Gower e-News - Issue 10: 24th February 2012 by Ian Ambrose

GOWER NEWS Gowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hyper-Local News, Event and Information Guide

Spring is in the air! Issue 10 24th February 2012

www.gowernews.co.uk

welcome back

Ian Ambrose

After a short break, Gower e-News is back with a variety of truly local Gower-related information. This 10th Edition is somewhat a foodie one, with interesting news and features from around Gower. Andrew Price talks about his Gower coast foraging adventures, and Tatiana Bento shares some ways to make local Limpets and Mussels taste great with two different recipes.

Andrew Price

Andrew Brooks provides an update about his Gower Chillis venture; he also tells us about his forthcoming 'Chilli Growers Fair' in conjunction with the Gower Wildflower Centre. Along with all the regular Gower news, events and features, this edition is packed with a host of exciting news from across the Gower area.

Tatiana Bento 2

GOWER NEWS 24th February 2012

spring is in the air

Editor / Design / Illustration Ian Ambrose Publisher Gower News | www.gowernews.co.uk editorial@gowernews.co.uk Gower News is an independent and privately owned online publication. Distribution This e-publication is freely distributed through Gower Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; e-newsletter and online media network. www.gowernews.co.uk Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Gower News or its Editor. Gower News does not accept responsibility for the products, goods or services featured or advertised throughout this epublication. Gower News does not personally endorse any business, organisation, product or service featured in this publication. Every effort is made to ensure the information contained within this publication is accurate and up to date. The contents of this publication are subject copyright and must not be reproduced in any way without the express prior permission of the publisher.

Acknowledgment and Thanks

Spring is in the air!

As always, this e-news publication would’t be possible without any local news and information.

As I write this, birds are happily chirping in the hedgerow outside - busily doing what birds do at this time of year. Whilst we have seen some fairly cold and bitter days on Gower over the Winter period, for much of the time it has been relatively mild and rather damp. A recent walk i n B i s h o p s t o n Va l l e y revealed that Spring is surely on its way with scattered displays of S n o w d r o p fi r m l y established on the valley floor. Daffodils too are now appearing to show their true colours - just in time for St. David’s Day on March 1st. Whilst I welcome the warm sunny days - which will surely arrive - I have come to realise that this part of the world, for much of the time, is just as beautiful on damp dreary days. We should celebrate that and make the most of what we have available on Gower.

Special thanks to all those who have sent in information about local news and events from around Gower over the past few months. Particular thanks to the following people and organisations who contribute on a regular basis to help make Gower News, and the Gower e-News publication, truly hyper-local! • Chris Ridgway - for writing a weekly weather blog for the Gower area, and also for regularly contributing by sharing his knowledge of Gower geology; • Tatiana Bento - for writing wonderfully themed recipes; • National Trust Gower; • Local Officers from South Wales Police; and • A host of Facebook and Twitter folk who share local information & knowledge through social media - please keep it coming!

Next Issue: 30th March 2012 If you would like to share local

news and event information, simply email the details to: editorial@gowernews.co.uk

Contents Hyper-Local News Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Gower Local Produce & Craft Markets Photography Workshops with Dan Santillo The Lamplighter Coffee/ Bookshop Walking the Gower: Bishopston Valley Coastal Foraging with Andrew Price Shellfish Recipes by Tatiana Bento Walking the Gower! Having featured the Lamplighter in Bishopston, the walk centres on the N a t i o n a l Tr u s t â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bishopston Valley, followed by a picnic lunch on Pwlldu Bay.

