And that is something Gillian Singleton knows all about.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47She's been riding for more than 30 years.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51This is the safest route that we take.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It basically cuts out the corner.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Obviously, you can see we are off the road,
0:07:55 > 0:07:56which is our main aim,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59is to keep off the road and stay on the grass tracks.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Two months ago she was knocked off her horse, Digby,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06while riding here in Snowdonia National Park
0:08:06 > 0:08:08with her sister-in-law Gwenda.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Some of the photos you are about to see are distressing.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14It was past the green sign over there, which you can see.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Maybe about 150 yards from here
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and the next thing, all I heard was, "Bang".
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Digby and Gillian had been hit by a car.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Digby jumped up because Gill had fallen against the bank
0:08:24 > 0:08:26and not on to the concrete.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29And then the driver drove round,
0:08:29 > 0:08:34stopped and he said, "I didn't see you. The sun was in my eyes."
0:08:34 > 0:08:35You had some minor injuries,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37but you must think yourself incredibly lucky.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I mean, a horse had fallen over, a car had hit it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Extremely lucky.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Digby basically saved my life.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45If I was cycling up here that day, I would've been killed.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47And how were you at this time?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I was trying to comprehend basically what had happened,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53then I just turned to go for Digby.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I could see he was injured.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59He collapsed and he died basically within about five to ten minutes.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Digby died from his injuries on the side of the road
0:09:03 > 0:09:05just minutes from home.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I was so distraught. So distraught.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Just overwhelmed with emotion.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Even now, I can feel it in my voice.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- Yeah.- So distressing.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- So, will you be riding up here again?- Never. Never again.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I'm too scared. I'm too nervous. I'm too anxious.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24I'm afraid of cars.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26I'm afraid of cars.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Gillian isn't alone. It's a nationwide problem.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Riders across the country have launched campaigns
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and petitions calling for change.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40According to figures recently compiled
0:09:40 > 0:09:42by the British Horse Society,
0:09:42 > 0:09:47there have been 2,070 accidents and near misses involving horses
0:09:47 > 0:09:49on our roads in the last five years.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52That's more than one a day.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55And in the same period,
0:09:55 > 0:09:5836 riders have been killed
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and 181 horses have lost their lives.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08And the true figures could be a lot higher.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Sarah Phillips is from the British Horse Society.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14We just think we are scratching at the surface
0:10:14 > 0:10:16because a lot of things go unreported.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- People may have a near miss.- Idiot!
0:10:18 > 0:10:20They won't know who to report it to.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22The police might not be involved,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24so a lot of them just slip under the radar.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25And why are these numbers increasing?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27There are more people using the roads.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30More horse riders on the road. There's more cars on the road.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31The population is growing.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33You get people, you know, in a rush every day
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and when horses and riders and cars come together,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38it doesn't always end well.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39I asked you to stop!
0:10:40 > 0:10:42And can even the best trained horse
0:10:42 > 0:10:45be spooked in the wrong circumstances?
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Yeah, absolutely. A horse is a flight animal.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It will run away from a predator.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53That's evolved over many, many thousands of years
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and even the best trained and the gentlest, quietest animal,
0:10:56 > 0:10:57when you're hacking along,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00if it sees something in the hedge that startles it -
0:11:00 > 0:11:01it could be a bird,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03it could be a plastic bag -
0:11:03 > 0:11:05that makes the horse jump away from the danger
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and into the path of a car.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10What's the main cause of the rise in incidents?
0:11:10 > 0:11:1375% of reported incidents,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16the cause is because that car has got too close
0:11:16 > 0:11:17to the horse on the road.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Back in Wales and Gillian is still scarred
0:11:23 > 0:11:25by the accident that killed Digby.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29She's just started riding again with her new horse, Mr Todd.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The only way I'm going to get to know him properly
0:11:31 > 0:11:33is by having lessons.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36I need him to be an obedient horse,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38especially if I'm out on the road.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51The reason Gillian needs her horse to be reliable on the road
0:11:51 > 0:11:56is that legally they are not allowed on pavements or footpaths.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01In the Highway Code itself, there are few laws about horse riding
0:12:01 > 0:12:04but plenty of advice about clothing,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06being visible at night and controlling your horse.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11But what's the drivers' responsibility?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Again, it's mainly advice.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17The Highway Code says you should take extra care on country roads
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and treat horses as a potential hazard.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25But there are laws about driving properly with other road users,
0:12:25 > 0:12:26which include riders.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32So are the existing laws sufficient or do we need new laws
0:12:32 > 0:12:36aimed specifically at protecting horses and riders?
0:12:36 > 0:12:39That's what I'll be finding out later.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50The Brecon Beacons National Park has some of the most beautiful
0:12:50 > 0:12:55and dramatic landscapes to be found anywhere in the British Isles.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59This part of Wales has been shaped by centuries of sheep farming,
0:12:59 > 0:13:03but as times have changed farmers have had to be inventive
0:13:03 > 0:13:05with ways of eking out a living.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Here in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13a local business has paired up with farmers
0:13:13 > 0:13:16to offer people a rather unusual way
0:13:16 > 0:13:18to get out and enjoy the landscape.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22I'm meeting Julia Blazer, whose company provides distinctive ways
0:13:22 > 0:13:25of enjoying the great outdoors.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Today I will be sheep trekking.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Where did this idea come from?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Basically, I was looking at llama trekking and thinking,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34that's quite popular and thinking, "What's that all about?
0:13:34 > 0:13:35"Let's do it with something a bit more native."
