𝗕𝘂𝘀-𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸-𝗕𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 – Cardiff Bus No.17

The Cardiff Bus No’s 17 and 18 head out west from the city centre to Ely and Caerau, using the same route until they cross Ely Bridge then the 17 goes clockwise and the 18 anti-clockwise.  I looked at the route map and decided I’d visit the ruins of St Mary’s Church and Caerau Hill Fort, somewhere I haven’t been for quite some time.

The smooth No 17 electric bus whirred to a halt in traffic on Cowbridge Road for some unknown reason, but armed with a book I didn’t have a care in the world. I noticed how my mental attitude to such as stoppage was completely different than if it were to have happened  on my normal route into town to a meeting or alike.  After 15 minutes we were moving again though on these quiet electric buses I hadn’t even noticed.

On my walk up the hill I spotted newish Caer Heritage Hidden Hill Fort Centre and being both curious and cheeky I popped my head in. It a was a great find from a number of angles.  They had some finds on display uncovered from recent excavations both at the hill fort and Trelai Park.  Also, the people there were able to tell me all about the excavation activities and the involvement of the local community.

I climbed the hill and had the area to myself.  I can see why it’s called the hidden hill fort as there is nothing there to see – it’s in the imagination. I thought the orange markers in the adjoining field marked some recent excavations but they were just feeding buckets for the cows.  Easy mistake.  There’s not much left of St Mary’s Church and unfortunately it is very prone to vandalism being so isolated. Some recent damage to graves was sad to see.

I had got off the bus at a stop called the 4^th Glamorgan Homeguard Club and thought it worth a closer look, if only for its unique name.  It’s a friendly place, lots of snooker being played both on the table and the TV. I even had a chat with the ex-Wales pool champion.  The Guinness was certainly decent.  My book for the day was ‘Cracking the Elements’ by Rebecca Mileham.  I describe it as a dipping book i.e. a good book for dipping in and out of and in this case reading about all the elements and the periodic table.

I jumped off my No.17 bus when it got back to Wood Street in town to take a photo, only to be thwarted by the fact it had already changed its headboard to the No.18.  Lucky I don’t approach these hobbies too seriously.

Catch up on past Bus-Book-Beverage adventures.