0:00:22 > 0:00:25My walks this week have a very personal connection to my guides.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28They've overcome injury and disability
0:00:28 > 0:00:30to get outdoors and be active.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33And they're proof that going for a walk
0:00:33 > 0:00:35can change your life for the better.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Later, I'll be in RSPB Conwy, a custom-made nature reserve,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45to find out how walking and bird-watching
0:00:45 > 0:00:50can be a great pastime if you're blind or have a form of sight loss.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54But first I'm in Porthgain, walking around the remains
0:00:54 > 0:00:58of its industrial past and taking in some dramatic views.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02My walk today has a maritime theme.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06It follows a spectacular stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast and my guide
0:01:06 > 0:01:08has sailed all over the world.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12It's also the place where he had a life-changing experience.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18The pretty seaside village of Porthgain
0:01:18 > 0:01:21is a wonderful place to start a walk.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I've come here to meet my guide,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26master mariner Captain Brian Thomas.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Morning, Brian. Good to meet you.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Morning. Pleased to meet you.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Welcome to Porthgain.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Thank you. And this place is very special to you.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39It is indeed. My great-grandfather, Josef Williams,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43was a harbour pilot down here many years ago.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We're going to walk along the coast to Abereiddy and then back.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48We're also going to pass the place
0:01:48 > 0:01:51where something happened that changed your whole life.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Absolutely. About five years ago I collapsed
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and I was in a coma for 28 days.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00You can tell me a bit more about that later,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- but for now we're going to walk down to the harbour.- OK.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03- Shall we go?- Yes.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11Starting at Porthgain, we follow the Pembrokeshire coastal path south
0:02:11 > 0:02:13along the cliffs past Traeth Llyfn Bay
0:02:13 > 0:02:15until we reach the old quarry called the Blue Lagoon
0:02:15 > 0:02:19and the ruin village of Abereiddy.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Then it's inland through farmland to Llanrhian,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25before finishing back at Porthgain -
0:02:25 > 0:02:27a walk of about four miles.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Porthgain is a picture-postcard village now,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39but it grew up because of its slate and granite quarries.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Well, Brian, lovely place. Nice and quiet.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46But 100 years ago or thereabouts, it was very industrial, wasn't it?
0:02:46 > 0:02:50It was, indeed. Originally, there was a huge slate quarry
0:02:50 > 0:02:52just over the top of the hill there.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56What is this building we can see in front of us? All the red bricks.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Well, I've actually got a photo to show you.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07You can see up on the top here, you've got a chimney or an exhaust
0:03:07 > 0:03:12and the crushers crushing the stone running down these shoots
0:03:12 > 0:03:14into small trams on the track
0:03:14 > 0:03:18that was positioned on that quay wall there.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Slate was mined in Porthgain from the 1850s.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Although, by the end of the 19th century, the granite quarries
0:03:27 > 0:03:29and the brickworks had become much more important.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38So these huge walls were part of the granite works, but what's this here?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- It looks like a tunnel.- Yes.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44This is a tunnel about 200 yards long
0:03:44 > 0:03:48leading to the slate quarry over the other side
0:03:48 > 0:03:53and then they could actually transport the slate
0:03:53 > 0:03:55on trams to the quay.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58And if you look over here,
0:03:58 > 0:04:03you've got a granite chute where, like I said earlier,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07the crushers would be positioned up there and then,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12through a series of chutes, would end up in this storage bin
0:04:12 > 0:04:18and then ready to off-load onto a tram and then from the tram
0:04:18 > 0:04:21onto the ship using a steam crane.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Sounds like an efficient process.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25Oh, yes, yes.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31In 1982, all of the old industrial buildings were bought
0:04:31 > 0:04:35by a local trust, together with the Pembrokeshire National Park,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38to preserve them for future generations.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I've heard about the industry, but your family was involved
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- in the maritime side of things. - Oh, very much so.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51As I said, my great-grandfather, Josef Williams,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54was one of the harbour pilots here.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56I've got a photo of him here.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58He looks a tough man.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01He probably went to sea when he was 15,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and I've actually got his discharge book here.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I have the last entry in the logbook.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12He sailed from Cardiff...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16..went across to Portland, Oregon...
0:05:17 > 0:05:21..and then sailed back to Falmouth.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23And that was back in 1886.