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Why do people go sheep trekking? I mean, people do do this.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Well, it's connection with nature.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43We get people who've got a bit of a thing about
0:13:43 > 0:13:45lovely sheep, cuddly sheep.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48We get families who want to do something a bit different.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50It's really nice but it's also you chat to people.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53You are looking out at the scenery. The scenery here is stunning.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55It's just a really fun thing to do.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Let's go and meet the farmer and these sheep.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Paul Matthews has been a sheep farmer in this unforgiving
0:14:00 > 0:14:03landscape for 35 years.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06His collaboration with Julia has taken farm diversification
0:14:06 > 0:14:08to a different level.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Is that a turkey in there? You've got all sorts in here, haven't you?
0:14:13 > 0:14:14There's all sorts of animals, yeah.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17They've noticed us now.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19So are they quite happy to get into these harnesses?
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Some love it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Others need a little bit more persuasion.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25They will do quite a lot for food.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Come on.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Come on, boys.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Jigsaw won't let me down.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Oh, have they all got names?- Yes.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37That's the one advantage with the Jacobs. They are all different.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40The fact that these are trekkers means that they have been saved
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- from a cruel fate. Shall we just put it like that?- Yeah.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45You're not supposed to talk about it.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47HE LAUGHS
0:14:47 > 0:14:50But it's a brutal truth, isn't it? They're happy.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51It is the brutal truth, yeah.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Here you go. Now they are coming.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Paul has chosen some calm companions from his flock.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Jigsaw, Jagger, Jet and Jester will be coming trekking with us today.
0:15:03 > 0:15:04- This is mine, is it?- No, no.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07This boy here is yours. This handsome boy here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- And he is called? - He is called Jester.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Come on, Jester.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Let's go for a walk.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- By the end of today, I'm sure you'll be bonding.- Come on, Jester!
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Good boy. Come on, Jester. You've given
0:15:20 > 0:15:24me the dud one, I know you have! Come on. That's right.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Ha-ha-ha!
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Here we go. This is how you do it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Just give him a little bit of a tug. They need to know who is boss.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Come on then.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37'I'm not entirely sure who is walking who,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41'as we set off from the farm and start our climb into the hills.'
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Yeah.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47As we get further up the farm, you know,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49you'll be able to see all the views.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- It's not just about trekking. It's about the walk.- Yeah.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'Our route is an ancient right of way across the farmland.'
0:15:57 > 0:16:02The road we're on now is an old drovers' road and this goes all
0:16:02 > 0:16:05the way to the mountain and in the spring,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09the farmers from the valleys would have brought their sheep all
0:16:09 > 0:16:14the way up on to the hill for summer grazing and then,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17in the autumn, they'd have brought them back down again.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20'What we're doing may look slightly strange, but we're following in the
0:16:20 > 0:16:25'footsteps of sheep farmers who have walked these trails for centuries.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28'Before road and rail reached the remote hill farms,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32'livestock was taken on foot to the market by drovers.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35'These men were hardy and highly skilled,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39'responsible not only for their valuable cargo,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43'but also large amounts of money, once the animals were sold.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47'The arrival of the railways in 1863 soon meant that livestock
0:16:47 > 0:16:50'could be moved from farm to market in a single day.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54'By 1950, the era of the drovers was over.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'It's been a novel walk, but as we make our way back down,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08'I can really see why this innovative farm diversification
0:17:08 > 0:17:09'has been such a success.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I've got to be honest, I thought you guys were bonkers before I came
0:17:13 > 0:17:17here, but now, I accept that you are making the best of the Brecons.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19It's been a nice day out, hasn't it?
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The sun's shone, sheep for company, and everybody having a good time.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Thank you. You've been the stars of the show.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Now, a while ago, Ellie went to Worcestershire to meet
0:17:34 > 0:17:38a man who is passionate about the humble worm,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41a creature also praised by one of Ellie's own heroes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47The 19th century naturalist Charles Darwin is best known for his
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Theory of Evolution,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53as set out in his book On The Origin Of Species, but what is less
0:17:53 > 0:17:59well known is his deep admiration for the humble earthworm.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03"It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have
0:18:03 > 0:18:08"played so important a part in the history of the world as these
0:18:08 > 0:18:10"lowly organised creatures."
0:18:11 > 0:18:15But Darwin isn't the only person to recognise the attributes of
0:18:15 > 0:18:17these humble invertebrates.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Ken Nelson is a farmer with a difference.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22He farms worms.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Ken farms on a two-acre site in Worcestershire,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33where he breeds worms for sale,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37supplying gardeners looking to improve the quality of their
0:18:37 > 0:18:39soil and fishermen out for the catch of the day.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42- Hi, Ken.- Hi.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I think this must be the first worm farm I've ever been to.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Well, it's your lucky day! - It is my lucky day.- Sure.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51What was the appeal for you with worms?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54What made you think, "Yeah, yeah. They're going to be what I work with"?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Well, worms, they do a lot for the planet.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59If you love the planet, you've got to love these guys.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05'And they really do play an important role,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10'breaking down dead organic matter in a process called decomposition.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13'The process releases nutrients from dead plants and animals,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'making them available for living plants.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:20What types of worms have you got here then?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Well, there's three types I use for composting.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25This is what you call a Dendrobaena veneta.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- It's a big, chunky worm, that one, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- It likes a lot of food waste.- OK. - Then Eisenia fetida.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34That's called the brandling or the red worm.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- And the third one?- Eisenia andrei.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41A bit smaller than the Dendrobaena and this is what they call
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- a tiger worm.- It's got the stripes there.- Yeah.- All right.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48'Ken doesn't just breed worms ideal for composting.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'His gardening clients are keen to get the right mix of
0:19:51 > 0:19:54'creatures to produce the finest soil possible.'
0:19:54 > 0:19:56What other types of worms are there?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59There's the Lumbricus terres... I can't even...
0:19:59 > 0:20:00They call them the lob worm.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- The lob worms.- Or some people call them the nightcrawlers.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Oh, it's completely different!
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Wow!- These are what you'd call the backbone of the planet.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Their function is to aerate the soil, keep the water from...