Pilates in the Community: Pe n c l a w d d , T h r e e C r o s s e s , Reynoldston and Penmaen. Contact Emma Hopkins on here mobile for more information and to book your place. Tel: 07766 477308

Gower Gower School Shortlisted for ICT Award Casllwchwr Primary School in Loughor, Swansea have been shortlisted for the Naace ICT Impact Awards. Competing against an initial long list of sixty-eight schools from all over the UK, Cawllwchwr Primary will ultimately find out if they have won at a conference on Friday 9 March 2012. Photo © Casllwchwr Primary School

Festival of the Tides Event’s £1000 Donation Loughor's Independent Inshore Rescue (LIR) charity has received £1000 from the Penclawdd based Festival of the Tides Committee. The donation will help Loughor Inshore Rescue's continuing fundraising efforts for much needed equipment to enable the crew to play their role in preserving life in and around the River Loughor. Photo © Danny Ludkewycz

Pennard First Responders Launch New Website

Photo © Pennard First Responders

A voluntary group of first responders have recently launched their new website - with a little help from Gower News who have provided web hosting and setup support. All volunteers are trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service to administer basic first aid skills, oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator.

gowernews.co.uk

Read in-depth articles online at: www.gowernews.co.uk

Hyper Local News Transition Initiative Grant Scheme A new opportunity to access funding is available as part of Swansea’s Rural Business Plan 2 - a business plan designed as part of the implementation of the Swansea Rural Local Development Strategy 2007-2013. It is hoped that the grant scheme will encourage groups to look creatively at how they can assist their community in the quest for a reduction in the use of fossil fuels and to strengthen resilience in the local economy. Further information and Expression of Interest forms can be downloaded from the Rural Development Plan pages on the City and County of Swansea website at www.swansea.gov.uk/ rdptransitioninitiative or can be obtained by contacting the Scheme Officer. Delyth Higgins Transition Initiative Project Officer Rural Swansea Action Tel: (01792) 850092 Email: delyth.higgins@swansea.gov.uk

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations The Pennard Area Community Partnership (PACP) are currently organising a beacon to be lit on the Southgate car park in Gower as part of the The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The search is also on for dancers, ventriloquists, acrobats, jugglers, singers, comedians, hypnotists, knife throwers, fire eaters etc. to showcase their talent at a community talent show on the 1st and 2nd June 2012.

Gower Trust's New Gower Lodge Bunkhouse Next month, the National Trust's new Gower Lodge bunkhouse, nestled in amongst the Cwm Ivy woodlands on the North Gower coast, will re-open its doors after a major re-development. Tucked away from roads and houses, the Lodge is secluded, hidden amongst the trees and dunes of Whiteford Burrows National Nature Reserve. "The original Lodge was built as a field laboratory for naturalists in the 1920s before being converted into a bunkhouse used by volunteer groups. However, after 80 years of use, it was time to rebuild," said Sian Musgrave, Head Warden for National Trust Gower. The new Lodge sleeps 10 people (two 4-bedded rooms and one two-bedded room). It has underfloor heating, a wood burning stove, fully fitted kitchen, a dining/sitting area, showers and a drying room. The cost of booking the Trust's new Lodge near the village of Llanmadoc is £120 per night Monday through to Thursday, and £140 per night Friday through to Sunday. Sian said: "Weekends and peak periods are being booked up fast, so if you’d like to enquire about availability, give us a call on 01792 390636 or email kimberley.boland@nationaltrust.org.uk" Images © National Trust Gower

Hyper Local News Day Centre Visitors Receive Crime Prevention Advice Local Officers for West Cross/Mayals/Blackpill and Derwen Fawr, PC Richard Jeavons and PCSO Luke Raddenbury, attended Norton Lodge in West Cross on the afternoon of Wednesday 15th February to give a crime prevention talk to visitors of the popular day centre. PC Jeavons and PCSO Raddenbury have attended Norton Lodge previously and further visits are planned in the weeks and months ahead.

School Children Receive Coastal Safety Presentation Gower school children have received valuable coastal safety advice from local National Coastwatch InstitutionÂ volunteers, all thanks to local South Wales Police Officer, PCSO Andy Brown. During the presentation, organised by PCSO Brown, the volunteers highlighted issues such as water safety, their roles and responsibilities as National Coastwatch Institution volunteers and dangers of the tides - particularly around the Gower coast.

