Rhossili and Porth Cleis, Wales Week 41 30th January - 1st February 2012
                 
Last time we were here, in 1997, there was only one Severn Bridge.

This is the second crossing, as we head to Wales.

 
The motorways in the UK are free, but not called freeways as there aren't any tollways.

Except for the strategically located bridges.

Too late, we realised it would cost us GBP18.10

Having paid the toll and got the receipt our toll operator said "just a minute" and "what sort of vehicle is this?.

Motorhomes are like cars and cost GBP6. Transaction reversed and reworked and repaid!

 
We followed the coast of Wales, past the Port Talbot steelworks with is distinctive blast furnaces.

We missed the coal mining areas in the valleys of South Wales that provided the energy for Port Talbot. along with some choirs and bands. 

 
We stopped on Gower.

Somewhere between Porth Einan and Rhossili.

We walked to the coast, then Rhossili, and back along the road.

 
The coast is limestone.

Its been tilted a bit.

In the distance is Wurms Head.

 
A few headlands along the way to shelter us from the breeze.
 
Looking back towards Porth Einan.
 
At low tide its possible to walk across that stretch of water.
 
The beach at Rhossili Bay.

One of Britain's most beautiful.

We decided against building sandcastles and swimming.

 
We are getting better at taking our time.

The following day we walked towards Porth Einan a bit. Then back to camp as the wind was a bit cool.

 
Though not before wondering about the geology.
 
On a bit of a lean, but still very comfortable. Cold but dry.
 
We are on the move again, towards Porth Cleis.

On the way we stopped to say hello to Porth Einan.

Ali lived there for a while far too long ago to remember exactly where, but recent enough to remember it as a nice place.

 
Every so often we have a quick look at the tyres and are thankful for the lack of punctures.

This screw looks like its been embedded in the tyre for a few hours, if not days.

Fortunately no noise of leaking air when it was removed with the help of a pair of pliers.

We'll keep checking the tyre pressures every so often though it always seems like a chore when it never changes.

I guess its nice to have a reminder every so often.

 
The coast of Pembrokeshire.
 
Porth Cleis.

A prime launching spot for Scuba diving from boats.

I did most of my diving on the east coast of England and Scotland. Ali was more fortunate in the choice of dive site.

 
Our campsite hosts were a bit surprised to see us but directed us to their camping field.

Water and waste disposal but little else. Just as we like it.

We followed the outline of tractor tracks onto the very damp field and stopped before we got so far in that we couldn't get out.

The water supply had frozen hard by morning.

  
We walked out to the coast and along the coastal path.

Porth Cleis is jus over the hill.

 
Rocky outcrops and sea.

We think more limestone.

 
With a very nice natural arch.

The caves were a little bit innaccessible.

 
The rock has been tilted. But here was a small patch that looked at odds with the surrounds.
  
And another quick look at the lime kilns next to the water in Porth Cleis.

Lime was shipped along the coast to the small ports, fired in the kilns, and spread on the fields.

From around 1650 to 1900.

 
Beddgelert and Anglesey, Wales Week 41 2nd - 6th February 2012
 
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