0:20:13 > 0:20:16The drainage and stuff like that within the soil.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- The lob worms are the garden worms. - Garden worm.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22When you think about their function in the soil,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25for both creating the soil structure and also just decomposing
0:20:25 > 0:20:28everything, I guess it starts to blow your mind
0:20:28 > 0:20:31a little bit about how important they are, how much we overlook them.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- Well, I didn't. I don't overlook them.- You don't.- I don't.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36The rest of us do, unfortunately.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39But it's one of those things, you need to be taught about it,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- isn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46'Globally, there are about 3,000 species of earthworm.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49'They can grow up to three metres in length,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52'like the giant Gippsland earthworm from Australia.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57'In the UK, there are 26 earthworm species,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'some of which Ken has here on his farm.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:03So, all these tubs are full of worms, are they?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Well, they've got loads of worms in them. Quite a lot of worms.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Do you think you've got hundreds of thousands here? It's hard to say, isn't it?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Look, I could say you'd find 10,000 or more in a bin.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'And the great thing about farming worms is they don't need much
0:21:16 > 0:21:17'looking after.'
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Food waste.- In the top.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- In the top. And then the worms... - That's remarkable.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- And you just top that up with organic matter...- Waste, yeah.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- Shredded food waste, veg waste and shredded paper.- A bit of paper.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'The dead matter the worms eat passes through their systems
0:21:36 > 0:21:38'and produces an amazing by-product.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:41This, the good stuff.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Worm cast, black gold, worm poo - whatever you want to call it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46And is it worm poo?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Well, yes, it is. Because it comes from a worm.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- And this is really the good stuff for gardeners.- Yeah, 100%.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53100% organic.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57There's ways you can use it to make just fertiliser to put over
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- the plants.- If I was a gardener, I'd be all over this.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- Well...- I've got terrible gardening fingers, unfortunately.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Well, trial and error. - Maybe I need more of this.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- That's what I need in my life. - That's it. There you go.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16The importance of worms can't be overstated, in decomposition,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18in the structure of our soils.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It's unlikely they're going to become the nation's favourite
0:22:21 > 0:22:25pet any time soon, but really we should cherish them and ask
0:22:25 > 0:22:27ourselves - where would we be without them?
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Horse riders are among the most vulnerable people on our roads.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46And as Tom's been finding out, on average,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49there's at least one incident a day involving a horse.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51What the hell?!
0:22:51 > 0:22:52So, is it time for a change?
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Well, opinion is divided as to what changes to make.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Riders are calling for more protection,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05but some drivers want horses banned from the roads altogether.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11A recent AA poll revealed 17% of drivers thought horses should
0:23:11 > 0:23:14be banned from the roads.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18And 8% said they didn't know the right way to pass a horse and rider.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Not surprising then that 6% of drivers revealed they'd had
0:23:22 > 0:23:23a near miss.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29Clearly, some drivers need to learn more about what to do when they meet
0:23:29 > 0:23:30horses on the road,
0:23:30 > 0:23:35but riders too have responsibilities when they meet the tarmac.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41And this is something Rachel Middleton,
0:23:41 > 0:23:46a farmer who has been riding for 30 years, thinks is often lacking.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50There are people that shouldn't be on the roads with their horses.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53'She's been hit by a Transit van and knocked from her horse into
0:23:53 > 0:23:55'the middle of the road,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59'but she still believes it's all too easy to blame drivers.'
0:23:59 > 0:24:00It's very difficult these days.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05Cars have got faster, roads are busier, but you can work your
0:24:05 > 0:24:10horse and prepare them enough to be safe on the roads.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13How might riders be able to help drivers and themselves?
0:24:13 > 0:24:17They need to make sure that they're riding in the right position on the
0:24:17 > 0:24:22road, don't ride two abreast, and if your horse is getting
0:24:22 > 0:24:25fractious and nervous, getting off is the best thing.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But riders might think, look, I've got the right to be here,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30so others should work round me.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Everybody's got the right to be on the road.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36It's just we should all be able to share.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- Is there a case for changes to the law?- Who is going to enforce it?
0:24:40 > 0:24:43The police are absolutely pushed to the limit already.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47No, I think horse riders really have
0:24:47 > 0:24:50got their own responsibility
0:24:50 > 0:24:54to be far more courteous to other road users.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00And show their thanks for the effort that people make to pass them
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- courteously. - It spreads good behaviour.- Yeah.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Yeah, it's a knock-on effect of, you know, you've made an effort,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09you've been thanked for it, so you'll repeat that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Good behaviour is one thing, but the figures show we can't rely on
0:25:17 > 0:25:19it, so should there be more regulation?
0:25:21 > 0:25:25One of the commonest complaints from car drivers is that horse riders
0:25:25 > 0:25:29don't have to take a test before they're allowed out on the road.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Well, I'm just about to start my first road safety awareness course.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Just like a cycling proficiency course,
0:25:37 > 0:25:41it teaches riders the safest way to share the roads with other users.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Now, put your arm out. That's it. Don't look back when you indicate.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46That's it.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49But should a safety course be compulsory for all riders
0:25:49 > 0:25:51before they use the roads?
0:25:52 > 0:25:55We have over 4,000 people a year that actually do that course and we
0:25:55 > 0:25:58would strongly recommend that anyone who wants to hack out on
0:25:58 > 0:26:01a road does that riding and road safety course.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04'Sarah Phillips from the British Horse Society is campaigning
0:26:04 > 0:26:05'for a change.'
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Should courses like that be compulsory?
0:26:07 > 0:26:09When I drive, I have to take a driving test,
0:26:09 > 0:26:10similar thing for a horse?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I don't think that day will ever come and I think people need
0:26:13 > 0:26:16to take responsibility for themselves and their own safety.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20So there's that balance between education and safety and
0:26:20 > 0:26:21legislation and law.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24What about, looking at the other side, stuff with the Highway Code?
