Monday 5 August 2013

A city of two tales

A chance invitation to house-sit this last week, meant I was in town for the latest bloggy get together yesterday. Which town you say?
It's Cardiff, capital of Welsh Wales!

The first tale is of a get together with some lovely bloggers: Vix, Dee and Em. What a stunning group of women!

I have met Vix before; the friendliest blogger in the known universe, but sweet gentle Dee with her gorgeous red hair and big eyes, and beautiful Em with her lovely manner and gracious hostess skills are new to me. A few hours in, fuelled by killer strength mojitos, we were laughing like navvies.


Here's the way it goes: various bloggers turn up dressed to kill. First task is to find a reviving coffee after the journey. Then there's some serious shopping interspersed with sightseeing. Next comes lunch, always in Wetherspoons, usually washed down by jugfuls of cocktails, often involving social intercourse with pensioners. That takes a while and involves photographs. After that it all goes a bit woozy until we suddenly realise our train is due. At some point we open gifts!

It's a patented formula, and very successful it is too. Any bloggers wishing to establish a franchise are very welcome. Your only obligation is to have fun!
A book set in Africa and 1960s pattern from Vix and a couple of funky brooches from Em. 

Wetherspoons, where the smiles get wider! :D



















Miss Taunton, Miss Winchester and Miss Walsall. No competition, they were the best in show.

Vix just managed to save herself from a slovenly hair moment there. If there is one thing that we learned in Cardiff it is that 'slovenly hair can ruin all your chances'.

I advise you to take heed.
There's a lot to see in Cardiff. There's a giant panda roaming on some cafe tables, fine architecture which would not be out of place in Venice, a tribute to the late great Aneurin Bevan, founder of the NHS and a castle. Which is where the second tale begins.



















The traditional owner and resident of the castle on the right here, was the Marquess of Bute.

A resident on the street on the left, St Mary Street, was my four times great grandfather, the imaginatively named Mark Marks. Marks and the Marquess of Bute were well known to one another, and in 1841 the Marquess presented a plot of land to him.






































In the 1861 census, my relative can be found residing at 34 St Mary Street, which is today the Cardiff Oxfam Boutique. WHICH WE VISITED!!! I didn't know at the time that this was great great great great grandpappy's residence or I would have been squeaking in excitement, just as I am now.

Have you ever done any family history? I recommend it, it can be quite amazing what you discover. It can lend general history a fascinating new perspective. If you have, have you found out anything interesting? Any characters in your clan?

22 comments:

Vix said...

No way! The most expensive Oxfam known to man was where your relative lived? You should have demanded they gave you the £120 maxi dress as back rent!
So happy you could come, delighted you snapped the panda, I thought I had but got distracted by a larger lady in leggings! Slovenly hair will never do, why didn't one of us buy that picture, mojitos make us loose all shopping sense.
Can't wait till the next one! xxxxxx

Unknown said...

Bless you, what a lovely write up ;-) It was so great to meet you your a gorgeous, sweet lady thank you for helping to make it such a lovely day to. Those Mojitos well just imagine if we had had another jug :-) Bless you Im glad you were able to trace the Oxfam shop back to where your relative once lived its amazing how streets change over the years. Here is looking ahead to the next blog meet up :-) Love and hugs, dee xxx

Curtise said...

What a lovely day! The patented formula is a good one, it's tried and tested and works a treat, but I will need to have words with posh Wetherspoons in Chesterfield, do you think they watered down their mojitos? Shocking!
Excellent to see Vix, Em and Dee in their finery, to see all the pics of beautiful Cardiff (I have been a couple of times and love it), and to hear your fabulous story about your ancestor. What a fascinating tale, you must find out more about Mark Marks and his high falutin' friend the Marquess. Wonder why he gave him the land? What was the deal? Something dubious, I hope.
I too have been in that Oxfam and can confirm it is the Most Expensive Oxfam Ever.
PS. WHY didn't you buy the boobalicious green dress? WHY? I demand a recount.
PPS. Still sniggering about the granny pants and random gusts of wind. Flatulent grannies always make me laugh. xxxxx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

I do love reading about blog buddy dates! Looks like you lovely ladies had a fabulous day. I love the outfits. Wish I'd been there too!!! Xx

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I think it would be so neat to meet a group of fellow bloggers someday. The people who you get to know so much through writing the then get to meet in person. How neat!

