Cardiff
May 21, 2019
My visit to Cardiff, or Cardiff Bay to be correct, was all about people. After manoeuvring (solo) through one of the huge lock gates in the Barrage, I entered the vast "Cardiff Bay" - an 800 acre fresh water marine playground, and moored right below the distinctive red Pierhead building, less distinctive Welsh Assembly building and magical copper roofed Welsh National Opera building. After my impromptu TV interview in front of the Norwegian church I met the HM and AHM of Cardiff Bay - Andrew Vye-Parminter and Tom Gifford.
The bay is fresh river water, it is oxygenated by underwater air pumps keeping it oxygenated and the barrage keeps out the sea, while allowing fish to travel in each direction over a weir and providing also protective gates when there are very high spring tides. Andrew and Tim have been looking after this huge success story for 20 and 16 years respectively, overseeing the thousands of sailors, swimmers, anglers, canoeists and walkers that enjoy the bay area. The bay hosts many events and Andrew's claim to fame is transporting Ian Rush (footballer) and the UEFA Cup across the bay to a floating football pitch!
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The Royal Navy came to inspect Good Dog and I met the amazing Commander Jane Allen 4,500 miles into her 5,500 "Round Britain Walk" (see photo). That evening I was invited to RN HQ Wales to meet some more super-friendly guys at HMS Cambria. Thank you Commander Steve Fry and team....not only for the crate of Naval beer!
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Final photo is my friends Pete and Clare who came for a magical evening sail around the bay
The bay is fresh river water, it is oxygenated by underwater air pumps keeping it oxygenated and the barrage keeps out the sea, while allowing fish to travel in each direction over a weir and providing also protective gates when there are very high spring tides. Andrew and Tim have been looking after this huge success story for 20 and 16 years respectively, overseeing the thousands of sailors, swimmers, anglers, canoeists and walkers that enjoy the bay area. The bay hosts many events and Andrew's claim to fame is transporting Ian Rush (footballer) and the UEFA Cup across the bay to a floating football pitch!
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The Royal Navy came to inspect Good Dog and I met the amazing Commander Jane Allen 4,500 miles into her 5,500 "Round Britain Walk" (see photo). That evening I was invited to RN HQ Wales to meet some more super-friendly guys at HMS Cambria. Thank you Commander Steve Fry and team....not only for the crate of Naval beer!
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Final photo is my friends Pete and Clare who came for a magical evening sail around the bay