Cardiff and Gower Adventures (earthquake update)

I relocated to Cardiff last Monday evening as Riona's flatmate was away for the week and I decided Riona would appreciate some motherly tlc (lucky Riona). From Tuesday to Thursday we were on the work treadmill, but I did get dragged - very voluntarily - to Riona's bouldering place on Wednesday night.  I started on the super baby routes and graduated by a single grade before we left.  A lot of fun, but a lot of arm ache for the next few days!

We both took Friday off so the adventures began then, except we were both pretty pooped, so had indulgent lie-ins, a Tescos shop, and then an explore of the nearby Sully Island which is tidal.   We naturally timed it so that we'd hit low tide and had a slippery walk across and a snoop around the island.

To be honest, there isn't much there - the old fort was non existent - but I just love visiting pieces of land that are off piste some of the time.  We enjoyed the high reed jungle and whilst I did a bit of homework (coastal asset inspections) Riona picked up more sea glass.  

Friday night we turned in about 2315 and nodded off.  Didn't think much when the bed shock as I was dozing thinking it was probably the upstairs residents (note: Riona lives on the top floor).  We were therefore surprised, but realised it explained the gentle shaking, when we found out there'd been an earthquake that night!

On Saturday we decided to visit the Gower.  

Riona hadn't been there before as it's well over an hour's drive from Cardiff, but we decided to have a day out and managed to visit a few of the key sights.  First off was the Mumbles. It was more touristy than I'd expected, but we popped down to Mumbles Head and walked over to see the lighthouse.  I think you can walk across to it at low tide but we were there mid tide.

We then went via a trig on the way back to the car: very important when you have a Ruth with you. We also learnt that the Welsh for trig pillar is piler triongli, which literally translates as "pillar triangle" (I work with Welsh speakers and asked).

We sat overlooking Swansea Bay for lunch munchies.

We then drove to Southgate and walked across the cliffs down to the broad estuary of Pennard Pill on the hunt for the beautiful Three Cliffs Bay.

The Three Cliffs.  And a cave to walk through. 

I holiday'ed as a kid on the Gower and wanted to revisit Worms Head.  So I added that to our list for the day.  It really is a rather magnificent headland which dries at low tide.  

We could have stayed and watched the sun go down but we were a bit tired and supper/warmth was calling.  

   

On Sunday we ambled down to the Bay.  Once again I treated Riona to the excitement of coastal asset inspections (she humoured it well), had coffee overlooking the Bay and a Welsh cake shop on our return.