Diary of a Welsh Adventure
Aug. 10th, 2017 12:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rosa_heartlilyMonday 7 August
8am we were picked up by a taxi and taken to Lime Street Station where we had to hang around for a bit until our train actually left (9.04am) - but it's always a good idea to be early. The journey to Crewe was pretty uneventful and we made it to our connection (left at 10.08am) without incident. We got into Cardiff about 12.30pm and then had some fun locating the taxis (which were at the other side of the station *sigh*). Our driver acted as an unofficial city tour guide, telling us all about all the things there are to do in Cardiff and that they have the largest John Lewis store outside London. I've never understood the concept of tourist shopping. Souvenir shopping, yes - but why go to a national chain store in another city when there's a branch in your own city? Anyway... We arrived safely at the hotel and were able to go straight to our room to drop off our luggage.
We were ready for food by this time so went across the road to Cardiff Castle where we used our visitor cards to get a discount on the entrance fee and then went to the café. The food wasn't exactly over-whelming but it filled a hole. I went on the tour of the house - what an amazing place. The 2nd Marquis of Bute had some interesting ideas about interior decoration! I actually felt as if I was walking around inside a video game. Everything was highly decorated, painted in bright colours and gold. The Arab Room was particularly stunning but my favourite was the roof garden, which is set out like a courtyard from a Roman villa but in miniature.
After the Castle it was back to the hotel to get ready for our 3 course dinner, which was included in our deal. I had salmon mousse, bream and Eton mess; the husband had parsnip soup, ratatouille risotto and panna cotta. Everything was really nice (definitely made up for lunch!).
Tuesday 8 August (our actual anniversary)
We'd ordered breakfast in bed - the husband went for full English but I settled for croissants (4 of them!) and yoghurt.
After that we took a little wander to Bute Park (right next to the Castle and where the Marquis' children used to ride their horses) and had a coffee then went back to the Castle entrance to get the sight seeing bus. We got off at the Doctor Who Experience; I went in but the husband waited outside. I was expecting a museum/exhibition but we ended up in a role playing situation, helping the Doctor to save the universe! Well done, us. When the universe was safe again we were let out into the museum, including lots of monsters, the evolution of Cybermen and Daleks, and actual costumes from the series. I particularly liked River's crib.
Next we went for a cold drink at a little café next to the DWE and looked out over the bay. We were joined by an ancient Jack Russell belonging to the café that seems to spend its days sleeping in various spots around the premises. Then we got back on the bus and finished the tour just as the rain started. We ran back into the hotel for our afternoon tea (also included in our deal) then went souvenir shopping at a little shop opposite the Castle.
That evening we went to the Seafood Shack (one of the places you can get a discount with the Visitor Card) and had the best meal of the trip. I had turbot and the husband had the most amazing jumbo prawn scampi. I can still taste them! We still had some cakes left over from our afternoon tea, so we went back to the hotel and had those rather than a dessert.
Wednesday 9 August
We had breakfast in bed again (I had egg and bacon, the husband just bacon on toast) then went back to Pettigrew's for another coffee. Then we got on the aquabus which took us down the River Taff and round Cardiff Bay. But there really wasn't much to see and the rain didn't help brighten the mood.
We bought sandwiches at a local shop then headed back into Bute Park to eat them at one of the picnic benches. Then we headed further into the park and found a really warm spot in front of the visitor centre, which would have been perfect for our lunch! We'll definitely make use of it if we ever go back!
Then it was time to collect our luggage and head for the station. We gave ourselves plenty of time again, so that we wouldn't be rushing to find the platform. This time, the fun and games involved finding the lifts but we got there. Our changing point was Chester - nearer to home but further from Cardiff so the poor husband was losing the will by the time we finally got there. We got a cab outside Central Station, dumped the bag and ordered take away for tea.
Overall - Cardiff
The Angel was clean and comfortable and the staff and food were lovely. The central location meant that it was really handy for getting around - it also meant we got to know one little corner of Cardiff far too well!
The tour bus tickets last two full days and (apart from having to listen to the commentary again), I think it would be the best way to get around. The Castle could easily fill a day as could Bute Park. And the DWE probably could, too, if you really looked around at everything and took part in the filming/green screen thing. There are also some museums that we didn't even get close to looking at, let alone visiting, and places of interest nearby, so you don't have to stay in Cardiff.
Overall - Us
We were both more than a little anxious at spending three whole days together. We have very different interests and with only each other for company we weren't sure how we'd cope. But the time just flew over. There were some times when we were just 'killing time' but they passed really easily. We didn't talk about anything deep and meaningful but there was plenty going on to discuss.
And now that we're home, we're both enjoying doing our own thing, just as we would normally! Definitely a successful trip.
