0:00:02 > 0:00:05It's good to get away from it all, but that's not always easy,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08mind you, that's no excuse for staying indoors
0:00:08 > 0:00:09because wherever you are in Wales,
0:00:09 > 0:00:14there's a cracking walk just around the corner or even around the bay.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Are you ready?
0:01:00 > 0:01:04In today's programme, we'll see that having young ones in the family
0:01:04 > 0:01:09is no hindrance to happy hiking and neither is living in a big city.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13We'll be showing you that you don't have to head up a remote hill
0:01:13 > 0:01:17for an invigorating walk and a fitness workout.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23'So, later in the programme, I'll be joining a group of mums and toddlers
0:01:23 > 0:01:26'for a walk around a little-known and now peaceful valley near Corris,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29'once a busy centre for slate-mining...'
0:01:29 > 0:01:31BICYCLE BELL RINGS
0:01:31 > 0:01:33HE WHIMPERS
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I think he's enjoying the ride.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39'..but first, I'll be striding out the whole way around Cardiff Bay
0:01:39 > 0:01:41'passing well-known landmarks.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43'The circular route is now possible
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'since the opening of the Pont-y-Werin footbridge,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50'the last piece of the jigsaw in a safe walk around the bay.'
0:01:52 > 0:01:56An accessible walk in familiar surroundings,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59a bit of stroll in the park, you might think?
0:01:59 > 0:02:01But oh, no, it's not that easy,
0:02:01 > 0:02:06because today I'm going for a stroll around the bay the Nordic way.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13'And to show me the Nordic way around the bay is a familiar face.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Welcome to Wales Today.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18'This is my mate Frances Donovan, a TV and radio presenter
0:02:18 > 0:02:22'here in Wales and further afield.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24'Like me, Fran is a fan of the great outdoors
0:02:24 > 0:02:28'and it really was just a matter of time before she persuaded me
0:02:28 > 0:02:32'to have a go at what's known as Nordic walking.'
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- Hello, Fran.- Hello, how are you? - Nice to see you.- And you.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- So are you going to show me Nordic walking?- I certainly am, absolutely.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- You need your poles. I've got a pair for you.- Thank you.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45What you need to do first, you've got these grips, so easy for anybody.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48That's right, that's left, so you need to swap them over.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Got to get it right first time.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51All going swimmingly so far, isn't it(?)
0:02:51 > 0:02:55So basically, you slide your hand, like that, into the grip.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58That's right. Then just tighten up like that.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01So, the basics of Nordic walking -
0:03:01 > 0:03:04it was developed for cross-country skiers during the summer season
0:03:04 > 0:03:07so that they could keep fit, so you basically got, like, ski poles,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10but you'll see when people go out walking and rambling,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13a lot of them, they'll use sticks and poles ahead of them like that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16This Nordic walking - you're using the poles basically to propel
0:03:16 > 0:03:19yourself along, so you keep them behind you, more or less.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20Your arms are around about waist height,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23the movements from your shoulder, so you're literally striding out with
0:03:23 > 0:03:26your arms like that, but these are pushed on the ground behind you,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- so that they give you a... - Shall I give it a go?
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Yes, I'm going to regret saying this, but why don't you?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- OK.- Is that right?
0:03:36 > 0:03:3815-million-odd people do this around the world
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and nobody does it quite like you, Derek.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43'Perhaps I should take it a bit more seriously -
0:03:43 > 0:03:48'if there really are 15 million Nordic walkers worldwide,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52'then there must be some real benefits to walking with these poles.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56'It's a technique that gives you a brisk workout for legs and upper body,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01'it's far less strenuous on your knees than jogging, and the lightweight bendy poles
0:04:01 > 0:04:03'don't jar the joints in your arms.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05And the best bit is you don't need to join a gym.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07'So, having warmed up along the prom at Penarth,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11'we head over to Cardiff Bay to begin our circular walk.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14'Crossing over the barrage our route takes us
0:04:14 > 0:04:17'past well-known landmarks
0:04:17 > 0:04:20'and on through an unexpected, peaceful wetland reserve.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23'Then over the bay road bridge to the whitewater rafting centre
0:04:23 > 0:04:26'and across the Pont-y-Werin footbridge to Penarth marina,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28'and back to the start -
0:04:28 > 0:04:31'an energetic Nordic five-mile walk,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'starting at one of Penarth's most distinctive buildings.'
