Markets and Barry Island in the stream!

Tues 11th Aug.

Woke up at 8am to ring Trans WA.
Got bus to Cardiff. Went to the market's but Sean's stall was shut. Went to Things Welsh opposite the castle and bought some more souveniers. Went back to the markets. Sean's was still shut, but the other Welsh guy was open. He's got some lovely stuff. Got chatting to him for a while, then went to the Millenium Stadium gift shop. Walked straight through the glass doors to watch the film that was playing in there. Videoed a short film about the staduim, then a guy stood at the front and addressed us. He said to follow him and they'd carry on the tour.
Oh dear, I'd joined the tour without paying. I went back into the shop and bought a dvd and a book.
Went back to Sean's and talked to him for a while. he's been to Oz of course (who hasn't?). I bought the tshirt I'd been after, and he gave me a Welsh hat for Carl. Nice. And the hat! lol.

Caught bus to Eastbrook where Catrin and Phoebe picked me up. We went to Laburnam Way, off Longmeadow Drive, so I could video Gav's house from Gavin and Stacey.
Then we went to Barry Island. Car park was chokkas, and there were people streaming through it towards the beach.
Filmed where Dave's Coaches stop, then went to the shelter to get a feed. I grabbed a table while Cartin and Phoebe queued up. It was a good half hour before they got the food! People everywhere!
I had chips and gravy and a nice coffee, then we walked along the spit/head/cliff thing. It was a nice hot day but it was blowing a gale! Took vids and pics, then walked down the beach. Phoebe wanted to paddle, so we made our way through the sludgy sand to the water's edge. I paddled too, and videoed my toes disappearing under the opaque water! haha. Soo funny! There were heaps of people swimming too.
Walked back along the packed beach and through the fun fair. Wow, that brought back memories! Actually I'm pretty sure the last time I went there would have been with Catrin, about 26 years ago!
Bought donuts and ice-cream, than back to the car. Lovely day.

Leaving the car park we were two cars behind a mini-van, which got stuck under the height restriction bar! God knows how he'd got into the car park in the first place.
We sat for a while until the 10 or so cars behind us got the message and reversed.

Drove down Cold Knap, cos I'd had no idea where it was! It's really pretty now - they've drained and cleaned the lake.

Left a message on my mum's phone for her to ring me but she didn't, so Catrin dropped me at my dad's.

Really sad to say goodbye, have had a brilliant laugh with her these last few weeks.

Went straight to sleep. Woke at 8, rang mum, she hadn't checked her messages. Said goodbye to her and Louise over the phone, then got on with the packing and swapping stuff between suitcase and hand luggage, to distribute the weight. Just got it right, but had to leave 3 books out for dad to send by mail.
Didn't bother going to bed cos I would've had to get up at 2am anyway.

Txted Ken, then we ended up exchanging 8 bloody txts!! A record for him. I told him to watch the video of me and him on YouTube, so he watched it NINE times!! haha. Bless 'im.