I walk out of the hotel and there is a taxi on the rank
so I go and ask him to take me to the BBC Centre.
“Where’s that?” he asks!
“Cardiff Bay. Don’t you know it?”
Bearing in mind it is a massive building sat on its own
and a little bit famous and is also near the Doctor Who centre.
“No”
“You’re joking, it’s by the Doctor Who building, you must
know where it is!”
“No!”
It seems so ridiculous I find it funny. Not something I
would normally find first thing in the morning!
He knows his way to nearby and I will try and direct him
when we get there.
Off he goes and the first time he touches his brakes I
shoot forward, still sat on the seat! The seat that is not bolted to the floor
on my side and it is a bit like being on a fairground ride! The cab hasn’t been
cleaned since it was new five years ago and when I kneel on the floor (safer
than sitting!) to speak to the driver all I notice is the fuel gauge on empty
and the red warning light flashing! Hopefully he’ll have enough to take me to
but I doubt he’ll be able to return! He’ll double the value of the cab by
filling it with fuel! What a wreck.
In the end I get close but have to walk the last ten
minutes as he has gone wrong and we are the wrong side of the water with only a
footbridge to negotiate!
God knows if he will find his way back but he goes off
£8.00 happier.
I walk to the coach relieved to be in charge of my own
life again and am soon back at the hotel waiting for my flock!
We are away at 10:00 for a drive into the Brecon Beacons
and a stop in the town of Brecon.
The drive is very pretty and I follow the route Margaret has
given me as I have never been here before.
We arrive in Brecon at 11:30 and it is deserted! And
shut! I don’t really know where I’m going as I’m looking for a car park by the
Tourist Information Centre but can’t find it so end up parked on a bus stop in
the centre of the town.
There are a couple of cafes open along with a couple of
shops but that is about it. The pubs will open at midday and it does become a
little busier then, mainly with walkers.
I need somewhere to stop this afternoon and Margaret told
me about a castle that has a tea room and is free to enter, Cyfarthfa Castle.
I can’t pronounce this so just call it the castle with a
fart in it!
I call the castle from Brecon and speak to a very helpful
lady called Alison who seems very keen for us to visit.
She gives me a lot of confusing directions and in the end
I say I will call her if I get lost.
As it turns out it is very easy to find and after turning
around by the main gate (too narrow for a bus) I quickly find the coach
entrance and we are soon parked up in front of this magnificent building.
The castle has a museum and gallery in the restored
Regency rooms as well as an exhibition on Welsh football. It is not a big
exhibition!
There is also a shop, toilets and a small tea room.
We overwhelm them a bit in the tea room and the orders
become a little confused and are coming out in the wrong order! I have ordered
a baguette and a coffee only to see people who have come in after me be served
their food and drinks first. I’m not too worried as the staff are very friendly
and you feel for them a little bit. Basil and Peggy, a delightful couple in
their eighties, ordered before me and they are still waiting. I mention this to
the waitress and she quickly sorts it and also gives them their money back as
they had to wait. How nice was that.
Basil is a very funny man who was once a butcher and will
tell you Peggy only married him for his sausage!
He also tells a funny story of her going fishing with him
and needing the loo which ends up with her stinging her fanny!!!
He makes me laugh out loud.
On the way out I introduce myself to Alison and thank her
for her help and she gives me a goodie bag of souvenirs to take away. That’s
the mileage quiz sorted then!
It only takes 45 minutes to return from here back to the
hotel and think they have all enjoyed their day out.
Back in my room I am able to watch Spurs play Arsenal on
Sky.
Dinner is once again at 19:00 and afterwards I enjoy an
early night.
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