![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Today seemed like a good day to finally get around to sharing more about our adventures during our holiday. Hope y'all enjoy what is to come...we took a LOT of pictures, and the ones in this post and the ones following (I think it will take about 4 altogether) aren't all of them, but they are the best and hopefully you guys will enjoy seeing some of the sights and places we saw.
We loved Wales, so very much. We were both prepared to enjoy ourselves--of course!--and have great fun tromping around, maybe seeing some Torchwood shooting sites (and we did!) but we did not really anticipate coming away from our week there so enamored of this country, its people, its ways. But, we did.
It isn't so hard to put a finger on why either. And, it really wasn't focused on Cardiff either--rather on the charm of Wales, the amazing accessibility (despite, lol, those C roads we traveled--just wait until you see those!), the loveliness of the people. Every person we met was kind to us, helpful, quite willing to chat us up about this and that and John Barrowman too...we were both so comfortable there, never felt fear or worry or like we were over our heads.
If we didn't understand something, we could ask, and answers were always cheerfully given. Our hosts were absolutely wonderful to us, it was such a PLEASURE to be completely ourselves in this environment, no nosiness, no questions asked, just acceptance. That alone brings tears to my eyes. I mean it.
We will go back, as soon as possible. Hopefully end of April or something... Nick's uni schedule is the main consideration now, as he enters the really tough phase (finishing the thesis, final exams). Day after tomorrow I'll be back in Texas, and we'll be back to reality, but, with our new love for that country, and a promise to return firmly grasped, we can make it through (once again) until we see each other again. We, honestly, feel very fortunate to be able to do what we do, to have what we have. No tears here, just amazement on how awesome our lives truly are.
So, I shall shut up now as I am dangerously close to woobiness, and y'all don't need to see THAT do you? Please...click here and enjoy! I hope you do!
(If you click on the pictures you can see bigger versions--I used the lj scrapbook feature for this. Pretty nice!)
As I already shared, we had a pretty rough beginning to our adventure--NO LUGGAGE! It did finally show up on the....fourth day I guess? But once in Cardiff, Stuart, one of our hosts at Ty Rosa (the best bed and breakfast we've ever been in...Stuart and Paul, their helper Keith and of course Max, who you will see in the pictures, made our time there even more special) suggested we go pick up some Clothes by George. Yes, we went shopping at ASDA, the UK version of Wal-Mart. It's not that much different. And don’t laugh--I took pictures, posting some of them, because for me at least, it WAS interesting how they did the fresh veggies and such. And what a great selection! My healthy side (which was, I admit, pushed aside for this trip though it doesn't seem to have made me gain an ounce, lol) celebrated.
Anyway! Our first stop in England (okay, only stop) was London. We arrived, discovered there was no luggage, took our little overnight packs (thanks British Airways *rolls eyes* lol) and headed for the city. We'd pre-purchased our tickets for the train that would take us into the main station, so once we figured out where to go to pick that up (getting our first taste of London's tube system) we headed in.
Here's a picture of a ticket for the London Underground...and of one of the return train tickets...which Nick threw away on accident. Fortunately, the ticket taker dude had pity on us. LOL. (Deer in the headlights, OMG WHAT DID WE DO look must've been very convincing! LOL.)
When we got out at the main station, we emerged into a VERY busy place. From that moment, the rapid pace of London was with it, and we loved it. We figured out which direction to take to our hotel (after a little bit of fumbling) and walked there...it was only a few blocks. The noise! The people (the variety of nationalities!), the taxis! (so different than US ones), the hustle and bustle the crowds, the lovely streets with the flowers and the trees and the lovely old buildings we walked down! Hyde Park too (where we saw a wedding, complete with horses and carriages, oh my) All of it was very exciting! We got to our hotel, no problem--the Royal Lancaster.
This was a very nice place to stay. Perfect location, nice people, the concierge and the desk clerk were both very sympathetic to our luggageless plight. They gave us directions to the show we were to see that night but first we ran up into the room.
Messy room (okay this was next morning! cut us some slack!):
View out the window:
Nick really loved the little milk packet things so took a picture (he wants them to be available in Germany):
After relaxing for two seconds, since we took SO much time at the airport, we tried to freshen up (and were starving by now, you know--no time for dinner now) we headed, with the concierge's instructions in our heads (Nick's that is--he is the supreme navigator, always) to see Derren Brown.
