RWC 2105 Cardiff

After arriving in Cardiff, we dedided to head into town for some lunch.  Wandered around through the very busy town center and found an attractive pub.  Sadly they were only serving breakfast (all day), but were generous enough to allow us to grab some take out from the neighboring bakery (pasties and meat pies) to eat on the patio with our beer. chips too!  Australia dominated them and introduced England to the ignomious result of an early exit from the tournament.  Had hoped to be able to watch some college football on the tele when we got back, but no such luck so off to bed.

 Then we just wandered back to Cardiff Central and hopped on the local to Sarn.  Sarn station is just a whistle stop.  Very little there.  Took a wrong turn immediately and had a lovely walk down a wooded pathway and through a park.  Met a couple of nice ladies out for a fitness walk who advised us that we wouldn't be able to get there from here.  So turned  around and went back by the station and up Sarn HIll.  By the time we crested the hill, the muttering about a Kangaroo Kourt had commenced.  A bit further along and a cab happened by and we were able to get a ride to the Days Inn, Bridgend.  After checking in it was time to head back to town for the game.  Cab in to Bridgend station, and I realized I had left the rail passes in the room.  The muttering became audible, I was dispatched back while the boys huddled around a pint in the Railway pub.  Once back, the court reached its verdict and I was convicted of multiple heinous splivages, then we had just enough time to get to the game.  Millenium Stadium was pretty impressive and our seats provided a view of the game from the end zone.  AB's had little difficulty dispatching the Georgians.  We left with 2 to go and were able to get to the train queue early enough.  Back to Bridgend and popped down to the Railway Pub, the atmosphere had changed and was now loud music and young patrons.  One pint and we were off to find fish and chips - none to be found.  We did happen upon the Wyndham Arms, where we met Anne.  Lovely old gal who might have been over served herself.  Found out all about her travels to Banff and Jasper when she was 50.  Also learned that they had a good breakfast service so decided to return in the morning.  Grabbed a cab back to the Days Inn.  Next morning is was off to the

Wyndham Arms for breakfast where Miles became dismayed to observe that our table was the only table that wasn't having beer with our breakfast.  Nevertheless, the full Welsh Breakfast (which is the same as the full Scottish, full Irish and full English) was superb.  Train into Cardiff then grabbed a cab down to Cardiff Bay.  There we visited the historic Peirhead building and learned about some of the early years in and around Cardiff.  Wales was endowed with a lot of coal and Cardiff was at one time a dominant commercial hub exporting coal around the world.  Found a Fish and Chip shop and picked up some Guiness at the grocery and ate (again).  Had just enough time to get back to Cardiff Central and were lucky to get on a train to London at 1:25.  Service to Paddington was smooth and on time.  Arrived at the flat to find the girls had gone out, so what to do but head to the pub and watch some rugby (Sawyers Arms).  K&D met us there and we went to the flat at half time to get settled in.  Flat is perfectly located between Paddington Station and Hyde Park.  Quiet street (alley?) with brick front homes abutting each other.  Pretty sketchy looking from the outside, but inside nicely appointed, though rather close.  Will be really comfortable here especially with the train station so convenient.  Decided to head out to watch the England v. Aus. game and arrived at the Fountains Abbey pub.  They serve beer there, and fish &