I went out into the world yesterday. Into the real, yet unreal world of coronavirus 2020.
After almost six months, the Sunrise coach was on the road again and I was one of three lucky residents on the trial run.
With George driving and one of our carers looking after us we set off, blinking in the sunshine.
It was a mystery trip but I soon solved it.
We were heading for Penarth which I had left exactly one year ago to live in Sunrise, shutting the door of number 18 Windsor Court, the Esplanade for the last time.
It was an afternoon of surprises. After so long looking out onto steadily increasing traffic on Cyncoed Road I was amazed at the difference from just a few weeks ago.
The roads were packed, pavements partly blocked, probably illegally, by parked cars. Long waits at traffic lights as we approached the city centre.
Past the city's impressive mansion house with its memories of work meetings - the agreement for Panasonic to set up their first factory in the city was sealed here - and lavish VIP functions and charity events. One lord mayor brought his grand piano for his year in residence.
Skirting Cardiff city centre
Penarth Head
Under the Butetown tunnel - that was an enjoyable opening ceremony and lunch in 1988 - and on to Penarth, so little changed.
Approaching Penarth Pier
Down Beach Hill to the seafront and one of my favourite views, Penarth Pier and the Esplanade.
Penarth Pier
An emotional moment as we passed Windsor Court, our home for more than 20 years
Often busy - too busy for us locals - the seafront was crowded with visitors.
Penarth had escaped the paralysis of many towns even at the height of lockdown, as it was within the five mile travel limit from Cardiff set by the Welsh government.
Where had they all come from?
Then I realised it was the eve of August bank holiday and they were making the most of it before the return to schools and work places, so important for the government and the country.
Up Cliff Road to stop and take in the view of the Flat Holm and Steep Holm islands and Somerset coast.
We were within yards of the cliff cafe but there was no coffee stop this time. Must stay safe.
The sun disappeared, clouds rolled in, dramatically changing the scene, oddly, in a pleasantly familiar way.
The homeward journey was a revelation. The city is alive again. People were shopping, chatting, jumping on buses, relishing the air of freedom. Hardly a face mask in sight.
Passing my old office, the former South Glamorgan county headquarters, now a hotel, next door a workmen were converting another office block into an hotel.
When I started work for the city council 50 years ago we were trying to attract lucrative conferences.
Cardiff was handicapped by its lack of hotels - we had just four major ones with a total of less than 200 ensuite rooms - vital for that trade.
Now the city has scores of hotels
It has suffered due to coronavirus but I am sure our capital city has prosperous times ahead.
It was back to Sunrise and our mini lockdown after a glimpse into the future - a not too distant future, with more freedom and more evocative trips out to my old, normal world.
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