Top Must Do Attractions In Cardiff Wales

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a vibrant bustling city perfect for a weekend away. What is just so perfect about Cardiff is that the centre, with its theatres, big brand shops, and independent boutiques and cafes, is easily walkable. It's a short car ride from my hometown on the South Wales coast, so we visit often and really love the city.

At the moment most of us can't travel in the UK, but when restrictions are lifted, and it's safe to do so, I can really recommend visiting Cardiff for a fun-filled city break.

Here are some of my top attractions in Cardiff. This is an advertorial.

Take in the history at Cardiff Castle



Cardiff castle stands in the centre of the city and is one of Wales' leading historic attractions. It consists of a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion, as well as an original motte and bailey castle built in the 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd century Roman fort. It's a really interesting place to visit for all you history buffs out there, and it also holds music concerts too. Tickets to visit the castle are £14.50 per adult, and £10 per child, with under 5's free and family tickets available too.

Shop the independent shops and eat in the independent cafes



Cardiff is known for its independent shops and cafes especially in the Victorian and Edwardian arcades. Hawkes Essentials is a stylish menswear shop favoured by Mr W and check out The Plan cafe, for a great cup of coffee and some healthy salads, both in Morgan Arcade. Other favourites include Cameraland and Wally's Deli which is almost a Cardiff institution in the Royal Arcade and Crystals, for well-priced jewellery in Castle Arcade. Outside of the arcades, a cute little place for some refreshments is Pettigrew Tea Rooms where all the cakes are homemade, see the deliciousness above. 

Immerse yourself in an escape room



If you are visiting Cardiff and are looking for something different to do, especially with a small group of people, try one of the many escape rooms. If you are not sure what an escape room is, then let me explain, you are locked into a room for 60 minutes with other people and have to use your intellect to get out by solving the themed puzzles. It's great family-friendly fun although you can also do more adult games involving serial killers and unsolved murders! I can recommend Escape Reality as well as Adventure Rooms Cardiff which is our personal favourite.

See how the Welsh used to live at St Fagans 



St Fagans - the National Museum Of History in Wales, is an excellent museum within 10 to 15 minutes drive of the centre of the city. This open-air museum documents Welsh life from the past and is free to enter. Walk around the original buildings some of which have been dismantled and re-erected there. A highlight of our trip was the Gwalia Supply Co, a typical general store from the South Wales valleys and St Teilos church with its unexpected 15th-century paintings inside. For more details check out this post and video on St Fagans on the travel blog I write with my husband, Fly Drive Explore.

Take a stroll around Cardiff Bay



A 25-minute walk or little over a 5-minute drive from the centre of the city, Cardiff Bay is a lovely area to take a stroll. You can walk around the Cardiff Bay Barrage to the little town of Penarth, see the Norweigan church, which was built to serve the Norwegian sailors who docked in the city and take in a show at the Millenium Centre. There are also plenty of restaurants too as well as a brilliant science museum for kids called Techniquest. If you are interested in politics you can also tour The Senedd, designed by Richard Rogers, where the Welsh parliament make the laws of the land.

See how Wales evolved at the National Museum Cardiff

National Museum Of Cardiff

The National Museum of Cardiff is a free to enter museum, an easy walk from the main shopping area of Cardiff. With a great national history section exploring the evolution of Wales and art from the 1500s to the modern-day, it's worth spending some time here if you enjoy visiting museums. At the moment there is a great exhibition on the actor Richard Burton which I would love to see.

Where to stay in Cardiff


Ok, you can't stay in Cardiff Castle but Cardiff has a number of hotels to stay in, at a range of budgets. Our favourites include the Hilton, Hotel Indigo, Premier Inn and the Clayton hotel. If you want to stay in a serviced apartment have a look at SITU Serviced Apartments. Apartments are great if you want that extra space as city centre hotels typically have small rooms, and serviced apartments can be surprisingly affordable as well. 

So here is my guide to some of the top attractions in Cardiff. Let me know, have you been to Cardiff? Would you like to visit?

