It is my birthday, so I am meeting my daughter for lunch in Cardiff. The X91 will take me directly to Cardiff bus station from Llantwit Major. I meet her at noon and we have a lovely lunch with cocktails. Later we travel by car to Cefn Onn Park near Lisvane, north of Cardiff. The park was created by Ernest Prosser, General Manager of the Taff Vale, Cardiff and Rhymney Railway Companies in 1911. It was acquired by Cardiff Council in 1944.

There are many native, exotic and rare trees, all of which are clearly labelled, within the park. It also has Rhododendrons and Azaleas as star attractions: it did not disappoint. We kept to the paths passing a stunning array of Rhododendrons in a myriad of colours. The Azaleas, however, were past their best. The deep pink Candelabra Primulas were dotted upon the banks of the stream which ran through the park. There were a number of bridges crossing the stream, including a Japanese bridge.The stream poured into a small pond where Flag Irises, reeds, Water-plantain, ferns and large Gunnera plants were growing under a canopy of deciduous and evergreen trees. A cheeky Rook was parading alongside the pond, hopping on and off the rocks and onto the path: taking a sip of water then flying across the pond and back again. In the woods there were lots of Robins and Sparrows calling to their mates or warding off rivals. The occasional Grey Squirrel jumped from branch to branch or up and down the trunks of trees. Bees were buzzing amongst the Rhododendrons busy collecting pollen as they go.

After the walk we had tea in Penarth and then drove home. What a lovely day spent in the company of my daughter.