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Lyn's HomeUK 2002/03Cardiff and London

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UK 2002/03

Cardiff and London |

So much so fast that I don’t know where to start. I think I can say that I’ve settled back down, but somehow with this irrepressible feeling of restlessness that feeds my need to keep travelling, keep moving, keep doing things. And I’m loving it!

I went to Cardiff to see Jenny last weekend. It was fantastic to see her and she really seems to be doing well and enjoying life. She lives in a lovely house with really nice housemates, and they’ll soon have a Starbucks on the corner, which seems to have caused great excitement!

The first night we met up with some of her friends at the Union, which is the Cardiff equivalent of Springfields – the kind of place where you’ll always run into people you know. Loads of fun to see what student life is like by comparison – and the pints are only £1 (as opposed to the Springers R2 a drink – but it is England!) It was so strange going out late and being able to stay out late – I’ve grown so used to the tame London style of getting the last train home. It felt much more normal, I must say!!

Then on Saturday we went to see Cardiff Castle, which really made quite an impression on me. You walk in through the gates and are immediately taken aback by the keep, which is the tower-like protective stronghold of the castle. It stands quite grandly on a small green hill, surrounded by yellow daffodils and a moat – a fairy-tale sight indeed!!

Monique had said to me that I should definitely do the tour of the castle, and I’m so glad we did – the inside of the castle is fascinating and beautiful and further adds to the mysteriousness and charm of the castle. The clock tower is quiet spectacular with it’s ceiling emblazoned with astrological symbols, the pleasures of the seasons and the passing of time, as well as reflecting the clear romanticism associated with medieval times. The children’s day play room was also quiet fun with the specially crafted tiles that depict all the favourite children’s stories in French, Scottish and English, as the Marques of Brute was a keen linguist and wanted to pass that on to his children. My favourite, I think, was the Invisible Man, although possibly because it took me the longest to see him!!

There are a couple of other rooms on the tour, some with very striking features such as decorations in Italian, Arabic and Hebrew, all of which were languages that the Marques spoke – and all are fitting according to the theme of the room. The hanging roof garden in particular is quiet fantastical and inspires thoughts of the ladies of the house entertaining their guests in the only rooftop garden in the area!!

After that we walked around town a bit and then went up to the hospital as Jen had to go to rehearsals for this play that the medics were doing for charity. It was great fun meeting some of her classmates and the rehearsals made for some serious hysterics!!

I think Jen and I must be getting old, as we both opted out of a night on the town and booked to see “A Beautiful Mind” at the cinema. Another treat, it turned out, because not only was the movie brilliant, but the theatre was cool – and I was beginning to think that all cinemas over here were old and grotty! We redeemed ourselves mildly by going out for a couple of pints after, though. The evening was my first opportunity to meet Richard, Jen’s current boyfriend, who is very nice and even though she seems to think that they’re quite different, I think they’re quite well matched.

Sunday was another quietish day – we went out for a nice Sunday lunch, and tea and biscuits at Starbucks (Jen’s current favourite coffee shop, as you may have realised!) and I got the evening train back, having had a really great weekend.

The next week quickly turned into a very busy one with Bob’s farewell drinks on Monday night, had Lionel over to dinner and cooked up a huge lasagne (thus providing leftovers for work!) on Tuesday and on Wednesday I met Monique and had dinner in Brick Lane, and had a really great time as always.

On Thursday a whole group of us went to see Madame Butterfly (the ballet version) and it was spectacular. The costumes were so vibrant and the dancing seemed so authentic that I felt as though I might have been in China.

Then on Friday it was off to the Savoy for High Tea, and I felt very cultured and elite and afterwards I went along to Justin’s birthday party, which was also fun as I got to meet and party with new people as well as getting a chance to catch up with some of my friends who have been a bit scarce lately.

Locations Visited: London, Cardiff, London

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