South Wales

Sunday

We’ve had a couple of weeks on the South Wales coast. This is an area of the country we both have vivid memories of from childhood holidays. The areas we remember are still recognisable, if more built up, but the internet and mobile phones might as well not have been invented. Or supermarkets.

Both sites, the first on the Gower peninsular, the second in Freshwater East near Tenby, were right on the coast, truly beautiful locations but a pretty exhausting walk to the nearest pub. Which explains why we’re now in Tewkesbury town centre. Amazing but true. The site is in a field right by the Abbey and more pubs and restaurants than you can reasonably crawl around in the four nights we’ll be here.

That’s not to say, of course, that we didn’t enjoy our time in South Wales. The coast is stunning. Much is spoken of the Cornish coast but this area takes some beating. So, some photographs:

Worm’s Head, Rhosili on the Gower.

 

Taking a break, Oxwich Bay, Gower.

 

A surprisingly gentile Tenby. Perhaps it becomes more ‘Buckets and Spades’ in the school holidays.

 

Unquestionably, though, our favourite walk has been through the Stackpole estate. Owned by the National Trust it is worth the annual membership fee in its own right. The walk takes you through woodland, past lily ponds and along cliff tops with unsurpassed views. The area is teeming with wildlife; swans with their signets, wild horses with their foals, damsel and dragonflies copulating on lily pads and a heart-stopping, unforgettable glimpse of otters, smooth and sleek, chasing fish and each other amongst the reeds. Oh, and I finally got my birthday cream tea. Sometimes it’s worth being without the internet. 

 

Barafundle Bay – simply beautiful. Is there a better beach?

On Wild Horses

Not sure exactly what bird this is but he seemed to be enjoying himself drying his wings in the sun.