0:05:23 > 0:05:251886, yes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I was drawn to the sea myself
0:05:28 > 0:05:32and I have my discharge book, my first one.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36There's lots of entries in here so you've been to many, many places.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Yes. The QE2 is actually in this book.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I joined the QE2 as a first officer
0:05:44 > 0:05:48and then I was promoted to bridge manager, so
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I really enjoyed that time.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- So the sea is very much in your blood?- Yes.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Through the generations as well.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Yes. For me now, it's been 27 years.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02From the harbour, we climb up the steps
0:06:02 > 0:06:05onto the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11On either side of the entrance to Porthgain
0:06:11 > 0:06:13are two unusual white towers.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Great view, Brian, but what's that white thing over there?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Well, when a ship is approaching from the sea,
0:06:23 > 0:06:29that's a structure that they can take bearings of to get a position.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33So you have one on the north side and one on the south side.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37So taking bearings, of course, you've got the interaction
0:06:37 > 0:06:40of the bearing lines and you know where you are.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46The landscape around here is littered
0:06:46 > 0:06:49with remnants of Porthgain's industrial past.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55So here we have the slate quarry.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- It's pretty big, isn't it? - Yes, absolutely.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59When did it all begin?
0:06:59 > 0:07:05Around the 1850s and then continued until the 1890s.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06And then what happened?
0:07:06 > 0:07:12Well, the granite and the brickworks started to take over.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- And you remember the tunnel we saw earlier?- Yes.- Well,
0:07:17 > 0:07:22it's down here and that's where the trams used to leave to the harbour.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24And that goes right through to the other side.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Absolutely.- Fantastic.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31And just along the coast is more evidence
0:07:31 > 0:07:35of Porthgain's quarrying history.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Well, this doesn't look natural. What happened here?
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Well, this is the granite quarry I was talking about.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46It was taken back to the crushers in Porthgain
0:07:46 > 0:07:51and used for building materials and surfaces for the road.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It's completely changed the shape of the coast.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Yes, absolutely. I think the expanse of granite that's been taken out of
0:07:58 > 0:07:59here, it's immense.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01It wouldn't happen today.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02No. Certainly not.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11From the quarry we continue along the coastal path
0:08:11 > 0:08:14under glorious Pembrokeshire skies.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19As a meteorologist, I love looking at the clouds.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Today we've got cumulus clouds caused by the sun heating the land.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28But, as a sea captain, you must have experienced some horrendous weather.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29Yes, I have.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Over ten years ago I was unfortunate enough
0:08:34 > 0:08:37to be 200 miles south of New Orleans
0:08:37 > 0:08:40when category five Hurricane Katrina struck.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41What did you do?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Well, it was a case of warning the crew,
0:08:44 > 0:08:49keeping everybody up-to-date on the progress and telling everybody to
0:08:49 > 0:08:53secure everything in the cabins and the work stations.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57And then sooner or later I had to, through my training,
0:08:57 > 0:09:03get the bow of the ship into the wind and the waves.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06So counting the wave patterns
0:09:06 > 0:09:09I realised, I noticed,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12that every 11th wave, there was a bit of a lull.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18So when that lull came it was a case of hold on and hard-a-port,
0:09:18 > 0:09:25full engine, full bow thruster and then we came round and eventually
0:09:25 > 0:09:28made it before the next wave pattern.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30It was one of the worst in living memory, wasn't it?
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Yes, absolutely. It was terrible.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43That sounds like a pretty hair-raising experience!
0:09:44 > 0:09:47But the Pembrokeshire coast has its dangers as well.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Well, this is a beautiful little bay. What's it called?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58It's called Traeth Llyfn. And, yes, it's very beautiful.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01However, quite a dangerous place.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05On the southern side you've got an undercurrent
0:10:05 > 0:10:08and there's been a couple of lives lost, unfortunately.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12I remember when I was a teenager, I nearly drowned myself when I was
0:10:12 > 0:10:17surfing, and the undercurrent was keeping and holding me back
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and holding me back and I was drifting out.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Eventually I caught a wave and I came back in.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27So it's fine to build sandcastles, but keep out of the water?