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- Nice building, Fran.- It is. It's lovely, isn't it?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- It's the custom house. - Well preserved.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41It is and like next-door, of course,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46although I think there are plans ultimately to turn that into a hotel.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Of course, this was a major centre of activity for all the customs officers
0:04:49 > 0:04:52because with Cardiff docks and Penarth docks, there was
0:04:52 > 0:04:54so much coming in and out of there, they were kept busy.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Anyway, press on regardless, we've got a long way to go yet,
0:04:58 > 0:04:59up and over the barrage.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01- Are you finding it OK?- Enjoying it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02Yes, it's good, isn't it?
0:05:06 > 0:05:10'Back in the '90s, it looked like this - one of the largest civil
0:05:10 > 0:05:13'engineering projects in Europe, and was seen as an important
0:05:13 > 0:05:18part of the regeneration of Cardiff's largely disused docklands.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21'Though not everyone agreed, particularly environmentalists
0:05:21 > 0:05:23'who wanted to keep the mudflats -
0:05:23 > 0:05:27'an important feeding ground for wading birds.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30'The mud appeared every time the bay emptied of water as the tide
0:05:30 > 0:05:35'went out and, like Marmite, divided opinion - you either loved it,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37'or hated it.'
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- I want you to find a bit of art, here on the barrage.- Art?- Art.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'll give you a clue, it's yellow.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51Is that it over there? That's yellow.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53That's a little bit of council artwork,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I'm looking for something a bit more spectacular. It's yellow, it's yellow.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Is that it there?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02It's like somebody's got a huge paintbrush
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and painted this yellow stripe. It's like the Yellow Brick Road.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09You're getting ever so slightly colder now, I have to say.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11In fact, you're getting very chilly indeed
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and it's nothing to do with your cold fronts.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Just keep an eye out for it, keep an eye out for any bits of yellow
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- that you see.- There's loads of bits of yellow.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23There are loads of bits of yellow, but just try to get them
0:06:23 > 0:06:26to come together in your mind, just sort of focus on them,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28so at some point they all become one.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- Can you see?- It's all circles.- Yeah! You see? It's clever, isn't it? - It is.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- It really is clever.- Looks good.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Just at this point of view, this is where you can see it.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46It makes no sense anywhere else, but here you can see it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48'Costing a cool 25 grand,
0:06:48 > 0:06:52'the yellow artwork is the creation of Swiss artist Felice Varini.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55'But I still can't work out how he did it!'
0:06:55 > 0:06:58I just want to show you this, this is really interesting.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Just coming up to this part of the barrage here
0:07:01 > 0:07:03and there's actually...
0:07:03 > 0:07:05There's actually a salmon pass down here, a fish pass.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11It basically allows the salmon to come from out in the sea
0:07:11 > 0:07:16and they'll come up here into the bay and they can swim up then
0:07:16 > 0:07:20to the River Taff where they come from originally just to lay their eggs.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's a wonderful way for them to get through and when you think
0:07:23 > 0:07:25that there's this incredible engineering
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and they don't have to queue up outside like the boats.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29They've got their own little right of access through.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39'The barrage provides a traffic-free foot-and-cycle path,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42'but it is exposed and often windy.'
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It never ceases to amaze me,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46you see all the building and development there
0:07:46 > 0:07:49and you look out there and see how wild it is and they're what, 200 yards apart?
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- It's looking pretty stormy out there as well, Fran.- It's pretty choppy.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55You wouldn't want to be on the boat today, would you?