8am we were picked up by a taxi and taken to Lime Street Station where we had to hang around for a bit until our train actually left (9.04am) - but it's always a good idea to be early. The journey to Crewe was pretty uneventful and we made it to our connection (left at 10.08am) without incident. We got into Cardiff about 12.30pm and then had some fun locating the taxis (which were at the other side of the station *sigh*). Our driver acted as an unofficial city tour guide, telling us all about all the things there are to do in Cardiff and that they have the largest John Lewis store outside London. I've never understood the concept of tourist shopping. Souvenir shopping, yes - but why go to a national chain store in another city when there's a branch in your own city? Anyway... We arrived safely at the hotel and were able to go straight to our room to drop off our luggage.
We were ready for food by this time so went across the road to Cardiff Castle where we used our visitor cards to get a discount on the entrance fee and then went to the café. The food wasn't exactly over-whelming but it filled a hole. I went on the tour of the house - what an amazing place. The 2nd Marquis of Bute had some interesting ideas about interior decoration! I actually felt as if I was walking around inside a video game. Everything was highly decorated, painted in bright colours and gold. The Arab Room was particularly stunning but my favourite was the roof garden, which is set out like a courtyard from a Roman villa but in miniature.
After the Castle it was back to the hotel to get ready for our 3 course dinner, which was included in our deal. I had salmon mousse, bream and Eton mess; the husband had parsnip soup, ratatouille risotto and panna cotta. Everything was really nice (definitely made up for lunch!).
Tuesday 8 August (our actual anniversary)
We'd ordered breakfast in bed - the husband went for full English but I settled for croissants (4 of them!) and yoghurt.
After that we took a little wander to Bute Park (right next to the Castle and where the Marquis' children used to ride their horses) and had a coffee then went back to the Castle entrance to get the sight seeing bus. We got off at the Doctor Who Experience; I went in but the husband waited outside. I was expecting a museum/exhibition but we ended up in a role playing situation, helping the Doctor to save the universe! Well done, us. When the universe was safe again we were let out into the museum, including lots of monsters, the evolution of Cybermen and Daleks, and actual costumes from the series. I particularly liked River's crib.
Next we went for a cold drink at a little café next to the DWE and looked out over the bay. We were joined by an ancient Jack Russell belonging to the café that seems to spend its days sleeping in various spots around the premises. Then we got back on the bus and finished the tour just as the rain started. We ran back into the hotel for our afternoon tea (also included in our deal) then went souvenir shopping at a little shop opposite the Castle.
That evening we went to the Seafood Shack (one of the places you can get a discount with the Visitor Card) and had the best meal of the trip. I had turbot and the husband had the most amazing jumbo prawn scampi. I can still taste them! We still had some cakes left over from our afternoon tea, so we went back to the hotel and had those rather than a dessert.
Wednesday 9 August
We had breakfast in bed again (I had egg and bacon, the husband just bacon on toast) then went back to Pettigrew's for another coffee. Then we got on the aquabus which took us down the River Taff and round Cardiff Bay. But there really wasn't much to see and the rain didn't help brighten the mood.
We bought sandwiches at a local shop then headed back into Bute Park to eat them at one of the picnic benches. Then we headed further into the park and found a really warm spot in front of the visitor centre, which would have been perfect for our lunch! We'll definitely make use of it if we ever go back!
Then it was time to collect our luggage and head for the station. We gave ourselves plenty of time again, so that we wouldn't be rushing to find the platform. This time, the fun and games involved finding the lifts but we got there. Our changing point was Chester - nearer to home but further from Cardiff so the poor husband was losing the will by the time we finally got there. We got a cab outside Central Station, dumped the bag and ordered take away for tea.
Overall - Cardiff
The Angel was clean and comfortable and the staff and food were lovely. The central location meant that it was really handy for getting around - it also meant we got to know one little corner of Cardiff far too well!
The tour bus tickets last two full days and (apart from having to listen to the commentary again), I think it would be the best way to get around. The Castle could easily fill a day as could Bute Park. And the DWE probably could, too, if you really looked around at everything and took part in the filming/green screen thing. There are also some museums that we didn't even get close to looking at, let alone visiting, and places of interest nearby, so you don't have to stay in Cardiff.
Overall - Us
We were both more than a little anxious at spending three whole days together. We have very different interests and with only each other for company we weren't sure how we'd cope. But the time just flew over. There were some times when we were just 'killing time' but they passed really easily. We didn't talk about anything deep and meaningful but there was plenty going on to discuss.
And now that we're home, we're both enjoying doing our own thing, just as we would normally! Definitely a successful trip.
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Date: 2017-08-11 03:18 am (UTC)