Old and New England with Green Gables.

[drron]

Continuing our drive.Hydrangeas are everywhere.
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The large island to the right is Skomer island.The little one is Middle island and the little bit poking out is the peninsula where the boats leave from.
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We stopped for an icecream at Newgate beach.It is also where the narrow coast road meets the 2 lane A487 for the run into St.Davids.
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[drron]

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Holiday accommodation.
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[drron]

We went a little past St.Davids and came upon this magnificent little harbour.
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We then went back into St Davids intending to visit their historic cathedral.but the problems of visiting in holidays meant the car park was full and overflowing so we just did a drive by.
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We then drove along another narrow road to see the "blue"lagoon.You had to walk up a hill to look down upon it but you could see that as the grey clouds had rolled in again it was definitely not blue and not worth paying 4GBP to park in a rough and muddy "parking lot".
So then it was on to Porthgain Harbour that had a reccomended seafood place.Again the car in front of us got the last parking spot.After 15 minutes driving around we decided to go back to the apartment as there were quite a few restaurants nearby.

 

[drron]

We ended up at Martha's Vineyard restaurant.Reasonable prices and food.Mrsdrron had the Moules et frites.
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She thought they were very good.I had a sudden meatatarian urge so had the mixed grill.Not too bad at all.
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Mrsdrron had her Sav Blanc and I a cider.
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The view isn't bad.
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[drron]

As we were walking back to the apartment the day ferry to Ireland from Pembroke dock steamed past.
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Some of the fishing fleet had to wait until it had passed.
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Some children were actually playing in the water.Must have been freezing.
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Another ship arrived but note the skies are now grey.
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And soon it is raining again.
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[drron]

So now it is Wednesday and it is pouring for our trip to Cardiff.We were going to visi the National Botanic Gardens of Wales but the rain stopped that plan.We did go to Abergglasney Gardens which was the second place on our list.There was a brief respite when we arrived and the place looked quite nice.Reputed to be the best garden in Wales.
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Now if this was a National Trust property we would have gone in as it would have been free.Whilst we were thinking a bus load of 60 older women arrived,the clouds got greyer again so we decided to use our fall back plan which was to go to Dinefwr a nearby National Trust property with a house you can tour.Just as well as a couple of minutes after we left the gardens the rain began.So Dinefwr with Newton House and the remains of Dinefwr castle.
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As it was only light rain we went to the castle track first.It was quite muddy so only I set out.Unfortunately as you got closer you couldn't see the castle for the trees.
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The uphill part was quite slippery so we went back to the house parking lot.A shorter walk and on a formed road.
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[drron]

The house was first built in the 1660's by the Rice family but most of what you see was added in 1850.More recently the family has gone back to the Welsh version of their name-Rhys.The family had to sell up in 1972 due to death duties.The house is set up as it would have been in the pre WW1 period.
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The silver is locked away.Probably because only the top floor is roped off and you are allowed to touch everything else.
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[drron]

Things weren't always peaceful.
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The grounds and the deer that have been raised here for centuries.
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[drron]

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An enclosed landing.Though not in the best condition.
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Growth on the glass ceiling but dead plants.
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But good views.
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[drron]

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The horns are there because over the years they have bred their own class of cattle.
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[drron]

During WW2 the house became a hospital and the grounds were used as a POW camp and for growing veggies.I am not sure I would have made a good Tommy.
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Some of the out buildings.
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Some nice things in the National Trust shop.
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[drron]

The second part of the back up plan was a stop at the Macarthur Glen outlets about 20 miles out of Cardiff.UK prices are high so all we did was have a Starbucks.
Our digs in Cardiff was the Cardiff Marriott.At last a Marriott WKWIA.
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Room is a bit dated.Apparently bathrooms have been refurbed and a refurb of rooms is planned for the near future.
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[drron]

The view.
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And the lounge.
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The first night they had some tiny little lamb balls that were very nice plus some OK spring rolls.Tonight it was some pakoras that were overdone and some tasteless dry chicken strips.Oh well.

 

[JohnM]

And a fine Capt. Mainwaring doppelganger, suh! .

 

[drron]

Thursday and another day that is predicted to be dry until darkness hours.As only a day in Cardiff we thought we might use the hop on/off bus.However it has only a 6 mile route and most of the interesting places are close to the hotel so we just walked.Some fine old buildings and lots of arcades.
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John Batchelor was from the left of the Liberal party and hated the Tories.He was a Mayor of Cardiff.Widely believed the Bute family who lived in Cardiff Castle caused his bankruptcy.The statue is outside the Free Library that he fought for.

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The last 2 shots are the Free Library.

 

[drron]

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The Royal arcade.
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The Morgan arcade.
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The official events celebrating India's National Day were being held here so the place was jumping.

 

[drron]

We decided not to go in but you could stand inside the gates and take photos.
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We now took a break as across the road from the castle is a Portugese cafe-Nata & Co.So we had coffees and a beautiful egg tart each.Recommended.

 

[drron]

We the walked past the castle to Bute park.
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[drron]

Bute Park.
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The stones/bricks mark the site of the Bute Friary.
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[drron]

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