The Scotland squad have settled in their sprawling Welsh base ahead of this weekend's friendly international - one that manager George Burley has billed as the match when phase two of his masterplan begins.
Last month's trip to Japan was much-maligned - not least because of the 11 call-offs that followed the squad announcement for Yokohama.
But the manager clearly believes it was a worthy exercise, with West Brom's Graham Dorrans, Hearts' full-back Lee Wallace and Watford's Don Cowie keeping their places at the Scotland HQ in Chepstow.
It is understandable that the Scottish Football Association decided on a base near the world-famous racecourse given what happened on the Scots' last visit to the Valleys, although it may also have something to do with the 80,000 people expected at Friday night's rugby international, against Samoa.
When the Tartan Army look back on the reign of Berti Vogts, many will think of Toftir and the 2-2 draw with the Faroes.
Some will shudder at the pain of the 6-0 Amsterdam drubbing at the hands of the Dutch.
Right up there, however, is the horror story that was 18 February 2004.
By rights, it was a meaningless friendly that was played that night at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium.
Gary and Steven Caldwell could form Scotland's central defence
But the nature of the 4-0 hammering dished out by the Welsh left an aftershock from which Vogts would never recover in the eyes of the supporters.
He and his team were slapped down in their first international since the Netherlands disaster in a game from which they desperately needed some face-saving - instead, they collapsed.
It was a night that drove a stake into the German's stewardship, with each Rob Earnshaw goal twisting it a little more.
Somehow, Vogts survived to coach the Scots on a further nine occasions, producing only two friendly wins against lowly Trinidad & Tobago and Estonia.
Indeed, the first of the then-Cardiff striker Earnshaw's hat-trick arrived just 43 seconds in.
Now at Nottingham Forest, Earnshaw may get another bite at the Scots, having been called into John Toshack's squad following the withdrawal of several big hitters, primarily Craig Bellamy, whom he will likely replace.
A big pre-match talking point was the experimental central defensive line-up chosen by Vogts in 2004.
One half of that partnership - Paul Ritchie - didn't play for Scotland again.
The other half was Steven Caldwell, who must be itching to get the chance to seek retribution.
The elder of the Caldwell brothers finally worked his way back into the national side under George Burley, having been on the periphery for years.
Other survivors from the nightmarish last visit to Cardiff are captain Darren Fletcher, Kenny Miller and James McFadden.
The Scots are without a win over Wales since February 1984, when goals from Alan Brazil and Andy Gray sealed a 2-0 success.
And, following on from last year's home draw with Northern Ireland, this match gives us another reminder of what the "Home Internationals" can bring to the table.
McFadden wants to see them reintroduced to the football calendar - but only if it is done correctly and not just sporadic friendlies.
"I think it would be good if we got to play against the home nations more regularly, if there was a trophy up for grabs at the end of it," he told BBC Scotland.
"There would be a competitive edge and there are a lot of dressing-rooms around Britain with players from each home nation, so the banter would be good.
"It would also be good for the fans. There'll be a big, hostile crowd on Saturday and the players will enjoy that."
Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall - who is a likely starter between the sticks - will be in the away dressing-room, having joined the Bluebirds in the summer.
He agrees that a return to these fixtures would be a good idea.
"It would be good, definitely, not least for travelling to games," he said.
"It's a more competitive game than other friendlies, so I think that would be a good thing."
At least the match venue for this weekend's clash is different from last time.
The Millenium has turned into a ghost stadium in recent years for Welsh football international matches, with the public here preferring the oval-shaped ball.
Instead, this one will be played at Cardiff City's shiny new, imaginatively named, Cardiff City Stadium, where a total of six Scots currently ply their trade.
For the visiting squad - and possibly Steven Caldwell more than most - that is a blessing.
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