Wales - St Fagans National History Museum; Cardiff Castle

On Monday, 2nd September we visited the St Fagans National History Museum near Cardiff.  It's very much the same type of place as Skansen in Sweden - open air museum, but also with some indoor exhibits (although some indoor exhibits at St Fagans were closed for renovations).  We spent the morning having a good look around the grounds - very interesting.

 We bought delicious scones and fruit slice at the little bakehouse.  Only problem - the European wasps; they seem to be just about everywhere, seeking out your sweet treats.

 Thought about having a portrait photo taken here  in old fashioned clothes - but a little too expensive at nearly 40 pounds.

 The displays of Welsh homes from different periods was great - just walk next door for the same house but a different era.

 Old farm house...

 After leaving St Fagans we drove into Cardiff.  Some lovely old homes in central Cardiff:

 But in the main part of Cardiff is the Cardiff Castle - check out the stone animals coming over the castle wall...

 Inside the Cardiff castle grounds, looking across to the Castle Keep...

 These two birds were very insistent on getting our lunch...

 Emily found the medieval helmet a bit heavy....

 The wartime air raid shelters/tunnels in the castle:

 At the foot of the steps leading up to the Castle Keep...

 The clock tower of Cardiff Castle...

 Inside some of the chambers...

 The ornate ceiling of the Arab room...

 The banqueting hall - truly splendid...

 The library had many, many small carvings of animals , mainly monkeys and lizards...

 At the bottom of the octagon staircase...

 A place for souvenirs opposite the castle...

 Some cool cakes...

 Central cardiff...