IECHYD DA

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Anita and I have just got back to London after a wonderful weekend in Cardiff. It makes such a diiference when you know someone in the country you are visiting. It becomes a much more personal experience because you do some of the same things the locals do. Chris Baker is Anita's 3rd cousin and him and his partner Jenny gave us a taste of real Welsh hospitality in Cardiff. Cardiff is 2.5 hours from London by train, always a relaxing way to travel. They picked us up from the station and my excitment grew as we passed the Millinium Stadium, I could feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I am really going to try and get tickets for the All Blacks Wales match in November. After lunch we took of towards Bridgend of the coal minning valleys and villages (Anita's mothers father was born there). Having followed rugby from an early age I have strong memories of Welsh players of the 70's who played in the clubs from around that area. JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards etc. Anyway it was a very interesting afternnon. That evening we went to dinner in the suburb of Penarth, a trendy little area that overlooks Cardiff on the otherside of the harbour, much like Devonport. Chris is the drummer in Rock n Roll band called the Sunsets and he and the bass player, Bat (an interesting man who tells a mean story), then took us to a couple of pubs where i had my first taste of Brains (a local ale). The next day we went to an historic village much like a cross between MOTAT and Shantytown but with 400 years more history. It called St Fagan Historic Museum and in 4 hours saw just over half of it. It was awesome. On Sunday we took a stroll around the the revamped port area of Cardiff. Like many cities today they modernised the old port area with boardwalks, cafes, bars and theatres, a mix of the old and new. Well we still didn't see much sun but the weather is warming all the time and today I was able to stay in shorts all day. We look forward to our next trip across the border. Next report should come after we return from Malta. Keep warm guys, we will be thinking of you now the the English summer is on our doorstep.
Tony

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Photos

In the Valleis
Anita and Jen outside Berts

St Fagans
The Poms practise their Haka on Mayday

Cardifff's revamped port
Anita with our wonderful Welsh hosts (Chris and Jen)