Wales

Before I mention my foray into Wales, I went with Ariane to the Scissor Sisters concert at the O2 centre at North Greenwich (conveniently just down the road from Ariane). I'm not a dedicated fan but they know how to put on a good show. At the end everyone was up on their feet, except the people next to us, who must have forgotten to switch on their fun genes that day. I mean c'mon! It's the Scissor Sisters!


I decided that after almost two years it was high time I actually ventured into Wales and headed off to Cardiff for the day, amidst warnings to 'be careful' and promises to 'not wander into the dodgy parts'. Ok, so it's a bit rough around the edges but the city centre is charming. Lots of Victorian arcades, wide streets, and it's FULL of pro-Wales shops selling you all manner of Welsh-related paraphenalia. I resisted the temptation to come home with lovespoons, the welsh rugby team home and away kits, teatowels with welsh poems emblazoned on them and fridge magnets with welsh lasses frolicking amongst the lambs and daffodils. Alright, so I bought something with the dragon on it...

The Millenium Stadium & Welsh Tartan

I strolled past the Millenium Stadium - very impressive - and the animal wall that leads to Cardiff Castle. It was such a beautiful day I didn't want to waste a second of that precious sunshine by taking a tour of the interior, as I figure I'll come back. I did wander around the grounds, up to the old Keep and watched the medieval activities - archery, juggling, falconry, sword-fighting, and a wonderful puppet show about the bold Sir Gawain. It was great fun, full of audience participation (booing, hissing and hurraying).


Even Goths like puppet shows!



Afterwards I strolled through some of the arcades (Castle St Arcade is one of the best) and the Cardiff Market, and marvelled at the large teenage goth population bravely wearing black in the intense heat, before making my way to the National Museum and Gallery. I had read in the trusty Lonely Planet that Cardiff had the best collection of Impressionist art in the UK. I must confess, this amazed me, so I thought I'd check it out. I had the good fortune to go there while there was an exhibit on why Cardiff had such a collection. Basically two Welsh sisters inherited pots of cash, and were the first people in the UK to begin collecting French Impressionist art. Their governess was deeply passionate about art, and her brother was an art buyer and advised them on most of their purchases.

Lonely Planet does not lie. The collection was amazing. I was literally squealing (my apologies to the other people there) everytime I went into a new room. These sisters had major pieces of impressionist art - and I'm talking about pieces that most people who know nothing about art would have seen before. 3 Monet 'Waterlillies' and 'Westminster', Pissaros, Renoirs, Turner's 'The Storm' series, and Rodin's sculpture 'The Kiss'. And many, many other priceless paintings and sculptures. The sisters served as nurses in France during WW1, and were understandably disturbed by their experiences. When they came home they set up a community where people could recuperate - sort of art therapy I suppose. They were great patrons of just about everything cultural in Wales - choirs, education, writing etc. Their brother was an inexhaustible campaigner for world peace. Neither sister married, so when they died their collection was gifted to the Welsh people.

Did I mention that the museum, gallery and all the special exhibits were free? I love Wales.