182(pm) Llanelli and Seaside

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

After my exciting lunchtime encounter with a dead rabbit and a little weasel, the rest of the walk seems tame. The footpath doubles as a cycle path. I see more cyclists than walkers.

b01 National Wetlands Centre, Ruth walking the Wales Coast Path, Llanelli Continue reading →

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182 (lunch) Pen-clawdd to Llanelli

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I’m sitting on the wall overlooking the mouth of the River Loughor. Across the water is Pen-clawdd. Behind me is a screen of bushes. It’s a private spot. Very peaceful. I relax and tuck into my apple.

view of Pen-clawdd over estuary, Ruth in Llanelli

When, suddenly, there is a soft slapping sound. A kind of “thumph” sound. Very close. Startled, I look around. Continue reading →

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182am Pen-clawdd to Llanelli

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

The sun is shining and Pen-clawdd looks more picturesque than I remembered it.

Pen-clawdd, Ruth Livingstone walking around the Gower Coast

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181 Llanmadoc to Pen-clawdd

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It feels deliciously decadent to be out walking on a Monday morning, instead of working. I could catch a bus to Llanmadoc, but my B&B landlady offers me a lift instead. Double decadence! She drops me off by the church, from where there is a lovely view across Whiteford Sands and the Loughor estuary.

01 Llanmadoc, Ruth walking the coast in The Gower

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180b Broughton Bay and Whiteford Sands

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Not wanting to waste this sunny afternoon, I drive to Llangennith,  find a car park, walk through a holiday complex of static caravans, and re-join the coast path at Twlc Point. Now I’m back at Broughton Bay. It’s beautiful – just as beautiful as Rhossili in my opinion – and even more deserted.

x01

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180a Rhossili Beach

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Next day, I’m back at Rhossili Beach. The sun is shining and the air is clear. It’s a perfect day for walking and a perfect day for photography.

Despite its popularity, this beautiful beach is virtually unspoiled by development. It’s only from higher ground that I get a glimpse of caravan roofs at the far end of the sands. Shame.

Rhossili beach, Ruth Livingstone's coastal walk, Wales Continue reading →

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179 Port-Eynon to Rhossili

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I set off full of energy for the climb up to Port-Eynon Point. I need it – the energy – because the path is steep and leads up along a rough track and through a maze of disused quarry workings. It could have been a harsh landscape, but the path is softened by the glowing beauty of gorse bushes in full bloom.

01 quarry works Port-Eynon point, Ruth walking the coast path in Gower Continue reading →

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178 Oxwich to Port-Eynon

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

The morning is drizzly-dull, and the BBC predicts a rainy afternoon. I try to avoid walking in pouring rain if I can, so I decide to park in Oxwich and walk the short distance to  Port-Eynon, from where I hope to catch a bus back to my car.

The walk starts from the beach, following a wooded slope and rising slowly towards Oxwich Point. I soon come across St. Illtyd’s Church. What a beautiful setting! Oxwich Church, Ruth Livingstone walking the Wales Coast Path Continue reading →

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177pm East Cliff to Oxwich Bay

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

After lunch in West Cliff, my walk continues along open land above the sea. The sun is shining, the gorse is golden, and I’m filled with joy. This is turning into a wonderful day’s walking – one of the best I’ve ever experienced.

Ruth Livingstone on her coastal walk, leaving West Cliff behind Continue reading →

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177am Mumbles to East Cliff

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s 9am.  That’s early for me – I’m not a morning person. But I have a long walk planned today, from The Mumbles to Oxwich Bay, a distance of around 16 miles I believe, and I need to get going.

The morning light is too low and too bright for a decent photograph of Mumbles Pier. So here is one I took yesterday:

Mumbles Pier, Ruth walking the Wales Coast Path Continue reading →

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