Although it was really low key, my week in Cardiff was a lot of fun. I had only ever visited the city once and that was just for the day with 29 Russian students, so this past week has allowed me to really explore. As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to get out in Allan's little neighborhood to run, shop, and get my hair done. I took a few other days to go into the city centre and to get out to Cardiff Bay. It was great to see more of Cardiff and it leaves me wanting to plan another visit because I think the city has a lot to offer.
My first few days were spent right around Allan's neighborhood, but Friday I got up and headed by foot (about 20 minutes I think) to the centre. I walked through some shops and into the visitors centre where I watched a short film on the history of Cardiff. I headed through Bute Park which is next to Cardiff Castle and took a boat taxi (another 20 minutes) up to Cardiff Bay. The taxi, which cost only 3 pounds, was worth it if you enjoy being on the water like I do, but a bus is another easy, and cheap way, to get around town.
When I got to the bay I was really surprised at how modern the area was. There were a ton of new builds and in the visitor's center here, where I watched another bit of history, I found out that the whole area had recently been rebuilt to offer easy access to the water, a freshwater lake other waterfront activities. There were many workers in the area setting up for a Red Bull two day event (racing I think). The shops here were neat, lots of artists around too.
I ended up taking the bus back to the city centre and walking (after getting my first ever coffee-ish drink at Starbucks) back to Allan's. I don't drink coffee but I was exhausted, and since I had a caramel drink it masked the flavor pretty well.
Allan and I rested and then headed out to meet his "boys". He wanted to introduce me to his friends so we first went to the Pen and Wig. This is a cool little place and has a great beer garden. After this we walked to another great place, The Buffalo Bar. It is nothing like what is sounds. The decor was nice and their outdoor beer garden was quite comfortable too. There were no site of wings anywhere! Finally we walked to another of Allan's favorites, but I like this place least of all. It was just a bit plain for me, but of course Allan says they were looking for a minimalist decor. It seemed to have the crowd of a Cypress or maybe even Raval, but it didn't have the ambiance, which is what I like.
Saturday morning we planned on hiking but the weather was bad so we painted in Allan's house and then we took a drive out to an area I'm not familiar with but we had lunch in a place called the Angel. The food was really good. We walked around this town a bit and then headed back that afternoon to just hang out and watch movies.
Sunday we got up really early to try and catch the sunrise over Cardiff Bay but unfortunately it was cloudy out so we didn't see much. We drove all over Penarth looking at the neighborhoods because Allan is considering moving out of his place into something new, and perhaps I'll move to Cardiff in a few months so I get a say! After our drive we each had massages at the gym near Allan's place and boy I needed it. I needed it so much in fact, I booked one for Monday morning too. Once I was well rested we went over to Llantwit Major and hiked along the coastal path. This is an easy hike and it's just beautiful, but Allan had to make it more exciting of course, so on our way down we took an unconventional path. Rather than follow the route marked for us, Allan had me treading through fields and jumping over fences, walking through sheep pastures and climbing walls. Interesting for sure. It was a little intimidating because I'm not one to break the rules and I was scared we were going to get in trouble for trespassing, but it was fun.
We had lunch at an amazing restaurant in Cowbridge that afternoon. I had a goat cheese roast (essentially a stuffing with the cheese, spinach, pine nuts, and other special ingredients) and then on the plate was also yams, broccoli, roasted potatoes and cauliflower. Oh my goodness, heaven. The Quarter Penny Cafe has my vote for good eats.
Sunday evening we took it easy and Monday morning I had another massage to work out the many knots I still had in my shoulders. I caught my flight back to Dublin late in the afternoon and now I'm trying to catch up on emails, phone calls, laundry, etc before my sister arrives this week. Looking forward to bday celebrations with the ones I love here in Dublin. Upset my birthday won't be with my friends and family back home, but I know they'll be with me in spirit! 29 scares me for some reason, but the way things have been going here, I know that life will just keep getting better, so there is nothing to be worried about at the ripe old age of 29!
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