TOTTON
U3A WALKING HOLIDAY IN THE GOWER PENINSULA
14th
- 17th April 2015 at The Oxwich Bay Hotel, 50 yards from
the beach.
Tuesday
Afternoon Oxwich Bay
33
members set off northwards directly from the hotel into the gently
undulating dunes in bright warm sunshine at a leisurely pace. Several
members commented how the dunes must be a haven for wildlife and
plants because of no pesticides, pollution or disturbance. In fact we
did not meet a single person over the 1.5 mile stretch of the dunes,
an example of peace and solitude. Dropping down to the beach with
gently breaking waves and very light wind, the return stroll along
the firm flat sands was most enjoyable. The beach was covered in sea
shells of many kinds, and a group of very happy dogs splashing about
in the blue – green sea was a fine introduction to the holiday.
Wednesday
Morning King Arthur's Stone
Again
33 walkers left a pub car park in misty conditions and a somewhat
chilly wind, but as we moved onto the beautiful open heath land the
mist was slowly clearing, gradually extending the views. Wild ponies
wandered about as in the New Forest.
At
the furthest point Jim took us to the King Arthur's Stone, a truly
massive piece of granite balancing on some 6 or so short 'pillar'
type stones. The whole structure resembled the burial chambers
familiar on Dartmoor known as cromlechs. Jim related the Welsh legend
attached to the site which stretches the imagination somewhat as such
other myths nationwide do.
This
was a very pleasant easy going walk in splendid scenery. Towards the
end Jim took some of the fitter braver up over a scenic hill while
the remainder of us ambled back on level tracks.
After
emerging into bright sunshine from a very pleasant lunch in the pub,
the mist had been completely burnt off.
Afternoon
Oxwich Castle
29
of us started out from the hotel zig-zagging our way up the hill
through the woods which was covered in vast areas of garlic plants,
with its faint aroma most noticable. Emerging from the woods in
unbroken sunshine into a lush green field with numerous flocks of
sheep and lambs. After passing through several fields similarly
populated, we came across a distressed sheep on her side unable to
stand. The poor animal's stomach was extensively bloated with its
pitiful lamb staying close by. Dave W. made 3 valiant attempts to
lift the sheep onto its feet, but it immediately collapsed again.
After
several calls to the RSPCA and Police by Elaine, Michael and others
for advice, we moved on with a feeling of sympathy and helplessness.
Reaching
the cliff edge we were rewarded with spectacular views of Oxwich Bay
and Eynon Bay on either side.
Rounding
the point back across the fields towards the ruins of Oxwich Castle,
we met a farmer in a motor buggy and told him about the poor sheep.
We later learned from him that he had used a technique needed in such
cases, ie he had lifted the sheep onto its feet but held on firmly
and allow the sheep to pee for an extended time to enable it to
regain its sense of balance, then it trotted happily followed by its
faithful offspring.
A
happy ending indeed.
Passing
the ruins of the castle a welcome downhill stroll back to the hotel.
Thursday
Morning Rhossili Bay.
33
of us set out in glorious sunshine from the National Trust car park,
up through the village past a curiously roofed church then down a
gentle slope of a stony track with fantastic views of the huge
Rhossili Bay. There were some waves in the light wind but a mere 20
or so people on a beach about 2 miles long and a quarter of a mile
wide including a few surfers who had to carry their boards the .25
miles to get to the water's edge.
Once
again strolling through fields with many sheep and lambs but with
just one stile to climb over. Finally reaching a large caravan park,
and to everyone's relief the cafe was open where all lingered
drinking tea or coffee, some inside, some out in the sunshine on the
patio overlooking the sand dunes to the north with the occasional
buzzard hunting on the hillsides. Time to return.
Walking
down to the beach onto the firm sand where a photo shoot of the whole
group was organised in regimental style.
It
took about 45 minutes to leisurely amble back to the steps back up to
the car park.
An
extremely pleasant and scenic walk with lunch in the pub for some,
for some an open air lunch overlooking the lovely Rhossili Bay.
Afternoon
Worm's Head.
About
22 started this very easy going amble over flat, well cropped grass
out to the point about 1 mile distant.