Can't say much about the show...those of you who know who he is, know the way he combines psychology with trickery and a smattering, I suppose, of magic trick to fill out his show. This show, ENIGMA, was a lot of fun. These were the only pictures though:
Nick took pictures of the tickets too:
We were sworn to secrecy about the show lol but I tell you what, the people were great! We sat next to a couple (empty seat between, at first, until a really BIG GUY came alone and smooshed himself into the seat next to me--he was really nice though lol just kinda warm. Temperature wise.)
ANYWAY....this was a very enthusiastic, loud, boisterous, noisy, casual, beer-drinking candy-eating plaid-wearing crowd. It was a lot of fun, and we were very very glad that despite being tired and starving to death that we got to see the show.
We crashed, hard, that night. Had plans to go to breakfast in Soho the next morning but...uh... zzzzzzzzzz...
So much for that.
Next day--snagged the car (after a very long wait which was relieved by talking to other people, including a former Welsh man who now lives New Zealand. He was there to visit and travel with his kids and I presume wife.)
So, want to hear about our car? This is it!
And now I shall tell you all about driving in Cardiff, OMG!
We were rented a SKODA, and I LOVED IT! Of course it took a few days to learn to love it, but I tell you what, driving in the UK? It really isn't that bad. I was nervous as hell at first but we drove the M4 first of all (once we managed to find it, omg, try to navigate in a foreign city with different signs, with a car you don't know that has everything opposite? WTH? INSANE!) and that gave me a bit of a chance to get used to it. If any of you are considering it and are worried...well, okay it IS a bit of a challenge, but there is no better way to the see the countryside (a future post will show why!).
But what took longer was to learn all the road signs. And navigation? What? Without Nick to figure out how to go, where to turn, what street to find? We'd have been toast. We had our share of getting lost, having to stop and ask for help (like, when we first got to Cardiff we got off too soon and had to stop at a gas station where the guy there sold us a good map and told us how to get to the street we needed--SO NICE! Just like everyone we met in London and anywhere in Wales... so NICE!!!
Must stop here and mention how freaking amazing it is to go to another country and be able to understand the language and communicate easily. Much harder for me while in Germany, though this time, my third visit here, am a little more relaxed. Still make Nick do all the talking though...
ANYWAY. Driving in Wales, adapting to new signage, new rules, new behaviors--ROUNDABOUTS OH MY!! I hated those things at first, but the better I got at them the more I liked them, then loved the logic of them. Good thing I got to where they didn't make me screech anymore because I am positive we went through more than fifty of them. They just are EVERYWHERE!
Nick would likely comment at this point about the whacked traffic lights in Wales. They ARE whacked. Have to insert 'whacked' because I'm sure Brits would have an easier time with traffic lights if they didn't have (and I counted) eight traffic lights visible when waiting at an intersection, five of which turned green simultaneously. What the hell people, simplify your traffic lights and you'll be happier for it. They should stick to roundabouts. (now, I am wondering--can you guys figure out which part of this paragraph Nick wrote? Bet you can!)
So. Ty Rosa. Our bed and breakfast on Clive Street in Cardiff. We finally got there and met the first of our hosts. Paul and Stuart own the bed and breakfast together and, given their matching rings, in a civil partnership. They are SO FREAKING CUTE! Yes! True! Stuart especially--he is a really sweet man, enthusiastic and cuddly type (gives hugs!) and was sweet enough to launder my jeans and shirt for me. LOL. Paul is a bit on the shy side, but very nice too--they alternate the cooking, and oh my what delicious breakfasts they make!
Every morning, we trundled down to have a really amazing breakfast. We could choose from omelets to eggs made all sorts of ways, with Eggs Benedict (I loved the mushroom kind but we both learned to say 'sauce on the side!') and a variety of traditional foods. I was game to try the laverbread (which is bizarre), cockles and bacon that is unlike the US version but very good, blood pudding which I did NOT try, sorry folks...etc. OMG juice and toast and cereal and even American Pancakes! LOL. And my favorite...bubble and squeak. Yup, I loved that stuff! Coffee and tea...we generally ate twice a day. Breakfast, and an evening meal, with a coffee or two inbetween. Oh oh oh was it good.
Here's the dining room, with art! We liked that back table in front of the weird lamp.
I snuck a picture of the cockles, bacon and laverbread w/pouched egg breakfast I had once (aka the Gower breakfast). See the little cockles on the bacon? Nick felt sorry for them. THEY WERE BABIES!!!! WHO CAN EAT BABIES?! Ate them anyway. They were slightly salty, tiny little odd things. The laverbread--well, oats and seaweed, and...Stuart, with a big grin, warned us we would likely hate it. He hates it, Paul hates it, who likes it, I don't know, but they serve it!
