We awoke in a beautiful spot just outside the village of Reynoldston. We had free camped on a high common with views to the estuary to the north and surrounded by roaming sheep, cattle and horses- this is what our trip had all been about, surrounded by the countryside and wildlife with a long walk in store.
We headed off to find somewhere to leave Dora for the day and where we could catch a bus to the start of the trek. Scurlage was just outside Port Eynon so hopefully we could walk around the whole of the west coast. The bus charged London prices, £3.10, but it was a forty minute journey that seemed to cover the entirety of the Gower. It eventually dropped us in the NW corner in a village called Llanmadoc. The driver recommended the cake in the local store so we picked up some Bara Brith , typically Welsh and similar to Dundee cake, our bit for the local economy.
After passing through the village the path dropped down to the coast. The walk started along a sand spit, however the diversity of the landscape really surprised us, passing first through pine forests before opening up to a dune landscape covered in grasses.
Here we could look over the estuary, there were very few people around as it was still quite early, we really wanted to see what awaited us around the corner.
This is what we had seen and had tempted us towards The Gower, these long, sandy, desolate beaches. No we haven’t photoshopped out the other people.
Long sandy bay followed sandy or rocky headland, each time you turned another bay opened up.
It was close to a scene from Lawrence of Arabia.
The birds were following out the receding tide, feeding. The oystercatchers were particularly shy, and didn’t take kindly to our presence.
We were getting close to half distance now, so found somewhere away from all the crowds amongst the sand dunes! Lunch included the Bara Birth.
Shame we didn’t have the Kayaks as this bit of coast looks quite interesting.
Susana got quite excited by Spainards Rock.
And as the afternoon warmed up, so did our courage.
Shoes and socks were discarded and we paddled up the coast.
Leaving only footprints.
What a place to live, and such an incredible outlook, makes you quite jealous.
At the end of the bay we climbed into the village of Rhosilli and were shocked by all the people (well about 20 of them anyway). They quickly dissipated and we were once again left alone bar the sheep.
Nearing the end now and the last few cliffs before we drop into Port Eynon.
The last few kilometres always seem the longest, as we headed away from the coast into the countryside, to find Dora. On the way we came upon an old field of cauliflowers, with a few still left, particularly liked this mini one. Not sure what we will be having for dinner tonight!
After picking up Dora we headed back to he common, exhausted, to watch an amazing sunset.
GDR
