I recently started punting for the first time, after lurking here on and off for several years and never taking the plunge. Some years ago it seemed like there was a hardcore of 5-10 decent SPs in Cardiff that were well reviewed, well regarded, and widely known, and then there was a fleeting but healthy rotation of wildcard options. I had a lengthy hot list of people I could be sure would show me a decent time if I ever bit the bullet.
I knew the scene wasn't exactly sunshine and roses in Cardiff when I started, but for those with longer term experience: was that period over the last few years a particularly good time, or is it currently a particularly bad time for choice? It seems the offering is pretty limited, the reviews/mileage is often mixed, and the best experience I've had so far was with an SP that wasn't all that well known. I guess I'm feeling regretful that I didn't make the most of what seems like Cardiff's heyday when I had the chance, but I'm genuinely curious whether being optimistic about things getting better is foolish or not?