The River Town

On my last day in Cardiff, I eat some leftover breakfast from the previous day, grab a coffee, and had it out for one last day of hiking and sightseeing in Cardiff before heading back down towards London.in the past two hours, I had gotten a free ride from an out of service bus back into town, and I sat close to somebody who was listening to drum Corps music.if you read my previous posts,you would know how happy that made me.

after I walked through Caeau and llandaff fields, walked along the Taff river, and then walked down through Bute Park following the river dart of the little bit of hiking I had done in Wales, I think this one actually probably took the cake. I can't wait to go up and hike the Brecon Beacons and Snowden as such.

I then walked to see the Welsh Royal College of Drama and Cardiff University, snapping pictures of these historical spots as I went. I checked out the National Museum, which was free of charge but reminded me exactly of the one in London. I grabbed lunch at Breatos, a student-run burrito shop that was painted by the same illustrator i'd met at the castell coch tea shop. From here I was back to my AirB&B and got ready to head home.

Next up on my journeys was Bristol. stay tuned for updates!

Welsh Castles

For my first day in Cardiff, I went to see three Welsh castles: Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, and Caerphilly Castle. First on my list was the one right in town: Cardiff Castle. Lots of cool stuff was to be found inside.

I then went to the next stop, Castell Coch, which involved a short uber ride and was nestled along the Taff river in southern wales.

Fforest Fawr, right next to Castell Coch, was a perfect example of what I think of when I think of a medieval forest near a castle. I can definitely retrace their steps through this forest of people from past lives who may have struggled to get through the forest to get to the castle, even the castle was mainly for the third Marquess of Bute's partying.

I then sat down for a nice cup of Chai at the local Forest Tea Room. It is a quaint little spot in the middle of the forest that reminds me very much of a mom-and-pop's cabin, complete with a chicken and peacock coop. Although the peacocks did not embellish their feathers, I still enjoyed it all. Sounds of nature, crackling log fire, freshly grilled pancakes, the blooming lilacs on the trees, and the stillness of time in this place.

 The last stop of my day with me to Caerphilly Castle Castle that was built in the 12th century and has never been under any sort of successful siege. All I have tried all have failed.even though there was the least amount for substance here, this concentric castle definitely both of the best sites.I don't get on a train to Cefn Onn park, the pictures, missed the bus back to town and walked a half hour to grab some food.

The White Rose City

Once occupied by Vikings, conquered by Germans, and still containing way too many castle walls to walk upon, York Is one of the oldest towns in Europe that still stands. Sharing a name with my hometown in Pennsylvania, this city is definitely the most culturally infused between the 2.

I started my journey off by going to the merchant Hall, A medieval Guildhall dedicated to merchant adventurers. Just inside the castle walls that Still protect the inside city, it is the oldest surviving of its kind.

After this, I traveled all around the city seeing the oldest gates (bars) of the city, learning about their bloodiest war Thornton (akin to my York's Gettysburg), and exploring other things. I saw an exhibition on magic and sorcery, walked the castle walls, got dwarfed by a massive church, and enjoyed some monk brewed beer (whilst being a monk for a week myself: see 'The Zen Experience'). I even saw the university I could've stayed abroad at (St. John University).

Between you and me, York England was way better than York Pennsylvania. I will endeavor to return at some point in my future if time and financial status allows. Stay tuned, all!

My Personal Founding Father

For those of you that may not know, I am from a little state called Pennsylvania. He translates from Penn's Woods, and was founded in 1683 by William Penn. Originally, I never had no one or never would have guessed that the founder of my state was originally from a small town that I worked in for my first occupational therapy placement. At the end of the four week placement though, my educator took me to a pub called the Pennsylvanian that was named after him, and then to the local museum then had a detailed plan about his life.  I then found out where he was buried, set my sights on going to visit him.

To see the grave of William Penn, I had to walk through 20 minutes worth of British countryside near the Chilterns. There was no pavement to be found on the road, In certain parts there was no strip of grass or forest to walk here either, so it was incredibly terrifying.quickly enough, I went on a clear day in February where there were not a lot of people on the road, so I could print a long open sections of road if need be.

After walking a mile and crossing the road at least 13 times to avoid becoming road pancake, I finally found it, the small cemetery in which William Penn was buried. I had a brief chat with him and thank him for all that he had done in America to found the nation, and then I followed the footpath out of the cemetery and into the small town of Jordans, where his first Quaker community was settled.

 I got a bottle of water in the Jordans community store after a quick little hike up the road, I could still smell like stale smoke filling the air. it won an award in 2018 for the best kept village in Buckinghamshire. I introduced myself to the shopkeeper, and immediately, the rest of the customers started chatting to me as well.after all, it isn't every day that you meet an American from Pennsylvania.

I then went to a little pub called the jolly cricketers in Seer Green. it was a quaint location with a very small town and home vibe.I would recommend this pub to anyone who is able to make it up that way, although getting there from London isn't exactly easy if you don't have your own car or the money for an Uber.

And so march the day that I went to see the founder of my state. Stay tuned for more!