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| My previous set of photos covered a visit to Mumbles Pier. Today we are going to walk to Mumbles Head. This picture of the Inner Head and Mumbles Head was taken a few days ago when the tide was in but this morning the tide is out so we can walk across to the lighthouse without getting our feet wet. |
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| A warning to visitors not
familiar with the tides at Mumbles. When the tide turns it comes in quite fast so it is wise to check the tide tables before visiting the islands. |
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| Near the Pier entrance
are steps down to the beach, we go down and start walking towards the outer island. The beach is strewn with rounded stones and one must walk with care. |
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| Having reached Mumbles Head we climb up the rough concrete steps to the lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1794. At that time the light was produced by a fire at the top of the tower, being replaced later, in the early nineteen century by oil lamps until electricity became available. |
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| This naval cannon was one of four mounted on Mumbles head in the nineteenth century to act as a defence against the invasion of French forces. It was found,in 1978, in the sea near to the Head. It is now placed outside Swansea Sub-Aqua Club in Swansea Marina. |
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| Once again, guns were mounted and manned on Mumbles Head, this time during the Second World War. Now the abandoned and ruined concrete blockhouses serve as a reminder of those dark days. | |
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| Looking around the island we see steps running down to the beach. Not the concrete steps we came up but steps carved out of the solid rock. Now almost worn away by the effects of use and weather over very many years these are probably the original steps used by the lighthouse keepers of the past. We descend to the stony beach. Nearby we see a timber construction which was, no doubt,used to offload provisions brought to the island by small boat. . |
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| Moving around to the seaward side of the Head we come to a large sea cave known as Bob's Cave. Why it is called Bob's Cave I have yet to discover. On top of the lighthouse outer building we see the solar panels which provide power for the light. |
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| Huge boulders guard the entrance to the cave. |
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| We now leave Mumbles Head and climb to the top of the Inner Head. From there we have a fine view of the Pier. |
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| This is a good place from which to take a last look at the lighthouse.. |
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| On the other side of Bracelet Bay the Coastguard Station on the headland looks out over the sea. |
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| Returning to the beach
we take a look under the Pier at the barnacle encrustation on the metal pier
supports. Also clinging to the metalwork are masses of mussels. |
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| Up the steps, we are off the beach and back in front of the Pier entrance. ..........thats all folks. |