Also resident at the B&B was Max the Dog. He is a lab/dane mix and a real sweetheart. (those are N's legs) He loved to play ball, tug of war, etc. Was a very polite boy too--he only went where he was supposed to. A very proper chap. :) It was nice to have a dog to play with--next time, we want to take him with us to the beach! (I doubt that Stuart would let us, but we would love it! Everyone had dogs at the beach but us. Sigh.)
Nick won't let me post the one of him playing with Max cuz Max was WINNING! HA!
And of course, since Torchwood, Children of Earth just HAD to be broadcast when we were in Wales, we had to pick up some Pimms. Had to ask Stuart for ice--he gave us a bowl full. LOL.
Shame about that Pimms...we didn't get to finish that bottle cuz we got the last day mixed up, tried to leave a day early and they'd already tossed it when we trudged back, heads down, embarrassed for getting our leaving dates wrong. LOL. Dorks! (There honestly was a lot of going back and forth re: when we would leave due to the Ashes being held there...so our confusion was honest confusion!).
Here's a picture of Hart's buddies, recovering from their side-journey to Phoenix. I never got a good picture of our bedroom but...it was nice. Front room, big bed, crazy chandelier, the usual. :) Keith, who works for Stuart and Paul, was the chamberboy...he always did such a lovely job fixing everything up every day and putting our stuffies just so. (I am sure he wondered what grown people were doing with a puppet, a stuffed elephant, and a giant chocolate duck and a pirate duck, but they are discrete at Ty Rosa!)
Nick on the landing, waiting to go out. Yes those are some of his George! clothes he had to buy while our luggage took its own vacation. Pretty nice, huh? I think so...Brits seem to be Mad about Plaid!
The view from the landing midway. This was a three story, very narrow house with a small front and back--row houses, like. Very charming, nicely decorated--just loved it. I think there were 4-5 bedrooms--not sure--but it had that warm, homey feel, just loved it. More on this later, but Cardiff is a bit of a dirty city--the neighborhood we were in was not the most pristine, by any means (Grangetown) but the Ikea (where JB shops!) was right behind us, and it was easy to walk everywhere, which we loved.
The front doorway:
and the funky chandelier (we had one in our room too!)
You must all go to Cardiff and stay at Ty Rosa. Got that? Good! We met lots of nice people there at breakfast every day, lots of Australians there for the Ashes. Next up will be about our favorite place to go...stopped by there about five times or so. Lots of love for that beach! And I will explain why then!
Bye for now!
C & N
We loved Wales, so very much. We were both prepared to enjoy ourselves--of course!--and have great fun tromping around, maybe seeing some Torchwood shooting sites (and we did!) but we did not really anticipate coming away from our week there so enamored of this country, its people, its ways. But, we did.
It isn't so hard to put a finger on why either. And, it really wasn't focused on Cardiff either--rather on the charm of Wales, the amazing accessibility (despite, lol, those C roads we traveled--just wait until you see those!), the loveliness of the people. Every person we met was kind to us, helpful, quite willing to chat us up about this and that and John Barrowman too...we were both so comfortable there, never felt fear or worry or like we were over our heads.
If we didn't understand something, we could ask, and answers were always cheerfully given. Our hosts were absolutely wonderful to us, it was such a PLEASURE to be completely ourselves in this environment, no nosiness, no questions asked, just acceptance. That alone brings tears to my eyes. I mean it.
We will go back, as soon as possible. Hopefully end of April or something... Nick's uni schedule is the main consideration now, as he enters the really tough phase (finishing the thesis, final exams). Day after tomorrow I'll be back in Texas, and we'll be back to reality, but, with our new love for that country, and a promise to return firmly grasped, we can make it through (once again) until we see each other again. We, honestly, feel very fortunate to be able to do what we do, to have what we have. No tears here, just amazement on how awesome our lives truly are.
So, I shall shut up now as I am dangerously close to woobiness, and y'all don't need to see THAT do you? Please...click here and enjoy! I hope you do!
(If you click on the pictures you can see bigger versions--I used the lj scrapbook feature for this. Pretty nice!)
As I already shared, we had a pretty rough beginning to our adventure--NO LUGGAGE! It did finally show up on the....fourth day I guess? But once in Cardiff, Stuart, one of our hosts at Ty Rosa (the best bed and breakfast we've ever been in...Stuart and Paul, their helper Keith and of course Max, who you will see in the pictures, made our time there even more special) suggested we go pick up some Clothes by George. Yes, we went shopping at ASDA, the UK version of Wal-Mart. It's not that much different. And don’t laugh--I took pictures, posting some of them, because for me at least, it WAS interesting how they did the fresh veggies and such. And what a great selection! My healthy side (which was, I admit, pushed aside for this trip though it doesn't seem to have made me gain an ounce, lol) celebrated.
