SwanseaCAM - 190301 Caswell

ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.
Monday 19th March 2001.
Swansea ...Caswell Bay and Valley.

Weather: Cloudy. Temp: 8C

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind
permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

Situated within easy reach of the city centre, Caswell is one of the most popular bays in Gower. Here, on the ramp leading down to the beach, is where we start our walk. There is little chance of clear sunshine this cloudy afternoon, but occasionally the sun can be seen behind the the thinner clouds.

The Caswell Stream cuts its way down the beach to the sea. To cross the stream without getting wet feet you have to step from stone to stone.

The sea is fairly calm today, there is just enough of a breeze to disturb the surface of the water. Not enough though, to put off this little group who seem quite happy sitting on the sand.

This little lad wanted a closer look at the water.

Over the years the pounding waves have worn away all the sharp edges off these rocks leaving smooth rounded shapes.

We have left the beach and climbed up the narrow, steep and sometimes rocky path to the top of the eastern side of the valley. As we recover our breath after the climb we take time to look at the view. On a clear day you can see the Devon Coast on the other side of the Bristol Channel. Pwlldu Headland is on the right of the picture. Only part of Caswell Bay can be seen from this position, later we will walk along the cliff path to look across the bay at the western end.

But for now, we head inland following the path along the top edge of the valley.....

....both sides of the valley are heavily wooded and in places daffodils and snowdrops are in bloom. Wild garlic or ramsons grows in abundance beneath the trees and you can, here and there, among the dark green leaves, see the first of their white flowers to appear this Spring.

After about half a mile the track leads down to the valley floor and from there we make our way back to the car park.

Just before we reach the car park we come to a small grassy picnic area. We won't stop - it is not yet picnicking weather.

We have crossed the road outside the car park and walked a little way along the coastal path on the east side of the bay.

From here you get a good view of the other side of the bay. The buildings on the slope above the beach are apartment blocks - I wish they had found somewhere else to build them.

Not a soul in sight at the far end of the beach. It will be very different when the warmer weather arrives..

This is the last picture for today. The sun is quite low in the sky and it's time to go home.... .