After a nice lazy Saturday breakfast we went out for coffee and croissant at a popular recently opened place on Cathedral Road. It was warm enough for two large picture windows to be open, allowing some customers to sit on a pavement patio outside. For me, the noise was unusually intrusive as I've lost three quarters of the hearing in my right ear due to an accumulation of wax. These days so many bars and restuarants lack soft furnishings to soak up noise. It makes conversation difficult. Clients tend to shout to make themselves heard. It reminds me of spartan post-war school canteens I grew up with, except that today doesn't smell of boiled cabbage and spuds, but usually the more congenial aroma of coffee.
We went into the city centre after lunch on a brief expedition to get a print cartridge for Clare's machine. We took advantage of a quiet couple of hours while Wales played the Barbarians in a big match at the Millennium Stadium, but there were lots of people about, enjoying the warmth.
Union Jack bunting fluttered in abundance throughout the public realm, except for the section of the Hayes in front the St David's Shopping Centre where the public realm is managed, not by the Council but by Land Securities. Mean lot. On the other hand, the Brewery Quarter managers went nicely over the top with their bunting.
This was the Morgan Arcade, taken on my way home from work yesterday evening. It's just great to see so many places pulling together.
Recession is hitting every sector of the economy. Cardiff commerce hasn't been hit as hard as many places, largely due to the attractiveness and modernity of its offering to visitors both local and international. Much hard work is being invested by people in business to maintain high standards however. They know how much their livelihoods depend on getting people come and come again.
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