* Image National Museum of Cardiff creative commons copyright free

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The Things That Have Changed In Families in Lockdown And How They Haven't Really

Many things have changed for families over the past several months from not being able to see friends and extended family members, to holidays and days out being cancelled, to having to school from home. However, there are several things that still look very much the same. In a world that is constantly changing, It may be hard to see the things that have stayed the same and to focus on those good things.

Here are some of the similarities and differences in many family households as we continue into the new year.

Mornings: Things That Have Stayed The Same 


Mornings are still a struggle for most of us even if we’re not leaving the house. While we may have the luxury of having more time to get ready for school and work, these things will still start at a certain time - and everybody knows that deadlines are best completed at the 11th hour. So as parents, we’ll still have to contend with slow-moving children, somebody insisting that they no longer like the cereal they have asked you to buy or somebody in the house waking up on the wrong side of bed. 

Working from home and doing homeschooling should be much easier, right? No navigating the rush hour or dealing with that work colleague you don't get on with. Nope. In spite of not having everybody rush to the door with the right shoes on their feet and the right shirts on their backs, the mornings are still always going to be rushed!

It’s Noisy - All The Time 

woman in bath

Having everyone at home all the time was never going to be a quiet experience – especially when there is no physical place for anybody to go. Peace and quiet have gone out of the window since school started from home. Now that the weather is colder, kids are less likely to be incentivised by being sent out into the garden to play so you can enjoy a cup of coffee in peace. Many of us live in flats too, so there is no outside space. It means less time to ourselves. 

Make sure you try and have some time away from the kids, whether that is a bath in peace or half an hour watching your favourite programmes. It really is relentless.  Check out the top 73 apps for firestick for a choice of TV stations when you've watched everything else on normal tv.

You Get To See Your Kids Progress 

child reading

When you send your kids to school all day, you don’t get to see how they’re doing. We’ve all had those ‘How was school?’ ‘Fine’ ‘What did you do?’ ‘Nothing much’ conversations with our kids. It’s hard to know exactly what they’ve learnt about until parent/teacher conference time.

Now that we’re home with our kids and seeing just how much they have picked up in spite of these extraordinary circumstances. At school, you don’t get to see what they retain, what makes them tick and the things they enjoy and grow passionate about in real-time. Sure, you get to see it over time, but this is something so unique and beautiful about the times we are living in. 

We get to see more of how smart, fun, and creative out kids are which is the biggest privilege of them all.

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Easy Ways To Avoid Buying Bottled Water But Stay Dehydrated

Depending on where you are, the tap water may be unsafe to drink. Coupled with the unhealthiness of soft drinks, this has led to a surge in popularity for bottled water. As an unfortunate side effect, over 300 million plastic bottles are used globally per day. When you consider the fact that each plastic bottle takes over 700 years to decompose, it is not such a good sign for the environment. Take a look at these ways to drink more water without buying bottled water. They can make your carbon footprint a lot smaller.

1. Reuse Your Bottle

drinking water

Use a Berkey water filter to purify your drinking water. You can use it to fill a reusable bottle that you can take with you. It is a good idea to keep a bottle on you at all times. Use a stainless steel bottle or an insulated model to keep your drink cool when you're out in the sun. Remember to fill your bottle every morning. Remember to change filters regularly. This will keep your water pure and ensure that there are no contaminants or bacteria in it.

2. Boil Out the Contaminants

If you find that the perfect thing to energize you in the morning is a fresh glass of cold water, boil a kettle or a pot of tap water before you go to bed at night. It will cool down overnight and will be completely bacteria-free. You can drink a glass of the purified water at home and fill a reusable bottle with some to have on the go. If the taste doesn't appeal to you, carry some packets of a flavoured drink mix with you to add to your water.

3. Crack Open a Coconut


If you have the choice between a bottle of water or a coconut, think about enjoying some hydrating coconut water. It can not only keep you hydrated, but it is a delicious solution to your thirst. It also contains numerous benefits for your health. This solution is best to use while you are on vacation. In tropical areas, coconuts are much cheaper than they are in the United States. In many popular tourist destinations, the cost of a coconut (with a reusable bamboo straw) is comparable to the cost of bottled water.

