Cardiff

Inside Cardiff Castle, Millenium Stadium in the distance
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Driving over the bridge into Wales we were greeted by English/Welsh road signs and driving rain. We soon found that was typical of Wales at this time of year and it somehow added to the experience. The rolling Welsh countryside was a lush green from all the wet weather.

Our first day in the Welsh capital was spent visiting its two main landmarks: Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium. We spent several hours doing the audio tour around the huge castle and its stately palace rooms. We learnt some fascinating history about the city, including that the old Roman walls of the castle were still visible at the bases of the current walls. These had only been recently discovered.

The wet weather didn't dampen our enjoyment of this city

Inside the 74,500 seat Millenium Stadium
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While we would have preferred a trip to the gigantic Welsh national sports venue for an All Blacks game, we were lucky enough to get on a guided tour through the changing rooms and the VIP areas instead. The visitors changing rooms were the place where the All Blacks performed their only “private” haka before a match. This was apparently after the Welsh rugby union would not allow them to perform it on the pitch.

The pitch itself is laid out over thousands of interlocking plastic boxes that let water and air seep through to give the best playing surface. The ground staff had set up huge arrays of heat lamps to dry out the pitch while we were there. They also use trained birds of prey to control the local pigeon population.

Tintern Abbey
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The next day we left Cardiff and headed west towards the Pembrokeshire Coast, but not before visiting Tintern Abbey. This would have to be one of the best ruins we visited on our trip. A massive roofless cathedral and connected buildings which used to be home for Cistercian monks during a 400 year period between 1136 and 1536. The towering walls, arches and windows were just spectacular. Unfortunately the most famous western front window was covered with scaffolding for restoration work.

After leaving the abbey we drove through the Brecon Beacons heading west. This National Park contains a series of rolling mountains and ridges from which the huge Welsh coal boom got its material. The rocky hills covered in grass and tussock reminded us of the Scottish highlands.