 |
| |
 |
| Today we are in Mumbles and going to visit the Pier. It is a cloudy day but at least it's dry. |
 |
| We drive down the steep incline to the Pier area. Today there are plenty of vacant parking places but in the busy summer period an empty parking spot would be difficult to find |
 |
| This complex, housing a restaurant and amusement arcade, is a recent development which replaced older buildings. |
|
| This side of the restaurant faces the sea.... |
 |
| .....and customers get a good view of the lifeboat station and Swansea Bay. |
 |
| If you like sea food, it is well catered for. Cockles,an edible bivalve mollusc, and lavabread, made from a special seaweed, are both local delicacies. |
 |
| No pier would be complete without its amusement arcade. |
 |
| No, this is not a sea monster. It is just the exit of a kiddies tube ride. |
 |
| We pay the entrance fee and pass through the turnstiles onto the pier. It is immediately obvious that the pier has lost much of its former glory. For most of the first half of the last century it enjoyed great popularity. There was a Winter Gardens and there were concerts. Throughout the summer months, one could take a trip from the end of the pier on a pleasure steamer across the channel to North Devon or just a short cruise along the Gower Coast. It is sad to see it so rundown but, I'm pleased to say, there is a revival of interest in the pier and it is hoped restoration work will take place in the near future. However, the little boy in the photo cares only about the present and is quite happy playing on the swing. |
 |
| If we look back towards the pier entrance we can see Mumbles Hill in the background.. |
 |
| Access to the Lifeboat Station is by a narrow bridge from the pier but today,unfortunately, the Station is closed to visitors. |
 |
 |
| We do, however, through an open door, get a look at the stern of the vessel and note the heavy retaining chains that prevent the boat from sliding down the slipway. The Mumbles lifeboat has a long history. It was established in 1863 and since that date has taken part in many heroic rescues. | |
 |
| Fishermen find the pier an ideal place to try their luck .......... |
 |
| .....but others prefer the beach alongside. |
 |
| At low water it is possible to walk out to the lighthouse. |
 |
| Back on shore again and the end of our visit. |