Cardiff, Wales

Micaela was so excited for our Doctor Who day. Duff had purchased our tickets to Cardiff online for a greatly reduced price, but when we went to pick them up at Paddington Station we were told that they wouldn't release them to us unless we had the same credit card that was used in the transaction. This was because the tickets were not under our names but under Duff's. I was in a panic because we had already purchased our tickets to the Doctor Who Experience and the Doctor Who Walking Tour and things were planned down to the minute. While I was frantically trying to get in touch with Duff, who was preparing to go to the Who Do You Think You Are? conference, we missed our train.

But . . . all was not lost. Duff hurried over on the tube with the correct credit card and the Indian man who had very patiently helped us earlier let us come to the front of the line, and he got us onto the next train. He also explained how we could save time by taking a taxi in Cardiff instead of transferring to another train in order to make it to the Dr. Who Experience on time. And it all worked out. We got there in the nick of time.

After the taxi driver dropped us off (He took us as close as he could.) we were welcomed by the blue police box in Cardiff Bay.

Micaela's excitement was growing . . . .

When we entered the Experience, it was as if we were in a Doctor Who episode. We went inside the TARDIS, helped the Doctor escape his imprisonment, and encountered Daleks, Weeping Angels and Cybermen. Doctor Who called us the Shoppers and we barely got out of there alive. :-)

We spent a lot of time in the extensive museum that covers the entire Doctor Who history--back to 1963.

Micaela was asked to pose in different positions and with different facial expressions in front of the green screen. I overheard some of the people in line praising her acting abilities. Drama class has paid off!

 Micaela had fun choosing souvenirs for some friends.

We had been told by a Londoner that Wales has a reputation for always raining and that it receives one third more rain than London does. And in fact, it rained off and on the whole time we were there. Thankfully, we came prepared with umbrellas and warm clothing.

Our walking tour guide has been in many episodes of Doctor Who, Sherlock and Merlin and he told us anecdotes from the filming as we walked around the city.

We were told that we might run into the filming of Doctor Who, but perhaps they looked at the forecast and filmed indoors. However, we did run into a Dalek.

For Sherlock fans, this is the place where Sherlock first dons his deerstalker hat.

The England and Wales flags are flown together. The Welsh still have great pride in their language, culture and history.

After the three hour walking tour my legs were throbbing, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Cardiff Castle, which is right in the city center. We had blue skies when we first entered the castle walls, but by the time we got to the Norman Keep it was windy and rainy, and I thought we might either slip on the wet, steep, narrow stairs or be blown away.

The views from the top were stunning. What a beautiful city! Beyond the castle walls you can see the beloved rugby stadium. Wales was playing France that evening and the whole city was electric with enthusiasm. Many were dressed up with their faces painted.

We went to Starbucks for hot chocolate and rolls. The teenage boy who helped us talked me into trying one with cheese and Marmite. He said that Marmite is made from yeast and is very salty. "You either hate it or love it." Well, I quite liked it.

An incredible day! Just three more hours on the train and we were back in London!