By
the coastguard station we looked out across to a fairly large island
with the Worm Rock at the far end, an island connected by a 600 yard
causeway from the main land. A causeway that was flooded at the time,
with notices warning of how an incoming tide would cut off the island
very quickly. Apparently if you were unfortunately stranded you could
ring a bell on the island to the coastguard station who get you off
by boat and present you with the bill.
Many
of us simply sat for some time admiring the 270 degree view in the
sunshine, scanning the waters for seals or dolphins, but to no avail.
On
the stroll back a remarkable sighting of a skylark at close quarters
sat on the pinnacle of a gorse bush for some time, identified by a
passing birdwatcher at the time.
Back
to the car park and a short 20 minute journey back to the hotel.
Friday
Morning The Mumbles Promenade Oystermouth
About
20 walkers left the seafront car park for a delightful stroll along
the tree lined promenade in, for the first time, overcast conditions.
Reaching
the (1920's style?) Mumbles Pier in about 25 minutes. This amble was
very informal with some loitering and chatting, others in cafes,
members doing the return 'promenading' at various times.
Some
put to the test of conflicting opinions of the best of Welsh real ice
cream,mainly expressed by the hotel reception staff, was it Joe's Ice
Cream or Verdi's Ice Cream? The jury is undecided, perhaps more
sampling is required.
A
few spots of rain fell towards midday, the first of the whole
holiday.
Concluding
Comments:
The
general opinion was that this holiday was one of the best of our 9 so
far annual holidays.
The
reasons for this?
Certainly
foremost, Jim's superb organisation – the amount of time, effort
and research Elaine and Jim put into it prior to putting into
practice, which made the 4 days so enjoyable. The whole group fully
appreciated this fact and it was expressed at the final night's
dinner. Thank You so much Elaine and Jim.
Secondly,
the excellent hotel, ideally situated, the high standard of food and
service.
Thirdly,
the amazing weather that made it so much better.
Dave
Butcher.
Only going to use the last three figures of J.peg numbers to designate Titles Here goes 469 First picture 472 getting ready for the first walk 476 Waiting for the off 480 Still waiting 482 ready to go 487 On their way 484 Oxwich Bay Hotel 486 Oxwich Bay beach 489 -------"----------- 495 Note the Bathers 497 View from our window 498 On their way back from first walk 500 Same again 503 And again 504 Night view from our window 506 Wednesday walk start point 507 Bit Misty 509 Almost ready to go 510 Jack being Silly! 511 Beautifull views? 514 Arthers Stone in the mist 515 Under croft ? 517 Arthurs stone with flower 520 A.S. & Mist 524 Who's being Silly now? 527 Mist begins to clear 535 Thursday morning walk 537 Thro' Garlic wood 538 Tangle wood! 541 Rest stop 544 You are here 546 One flock 547 Another flock! 562 Oxwich point 552 Number 164 558 Oxwich poine [again] 559Molly Point [s] 561 Extra 564( 565(-All taken from Oxwich point 568( 570 Another one 571 Oxwich Castle 573 Another Castle 600 Worm Head carpark 606 Rhosili Bay beach 612 Artistic? piece 615 Rhosili Bay from other end 617 Mystery object 618 Welcome rest 620 another welcome rest 619 -------"---------- 621 Almost all of us 622 Same again but different eh! 623 Going back 627 Final view Rhosili 631 Bit more artistry!!! 584 / 588 / 592 taken at Dinner 597 Sunrise over Oxwich Bay 596 Setting of for work
Dave W
Walking Holiday in The Gower April 2015
The alternative group (for the halt and the lame) also enjoyed a wonderful experience in this beautiful part of the world. While Jim's followers enjoyed the full benefit of his knowledge and experience through breathtaking scenery each day, we found some great ways to enjoy ourselves too. Tuesday afternoon, after we had settled in to our ideally situated accommodation right on Oxwich Bay, we set off on a stroll through the sand dunes and back along the beach in the warm sunshine, beach combing as we went. Examples of shells discovered here include, oyster, clam, limpet, razor shell, mussels and many more. Once back in the hotel grounds, we partook of pots of tea whole surveying the glorious bay and one or two intrepid swimmers (not from among our delicate U3A members). What a relaxing way to start our stay here.