Gower Surfers' Map 2012 The newly updated Gower Surfers' Map 2012 is now available to view online. The map is an informative guide of Gower surfing breaks which rates Gower surf locations through the use of a traffic light system. It also contains other useful information such as a tide timetable, surf shop locations, and places to eat and stay around Gower and Swansea Bay. View it at: www.gowernews.co.uk

Gower ‘All Systems Go’ at Gower Brewery

Micro Brewery’s ‘Gower Power’ Recipe For Success For many, 11th November marks a poignant moment in time to reflect and remember. For one local real ale producer, 11/11/11 also marks the end of ‘blood, sweat and tears’ according to Chris Stevens, one of Gower Brewery’s founding partners. We were determined to be up and running with the first brew in production by the end of 2011, said Steve, the actual date happened to be 11th November 2011, he added. The trio of Directors at Gower Brewery - Chris Mabbett, Chris Stevens and Matt Joslin - appear to have worked hard to establish Gower’s newest micro-brewery; the production setup is small yet highly professional. Operating from The Greyhound Inn in north Gower, Gower Brewery is the brainchild of two local pub landlords from The Greyhound (Llanrhidian) and The Kings Head. Its formation as a local enterprise brings a new taste of locally produced real ale to the Gower area - just in time for the Easter tourists to sample.

Hyper Local News

Gower

Although the produce is made from ingredients sourced from further afield, according to Matt Joslin the brewery has ambitions to source locally grown barley by working closely with local farmers. Matt said, “At present we use only the highest quality ingredients such as the amazing floor malted barley from Warminster Maltings, who have been producing malts in the same way since 1879. For our hops we use Charles Faram & Co who has been supplying the finest hops from all over the world since 1865. This provides us with an excellent choice of high quality hops to gain some unique flavours for our ales.” Giving a presentation to a group of around thirty Swansea and Neath CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) members who had descended on the north Gower Inn to sample the Gower ale for themselves, Chris Mabbett of the Greyhound expressed the micro brewer’s aim ‘to produce hand crafted ales of the highest standards using traditional methods’. It’s no wonder the ales seem to get the thumbs up from local CAMRA members; Gower Brewery’s Master Brewer comes with some 23 years’ experience. Having previously worked for Webster’s Brewery in Yorkshire, Dave Campbell, until recently, had been brewing ales at the Swansea based Tomos Watkin Brewery. With barrels of Gower Brewery ale apparently ‘flying out of the brewery as fast as they can produce it’ (currently around 13 days) according to the Greyhound’s Chris Mabbett, it seems there is a genuine appreciation and appetite for it locally. “Our sale of real ale at The Greyhound Inn has nearly doubled over the recent winter months,” said Chris.

Hyper Local News Gower Brewery ales are currently available at the following Gower venues: • The Kings Head • The Greyhound Inn • The King Arthur • Joiners Arms (Three Crosses) • Dunvant Working Men’s Club Gower Brewery hopes their ale will be soon be available at the following venues: • The Oxwich Bay Hotel • The Southgate Club • The Dolphin Inn Follow Gower Brewery on Twitter: @GowerBrewery Drink Aware www.drinkaware.co.uk Don’t Drink & Drive http://think.direct.gov.uk/ drink-driving.html

Commenting on the apparent popularity of the locally produced real ale, Swansea and Neath CAMRA Beer Festival Chairperson, Debra White, said: “The apparent increase in real ale sales through the winter period clearly shows that people want good quality produced ales - generally the sale of real ale is going up nationally. “The production, availability and choice of real ale could be a real boost to Gower pubs CAMRA members are certainly likely to travel on pubic transport to local pubs across the area to drink real ale.” Asked about her favorite ale, Debra said, “Real ales taste better straight from the barrel - personally I like strong beers of the India Pale Ale variety.” Sampson Jack - 4.2%abv A Classic traditional British ale, copper colour brewed with traditional floor malted barley crystal malts and the stalwarts of British hops Fuggles and Goldings.