0:10:27 > 0:10:28That's right.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Our next port of call is one of the most spectacular spots
0:10:35 > 0:10:37on the whole Pembrokeshire coast.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48This is incredible. What is it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It's called The Blue Lagoon
0:10:50 > 0:10:54and it's the original slate quarry, dug by hand.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57All this was dug out by hand? That must have been really hard work.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02And then taken back to Porthgain for slate dressing.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Now it's more of a tourist attraction
0:11:05 > 0:11:11and you can see that bit of rock was blasted away, for safety, I guess.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- To let the water in, creating the Blue Lagoon.- Yes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18We can see some children over there. What are they doing?
0:11:18 > 0:11:22They're coasteering, and it's a very popular thing.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25They jump off the ruins here...
0:11:26 > 0:11:28..and a few years ago there was a...
0:11:28 > 0:11:31the World Diving Championship was held here.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- Have you ever had a go? - Yes, I have.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34What was it like?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Very exciting.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Give me a wet suit and I'll try again!
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Rather you than me!
0:11:49 > 0:11:50It's peaceful now but once
0:11:50 > 0:11:55Abereiddy was a bustling community driven by the slate industry.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58That all changed just over 80 years ago.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04These look interesting, Brian. Where are we?
0:12:04 > 0:12:08We're at Abereiddy and this is called The Street.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13These cottages, five of them, housed 50 people.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Obviously providing labour for the quarry.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20And what happened to them?
0:12:20 > 0:12:26Well, unfortunately, in 1930, there was an epidemic of typhoid
0:12:26 > 0:12:30and a huge storm which forced them to leave.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's a tragic story, but by the 1930s,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39the quarrying industry along this part of the coast
0:12:39 > 0:12:41was already on the brink of closure
0:12:41 > 0:12:43and soon the land returned to farming.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48We leave Abereiddy behind and follow the path and land
0:12:48 > 0:12:50towards the village of Llanrhian
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and a place that was a turning point for Brian.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Brian, we are now in Llanrhian
0:12:57 > 0:13:01and something really significant happened to you here, didn't it?
0:13:01 > 0:13:07It did, indeed. Five years ago, I collapsed around there
0:13:07 > 0:13:13through an immense pain coursing from my head throughout my body.
0:13:14 > 0:13:21And I collapsed backwards and hit my head severely on the road.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23And then what happened?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I was rushed to Withybush General Hospital,
0:13:26 > 0:13:31initially, and then taken to the neurosurgery unit in Cardiff.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36And I remained in a coma for 28 days.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39And do you remember how you came out of the coma?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Well, after a very bleak prognosis,
0:13:42 > 0:13:49my sister, bless her, brought with her some music and played a hymn,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53a favourite hymn of my grandfather's, How Great Thou Art,
0:13:53 > 0:13:59and a single tear apparently streamed down my right cheek.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01And from that moment on...
0:14:02 > 0:14:04..I started to recover.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07And thankfully you have now made a full recovery.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Yes, I have.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Brian's coma was caused by an undiagnosed blood clot, but his
0:14:17 > 0:14:19recovery was quite remarkable and he was back at sea
0:14:19 > 0:14:22within a couple of years of his injury.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Now, Porthgain and this beautiful part of the world
0:14:25 > 0:14:28has become even more important to him.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Well, Brian, here we are back in Porthgain where we started.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34I know you've sailed all over the world
0:14:34 > 0:14:38but this place really means a lot to you, doesn't it?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Very much so.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41And since my accident,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I've discovered a passion for writing poetry.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50And one of my poems is called Hiraeth, and if you'd like,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I'd like to recite the last three lines.
0:14:54 > 0:15:01"Longing, waiting and eager to see what expected feelings bring.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06"Dreaming of home and holding on to those memories
0:15:06 > 0:15:10"That make your heart sing."
