Who: Donna Noble
What: sightseeing
Where: Cardiff Castle
When: mid afternoon

Donna hadn't really wanted to go. It was too touristy, too boring, too normal. Nothing, absolutely nothing on 21st century Earth could ever compare to the vast snow-covered plains of the planet of the Oods, or the raging streams of lava of Pompeii. Alright, she knew that maybe she wasn't being entirely honest, because their tiny little planet did have its merits, but one did see things differently after travelling the universe.

However, after another morning of being surrounded by stressed Torchwood employees and a certain absence of a certain 'doctor', Donna had finally faced her prejudices to act like the tourist she so desperately didn't want to be.

Now, standing on top of Cardiff Castle's Norman Keep, she couldn't deny there leaving had possibly been the best thing she could have done. There was something quite spectacular about the place. Maybe it was because the history of the place was so deeply ingrained in the old stones and crumbling, winding stairs. Maybe it was the view over the city, a rainbow peeking out behind a thick layer of rain-grey clouds, framing the spider-like structure of the Millennium Stadium. Or maybe the Doctor's fondness for her tiny little planet had finally started to rub off on her.

Sighing happily to herself, Donna rested her arms on the sturdy wall, leaning over ever so slightly to watch an elderly couple sitting on one of the park benches below. The woman had a slight resemblance to her mother and Donna's mouth quirked in a mixture of fondness and annoyance. A visit to London was long overdue. Tomorrow, Donna promised herself, she would have to look into trains to England, or else face her mother's wrath.

"Thirty-four," Donna said aloud, the suddenness of her voice scaring a curious sea gull away. "Thirty-bloody-four and I'm still feeling like a naughty child."

Annoyed at her own thought and her inability to say no to her mother, no matter her age, Donna rubbed briskly at her forehead. Great, and now she had a headache. Well, there was only one cure for that: coffee. Luckily she knew just where to get the Holy Grail amongst the caffeinated beverages.

Pushing her handbag further up her shoulder, Donna started her descend to Cardiff soil just as the first rays of sunlight penetrated the grey skies to paint the castle a brilliant gold.