Cardiff, UK in May
We left Norway from Stavanger Airport. It was fairly clear so we could see the Thames from the aeroplane as we started descending towards Heathrow. If you are not a EU citizen you are not allowed to fly directly to one of the smaller airports like, Cardiff.
From Heathrow we went to Cardiff by bus. There we visited Cardiff Castle at the very first opportunity. The castle is really impressive and is busy with tourists, soldiers giving demonstrations and school children - a real community centre. We are taken by surprise by the number of people using Welsh. Welsh is even still used at the university like Pieter Botha, my husband discovered at the conference there.
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The castle wall with the tower at the front entrance
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Cardiff used to be part of the territory of a Celtic British tribe. A fort was established by the Romans here in the year 75. Parts of the old wall can still be seen as marked by the coloured bricks on the outside wall and as part of the museum inside. In 1081 the castle keep was built by William I, King of England, inside the old Roman fort.
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Pieter and I against the wall of the keep
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The third Marquess of Bute substantially changed and extended the castle. It is because he and his family had to spend a week or two every year at the castle that we now have an amazingly richly decorated interior to admire. He was said to have been the richest man of his time.
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| The library, much admired by Pieter, as can be seen below. |
The river Taff flows by the castle and it is by river that we travelled to Cardiff Bay.
We floated past the Millennium Stadium, where the Springboks still come to compete against Wales.
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| One can see flags displaying the Red Dragon of Wales in the streets |
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| This picture is taken with the castle in the foreground and the Millennium Centre (rugby stadium) behind it. Notice the contrast between old and modern again. |
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The scene is tranquil from the water
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The riverboat took us right to Cardiff Bay, which still is a major port for the transport of coal.
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The golden bow is part of the roof of the Millenium Centre (Culture) and the red brick building in front used to be the building used for the export of coal.
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| In the bay we noticed a party in full swing on a military cruiser |
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Who said a lighthouse had to be stationary?
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| We loved the use of sculpture again. Is this a ship that has run aground? |
Of course, all this travelling creates a pile of laundry. We discovered a laundromat which several athletes and rugby players also had to use during their stay. This is really an efficient way of dealing with that part of everyday life.
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Luckily the hotel provided ironing facilities
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At the hotel, we were picked up by our good friends, Kevin and Madeleine Lomas. Thanks to them we could from there explore the South of England.
