Hazy Rhossili

Walking on the beach to the river at the far end of the wetland reserve yesterday was very taxing, with the temperature rising to 28C. I fell asleep on the sofa before going to bed, and slept for a couple hours before turning in. The stormy weather front caught up with us. After a few rumbles of thunder, torrential rain fell for about an hour, the sound of it on the roof was quite mesmerising and didn't stop me dozing off. Today is cooler, hazy and overcast, prompting a drive to Rhossili for a picnic lunch.

The car parks at Rhossili were two thirds full and the path out to Worm's Head busy with walkers. Down on the beach 120m below were a few hundred people scattered about on the vast expanse of sand. It must be heaving with people when the surf is up and the sun shining. As the car park is on National Trust land our membership allowed us to park for free and not pay the six pound a day ch arge. The car park meter has a QR code scanner to register members parking there, but it wasn't working. The car park attendant issuing tickets was taking cash, but many drivers arriving had no cash with them. The habit of using real money is disappearing rapidly with the surge in use of contactless payment during the pandemic crisis.

There was no wind and it was warm enough to have a picnic lunch on the clifftop overlooking the island. A few spots of rain on the return walk and a drink in the cafe near the car park served to deter a further expedition down to beach below. On the return drive it started to rain in earnest. A last supper of fish and chips on the beach had already been mooted, but sporadic rain deterred us, so we sat around the caravan picnic tables and feasted, with copious amounts of wine, before moving down to the beach to light a fire once the rain showers ended. 

We agreed that not even the best of the Mediterranean's beaches can match those of the Gower, as it's not been ruined by developers, and the majority of tourists have to leave at night. There's not enough accommodation, nor ever will be as long as the land is as carefully conserved as it is. Besides the majority of tourists probably live within convenient driving distance. We've noticed a great number of cars leave between five and six - people taking their children home for tea, most probably. We are so very blessed.