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Do you support changes in the Highway Code to make drivers
0:26:27 > 0:26:28behave better around horses?
0:26:28 > 0:26:31We would like more information and more guidance put into the
0:26:31 > 0:26:32Highway Code.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36You should always leave a minimum of two metres between the car and a
0:26:36 > 0:26:40horse and that you should approach, drive past and pull away at
0:26:40 > 0:26:43no more than 15mph.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46'But what can riders do to help themselves right now?'
0:26:46 > 0:26:48They should always wear high-vis when they're out hacking on
0:26:48 > 0:26:50the road, they should put high-vis on their horses,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54to make themselves a lot more visible to a car driver.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00'But even police horses, with all their high-vis,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02'aren't immune to accidents.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07'PC Kerry Dawson is from the Greater Manchester Police.'
0:27:07 > 0:27:10A couple of years ago, we had an incident with
0:27:10 > 0:27:14a police horse who was involved in a collision on the road.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18All the officers were wearing fluorescent coats, high-vis,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and we also have a lot of lights on as well.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- You could hardly be more visible. - No.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26With all of that on. And yet, you were still hit. The horse was hit.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28That's right. That's right.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30'And this prompted them to launch their campaign,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33'Think Horse, Think 15,
0:27:33 > 0:27:35'to raise driver awareness and encourage slower speeds.'
0:27:37 > 0:27:39You think the core of this is education,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42but do you have the power to prosecute drivers if you
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- think they've behaved badly around a horse?- Absolutely.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48There's offences under the Road Traffic Act that police forces can
0:27:48 > 0:27:53look into and use if the incident is serious enough in nature
0:27:53 > 0:27:54to constitute an offence.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00'Those offences include driving without due care and attention,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03'or more seriously, causing death by dangerous driving,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06'which means points on your licence, a hefty fine,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08'or even a prison sentence.'
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Idiot! I've got him on video!
0:28:15 > 0:28:18'The fact remains that, on average, there is at least one incident
0:28:18 > 0:28:23'a day and that's dangerous for riders, horses and drivers.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26'So is it time we relied less on the carrot and used more of the
0:28:26 > 0:28:29'stick when it comes to enforcement?'
0:28:29 > 0:28:34Whether or not there is an appetite or a need for a change in the law,
0:28:34 > 0:28:40legislation takes a while to enact, so in the meantime, maybe both
0:28:40 > 0:28:44riders and drivers should just be a little more considerate and help
0:28:44 > 0:28:45each other out on the road.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49So, what do you think?
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Is it just about common courtesy or do we need a change in the law?
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Or should horses be banned from our roads?
0:28:56 > 0:29:00You can get in touch with us via our website or contact us on Twitter.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14I'm exploring the beautiful Brecon Beacons in a whole new way,
0:29:14 > 0:29:16by getting to grips with geocaching.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Jordan and Joel are benefiting from the outreach projects run by
0:29:22 > 0:29:25geocaching officers Ilona and Billy.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29With the help of local housing charity, the Gwalia Trust, their
0:29:29 > 0:29:33introduction to geocaching has had a positive effect on their lives.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36My wife and I didn't have enough money to put down for
0:29:36 > 0:29:38a first month's rent, and a bond on a place,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41so we were technically made homeless.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Gwalia were there to help us to be able to find more housing.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46And, Jordan, how did you first come across Gwalia?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Well, I got kicked out of my house when I was 16 by my mother
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and I got housed in a place in Llandod,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55but they've helped me a lot, like I didn't have a job or anything.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- Now, I've got a job. Just got a promotion.- Great!
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- Yeah, so it's all going good for me. - Things are going good, yeah. - Yeah, it's all going good.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Before Gwalia, I'm guessing you'd never heard of geocaching.- No.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07When I realised you had to walk quite a distance,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09I wasn't that happy! But I quite enjoyed it after.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12I hated walking at the time, absolutely hated it.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- And now, I love it. - Changing the context of what it is.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18It's not a walk, you're going on an adventure.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- So, let's go and see if we can find it.- OK.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26'Our GPS is telling us that the next cache is within 100 metres
0:30:26 > 0:30:29'and in this landscape, there's only one place it can be.'
0:30:29 > 0:30:33It's got to be in here somewhere, a little bit of Tupperware.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Do you think it's there?
0:30:37 > 0:30:41- You look like you're calving a cow! - He's going to get pulled down now!
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Jordan down the rabbit hole.
0:30:44 > 0:30:45- I've got it.- Have you?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- Yeah.- How far in was that? How were we supposed to find that?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Congratulations. Hurray!
0:30:51 > 0:30:53- Right, come on, boys. We need to sign this then.- Yeah.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56"Found it eventually, due to Jordan's long arm."
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Legend! AKA Legend!
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- I am an absolute living legend! - THEY LAUGH
0:31:11 > 0:31:13'Speaking of geocaching legends,
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'I'm meeting Darren Day up on the breathtaking Twyn y Gaer.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- Here he is.- Pleased to meet you. - Are you all right?
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- Yeah, not too bad at all, thanks. - My word! What a waypoint this is!
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Stunning.- You stay there, let me take everybody round,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28cos you get a full 360.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Look at this place. All right, lads? Working hard.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Just look at the landscape! It's absolutely beautiful.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37And, Darren, have you been up this high before?
0:31:37 > 0:31:39I've got to admit, not as far as this,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42no, so it's a first for me today as well.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47'Darren has not only travelled far and wide in search of geo gold,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50'he's regularly out on the hills with his family,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53'checking and maintaining caches across south Wales.'