Anonymous said...

What a great day out! Shame not to see any pics of you but hotfooted it to Vix's page to find some suitably gorgeous shots of you.
That is amazing that you found out all that info about Mark Marks. Never! ( That's my Welsh phrase out the way! ) Will have to squeeze it all out of you when I come to stay xx

Krista said...

I love your very own take on the day Tania! You ladies are a beautiful bunch and I would have thought you were famous for being gorgeous!!! The bit of history about your fours great grandpapa is so so so cool! I have our family history done on my Mom's side and was shocked to find out my great grandparents were first cousins!

ps...you need to email me your post I have a little something for you my dear:)
xxoo

polkadotpeticoat said...

It looks like a wonderful time.....nice to meet you!
Heidi

Fiona said...

A fun day out was had by all by the looks of it. I've been to wet Wales but not Cardiff, it looks a lovely city especially as it didn't even rain! Didn't realise Nye Bevan was a Cardiff man and how absolutely fascinating to learn that your antecedent once lived in the Oxfam shop. I wonder why the Marquess gave him the land, maybe Marks had some dirt on him and it was to keep him quiet? (yes, I've got a very colourful imagination.)

me said...

This looks like it was so much fun! I need to start getting together with bloggers near to me... Should prove interesting. Drinks will definitely be needed. :)

Helga said...

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
O, darling, I am so envious and SO wish I could have been there!!! Such FUNNAGE!!!! Such HOTTIES!!!!
Ha, and your relly once lived where that Oxfam is?! Bahaha! Bonus!
Feck I love blogger meetups!!
I love you, you're too awesome! XXXXXX

two squirrels said...

Oh it's so much fun seeing all you truly gorgeous ladies have a day together and play vintage hunting.
What a wonderful city..........look at all the beautiful buildings.
Happiness to you sweet.
Love V

Connie said...

This looks like so much fun! Gorgeous Girls! That 60's Nifty Shift pattern is perfection. Can't wait to see you in it. Isn't it amazing to walk in the footsteps of your long gone relatives?

Ofelia said...

Ahh, how I wish I was there!!!!
You all look like you had a blast and the fact that you got some family history as well makes even more fantastic!

Michelle Walker said...

Oh hi :) found your blog then found Miss D in your photos lol - I hang out in Tasmania with her old bestie Claire - such a small world this blogging thing :) xxx

Unknown said...

That looks fantastic. Wish we have blogger meetings here too, but I´m the only crazy lady in this town who´s blogging... And you are looking like a spanish senorita...

Miss Simmonds Says said...

How amazing! What a weird and wonderful coincidence! Lovely that your family lived in Cardiff where Em is from and up the road from me too! You all look utterly gorgeous, I wish I could've been there! You got some fab presents too. But what did you buy? You must show us! xxxx

Ivy Black said...

I had the best day! It was lovely to meet you finally and spend the day having such a laugh and being enticed by so much vintage frockery. And Wetherspoons...well I always say the Welsh know how to party.
Can't wait for next time.
xxxxxxx

his_girl_friday said...

Looks like so much fun! I love Cardiff!

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

I love your description of a "typical" blogger's meet-up. I use the word "typical" very loosely as there's absolutely nothing typical about watching a pack of gorgeous, hot wenches dressed to kill, creating mayhem for the town centre. I feel there should be a public announcement made so that people can make a special trip to watch the entertainment unfold :). I'm so envious of your meet-up, what a beautiful day for you all!! xoxo

Hannapat said...

Hello gorgeous lady. Not sure how this post passed me by. Looks like you had a fab time with some blogging friends and it sounds like a cracking plan to franchise the idea. Thanks for all the info on Cardiff, not really a city I know very well. It was very interesting indeed. Wishing you a lovely week my lovely xoxo

Unknown said...

Ergh, I am CHARTREUSE with envy!!! I'm coming over one day - promise me we'll all get together!!!

Sarah xxx