34th Birthday Celebrations and Welsh Magical Mystery Tour – Sunday 23rd March 2025

Words by Wales Chapter Coordinator Helen Hunter
Pictures by Kate Thomas

Thankfully, our rescheduled Figaro 34th Birthday Celebration was able to go ahead after being postponed a month earlier because of horrendous weather. I deliberately didn’t detail our stopping off points when I sent out maps/postcodes as I wanted this to be a bit of a (magical) mystery tour – hoping that most of our group didn’t know the area and couldn’t guess where we would be going.

Starting with Caerphilly Castle and its large moat in the background, we didn’t have to drive far for our first stop and photo opportunity, providing some great shots for Kate and Phil, our unofficial photographers. While waiting for members to arrive, we started attracting attention from lots of people visiting the castle. Families with small children seemed enthralled, taking photos, videos, asking questions about the cars – but we all know this about our precious Figgies – they’re so cute and adorable.

Our first stop was at The Twyn, where there is a large, bronze statue of the comedy magician (hence the magic in the mystery tour) Tommy Cooper, who was born in Caerphilly. The majority of our group were surprised to learn this fact.

Our convoy of colourful Figgies attracted quite a bit of attention as we circumnavigated the town centre – lots of Figgy smiles, waves, and beep beeps from the locals.

Our next stop was the fairytale-style castle, Castell Coch, another venue that many of our group hadn’t visited before and another fabulous photo opportunity. As we arrived, there was a film crew in the car park who filmed us driving in and parking. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to ask why they were there filming or if we were going to appear on a particular video/TV programme. We were able to take a peek inside the castle – a folly built for the Marquess of Bute, a wealthy landowner, which was built on the mediaeval ruins of a castle. With more time, it is well worth paying to go inside to view all the unusual, quirky rooms, should anyone be visiting South Wales at some point.

From Castell Coch we travelled along the forestry drive, encountering some very surprised walkers who waved excitedly when they saw us and car drivers beeping as we passed them. Next was a stop at the New House Country Hotel, which has far-reaching views over Cardiff Bay and Penarth – a stunning panorama on sunny days. It was here that we had coffee and a piece of birthday cake to, belatedly, celebrate the Figaro’s 34th Birthday.

Next stop was Parc Cefn Onn on the outskirts of Cardiff to have a stroll in the park to see the beautiful display of Camellias and Magnolia trees. Despite a lack of parking space at the park, fortunately, there was a pub within walking distance where there was sufficient space for parking and plenty of beverages on offer for those who had developed a thirst.

Our final stop was at the Ffynnon Wen pub for a late Sunday lunch.

It was lovely seeing friends we had met at previous events and also meeting new friends who had travelled from near and far. I’d like to thank everyone who participated because I was amazed that members were prepared to travel to Wales for this modest event. Pete and Sandra drove down from Croydon, Ian and Pauline from Taunton, and Philip and Sharon from Street. Suzanne, a new member, who has only had her Pink Figgy for a week, braved the M4 journey from Carmarthen, which, as everyone knows, a motorway can be daunting – well done Suzanne. Our younger members, Charlotte and Phil, from Swansea, were delightful and engaging and suggested ideas and took fab photos around the area. The lovely Kate, who is always willing and able to provide support and photographic expertise, was able to join us despite having to miss her young son’s football match. I also have to thank my husband, Ian, for his support and occasional suggestions for these trips.

We had a great day and we are looking forward to meeting up again at another drive-out. Helen