We tried to get into the Harbourmaster a couple of years ago, only to met with incredulity that we were trying to make a reservation at such short notice - it was a few weeks before we wanted to stay rather than the expected months. I’m glad to say that we made it in this time, although the notice was still short, the new rooms and off season timing must have worked in our favour.

We stayed in what I guess is one of the best rooms, with a terrace, sea-views, large bathroom and king size bed - all the trappings of a boutique hotel. The room was lovely, clean and only recently opened I happily whiled away a few hours lounging on the red velvet settee alternating between the well stocked mini-bar, wind-swept sea view and wide screen TV. My wife meanwhile indulged in the Molton Brown toiletries and the free-standing bath.

One of the other key ingredients of a night away in a hotel with these credentials is food. Dinner was good, not great, but that may be my own fault as I ordered scallops with a salsa verde and steak, both good staples of any menu, but offering few opportunities to shine and my wife stuck to soup and duck (which was the highlight of the meal and very flavoursome). I really liked the service, efficient and local, which really helps to give a sense of place. Cheese and chocolate cake (which actually may have been the real highlight of the meal!) for dessert then into the bar. Now I’m a big fan of bars and this is a really good one - a broad range of drinks, a healthy positive atmosphere and a real cross-section of customers. Pretty much perfect and thoroughly recommended to anyone in the area.

Somewhat bleary eyed (she made me finish that bottle of champagne) we ate a comfortable and thoughtful breakfast from a choice that will cater to all tastes, then headed off substantially poorer but fulfilled.

I love the current story about the English village of Audlem in Cheshire wanting to hold a referendum to become Welsh.

However, residents say that simply holding the poll will tell politicians that there is an issue of increasing inequality between countries in Britain that needs addressing.

Come on, tell the truth … you don’t want free prescriptions and hospital parking really - it’s the grand slam and Calzaghe that you’re after really!

The decision of the Welsh Assembly government to provide free parking at all hospitals in Wales caused something of a stink, with English constituents justifiably decrying the injustice of the situation.

For the sake of cross border relations, I’m glad to report that things aren’t quite as rosy when it comes to parking at hospitals in Wales as the headlines may suggest. It happened that I needed to attend the University Hospital of Wales on the 1st of April the day on which parking charges were removed. Guess what, parking at the hospital is not free, as its run by a private company they’ll still charge for parking! I don’t remember anyone mentioning that when this story was being spun to us. That is also the case in another 10 of Wales’ 130 NHS hospitals and units.

Those still charging are:

Princess of Wales, Bridgend contract until 2011
Glanrhyd, Bridgend contract until 2011
Neath Port Talbot contract until 2032
Univ Hospital of Wales, Cardiff contract until 2021
West Wales General, Carmarthen contract until 2018
Prince Phillip, Llanelli contract until 2018
Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan contract until 2011
Wrexham Maelor contract until 2008
Royal Glamorgan contract until 2011
Withybush, Pembs contract until 2009

Take a look at those dates – we’ll be paying in Cardiff at the UHW until 2021 and the Port Talbot date is pure science fiction.

I’ve decided to provide evidence it the form of my parking receipt. Read it and smile all you malcontents!

I’ve been writing a somewhat sceptical piece entitled ‘Gatland the savour of Welsh rugby?‘ for some time, waiting for a slip-up in this years six nations campaign as an opportunity to publish. Note the use of the question mark.

Given the fantastic grand slam that has been handed to us by Warren and co I’ve dropped the article, and will quote just one snippet from it:

Let’s be honest, when Welsh rugby is hurting so is Wales

Thanks for saving us from the pain boys.

Yeah right! - Money grabbing hypocrites …

 You’ve created a stink with this one!

As we hit one of the barren wastes of the rugby-less weekends in the middle(ish) of the Six Nations … what are we to do with ourselves.

Personally, I intend to begin my St David’s day preparations - hunting for the best daffodil in the garden. 

What are you going to do?

Seems like this would be a great week to be Welsh and in New York as it’s Wales Week…

A great jolly for tourism types and New Yorkers bringing the best of Wales to our friends on the other side of the pond.

I’m especially envious of those who are able to attend the ‘Jan Morris in conversation with Owen Sheers’ session that I’m sure would be very interesting. I was intrigued to note that there was a:

*Special discount available for friends of the Welsh Assembly Government*

I wonder who they are?

Equally, I was puzzled to read that at the Wall Street lunch I could:

Get your new Welsh passport stamped and collect a pair of award-winning socks before you leave.

…A Welsh passport and a free pair of socks! … sounds like heaven to me…

It’s taken me a while to get to grips with the situation … Wales beat England at Twickenham and after that first-half! I guess I feel a bit like Mike Tindal’s liver, battered, dazed and confused … but happy, which is I guess were I differ from the aforementioned organ.

Mind boggling stuff - I can’t help getting caught up in the Triple Crown & Grand Slam aspirations that are inevitable. A convincing display against Scotland and I think we’ll be in full dreaming mode as a nation.

As for Warren Gatland, I must say that my personal jury is still out. A change of management often brings motivation to a team we saw that on Saturday. Also it wasn’t until the Welsh Ospreys team started to be diluted that the performance started to improve, was that part of the game plan?

I’d love to have heard the half time team talk…

Here’s dreaming until at least next Saturday…

Dawson said of the new Welsh coaching team of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley:

“With Warren and Shaun you get defence, structure, discipline and, ultimately, you will get trophies…”

“To join him with Warren Gatland and Rob Howley - my goodness me, if the Welsh team can’t play with that coaching talent behind them then it’s going to be an awful long time before they win the Championship again.”

He went on:

“My heart says England, but for some reason I can’t really explain, I think it might be Wales who win the Championship.”

Well said Matt, I always knew I liked you deep down…

 (except for on a ‘Question of Sport’… but come-on there’s only so much smarm I can bear).

Wow, 13 Ospreys in the Welsh team for what is always the biggest game of the Six Nations, the clash with England.

I’m suspending all opinions on Warren Gatland until after the England game as I frankly don’t know enough about him or his style of play yet.

Can’t wait for Saturday though - come-on boys, let’s find some heart in this campaign against all opponents, and not just in the England game!

[list of six nations fixtures here]