‍We left home at 7:45 for the 40 minute drive to Edwards’ Llantrisant depot. Being a Sunday morning, we were there by 8:15, in very good time for our 8:45 departure.

‍As is becoming the norm, everything was fuss-free. Parking space allocated, bags collected curb-side for loading and the coffee lounge awaiting. We were called to board on time and with just 2 further pick-up stops en-route we were heading into England not long after 10:00.

‍The “regular” coach is almost as comfortable as the Red Dragon; not quite but more than good enough. There’s only one driver, Rees, who solved many of the problems that might have been caused by saying that at any stops, help yourself to stuff, make a note and an honesty system applied - pay him after the trip is over. 

‍We stopped twice, around 11:30 for 30 minutes and around 14:15 for 45 minutes, pulling into the hotel just after 16:30.

‍The Maldron is right in the heart of the city. The duty manager came aboard to offer a welcome and used the restaurant to allow us all to complete registration forms at the same time which were in an envelope with our key-cards. That really speeded things up. The menu, included with the pack, offered 3 choices for each course (none of which were on the restaurant menu… fingers crossed; we’ll see) **

‍Our 4th floor room was described in the paperwork as “deluxe double”. I’d say good standard business room, well equipped (but with storage enough only for 1 person staying max 2 nights - that’s business rooms). Porterage was included and our cases were with us in about 10 minutes.

‍All-in-all a very good start to the trip.