Wales and the World Cup: Qatar 2022

Wales

Source: The Independent/Getty Images

Well, the dream is over. Wales are out of the World Cup in Qatar after failing to get past the group stage with what can only realistically be described as fairly insipid performances against all three of their opponents - USA, Iran and England. 

A 1-1 draw vs the USA in match 1 was a game of two halves. Wales were awful in the first period and only a Gareth Bale penalty saved blushes as a point  was salvaged in the second half.

with expectations high(wish) that that would be put behind them and they'd beat an Iran side trounced 6-2 by England quickly faded, and it looked like a point would be all they'd get until to (very) late goals by Iran meant defeat and the unlikely scenario of having to beat England by 4 goals to stand any chance of progressing.

Of course that never happened, and it was pretty much all England as our rivals from across the border made easy work in a 3-0 win, and that was that.

So what can we make of it all?

Whilst I am bitterly disappointed (as an Englishman who now considers himself more Welsh than English)  that Wales never really turned up in these finals, you have to accept that even getting to Qatar was an exception achievement for a country of just over 3 million people, the second smallest nation at the World Cup other than Qatar who qualified automatically as the host nation.

For so many supporters of Wales, now known as Y Wal Goch or The Red Wall, getting to a World Cup is somethings they've never known, 1958 being the last time it happened. The success of the team in getting to the semi-final of the 2016 Euros, and then the finals of the 2020 Euros and now the World Cup  finals in Qatar 2020 means the at the other end of the spectrum, younger supporters might feel this is the norm for Welsh football. It's not, and the achievement of team managers over these latter years - the late, great Gary Speed, Chris Coleman, and Rob Page cannot be underestimated. Yes, they've had some exceptional players in their squads. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey at their peak were sublime, but the key has been getting the rest of the squad, often drawn from Championship or even League 1 level to perform as greater than the sum of the parts.

It's been an exceptional few years for the country's national team. Anyone who has been at a Wales match to experience first hand the amazing support of Y Wal Goch - well, I can vouch for the fact that it sends shivers down your spine, especially when the fans sing the national anthem unaided by music or some screechy would be diva. Trust me, you don't get that anywhere else.

So, on the one hand, the experience of getting to the finals has been incredible. For those that managed to get out to Qatar it must be an experience that will live with them forever.

But that said, and as I set out at the beginning of this post, the disappointment in the performances in our three group games has been palpable. The team didn't perform anywhere near their best, collectively or individually in any of the group games, and with one goal (from the spot) in those matches we didn't deserve anything either. Several of those players are now probably done in their careers in a red shirt. Neither Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey looked fit or had any real impact in any of the games (Bale's penalty aside). Joe Allen was wrapped in cotton wool until the England game but couldn't influence the game unduly. Those three have been outstanding servants for Wales, but it wouldn't surprise me if we don't see them in a Wales shirt in any significant or meaningful way again. 

But there are some excellent and exciting players coming through. Ethan Ampadu has significant tournament experience now even as a youngster. The likes of Brennan Johnson and Dan James who come in for a lot of stick are pacy and attack minded. Kieffer Moore is a great front man. Neco Williams has bags of potential and quality. And it was really pleasing to see two Cardiff City players in the World Cup squad - Ruben Colwill and Mark Harris, with Colwill even getting some minutes on the pitch in the England game. There's no time to stop and think with the Euro qualifiers just round the corner starting in March, but there's still room for optimism.

Much as it will incense my Welsh pals, I still have a soft spot for England, and I'd like to see them do well,  but I'd much rather have seen Wales do well and get out of the group stages, even at England's expense

Let's hope that Wales can keep this great run of qualifying for the finals of major tournaments going.

Bring on the Euros!

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Images of Cardiff Bay

Went for a nice four and half miler (or thereabouts) circular walk around Cardiff Bay this morning, with a pit stop at a pub at Mermaid Quay for liquid refreshment. It's a fine walk, flat all the way around but with plenty to see and photograph. Here are a few of my shots from today.

Under the A4232 bridge as it crosses the river Taff

The boom protecting the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve from the main bay

The heron had just alighted on this lifebelt that someone had stupidly thrown into the pond. The coot took offence and scared the heron off proving size is no obstacle.

