Showing off Cardiff

 July-August 2019

We were lucky enough to have Joy, her family, and Elan - our mutual friend who was over from New Zealand and staying with them - all pop over for a weekend trip to Cardiff to visit us. It was fun to be doing the hosting for once, and showing them around. 

Taking advantage of them having a car, we took a day trip to Caerphilly, on the weekend the 'Big Cheese' was occurring, what a fortuitous turn of events! 

Caerphilly is famous for its incredibly impressive castle, which is the largest in Wales, and the second largest in the whole of the UK (second to Windsor Castle which I have sadly never seen).

Built in the 13th century by the lord Gilbert de Clare due to his fear of the power of the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. This castle introduced concentric castle defences to Britain - something that every website I could find on the castle was very eager to tell me. 

Attacked multiple times throughout history, it ultimately fell into decline. In the 16th century, the Marquess of Bute got hold of it, and his descendant the Third Marquess (told you he popped up a lot) followed by the Fourth Marquess threw some more money around and restored it.

One of the most famous parts of the castle is the south-east tower, which leans at 10 degrees (which is more than the leaning tower of Pisa, for reference!) The reason for this lean is somewhat debated, either due to the ground below it slowly sinking, or due to destruction by gunpowder courtesy of Oliver Cromwell. The statue below is of the Fourth Marquess, who undertook the most extensive restoring. 

You didn't think I was going to mention something as gloriously named as the 'Big Cheese' and not go into detail did you!? Live music, medieval reenactments, a cheese race, and of course, lots and lots of cheese eating! This festival has been around since 1998 and was super fun to attend, especially with all the free cheese samples!

When not entertaining visitors, we popped into our favourite local cafe, a small, cosy Danish bakery called Brod. I highly recommend this place, as not only was it cute, but the pastries were excellent! On a rainy day, sitting against the brick wall munching on gooey pastry and hot coffee felt like the definition of the Danish concept Hygge. 

I also personally recommend the Bootlegger for a speakeasy style cocktail bar, hidden away with excellent atmosphere. I've also heard wonderful things about the Dead Canary, but I never had the opportunity to visit myself. 

It was nice to feel like we were slowing getting to know our local places in Cardiff.