Welsh Medal Winners Welcome Home

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Photo of Sean Nicole Cooke's cousin copyright Paul Thomas 2008Today was a great day for Wales in Cardiff Bay – the return of the Wales Olympic gold medal winners Nicole Cooke, Tom James and Geraint Thomas and silver medal winner David Davies.

I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for Nicole Cooke since she comes from close to where I live.  She’s from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan.  The welcoming crowd in Cardiff Bay today seemed to agree – the biggest cheer was saved for Nicole though the organisers had arranged for her to be presented to the crowd last of all.

The photo at the top is of Nicole’s cousin Sean who came down to Cardiff to welcome her.

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Llantwit Major Sunset

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We had a quick run down to Llantwit Major beach last night.  It was probably one of the best evenings that we have had for quite a while, and the evening light was amazing.

The beach was quite quiet which was surprising considering that it was the start of the holiday weekend.  There were a 3 or 4 camper vans parked up in the valley leading to the beach, and just a few cars and that was it.

Illtud’s 216 Gastro Pub, Llantwit Major

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View of Illtud's 216 from outsideI was looking for somewhere local for my special girl’s birthday last Sunday.  A friend suggested “Illtud’s 216” in Llantwit Major.  Of course I knew it, but had never been.  For me it was famous as where Pugsley went after leaving the well known Plough and Harrow in nearby Marcross.  I quickly discovered that Pugsley had sold up and the place was now owned and run by Georg and Einar Fuchs.  Georg had previously been executive chef in the St David’s Hotel in Cardiff Bay.

I booked a table of 12 in advance for Sunday lunch.  A couple of days before I had to drop the numbers down to 10 and then 9, but they were nothing but accommodating every time I spoke to them.

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Nicole Cooke – Olympics Gold Medal Winner from Wick

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Nicole and her Gold MedalLocal girl Nicole Cooke has done us proud winning a Gold Medal in the Beijing Olympic games.  Nicole is from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan. Nicole snatched victory in the Women’s Cycling Road Race against strong competition.

Best of luck in Wednesday’s time-trial.

Update 14th August 2008: Unfortunately Nicole came in 15th in the time-trial. Never mind!

Usk Natural Burial Ground Open Day

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View of the burial groundWhen we were up in Usk a few weeks back we visited the natural burial ground at Usk Castle Chase. My mother is buried there.  By coincidence they were having an “Open Day” which I must admit I found a bit bizarre but I suppose even burial grounds and funeral directors need to do a bit of marketing!

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