The Bucket List

A work in progress

So, I have had a think about all the things that make Cardiff Cardiff. What do people do when they come here, what makes their time memorable?

What is intrinsically Cardiff? Where would you take friends if they were visiting? What shows Cardiff off to its best?

What is so Cardiff, that Cardiff simply wouldn’t be Cardiff without it?

Here is my list so far:

Eating and Drinking

·         The vegetarian food studio in Grangetown

·         Mint and Mustard

·         The Havelli

·         Afternoon tea at Waterloo Garden Tea Rooms

·         Have a waffle at Waffles Coffee shop on Clive Road

·         The New York Deli

·         Lunch at Madame Fromage in the arcade

·         Dinner at Madeiras

·         Drink Mojitos in the Yurt at Milgis

·         Eat Pasta a Cibo’s in Pontcanna

·         Breakfast in Brava on Eggs Benedict

·         Replace lunch with ice cream at Cadwaladrs in the Bay

·         Sample a Thayers Ice Cream

Experiences

·         Go to a Cardiff Devils ice hockey match

·         Take a speed boat tour of the Bay in work lunch hour

·         Take the open top bus Cardiff tour

·         Have a picnic in Roath Park and row a boat on the lake

·         Have a tour of Brains Brewery and drink a pint of the Dark

·         Have a night out with Cardiff Celeb royalty

·         Go to Barry Island, go on rides at the fair and eat fish and chips on a deck chair

·         Watch a Welsh National Opera performance

·         Go on the Llandaff ghost walk

·         Spend a night in the St David’s Spa

·         Take part in a trapeze class with the No Fit State Circus

·         Watch a classic at Chapter

·         See Wales play rugby at the Millenium Stadium

·         Eat fish and chips post 2am on Caroline Street AKA Chippy Ally

Places

·         Cardiff Castle

·         St Fagans

·         Cardiff Museum

·         Cosmeston Lakes

·         Techniquest

People

·         Spot Charlotte Church

·         See the friends I have in Cardiff that I don’t see often enough at all

·         Say goodbye and apologise to an old boyfriend

 I don’t think this is the final list, more of a document in progress, and thanks to all the people who have contributed so far.

Some of the things on the list I have done already but need to revisit. Some I am worried might not be possible in the time frame. But one thing is for sure, I don’t think I can leave happily before I can tick off as many of these off the list as possible. I'll keep my progress updated.

Happy hunting...

Leaving Cardiff

For over eight years I have loved living in Cardiff – but now it’s time to leave.

To be honest, I don’t really want to leave but I am being moved on. I say that like I have no choice - I do, of course have a choice, but there have been some rather timely happenings that have given me more than a little nudge to pastures new. In fact, everything points to me to move and begin my new life in the Midlands with my lovely boyfriend. For example, losing my job and becoming homeless.

I blame my Grandmother. In December, on her birthday, she said she wanted only two things. One was for her son (my Dad) to live closer. Cue my Dad buying a Cafe in Worcester and getting a place only 15 minutes walk from her doorstep.

The second was to have her granddaughter (me) to live closer. I know now that it was only a matter of time before I fell victim.

You see, the problem is, I am not really a ‘leave your life behind just to be with your boyfriend’ type of girl. I like living my own, separate Claire life. I have friends here who I can go to their house uninvited and unannounced and I am always welcome. I have a friend who calls me her wife, and a friend who when I became homeless gave me a home. I have (well, soon to be had) a job I love and which still amazes me how I ever managed to get it. I have a view from my desk of the Bay. My manager challenges me to shoe designing competitions. There are great places to eat and drink here. I know where the best pasta is, where the best mojito is made. I know the best place to have your hair done, the best bikini waxer in town and where to get a perfect brow shape for £5. I know people – everywhere I go I see someone from somewhere in my life here. And I love Wales...

But alas. My life is obviously in control of the gods. And, not that the move will be so bad. For three years I have had a ‘weekend’ relationship, either hurtling down the M50 before I can have a glass of wine after a hard week at work or having to come home and be a good girlfriend and cook something nice without getting too drunk before he arrives.

I won’t have to pack and unpack and pack and unpack. I can see my friends on Saturday and my boyfriend on a Wednesday. I can live in a house that I’m more than just a lodger in. I can leave my dinner plates unwashed by the sink and not feel guilty. I can have pets. I will always have my full wardrobe at my disposal. If I’m sick, I will have someone to cook for me. I can stop spending half of my salary on petrol and chocolate bars and Quavers from Ross on Wye service station. I can do housework on Tuesdays. I can chill out on Thursdays.

So. Even if it is to the land-locked Midlands, it seems the decision is made and I only have about ten weeks left in Cardiff.

In that time, I am determined to do everything humanly possible to leave with no regrets. I need a plan to keep me busy, to keep my mind off moving, off leaving the place I love. I need to do of all the things I should do, visit all the places that should be visited, eat all the best food that can be eaten, shop all the best shops to shop and see all the people that should be seen.

I am in need of a jam-packed 'Leaving Cardiff Bucket List'.

Thinking caps on...