The No.23 goes in the opposite direction to the No.21 around Whitchurch and Rhiwbina. The used to be a No.22 route but it was scrapped after a bus absconded one day and was last seen heading over the Severn Bridge. Whether the passengers ever managed to get off before Devizes is not known but Mr Appleby missed his hospital appointment and is now Secretary of the Wiltshire Ramblers. No, ignore all that, just my imagination running wild.
Another wet day. Itโs been raining for a month in South Wales and Iโm pleased to report our reservoirs are now almost full after the summer drought. It can stop raining now! I alighted in Rhiwbina intending to walk to a nearby pub but spotted a load of beer barrels on the pavement opposite and thought I would investigate more. It was the Rhiwbina Tap and looked inviting so I went in. I think theyโve lost their sign.
This is one of the new style bars serving craft beers, distinguishable from the traditional beers by being ยฃ2 more expensive, 10oC colder and needing to be drunk whilst sat on hard chairs. Iโm going to have to get used to it and enter the modern age or become a cynic. Actually the beer was good and so was the atmosphere and the service so no complaints there. I had a pint of Panettone beer from the Arbor Bristol brewery.
My book for the trip was โA Gentleman in Moscowโ by Amor Towels. What a great read. Itโs tells the story of a Count under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow after the Russian Revolution. I chuckled when reading the following whist supping my beer. When the Count and his young companion, Nina, stumble upon a room containing banqueting utensils:
Nina asks โWhatโs that?โ
โAn asparagus serverโ he explained.
โDoes a banquette really need an asparagus server?โ
โDoes an orchestra really need a bassoon?โ
I came out and went for a very brisk walk around Rhiwbina Park, arriving back at the bus stop just in the nick of time to catch the next No.23 into town which was by now getting busy with people heading to Winter Wonderland.
Cardiff Capers 