Nosy swan

One of the many Snoopy's that are currently situated around Cardiff - thankfully, this one hasn't been vandalised

An iconic view of the Bay with the Millennium Centre, Pierhead Building and Senedd all in view

It was graduation day in Cardiff - here outside the Millennium Centre where it was all happening

The top of the St David's Hotel

Starboard marker body in the channel in the entrance to Cardiff Docks

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Sun, Snow and Stunning Scenery - a Mid Wales Holiday

Our lodge - Vista

We're just back from a week's holiday with some of the wider family - 11 of us initially, 12 by the end of the week at Luxury Lodges Wales near Llanidloes in Powys, mid-Wales. This was a trip initially booked for late autumn 2020, pushed back to March 2021 due to Covid and then pushed back a year until March 2022 as Covid and its associated restrictions went on far longer than any of us would have liked. But we got there in the end. Going away with this group of the family is at least an annual occurrence - regular readers will have seen previous posts of our trips to North Devon and we've been to the Peak District a few times too. We normally get accommodation that fits the group size which can be as big as 16 or so, but these lodges were booked when Covid restrictions meant no more than 6 could be in the same place at a time - so we booked two lodges.

Although booked for the end of March, the weather forecast promised a sunny and warm start to the week, although getting colder later, but crucially rain free! Indeed I managed just shorts and a T shirt in the first couple of days.

The drive up north, once free of the wastelands of Cardiff, and the industrial A470 through Pontypridd and past Merthyr, was beautiful and spectacular as we first dissected the Brecon Beacons passing Pen y Fan, then from Brecon to Builth Wells following the river Wye upstream, passing Rhayader before a lunch stop and meeting up with some of the party at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. The red kites were out in abundance, as were daffodils and sheep with their lambs on a sunny and warm day. The scenery in the Elan valley is spectacular, as the photos below show.

Garreg Ddu reservoir, Elan Valley

Garreg Ddu dam (underwater), Elan Valley

After a picnic lunch we drove on to Llanidloes, where we supped a pint at the Whistling Badger until we got the call that our lodges were ready.

The "interesting" roundabout in the middle of Llanidloes

Luxury Lodges Wales lies about three miles north of Llanidloes near the small village of Trefeglwys. It's off the beaten track (unless you're going to Caersws) deep in rural Powys. There are seven lodges currently, although they're clearly working and clearing the site to add more. The lodges sleep 6 with one sleeping 4 and are set a small distance apart. They're well furnished and equipped, each with a hot tub and all but one with an upstairs balcony room. Also on site is a small pond with free fishing, and a hen house with free eggs (if you collect them yourself)! It would have been great to be altogether, but we managed admirably shuttling to and fro for meals and drinks.

It's possible to do some local walks, and the village (about 15 minutes walk) has a pub, the Red Lion, although we bought enough alcohol that we didn't need to visit the pub! Primarily though we used the lodges as a base for heading out and about.

On Saturday in warm sun with blue skies we travelled the short distance to the Hafren Forest, with walks suitable for all abilities including a boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs alongside the fledgling river Severn. There is a walk from here to the source of the river, and not far away, another walk to the source of the river Wye, both rising within a remarkable short distance of each other.

Hafren Forest 1

Hafren Forest 2

The following day we went about three miles to the stunning Llyn Clywedog, a reservoir built to help control the surges further down the river Severn. A more strenuous, but not hard (although the last bit was steep) circular walk of about 2.5 miles circumnavigated the peninsula in the middle of this reservoir. The early mist lifted and gave us some cracking views.

Lyn Clywedog - from the viewpoint on the B4518. We walked the peninsula in the middle one day

On Monday with the sun still shining we drove further north about 25 miles to Powis Castle near Welshpool which is a National Trust site. Again it was misty (foggy) at the lodges, but by the time we arrived the sun was out and it was bordering on quite warm! There are deer roaming about and the castle is imposing and the grounds fabulous, even at this early stage of the year. 

A local resident near Powis Castle

Powis Castle

With clear skies, and little light pollution, the opportunity for stargazing was taken and we saw the International Space Station pass over on a couple of nights, plus many satellites. I even managed to take a longer exposure shot that illustrated that there are far more stars than are even visible to the naked eye - tap the photo to open full view for the best effect.

Our lodge and stars  - Orion (centre) and the Pleides (right)  amongst them

At night, bats and owls were in evidence, whilst every morning we awoke to the sound of a woodpecker doing his thing in a tree next to the lodge. There was also a resident male pheasant, resplendent in his spring plumage, and once, whilst fishing I saw a hare run down the hill and disappear behind one of the lodges.

