I had to visit Cardiff today to pick up my new Nikon Z 50-250 VR lens. While I was there I visited Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Castle is run by the local authority. They charge a whopping £16.50 for entrance. (If you think about it – the most they can possibly get away with). The castle is a Norman motte and bailey* type. The motte and much of the keep, (the castle bit), are still extant. You do get a good sense of the solid defensive nature of the castle. The walls must be at least 2m thick. They seem to be made of a flint type of stone. I don’t know how much is original, possibly quite a lot. There is also a museum about some Welsh regiments, and, some “World War II tunnels”, which I didn’t see.

In my imagination, “Cardiff Bay”, was some kind of nature reserve where I would have been able to try out my new lens on some wildlife. In fact, it is one of these modern dock conversions – full of eateries and cafés, as well as some fairground attractions. Still, it is quite tastefully done. You can also go on a short pleasure cruise around the bay.

I’m not sure I would have gone to Cardiff especially for either of these, but if you are there, both are worth a visit, (the castle more than the Bay area – since, ultimately, you can get a coffee and a bite to eat anywhere in Cardiff).

• The bailey would have been a wooden enclosure outside of the fortified keep.