Gower Gold - 4.5%abv

Thirst quenching golden ale, refreshing citrus flavours and the lovely aroma of the cascade hops.

Gower Best Bitter - 4.5%abv

A honey coloured ale with a full bodied malty flavour and crisp lingering bite of hop.

Brew 1 - 4.0%abv

A Honey coloured ale, more subtle flavours than our best with a pronounced floral aroma.

Gower Power - 5.5%abv

Brewed with traditionally floor malted barley and packed full of choice quality hops, to give a powerful Welsh example of a true British classic India Pale Ale.

Lighthouse Lager - 4.5%abv

Continental lager packed with flavour. Traditional & distinctive quenching blend.

Local Events Chilli Growers’ Fair Saturday 31 March 2012 Following on from their ‘successful’ Chilli Festival in Port Eynon last September, Gower Chillis is hosting a celebration of chilli growing from 10am on Saturday 31st March 2012 at the Gower Wildflower Centre, Blackhills (follow the road opposite Swansea airport - it’s near the end). The event promises a large range of specialist chilli seeds and plants to buy, a ‘chilli doctor’ stand for all your questions about chilli growing, a new range of fresh chilli sauces and a whole host of specialist chilli themed food. With free entry and parking, this event should appeal to gardeners, foodies and chilli-lovers alike. In the meantime follow Andrew Brooks from Gower Chillis as he aims to eat chilli every day in 2012 as part of his Chilli Challenge! Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Gower-Chillis/178808168860310 Twitter: @AndrewBr00ks Telephone: 07854 319768 Email: andrew.brooks@gowerchillis.com

WhatsOnGower.co.uk For a full listing of Gower events we know about, please visit: www.whatsongower.co.uk CAR BOOT SALE

Gower Crafts and Aritisans (GCA)

OXWICH BEACH CAR PARK, GOWER 7AM TO 12PM Each Saturday in April & May commencing 7th April 2012

A newly formed group of craft producers and artists, mainly based in the rural area of Swansea. The g roup promotes the work of local artisans with a view to developing a recognisable brand that denotes quality local produce. Gower Crafts and Aritisans would like to share their love for crafts to all; they look forward to meeting you at their forthcoming events.

Party for Parkinson's UK Monday 9th April 2012 10.30am to 2.30pm

• 10th March 2012 at the ‘Local Art Open Day', hosted by newReD Furniture Makers, The Grove, Mumbles.

The Shop, Pitton Cross Caravan Park, Rhossili, SA3 1PH

• 31st March 2012 at the Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill.

Selling a range of merchandise from Parkinson's, plus locally m a d e We l s h c a k e s , j a m s , handmade cards, cakes and coffee.

•29th April 2012 at the Gorseinon Craft Festival.

Local Events Coming Up... 2012-02-25: Ramble and Rugby Event, Three Crosses, Gower 2012-02-25: Walk to the Worm with The National Trust, Gower 2012-02-29: Leap Year Walk in Bishopston, Gower 2012-03-01: Celtic Week at The Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea 2012-03-01: St David’s Day Buffet of Welsh Produce at Campion Gardens, Bishopston 2012-03-03: Scrub Clearance at Cwm Ivy Tor with The National Trust, Gower 2012-03-03: The Gambia – Swansea Vision 2020 Eye Link | Charity Fashion Show 2012-03-10: Local Arts Open Day at The Workshop, Mumbles 2012-03-17: St Patrick’s Day Lunch at Campion Gardens, Bishopston 2012-03-18: Mother’s Day Lunch at Campion Gardens, Bishopston 2012-03-21: Letters From My Sweetheart at Campion Gardens, Bishopston 2012-03-28: Maria Lyn - Cabaret at Campion Gardens, Bishopston 2012-03-31: Chilli Growers' Fair - Gower Wildflower Centre, Swansea 2012-03-31: Easter Fun at The Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea 2012-04-07: Car Boot Sale at Oxwich Beach Car Park, Gower 2012-04-07: Cotoneaster Clearance at Pennard Cliffs with The National Trust, Gower 2012-04-07: Easter Trail at Southgate Car Park with The National Trust, Gower 2012-04-07: Three Cliffs Coastal Flowers with The National Trust, Gower 2012-04-09: Party for Parkinson's UK at The Shop, Pitton Cross Caravan Park, Rhossili