The next day we decided to drive to Aberystwyth, around an hour away. Leaving the foggy locale, we drove up though the imposing Plynlimon range en route to Aber in glorious sunshine. However, as we arrived at the seaside town, it was evident that a sea mist had descended and the place was cool and very misty. A short walk up and down the prom, and a cup of coffee later, we called it a day and headed home. Two minutes out of town, the mist was gone and we were back in glorious sunshine! Oh well.....

A foggy Aberystwyth marina

The next day started much cooler, and still quite misty, and with rain forecast later in the day we set off for the quaint border town of Montgomery. Lying just on the Welsh side of Offa's Dyke, it's very much an anglicised town by all accounts. It's got some lovely old buildings, an imposing town hall, and a castle perched on the hill above the town dating from the early 1200's to ward off Welsh princes. after the steep climb to the castle, and a coffee and scone stop in the community owned Dragon Hotel, we set off for a couple of miles circular walk taking in a bit of Offa's Dyke (although if I hadn't seen the signs, I wouldn't have known it was there). Initially this proved a challenge, as although our maps clearly indicated the footpaths, we found gates roped shut, some with padlocks, and stiles left overgrown so that we were unable to access them. Locals clearly didn't want you walking over the land! However, we found a way around which included taking in the picturesque Montgomery Cricket Club ground.

The Dragon Hotel, Montgomery

Montgomery Castle

Offa's Dyke footpath

For our final day we drove a dozen miles or so back towards Rhayader to the Gilfach Nature Reserve, nestled amongst the rolling hills outside the mid Wales town. A selection of well marked walks are on offer from the very gentle few hundred yards level, to a strenuous climb up (and down) one of the adjacent hills. we opted for a (mostly) level circular walk to start with, and after grabbing a coffee at the halfway mark courtesy of a handy burger van on the A470, some of the part opted to continue their gentle stroll back along the river, whilst a few of us hardier souls decided to go with the strenuous climb over the top. Strenuous it was too, climbing to just under 500m in a very short distance. The views at the top were worth it as well, although soon to be lost as heavy flurries of snow came down as we descended. Despite being a nature reserve, there was a disappointing lack of wildlife in evidence, although I'm sure on another day it might have been different. The walk and views made it all worthwhile though (at least once I'd recovered!)

Gilfach Nature Reserve

Coming down in the snow

Views from the top

Cold and snowy

Waterfall on the river Marteg

Back at the lodges, I managed to get some fishing in too. I used to fish avidly as a youngster spending much of my school holidays and any other spare time on the bank, but sadly other priorities over the last 30 years or so have limited the times I've been able to fish. Nonetheless, time spend sitting on a review or pond bank is peaceful, and I love it. As a bonus I even caught a few. A couple of (very small) golden tench and a couple of bigger common carp probably in the 5-6lb mark. The initial warm weather had cooled off significantly making fishing for these hard, but I enjoyed the opportunity, and my old gear held up well 

too.

Gotcha!

Safely landed

Small (fish) carp

Others found a more relaxing time on the hot tubs, doing jig-saws or playing games, but whatever we did we all had fun.

All in all, we had a fabulous week. The early sunny and warm weather undoubtedly helped, and the snow made things pretty without being a hindrance. I'd certainly recommend these lodges, and would certainly recommend a visit to this beautiful part of Wales.

Handy Tips

• Evans Fish Bar in Llanidloes is great and very friendly
• The Whistling Badger in Llanidloes was relatively quiet, served decent beer - other pubs are available.
• Take a torch

Twitter: @Statto1927 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/simon_hiscocks/ 

Instagram: simon_hiscocks

Pembrokeshire - stunning as always

Well we finally got away in this annus horibilis that is 2020. A week away in a cottage with our two (adult) children, and a posse of family/friends just down the road on a campsite (21 of us over the first weekend, plus an assortment of dogs), just outside St David's, the smallest city in the UK.

This area has to be one of our favourite places. I've blogged about it before many times. And this year, despite the fact in my 45th year of visiting I've never see it so busy with "staycationers" it was as stunning as ever. We were blessed with several really warm days, although most days it was a tad misty first thing.

