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Sunday Sept 1st Cardiff then to Bath

Spent the morning exploring the Cardiff Castle, which was down the street from our hotel. There was also a 10k run happening, so busy place. We had a wonderful & energetic guide. A young 27 yr old who had his masters in medieval and Welsh history.

Tbe castle had its origins with the Romans (of course) from 55. But they gave up and were gone by 450 AD. It then went through times of languishing and various conquerers as Wales went through various wars and revolts. Then in 1776 Lord John Mountstuart married into the family and later become the first Marquess of Brute.  In 1865 the 3rd Marquess of Brute meets the architect William Burges. Over the next 16 years they transformed the castle into a neo Gothic dream palace.  This Marquess John Brute was the 3rd wealthiest man in the world from exporting coal out of Wales worldwide. Years later Jack Burges inherited the estate and owed a hefty inheritance tax. So instead of paying the tax, he decided to gift the castle to the city for all to visit and enjoy.







                                                                    The library
                                                                 Inside the keep
Dennis atop the keep

Then a 1 hr train ride to Bath. Checked in and out to do some laundry.  Got caught in a thunderstorm and down pour. Had some cake ( yum) while waiting out the storm and laundry. After a bit of a rest we started wandering the streets in Bath. So clean and calm compared to downtown Cardiff. Took pictures around town and had a bit of dinner.


                                                                The Avon River

                                                                The Bath Abbey



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