E i g h t h G o w e r Wa l k i n g Festival: 9-24 June, 2012 Centred on Britain’s first AONB, the Gower Walking Festival is a great opportunity to see the wonderful scenery and abundant wildlife of the Gower peninsula and surrounds. Opened once again by Derek Brockway, ‘Wales’ Weatherman Walking’, this year there are 73 guided walks and activities for experienced walkers to leisurely strollers. Specials this Jubilee year are the ‘Collect a Castle’ walks, the two-day Gower 40-Miler and the Edgar Evansinspired Captain Scott Connection. New walks include Passionate Pilgrims, Orchids at Oxwich, Romans, Monks and Ironworkers, a Singing Walk, Only Dogs Allowed, and Stand-Up Pa d d l e b o a rd i n g, w i t h t wo beginners’ sessions and a Coastal Cruise. Old favourites remain, such as Worm’s Head, Kilvey Hill, Copperopolis, and the Quality Food and Sights Walk as well as C a n o e i n g, C o a s t e e r i n g a n d Kayaking. We'll finish the Festival with a foot-stomping Twmpath. For a fuller flavour of the Festival, visit the new website at www.gowerwalkingfestival.org

WhatsOnGower.co.uk

Pontarddulais Produce and Craft Market Second Wednesday of every month between 9.30am - 12.30pm The Institute, 45 St. Teilo Street, Pontarddulais. 885890 Mumbles Produce and Craft Market Second Saturday of every month between 9.00am - 1.00pm The Dairy Car Park, Oystermouth Square, Mumbles. 361012 Get Welsh in Swansea Food and Entertainment Event in Castle Square, Swansea. 25th and 26th February 2012 from 9.00am until 5.00pm Gorseinon Canolfan Food and Craft Fayre SecondÂ Saturday of every month between 9.30am - 1.00pm Canolfan Centre, Millers Drive, Gorseinon. 893266 Pennard Produce and Craft Market Second Sunday of every month between 9.30am - 12.30pm Pennard Community Centre, Pennard. 448399 Penclawdd Produce and Craft Market Third Saturday of every month between 9.30am - 12.30pm Community Centre, Banc Bach, Penclawdd. 850147 Clydach Produce and Craft Market Last Saturday of each month between 10.00am - 1.30pm Moose Hall, Beryl Road, Clydach. 07707 787791

Local Produce 18

‘Highlight of the Week’ Pineneedles (Hand Made Personalised Wooden Gifts for Children) at Swansea’s Get Welsh Event - Castle Square Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February 2012 9.00am - 5.00pm Pineneedles from Gower will be there with a selection of handmade personalised gifts including: nameplaques, name jigsaws, name keyrings, starboards, Ty Bach signs and lots more...

& Craft Markets 19

// ADVERTORIAL // A well known local photographer of Gower landscapes, and a regular exhibitor of his work locally, is to run a series of workshops aimed at helping others improve their photographic skills. Dan Santillo, originally from Cornwall but now living in South Wales, is a professional photographer specialising in landscape photography of Gower and the Brecon Beacons. His photographic work of famous Gower landmarks has been published in a number of magazines, both locally and nationally. One of Dan's images of the Culver Hole at Port Eynon is even featured on the cover of the Ordnance Survey Landranger Map - 159 Swansea & Gower. A regular early-bird in order to capture stunning sunrise images, which Dan sells at local exhibitions and via his website www.dansantillo.com, Dan is now spreading his wings a little further by offering his services as a tutor to others with a passion for capturing on film the beautiful Gower landscape. Dan said: "The group workshops take place in various locations around the area with a fairly loose agenda so the day can be adjusted depending on what everyone wants to do. "Most landscape photography topics can be covered. "Group size is limited to 5."

