A dramatic headline, but alas, true. Actually, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. I had to go down into Cardiff today and since the last time I went they have brought in a new temporary pedestrianised area, thus making it virtually impossible to cross from one side of the city to each other.

In their infinite (?) wisdom , the traffic planners have omitted luxuries, such as actually telling cars where they can and can’t go, or posting an alternative route around the chaos or even properly signposting the street which it concerns. So… I merrily followed traffic lights, turn right signs etc., and got flagged down by Plod.

Now in fairness, they were quite nice about things. I only have to open my mouth and they say ‘Not from round here, are you, love?’ (Coming from twenty miles away is pretty dramatic down here. It means you belong to a totally different tribe and culture.)

Then they explained that they would let me off this time but if I did it again I would get a £30 fine.

Obviously, Tylluan is going to be a good old trout and not commit such a heinous crime ever again. I shall simply avoid going to Cardiff again.

I suspect others feel pretty much the same. All the traders and shopkeepers I spoke to today said trade had plummeted. They were pretty fed up with it. But it’s to save the planet (allegedly) and reduce our carbon footprint. How exactly this works when one now has to travel miles and miles out of one’s way in ever decreasing circles just to get where we could easily travel until last month beats me.

I suspect it’s just a nifty little excuse to raise more income for the Council in the form of fines. And it’s sickening.

Take the train, people say. I would. Except of late going on the train has become a risky business. Apart from the fact that there are never enough seats, some of the local stations have a real problem with local yahoos either running amok with a few cans of Carling which they playfully lob at each other, or else they show their engineering skills by disabling the train altogether so it cannot leave the station. Yes, it’s happened. If we are going to leave our vehicles at home at least offer us some alternative that’s safe and reasonably priced.

I am getting fed up with this sanctimonious clap trap. On the way home I stopped off at a certain supermarket whose very presence on this planet is guaranteed to annoy the hell out of me. On the wall near the checkout was a notice inviting me to play my part in saving the planet by recycling my plastic bags.

Fine, I don’t have a problem with that although last time I wandered in with twenty home made canvas bags the security guard virtually had kittens. It wasn’t so long ago that some places would ask you to leave if you turned up with your own bags. They preferred the free advertising until it was fashionable to ‘go green.’

But why don’t supermarkets play their part too? Such as buying fresh basil from local growers instead of flying it in from Israel???? Don’t tell me there’s nowhere can grow fresh basil hereabouts – I can even grow it in my garden!

Okay, rant over. I’m tired and it’s been a long day. I shall hopefully catch up on the blogs tomorrow.

Cysgu da – sleep well!