The 54 is a rare bus indeed. It runs just once a day and only on weekdays and only in one direction. It starts its journey at 6.25 in Rumney, heads up to St Mellons and does a loop around there before hopping over to Pontprennau, down to Pentwyn and Llanedyrn, up through Cyncoed and then across to Heath Hospital, arriving at 7.40am.
I hopped on an empty bus in Rumney but as we did a circuit of St Mellons it was getting properly light and more people got. All we had to do heading up to the A48 was stop to let off the odd passenger who had probably got on the 54 by mistake being only half awake.
Going along the A48 Eastern Avenue was a treat. Is this the only Cardiff Bus that goes on the Eastern Avenue I wonder?
We travelled down through the housing estates around Pentwyn I read my book about researching army ancestors, another hobby of mine which results in the Roath Virtual War Memorial. The trouble with picking up genealogy books in charity shops is they tend to be out of date as things move on quickly in genealogy research methods.
A surprising number of passengers alighted in Birchgrove but I stayed on with the hospital staff and went the whole route.
I remember catching another early bus as part of this challenge and going to Heath Park when it was covered in frost. Today the spring blossom was out. I was too early for the coffee kiosk to be open so wandered around a bit and ended up in the Wetherspoons pub, The Aneurin Bevan. I joined the other men having their breakfast there.
I got a bit lost getting back to the Heath Hospital and ended up in among Heath Park West buildings which appears to be part of Cardiff University for healthcare training. I thought I was trapped but did eventually find a gate that led back to the hospital and from there walked back to Rumney to collect my car.
Cardiff Capers 