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Just coming into the bay now and it's great to be able to do this now,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07because up until about 2008, this part wasn't accessible,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09you couldn't get through it because it was private land,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12but it's been opened up now for a few years and it means you can do
0:08:12 > 0:08:15the whole circular route of the bay, which is brilliant.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Knock, knock.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19- Who's there?- Doctor.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Doctor Who?- Doctor Who Experience.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25The old ones are the best, aren't they? Or not, as the case may be.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- I thought you'd like that one. - Yeah, I did.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Did you know it was made over here as well?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32It's the new BBC studios and Dr Who's made in there.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- Along with Casualty, Upstairs, Downstairs...- And Pobol Y Cwm.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'So instead of the coal that was exported from here a century ago,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44'this new industry is supplying millions of homes with
0:08:44 > 0:08:47'popular TV drama. How times have changed.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52'We now cross the bridge over an the old lock where Captain Scott's
0:08:52 > 0:08:56'ship, the Terra Nova, left Britain for the fateful expedition to
0:08:56 > 0:08:58'reach the South Pole in 1912.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01'They were beaten to the Pole by the Norwegians,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02'and died on the way back.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06'Here is a distinctive memorial to Scott and his crew.'
0:09:06 > 0:09:09What do you think of it? I think it's lovely.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11It's very different and unique, isn't it?
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I think it was inspired by Antoni Gaudi, the Spanish artist,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18because he used to do a lot of this mosaic-type stuff,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20and all very organic and fluid lines.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22But if you look closely, you can see faces in it
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and I think this is some of Scott's crew.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I'm pretty certain that that's Captain Oates and then here, I think,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30is Petty Officer Evans.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Now he was a Welshman, he was part of Scott's crew.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- You've got Captain Scott at the front.- Leading the expedition.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Yeah, and pointing south towards Antarctica and the South Pole.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43It's a very icy sculpture, with its white and blue colours.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46It really is, isn't it? Anyway, press on regardless.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48We've got our own South Pole to get to.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54'And right next door is the Norwegian church where children's author
0:09:54 > 0:09:56'Roald Dahl was baptised.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00'The church was, in fact, salvaged just before the bay redevelopment,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'and moved a few hundred yards to be rebuilt here.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06'But what's a Norwegian church doing here in Wales?'
0:10:06 > 0:10:09The Norwegian merchant fleet at the time was, I think,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11it was the second or third largest in the world
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and they used to come in and out of the docks here because they were very
0:10:14 > 0:10:17involved in the export of coal and, of course, this is a big coal centre.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20The Norwegian sailors, they wanted somewhere where they could worship
0:10:20 > 0:10:23and I think it was a bit of a seaman's mission as well where they could come
0:10:23 > 0:10:25and get a bit of a taste of home,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27read some Norwegian newspapers and speak to each other.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- It's a lovely building. - It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It's a real little beacon, I think. I love it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Of course, it's not that long ago.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43I mean, I know you remember and I do too when this is all tidal.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- You used to have all the mudflats there. Remember that?- Just about.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54'Of course, going back a bit, this was a busy dock,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57'one of the biggest and busiest ports in the world.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02'But by the early '80s, Cardiff Bay had become a neglected wasteland
0:11:02 > 0:11:05'of derelict docks and mudflats.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06'Tiger Bay, as it was known,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10'was a truly multicultural community with sailors from across
0:11:10 > 0:11:15'the world, as many as 45 different countries, having settled here.'
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So here we are outside the Senedd
0:11:19 > 0:11:23and I'm often down here broadcasting the weather live for Wales Today.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25You know, that's what it was most renowned for,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29only secondary is it renowned for being the seat of Welsh government(!)
