Lunch at the Clink - prison restaurant

I was delightfully surprised that I was allowed to take pictures as long as i didn't take them of prisoners.

We were greeted at the door and taken to our table  We had reservations as we called yesterday for a reservation then but it was full.  Luckily we had one more day and were able to get a reservation today.  It was a highlight of our trip

We chatted with out server.  He told us he had to be in the locked up prison for 3 months to prove himself until he obtained a D rating which allows him to live in a non locked up part and go home for 5 days at a time on a schedule.  He is set for release Nov 21 and looks forward to being with his son  and return to his work as a builder. 

Prisoners wear freshly pressed black pants and shirt and tie.

For drinks i had the alcohol free cocktail of the day - which was mango and other fruits.

I ordered Pumpkin and Goat Cheese pithivier pureed squash and creamed spinach.

Norbert had Roast Chicken Breast with Rosemary and Shallot Puree with Roast baby carrots and braised leeks. The plates are huge so portions look small.  We found them just right.

For dessert I had Chocolate and Peanut Butter tart with marshmallow and toffee dust.

Norbert had Plum and Rhubarb Tart tatin with Ginger Sorbet.  All delicious.

The literature we were given says Within the first year of release 46.9% of all adult ex offenders reoffend and within 5 years 75 % will reoffend.   The Clink's Five Step Program (Recruit, Train,Audit, Employ, Mentor) has dramatically reduced the reoffending rate of those who have been part of the training program to 12.5% determined by an independent audit.



Women
The Clink Gardens Program for women started in 2014.  Women prisoners receive training and gain experience in Horticulture in order to achieve City and Guilds qualifications.


The fruit, vegetables , and herbs produced from the Clink Gardens are delivered to the Restaurants along wit eggs from the chickens cared for by the women.

Tomorrow we fly to Dublin and Sunday we fly home so this will be my last post. for this trip.

 A rainbow sendoff

South Africa in April  ...   stay tuned

Cardiff

 Millennium Stadium where World Cup (Rugby) will  start Sat afternoon.   We can walk to the stadium but we leave here tomorrow - Saturday.  Sunday Wales vs Uruguay .  Hotel rooms are all close to $400 and up. Luckily we made our reservation 6 months ago before the prices were set.  Our hotel is sold out of course.

Water Taxi

Swans are everywhere

Norwegian Church where Roald Dahl was baptized

Barrage - these control the water flow to Cardiff Bay changing it from a swamp to a center for culture and expensive homes

The Millennium Centre arts complex.  Locals call it the armadillo :)

 Cardiff Castle

Amazing science hands on center for all ages

 There are many beautiful gardens in the city

 Just titled "Girl"

BBC Studios

Train to Cardiff - names you will recognize

The train from Shrewsbury England to Cardiff Wales was a little over 2 hours.  Trains are quiet and comfortable and we had a wonderful conversation with May who was born in Glasgow, Scotland but now lives in Swansea which is near Cardiff.  She was returning home from a visit to family in Glasgow.

                                                         She was as fun as she looks.  She said she could never afford these trips if she had to pay.  Her late husband worked for the RR and she has a pass for life.

One stop on the way.  Many will recognize this town from My Fair Lady where "Hurricanes Hardly Happen!"

We knew we were back in Wales when we saw this sign

               

Also from our room - 2 pedestrian streets of restaurants.   We carry our own breakfast and eat our main meal mid afternoon.  So many choices! Two walking streets of cafes and restaurants.

                                                              We chose this restaurant

                      Our waiter, Zoltan, from Hungary.  We enjoyed conversation with him. 

Our one day in England

Our trip from Machynlleth to Cardiff required a change of trains in Shrewsbury which is in England so we decided to spend one night here.  It proved a great decision.  And while it rained much of the trip , it was very light when we arrived.  We had hoped to take the 45 minute boat trip on the River Severn and were afraid it would be rained out but our amazing luck continued/

 Charles Darwin was born here and this sculpture commemorates him

Explanation of the statue and there is also a timeline of evolution

 Our boat

 Each turn had a new view

 I love the reflections in the water

 Note the high water mark on the wall

After we had dinner in a Pub that was an old factory. It is huge and yet fills.  We ate at 4 on a rainy day to were able to get in without a reservation

Pictures while wandering through Machynlleth on a lazy Sunday

One stop shop - Wedding car, Funeral,  Tomb stone

Wonderful old buildings

A park

Wonderful Welsh word

A family garden

This chair is beautiful.  The arms look like harps.  The sign in front would not let me get a full picture.

The oldest building we saw - Plaque on the above building

Side street

Lace Curtains in Ireland and Wales

I have known that lace curtains were a prt of life for Irish in Ireland and often in the states.  I saw these in family visits when I was a child.  I had forgotten as people dispersed so it was a piece of nostalgia when I saw all the lace curtains as we travel around.  Here are some examples.