Wednesday a couple of us decided to try the local Gower bus. What a heartwarming experience! The bus duly arrived at the crossroads about 100 yards from the bus shelter and the driver beckoned us across, saying, "Come on, come up to the castle and Oxwich Green with us," so we hopped aboard and careered up a steep, narrow lane to the top of the village, passing the castle on the way, then back down again, before continuing our scenic route to Parkmill and the Gower Heritage Centre fifteen minutes away. The driver cheerfully agreed to pick us up on his return at 2.30 pm. We enjoyed a fascinating few hours at this working water mill, seeing how the corn mill works using a never-ending supply of energy from the leat, the waters of which scramble towards the sea through the limestone caverns far inland. There were weaving sheds, wood-turning workshops, classes in pottery, the mill worker's cottage frozen in time, information on Neolithic man, one body discovered being over 30,000 years old, ties with Stonehenge through the local blue stone and dowzing - so much of interest. Then there were the coracles bobbing on the leat, which led on to ducks, fancy chicken, rabbits, Guinea pigs, Pygmy goats and Argentinian miniature horses, plus a pond full of brown and rainbow trout, all leading to the source of the leat where it separated from the tumbling stream. So much to see and enjoy. After a very satisfying lunch, we were again waiting for our bus and cheerful driver. Once aboard, he pointed out beauty spots on our route, one of which was Three Cliffs Bay, far below the road, even pulling into a lay-by in order for us to get a better view. We sailed through Oxwich and on up to the castle once more, where we alighted, met up with Lesley also on her way to this impressive Elizabethan mansion, and proceeded to investigate its treasures. One who shall be nameless even reclined on the four poster bed to get into character. The views from this huge fortified house are still wonderful, but how much more so they must have been from the 130ft long gallery on the top floor in those far-off days. We returned down the winding lanes to our hotel and a welcome cup of tea, well content with our day's explorations.
Thursday dawned fine and dry and after breakfast,while most of the walkers set off in their cars for Rhossili and a walk along the shore, four of us had an adventure of our own. We took the bus in the opposite direction from yesterday, still with our lovely driver, and enjoyed a scenic ride through lanes lined with primroses and violets, between old cottage walls inches from either side of the bus and plunging helter skelter down to the sea at Norton and Port Eynon before arriving at Scurlage, where we said goodbye to Chris, our driver, crossed the road and caught another bus on into Rhossili. We were deposited just below the church, so made our way between large old gravestones and inside. A pretty church with lovely stained glass windows, one of which shone in the sunlight and threw beautiful patterns on the rough stone walls. We found memorials to two former sons of the parish, one Petty Officer 1st Class RN Edgar Evans who accompanied Captain Scott on his ill-fated expedition to the South Pole and was the first to perish. The second memorial is to Signalman William Gibb of the 15th Battalion Welsh Regiment, a 30 year old man whodied on the Somme on 10th May 1918. We left the church and made our way to the Worms Head Hotel via the National Trust shop, expecting to look down on the huge expanse of sandy beach far below and see our intrepid walkers wending their way back to us for lunch, but no sign of them, so we consoled ourselves with coffee or tea and enjoyed the sun. By 1.15 pm we were becoming restless and decided to go ahead and sample the delicious food on offer and by the time a winding trail of ant-like figures started snaking along the sand in the far distance, we were enjoying a "half" of our favourite tipple.
Thankfully everyone eventually arrived safe and sound, if a little weary from climbing the steep ascent from the beach. Jim wisely decided a gentle stroll was more appropriate after the morning's efforts, so most of us set off for the cliffs overlooking Worm's Head. Unfortunately the tide was now on its way in, so the seals had left their basking places above the tideline and these distinctive rocky outcrops had once more become an island, safe from invasion by eager holidaymakers. The four of us bus travellers managed to get lifts back to the hotel and so end another successful day in The Gower. Despite not being fit enough, for one reason or another, to do Jim's wonderful walks, we did enjoy our own expeditions and I think most people I spoke to voted it one of the most memorable of our annual walking holidays.
Thank you, Jim, and thanks to John too, for finding such a unique hotel for us to enjoy.
Sue
