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| We are in Lower Pitton, a hamlet just south of the road to Rhossili and today we are going to follow the path through Great Pitton Farm down the slade to Mewslade Bay. Mewslade is derived from two words, 'Mew' meaning gull and 'slade' from the Old English word slaed which in place names denotes a low valley or a space between banks. |
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| After passing the farm buildings the path leads us through a wooded area where already there are signs of Spring and primroses are beginning to appear. Last year they were in abundance on these grassy slopes. |
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| In this outcrop of limestone on our right are several small cave-like openings going deep into the rock. |
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| The slade narrows as we get closer to the sea, high limestone crags tower above us on each side. |
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| Looking back along the path we can see the green farm pastures. Just out of the picture are a flock of sheep quietly grazing in the weak winter sun. |
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| A limestone wall runs the whole length of the path on one side, right down to the rocky foreshore. As a result of lack of maintenance and the ravages of time, the walls have collapsed in places and are no longer as high. |
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| Alongside this battered old stile you see the familiar shaped sign of the National Trust. The Trust, a charity, was founded in 1895 to preserve places of historic interest or natural beauty for the benefit of the nation. Quite a lot of the Gower coastline in the ownership and care of the Trust |
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| The limestone scree on the left provides a handy supply of wall building material. |
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| We have now arrived at the end of the path and are just above the rock strewn entrance to the beach. Unfortunately, the high tide prevents us from getting onto the sandy beach. |
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| A narrow track leads us to the western side of the inlet where we have a good view of the waves rolling in. |
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| But this is just a temporary divertion for our route lies to the east and on to the top of Thurba Head, a great pinacle of rock rising almost vertically from the beach. Across the slade a dark opening near the foot of the rock looks like it might be a cave entrance, so on our way up the hill to the Head we'll take a look inside. |
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| The cave is quite small, really no more than a narrow entrance which reduced rapidly in size. One would have to crawl to explore further. Deciding to stick to walking we progress up the steep slope to the top of Thurba Head. |
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| At the top we look first down into Mewslade Bay and then further to the west into Falls Bay and Tears Point headland. |
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| Turning to the east we see a succession of headlands disappearing into the distance..from this high point we have wonderful views in all directions. |
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| Our way back to Lower Pitton is along the eastern ridge of the slade. We pass flocks of sheep in the fields as we continue on our way to the top of Lower Pitton.The houses in the background line the road to Rhossili. |
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| We are back in Lower Pitton. Hope you enjoyed the walk. |