Tuesday 18th July 2023

Woke at 0830. Hernia repair giving me gip this morning. Got up and showered, then walked into town to breakfast at Starbucks. Went back to the hotel to finish downloading yesterday's photos. Set off for the northern suburbs. Had planned to lunch at Thornhill Farm Shop & Cafe, but was disappointed to find it had closed down! Repaired to a local Sainsbury's superstore, and bought a small quiche and a couple of dips, then parked up alongside some greensward on Heol Hir to eat it. Ended the working day on the Council Estates of Llanrumney. Saw some pretty grim stock on the Drawlings Close development, a low quality build 70s/80s era Council estate which included some ground floor bedsits. Got into one, which was tenanted by an autistic woman who was evidently a hoarder...you couldn't move in the bedsitting room, the bed being completely surrounded by boxes of stuff, and there was a strong smell of damp and signs of black mould in the bedsit. Drove back to the hotel and downloaded some of the photos, then walked over to Cote Brasserie for my dinner. Enjoyed a confit of pork belly with Savoy cabbage and dauphinoise potatoes. Called Aki from the hotel, then wandered along the road to Porter's Bar to take in the open mic night. Most people got up and did their own compositions, which is unusual, and there were some belting singers. The host, Jen, conjures a cheerful, supportive vibe...I promised to return next week with my guitar and harmonica.