| Wales |
| 14-16 March 2003 After a long time of promising to meet up I finally caught up with Marie-Claude (women who used to work at Datacom). Caught the train to Maidenhead (where MCF lives) then set off to Cardiff. Arrived in Cardiff at a semi-decent hour to find accomodation and have a drink over a catch up. On Saturday after fueling up on a Maca's Breakfast we went to Cardiff Castle. Now I've been to a few castles and palaces now but the rooms in the castle were absolutely breathtaking and extravegant. By far the best interiors I have seen thus far. After this we walked through town (fell in love with three pairs of shoes but left them there) and had a bite to eat - Rare Bits (Welsh Snack) which is just basically cheese on toast with mustard and something else ... was quite tasty. Now of course you can't go to Cardiff without visiting the Millineum Stadium. Luckily enough the tour guide was happy to have a larger group than usual so that we didn't have to wait till 5 or come back in the morning. Was an excellent tour and the tour guide was a hard case. I think MCF was highly embarrased to have to take a photo of me whilst holding my All Blacks Scarf above my head (I have now since lost it mum so may need another). Brough totally unnessasary souviners but what the hang. Um ... after this we did a bit more window shopping then spent a good half an hour locating the car (thank goodness we had the stadium and castle as landmarks). Drove around to the bays where it was absolutely freezing as it began to get dark, lots of restaurants etc around the area but we settled on Fish'n'chips at yet another chain restaurant. MCF was just loving all the children in the restaurant (NOT!). Our waiter 'Roberto' managed to keep us entertained with his rudeness and mixups and the cheeky monkey even asked if I wanted his phone number - 'I don't think so sweetheart'. Now us Nana's were a bit buggered after wandering around for 8 hours. We thought we really shouldn't go to bed at 7.30 (although we could of quite happily) so settled for going to the movies at a complex nearby - it even had a pirate ship inside which was quite cool. Seems we were up a little early for Cardiff on Sunday as we arrived at Castell Coch only to find the gate locked, so had a slight change of plans and went to Caerphilly to check out the castle (although we didn't bother going in). Here we picked up some Welsh treats which made MCF's day and then we went and dined at Teso's (supermarket) and had a discusting big breakfast (bit it was cheap) as there seemed to be nothing else opened in the village. Took more photos amongst the daffodills which were in bloom everywhere and simply beautiful then hopped in the car again and went to Castell Coch. Castle Coch looks as though it belongs out of a fairytale stuck amongst the forrest. Well I was truely castled out (after going to Warricks Castle only two weeks prior) and so we headed back to England. On the way home we drove around Bristol for a while (as I want to save Oxford and Bath for a later date). Lots of nice grand buildings but thats about all really. Marie then took me on a surprise journery (as I was hanging out for scones and cream) and we went to Castle Combe which thank goodness was not a castle at all. Within the village there was a huge manor, so grand. Marie was not joking when she said I would probably take another roll of film here. We walked through the village which was simply lovely and I can only imagine how beautiful it will be in the months to come when all the bulbs are in bloom and the flower baskets are hung. After walking around we went and had afternoon tea in the drawing room of the manor Club sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, amazing jam, cakes and biscuits ... we feasted (or rather gauged). It was like high tea all over again. We were in company with lots of old folks though, dressed up in their Sunday suits and dresses - kind of stood out dressed in cargos and filthy trainers but oh well! Must of spent a good three hours here as it was simply fabulous - the grounds were just amazing. Anway .... that was the end of the weekend really ... back at Buckley Road ... awoken by the rest of the house returning from St Paddy Celebrations ... and yet another two rolls of film take which hopefully will be on this page soon! D PS - If you're wondering why I chose a spoon to float around your screen - its suppose to be a traditional Welsh love spoon! |