Cardiff Caravan Park Rally - 23rd to 30th March 2019
After reading a few Trip Advisor reports, we were a little apprehensive about this rally. On arrival, however, we were pleasantly surprised at the site and its surroundings. Located in the heart of the city surrounded by playing fields, Bute Park and Sophia Gardens, with the Glamorgan International cricket stadium right by the site exit. Also the Cardiff Bowling Club, Academy Tennis, Hockey and also the National Sports Academy located in the same area.
With all these activities on our doorstep the site was still quiet and peaceful. It is a Council run site and with the various cutbacks imposed on councils nowadays the 4 wardens do well to maintain it as well as they do. Although the facilities are dated, they were always kept clean and tidy, no mean feat considering the site was nearly fully occupied.
The River Taff runs along the edge of the sports field, about 100 meters from the site, and it was a pleasant 15-minute walk beside the river to get into the main shopping area of the city, passing Cardiff Castle on the way. The Castle was well worth a visit with its House tour, Castle Apartments and War Time shelters to see, it was possible to spend most of the day in there without getting bored.There were 15 motorhomes in attendance, and for some of us it was catch up time after Shrewsbury.
The weather was exceptionally kind to us all week, although the 4-30 meet and greet got decidedly chilly around 6-ish and we all snuck off back to our vans to get the dinner on and warm up. Sunday was spent strolling around the city and then chilling out by the vans, until at 4-30 we all met up by Swift Nick’s Motorhome, where we celebrated his 65th birthday in traditional style with cake and Prosecco. This was followed by a very rousing performance of Happy Birthday which certainly attracted the attention of our fellow campers.Monday saw several people taking the Big Red Bus Tour of Cardiff, an £11 ticket allowed hop on and off for 1 1\2 days. You could also do a similar route on the No 6 City bus for £4 but you didn’t get the commentary. Wednesday saw us all meeting up for the River Bus trip from the Castle to Cardiff Bay. It was a half hour ride downstream to the bay, previously Cardiff Docks, now a Marina and Sailing Lake. We took a pleasant stroll around the Marina, taking in the sights of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, built at a cost of £50 million, very impressive. Also, the Wooden Norwegian Church, built so that Norwegian sailors could pray when the docks were working, it’s now a café and art gallery. Spoilt for choice for lunch in the many restaurants and bars in the area, a few of us poor old pensioners opted for Wetherspoons. We then caught the return trip back to site.The afternoon had us gathering up at Marilyn and David’s motorhome for cakes and coffee. The Rally Raffle was then drawn, superbly organized by Jackie and John who raised £83.00 for future Rallies. As a newcomer it was nice to see all members taking part and generously donating gifts to the draw. We all agreed it was an excellent rally in a very good location.
After reading a few Trip Advisor reports, we were a little apprehensive about this rally. On arrival, however, we were pleasantly surprised at the site and its surroundings. Located in the heart of the city surrounded by playing fields, Bute Park and Sophia Gardens, with the Glamorgan International cricket stadium right by the site exit. Also the Cardiff Bowling Club, Academy Tennis, Hockey and also the National Sports Academy located in the same area.
With all these activities on our doorstep the site was still quiet and peaceful. It is a Council run site and with the various cutbacks imposed on councils nowadays the 4 wardens do well to maintain it as well as they do. Although the facilities are dated, they were always kept clean and tidy, no mean feat considering the site was nearly fully occupied.
The River Taff runs along the edge of the sports field, about 100 meters from the site, and it was a pleasant 15-minute walk beside the river to get into the main shopping area of the city, passing Cardiff Castle on the way. The Castle was well worth a visit with its House tour, Castle Apartments and War Time shelters to see, it was possible to spend most of the day in there without getting bored.There were 15 motorhomes in attendance, and for some of us it was catch up time after Shrewsbury.
The weather was exceptionally kind to us all week, although the 4-30 meet and greet got decidedly chilly around 6-ish and we all snuck off back to our vans to get the dinner on and warm up. Sunday was spent strolling around the city and then chilling out by the vans, until at 4-30 we all met up by Swift Nick’s Motorhome, where we celebrated his 65th birthday in traditional style with cake and Prosecco. This was followed by a very rousing performance of Happy Birthday which certainly attracted the attention of our fellow campers.Monday saw several people taking the Big Red Bus Tour of Cardiff, an £11 ticket allowed hop on and off for 1 1\2 days. You could also do a similar route on the No 6 City bus for £4 but you didn’t get the commentary. Wednesday saw us all meeting up for the River Bus trip from the Castle to Cardiff Bay. It was a half hour ride downstream to the bay, previously Cardiff Docks, now a Marina and Sailing Lake. We took a pleasant stroll around the Marina, taking in the sights of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, built at a cost of £50 million, very impressive. Also, the Wooden Norwegian Church, built so that Norwegian sailors could pray when the docks were working, it’s now a café and art gallery. Spoilt for choice for lunch in the many restaurants and bars in the area, a few of us poor old pensioners opted for Wetherspoons. We then caught the return trip back to site.The afternoon had us gathering up at Marilyn and David’s motorhome for cakes and coffee. The Rally Raffle was then drawn, superbly organized by Jackie and John who raised £83.00 for future Rallies. As a newcomer it was nice to see all members taking part and generously donating gifts to the draw. We all agreed it was an excellent rally in a very good location.