Cardiff

Categories: holidays

Date: 19 December 2007 11:31:38

After travelling in the countryside, it was a bit of a jolt to come back to a large city. However, Cardiff is a very pleasant city to explore, especially with the Winter Wonderland set up and the various Christmas decorations scattered through the town. On my first exploring, as I walked past the castle I noticed a protest [about a school closing, if I recall correctly] making its way to the Town Hall. I left them behind and continued to the informative and interesting National Museum.

While making my way to the railway station to head to Cardiff Bay, I noticed that the Royal Shakespeare Company's performance of A Comedy of Errors was on that night. I got a good seat, and thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic performance. I hadn't seen that play before, and to see it by the RSC -- wow!

I headed down to Cardiff Bay, visiting the Doctor Who Exhibition, seeing [from the outside] the Welsh National Assembly building and the gloriously-lit-at-night Millennium Stadium (left). I, of course, went to the forecourt of the Millennium Stadium and looked in vain for the Torchwood team. I walked around the bay, and finished my time there by having a very nice Italian dinner before I headed to The Comedy of Errors.

The next day I headed off to Llandaff to see the historic Cathedral [a cat seemed to take a liking to me and followed me around outside]. Inside, I was particularly struck by the beautiful font (right) and the west entrance.

I then headed back to Cardiff, and visited Cardiff Castle before I left for Swansea. Yes: another castle. Their appeal has no end for me. The castle itself is a magnificent structure, and the guided tour of the apartments is well worth the additional cost. The rooms are so richly ornate that your breath is taken away. Our tour guide also had the most wondrous sense of humour and had us in stitches much of the time. Outside, there is the castle keep (left) and grounds, and also some peacocks [which wander] and falcons [which don't -- at least not without a trainer].

It was only a flying visit to Wales' capital, but I did enjoy -- and learn a bit about -- what I was able to see. I hope to return soon.