Cardiff is the largest city in Wales, and the ninth largest in the UK, the major business hub of the country and the centre of all things cultural and sport. We need to have our game on for this visit.  In preparation for the day we must have a full breakfast, but we are running a bit late.  No full Welsh breakfast this morning.  It is the Golden Arches for us.  At least the coffee is good.

Getting around Wales is fairly easy.  There are plenty of large signs, with lots of detail on them. However, you do need to be somewhat of a speed reader, as they are posted in English and Welsh. Accordingly, the navigator is frequently requesting that I slow to a crawl, so she can read them.  It is somewhat of a challenge.  When I slow down to the navigator's reading speed, a lovely Welsh person in the car behind me has an absolute meltdown, if I don't slow down, the navigator has an equally impressive display.  Given the closeness of the navigator to my delicate parts I choose the wrath of other drivers.  Eventually, we arrive at our chosen station unscathed.

Parking next to the walls of Cardiff Castle, our plan is to visit the National Museum to gain a better understanding of the country.  Cardiff castle was built by William I, the King of England. in 1081.  The castle was built on the same grounds that the Romans had built a fortification in 75 AD.  The castle has been the center of Cardiff ever since.

The Museum entrance pictures below.   Once inside, we were greeted by the powerful sounds of a pipe organ serenading us, as we viewed a collection of art works by various masters.  I took a few pictures....... the first time I have ever been to a Museum that allows photos.

Cardiff would not be what it is today without the significant commitment of one family.  The Bute Family.  They owned the coal mines among other things.  They used their wealth to build the dock yards and expand the city.  The city grew by 80% per decade between 1840-70 continuing to prosper as the mining center for the country.  Today, the city has a nice contrast between old and new.  The Cardiff Bay area is the new.  The cornerstone being the National Assembly building below.  This building has defined the new skyline in Cardiff.  Surrounded by restaurants, shops, boutique hotels and clubs, this is the place to see and be seen.

Below we caught a shop owner making Welsh cakes. It is somewhat like a compacted scone. Instead of being baked, it is grilled and is offered in many different flavors, all good.  65p a piece.  We had quite a few, lather on some heavy cream, a dollop of jam.....welcome to 2000 calories of heaven!

From the pier looking back at Cardiff Bay.

We took a drive down the coast to Penarth.  A seaside town stuck between the 19th and 21st century. The stiff breeze off Brystol Channel did not seem to deter the locals from enjoying the pier.  We walked about half way along the  boardwalk, took a few pictures and made a hasty retreat back to the warm confines of the car.

Our next visit takes us back in time to St. Fagan's history museum where we experience village life from a bygone era.  The museum includes more than 40 buildings representative of the historic architecture of Wales.  Thatched roof cottages, a working bakery, blacksmith, a nonconformist church are but a few of what is on offer. The entire land including a magnificent manor house was given to the government in 1946 by the Earl of Plymouth.  It opened as a museum in 1948.

 The courtyard and entry way of the manor home.

 16th century cockfighting ring.

 Purchasing a scone from the working bakery.

A pig sty from the 16th century.  The pigs would burrow out of the corners of the square ones that the farmers had been using.  To rectify the rpoblem, the round ones stopped the pigs from digging.

Having covered all the bases it was time to head back to our hotel, in rush hour traffic.  Since we were northwest of the city, we decided to go against the flow and head back into the core. Our plan took us through the stately section of town. Row upon row of elegantly restored townhouses and large manor homes lining the streets. Traffic was light, we felt like we stole something and got away with it, as the traffic out of town was horrible to say the least.  Busted.  The eastern exit was equal to the west.  We navigated further east through the student areas, staying away from the routes heading to the motorway. Everything was going well until the urban street turned into a rural road.  8 foot bushes lined both sides of the path. It felt like we were still headed east so we continued.  The road got narrower which was hard to believe, since it was a two way street.  After about 15 minutes we finally agreed.... Well...... I agreed, Johanne already knew,"we are officially lost"!  As luck would have it, around the next bend, civilization reappears in the form of an Inn.  The Maenllwyd Inn!!!  It looked like a paradise.  Perched on a ridge over looking the Ryemney valley, this 400 year old former farmhouse was just begging us to enter.  The pub was as imagined, low ceilings with a polished wood bar, large fireplace and a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.  I ordered a pint, Johanne had one too.  Dinner was mouthwatering, smoked chicken and mango salad, followed by slow roasted Irish rib of beef, barbecued duck wings, sweet potato fries.  The portion was huge so sharing was perfect.  As it turns out, we were on the right road too.  The rest of the way to the hotel was quick and easy.  A great day with a nice surprise at the end.  Tomorrow we cover the southwest coast of Wales, and head back to England.

Question for you, readers....what does the English saying

"spending a penny" refer to?  And don't Google it.  I will share the answer next time.

Cheerio