Friday, July 01, 2005

Chilling Out On The Gower

Been quiet again haven't I? Well, good reason, been away for a few days back down to The Gower for a nice little break in a Chalet at Caswell Bay. Last time we was there was back in September 2003. Not a lot has changed since then accept Elis is now old enough to not want to be dragged off the beach.

I must admit I had a lovely time and was as hard to get off the beach as he was, despite the blistering sun and heat. I can't remember the last time I paddled in the sea and walked barefoot on the sand - I did lots of it the last week. And of course, there's lots of photos. Mainly of Elis, I took some of the beach, but I find it very hard to do anything worthwhile with beaches on a photographic level. So lets have a few of the little man.

In amongst the rockpools on Caswell Bay, The Gower, Wales

Paddling in the sea at Caswell Bay, The Gower, Wales

Got the beach all to meself!

Look out! The tides a coming in...

I dig Caswell Bay

Honest dad! I built this...

Despite the beach being really clean, Elis did manage to find the large shard of broken beer bottle, I didn't notice as I was well pleased with framing and use of fill in flash in the daylight. Luckily Mrs Dio jumped in before the holiday curse was able to strike again.

Why you should keep your shit and litter off the beach

Some more general beach scenes - note the clear water and the relative peace and quiet of going on a weekday during school term.

Shoreline - the tide's coming in

Big old empty beach

Ripples in the sand and clear sea water

Lady of the waves...

After a morning at the beach, we took Elis to Singleton Boating lake only to have missed the times for the boats. He wasn't pleased, but daddy took some snaps all the same...

Where are they taking them boats? Not fair, I wanted a go.

Goose, swans and dragon...

Spot the odd bird out

Going home in a strop...

The weather was sunny and hot most of the time, which drove me under my beach towel as everyone else around me roasted in the sun and looked at me like I was mad. Then as forecast, Tuesday afternoon, the rain came followed closely by some tremendous thunder and lightening.

It stopped long enough to have a game of Crazy Golf in Mumbles, before having tea in Verdi's before another storm hit, and showed that their roof is in need of some repair work. When the rain hit, water came cascading down the columns holding up the roof and flooded a large part of the one side of the restaurant. Still, we had a great view of Swansea Bay - it could have been spectacular, but the lightening was of the sheet variety rather than the streaky stuff.

And that's where we leave our holiday, with a final few photos - Crazy Golf, then the view towards the industrial horror show on the coast which goes by the name of Port Talbot and Swansea docks. It ruins a great area but doesn't really show up in these photos. I'm really starting to love Mumbles and The Gower, particularly as its less than an hours drive away - it feels like another world after weeks of heavy duty web work and stuff. Here's to the next holiday there.

Crazy Golf on The Gower

More Crazy Golf, between thunderstorms

Thunderstorms in the air, view across Swansea Bay

Feels like a storm's a coming, looking across Swansea Bay to Port Talbot

Posted by Dio Bach at 22:37

4 Comments:

Phillip said...: Hi Dio,
Looks like you had a great time. You into surfing? I understand that its pretty good down on the Gower. Only 3 weeks until we hit Pembrokeshire, no doubt photos will appear on Flickr soon after! (hopefully get quite a few good ones with the new camera); 2:44 PM
RR said...: Looks like someone had a fantastic time :-) He's getting so grown up! Glad you managed to get a break too.; 8:45 PM
holly said...: That shot of Elis with the enormous, deadly piece of glass is brilliant. LOL- pay attention, dad!; 4:07 AM
Elise Tomlinson said...: Beautiful shots! I *really* love the one of Elis walking where the beach is really red and the water a thin sliver of blue. Almost reminds me of Australia!; 1:57 AM