Three Cliffs Bay

We woke up to mist and drizzle this morning but were encouraged by the forecast, which suggested the weather would clear up in the afternoon. It provided an excellent excuse to take a leisurely start to the day, something TJ and I rarely ever manage to do! The drizzle soon turned to rain and I was less than optimistic about our prospects. We called in for a coffee at the Gower Heritage Centre at Parkmill where I got talking to Arwel, the blacksmith there. He had a remarkable story. Arwel actually had his first anvil when he was just twelve years old! He always wanted to be a smithy but, of course, there are not so many openings these days. After a spell of teaching, which he didn't much enjoy, a job came up at the Heritage Centre. He got an interview, got the job, and started work the very next day. Here is a man who has followed his bliss. I loved his enthusiasm.

By the time we finished our coffee and snack the rain had stopped and there was a glimmer of brightness in the sky. After our walk down to the coast the skies had cleared significantly. We approached this beach through a tunnel in the crag that you can see on the far right. It was like entering some kind of magical kingdom. We emerged into the most dazzlingly bright light and the most perfect beach imaginable. It was quite breathtakingly beautiful. The tide was out leaving this vast expanse of sand, virtually unblemished by pebbles or shells or any other less natural kind of detritus. There were but just a couple of dog walkers to share it all with, although a few more people had emerged by the time we climbed up to this vantage point. I was in my element! It was bracing at the shoreline but out of the wind it was actually warm enough to sunbathe, and I rather enjoyed stripping off and feeling the sun on my skin for the first time this year. It was a reminder that summer is now not too far away.

Sadly, after our walk, we had to head into Swansea (with a brief stop to visit the Mumbles) so I could be dropped off at the station to take the train back to Yorkshire, and TJ make for Tenby, her overnight stop before getting the ferry home tomorrow from Fishguard. It's been a very short rendezvous but, as always, we've packed a lot in without ever feeling rushed. And we've both fallen in love with the Gower. It's taken a long time for me to discover this corner of the country but I doubt it will be long before I return.

Obviously, there has been no opportunity to spend any time on blip this weekend so all I can say is a huge thank you, yet again, for the overwhelming response to the last couple of posts. Bless you.