For our last full day, Julie took us on a drive south to the coast. We headed to the tiny village of Rhossili, which is in a National Trust Site and an area that has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encompassing Rhossili Bay and the small tidal island called Worm's Head.
The drive was a little more than a hour, pretty much straight south past Swansea, and out onto the Gower Peninsula, and ultimately to the village of Rhossili.
The drive was quite nice, once we got past the city of Swansea. It a very rural area, but we passed a great looking pub (which we went back to), and many many fields of sheep. We eventually parked in the car park at the National Trust site. It was busy, as we had arrived at the perfect time - the start of low tide.
There’s no getting away from the sheep!
Worm’s Head, the reason we came, is a tidal island, which means that at low tide you can walk across a stretch of exposed land and get out to the island. But at high tide, the water rushes back in and cuts it off completely. And of course many people get caught out and need to be rescued.
They do a good job of telling you exactly when the tides come and go, so it you’re reasonably smart about it, it shouldn’t be an issue. Justine and I walked out a little ways, but not all the way out to the island.
Out on the rocky beach below the tide line.
A view of the mainland and out to Worm’s Head.
One of the more hilarious aspects of the site were all the sheep just wandering around. They all had fluorescent paint jobs which makes for some fun photos. Not to mention they seem to walk all over the place, getting out into what seems to be some precarious spots.
On the way back from the island, we hiked up high to get a view of the sea arch, which you can just see out in the distance on Worm’s Head.
One of the rare pictures… of me.
A great view of the massive beach, and the beautiful National Trust cottage that you can rent. It’s pricey…
We sent a few hours wandering and checking out the sites. It’s a great spot, and I’d like to go back and spend a full tide checking out Worm’s Head. Another time. Eventually we made out way back, and as it was after lunch time it was time to find a place to have some lunch.
Julie knew a pub not too far away that they had been to on their horse-riding trips in the past. We had passed it on the way in, and it seemed quite nice. It was busy - there was a wedding going on in another room - but we lucked out on a table and cozied up inside. They had a nice fire going, and while the service was a bit slow, the food was good and we chatted for a while.
Our lunch spot.
On the way home, Julie drove us out to Mumbles, a small town that is just outside of Swansea. It’s a cute little seaside town with a pier, that sadly we really couldn’t explore as it was closed. It looked like they were completely refurbishing it in the off-season - replacing or restoring (it was hard to tell) the ornate wrought iron railings all the way down the length of the pier. There were some restaurants and an old-fashioned arcade - I’m sure it is really nice in the summer.
Exploring Mumbles took an hour or so, then we headed back to Julie’s’ place to spend the evening with the family again. It was a fun final evening, as we had to leave reasonably early the next day to drive back to London and catch our flight out of Heathrow.
Julie and Glyn’s house up on the hill.
The view back across to the row house on the other side of the valley. So cool.
Sunday morning we had a quick tour of the farm - none of the sheep had yet to give birth, although most of the looked ready to pop - but we did get to see them, the dogs, the chickens and the geese and of course the horses out in the fields. Sadly, we soon had to go, ending a lovely visit that I hope we can replicate some day, not too far off.
Glyn and the sheep.
The sun finally came out on our last day - Heidi, Julie and Justine.