Anyway! Our first stop in England (okay, only stop) was London. We arrived, discovered there was no luggage, took our little overnight packs (thanks British Airways *rolls eyes* lol) and headed for the city. We'd pre-purchased our tickets for the train that would take us into the main station, so once we figured out where to go to pick that up (getting our first taste of London's tube system) we headed in.
Here's a picture of a ticket for the London Underground...and of one of the return train tickets...which Nick threw away on accident. Fortunately, the ticket taker dude had pity on us. LOL. (Deer in the headlights, OMG WHAT DID WE DO look must've been very convincing! LOL.)
When we got out at the main station, we emerged into a VERY busy place. From that moment, the rapid pace of London was with it, and we loved it. We figured out which direction to take to our hotel (after a little bit of fumbling) and walked there...it was only a few blocks. The noise! The people (the variety of nationalities!), the taxis! (so different than US ones), the hustle and bustle the crowds, the lovely streets with the flowers and the trees and the lovely old buildings we walked down! Hyde Park too (where we saw a wedding, complete with horses and carriages, oh my) All of it was very exciting! We got to our hotel, no problem--the Royal Lancaster.
This was a very nice place to stay. Perfect location, nice people, the concierge and the desk clerk were both very sympathetic to our luggageless plight. They gave us directions to the show we were to see that night but first we ran up into the room.
Messy room (okay this was next morning! cut us some slack!):
View out the window:
Nick really loved the little milk packet things so took a picture (he wants them to be available in Germany):
After relaxing for two seconds, since we took SO much time at the airport, we tried to freshen up (and were starving by now, you know--no time for dinner now) we headed, with the concierge's instructions in our heads (Nick's that is--he is the supreme navigator, always) to see Derren Brown.
Can't say much about the show...those of you who know who he is, know the way he combines psychology with trickery and a smattering, I suppose, of magic trick to fill out his show. This show, ENIGMA, was a lot of fun. These were the only pictures though:
Nick took pictures of the tickets too:
We were sworn to secrecy about the show lol but I tell you what, the people were great! We sat next to a couple (empty seat between, at first, until a really BIG GUY came alone and smooshed himself into the seat next to me--he was really nice though lol just kinda warm. Temperature wise.)
ANYWAY....this was a very enthusiastic, loud, boisterous, noisy, casual, beer-drinking candy-eating plaid-wearing crowd. It was a lot of fun, and we were very very glad that despite being tired and starving to death that we got to see the show.
We crashed, hard, that night. Had plans to go to breakfast in Soho the next morning but...uh... zzzzzzzzzz...
So much for that.
Next day--snagged the car (after a very long wait which was relieved by talking to other people, including a former Welsh man who now lives New Zealand. He was there to visit and travel with his kids and I presume wife.)
So, want to hear about our car? This is it!
And now I shall tell you all about driving in Cardiff, OMG!
We were rented a SKODA, and I LOVED IT! Of course it took a few days to learn to love it, but I tell you what, driving in the UK? It really isn't that bad. I was nervous as hell at first but we drove the M4 first of all (once we managed to find it, omg, try to navigate in a foreign city with different signs, with a car you don't know that has everything opposite? WTH? INSANE!) and that gave me a bit of a chance to get used to it. If any of you are considering it and are worried...well, okay it IS a bit of a challenge, but there is no better way to the see the countryside (a future post will show why!).
But what took longer was to learn all the road signs. And navigation? What? Without Nick to figure out how to go, where to turn, what street to find? We'd have been toast. We had our share of getting lost, having to stop and ask for help (like, when we first got to Cardiff we got off too soon and had to stop at a gas station where the guy there sold us a good map and told us how to get to the street we needed--SO NICE! Just like everyone we met in London and anywhere in Wales... so NICE!!!
Must stop here and mention how freaking amazing it is to go to another country and be able to understand the language and communicate easily. Much harder for me while in Germany, though this time, my third visit here, am a little more relaxed. Still make Nick do all the talking though...
ANYWAY. Driving in Wales, adapting to new signage, new rules, new behaviors--ROUNDABOUTS OH MY!! I hated those things at first, but the better I got at them the more I liked them, then loved the logic of them. Good thing I got to where they didn't make me screech anymore because I am positive we went through more than fifty of them. They just are EVERYWHERE!