4. Filter Your Water Via Reverse-Osmosis

One of the products that is endorsed by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is the iSpring. It works to purify and remineralise your water. It will pull all of the minerals out of the water to cleanse them and put then it will put them back again. The osmosis process presses your water through specially designed screens to clear it of contaminants. Drinking demineralised reverse-osmosis filtered water can cause your body to lose nutrients so it is important to get a filter that will provide a remineralisation service.

5. Make Your Water Taste Good


One way to make skipping your regular bottled water easier is to make the alternative irresistible. Try filtering some water at night and mixing in some powdered flavouring or sweetener, or add lemon juice, a slice of lemon and a little sugar.  Not only can this help you drink more water throughout the day but it is a pleasant change from plain water. Canned seltzer is also a popular drink. Cans, while not friendly to the environment, are more amenable than plastic bottles.

6. Invest in a Portable Steriliser

There are many products on the market today that can sterilize your drinking water by using the power of UV rays. The most popular is SteriPen. This portable water sterilizer can give you water that is free of bacteria and other contaminants. It has its own UV lamp that is activated by minerals in the water. Just stir it to destroy the harmful microbes and bacteria. It takes just three minutes to sterilize around 2 cups of water.

Drinking clean water is essential to living. Not only is it important for keeping us hydrated but it can help to strengthen our immune systems and help us stay fit. Unfortunately, clean drinking water is not always available but bottles are so hazardous to the environment. Use these simple tips to help you get potable water whenever you need it. They can make it so that you never feel the need to buy bottled water again.

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Are You Thinking About Starting Some Gardening Following Divorce?

If you’re going through a divorce, you’ll no doubt be looking for ways to help you get through such a difficult time. So, why not try gardening?

Going through a divorce is one of the most difficult things anyone is likely to experience. You’ll be forced to contend with the emotional fallout of separating from your partner, as well as having to make arrangements for your children and any shared finances.

If you’re going through a divorce with the help of a Bath, Birmingham or Bristol divorce lawyer, you’ll likely be looking for different ways to help you cope. What better way to do so than to partake in a spot of gardening?

Gardening has a wide range of benefits, both for your mental and physical health, which makes it a great hobby if you’re looking for ways to get through this trying time. But what exactly makes gardening so great? Keep reading to learn more…

How Can Gardening Help You Through Your Divorce?

Reduces Stress

woman gardening

Feeling overwhelmed during all this is completely understandable if you’re going through a divorce. You’ll have a million and one things to organise, and the rest of your life won’t stand still to help you solve them.

That’s where gardening can come in handy. It’s a fantastic stress reliever, as it can help to lower the stress hormone levels in your body. In fact, a research study found that gardening can lower your stress levels more than reading. 

Acts as a Mood Booster

Keeping up appearances is difficult during a divorce. Even if you’re putting on a brave face for your friends and family, you might still be finding your situation difficult to cope with. This can inevitably lead to feelings of anxiety, and sometimes even depression.

Gardening can act as a great mood booster if your divorce has you feeling blue. To back this up, multiple studies have taken place which saw people take part in ‘gardening interventions’, which helped to reduce mental health symptoms, such as depression.

Builds Up Your Self Esteem

Naturally, everyone’s circumstances are different when it comes to divorce, but feelings of low self-esteem are pretty universal. Your confidence may have been set back by experiencing such a difficult event, and you’ll need a bit of building back up.

That’s where gardening comes in handy. Taking part in simple forms of outdoor work can help you to build your confidence, as it allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment whilst also broadening your own skills. You don’t even have to be a green-fingered wizard to get started!

Gives You The Perfect Distraction

gardening

Divorces have the tendency to take over your life. So, if you don’t have the sort of job or personal life that allows you to regularly take your mind off your divorce, then you’re going to want to enjoy a hobby that gives you a much-needed distraction.

Gardening is great for that very reason. You’ll have the distraction of working to achieve a goal, as well as being able to embrace the outdoors.