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I've found just over 2,500 and I've placed around 100.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58I'm a volunteer reviewer.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Basically, anyone who wants to place a cache in south Wales, I get
0:32:01 > 0:32:04it sent to me online and I do various checks to make sure
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- it meets the guidelines and I'll publish them from there.- OK.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- And so how far and wide have you gone with it?- Bulgaria.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- Liechtenstein.- Have you? - Most of Europe, I've covered.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- And most of the UK as well.- Really?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I'm hopefully doing a trip to Everest Base Camp in two
0:32:18 > 0:32:19- years' time.- You're not!
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Doing a trek there, yeah, so hopefully I can find some out there.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Has it got like little plastic toys...?
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Hopefully not. Hopefully a size people can find.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30'Inspired by Darren's enthusiasm,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33'it's high time I try and seek out my first solo geocache.'
0:32:35 > 0:32:408m, 6m. It's got to be here, hasn't it?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Getting good at this now, I think.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48Um... I'd hide it under there. Yeah, I've got it! I've got it!
0:32:48 > 0:32:53It's square, it feels very much like the Countryfile calendar for
0:32:53 > 0:32:54Children In Need!
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Right, I'm going to pop that back in there for the next lucky geocacher.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03And if you haven't got your hands on one yet, here's a much easier way.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Come on, John. Give them the details.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10It costs £9.50, including free UK delivery.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11You can go to our website,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14where you'll find a link to the order page.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Or you can phone the order line on...
0:33:25 > 0:33:28If you prefer to order by post, then send your name, address
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and a cheque to...
0:33:42 > 0:33:46A minimum of £4 from the sale of each calendar will be donated
0:33:46 > 0:33:48to BBC Children In Need.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54A few weeks ago,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58we asked you to send us your favourite photographs of autumn.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59Here are just a few of them.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Working dogs are an essential part of farm life.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Whether it's rounding up cattle or sheep,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46or just having a close companion for those long days working alone,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48dogs truly are a farmer's best friend.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Down on his farm, Adam's rarely without one.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56I've been around dogs all my life.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58As a kid, I always remember having one in the house and then
0:34:58 > 0:35:01when we were out on the farm, working with the livestock,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03there were plenty of sheepdogs around.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06It's hard to imagine life without one, really.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Fetch.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Sadly, every dog has its day.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18A life spent working the fields comes to
0:35:18 > 0:35:22a close and the farm is quieter without them.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27Some of you might remember Dolly, my Hungarian Vizsla.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31The children absolutely adore her. She's a gorgeous, very loyal dog.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36A few weeks ago, Dolly developed a serious cancer.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39She was operated on, but never fully recovered,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42so we had to have her put to sleep.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44We'll really miss her.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Dolly was a gorgeous dog and a wonderful family pet,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52so it was a very tough decision to have her put down,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55but we couldn't bear to see her suffer.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58But when a cure is readily available and as long as the dog is fit
0:35:58 > 0:36:01enough, some dog owners are prepared to give it a go.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Where is it then, Boo?
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Treating cancer in dogs is notoriously difficult.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It's a highly skilled procedure, but new techniques and
0:36:09 > 0:36:13technology are giving more and more dogs an improved chance of life.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20I've travelled to Hayling Island in Hampshire to meet farm manager
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Ann Rogers, who decided to risk surgery on her Collie cross Monty.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- So, this is Monty, the black and white one?- Yes, that's Monty.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32So, what was wrong with Monty?
0:36:32 > 0:36:36He had a little lump on his leg, on his wrist.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- A little lump. - How did you find that?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40A friend of mine was round for Christmas dinner
0:36:40 > 0:36:42and he was sat on her lap.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45- She was just stroking him. - What had to be done?
0:36:45 > 0:36:50I wanted to know what the lump was, so I went to my local vet.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54They examined him and suggested a couple of routes that we could go.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56Crikey! How could they get rid of it?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59When they decided it was a tumour, they said they couldn't
0:36:59 > 0:37:02really do anything, apart from take his leg off.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Goodness me!- Yes. - And you decided against that.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Yes. Yeah, as he was so young.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12- And how important is he to you in your life?- Yeah, very important.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17I spend a lot of time on my own in the day. He's a pet and a companion.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- So, with you from dawn till dusk, really.- Basically, yes.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22He helps out, checking round the farm.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25The fields, the horses' fields. We've got about 100 acres.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30- And is that why you invested in having the operation?- Yes.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Yes, because they come out with me and I wanted him to stay as
0:37:34 > 0:37:36active as he could be, for as long.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40'Monty was successfully treated at a specialist veterinary
0:37:40 > 0:37:43'practice in Guildford.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46'I'm heading there to meet TV super vet Noel Fitzpatrick,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48'the man behind this new hospital,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51'designed specifically to treat animals with cancer.'
0:37:57 > 0:38:02- Who have we got here?- This is Archie and he's got a tumour in his jaw.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07You can see it right there. It's actually bursting through his gum.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- Just there, can you see that? - Oh, yeah. Oh, horrible.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14- Yeah.- And is cancer becoming more prevalent in dogs?
0:38:14 > 0:38:19I think it's always been there, but the hard statistical fact is
0:38:19 > 0:38:24that half of all dogs over ten are going to die of cancer.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28We can cure some cancers and we can palliate most cancers,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31so you can have a great quality of life, so the thing that people
0:38:31 > 0:38:35used to say, which is nothing can be done - that's no longer true.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38So, once you've spotted it, get to the vet.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Then, what treatments can be done?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Basically, dogs nowadays can have all of the treatments that
0:38:42 > 0:38:44humans can have and that's a game changer.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47You can have everything from surgery, through radiation,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50through chemotherapy, through antibody directed therapy, through
0:38:50 > 0:38:54up-regulating your own immune system, to kill your cancer,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56whether you're a human or a dog.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58So, I suppose the very difficult thing is then for the owner
0:38:58 > 0:39:01to make a decision of how much they want to put the dog through
0:39:01 > 0:39:03or how much the vet thinks the dog can cope with.
