Gower Peninsula: Rhossili and Worm's Head

One of my favourite places on the Gower Peninsula, is the gorgeous Rhossili. Even in the depths of winter, it's a breathtaking location. Just be sure to wrap up warm if you visit at this time of year. Rhossili faces the open Atlantic, and is frequently buffeted by strong winds. The winter wind-chill can be quite bone-numbing. Even in warmer weather, it's always wise to carry an extra layer with you to Rhossili - the wind whips up suddenly there, and can sometimes be a little on the cold side even in the summer.

The day I took the following shots, Rhossili was a little warmer than I expected. Not warm, but bearable in a fleece and thick-knit sweater. The sun was rather elusive, hiding amongst the clouds a lot of the time. The temperature dropped significantly as a result, until the sun came out again.

Disappointingly, the sea was really calm. One of the things I love about Rhossili, is standing up on the clifftop, as wind-whipped white horses roar ashore. The other thing I love about it is it always looks different. No matter how many photos I take of the place, I always manage to capture something different, depending on the weather, light, time of day, season, and so forth.

I'm glad I replaced my previous, very basic camera with one that has a zoom function. It gave me a closer view of the Old Rectory as it nestled under Rhossili Down. A herd of cattle grazed close by, making me a bit too wary to head towards the Rectory to get a closer shot. Although cows are generally harmless, they can be aggressive when they have calves, and may harm anyone who gets between them and their babies. So, as I can't run very fast, due to arthritis, I decided to take no chances.


I wish they had a few more of these along the cliffs. I meet at least two people per trip to Rhossili, who I have to warn NOT to head for the beach by clambering down the cliffs.


Why do people think they can just stroll down cliffs this high? It's usually adolescent males I have to dissuade from such silly behaviour.


See what I mean about different angles, light, and so on? These shots were all within a few minutes of each other, with just seconds between a couple of them.






I especially like this one, with the Old Rectory reflected in the wet sand.


I struggled to get a decent shot of Burry Holmes, even with the zoom. I'll have to head down to the beach, walk towards Llangennith and try to get a decent shot of it that way.


I spotted this popular sheep scratching spot along the way - it looks quite attractive in a funny, straggly kind of way, with its hanks of yarn fluttering in the breeze.


Still hampered by the elusive sun and the havoc it was causing me from a photographer's perspective, I managed to get a couple of shots of Kitchen Corner, the second one with the zoom.




I became aware of a lot of chattering as I strolled along, and spotted what looked like a school field trip.


When I finally reached headland opposite the Worm, and sank onto my usual perch, I was a little annoyed to find my camera's line of sight utterly ruined by this thing.


However, after a moment's thought, I decided I was being selfish. It's a good thing to have at the approach to the causeway which leads to Worm's Head. Visitors to the area simply do not appreciate the perils that may lie ahead, if they don't check the tide times. You will be cut off by the tide if you cross the causeway at the wrong time. Should you find yourself stranded on the island DO NOT attempt to swim across the sound. People have died doing so. Multiple strong currents converge at this spot, and even an Olympic swimmer could not fight them. The hut pictured below is now manned by a team of Coastwatch volunteers. Not only can they give you advice about tide times, safety, etc, but if you become stranded on the island, they will see you, and get appropriate help. Please don't ever try to swim back to shore.


I sat near the hut for a while, enjoying a snack. When thoroughly refreshed, I decided to shoot a video of the scene ahead of me. What a disaster that was. A large family group arrived, and my video was completely ruined by their chattering, including one rather effusive, and quite frankly, batty old biddy who kept wittering on about returning in the summer with a rubber dinghy. Literally all I could hear through the whole video was:

"Ooh Bet, we'll have to bring the rubber dinghy".
"Yes Mattie, the rubber dinghy. What d'you reckon Bill?"
"Aye, the rubber dinghy, mun. And a flask and some sandwiches".
"Ooh yes, love. Don't forget the flask and sandwiches. And a nice bit of cake".
"Aye. Bit of cake, mun".

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!


Then, after they left, I was briefly alone, and sat still for while, until this mad jackdaw tried to land on my head. I think he had a shock when he realised I was a living, breathing human, and not some new rock that had thrust its way out of the cliff overnight.


I walked on a little further, mindful of the time, and the fact that if I missed the next bus, I was stuck there until ten past seven.


After taking the above shot, I spotted this headland, Tear's Point, close to Fall Bay. I really must try to get over there when the weather's better.


After photographing the headland, I headed back to the village, as I wanted to be sure of getting the 17.35 bus. I followed this drystone wall, spotting a rabbit running in the distance. Alas, the rabbit was too fast and too distant for me to get a shot of it, but I think the architecture of the wall looks quite interesting from this angle.


The clouds that kept engulfing the sun finally drifted off as I was making my way back - typical. I met these sheep grazing on the cliffs. Even though I'm no longer vegetarian, I won't eat lamb or mutton. I'd feel as if I was eating an old friend.






I met this adorable little creature near the gate back to the village. It only looked a couple of weeks old.




As I approached the bus stop, I spotted a clump of daffodils and decided to test the close-up function on my camera. Not bad, I suppose, although I've seen much better.


Did you know that the daffodil is the national flower of Wales? Well, you do now! Until the next time ...