Gives You A Sense Of Agency And Empowerment

Divorce can leave you feeling powerless, especially if the way everything has transpired is beyond your control. So, why not find a way of empowering yourself?

If you start gardening, you’ll have full control over your very own project. Want to plant a batch of carrots? Go for it. Always wanted to impress your neighbours with an extravagant flower bed? You’re the boss.

You get the picture – these small wins can go a long way when it comes to giving you back a sense of agency.

A Great Way To Get Physical Exercise

digging the ground

For some people, the last thing they are worried about following a divorce is physical exercise. Shying away from a jog around the block is understandable if you’re feeling low, but gardening can help to combine a stimulating hobby with great physical exercise!

It might seem a little cliché, but physical exercise is one of the best ways of helping to improve your mental health, which may have taken a big knock following your divorce. So, what better way to combine the two.

Helps You To Find A Community To Talk To

Feelings of isolation are completely natural following a divorce. To combat this, this new life chapter could mean that you have the chance to make a fresh start and get to know a whole new bunch of people.

There are bound to be a number of different gardening communities in your local area who can help you to get started if you’re a gardening newbie. Don’t be afraid to reach out; they’ll be more than happy to lend a hand!

Can Give You The Chance To Connect With Children

If you’re struggling to cope with your divorce, then your children are likely to be finding the situation even more difficult to come to terms with. This will mean that you’ll have to find ways of reaching out and connecting with them wherever you can.

Gardening is perfect for just that. It can give you the chance to work on a project together and to have natural conversations that can improve your bond with one another.

Are You Thinking About Starting Some Gardening Following Divorce?

plant

So, how does gardening sound now? If you don’t have any prior gardening experience, then it’s much easier than you might think to get started. All you need is a green space, a few simple tools and a bit of enthusiasm!

It will always take some time to get through a divorce, but getting stuck into some outdoor work can be the perfect way to start the next chapter in your life.

Are you already a keen gardener? Do you know any other ways that gardening might help someone to get through their divorce? Feel free to leave a comment below so we can get as much useful advice out there as possible!
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3 Simple Ways To Make Your Everyday Dinners Exciting

Cooking dinner each night can often result in making the same meals. It is not often we all dive into recipe books, buy new ingredients, or try something different. We seem to make more of an occasion of trying new things when we eat out. But eating in can be just as fun. 

There are simple ways of making your meals exciting, by eating in different locations or eating with other people, both of which it is difficult to do at the moment. However there are some things you can do to make your home-based meals more exciting, like being more experimental, and that means with the types of meals you cook and how you cook it. Let's have a look at what they are.


Try A New Cuisine

It can be easy to get stuck in a routine of cooking the same dishes every week. The best way of stopping yourself from cooking the same meals is to introduce new cuisines into your diet. For example, you could put on an oriental spread by following Chinese New Year Recipes or try tapas by getting advice from a Spanish cookbook. There are so many cuisines you can get experimental with and have fun with. I find investing in some spice rubs or spice kits from a new cuisine good for this. You may not have all of the right equipment to make it traditional, but there are always tweaked recipes so that you can enjoy any international dish from the comfort of your own home. 

Cook Smaller Dishes Instead Of A Main


Cooking dinner does not mean you have to stick to cooking one main dish. Have fun by cooking lots of smaller dishes for yourself or your family to enjoy. Smaller tapas-style dishes can make an exciting array of flavours and cuisines. Small plates are a great way to make the perfect dinner party menu. The next time you are eating with a group of people at home, make a list of small dishes you would love to cook and have fun with them. Dinner is not just about one meal; it should involve a bit of fun and spontaneity too. 

Change Up The Timings

wok

If you have had a long day or are not a keen chef, then it can be easy to grab convenience foods and ready meals that may not be good for you. If you are lazy with cooking, you can make more out of your meals by slow cooking. Whether you are a meat-eater or a vegetarian, using a slow cooker can make your meals more flavoursome and cheap cuts of meat more tender with little to no effort. With slow cooking recipes, you just chuck it all into the slow cooker, add your liquid, such as stock, pop the lid on, set the heat and away you go, in 4 to 8 hours you have a hot meal.  If you do not have a slow cooker or wish to get one, why not buy a wok and stir fry everything? This quick way of cooking food, locks the flavour and nutrients in, just don't overcook it.  Be experimental with the timings and see what difference it makes to the dish’s flavour and texture.