0:39:03 > 0:39:04In every case,
0:39:04 > 0:39:08the only thing that we can absolutely do with confidence is
0:39:08 > 0:39:12promise a family that we will give them hope,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16but not in the absence of the reality of their situation, and that
0:39:16 > 0:39:19includes financial and that includes the moral implications of
0:39:19 > 0:39:22what we're putting the animal through, and I feel very,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24very strongly that it's not enough to be able to do something -
0:39:24 > 0:39:26it has to be the right thing to do.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27What's Archie's next step?
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Archie's next step is he's going to see my colleague, Nick,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33and Nick is going to cut that tumour out of there and it won't come back.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- We can cure this dog.- Brilliant. Good luck, Archie.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- Thank you very much. Nice to see you.- Lovely to see you.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Take care. Bye-bye.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48Labradoodle Fudge has been referred here from a practice in Cardiff.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51He's here with his owner Andrew to find out if the cancer in his
0:39:51 > 0:39:53leg has spread to other parts of his body.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Professor Nick Bacon is the vet in charge of this case.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Fudge is sedated, before having a scan.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14So, if the CT scan finds cancerous lumps in Fudge's lungs,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17then that'll be a different course of action.
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Very different.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21So, now the problem's no longer the cancer in the elbow,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23it's in the chest as well.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27So, we'll then look at ways to make sure that Fudge feels good
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- for as long as possible.- Yeah.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34- And that's probably not doing surgery on the elbow.- Yeah. OK.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37So, this is the sort of scanner you could use on people?
0:40:37 > 0:40:42Absolutely, exactly the same. This is actually a human table.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46You'd lie on this and be pushed through the cylinder.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50What the CT does, it takes very, very thin slices, very thin X-rays,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52every two or three millimetres,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56and then we can reconstruct that in three different dimensions,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59so we can actually then look inside organs.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03An X-ray is very flat. You can look at it one way or the other way.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07So it allows us to find much smaller things, much faster.
0:41:09 > 0:41:15And it's extraordinary seeing this human technology being used on dogs.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18And brilliant that they can find out so much detail from the
0:41:18 > 0:41:21inside of the animal, whether the cancer
0:41:21 > 0:41:23has spread and then whether it's worth doing operations.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26It gives the owner a choice,
0:41:26 > 0:41:30which is now a lot more advanced than it's ever been before.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39'Before technology made this level of diagnosis possible,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43'most dogs would have been given a slim chance of survival.'
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Afternoon.- Hello. - Is it Lola?- Yes, it is.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Hi there. How is she doing? - Doing very well, thank you.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52'Another dog to benefit is Labrador Lola,
0:41:52 > 0:41:56'a working gun dog that Nick operated on earlier this year.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59'She's coming in with her owner Sharon for one last check-up.'
0:42:00 > 0:42:03There's always a strong bond between owners and their dogs,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07but with a working dog, there's a lot more to it, isn't there?
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Yes, it's the time and effort you've put in to training it and
0:42:10 > 0:42:11getting it ready.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14My husband works her probably three times
0:42:14 > 0:42:17a week during the season and I think because she was such
0:42:17 > 0:42:20a young dog, you know, we just felt, what do you do?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22You can't just throw all of that away.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25And also, you want to give the dog the best chance of survival.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28I think it might be a different discussion if your dog's
0:42:28 > 0:42:31eight or ten, but this was a three-and-a-half-year-old Lab.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34How did your friends and family feel when they knew you were going
0:42:34 > 0:42:36to put the dog through surgery?
0:42:36 > 0:42:40I think people were a little bit shocked, but she was a three-and-a-half-year-old dog.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43She was very young. Trained well.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45And it just seemed such a waste to do anything else.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48So we felt we just had to give her the fairest chance and see
0:42:48 > 0:42:50where it took us.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53And take her in for surgery. So, yes, that's what we did.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56And the result is a good one, Nick. Must be quite rewarding.
0:42:56 > 0:42:57Very rewarding.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00For Sharon and for Lola, obviously, there's a close bond,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04a working bond and for some people it's their company on
0:43:04 > 0:43:09a quiet night, or for some people the pet's seen them through huge
0:43:09 > 0:43:13emotional turmoil and so it's more, for most people, more than a pet.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14It's a member of the family.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20We all want the best for our dogs,
0:43:20 > 0:43:24and advances in technology are giving us more and more options.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28It's good news for Fudge - his cancer hasn't spread,
0:43:28 > 0:43:31and Nick is confident he can save his leg.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Archie, too, is making a great recovery following his operation.
0:43:36 > 0:43:41Two dogs happily on the mend - both with a second bite at life.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55'Meandering through the stunning landscape of the Brecon Beacons,
0:43:55 > 0:43:59'the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal hugs the south-eastern edge of
0:43:59 > 0:44:00'the National Park.'
0:44:02 > 0:44:04The 200-year-old Mon and Brec Canal is
0:44:04 > 0:44:06a hidden gem of the Brecon Beacons,
0:44:06 > 0:44:11but this peaceful waterway is about to undergo some much-needed TLC,
0:44:11 > 0:44:15and we've been invited along on the first day of the works to
0:44:15 > 0:44:17help out with a wildlife rescue.
0:44:19 > 0:44:24'Opened in 1799, this waterway was originally used to move coal,
0:44:24 > 0:44:27'lime and agricultural products from the countryside to the
0:44:27 > 0:44:29'industrial towns of south Wales.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35'The Canal and River Trust takes care of 2,000 miles of waterways
0:44:35 > 0:44:36'in England and Wales.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39'Kevin Philips is heading up this project.'
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Kevin, tell me a little bit about this canal.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44What are you doing to it, and why does it need doing?
