Big wheel in Cardiff Bay at the moment
One of the features of Cardiff’s Mermaid Quay in the summer is this big wheel, giving views over Cardiff Bay. It’s not really that big, but I decided one lunchtime that I would take my camera and have a mini adventure. It was three rotations for £4 so didn’t take long.
View from the top of the big wheel – the Wales Millennium Centre and the Pierhead Building. At this time a couple of weeks ago the Oval Basin (Roald Dahl Plass) was being prepared with stalls for the Cardiff Bay Food Festival
The views from the wheel were a little disappointing as the pod was surrounded with dingy perspex and there were few gaps through which to poke my camera. But I did the best I could and apologise for the reflections in some of the pictures.
The eateries and shops of Mermaid Quay – behind the colourful buildings in the middle stands the London plane tree I am following this year
Flashing lights in the centre of the wheel
On the way up on the big wheel
A view over the Bay…
…zooming in on the Norwegian Church, just visible in the middle here
Pierhead Building with reflections
Pierhead Building through a gap
A longer shot of the Pierhead Building
The roof of the Senedd building, home of the National Assembly for Wales
The distinctive building of Atradius – a financial services company…
…and a closer look
The view towards Penarth with the Somerset coast in the distance beyond the Barrage, which now keeps out the tide and impounds Cardiff Bay
Another view towards Penarth, with the Gothic revival 19th century Church of St Augustine prominent on the left
Back on the ground again
For a clearer view of the lovely buildings of Cardiff Bay, you might like to see this earlier post of mine.
I have to admit that the headline for this post was prompted by the extremely catchy Automobile Association advert that has returned to UK TV screens this year – it features a little girl singing along with Tina Turner’s Proud Mary (Big wheel keep on turnin’) in the back of a car.
A much too catchy ad for the AA
Actually the mouth and the singing were superimposed from an older child, but it’s still an advert you have to admire, whether you love it or hate it. If you haven’t seen it, judge for yourself by viewing the video here.
The Squirrelbasket 
You were brave – nothing would induce me to get on that wheel! As for the pictures, you did well for getting them through grotty perspex, thank you for making the effort, I enjoyed them.
I don’t have TV so haven’t seen the advert before, not a fan of Tina Turner so did not enjoy it.
Sorry about that! To be honest I preferred the original version of the song by Creedence Clearwater Revival…
All the best 🙂
So good to see a different view of a city. And interesting as I don’t know Cardiff at all, though I ‘d love to get there to watch some rugby some time. Maybe it’s the angle but the Senedd building seems quite small? Forgive my ignorance about the Assembly.
Even people in Wales are “ignorant” about the Assembly. But yes, I suppose it is small, compared to the House of Commons, say.
All the best 🙂
I think it’s great to get a different perspective 🙂 Coincidentally, I think you would like the book I’m reading now Pat – Enchantee by Gita Trelease. Featuring la magie, Paris, Versaille … and hot air balloons.
Right, I have instantly bought that for my Kindle – I so trust your recommendations on this sort of genre!
Hope you are enjoying your summer break 🙂
Look forward to hearing your thoughts Pat! I haven’t been able to shake it off (still in my thoughts).
May be my next read, then – but so many books to choose from, so little time!
All the best 🙂
A fascinating way to view a city. I also dont know Cardiff very well but I am learning a lot.
I am also learning as I hardly knew the bay area of the city until I started working here 18 months ago…
All the best 🙂