Gourmet anniversary

Despite rain overnight and early clouds, the sun broke through and shone brightly mid morning, a most welcome enhancement on this feast of Christ's Transfiguration, our fifty-fifth wedding anniversary. Clare received a congratulatory text message from Amanda by breakfast time. 

We drove to Penarth Marina to see if we could get a table for lunch. Last night I went to book one on the La Marina restaurant website, but was disturbed to find that full card details including the security number on the back were required to obtain a booking, so proceded no further. Although the page in question states the card details are stored in a secure location, there's no way of vetting its security credentials. No way of knowing it's not open to hacking, or a scam. Anyway we arrived at midday and able to book a table for one without any problem.

La Marina is located inside the restored 19th century Custom House building, and has a table capacity of around a hundred. It has an authentic Spanish ethos with an ordering counter where you can see the meat or fish to choose from on display, next to the kitchen. The service was good and the food excellent. Clare had grilled asparagus and swordfish, I had fish soup, the best I have ever tasted, and huge piece of tender belly pork with caramelised onions - plus perfectly cooked veg. A feast worthy of the celebration.

We walked along the cliff top afterwards in a strong breeze, thankfully not too cool, then headed home, thinking that our next family feast in Cardiff must be at La Marina.

This evening we watched the on-line National Eisteddfod ceremony for the chairing of this year's bard. It's the poetry competition in which ancient strict rules of poetic form are the medium for expression of the chosen theme - this year, 'Awakening'. Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan was the winner. Coincidentally, he is the chair of the Tregaron Eisteddfod committee which was meant to host last year's event, cancelled due to covid, It's hoped that Tregaron will be able to host the next Eisteddfod in summer 2022, an event to look forward to in whatever shape it takes in the 'new normal'.