Welsh in a Week is S4C's award winning series about Welsh learners. One of the learners in the second series is David Williams, a doctor of Welsh ancestry who lives and works in Trelew, Argentina. The same programme features Shirley Williams, also of Welsh ancestry, who is a teacher in Trelew. Here's a diary account of the visit...

28/29 November 2001
4pm left Cardiff for London ... 10pm flew from Heathrow airport ... 7.40am arrived in Sao Paulo, Brasil (clock back 2 hours) ... 8.45am flew to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina ... 10.25 arrived at Buenos Aires (clock back 1 hour) but the bags arrived at 11.30 on another aeroplane! ... 3.35pm flew to Trelew, Chubut ... 7pm arrived in Trelew and met Rodolfo and Marli, our drivers in Chubut ... 8pm arrived at the hotel ... 9.30pm supper ... 11.30pm bed at last!

30 November
Met David, his wife Carina and baby Eric at their home in Trelew. The welcome very warm and David looking forward very much to his lessons. On then across the prairie to Gaiman to visit Ysgol y Camwy school and the principal Eluned Roberts de Gonzales - a warm welcome once more. Looked around the town and moved our bags and equipment to Gaiman; the women staying in Plas y Coed with Martha and the men in Gwesty Tywi with Gwyn and Monica.

1-8 December
Filming around Gaiman, Trelew and Puerto Madryn - where the Welsh landed in 1865. Lessons in David's house, in the garden of Plas y Coed and on the banks of Afon Camwy (Rio Chubut). David learning well and ready by the day of the challenge to carry out a medical examination - an excellent performance! Also visited St David's centre in Trelew to meet David's Welsh class and their tutor Ann-Marie Brierley from Llanelli; also an opportunity to enjoy a Welsh learners' Noson Lawen. A day also filming Shirley Williams in her home and teaching Welsh to the children of Trelew.

Blue sky and hot sun most days - drank a lot of water! Lovely food, good beer and wine and lots of fun in the company of Chubut's friendly people. The welcome very warm everywhere and kisses all round. (Everyone in Patagonia embraces on meeting; Nia, of course, was in her element and the rest of the team picked up the custom before the end of the visit!)

9 December
Visited the Welsh chapels and cemetries in the Gaiman and Trelew areas, then a long journey - 100 km - across the prairie to the beautiful peninsula of Punta Tombo to see the penguins and guanecos; a very special experience. A delightful supper with David, his family and friends before saying our fond farewells at 11pm.

10/11 December
Left Gaiman at 8am Monday morning and arrived back in Cardiff at 5.30pm Tuesday evening. A very long and exhausting journey but very much enjoyed by all.