0:11:29 > 0:11:31It was designed by Lord Richard Rogers,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33the guy who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris
0:11:33 > 0:11:38and they've sort of employed all sorts of environmentally-friendly designs,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42including the fact that rainwater is used to flush the loos.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45And there's plenty of that today!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47I wonder if Caerwyn is at home, we could have a cup of tea.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Yeah, see if he'll put the kettle on for us.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57This is one of my favourite buildings on this route,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59it really is absolutely gorgeous.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01I love it, the Pierhead Building because it's so majestic.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's really elegant in the centre of the bay.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- The colour, as well, is distinct. - Yes, it draws your eye, doesn't it?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10At one stage, this was the headquarters of the Bute Docks Company
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and the whole area around here was owned by the Marquis of Bute,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15the area that the Cardiff docks was built on.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17The Bute Docks Company was formed
0:12:17 > 0:12:20and this was basically the control centre, the headquarters.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Do you know when it was built?
0:12:22 > 0:12:23I think it's late Victorian,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26so I think it would be towards the end of the 19th century.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Of course, they've gone for this Gothic look, which was
0:12:29 > 0:12:31based on a medieval influence.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35You've got all the lovely carvings and there's a gargoyle up there
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- I'm absolutely convinced was modelled on you.- Don't be cheeky!
0:12:38 > 0:12:39It's payback time.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51And here we are at Roald Dahl Plass.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55It used to be called the Oval Basin and not long ago it was full
0:12:55 > 0:12:59of water, of course, crammed full of ships waiting to go into dock.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01It's incredible to think it now and all that water
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and right underneath it, the headquarters of Torchwood.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- Isn't it extraordinary?- Good old Captain Jack. He could come and rescue me.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- Do you need rescuing, do you? - I'm worn out.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Well, this is a nice surprise, Fran, all this greenery.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36It's lovely, isn't it?
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Right next to a five-star hotel, a little haven here.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41It's a little gem, I think.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- They get dragonflies down here and sedge warblers...- Mosquitoes.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50A few mosquitoes but they keep the bats happy, apparently. They can snack on those.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53But it really is a little haven, a little oasis, isn't it,
0:13:53 > 0:13:54in the middle of the bay?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.- Quite.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Well, let's go down and see the ducks.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I think there's a family of them down here.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09It always amuses me how funny they look
0:14:09 > 0:14:12when they stick their heads under the water and their bums in the air.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15They probably say exactly the same thing about us,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17give it a little wiggle, like they do.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21So where to next?
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- I think we'll head over the bridge to the sports village. Come on. - Sounds good.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36There's definitely some blue skies up there, look.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Next stop is the International White Water Rafting Centre.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52This is absolutely brilliant. I'd love to have a go at this.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- I've done it twice.- Have you? What was that like?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Great fun, and they always make sure that you capsize at the end.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00It does look brilliant and right in the centre of Cardiff as well.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02It's only been open a couple of years.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Before that, you had to go to other parts of Wales to whitewater raft,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08like the River Tavy, River Wye, or head up north
0:15:08 > 0:15:13to Snowdonia and now it's here, right in the centre of the city.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It looks brilliant. I'm going to come down another day and do it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Definitely.- Do that together, anyway it's Nordic walking now.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21We've still got miles to go. Come on.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25'The artificial river is about 250m long,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28'pumped up from the nearby River Ely.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32'It's an adjustable course and a conveyor belt brings you back up,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36'with a bit of luck still sitting in your boat, ready for another go.'
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Well, this is the final link in the chain as far as our walk
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and the circular route between the bay and Penarth, Derek.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- And it's called the People's Bridge. - That's right.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Basically because there was money available from Sustrans,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50the people who do all the bike routes,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and the big lottery fund, and it was put out to a public vote -
0:15:54 > 0:15:56what do people want the money spent on?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59And they decided they wanted a bridge to make it a full circle.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Recognise either of those figures? - Tanni Grey-Thompson.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- And Nicole Cooke, our Olympic cyclist.- Nice, isn't it?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09And now Olympic Nordic walker, you're on the home stretch.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Lengthen that stride, come on, let's push it out.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16'Well, pushing these bendy poles really does give a bit of oomph
0:16:16 > 0:16:20'to your stride, and I can feel the workout in my shoulders as well.'