Dan Santillo Professional Photographer and Writer telephone: 01792 862376 | mobile: 07917 358724 email: dan@dansantillo.com |web: www.dansantillo.com | twitter: @DanSantillo

// ADVERTORIAL //

(01792) 232012

The Lamplighter, Bishopston For the past eighteen years ‘The Lamplighter’ - claimed to be Bishopston’s only coffee shop and Gower’s only Christian bookshop - has been serving the local community and holiday makers who pass by. Having very recently undergone a major refurbishment, the shop, which is manned by volunteers, has now re-opened and volunteers are keen for people to pay them a visit. “You won't be disappointed!” said shop volunteer, Margaret Edwards. “We stock a wide selection of gifts, supporting both Fair Trade and Leprosy Mission - this is in addition to our books and cards. “Come and try our Romanian honey, the purchase of which supports an Orphanage in Romania, or peruse our gifts and pictures/paintings by local talented artists. “Whether walking or driving, the Lamplighter is an ideal stop-off point for a cuppa.”

THE LAMPLIGHTER COFFEE SHOP & CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOP 90 Bishopston Road (off the South Gower Road: B4436) Bishopston Swansea SA3 3EW Tel: (01792) 232012 Open daily 10am until 4 pm Monday to Saturday

Bishopston Valley Cwm Llandeilo Ferwallt A moderate 3.5 mile circular walk around Bishopston Valley, taking in the !! sights of the picturesque Pwlldu Bay on the south Gower coastline. Words and pictures by Ian Ambrose | Editor

Bishopston Valley Steep Bank

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3.85 mile | circular walk Moderate | 2 hrs 30 mins

1 p Bisho

Cwm Llandeilo Ferwallt

Start and Finish Grid Ref. 578887 OS Map Explorer 164

Bishopston

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3 South Gower RFC

Lockway Wood

Pwlldu Lane

Pwlldu Wood

1 2 3 4 5

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Post Office

Caswell Bay

The Lamplighter

Longash Farm Meadow Picnic Lunch Vantage Point

Pwlldu Bay

www.walkingthegower.co.uk

View this GPS tracked route by visiting Gower News on Runkeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/gowernews/activity/72028030

It’s another dreary February day on Gower - midway through the half term break. It’s that time of year when you feel like you’ve Gower all to yourself; only on passing one or two fellow walkers do you realise you don’t! Gower’s synonymous with wide sandy beaches and a diverse habitat, and on this walk we get to enjoy both at the same time. However, recent news of an application to dredge sand off the Gower coastline is cause for concern; over the years Gower’s beaches have noticeably become less sandy in places.

Mr Davies, who is a Welsh Conservative Regional AM for South Wales West, said he would back Gower residents opposing the proposal. “Gower’s beaches have already been affected by dredging, as have beaches along the whole of Swansea Bay and the Bristol Channel,” said Mr Davies. “Sand has leached away off our beaches into the big holes in the channel created by dredging. Some beaches have lost considerable quantities of sand.

During this walk we’ve the pleasure of passing across Pwlldu Bay, which comprises an unmissable bank of pebbles. But even here, the lack of sand at low tide seems apparent, as the cover picture of this e-magazine shows. Perhaps the ebbing and flowing of the tide has some impact as the limestone pebbles get dragged to and fro across the sand - but surely taking sand away from the banks off Gower will only make matters worse!

“Places like Gower rely on tourism for their livelihood. Seaside resorts with no sand don’t have much future.

A consortium called Resource Management Association wants to extract some 27m tonnes of sand over the next 15 years from an area about seven miles off Worm’s Head. One local politician plans to fight the application due to be decided by the Welsh Government in Cardiff.

Pwlldu Bay, Gower “Gower is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which we must fight hard to protect.”