0:44:44 > 0:44:47Well, basically, this section of canal here is the longest
0:44:47 > 0:44:50lock-free elevated pound, so it's 25 miles long
0:44:50 > 0:44:52without any restrictions,
0:44:52 > 0:44:56and because it's elevated the canal is quite prone to leakages,
0:44:56 > 0:44:59so this is a section that we've identified that has some seepages
0:44:59 > 0:45:03and leakages, so we're basically putting in a concrete liner.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09'A leak has the potential to be a disaster.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13'A major collapse of the canal in 1994 caused mass flooding of
0:45:13 > 0:45:15'the village Talybont-on-Usk.
0:45:17 > 0:45:21'These canals are important wildlife corridors, supporting lots of
0:45:21 > 0:45:23'different species.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26'So the repair work can't start until the fish have been removed.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30'Mark Robinson is an ecologist.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32'He's here to make sure they're rescued safely.'
0:45:35 > 0:45:36The canals are teeming with wildlife,
0:45:36 > 0:45:40and the fish are just part of it, and we've got things like...
0:45:40 > 0:45:42There was a kingfisher flying up earlier,
0:45:42 > 0:45:46and they'll be feeding on the fish, and you get the herons flying over.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49You'll see the herons coming around, thinking,
0:45:49 > 0:45:50"Is there a meal here for me?"
0:45:50 > 0:45:52But how do you get the fish out?
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Well, it's quite a simple process.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59We have a couple of guys who come along who are electro-fishermen,
0:45:59 > 0:46:02and they put a current, electricity, into the water,
0:46:02 > 0:46:05but it just stuns them so we can scoop them up with a net.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08You can see just below us we've got a dam that's been put in,
0:46:08 > 0:46:10so that we can actually drain this section of canal,
0:46:10 > 0:46:14and what we simply do is we take the fish from here and we just
0:46:14 > 0:46:15put them the other side of the dam.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18Well, it would be wrong to be here and not lend a hand, so...
0:46:18 > 0:46:21- Are you going to get in the water, are you?- Why wouldn't I?
0:46:21 > 0:46:23- Absolutely, that'll be good. - Brilliant!
0:46:23 > 0:46:28'Cousins James and Josh Kirk are specialist electro-fishermen.'
0:46:28 > 0:46:31It's not that easy to be graceful in this, is it?
0:46:31 > 0:46:33'I'm joining them in the water,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36'so I've been kitted up in all the essential protective gear.'
0:46:38 > 0:46:40Am I going to feel this electric current?
0:46:40 > 0:46:42You won't because you're in a rubberised suit,
0:46:42 > 0:46:45- but if you didn't have, you would. - Oh.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47But not enough to kill you or cause you any harm.
0:46:47 > 0:46:48Well, that's reassuring.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54If you imagine a little mini-forcefield coming from these
0:46:54 > 0:46:58anodes, what we're doing is we'll be pushing the fish in front of us.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01It's mad, isn't it? They literally just sort of pop up.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03It stops all the muscles in the fish from moving,
0:47:03 > 0:47:07so, obviously, doing that, they can't swim away.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10It's really important, I mean, if we didn't do this, you know,
0:47:10 > 0:47:13the stocks of the canals would certainly dwindle over time.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15'It's not just me learning something new today -
0:47:15 > 0:47:17'these local schoolchildren
0:47:17 > 0:47:19'have come to see this unusual process in action.'
0:47:19 > 0:47:23Hello there, how you doing? Are you all right, can you hear me OK?
0:47:23 > 0:47:25- KIDS: Yeah! - That's good.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28So today we're going to do some electro-fishing,
0:47:28 > 0:47:31and that means we're going to put a small electrical current in
0:47:31 > 0:47:34the water, and it'll slowly stun the fish and give us enough time
0:47:34 > 0:47:37to net them and put them in these blue bins.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40Once we've got them in these blue bins, we're then going to put them
0:47:40 > 0:47:42the other side of those planks.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45If you see any fish, I want to hear lots of screaming and shouting, OK?
0:47:45 > 0:47:47- Are we ready? - KIDS: Yes.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49- Are we ready?! - KIDS: Yeah!
0:47:49 > 0:47:51That's the one.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53- There's one there, two there! - Where?
0:47:56 > 0:47:58- Josh is on it.- Josh is on it.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01Look, there's another one, there, there.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04There's an absolute school of them here!
0:48:09 > 0:48:11No!
0:48:11 > 0:48:13I don't want to hurt them.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17Whoa! Ooh, something's bashing me on the leg.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20Yeah, that'll be an eel, more than likely.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22What's the biggest thing you've caught?
0:48:22 > 0:48:26We've had pike in the canals before, up to 30, about 35lb, which is,
0:48:26 > 0:48:30you know, it's a massive fish, you're talking three foot in length.
0:48:30 > 0:48:31There's loads!
0:48:32 > 0:48:34I'm a rookie.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36You've done this before, haven't you?
0:48:36 > 0:48:39Oh, my word, they are literally everywhere.
0:48:40 > 0:48:41Fish coming through!
0:48:44 > 0:48:47'No prize catches for us today, but hundreds of fish have been
0:48:47 > 0:48:50'rescued and moved to a safe stretch of water.'
0:48:55 > 0:48:57There they go!
0:48:57 > 0:49:00Well, that looks pretty successful, no floaters, means that all the fish
0:49:00 > 0:49:04are happy, swimming off underneath those leaves into their new home.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08Confident they're all OK, guys?
0:49:19 > 0:49:22'I've been soaking up the soaring peaks and dramatic valleys of
0:49:22 > 0:49:24'the Brecon Beacons National Park,
0:49:24 > 0:49:27'exploring this stunning landscape by going geocaching.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32'But the fun doesn't have to stop when the sun goes down.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40'With virtually no light pollution, when it gets dark here,
0:49:40 > 0:49:44'it gets really dark - so much so that in 2012 the entire
0:49:44 > 0:49:49'National Park was recognised as an international dark sky reserve,
0:49:49 > 0:49:52'the perfect canvas for acclaimed local artist Michael Bosanko.'