0:15:10 > 0:15:11Brian, that's beautiful.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14And thank you so much for taking me on this very special walk
0:15:14 > 0:15:16on the Pembrokeshire coast.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21I can see why you love this part of the country so much.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22It's beautiful.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23My pleasure.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33And if you fancy trying this or another of our walks,
0:15:33 > 0:15:34go to our website -
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It's got detailed route information
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and walking maps for you to print off.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Or you could download it onto your tablet and take it with you.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Every day in Wales, five people lose their sight,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57and this can have a massive impact on their lives and confidence,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59especially when it comes to going outdoors.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Today I'm meeting Nicola Cockburn,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03who's been blind since birth,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07to find out more about what it's like to go for a walk.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14It's a pony's knee.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Nicky was born with a rare genetic eye condition
0:16:17 > 0:16:21and experiences the world through her other senses
0:16:21 > 0:16:23of sound, smell and touch.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25She grew up in Llandudno,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27and has a passion for bird-watching
0:16:27 > 0:16:31and has been visiting RSPB Conwy for years,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35joining reserve manager Julian Hughes on his nature walks.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And today they're showing me the sights and sounds of the reserve.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- Hi, Nicky.- Oh, hi, Derek, lovely to meet you.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- And you. Julian, lovely to meet you. - Hi, Derek. Welcome.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50So Nicky, can you tell me why you've brought me to RSPB Conwy?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Bird-watching is a really big hobby of mine
0:16:52 > 0:16:54and the bird life here is just fantastic.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56You always see something different every time you come.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Now, I haven't guided before, so could you help me with a few tips, please?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Yes. So if you want to come on my right-hand side
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- and if I put my hand through yours, like that.- OK.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08And, yeah, as long as you can tell me if there's any sort of
0:17:08 > 0:17:12lumps or bumps I need to know about, and not to break my ankle.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13Reckon you can do that?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- I think so. Shall we get going? - Let's go for a walk.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Now, watch out. There is a puddle ahead of us
0:17:22 > 0:17:23so we'll try and avoid that.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24OK.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30We're in North Wales, right next to the A55
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and just a stone's throw from the town of Conwy.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Leaving the lookouts,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37we pass through the reedbeds and head out into the reserve,
0:17:37 > 0:17:42enjoying a walk through marshland, woodland and estuary mud flats
0:17:42 > 0:17:45before being treated to views over Conwy Castle
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and ending back at the visitors' centre -
0:17:48 > 0:17:51a short stroll of just over one mile.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Entry to the reserve is free to all RSPB members
0:17:58 > 0:18:00but there is a charge for non-members.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04So we're just coming down towards the lagoons
0:18:04 > 0:18:07and there's massive areas of reedbeds just in front of it
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- which we're going to walk through along a wooden boardwalk.- OK.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17So Nicky, how am I doing?
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Well, it's early days but very, very good so far.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23At the end of the day I might give you a score out of ten.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I'm hoping for at least an eight.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27You might get a nine if you do well.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- I'd be quite happy with a nine. - OK!
0:18:30 > 0:18:35We're right next to a noisy road but Nicky's fine-tuned hearing
0:18:35 > 0:18:38helps her identify which birds are close by,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40even though we can't see them.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43So there's quite a lot of traffic here today, Derek,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45but I don't know whether you can hear the birds.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49We've got a chiffchaff and sedge warblers.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- I can hear them, yes. - That's a chiffchaff.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Yes, if you listen very carefully, in the reeds you've got
0:18:54 > 0:18:56the sounds of Africa, so reed warblers and sedge warblers
0:18:56 > 0:18:58have only arrived here around the end of April
0:18:58 > 0:19:00and they've come from West Africa.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02And this is a big spot for a lot of migratory birds?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Yes. The nature reserve here, the wetland here,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08we manage the habitat so that we make it as attractive as possible
0:19:08 > 0:19:11to give a good home for all these kinds of wildlife.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- We've got nesting oystercatchers on the island.- Oh, brilliant.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16I'm sure we'll hear them being very noisy a little bit later.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17That's a fantastic sound.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Well, we'll look forward to that.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- Great.- Yep.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24As well as the oystercatchers,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27they've recorded over 200 different species of birds here,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30proving just how successful this reserve has become.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38So we're coming away from the reed bed now
0:19:38 > 0:19:40and we're coming into the slightly more wooded area.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44We planted about 4,000 trees when the reserve was created 20 years ago
0:19:44 > 0:19:45and now they're maturing,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48they're full of insects as it starts to warm up in the springtime.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50We get the insects, we get the birds.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52And lots of bats in the evening, I would imagine.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Yeah, the bats are amazing actually.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Each summer we find new species of bats
0:19:56 > 0:19:58we haven't recorded here before.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Oh, wow. I've been on a bat walk here before
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and they're really good fun.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07The reserve spans across 120 acres
0:20:07 > 0:20:11and was created from 30,000 tonnes of mud left over
0:20:11 > 0:20:14from the building of the Conwy Tunnel.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Today it's filled with hides,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20lagoons and paths and attracts a wide variety of wildlife,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22making it a great place to reconnect with nature.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24GEESE HONK
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Most experts identify birds by their song, not by sight.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34So, as Nicky explains,
0:20:34 > 0:20:39it's often more about bird listening than bird-watching.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40So, Nicky, tell me,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43when did you first become interested in bird-watching?
0:20:43 > 0:20:45I think it was about when I was three.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49My dad came home one day with two tapes done by David Attenborough
0:20:49 > 0:20:52of birds. One was months of the year
0:20:52 > 0:20:54and the other one was towns,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57gardens and sort of various places you find birds.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I just listened to them and listened to them
0:20:59 > 0:21:01and when I was going out with Dad,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04gradually I became exposed to the different birds.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06So I learnt a few at a time.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Then, about ten years ago, I started coming to the RSPB here.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11A lot of sighted people say,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14why do you say "bird-watching"? Because you can't.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18But the thing about bird-watching is you don't have to be able to see.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23The ability to hear is more important for a lot of bird species.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26For instance, we've got the reed warblers and the sedge warblers
0:21:26 > 0:21:28in the reeds, and you can hear them.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32You don't have to be peering along, looking down to see where they are.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34It's something that everybody can enjoy
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and it's such an accessible hobby for everyone.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45And with most of the reserve accessible for all abilities,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49there's no reason not to come and enjoy this Welsh wildlife encounter.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52So we're just going to go through the gate here and,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55on the other side, we have our Carneddau mountain ponies
0:21:55 > 0:21:56and they graze the grassland
0:21:56 > 0:21:58and the reedbeds to make it good for wildlife.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Will we see any today?
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Hopefully, yes.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03And this will be a good test for you, Derek,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05because where there's ponies, there's poo.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07So more things for you to navigate!
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Well, we don't want to step in any of that, do we?
0:22:09 > 0:22:10No.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Going for a walk with Nicky is such a different experience.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I'm much more aware of what's going on around me
0:22:18 > 0:22:21and making sure Nicky knows what's happening, too.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25There's some puddles coming up.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Oh, squelch! Puddle alert.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28NICKY LAUGHS
0:22:28 > 0:22:31So Nicky, tell me what's involved when you go out for a walk.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Well, I normally go out for walks with my guide dog, James.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40I have a lovely yellow Labrador who I didn't bring with me today
0:22:40 > 0:22:42because of all the nesting birds.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47But, yeah, I tend to go out with him when I'm out in Cardiff
0:22:47 > 0:22:49so he helps me get round.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51I do get lost, but people are very nice
0:22:51 > 0:22:56and I think they're used to me in my local area now, getting lost.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00As Nicky tells me about the challenges of getting around
0:23:00 > 0:23:02the city centre, it makes me realise
0:23:02 > 0:23:04just how much I take for granted every day.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Bus drivers tend to be the worst
0:23:06 > 0:23:09because they tend to tell me the stop after my stop
0:23:09 > 0:23:13or I end up going right the way to the other end of the city.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14But I've just learnt now.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Naughty bus drivers.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Yes. They're better than they used to be.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22And if you have vision loss
0:23:22 > 0:23:24and would like help visiting the reserve,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27then, with a bit of warning, a volunteer can be on hand
0:23:27 > 0:23:29to help you make the most of your visit.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35And here's some evidence of the ponies.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Is there?- Yeah, it shows they're around here somewhere.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40It would be nice to hear them whinnying or neighing.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Yes, they do that if they get split up, actually.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43They're really noisy.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49So we're just coming round to the estuary, to the Afon Conwy.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52It rises about 20 miles to the south and runs down through,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54collecting all that water from Snowdonia
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and we can see the Snowdonia mountains in front of us now
0:23:57 > 0:23:58on the other side of the estuary.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00A little bit hazy today, but when it's clear...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Early in the morning it's as though you could reach out and touch them,
0:24:03 > 0:24:04even though they're about ten miles away.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07It's just a lovely, lovely setting for a nature reserve.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09It's kind of why this place works.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10PONY NICKERS
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- I can hear ponies. - Yes, there they are.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15These are the Carneddau mountain ponies.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17We've had these on the reserve about 18 months
0:24:17 > 0:24:19and they come down from the Carneddau.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21That's their natural home up in the mountains.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22And they're quite an old breed.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Genetically, they're unique to north-west Wales
0:24:24 > 0:24:27and they've been around for thousands of years.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28PONIES NICKER AND SNORT
0:24:28 > 0:24:30They're getting a little bit frisky.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32- You can hear them. - They're quite feisty.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35They are quite feisty. We've got six males down here at the moment and
0:24:35 > 0:24:38they do get a bit uppity with each other in the springtime.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40They're kind of determining who's the top pony.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Show-offs, aren't they? - Are you showing off?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- NICKY MIMICS BIRD CALL: - # Oystercatcher! #
0:25:02 > 0:25:05The sound of the oystercatcher really lifts my spirits.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06I love it.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08So Derek, I wondered whether
0:25:08 > 0:25:11you'd like to experience a bit of my world.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12How do you fancy closing your eyes
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and just walking along here
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and whether you find it any different?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Are you up for that? - I think so, yes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Let's give it a go. - OK, so if I come between you...
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Yes.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- And you guide me.- That's it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26That way.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28OK? So, eyes closed.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29- Yes.- Right.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I can immediately notice something has changed
0:25:49 > 0:25:51since you closed your eyes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54You're walking rather tentatively.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Do you feel a bit anxious about what's under your feet?
0:26:00 > 0:26:02I'd say I was slightly nervous, yes.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07I mean, I'm glad Julian's here holding on to me
0:26:07 > 0:26:09because I know I won't fall over,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13but I'm just a little bit more cautious about where I'm putting
0:26:13 > 0:26:18my feet. But I'm also more aware of what's going on around me
0:26:18 > 0:26:22in terms of sounds, the birds tweeting,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24the sounds of the traffic I can hear.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Do you want to open your eyes, Derek? Take a seat.- OK.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Turn back and you'll sit between me and Derek.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40OK? There we are.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Thank you.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45How did you find that, then, closing your eyes?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I found it strange, closing my eyes and walking.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50It was quite scary.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Yeah. I mean, I was born blind
0:26:52 > 0:26:57and I used to always think that I was quite unlucky, really,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59because I'll never see an oystercatcher,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I'll never see a sunset.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02I've done a lot of things.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03I've scuba dived with sharks,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I've worked out in Australia, I've skydived.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09So I've had a lot of experiences but they've all been sensory.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14When I was working for a company which helps blind people
0:27:14 > 0:27:19I came into contact with people who used to have quite high-powered jobs
0:27:19 > 0:27:23and they lost their sight and I realised that, actually,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25that must be very isolating.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Sadly, statistics show that this feeling of isolation
0:27:28 > 0:27:31affects nearly half of all people with sight loss,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34leaving many feeling unable to leave their home
0:27:34 > 0:27:36and cut off from the outside world.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I suppose what I'd like to say to people is that
0:27:39 > 0:27:40you don't have to let it define you.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43You don't have to say, "My life is over because I've lost my sight"
0:27:43 > 0:27:45because, in a way, it's just begun.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48It sounds weird to say that, but it's true.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52So the message is, Nicky, to anyone that's lost their sight
0:27:52 > 0:27:56is don't give up, stay positive, because there are so many groups
0:27:56 > 0:28:00that can help you to experience this, but in a different way.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Yes. I mean, don't sit there and wait. Get up and do.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05SHE GIGGLES
0:28:13 > 0:28:15So, Derek, walking back round to the estuary,
0:28:15 > 0:28:16almost back to the visitors' centre,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19it's a lovely evening and we've got these wonderful views across
0:28:19 > 0:28:20the estuary to Conwy Castle.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24This beats my office any day!
0:28:24 > 0:28:28It's a very special place and I'm just glad we could show you round our lovely reserve.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30And if you want to find out more
0:28:30 > 0:28:32about joining a guided walking group,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34then visit the Weatherman Walking website
0:28:34 > 0:28:37for links to organisations that can help.