Bucket list and Cardiff Bay

With talk of the predictable change in the weather, its Wimbledon that normally means rain so I checked the forecast for Thursday to find there was a strong possibility of rain and I had plans for that day with the wife and my bucket list. I then made a quick decision that today was the day to tick something off my bucket list.

 

Therefore, it was off to Cardiff Bay, the Penarth side to walk over the Barrage and tick it off my bucket list and it was the day to do it with the sun shining. We took a taxi down to Penarth Marina giving me a chance to checkout a berth for my motor boat I will be buying when I hit that big lottery win.

 

Nice to start on the working side of the barrage with the lock gates and we were lucky to see the sluice gates operating and venting some of the River Taff out into the Bristol Channel. Powerful stuff and we could feel the power as we were covered in water droplets. Glen was having trouble seeing over to wall but further along it was much easier. She was unable to use the paid telescope at the end of the north arm breakwater much to her annoyance, maybe it is something the Cardiff Bay harbour authority should look into.

 

We were disappointed the café on the Penarth side of the barrage was shut and later would be upset again when we found the same on the other side. Has you can see from the photo it is not the most welcoming of destinations after a long walk or time out with the family and it is in need of a major upgrade. If Cardiff are trying to sell this to tourists, they need a rethink.

 

We had a lovely wander over the barrage and there was not much to see in the way of wildlife but for a few swans or ducks according to the wife. In the sunshine, the Bay looked beautiful and with the tide out on the other side of the barrage, I was enjoying the smell of mud, a sorely missed smell from my childhood. There were plenty of benches to sit and take in the view from and grass verges along the bay side. Access for the wheelchair was great if not well signed. The barrage is popular not just with walkers but runners and cyclists. Cardiff Bay side of the barrage looks shabby and in need of development until you come out by the Dr Who Experience.

 

I had a plan to take Glenys on the waterbus but only one takes a wheelchair and we were unsure if the chair would fit on. We had just missed it so it was an hour wait for it to come back so I sort out some shade to cool off while Glen was happy to sit out in the sun. We than got something to eat and waited for the boat return. The staff of the Hydro 1 could not have been more helpful telling Glenys that if her chair would fit sure they would take her. Access could not have been easier and well worth the £4 fare (each) to the Bute Park just to put a smile on Glens face.

 

At Bute, we sat out in the sun to eat our sarnies and have a drink before a slow walk home.