The National Trust Gower, which owns and cares for 5,500 acres coast and countryside within Gower - the UKs first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - made the following statement on their Facebook page: “The National Trust takes an interest in marine aggregates d r e d g i n g o p e r a t i o n s a ro u n d England, Wales and Northern Ireland, particularly those that are relatively close to the shore. Our concer ns are focused on the potential impacts that removing marine aggregates may have on allowing sand to reach and replenish our beaches. The beaches of South Wales, including those we care for like Rhossili, are not only an important resource for our tourism economy, but also provide valuable natural sea defences.

Our family walk - something of a trip down memory lane - starts and finishes in Bishopston, not far from The Lamplighter Coffee/Bookshop. Following the Public Footpath sign on Bishopston Road, walk down St. Teilo’s Court. After a short while you’ll pass Longash Farm, no longer used as one but once worked by a close relative of mine.

Longash Farm “Our concerns are focused on the potential impacts that removing marine aggregates may have on allowing sand to reach and replenish our beaches.” The Trust will consider carefully all the information provided through marine aggregates licensing processes and seek reassurance not only on how this may affect our cherished coastline now, but also how this may affect us all in the future.”

The track soon narrows and boarders a row of gardens from houses on Wellfield. Continue over the stile into an open field. Cross the field diagonally to the left and cross over another stile. From here, follow the footpath for a short while until coming to a path to the right - this leads down a steep embankment onto the valley floor below. Take care as the route is quite challenging and loose underfoot.

Continue on the path along the right hand side of the river re m e m b e r t o k e e p i t t h e re, whenever it reappears, until you arrive at Pwlldu. Wooden posts pointing in the direction of Pwlldu should help keep you on track!

Stile (SS 576887) Once on the valley floor, follow the path to the left and cross the usually dry or shallow river bed at the most suitable point. Once across, keep the river to your left at all times and don’t cross any of the bridges you come across. Soon you’ll arrive at a point where the river begins to run freely above ground - in parts the river follows an underground course. The scene is one of calm and blissful tranquillity - broken only by the sound of birds and running water.

At various points, the track to Pwlldu leaves the river only to rejoin it at a later point on the journey. Soon you’ll arrive in an open space. Here the meadow - registered as common land - is where you’ll find wildflowers growing (Snowdrop at the time of our walk). Cattle have been know to graze here too - but not today!

Heading out of the meadow, continue along the path with the riverbed to your left. On reaching the point where the track splits, follow the path down some steps to the left. Continue along the path with the river to your left. Soon you’ll arrive at Pwlldu Bay. Rather than crossing the bridge here, keep to the right and follow the path which runs between some cottages. Keeping to the public footpath, bear left onto Pwlldu Bay - a perfect spot for a picnic lunch! Pwlldu (meaning Blackpool) is banked by a formidable storm beach comprising of limestone pebbles - a reminder of the limestone quarrying which took place in the area not so long ago. All that remains of this once industrialised part of Gower are two former public houses - these must have been hugely popular with quarry workers in the area’s industrial heyday! The area is also synonymous with tales of smuggling; on a calm day it’s not too hard to imagine boats landing here to offload their contraband before smugglers scuttled it up through the valley woods under the cover of darkness. With lunch devoured, it’s time to head across the bay to the other side. It’s easy to pick out the path that should be taken as it leads up and to the right of the headland in front. The quickest - tho not easiest - route is straight up over the rocks. Follow the path up the grassy bank, bearing right onto a stoned footpath. Continue up along the footpath, gazing back to admire the views of Pwlldu Bay. At the top of the path, just through the other side of the gate, there is another gate leading to another footpath. It’s worth stopping here just to take in some Gower coast scenery before heading back through the gate to continue the journey back to Bishopston. Continue along the road, passing South Gower RFC on the left. Bear right at the next junction until arriving at the Post Office. From here head straight up along Bishopston Road back to the start point.

Coastal Foraging with Andrew Price

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The growing interest in wild foods over recent years has been staggering everything from wild Game to Fungi have experienced a resurgence in popularity, bordering on a revolution!

Where did you grow up?