0:49:55 > 0:49:58The reason we're out here in the dark is because Michael uses
0:49:58 > 0:50:00lights as his paintbrushes.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06'With little more than simple torches, and using
0:50:06 > 0:50:10'long exposure photography, Michael creates stunning works of art.'
0:50:15 > 0:50:18- Right, Michael, are we set? - Yeah, looking good, mate.
0:50:18 > 0:50:19Studio's looking good.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21Erm, right, let's have a little look through here,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23cos you've got some images, haven't you?
0:50:23 > 0:50:26The kind of thing that we're aiming for.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29- Right, let's pull a few up to show you. This one...- Oh, wow!
0:50:29 > 0:50:32That is tremendous!
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Gosh! And so how have you got the perspective?
0:50:34 > 0:50:39So, I've actually just, like, used real three-dimensional space,
0:50:39 > 0:50:42and just strapped loads of torches together
0:50:42 > 0:50:44and used them like paintbrushes.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46Can you go back to the computer, then,
0:50:46 > 0:50:50or are you just having to do it all by remembering where you've been?
0:50:50 > 0:50:52Yeah, I just remember it, really.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55It's like effectively painting with a blindfold on.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58'I'm blown away by Michael's talent,
0:50:58 > 0:51:02'and the technique that he's perfected over the last 12 years.'
0:51:02 > 0:51:05Oh, that's great. How many goes did you have at that?
0:51:05 > 0:51:10That was my second attempt, and that was a 20-minute exposure, that one.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12- So, er, if you get it wrong you've got to start again.- Yeah.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14No editing in my game, no editing.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16It's mind-blowing how you do this!
0:51:18 > 0:51:20'It was while photographing the moon that Michael literally
0:51:20 > 0:51:25'stumbled on the process that would become his trademark.'
0:51:25 > 0:51:28And, er, I kicked the tripod, cos I'm clumsy, and, erm...
0:51:29 > 0:51:33The moon in the image created, like, a streak across the sensor,
0:51:33 > 0:51:37and I'm thinking, I'll just put two and two together,
0:51:37 > 0:51:40if the moon can do that, I can do that with torches.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42'To create these colourful masterpieces,
0:51:42 > 0:51:45'Michael requires an extensive palette.'
0:51:46 > 0:51:49- How many torches do you have in your collection?- Hmm...
0:51:49 > 0:51:51- Erm, I have, like, two rooms full.- Jesus!
0:51:51 > 0:51:54It's easier to say how many rooms full of torches do I have,
0:51:54 > 0:51:56so, yeah, it's quite a lot.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58Do you have a room just for batteries?
0:51:58 > 0:52:00- Er, yeah! - THEY LAUGH
0:52:00 > 0:52:03That's shot on the Brecon Beacons, not far from here, so...
0:52:03 > 0:52:05- Yeah.- But many of them are.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08It's such a wonderful landscape, it's perfect for what I do.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13'Michael frequently draws inspiration from
0:52:13 > 0:52:15'the landscape of the Brecon Beacons,
0:52:15 > 0:52:17'and now he's going to draw for us.'
0:52:17 > 0:52:19Now, of course, in order for this to work,
0:52:19 > 0:52:22we need it to be pitch-black, so we've got to turn off these
0:52:22 > 0:52:24big lights that we've been using to set up the scene.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27But in order for you to see what we're doing at home,
0:52:27 > 0:52:31we have got these super-sensitive cameras to film on,
0:52:31 > 0:52:35so I will hand that over now to you, Piers, good.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39And, erm, when you're ready, team, turn off the lights.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43HE LAUGHS Wow.
0:52:43 > 0:52:44Now that is dark.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48You can see why it's a dark sky reserve.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52My word, look at the stars, they're out tonight! Perfect backdrop.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05- Putting the branches in there, yeah? - Yeah.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10I guess if you've got one of these cameras at home,
0:53:10 > 0:53:13really all you need is the camera tripod and some coloured lights,
0:53:13 > 0:53:16and you can create some wonderful stuff!
0:53:16 > 0:53:19Yeah. What I sometimes tell people to do is, er,
0:53:19 > 0:53:24if they've got a tin of sweets, not to throw the wrappers away,
0:53:24 > 0:53:27but to, erm, just tape them on the ends of torches.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- You know those colourful wrappers? - Oh, yeah.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34They're just very cheap and easy to adapt.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40'And after a few minutes of dancing in the dark, he's finished.'
0:53:40 > 0:53:43OK, let's have the lights back on, please, if we can.
0:53:44 > 0:53:49- Oh, look at that! Are you pleased? - Oh, yeah, very pleased, yeah.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51I love the way you've got the kind of,
0:53:51 > 0:53:54the roots coming down through here and the light through the bracken,
0:53:54 > 0:53:58and then that kind of smokiness around the bracken at the back.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Yeah, I'm really pleased with that. Really, really pleased, yeah.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03Very effective as well, the stars you've put on.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06So here we've got, like, four different light tools there,
0:54:06 > 0:54:07all these different effects.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10This is one of my favourite light tools to work with,
0:54:10 > 0:54:15kind of creating this very eerie, ghostly, smoky kind of effect.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19- Yeah, very pleased.- A very artistic way to end the programme, thank you.
0:54:19 > 0:54:20You're welcome.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23Now, from all the technology here in the Brecon Beacons,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26next week we're going to be seeing how robotics is changing the face of
0:54:26 > 0:54:29agriculture in Lincolnshire, but, erm, Michael,
0:54:29 > 0:54:32if you give me that torch, I'll just say goodbye to everyone.
0:54:32 > 0:54:33Lights, please!
0:54:37 > 0:54:40So, from all of us in the Brecon Beacons, bye-bye!