0:16:21 > 0:16:24So there you go, that's the end of the walk. What did you think?
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- I've really enjoyed it, Fran. - Good stuff, isn't it?- You know what?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- I want these for Christmas.- And the other 20 things!
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- Listen, it's great to have your company. See you soon.- And you.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- Enjoy the walk back up the hill to Penarth. - Yes, thank you, lightweight.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Taxi for Brockway, is it(?)
0:16:39 > 0:16:40'And if you do fancy trying this,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43'or another one of the walks from the series, go to...
0:16:47 > 0:16:49'..and take a look at our interactive website.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'It has everything you need - from detailed route information
0:16:53 > 0:16:56'for each walk as well as photographs we took
0:16:56 > 0:17:01'along the way and walking maps for you to print off and follow.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'For the next walk in this programme, we head to a secluded old
0:17:04 > 0:17:06'slate-producing valley near Corris.'
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Everywhere you look here in Corris, top to bottom,
0:17:17 > 0:17:22everything is made of slate - walls, roofs, chimneys, fences and steps,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26you name it, it's made of this versatile building material,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30but the signs of the industry that produced all this slate,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32they're a bit more difficult to spot.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38'That's because here in Gwynedd's most southerly quarries,
0:17:38 > 0:17:43'the slate was mined underground, and with the help of some
0:17:43 > 0:17:47'young detectives on this walk, we'll uncover a bit more of the story
0:17:47 > 0:17:52'of slate in this lesser-known slate-mining area of southern Snowdonia.'
0:17:54 > 0:17:56And here is where my group of walking -
0:17:56 > 0:17:59or should I say buggy-walking companions? -
0:17:59 > 0:18:04meet every week before they set off on one of their walks.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08'Local mums with youngsters of all ages, some only a few weeks old,
0:18:08 > 0:18:13'meet here every Tuesday morning, and today they've agreed to take me along with them.'
0:18:13 > 0:18:15HE GREETS THEM IN WELSH
0:18:15 > 0:18:16THEY RESPOND
0:18:16 > 0:18:17I've got my lunch.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21'But I must admit, I do feel a little out of my comfort zone.'
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Come on, then, let's go.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'Roughly halfway between Machynlleth and Dolgellau,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33'we travel two miles up the road from Corris to the start of our walk.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36'Leaving the cars in a lay-by, our walk takes us along tracks
0:18:36 > 0:18:40'and paths on a child-friendly circuit of Cwm Ralltgoed,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44'a beautiful, secluded valley surrounded by steep, forested hillsides -
0:18:44 > 0:18:48'two-and-a-half miles and fairly flat all the way.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54'Of course, when you've got youngsters in tow,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57'it takes a little more time to get going,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59'and to be prepared for just about anything.'
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- So, after all that, you're all packed and ready?- ALL: Yes. - Are you sure?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- ALL: Yes!- Shall we go...- Yes. - ..and start the walk?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24So, Jo, you've got two children, have you?
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Yes, I've got two, I've got Martha here who's two
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and Thomas who is on one of those red bikes down now.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Were you interested in walking before joining the group?
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Yes, I've always done things which are outside, yeah, outdoors.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Is it a big effort for you to sort of get them ready,
0:19:41 > 0:19:42packing all the clothes?
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Yes, it can be sometimes, it seems you need a whole boot full of stuff,
0:19:46 > 0:19:47you know, to get ready.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50It makes it easier if you make sure that you bring spare clothes
0:19:50 > 0:19:53and waterproofs and things that that, but once you're outside,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56there's so much easier that it is worth the effort.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09The biggest thing is having the right attitude
0:20:09 > 0:20:11and wanting to get out is and go for a walk.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I think it's quite easy to think,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15"Oh, I can't be bothered to go for a walk.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17"It's too much hassle, there's too much fuss.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20"There's too much involved in getting ready."
