When you arrive at the train station you see some interesting signs. In 2016 a law was enacted that all modern signs feature both Welsh and English language wording, with the Welsh first. All I can say is thank you for including English. Welsh to me is unpronounceable and not intuitively understandable.
See what I mean?
The city central was so old and beautiful. They were decorating for Christmas. Wish I could see that. They have a Christmas Market here that I bet is fun.
Our main goal was to see Cardiff Castle. We walked through the downtown which was only about 10 blocks, enjoying all the architecture, and at the end of the road there was the castle. Oh, it took my breath away. Just so regal with the one tower - the Keep - sitting up on a hill with the Flag of Wales flying. We had a beautiful and rare blue sky day, puffy clouds. Couldn't have asked for better weather. There are some Roman remains on the grounds.
We walked up those stairs you see to the "keep" which is pretty much in ruins. We also went up many, many steps and treacherous stairs to get to the very top. It was worth it as the view was spectacular and you could see for miles. Glad I went all the way up.
We took the "house tour" for just a few pounds and it was worth more than we paid. The castle apartments and home was so rich, so elegant, very ornate but for some reason it wasn't gaudy. Nothing was left to chance and each room left me speechless. In 1947 the castle was given to the city and anyone who lives in Cardiff is given free entry. Family history was interesting and I hope to read more about them.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you ever get to London, hop on the train for the day and visit this castle, worth you time and money.
We took a crazy bus ride, with a wish and a prayer that we would get to Cardiff Bay. After asking about 15 people for bus directions and help we actually did get there........and we got back too. A few moments of concern, but the Bay was quiet for the off-season, but we walked around and took some photos. Cheryl picked the best restaurant I've ever been to. Called Cozy Club and found out it is a chain. Atmosphere was excellent, even the bathrooms were cool. Great menu, had a delicious lemon martini and the prices and food were perfect. Wish I lived close by. This place gets 10 stars out of 5.
Headed back to London at 6 pm. and got home around 9:45 p.m. We had a long day, but the trip was worth the memories I will carry with me forever. My last familial country was an overwhelming success.
The Castle's Clock Tower dominates the city's skyline. Designed by William Burges
The glass-sided new clock also features an artwork relating to the Marquis of Bute, who originally commissioned the Pierhead Building.
Three replica monkeys will strike hourly chimes. The monkeys were designed by the marquis for one of the rooms of Cardiff Castle as a rebuttal of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
** The Red Dragon, part of the national flag design from around 820, popularly supposed to have been the battle standard of King Arthur and other ancient Celtic leaders. This myth is likely to have originated from the tale of Merlin's vision of a Red (The Native Britons) and a White (The Saxon Invaders) dragon battling, with the red dragon being victorious. Following the annexation of Wales by England, the red dragon was used as a supporter in the English monarch's coat of arms. The red dragon is often seen as a shorthand for all things Welsh, being used by many indigenous public and private institutions. (Wikipedia)
While looking up the name of the glass clock in the city center I came across an article that was only published yesterday (10/24/19), showing the side of Cardiff that the tourists do not see. This same situation is in all major and even minor cities. Sure wish there was an easy answer to these social issues, drug addition, mental heath problems, crime and economics all rolled into an awful ball of despair for so many. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff-homeless-city-centre-drugs-17139266 and of course we all have opinions as to reasons, etc., but the bottom line is human suffering.
Hopefully, you learned some things about Wales that you didn't know. I've gained a lot of knowledge in writing and checking on things for this blog. Maybe too much info, I hope not. Life and learning go together hand in hand and help keep us going. That is what I believe anyway.
Our main goal was to see Cardiff Castle. We walked through the downtown which was only about 10 blocks, enjoying all the architecture, and at the end of the road there was the castle. Oh, it took my breath away. Just so regal with the one tower - the Keep - sitting up on a hill with the Flag of Wales flying. We had a beautiful and rare blue sky day, puffy clouds. Couldn't have asked for better weather. There are some Roman remains on the grounds.
We walked up those stairs you see to the "keep" which is pretty much in ruins. We also went up many, many steps and treacherous stairs to get to the very top. It was worth it as the view was spectacular and you could see for miles. Glad I went all the way up.
We took the "house tour" for just a few pounds and it was worth more than we paid. The castle apartments and home was so rich, so elegant, very ornate but for some reason it wasn't gaudy. Nothing was left to chance and each room left me speechless. In 1947 the castle was given to the city and anyone who lives in Cardiff is given free entry. Family history was interesting and I hope to read more about them.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you ever get to London, hop on the train for the day and visit this castle, worth you time and money.
We took a crazy bus ride, with a wish and a prayer that we would get to Cardiff Bay. After asking about 15 people for bus directions and help we actually did get there........and we got back too. A few moments of concern, but the Bay was quiet for the off-season, but we walked around and took some photos. Cheryl picked the best restaurant I've ever been to. Called Cozy Club and found out it is a chain. Atmosphere was excellent, even the bathrooms were cool. Great menu, had a delicious lemon martini and the prices and food were perfect. Wish I lived close by. This place gets 10 stars out of 5.
