Cardiff

Day 2 - Sun 28 Jan 07

Up at 09:00 for breakfast and ate everything I could see, I must be feeling better! Checked out at 10:00 and headed back down to Cardiff Bay. The Welsh Assembly building was open, so after passing all my stuff through the X-ray machine I was allowed inside. It's even better inside that it is from the outside. The members meet in the bowls of the building underneath a huge funnel like structure that comes down from the very top of the building. It allows hot air to rise and sun light to come down.

Then it was across to the older pierhead building, built in red brick by William Burges. The building now houses an exhibition all about the Welsh Assembly, and explains what it can and cannot do - and there's a small bit about the new building as well.

Next stop was the Millennium Centre for a "behind the scenes" tour, I was the only person to turn up, so I got a very personal tour! It's huge building, with a massive stage, much bigger than I was expecting. I got to see the dressing rooms, and was surprised to see how spartan they were. There are only three "single" dressing rooms and everyone else has to share. There are even communal showers!

After the tour it was back into the city on the bendy bus, and a stroll over to the Millennium Stadium, and got there just in time for the 13:00 tour. I got to see the Visitors changing room, took a walk down the tunnel, and saw a corporate box. That took about an hour and after that I was ready for food - I'd spotted a Pizza Express around the corner so I headed for that.

Cardiff Station

After eating I walked down to the station to catch my train, and sat in first class and was ready to pay my Ł10 upgrade, in the event it was a good thing I did, as the train was one carriage short, and they had cancelled the train before, so standard class was packed! In the end they declassified first class, so I didn't even have to pay the Ł10. Got home just before 21:00 after stopping off to see a pal. All in all a good trip!