Nick would likely comment at this point about the whacked traffic lights in Wales. They ARE whacked. Have to insert 'whacked' because I'm sure Brits would have an easier time with traffic lights if they didn't have (and I counted) eight traffic lights visible when waiting at an intersection, five of which turned green simultaneously. What the hell people, simplify your traffic lights and you'll be happier for it. They should stick to roundabouts. (now, I am wondering--can you guys figure out which part of this paragraph Nick wrote? Bet you can!)
So. Ty Rosa. Our bed and breakfast on Clive Street in Cardiff. We finally got there and met the first of our hosts. Paul and Stuart own the bed and breakfast together and, given their matching rings, in a civil partnership. They are SO FREAKING CUTE! Yes! True! Stuart especially--he is a really sweet man, enthusiastic and cuddly type (gives hugs!) and was sweet enough to launder my jeans and shirt for me. LOL. Paul is a bit on the shy side, but very nice too--they alternate the cooking, and oh my what delicious breakfasts they make!
Every morning, we trundled down to have a really amazing breakfast. We could choose from omelets to eggs made all sorts of ways, with Eggs Benedict (I loved the mushroom kind but we both learned to say 'sauce on the side!') and a variety of traditional foods. I was game to try the laverbread (which is bizarre), cockles and bacon that is unlike the US version but very good, blood pudding which I did NOT try, sorry folks...etc. OMG juice and toast and cereal and even American Pancakes! LOL. And my favorite...bubble and squeak. Yup, I loved that stuff! Coffee and tea...we generally ate twice a day. Breakfast, and an evening meal, with a coffee or two inbetween. Oh oh oh was it good.
Here's the dining room, with art! We liked that back table in front of the weird lamp.
I snuck a picture of the cockles, bacon and laverbread w/pouched egg breakfast I had once (aka the Gower breakfast). See the little cockles on the bacon? Nick felt sorry for them. THEY WERE BABIES!!!! WHO CAN EAT BABIES?! Ate them anyway. They were slightly salty, tiny little odd things. The laverbread--well, oats and seaweed, and...Stuart, with a big grin, warned us we would likely hate it. He hates it, Paul hates it, who likes it, I don't know, but they serve it!
Also resident at the B&B was Max the Dog. He is a lab/dane mix and a real sweetheart. (those are N's legs) He loved to play ball, tug of war, etc. Was a very polite boy too--he only went where he was supposed to. A very proper chap. :) It was nice to have a dog to play with--next time, we want to take him with us to the beach! (I doubt that Stuart would let us, but we would love it! Everyone had dogs at the beach but us. Sigh.)
Nick won't let me post the one of him playing with Max cuz Max was WINNING! HA!
And of course, since Torchwood, Children of Earth just HAD to be broadcast when we were in Wales, we had to pick up some Pimms. Had to ask Stuart for ice--he gave us a bowl full. LOL.
Shame about that Pimms...we didn't get to finish that bottle cuz we got the last day mixed up, tried to leave a day early and they'd already tossed it when we trudged back, heads down, embarrassed for getting our leaving dates wrong. LOL. Dorks! (There honestly was a lot of going back and forth re: when we would leave due to the Ashes being held there...so our confusion was honest confusion!).
Here's a picture of Hart's buddies, recovering from their side-journey to Phoenix. I never got a good picture of our bedroom but...it was nice. Front room, big bed, crazy chandelier, the usual. :) Keith, who works for Stuart and Paul, was the chamberboy...he always did such a lovely job fixing everything up every day and putting our stuffies just so. (I am sure he wondered what grown people were doing with a puppet, a stuffed elephant, and a giant chocolate duck and a pirate duck, but they are discrete at Ty Rosa!)
Nick on the landing, waiting to go out. Yes those are some of his George! clothes he had to buy while our luggage took its own vacation. Pretty nice, huh? I think so...Brits seem to be Mad about Plaid!
The view from the landing midway. This was a three story, very narrow house with a small front and back--row houses, like. Very charming, nicely decorated--just loved it. I think there were 4-5 bedrooms--not sure--but it had that warm, homey feel, just loved it. More on this later, but Cardiff is a bit of a dirty city--the neighborhood we were in was not the most pristine, by any means (Grangetown) but the Ikea (where JB shops!) was right behind us, and it was easy to walk everywhere, which we loved.
The front doorway:
and the funky chandelier (we had one in our room too!)
You must all go to Cardiff and stay at Ty Rosa. Got that? Good! We met lots of nice people there at breakfast every day, lots of Australians there for the Ashes. Next up will be about our favorite place to go...stopped by there about five times or so. Lots of love for that beach! And I will explain why then!
Bye for now!
C & N
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-15 06:55 am (UTC)although, i think seafood is disgusting, too...
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-15 07:08 am (UTC)I love seafood, but we hardly had any. :)