If you recognise the quote in the title, go you. Those beautifully romantic words were of course uttered by Dave (from Dave’s Coaches) to the legendary Vanessa Shanessa Jenkins on their Wedding day. The infamous wedding did not happen in the end, but British TV sitcom ‘Gavin and Stacey’ has continued to live on in the nation’s hearts, 6 whole years after its last broadcast.

Last weekend me and my boyfriend went on a mini road trip, we travelled down to Wales in his lil Honda Jazz to experience once again the land of the dragon. On the Friday night we decided to stay in Cardiff, Jack booked the Penrhys Hotel B&B. Booked in advance it is an affordable option for students, the hotel itself was unlike any I’d stopped in before. If you are easily spooked stay well clear, it was like stepping into a scene from an old British horror movie; busily patterned wallpaper, stain glass windows, creepy old portraits. But after a few rum and cokes I slept just fine.

 

Cardiff is a beautiful city, far prettier than I had imagined with a vast range of shops, bars and restaurants. However, seen as though Jack and I are terrible at making decisions we ended up just going to Nandos! Ya can’t go wrong! But excitement was added to the trip when the waitress told me my dress looked “well lush” – I couldn’t have got a more welsh compliment.

The next morning we travelled onward to Barry Island for our Gavin and Stacey tour. It was booked on the brit movie tours UK website and I couldn’t recommend it more! If you are a fan of the series it’s a must, and hilarious tour guide Sally from the valley is the star of it all!

 

Once you are all aboard the original Dave’s coach you are whisked off on a 3hr tour to various set locations used in the series. We got to visit Nessa’s caravan, the church that played host to Neil’s christening and the Dave/Nessa wedding, Stacey’s House, the arcade Nessa works at and ended on beautiful Barry Beach. Despite ‘islands in the stream’s 8th appearance on  the playlist of this 3hr long tour (complete with pub stop-off) it was a right laugh and the gorgeous weather only made it better. We ended the day with an ice cream by the seaside before driving up to Newport for the night to get some rest before the long drive home.

I had a fabulous weekend, fun as always and I can’t wait for my next little adventure!

Em

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