We beached, we swam, we went on a boat trip, we BBQ'd, we ate out, body-boarded, we had a bonfire on the beach and we walked. We saw seals, bats, raptors, porpoises, kingfishers, herons, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags and rabbits. We ate chips, drank beer and licked delicious Pembrokeshire ice creams. But most of we just enjoyed the fabulous coastal scenery that this westernmost part of Wales has to offer. Below, are just a few examples of the beauty I managed to capture.

It was a wonderful holiday. Who needs to go abroad anyway?

The southern (quieter end) of Whitesands beach

Sunset from our cottage garden

Rock arch on Ramsey island

Heather and gorse and calm seas near Porthlysgi on the Treginnis penninsula

The famous Blue Pool at Abereiddy - rarely seen without people!

Sunset at Abereiddy

Normality? Not yet, but it's getting there

Things are slowly creeping towards some sort of post lockdown normality. It's certainly not the normal we knew before Covid-19 appeared, but but it's most assuredly better than effectively being confined to quarters for the best part of three months.

Here in Wales we've looked in with a mixture of astonishment and jealousy as England has fairly speedily unlocked the various restrictions associated with lockdown. The Welsh Government has taken a much more cautious approach, welcomed by many but ridiculed by some, although I think the over-riding view has been that a steadier line is the right line.

Anyway, we can now travel pretty much anywhere (within reason) although the advice is as always, be sensible. Non essential retail shops have already opened, and this week sees the much anticipated re-opening of two of the most wanted services - pubs and hairdressers (my wife is delighted - about the hairdresser that is, and already has her appointment!).

Also good news for those looking for a break as self contained accommodation gets the green light  this week and campsites with shared facilities can get going from the end of the month. Our break away to Pembrokeshire is therefore a go-er, and I have to say I'm delighted, relieved and very much looking forward to getting away. Who knows, we might even get to a pub for beer and food!

Finally, team sports are also now allowed, and my cricket club sees it's first action next weekend in a season where frankly, we didn't think we'd see any cricket. I spent most of yesterday afternoon with others from our club helping to prepare the ground for next Saturday, and frankly that's the closest I've felt to normal in a long time.

Preparing the cricket pitch - a semblance of normality

               

It's getting silly now

So another week or two passes and still the (not) lockdown continues. I have to admit it's all getting a bit silly now. Initially I welcomed the Welsh Government's caution as Boris and his troupe started lifting lockdown in England.  It all seemed to early, too soon whilst here in Wales we seemed to be playing a wait and see game.

Well, we've waited. England continues to ease the lockdown with today seeing the re-opening of non-essential shops. Inevitable, and perhaps rather sadly we've seen massive queues at shops like Primark (who don't have an online presence) so people waiting for their shopping fix can now be sated.

People desperate for their Primark fix: Credit BBC News

In England too, you can travel anywhere (within reason) and form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household if you live alone or are a single parent with dependent children - in other words, you are in a household where there is only one adult. All those in a support bubble will be able to act as if they live in the same household - meaning they can spend time together inside each other’s homes and do not need to stay 2 metres apart. Support bubbles should be exclusive - meaning you should not switch the household you are in a bubble with or connect with multiple households (from gov.co.uk)

Here in Wales we can't do any of that. We can only travel 5 miles (roughly). Nevertheless you wouldn't know it. I've been out and about on some local walks recently and nice that.

1. Traffic seems to be back to "near normal" levels
2. Penarth sea front was absolutely heaving this weekend
3. Cosmeston country park (where the large car park is closed off) saw cars lining the adjacent road as people parked up to go and walk there

No doubt a large element of that is down to the Dominic Cummings affair. He settle standard that the country can basically do what it wants to in spirit if not to the letter of the guidance.

It's ludicrous and whatever frustrations I have must surely only be exaggerated in local small businesses. I was also taking to a local business owner (florist) today. She's providing deliveries but is not allowed to open. However, the garage across the road sells flowers where people can walk in, buy flowers and pay face to face (with a screen in place granted). The florist is potentially losing money because she can't open and sell what the Texaco place across the road does as a sideline.

I know coronavirus hasn't gone away. I know people are still dying. But it has significantly lessened and the projected "second wave" off the back of VE Day celebrations, mass exoduses to the beaches etc don't seem to have had any adverse effect. Surely, we can loosen things up in Wales?

I'm desperate to see Mark Drakeford and the Welsh Government see some sense and offer the Welsh population some serious and practical solutions to easing of lockdown this week, but I fear that for whatever reason they are going to remain cautious.

