Sunday, 25th May               Cardiff

Robyn writes: Our first full day in Wales, and still overcast and rainy, unfortunately. We decided that we wanted to go and see one of the best known Welsh museums; the St Fagan's Museum of Welsh Life, which is close to Taff's Well where we are staying. This is set up over several acres and consists of lots of old buildings from around the country which have been relocated here to save and display them. Because Glen and Carol are here, we didn't have to drive as we just took the one car. We arrived there mid-morning and set off to explore, undeterred by the intermittent rain which just seems to be a feature of life at the moment. I am sooo happy with my Crocs boots; they were just made for a day like today!

Because this is a Bank Holiday weekend, the museum actually had extra activities set up such as market stalls, an old-fashioned funfair on the green for the kids, and displays of various old-fashioned crafts and industries. We really enjoyed seeing how the old mill worked (complete with waterwheel) and spent ages talking to Geraint, the miller and watching the flour pile up.

Talking to Geraint at the old mill

We visited lots of old Welsh cottages to get a really good idea of how they used to live. My great-great-great-grandmother Mary Griffiths was born in Pembrokeshire in Wales so I found it really interesting to see what type of house she would have lived in. One feature we noticed is that many of the doorways were incredibly small compared to what we are used to now - I guess that they were shorter in those days, plus of course smaller doorways would let out less heat.

One of the few original buildings left on the site was an 1820 farmhouse and all of its associated buildings. There are lots of the usual farm animals all around it such as pigs, chooks, ducks, sheep, turkeys etc so it was very popular with the children around us! In the farmhouse, there was a lovely Welsh lady cooking Welsh Cakes which we got to try (yum!). I now have the recipe!

Baa baa black sheep, time you were shorn!

Welsh Cakes cooked on a griddle

The museum also had old grocery and hardware shops, a one-room school, workers' institute and heaps more old buildings including a Tudor farmhouse from the 1500s. The most impressive one though was the "castle", which is actually a manor house built on the remains of a Norman castle. We ran out of time to actually go into the house itself, but the gardens were lovely and we had a nice lunch in their cafe (the old servants' hall).

 Lex and Glen outside the gates of the castle

 Sunday lunch - Roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding!

The Castle's landscaped gardens

All in all, it was a great day out. We spent the whole day exploring and by around 4 we were ready for a cuppa in the main coffee shop and then to head home. We've had a lovely meal (Mediterranean chicken breasts from the Co-op). At the moment it's not actually raining but it's still very overcast and we are hoping that tomorrow might be a bit better weather-wise. Fingers crossed!