Posts that Didn't Happen: October 2024

At the time of writing (actually May 2025), the blog has rather fallen behind - so time for some catch up posts . . .

Back in time to October 2024 - life was pretty busy, what with the van conversion, and (for me) some archive consultancy work, although there was time to get out and about too.

At the beginning of the month, the planned meet up with the 'Archive Girls' went ahead on schedule.  

This was pretty much a re-run of last year's trip, staying at the same property, eating out at the same pub, and with another visit to Hay - time to relax, watch Strictly and have a good natter!

Then there was a trip to Cardiff (mostly in the rain) - some work, some 'van' shopping in Ikea, and an 'interesting' journey home through flooded roads - I was glad not to be driving!

Inbetween there was yet another Folly reorganisation swapping the desk with the sofa, so I'll be a bit closer to the heat from the wood burner as the days get colder.

Finally, towards the end of the month, we also had a trip to visit family - lovely to see everyone, and get a few bits and pieces sorted while we were there.

While all this was going on 'Project Van' was also continuing - albeit slowly, and with many frustrations - electrics, reversing cameras, window regulators, etc.  

Not least of these, was the realisation that the 'plan' for the bed layout wasn't going to work - there just wasn't enough room to overlay two single beds (as shown), so it was back to the drawing board.

The thinking now is to go for a sliding transverse bed (hence the trip to Ikea for more Skorva bed beams - a van conversion staple item!).

Some other tasks were completed, including the rather scary cutting of a hole in the side of the van for the electric hook-up:

So much more to do though . . .

Walking in Sunshine

A couple of days in Cardiff - arrived mid-afternoon and decided to take advantage of some actual sunshine, and go for a walk round the Bay and over the barrage to Penarth.

On the other side we enjoyed a drink sitting on the terrace of a rather posh eaterie looking out over the Bay before making the return journey.

The next day wasn't quite so nice weather-wise, but I had work things to do in the morning, and we did a bit of shopping - and by the afternoon the weather had picked up a bit.

Nice to see Ianto's Shrine still going strong down on Mermaid Quay, and the Bay looked lovely in the evening light:

Time on our last day for a visit to Ikea to buy some bits and pieces for the Van Project, and of course indulge in a plate of Swedish meatballs!

Then on the way home we got to see a bit more sunshine at Aberaeron - where work on the sea defences is still in full swing, much to the detriment of their tourist season.

On Safari

Well maybe not quite a 'Safari', but an overland trip round the country for work and leisure, encountering a variety of (almost) wildlife along the way.

Here we have Lego beasts in Cardiff Bay . . .

. . . an upturned 'crane' near Llandrindod Wells . . . .

. . . and a 'Dirty Duck' by the river in Stratford-upon-Avon

Concluding with swans on the Nene in Cambridgeshire (they are there, you can just see the wake!):

Did actually get some work done, enjoy a few sights, and meet up with family too!

'Diff Film Friday

Friday saw me working in Cardiff, and Martin working in Swansea, so we took the opportunity to meet up for a night out in the capital - primarily to see Thor: Ragnarok on the big screen (very good!), but also for a few beers and a curry down Cardiff Bay.

After the film we had a wander around the Bay to admire the Christmas decorations and Snowdogs, before going for a drink (or three) in the Mount Stuart Wetherspoons.

We never quite worked out what we wanted to eat for dinner, so cinema popcorn (well Tesco popcorn) ended up as the culinary highlight of the evening!


It had been some time since we had been down the Bay, so it was great to see that Ianto’s Shrine is still going strong (it actually features on Google Maps!) - and there's a semi-official plaque to his memory now (suggesting that the Shrine has been officially adopted by Mermaid Quay):

The following day we had another wander around the Bay, having breakfast in Wetherspoons with an old friend before heading into town to look around the Christmas Fayre and the city centre shops.

Unfortunately we'd managed to coincide with another International, and it was all far too busy to be enjoyable - so we returned to the Bay for a cuppa in the Norwegian Church, before making our way home.

A Christmassy Cardiff

Weekend in Cardiff - a bit of shopping and some Christmas sights, including a great Christmas market, with lots of stalls selling crafts, gifts, food and drink.


Unfortunately we managed to coincide our visit with Martin having a really bad cold -  still had a good time, heading out for a drink or four in the evening, a curry, and a night singing along to 80s music in one of the bars.

 Along the way visited Cardiff's very own Winter Wonderland - with its ice rink, and fairground rides and stalls - and took in the Christmas lights outside the castle walls.











Cardiff on an International (Wales 27 South Africa 13 - yay!) Saturday night was something of an interesting experience mind you - no glass allowed in any of the pubs, and we couldn't even buy a bottle of wine to take back to the hotel.