Headed back to London at 6 pm. and got home around 9:45 p.m. We had a long day, but the trip was worth the memories I will carry with me forever. My last familial country was an overwhelming success.
Walking down St. Mary's street
Pigeons enjoying the view.
Pierhead Clock*
Crews putting up Christmas lights
They have a big Christmas Market that starts in November.
It must look beautiful when all lit up.
Lots of restoration going on and new builds. Front
building in complete reno, and in back, behind the
reno, are the church towers peeking out.
Ghosts?
First thing you see when you get close to castle.
People didn't have watches in the old days and the
clock towers, with their bells marking time, were
very important in every community.
When I walked through these doors I was transported
First view. So beautiful sitting up there.
Welsh flag on top - Red Dragon, green and red.
Technically the flag of England is the Welsh flag due to the Laws in Wales
act of 1535 which annexed Wales following the 13th century conquest.
The Red Dragon**
School is out for 2 weeks in the UK. We ran into
hordes of kids at many places we went. They were all having
fun and enjoying the castle, being taught some sword fighting.
Look at the sky. How did we "luck out" and get a beautiful blue sky part
of the day in a rain predicted day. Just thrilling. This is the Keep, high up for defense,
not the actual castle where the family lived.
The Keep - the defensive high ground and tower. There was
a 30 foot-wide moat surrounding this.
Wonderful views from the top of the Keep.
Pigeons again
for Lord Bute it was completed in 1873 to epitomize the Victorian dream of High Gothic.
Gothic interior, opulent and intricately designed, but its famous Arab Room is on a whole other level. With the hand-applied gold leaf detailing of its ceiling worth about £8 million ($10,273,600) alone, the room has been called the ‘apogee’ of the designer William Burges’ work.
Window opener for outside walkway
Cardiff Castle is one of William Burges' most notable works constructed begun in 1866.
Hand painted tiles in the nursery/childrens' room. Each
series depicted a well-known fairy tale.
All the ceilings in the house had special treatment.
All the floors were different and many with
beautiful tile and tile patterns.
Top floor. When I entered I thought it was a Roman bath.
It was a garden room and originally it had an open
ceiling Very ornate, but up so many steep stairs that
I would have had to have a major desire to visit this room.
Castles had no elevators!!!!!
The woodwork details were some of the best I've seen. So
many surfaces and pieces of furniture included marquetry.
Such fine woodwork with so many beautiful woods was done in this home.
There are gems included in some pieces and the gold leaf is real.
One more look.....good bye beautiful place
Bay of Cardiff
Wales Millennium Centre (Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru)
Welsh home to the performing art. This is huge
Pierhead Building - clock tower known as Baby Big Ben
Has served many purposes - a real beauty
Cozy Club for lunch. Art deco style, so beautiful.
Lemon Drop martini, needed that after all the
walking. I adore this restaurant, my favorite.
Started the day here and now ending.
Goodbye Cardiff
* A historic clock based on Big Ben has been unveiled as part of Cardiff city centre's Castle Quarter renovation. The clock mechanism is the main feature of a street artwork in a new glass tower in St Mary Street. It began life in the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay in 1897 but was sold to a collector in America in the 1970s before returning in 2004 and restored. Clock mechanism weighs approximately 1,000lb and had to be wound manually once a week for the clock to keep time, is almost identical to the one which powers Big Ben in London.
The glass-sided new clock also features an artwork relating to the Marquis of Bute, who originally commissioned the Pierhead Building.
Three replica monkeys will strike hourly chimes. The monkeys were designed by the marquis for one of the rooms of Cardiff Castle as a rebuttal of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
** The Red Dragon, part of the national flag design from around 820, popularly supposed to have been the battle standard of King Arthur and other ancient Celtic leaders. This myth is likely to have originated from the tale of Merlin's vision of a Red (The Native Britons) and a White (The Saxon Invaders) dragon battling, with the red dragon being victorious. Following the annexation of Wales by England, the red dragon was used as a supporter in the English monarch's coat of arms. The red dragon is often seen as a shorthand for all things Welsh, being used by many indigenous public and private institutions. (Wikipedia)
While looking up the name of the glass clock in the city center I came across an article that was only published yesterday (10/24/19), showing the side of Cardiff that the tourists do not see. This same situation is in all major and even minor cities. Sure wish there was an easy answer to these social issues, drug addition, mental heath problems, crime and economics all rolled into an awful ball of despair for so many. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff-homeless-city-centre-drugs-17139266 and of course we all have opinions as to reasons, etc., but the bottom line is human suffering.
Hopefully, you learned some things about Wales that you didn't know. I've gained a lot of knowledge in writing and checking on things for this blog. Maybe too much info, I hope not. Life and learning go together hand in hand and help keep us going. That is what I believe anyway.
Not #1 on the travel itinerary for most people, but a very fascinating city and recommended for a day or two stop.