There is no need to make dinner time a dull experience. These simple yet effective ideas can make any dinner time, weekday or weekend, exciting. Whether you are cooking for yourself or a group of people, it is always great to have fun in the kitchen and experiment with flavours, recipes, and cooking techniques. 

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5 Ways To Stay Warm And Cosy In Winter

If there is a cold spell where you live at the moment or if you know there is one coming up, you may be concerned about keeping warm, especially if you are on a budget. There is nothing worse than sitting in your home in the cold, but with a little preparation, you can be warm and cosy and it doesn't have to cost the earth. 

So here are some ideas for the home to stay warm and cosy in winter. This is an advertorial.

1. Dress in cosy clothes



So my first tip is dress in cosy clothing. Ensure you have a decent set of thermal underwear. This can be bought quite cheaply from high street stores. If you do not have thermal clothing, don't forget dressing in layers can really keep the warm in. Layer your clothes, vest or camisole, top, jumper, cardigan, and you will be surprised how much that can make a difference. I've just bought some thermal leggings and they are really warm. Don't forget your head and your feet. A cosy pair of women's or men's slippers can keep your feet toasty when worn with socks, and a scarf and hat are a great addition to your winter wardrobe.

2. Consider the heating



Ok, heating a home is expensive, but there are ways in which you can save on heating. If you have a big house, you could just heat the rooms you are in and turn the radiators off in the other rooms. Stop heat escaping by using draught excluders around your doors, closing the curtains and consider radiator foil. Get the boiler serviced before a cold spell to ensure it won't break down or you could be stuck with an expensive emergency call-out fee and no heating. A portable heater can be bought on many high streets and provides an extra blast of heat on very cold days, worth it though so you don't have to heat the whole house. Prepare in advance and get logs in if you have an open fire, and use on the coldest days. You may get help with heating costs if you are on benefits too so be sure to check your entitlement, and you may get an energy grant for insulation and double glazing, depending on where you live.

3. Don't forget blankets



Blankets these days come in many forms, including heated blankets, fleece blankets, and weighted blankets. Heated blankets are a godsend in cold weather, just be sure to buy from a reputable company that it has the UK Safety mark and you stop using it if it showing signs of wear and tear. Weighted blankets are thought to help with anxiety and also promote a deeper sleep so are worth investing in.

4. Personal heating devices



There are today several devices on the market which are personal heating devices or gadgets. These range from traditional devices such as hot water bottles to hand warmers, heat pads and heated jackets. These range in price but a hot water bottle and hand warmers can be bought from as little as £5. The more expensive devices can make a great birthday or Christmas present if you are short of money. I particularly like the sound of heated jackets, which can be bought in the sales to keep costs down.

For those who prefer a classic, comforting approach, The Hot Water Bottle Shop offers an extensive range of stylish and safe hot water bottles, eco-friendly designs, and even microwaveable warmers that are perfect for both pain relief and pure cosiness. Their collection blends luxury with practicality — a modern upgrade to a timeless winter essential.

5. Eat and drink warming food



There is nothing better than a warming bowl of soup on a cold day. When it gets cold outside, be sure to fill up on hot food and leave the cold sandwiches for another time. Vegetable soup costs relatively little to make, just chop up a load of vegetables, add a stock cube and water and boil until tender. A soup maker can make and blend the soup in no time. Stews are also lovely and warming. Why not invest in a slow cooker for as little as £15? These can make great soups, stews and curries and make cheap cuts of meat tender. A hot chocolate is always nice on a cold day too or even a mug of mulled wine. If you are counting the pennies to payday, even a packet of soup you can add hot water to or a mug of tea can make the difference to being cold or being warm.

As you can see there are lots of ways to stay warm and cosy in Winter and many don't have to break the bank. Let me know, do you have any recommendations on how to stay warm and cosy in Winter?

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