It was all very good natured though - particularly enjoyed the gang of twenty or so people dressed up in Pikachu onesies and going round town worshipping traffic lights until they turned from red to green!

City Break

Few days off, so decided to have a bit of a break and head to Cardiff for a long weekend.  On the way down stopped off at St Fagans - visited the castle, which we'd missed on our last visit, and then on for a wander round the other museum properties in the Spring sunshine.

Slightly frazzled journey into Cardiff proper, but made it in the end, and had a pleasant evening out, topped off with a very nice curry.

More castles on day two - this time Cardiff Castle itself, from the old Norman motte, to the lavish Bute interior of the Victorian mansion:

 

Finished the day with an Imax 3D showing of Avengers: Age of Ultron  . . . and another curry!

Finally headed home via Duffryn Gardens where the National Trust are restoring the Edwardian gardens - although I must say the house is a bit of a mess!

Looks like another beautiful day here, but there was an extremely chilly breeze - gardens will be well worth a return visit in due course as the work continues.




All in all a very pleasant few days - now back to the decorating!

Conferencing Cardiff

This year's ARA conference actually came to Wales' capital city - although didn't get out of the hotel much - saw more of the Cardiff Hilton than Cardiff itself!



Did cross the road for the Welcome Reception which we hosted in one of the National Museum Cardiff galleries (not so much free drink, but some very fancy canapes, and beautiful surroundings).

Conference itself was very good - some really excellent speakers this year.  Good to catch up with old friends, and the gala night ceilidh was great fun.


It was a long journey home though - as we were away for three nights, we'd travelled by train (5 hours + as opposed to the 3 hour car journey) - and after three days of conference was more than glad to get back to Aber.

Coast and Cathedral

Had a few days off this week, and luckily the weather did actually improve after the weekend - in fact most of the week it has been bright and cold, making for some lovely views along the coast . . .


Also managed a couple of days away in Cardiff, where we took in the sights of Llandaff Cathedral, and its rather frosty graveyard - alongside the shops and curry houses of course!

Got back to a rather cold house - but it's been nice to see some sunshine . . .

Capital Times

Had a few days off at the end of April and decided to spend a few of these enjoying the bright lights of our capital city, Cardiff.



We stayed down in Cardiff Bay, home of Torchwood, and now home to what can only be described as a shrine to the Torchwood character Ianto Jones:

The last couple of days we were there were distinctly wet but we managed to amuse ourselves wandering round the shops, including gawping at the (rather expensive) delights of the new(ish) Cardiff John Lewis store - which rather puts the new Debenhams in Carmarthen in the shade.

Luckily on the first day, when we visited St Fagans: National History Museum, the weather was really lovely. Had promised myself a proper look round earlier this year, and it didn't disappoint . . .






. . . from Celtic round houses, to 1940s pre-fabs, and everything in between!

In addition to the buildings there was a nice selection of livestock - as ever I was particularly taken with the sleeping pigs - they always look like they are really appreciating a good snooze!

. . . In With The New

To complete the story - as of Monday I am now a full-time Civil Servant. Was promptly shipped down to Cardiff for induction sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Found out a lot I didn't know about the Welsh Assembly Government (and how it is different from the National Assembly of Wales), and really enjoyed seeing inside the Senedd, a great eco-building, and a fantastic piece of architecture, particularly the way the Debating Chamber or Siambr is embedded in the mushroom stalk like feature.

Enjoyed Cardiff too - was booked in to the Big Sleep hotel (really good value, B&B for £50 a night), and got a free upgrade to the Executive Suite - I've never stayed in an Executive Suite before!

Not that the Big Sleep is that posh - but in addition to the bedroom, there was a lounge (pictured - great wallpaper eh?!), kitchenette, and the en-suite bathroom had a jacuzzi bath. The views (from the 10th floor) out over Cardiff were also fantastic, especially at night:

Anyway, I'm looking forward to my new role as Archives Development Adviser - and the opportunity to work more closely with the archival profession in Wales. The journey home also brought one final delight - a sudden cold snap brought snow over the Brecon Beacons - not enough to delay the journey, but it did look beautiful:

Playing Catch Up

Well it's been over a week since the last blog entry - so there's some catching up to do.


We had three days in Cardiff, saw the Millennium Centre (or 'Torchwood Central' as I like to think of it) - was most disappointed that the water on the tall silver 'sculpture' was switched off.




Also went to see the Dr Who exhibition nearby - not bad exhibits on the whole, but very noisy, and there could have been more of it . . .




On our way back visited Castell Coch just outside Cardiff - very atmospheric, with beautiful interiors in the main rooms. Unfortunately the weather had turned (after a good couple of days) and it chucked it down while we were there. Not so bad for us - felt sorry for the wedding party . . .