Iโve just been reading about a popular computer game called ‘Croydon: London Bus Simulator’. Whoever would have thought that would sell. It may be a wet miserable day but I decided to go for the real thing rather ran use a simulator. Today it was the No.21 to Rhiwbina and Whitchurch and a ride on an electric Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530. Itโs getting a bit serious now I am beginning to spot the difference between the types of buses.
I went to see my great-grandparents. They are buried in Pant Mawr Cemetery. Itโs an appropriate time of year to visit as he was called Evan Christmas Thomas. I never knew them but I spent quite a few years researching them and eventually tracked him down to a small village in West Wales. When the woollen industry collapsed he closed his woollen mill and came to Cardiff as a paint salesman. In 1907 he was unlucky enough to be involved in what must have been one of the first ever hit-and-run cycling accidents on the road between Merthyr and Brecon in 1907. The newspaper reports make fascinating reading. I wrote up the highlights in Itโs Beginning to Look a Lot Like Charismas.
I did find my great grandparents though they have fallen over since my last visit. Their red granite headstone used to be tied to a stake as it had evidently become unstable. The people from Bereavement Services regularly go around doing stability tests. Iโve seen them do it and they give the headstone a real shove. At some stage it must have been decided to lay this one flat rather than just secure it to a stake.
After paying my respects I had a wander around. Iโd never seen the interesting large Chinese section in the cemetery. Back on the bus again and out of the rain I headed for Whitchurch and got off in the heart of the village. I sought refuge in The Plough, a former Brains pub now owned by Marsdonโs but still selling Brains beers. I had a pint of Santaโs Ale and jolly nice it was too.
My book for the day was โDeep Country: Five Years in the Welsh Hillsโ by Neil Ansell. Itโs a lovely read about a man who came to Wales and lived in a cottage for five years on his own with no utilities. Itโs a gentle read, no bravado or arrogance or looking for sympathy. He has a wonderful in-depth knowledge of nature.
I noted in the bus station that some timetables and routes are changing in January including the No.7 route. Now what should I do? Ignore it, re-do it at the end or re-do it in January? A real dilemma. Iโve got Christmas to think about it and seek counselling.
Cardiff Capers 