Cardiff by train

We retraced our steps a little, back on the train through Swansea and out to Cardiff. Arriving Sunday in the rain (and boy, did it rain) we kind of explored a coffee shop, shopping centre, pub for dinner and the hotel room. Not too much more.

Monday was very different. Windy but fit for hiking. So, we did. Walked through the town to Cardiff Marina to check it out as a possible winter base. En route, we passed one of the greatest places to live in town - right next to the famous Brains Brewery:

And good views of the Millennium stadium as you cross the river:

Oh no... Cardiff Marina was a horrid place, had to buzz the office to get through the electrically operated gates. Found that moorings were dirt cheap (they would have to be!) and then got locked in as the dozy guy hadn't told us we needed a key fob thingy to get out again. Sad. It could be so much nicer.

The walk across the lifting bridge you see above and down to Penarth was much more rewarding. A converted dock area like Swansea but with much better facilities and management too. Sue (another marina lady called Sue..) found a possible berth for us but when we went to check it out (she loaned us a visitor key fob thingy!) it was going to be a bit too slim for our tubby boat. So, thinking things would not work out, we returned the fob. Then a great 3 way conference between the berthing masters and marina managers ensued, moving visiting boats around, figuring out when the local plastic navy craft would be leaving etc. Upshot was, they could clear a hammerhead for us. Ideal!

The place is right next to the Cardiff bay barrage:

Will be a good place for some winter time - trips across to Portishead and Watchet are simple enough and will let us give the big Lugger some winter exercise. Bristol could also be a destination but is trickier of course - tides, bridges locks etc. If you are not feeling adventurous, then it is always possible just to trundle around inside the bay area and go up to the waterfront development where short term berths are available - the typical day trip when we have visitors we guess so book in early!

Walking into Penarth was fun - felt like a 1:3 hill up to the town. Not good for people who are half Dutch or from Norfolk where hills are at a premium of course. Quite an up market centre and worth the oxygen mask we ordered with a coffee. The carrot cake was good. Not an all time great, but worth repeating. The bus back into town was followed by a quick look at Cardiff castle:

One barber shop was concerning - would you trust this guy anywhere near you with a cut-throat razor?

So it looks like we will have Cardiff as a winter base for a while. Looking forward to exploring the area. On the train back, we sat near three young (compared to us) girls who were heading to a company conference in Swansea. Listening to the conversation about "time off in lieu" and the pressures of working in a retail shop, we felt so happy to be out of work and out of the pointless conversations between total strangers such events generate. Freedom!