0:20:20 > 0:20:23But once you're out, the children are much happier,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26they enjoy being outdoors, they enjoy the change of scenery,
0:20:26 > 0:20:27they enjoy the fresh air
0:20:27 > 0:20:31and they usually sleep better when they've had loads of fresh air.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- So, Jan, this is the youngest member of the crew.- Yes, I think so, yes.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- What's his name?- Ceian.- Hello, Ceian.- Not taking much attention.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- Fast asleep at the moment.- Yeah. - Mum!- Yeah, come on.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54And that's Dewi, that's my other little boy.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- So when was Ceian born? - He's nearly ten weeks old.- Ten weeks!
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Yeah, he was a month early, so he's just catching up.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06So what's so special about this walk for you?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10I think it's that it's just so quiet, it's a hidden valley, isn't it?
0:21:10 > 0:21:15It's great for wildlife as well, some goldfinches flew over before.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19The river is really nice to play in a bit further along the track.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Great place to come and get away from it all.- Yes, it's great.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27HE WHIMPERS
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- I think he's enjoying the ride(!) - He needs a feed, though.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Hello. So, Ellen, you're from this area, Corris?
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- I am, yes, born and bred.- So you know a lot about this area, then?
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I do, but I'm lucky enough to have parents
0:21:49 > 0:21:52that are interested in history and things and my grandmother
0:21:52 > 0:21:56used to take me for walks round here when I was a youngster.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59You know, when you're growing up in somewhere like this,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03you hear stories from people, the older generations and...
0:22:03 > 0:22:08- yeah, you get to learn quite a bit. - You pass them on to your children?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I'm trying to, yes, not that they listen.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13'You wouldn't think it today,
0:22:13 > 0:22:18'but this track we're walking along is a bit of the former Ralltgoed Tramway,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22'a horse-drawn railway, built in the 1860s to link the small
0:22:22 > 0:22:26'slate mines in this valley to the Corris Railway at Abergavenny.'
0:22:29 > 0:22:32And this was the main thoroughfare up to Ralltgoed.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33They didn't have a track,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36they didn't have a farm track - everything had to come
0:22:36 > 0:22:40up on the tramway, basically, and it was easy on the way down,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43it was gravity-fed, it runs down all the way by itself.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Not so easy on the way up.- No, which is where the horses came in.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50They used to bring everything up - supplies for the shops, flour,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52coal, everything used to come up on the tramway.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59'The track now brings us to a ruined hamlet,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02'almost completely hidden in the trees.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04'This chapel, beautifully built of slate,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08'was just big enough for those living here at the top end of the valley.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13'After 50 years of hymns and sermons, it closed in 1932.'
0:23:16 > 0:23:19We've stopped here next to the former quarryman's cottages.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24There were four originally, two of which have fallen down now.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25The end one here,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28which would have butted onto the tramway would have been a shop
0:23:28 > 0:23:32and it had little bay window on the gable end
0:23:32 > 0:23:34where everybody could see what they had for sale.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36I actually have a photograph of it here.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- This is what it used to look like? - That's right, yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43So anybody who was passing by the shop would be able to see what was in there
0:23:43 > 0:23:49for sale - jam, marmalade, supplies for the quarrymen, paraffin and candles.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50The houses are quite large,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53surprisingly large for quarrymen's houses,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55that's because they used to put up lodgers here
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and the men who worked in the mine used to walk over
0:23:58 > 0:24:02the mountains and lodge here over the working week.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04It's a shame the shop's not open today.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06We could buy some sweets for the kids.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08That's true, keep them entertained.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Now for the best bit on a walk.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19It's time for some nosh and I'm as hungry as anyone.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Is there room for one more? - ALL: Yeah!
