March 2nd, Monday.
The kids woke early this morning. We were supposed to drive to Bath for a day trip, but weather forecast showed sunny weather in Cardiff today, and even better weather in Bath the next day. So we changed plan. We decided to swap the two days' itineraries and go for shopping at the factory outlets in Bridgend first.
So after the kids had their breakfast of soda bread (yeast free) and ham and fresh cherries, we dropped Kevin at his hospital and drove to Bridgend which is half an hour drive from Cardiff. We arrived there 10 minutes before the shops were due to open at 10am, so we hanged around.
Started at NEXT, which is one of the good old brands that I used to buy during student days. Got some long sleeve shirts that comes with ties and a pair of jeans for William, real man ties for hubby, shower gel, and then moved on to other shops. Got some chocolate and tea powder at Whittards, and also picked some socks for Victoria at M&S. Bought myself a pair of suede leather shoes for only 8pounds because my sneakers decided to open up it's crocodile mouth, lol!
Popped into many other shops like Christy's for bedlinen, Nike, GAP (bought Vic a very cheap jeans capris at less than 8pounds) etc but some of the things were not very cheap because their winter sale is just over.
The kids snacked on sausages (bought from a cart) and a cream puff (because we wanted to use the table and chairs at a cafe).Even if it's just shops, they loved walking in and out shops and running around outside. The place was not crowded, thank God.
We moved on for lunch at Ichiban which is a japanese restaurant run by one of Ivy's friends (again!) and whilst on the way there, William slept in the car. We carried him in his carseat straight into the restaurant and had our lunch there. I ordered gomoku gohan which is seafood fried rice (with mussels, prawns, scallops - all my favourite) and hubby had what Ivy ordered, which is a bowl of mostly sashimi and some steamed stuff and rice. Vic ordered the usual, her favourite unagi don.
We also had soft shell crab sushi and because the people there knows Ivy so well, we got bigger portions than normally served, and also complimentary fried salmon in pickle (that's super yummy!). We even go 20% discount off the bill!
Throughout lunch, which lasted till 230pm which is the time the restaurant had to close, William slept through. He only woke when we arrived Roath Park.
Roath Park is very huge. We drove around a bit looking for the lake with the ducks and swans and finally found it. There is a gorgeous lighthouse at the beginning of the lake that welcomes all visitors, and my my my, soooo many ducks and elegant swans and seagull and pigeons. I saw many mommies bringing their kids and babies out for a walk as the weather was simply beautiful with the sunshine out.
Naturally Vic and Will were excited to feed the birds. But we told Vic to wait till William finished his late lunch first, as we had limited buns with us (courtesy of the kids' snack in the morning). Whilst waiting, Vic wanted to pee and because it was quite a walk to the toilet, when we finally reached it, she wet her pants and trousers some part. Oh, and by the way, here in the UK, pants refer to underwear. So we have been kindly warned to use this word correctly in the UK. : )
I didn't bring extra pants in the bag, so poor Vic had to let her trousers dry in the weather. But her busyness with the birds soon had her forgotten all about the discomfort of her wet trousers.
William wasn't afraid of the swans. In fact, one got so near to him when the kids started to feed them. They were all coming at us. When William was holding out the bread and just before he could throw it at the swans to eat, the swan in front of him just reached out, unshy, and took the bread from his hand and in the process, had William little fingers in its mouth. I was shocked. William too. But he didn't cry, but that deterred him from feeding the birds anymore. He just watched, and prefered to be carried.
Vic, on the other hand was busy throwing small pieces of bun at the birds that kept coming nearer and nearer. Ivy had to protect her, and shoo the swans away. It was so funny, especially when Ivy said, "Shoo shoo!! Go away. I will shoot you if I have to!" I just kept laughing and laughing.
We spent a good 2 hours at Roath Park, I think. After we ran out of food for the birds, they naturally moved on. William and Vic ran and walked most of the way, while Vic and us tried to NOT step on landmines left behind by the birds, William happily ran on. Occassionally he drifted too near to the muddy area or the lake and we had to set him back on path.
Little buds have started to sprout under some trees but hardly any flowers yet. Probably another month's time but we won't be here to see them. : ( It's ok, I still love you, UK, whether flower or not.
The kids were tired, but very contented. Me too. I enjoyed myself so much at the park I wish I can feed the swans and ducks everyday, haha.
Dinner was special udon mee, homecooked by Ivy again. This time, with chicken broth soup and simmered chicken leg. Total yummilicious! The kids finished their bowl of noodles and even licked the last drop of soup off! Ivy is a great cook. I am now wondering if William will want to eat his boring salmon porridge back home again or not.
First signs of spring :)
Pigeons surveying the lake from a rooftop
The lighthouse stands proudly at the beginning of the lake in Roath Park
Feeding the swans and ducks and pigeons. The swans were not shy, not dangerous but can be intimidating if come too near.
A swan swims gracefully on the lake
Mummy with boy boy
Carry me, mummy!
Daddy with the kids 
William
Family pic
Another family pic
Kids fooling around with the buggy (stroller, in malaysia)
Tired kids. Daddy had to carry the big and small baby.
Another yummy home cooked dinner. This is the prawn filling that goes with warmed fajitas
Slurping all her pan mee soup until no more
William loves the chicken udon
Vic even makes sure there is no waste
Uncle Kevin and Ivy keeps the kids entertained. William has grown very attached to Uncle Kevin and looks for him all the time.
