Rain constrained

Another day of low cloud and spells of heavy rain, with so much rain overnight that the road through the village contained huge puddles of water all day. We drove up to the main road, intending to visit Rhossili, but a quarter of a mile south and the road was flooded, making it difficult for some cars to get past, Clare felt a bit nervous about risking our little Polo, not knowing whether it would be high enough to avoid water getting into the electrics, so we turned around and headed north towards Parkmill only to encounter another flooded road section a mile or so further along.. So we turned around again and went back to the bungalow, parked the car and went through the huge puddles down to the beach.

In the hour or so we knew we had before the rain returned Clare wanted to walk along the sea shore, but I wanted to walk to the far end of the bay on the road through the marsh, climb up the hill and take some photos of the bay from higher up. It's not safe to stop on the side of the road up the hill, as it's too narrow. So we parted company. Clare soon rang me, excited to say there were scores of surfers out in the bay, taking advantage of the weather conditions. Interesting photo opportunity, but I had already walked over half a mile to get to the hill for another photo opportunity.

I found on the hillside the way into Nicholaston Wood, the deciduous tree clad south east facing slope overlooking the Bay, with a footpath which takes you on a headland route to Three Cliffs Bay, rather than one which hugs the shore. It's ancient woodland, full of huge mature trees, a wonderful walk we must try out in future. I went along the parth a third of a mile before turning back, as it started to rain. 

Half way back along the road to Oxwich there's a bird-watching hide in a reed bed overlooking an extensive pond, a twitcher's paradise. I was getting quite soaked and took refuge there from the rain. It was a beautiful, numinous experience, silent apart from rain falling, and the occasional sound of a duck hidden in the reeds. I saw a family of eight mallards, a teal and pair of little grebes, (aka dabchicks) and a pair of swans, which surprised me by taking off, flying a circuit and landing again in full sight, just after I'd put my camera away. A wonderful moment I wish I could have shared.

The rain eventually slackened. I was getting cold, so I made a dash for it, stopping at the Dunes Cafe for a hot chocolate and an overpriced bottle of cheap wine, since we couldn't go out shopping for one as planned. Clare got back before me and had cooked a welcome hot lunch, for which I arrived, just in time. Later in the afternoon, the rained stopped again, and we walked to the Oxwich Bay Hotel for a cup of tea and a seat by an open log fire in the lounge as it was getting dark. 

Then, back through the puddles for supper and another two unmissable episodes of 'Spiral' on BBC Four. Money laundering corruption in high places, deceit, revenge, and the amazing Audrey Fleurot in an archetypal Jezebel role. She can do tragic/pathetic victim and sinister scheming vengeance equally. And she never over-acts. Just brilliant!