At least football is starting back this week, so a bit of respite and semblance of normality, even if I can't be there to watch the Bluebirds.

Until next time.... 

The things you do in lockdown you'd never do otherwise

I was sitting in the conservatory yesterday (as you do when you're stuck at home - if you've got a conservatory of course), and noticed that the roller blinds were looking a bit, shall we say, in need of a clean. Actually they were manky.

Couple of points here for context. Our conservatory (built before we moved in), was built by cowboys. For one thing it had a laminate floor, laid straight over some joists above a 5"-6" void. That meant walking on it was like walking on a trampoline. We fixed that. The conservatory frame itself (uPVC) looks like a 5 year old had built it out of spare bits from their lego box. It's OK, but it's got gaps where there shouldn't be, and the overall handiwork was, erm crude. Still we stuck with it (it's a lot cheaper than pulling it down and starting again, although in hindsight...). The roller blinds themselves, and they're pretty bog standard blinds at that, have faded over the years. Anyway, this all means that it's not the poshest conservatory in the world, but it does a job. But after a damp and dingy winter the blinds were beginning to look a little grim.

So I took them down, unrolled them, checked them in the bath one at a time with a washing machine tablet and a large dose of Vanish. A good soak and rinse later, and a dry on the line they look remarkable better. Not brilliant, as they'e slightly two-tone - they were probably once cream, but having spent most of their life rolled up  the bottom bit tends to be more sunbleached, but at least the grime's gone.

Maybe (probably) I should have done this every year since we've lived here, but the reality is, at least in this house, a lot of these sort of jobs just don't get done, until that moment when you have a little more time to reflect and think..."Oh dear, that needs looking at...."

Still, I suppose that's what lockdown and retirement's for......

Until tomorrow....

#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives

March 31st: What a month that was

So we say goodbye to March. Or perhaps more appropriately good riddance. Saying that though, there's almost certainly worse to come, and as set out in yesterdays post, there's an awfully long way to go yet. If you can bear reviewing it, there's an article on the BBC titled "The month everything changed". Wherever we go from here, one things for sure, the world will never be quite the same.

Today's update from Chez Stats. All fit and well here. My wife and I went for a walk which turned out to be about 2.5 miles according to my iPhone. Only locally (obviously), bit it's quite interesting what you see on foot that you never really take notice of because you're in a car or a hurry to get somewhere. It wasn't a particular "lovely" walk as we are on the edge of town here, but we did see some wildlife. An R.A.T. scuttled across some grass in from of us and then poked his head back out and watched us intently for a couple of minutes affording me time to take at the following picture (I usually have my camera with me - always my phone, but frequently one of several others I own). Here's Mr Rat - not everyone's cup of tea, but this was cute a cute shot.

A local resident

Walking along a wooded path, I also spotted, though was unable to photograph due to it's speed and being tucked away in the branches, a coal tit. I haven't seen one of those for donkey's years, so counted the wildlife score on perambulation today as a good result.

My daughter is still having work IT issues - or rather her work IT is having trouble getting her connected (she's not alone in this), so her working from home is very stop start - more stop than start currently. As I mentioned the other day, I think businesses will learn an awful lot about their business continuity procedures as a result of this situation.

Otherwise it's been a day in the garden, and a lot more achieved than I set out to do. Oh - I've also booked seats and updated our Advanced Passenger Information for our holiday to Greece in June, more in hope than expectation #nochance.

Yesterday evening, all those we were supposed to be in the Peak District with this week caught up on the face to face social network app Houseparty, although I was slightly concerned about the numbers of people reporting being hacked in various ways after installing it. It seems this is slightly incorrect, although as with any app, using strong and secure passwords is key. we'll see - we intend to have a catch up once a week for a "virtual drink".

Just catching up on other news - deaths attributable (in part at least) to coronavirus in the UK are at almost 1,800. Still way short of the predicted "best case" 20,000. A new "hospital", the Nightingale has been built (or rather an existing building re-purposed) in just under two weeks, a stupendous achievement. Some supermarkets are supposedly easing restrictions on purchases - note "easing"not removing. And in one of the more amusing stories coming out of coronavirus, goats appear to have taken over Llanduno in North Wales.

