It was a bit nippy but the nonetheless a lovely four-day sojourn at the Welsh capital over Easter. Staying at the Hilton directly opposite Cardiff Castle was a definite highlight as well as damn convenient.On a random walk through the city on Saturday (March 23) it was hard not to notice hordes of rugby fans sporting four different rugby jerseys. Not one to remain ignorant for long, I asked someone what was going on. It turned out to be EDF Energy Cup Finals weekend - two games at the famous Millenium Stadium. I quickly snapped up a ticket for game 2 - Ospreys v Saracens - and sat atop the the stadium while the former dealt to the latter. Justin Marshall and Chris Jack were both on show so some it had some form of personal meaning.
Snow filering through the open roof of Millennium Stadium - 17:30, March 22.
Anyway... On Sunday we visited two splendid castles in the countryside about 30 minutes north of Cardiff - Castell Coch and Castell Caerphilly. As it turned out, both were owned by the Third Marquis of Bute in the 19th century and both were ruins. Castle Coch was completely restored and is somewhat fairy-tale like in stature. It overlooks a very small town called Tondwynlais and the whole setting is breathtaking.Castell Caerphilly is amazingly still standing though in a state of ill repair compared to the functional and beautiful Castell Coch. Lunch overlooking the castle was quite something, and the waiter was attentive although a little odd.
On Monday we set our sights across the road from the hotel to the imposing structure of Cardiff Castell. It is an amazing place, that unbelievably was the summer 'bach' for the Bute family.
All in all, it was a great trip and a place I would consider a UK highlight. There is only one time of the year Cardiff would not be a highlight and last year it was October 7 (hint: a major international rugby team was knocked out of the World Cup there by France).
Ciao for now
Fred and Bron
