Two brave families face BBC Wales's toughest challenge yet as they
embark on an epic journey back in time to experience life on the barren
hillsides of 19th-century Snowdonia. The Braddock and Jones families say
goodbye to the 21st century and take their first steps into 1890. But
as they move into the cramped, basic cottages that will be their homes
for the next month, they're soon grappling with the realities of not
just a different era, but a different world.
It's almost a week since the Jones and Braddock families embarked on
their epic journey back in time to experience everyday life as
smallholders in 1890 Snowdonia, and survival is proving a struggle.
As the families come to terms with their new Victorian lives, the
atmosphere in the Braddock household is tense, whilst a letter from the
outside world leads to tears at the Jones's. Even the weekend brings no
let-up from the daily grind. The men clash with the quarry owner, the
women grapple with a gruesome dish and everyone gets their first taste
of chapel.
During the Jones and Braddock families' second week of life as 1890
Snowdonia smallholders, making ends meet is proving a struggle.
With the men yet to earn any money at the quarry, it's left to the women
to bring home the bacon. As the Easter weekend draws closer, everyone
is looking forward to a welcome break from the daily grind of Victorian
life.
The first day of spring on the Jones and Braddock families' 1890
smallholding sees tempers fray as 21st-century expectations clash with
the realities of Victorian life.
Heavy snow, a surprise inspection by the landlord's agent and a
belligerent quarry steward bring further hardship. Now in their third
week of Victorian life, the families are learning that they may have few
rights in their harsh new world but they do have each other.
The final week for the Jones and Braddock families on their 1890 smallholding.
As everyone prepares to return to their normal 21st-century lives,
emotions are running high. After a month of exposure to nothing but
Victorian culture, a way of life is coming to an end.