The cat's had a mixed day. My wife, daughter and I attempted one of Joe Wicks workouts on YouTube this morning. That sent the cat barmy and she was running around like someone had set fire to her tail whilst we were doing that. Then she came and sat watching me gardening - we both like being outside. The rest of the afternoon, she's crashed on a sunny bed upstairs.

That's all for now folks. Check in for another instalment of #socialdistancing fun tomorrow.

Misty Walk around Cardiff Bay

We normally go on a family walk sometime between Christmas and New Year. We're not all together at Christmas or New Year, so coming together, albeit briefly sometime in the intervening days is a great chance to catch up, get some fresh air and walk off some of the yuletide excesses.
Wit ages ranging between 8 and 70, we don't go far, and several times over the last few years we've done a circular walk around Cardiff Bay. It's ideal - at 4 miles it's far enough to make it a worthwhile walk without overkill. It's flat. It's not muddy (pretty much all paved, and certainly all paths), and there are a multitude of refreshment points half way round at Mermaid Quay. We've been blessed with some decent weather in previous years, but this year 27th December dawned gloomy and damp.
We started as normal from the free car park off Marconi Way in Penarth Marina Park and headed in a clockwise direction over the Ely via the Pony y Werin bridge.

River Ely from Pont y Werin bridge

From there we walked down past the ice rink and onto the boardwalk. The misty gloom contributed to an atmospheric picture as sailing boats in the bay slowly appeared out of the mist, one boat standing out due to its luminous sail.

Sailing boats in the bay

From the relative peacefulness of the boardwalk, we moved onto the road bridge carrying the A4232 over the Taff. Always busy and noisy, this part of the walk normally provides some great photo opportunities of the bay, but the fog played havoc with that. All we could see was one water bus coming down the Taff into the bay. In one corner near Cardiff Yacht Club, various detritus had gathered, having floated down the Taff and Ely rivers into the bay. It was fascinating, and though somewhat sad to see at least a dozen footballs in that single area that probably once gave so much fun to someone. On the plus side, it gave me a chance to post the photo to the Twitter account @lostfootballs!

Lost Footballs

Escaping the roar of road noise, we took the path into the Cardiff Wetlands reserve, heading towards the St Davids hotel, with a quick detour down the boardwalk to get closer to the various swans, dusk's, coots, grebes and other associated waterfowl that call the bay their home.
From St Davids hotel we wandered into Mermaid Quay, and met up with some more family in the Wetherspoon's Mount Stuart for some much needed refreshments!

Once fed and watered (ok, alright, beered), we walked past the rest of Mermaid Quay, the magnificent Pierhead building, the Send and Norwegian Church, before making our way past the vast empty space that until recently housed the Dr Who exhibition. On the way, it was a fantastic opportunity to take some really atmospheric snaps that the misty weather enabled of the old moorings, and various boats coming out of, or disappearing into the mist.

Old moorings

Water taxi disappearing into the gloom

Boat coming into moor

The disappearance of the Dr Who exhibition allowed for a nice reflection shot in a puddle on the concrete.

Refelections

From here we wound past the old disused locks, and onto the barrage proper. The tide was way out - as low as I've ever seen it, showing the mud flats and the deep channel into the still working port. The by now dry, if not clear day, had clearly got people out and about from their cosy homes to walk off the Christmas calories and the barrage was pretty busy. The mist was so bad, that you couldn't see Penarth Head, only the first couple of floors of St Davids hotel were visible, and the tops of the flats alongside the A4232 and across towards the Cogan spur were all but invisible.

The sea locks at the Penarth end of the barrage are always a fascinating site to behold. The deep locks, the creaks and the rushing of water over the fish ladders. The little pink shack on the end of the harbour wall was just visible with the guiding lights shining out of the mist, and as is usual, I didn't pass up the opportunity to stand on the spot that gave me the perfect shot of the concentric circles where they all come together.

Harbour entrance wall and guiding lights

Circle Art

Almost at our walks end we crossed into Penarth Marina, across the bridge and back alongside the river Ely before returning to the car park.

Penarth Marina

We've done this walk many times. Usually in dryer, bright conditions. However, the walk today gave an opportunity to see (or not see) the bay in a completely different light (quite literally), but it was no less interesting for that, and some of the photos I took I was really please with, as it provided a unique atmosphere to the shots.

It's a great walk whichever way round you do it. A decent guide can be found from Derek Brockway's "Weatherman Walking" website. The PDF of the walk is available here.