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Hello, Idris. Are you enjoying your strawberry?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40'Now the plan from here is that we leave the rest of them
0:24:40 > 0:24:43'to finish their picnic and have a bit of a play, whilst Ellen
0:24:43 > 0:24:46'and I continue a loop around the top of the valley.'
0:24:48 > 0:24:49See you later.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56'Ellen's local knowledge comes in useful
0:24:56 > 0:25:00'straightaway as she points out a ruined old stable block,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02'camouflaged in the trees below the track.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:05The stables actually have quite an interesting story.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Back in 1936, the reservoir that served Ralltgoed Quarry,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12the dam burst on that.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14All the water came down and the family who at the time
0:25:14 > 0:25:19lived at Ralltgoed Hall were just down at the stables.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23They just managed to get out of the way before the deluge came down
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and hit the stables and luckily got out of the way in time.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27It sounds as if they were very lucky.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29They were extremely lucky, yeah.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32They could have done with your services back then.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Well, it's nice to walk with somebody that knows a little bit
0:25:39 > 0:25:41about the area because you could walk past things
0:25:41 > 0:25:44and not even know that they're there.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47So much of this has grown over now
0:25:47 > 0:25:48and you can't make out what anything is
0:25:48 > 0:25:52and it's nice to know what was here, so it brings the whole place to life.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- And what's this building here? - This is Ralltgoed Hall.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03It was originally built for the owner of the quarry and after him,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07from about the late 1930s until the '60s, it was used as a youth hostel.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12People used to walk from all over the mountains to stay here,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14which was quite a sight for the locals.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16They had never seen people walking for leisure before
0:26:16 > 0:26:20and to see them coming here, of all places, somewhere quite remote
0:26:20 > 0:26:24to stay in Ralltgoed Hall was quite something, I should think.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Well, it's not that grand,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29but it is well preserved and the biggest building we've seen so far.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30It is, yeah.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Shall we carry on?- Yes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37'Leaving Ralltgoed Hall and the story of slate,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40'we now step further back in time and head towards Dolgoed,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43'a very old farm at the head of the valley.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46'The public footpath veers left just before this gate,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49'but we've been given special permission to take a closer
0:26:49 > 0:26:51'look at this fascinating old place.'
0:26:52 > 0:26:56The house itself was built in the 1600s
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and was lived in by Quakers at that time.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02The Quakers used to walk over the mountain
0:27:02 > 0:27:07to go and worship, which is a good five, six mile walk.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Legend has it that there is a Quaker burial ground around here,
0:27:11 > 0:27:15but we don't know how true that is. However, there is a yew tree
0:27:15 > 0:27:19just behind us, which was traditionally planted in cemeteries
0:27:19 > 0:27:24and graveyards, which does add a little bit of weight to the legend.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I love that archway there. That's very unusual.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It is and it's unique to this valley, actually.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34There's three houses in the valley which have that feature.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- They've done a good job in restoring it.- Oh, they definitely have, yes.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Do we know who lives there now?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42It's owned by the same family that used to own it in the 1600s,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45so it's remained in the same family for all that time.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47That's good going, isn't it?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50That's very good going, 450 years, yeah, not bad, not bad.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00'As we head off down the valley and the end of our walk,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03'it strikes me how utterly peaceful this secluded hidden valley
0:28:03 > 0:28:08'really is, with the silence broken only by the sound of birds,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11'the river, and an occasional sheep -
0:28:11 > 0:28:14'a big contrast to a century ago when the valley would have
0:28:14 > 0:28:19'echoed to the blasting and working of slate from mines across the way.'
0:28:24 > 0:28:26So here we are, Derek, almost back at the start
0:28:26 > 0:28:28and at the end of our walk.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Well, thanks, Ellen, for showing me this wonderful hidden valley
0:28:31 > 0:28:34and for also showing me that walking is for everyone,
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- including the youngest members of the family.- That's quite all right.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43So there we are. All you need is the right gear and some get up and go.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd