Wales Across the Pond: Week 5

P-day Monday, October 7th

Parking is difficult in the UK, especially downtown. It would only take us about 18mins to drive but parking is always an issue. It was only 3.3miles to walk so we decided to enjoy the day and get some exercise. On our walk We met a ladynamed Freya, who helped us navigate to Downtown and Cardiff Castle. She was kind enough to show us the best scenic route to the Castle through the park instead of walking on busy streets. We had a nice visit and found out her husband is from Texas. She invited us to visit her at her home in Cardiff. It is wonderful meeting new people as we walk around our area.

Path to Downtown and Cardiff Castle

A mini Stonehenge in the park on the way to the Castle.

Massive leaves at the river on our walk.

Cardiff Castle

The Residence at Cardiff Castle

The castle from the top of the Keep.

The Castle from the park side.

A bath with hot & cold running water. late 1800's

One of the first indoor toilets.

Created by the third Marquess of Bute in collaboration with the architect, William Burges, (who was also the architect of Castell Coch), little expense was spared in transforming the Castle in to a Welsh Victorian Camelot. The 3rd Marquess owned both but only stayed here 4-6 weeks a year. Here is a link to view the rooms in the castle. I could fill a whole blog with the pictures.

https://www.cardiffcastle.com/rooms/

The Keep.

The Keep is a place of last resort to go to in case of a siege or attack. It has a mote around it for extra safety.

After touring the castle we strolled around The City Center outdoor mall area.

We stopped in at Blue Bells to tryout their sticky toffee pudding, because Merthan Beck recommended it to us. It is hard to be a conosier of something you have never eaten before, so I will just have to take Merthan's word for it. It was good but I wouldn't call it a pudding. But Yorkshire pudding isn't pudding either. They are more like German pancakes. Basically I need to remember they just call things different across the pond.

Once again, we are loving the history in this area of Wales.

Tuesday, October 8th

We have been spending several hours each contacting ward members who haven't been out to church for a long time. So far several people no longer lived at the address listed, some we didn't catch at home. It reminds me of a statement from Elder Kearon's talk in the April 2024 conference, God's Intent is to Bring You Home, stated: "God is in relentless pursuit of you! He wants all of His children to return to him. Hopefully we can find some members to fellowship back to the covenant path.

We supported Elder Mecham & Nyoni by giving them a ride to Taffs Well, an area of the ward that is hard to get to. The ward boundaries are very large.

Wednesday October, 9th

Lunch after Bridgend District meeting. These young elders and sisters are amazing. Elder Santa Maria and Elder Abreo are from the Phillipines, Elder Nyoni is form Zimbabwe Africa, Sister Lunt from Herriman, UT and Sister Dixon from Richland, Washington

Downtown Ponty

After our district meeting and lunch we drove out district leaders back to Bridgend to help them shampoo their carpets so we could take the carpet cleaning machine back to another flat. It is always nice getting to know the elders and sisters on a more personal level. Elder Santa Maria told us of a place where you can by fresh organic milk from a dairy called The Milk Hut. The dairy made a little Kiosk that has a self serve machine where you buy the bottles and choose what flavor you would like. They had Salted Carmel Raspberry, Strawberry, Chocolate milkshake, Plain, Banana, Etc I think it's a great idea.

We chose plain, raspberry, chocolate and salted caramel

You don't realize you are so close to the coast without looking at a map. Just a couple of miles from The Milk Hut was this amazing view.

Ogmore-by-Sea

Light does amazing things to a landscape!

The Ocean was so calm and peaceful.

It was nice to be out of the hubbub of the city.

Thursday, October 10th

Dropped off the Carpet machine to the Caerphilly Elders. Then went to Pontypridd to visit somemore sisters on our list. We decided to visit and 84 yr old sister to see if she still lived in her home and to see if we could help her with anything. To our surprise Loraine was a very spry 84yr old. She was out in her garden cleaning up leaves and things. She lives in a 250yr old cottage. She invited us in and shared the history of her home. She had lived there for 25yrs. The walls were 2 1/2 feet thick. Stone walls hold in the cold. They usually had large fire places that would heat up the stone and keep the house warm. She didn't have her heaters on because she was outside working. It was quite chilly. Warmer outside than in. We spent a couple of hours just having a chat. She joined the church in Scotland when she was 22yrs old. She said she mostly joined because of the good looking young missionaries from the US. We love getting to know people and hearing their stories. Loraine also has a house in Cardiff which she shares with a 31 yr old autistic grandson. He has a job at the University and she is teaching him all the skills he will need to be independent. She is an amazing Grandmother. We are planning on seeing them at her house in Cardiff.

On our way back home Elder Herdt wanted to stop by a church and grave spot of the man who was the architect of the bridge in Pontypridd and several others in the area. As we are down in the valleys we always look up to the hills around us and wish we could see around from the vantage point at the top. This way back to our flat ended up being just that. It is always hard to tell what type of a road the maps will send you down. This road was a one vehicle wide road up to the top of the hill and down the other side. What a great view!

Eglwysilan church and cemetery

Built in 12-14th century on a 6th century foundation!

The Inn next door to the church. Rose & Crown reminded me of the place Elizabeth Bennet stayed with her aunt & uncle close to Mr. Darcy's Estate. It could have been called the Rose & Cran, not sure.

Friday, October 11th

The leaves on the trees aren't changing much but the leaves on these vines are gorgeous!

Today was a regroup day. We stayed in and made plans of how we can Love share and invite those we meet. I made 6 loaves of Zucchini bread to give out to some of our neighbors we had met. Elder Herdt was standing out back watching the kids play football on the pitch behind our house and a couple stopped to chat. Colin & Christine Summerfield are a delightful couple our are and have been married the same amount of years we have. They waited until the bread came out of the oven and then we walked with them to their house close by and had a drink of juice. We chatted for an hour or so and got their number so we could get together for a walk or dinner. There are so many wonderful kind people here in Wales.

Saturday, October 12th

Cardiff Stake Sister's Day

The Stake Sister's day consisted of a lesson on ministering and using YW 14yrs and up to serve as partners with RS sisters. The a brother who is a police officer in the stake taught about being prepared in the event the internet or power went out for an extended amount of time. It is always good to be prepared. Each missionary in our mission is given a 72hr emergency pack in case there is a need. The last part of the event we put together baby baths full of supplies for new mothers who are in need.