Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.
Though often in this blog I've made it clear that I've always admired Pontypridd when compared to Bridgend Town I hadn't been there,other to watch a rugby game in over a year and quite fancied going on Thursday if only because...well I'll come back to that later.
Unusually this week there were no issues with the weather. So no matter when wife/daughter woke up we could spend a part of the day there. Thus the Kia Picanto was fired up and the three of us arrived there just before twelve.
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| High Noon At Ponty |
After lunch we started to wander around the town centre. In terms of comparison with Bridgend Town nothing has changed. It's still better. There is no sense of decay here. There did not appear to be many shop closures since I last visited with a noticeable exception. The Marks and Spencer was closed roughly a year ago. As far as I can work out an outlet store aside there is only one Marks and Spencer store now between Cardiff and Swansea and that's in Neath. I'll confirm that if I ever go there.
Generally though to a visitor's eye this is a town centre at ease with itself.
One of the highlights for me was in Pontypridd Market.
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| Are you watching Bridgend Council? |
One of the highlights for me was in Pontypridd Market.
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| Pontypridd Market |
And specifically to the bookstall selling pre owned books.
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| Inter Books |
The ladies went off to do some shopping by themselves. I had an half an hour.
This is a small but quietly wonderful place. Even more so given the decline of bookshops, There is the sense that you as a reader have the chance of the thrill of discovery which the internet for all it's wonders can't match. If you're a reader and you're in Pontypridd give it a visit. For remember, it's sort is dying.
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| This is how I like a bookshop to be |
I could have bought between eighteen and eighty books that afternoon. But I controlled my Penguin book addiction and just bought eight.Starting with...
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| 1440 - John Wyndham - The Midwich Cuckoos |
I am a fan of John Wyndham books. I reckon because he was able to write science fiction in the style of an ordinary novel. Thus making it relatable to his readers.
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| 442 - Graham Greene - Brighton Rock |
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| 765 - The Innocence Of Father Brown |
Confession time. I've never read a G K Chesterton book. Solely because of having so many books and so little time (aka life).This also applies to this next novel.
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| 2535 - Colette - My Mother's House |
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| 1425 - Honor Tracey -The Straight And Narrow Path |
I've never heard of this writer before. So to be honest I really can't say anything yet.
There was a series of books called Penguin Specials which were about the issues of the day. I bought two of them. Firstly.
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| S222 - John Mander - Great Britain Or Little England |
This is a book about Britain's place in the world post Empire. I bought it because it might be timely post Brexit.
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| S182 - Edward Crankshaw - Khrushchev's Russia |
I bought this because it appeared interesting.
And finally.
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| Francoise Sagan - La Chamade |
I think I've mentioned before how surprisingly emotionally affected I was by Bonjour Tristesse. So any chance I get to buy another book by Ms Sagan will always be taken.
Before leaving for home we visited Pontypridd Museum.
This is a small place. On the ground floor there are exhibitions which this time was an art one. I won't lie this is not to my taste but each to their own. It is a converted chapel which explains this showpiece.
Upstairs shows us more with regard to history of Ponty. It also has this which if you put an old style 10p (which they will give you in exchange for a current one) one of the trains will move around the place.
As long as you don't go in expecting the British museum. I reckon you'll like what you'll see.
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| Pontypridd Museum....with added finger |
This is a small place. On the ground floor there are exhibitions which this time was an art one. I won't lie this is not to my taste but each to their own. It is a converted chapel which explains this showpiece.
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| Impressive |
Upstairs shows us more with regard to history of Ponty. It also has this which if you put an old style 10p (which they will give you in exchange for a current one) one of the trains will move around the place.
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| For the child in us all |
As long as you don't go in expecting the British museum. I reckon you'll like what you'll see.
We left having enjoyed ourselves. It was a good afternoon,
Until the next time.
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