August 2026. Newport. (The Gwent one).
It had been too long. A first night in Newport’s historic IBIS Budget (it wasn’t) since The Great Year of GBG Completion when it was only £34.
Well, rather pricier 4 years later, with City and Arsenal fans fighting over Cardiff hotels after The Weeknd (who ?) had priority over Wembley for the Charity Shield.
But the Ibis staff are great, the WiFi works, it’s just off the M4, and there’s actual Welsh coffee and tea from Pwlhelli, which obviously has a rare microclimate.
On my last visit I learnt the most important lesson a man can learn.
You don’t need to do a chicken run across the M4; there’s a secret underpass on Malpas Road,
one of over 300 designated scary underpasses in Wales’ 3rd city (which is twice as big as Hollywood Wrecsam). I’ve never seen Clockwork Orange but this is what I imagine it looks like Newport at night.
I left Mrs RM to her blog, dodged the gaggle of Gooners with newly ironed scarves at the door, and walked the mile to the centre.
Most of that mile looks like this,
a walk under the flyover till you reach the castle.
Some decent historical murals approaching the town city centre,
but I’m heading across the Usk, looking a little sorry for itself after a summer of drought.
Don’t worry though, it’s only weather.
Riverside has the football club, the mammoth Clarence House with scary “Sports Bar” at the bottom,
and some fine examples of “trees growing out of buildings“.
But you’ve been reading for two minutes; you’ll be wanting a pub I guess.
retiredmartin 