Back to Cardiff – A Trip Down Memory Lane in Peggy

There are some places that always feel like home, no matter how many years have passed. For me, Cardiff is one of those places. It was my university town, my first home away from home, and the place where I survived a degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. So when Arnie and I pointed Peggy, our trusty Roller Team Pegasus motorhome, towards South Wales, I knew we were in for a trip full of memories.

Our base for the weekend was Rumney Rugby Club, which offered a handy overnight stop right next to a BMX track. The following morning we fired up the Harley LiveWire and headed into Cardiff, parking near the statue of Aneurin Bevan on Queen Street. Looking around, I was amazed at how much had changed since I left in 2006. New buildings seemed to be everywhere, including the impressive David Lloyd Centre, the BBC buildings and the constantly evolving city centre.

Of course, some things never change. Cardiff Market was still as fascinating as ever. Years ago it famously sold everything from pets to produce, and I remember puppies and kittens being a regular sight. These days it's packed with independent traders, delicious food stalls and quirky treasures. We wandered through the beautiful Victorian arcades, often called the "City of Arcades" because Cardiff has one of the finest collections of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades in Britain.

No trip to Cardiff would be complete without breakfast at the Prince of Wales pub. Once a grand theatre dating back to 1878, it is now one of the city's most famous pubs and remains a stunning building both inside and out.

From there we headed to Cardiff Castle. Although parts of the castle date back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times, much of what visitors see today was transformed in the Victorian era by the incredibly wealthy Marquess of Bute. The castle grounds remain one of the most beautiful places in the city and were perfect for a nostalgic wander.

Next came a visit to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Returning to the place where I studied felt surreal. The college has changed enormously since my student days, with modern extensions and facilities that would have made us very jealous back then!

Back on the LiveWire, we made our way towards Cardiff Bay via Splott, passing my very first terraced house and the infamous Black Bridge. Local legend always said that if you walked across it alone at night, you'd better make sure you had two cigarettes—one for yourself and one for the imaginary person you where with! Whether true or not, it certainly added a bit of excitement to the walk home.

Cardiff Bay has transformed beyond recognition over the years. Once one of the busiest coal-exporting docks in the world, it is now a vibrant waterfront destination. A fair was set up around the basin, adding to the atmosphere as we strolled towards the Norwegian Church. This charming white building was originally built for Norwegian sailors and is famous as the place where children's author Roald Dahl was baptised.

Our ride continued to Penarth, where we walked along the famous pier. Built in 1894, Penarth Pier has appeared in numerous television programmes and films over the years. The views across the Bristol Channel were stunning despite the ever-changing Welsh weather.

A little further along the coast we discovered Swanbridge, a lovely hidden gem with waterside restaurants and a handful of impressive houses overlooking the sea. It felt wonderfully peaceful and was the perfect place to stop and watch the world go by.

Then came Barry.

Now, Barry is famous worldwide thanks to Gavin and Stacey, but it provided us with our own unforgettable moment. After being overtaken somewhat enthusiastically by another driver, Arnie decided to demonstrate that the LiveWire still had plenty of acceleration left. Moments later, while waiting at traffic lights, a voice rang out in the unmistakable dulcet tones of a Barry local:

"OH KNOBHEAD!"

The timing was perfect. I nearly fell off the bike laughing. Any Gavin and Stacey fan would have expected Nessa herself to appear around the corner. Only in Barry!

We spent some time exploring the seafront and, naturally, Nessa's Arcade before a wet and rather soggy ride back to Cardiff and Peggy.

The following day Peggy took us further along the coast to Rhoose, where we stayed at the Llangan Caravan and Camping site for £30 per night including electric hook-up and shower facilities.

That evening we enjoyed a meal at the pub. The food was excellent, although I should offer a public safety announcement regarding sizzling steak plates. Apparently, touching one with your finger is not recommended. Who knew?

After making this important scientific discovery, I spent much of the evening cooling my finger on Arnie's beer while sipping red wine—purely for medicinal purposes, of course. The live singer in the pub was excellent, covering a wide range of songs and creating a fantastic atmosphere.

The next morning we explored Rhoose Beach, including the remains of an old derelict mill before heading to Rhoose Point. Here, standing stones have been erected in a former quarry that has since become a nature reserve. The area is also famous as the southernmost point of mainland Wales.

From Wales we crossed into England and made our way to Bristol. The LiveWire once again came out to play as we explored the historic harbour. We visited the magnificent SS Great Britain, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's revolutionary steamship launched in 1843 and considered one of the most important ships in maritime history.

A ride through Bristol revealed its colourful terraces and vibrant character before we crossed the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Designed by Brunel and completed in 1864, it spans the dramatic Avon Gorge and remains one of Britain's most recognisable landmarks. We rode across it, turned around and rode back again before walking across just to enjoy the views.

Our final major stop was Bath, one of Britain's most beautiful cities. Built largely from distinctive honey-coloured Bath stone, the city is famous for its Georgian architecture and Roman heritage. We wandered past the elegant Royal Crescent, admired Pulteney Bridge crossing the River Avon and enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere before the inevitable return of the rain.

A damp ride back to Peggy was made infinitely better by discovering a wood-fired pizza served from a container restaurant in a car park. It looked unlikely but turned out to be surprisingly good.

Before heading home, we made one last stop in Tetbury. This attractive Cotswold market town is packed with beautiful Bath stone buildings and independent shops. We were lucky enough to catch an exhibition by local artists in the Market Hall, originally built in 1655 as a wool market and still at the heart of town life today.

As we finally pointed Peggy towards home, we reflected on a trip that had been part nostalgia, part adventure and entirely memorable. From revisiting old student haunts and discovering how much Cardiff has changed, to being called a knobhead in Barry and nearly branding my finger with a steak plate, it was another journey packed with stories.

And after all, that's exactly what travelling in Peggy is all about.

Until next time.

Peggy and Crew