“

Why forage? It is so easy to walk into a supermarket and buy our food ready washed and neatly packaged, but where is the fun in that? The growing interest in wild foods over recent years has been staggering. Everything from wild Game to Fungi have experienced a resurgence in popularity, bordering on a revolution, and with the wealth of television programmes and books on the subject of foraging available these days, there is really no excuse not to be getting out there and doing it.

There is something primal and even romantic about taking a walk in the countryside or along the coast to forage something delicious to eat.

Andrew Price

I grew up close to the Ocean in South Wales, and as a youngster I remember collecting Periwinkles and Mussels from the rocky shores of the Gower peninsular while out walking with my Grandfather. We would often cook them up on the beach and eat them while watching the waves crashing on the shore. Such memories have signiﬁcantly shaped the way I view the world today.

Andrew Price

Q&A with AP

”

Q&A with AP What is coastal foraging?

Why is the Gower coastline good for foraging? South Wales is the second largest tidal range in the world - exceeded only by the Bay of Fundy in North America) This enormous tidal range means that the tide can rise and fall an incredible 15 metres (49 feet) - at low tide a huge expanse of the sea bed is exposed, allowing some of the best coastal foraging opportunities in the world.

There are numerous ‘Shell Midden’ sites on Gower which are ancient rubbish tips where people would discard the empty shells of seafood they had eaten. Many of these middens date back thousands of years, and are solid evidence that our ancestors also viewed the sea as a valuable food resource.

From a survival point of view close proximity to the sea virtually guarantees that you will be able to ﬁnd food, and no other environment on earth has such a concentration of life and potential food resources for the intrepid forager.

Andrew Price

Is foraging a new pastime?

Andrew Price

“

Coastal foraging is something I teach to students on my Bushcraft Courses, as well as being something that I still enjoy doing in my free time. There are numerous “Shell Midden” sites on Gower which are ancient rubbish tips where people would discard the empty shells of seafood they had eaten. Many of these middens date back thousands of years, and are solid evidence that our ancestors also viewed the sea as a valuable food resource.

Periwinkles (Littorina littorea) are a very common find in rock pools, and despite their diminutive size they can be found in enormous quantities. Limpets (Patella Vulgata) is another type of Gastropod or Sea snail. Limpets have a conical shell which and can be found attached firmly to rocks. Razor Clams: These Bivalves (or Filter Feeders ) can be found on the lower reaches of beaches and estuaries. One of the true delicacies of the seashore, the meat is very tasty. Mussels: Can be found attached to rocks at various stages of tide and are a really worthwhile food source. They are another Bivalve (filter feeder) so should only be collected in areas with good water quality.

Q&A with AP Should foragers of the Gower coastline be aware of any dangers? There are some safety issues with regards to coastal foraging. The first is to be aware of the tides and how fast the sea comes in. It is very easy to become preoccupied by foraging and to become cut off by the incoming tide. There have been many fatalities over the years, so please tell people where you are going, and get up to date information about the tidal conditions in the areas you intend to forage. Another factor worth considering is the cleanliness of the water. The water quality around Gower is pretty good these days so there are no specific concerns, but the risk always lies with the forager. Bivalves filter their food from the water, so if there are industrial pollutants etc. in the sea they can become concentrated. A natural phenomenon known as red tide is an Algae bloom in the water. This can result in filter feeders such as Mussels and Clams being contaminated by a neurotoxin known as Brevetoxin which can be fatal to humans. Fortunately this is quite a rare occurrence.

Shellfish such as mussels, clams and oysters that are raw or not thoroughly cooked can contain harmful viruses and bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Thorough cooking usually kills any bacteria or viruses. When cooking live shellfish such as mussels, make sure that the outer shell closes when you tap it. Live shellfish will 'clam up' when their shells are tapped. Find out more about cooking and eating shellfish here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/fish-shellfish.aspx

Limpets Rice serves 4

Fisherman Mussels serves 4

Ingredients: 1kg of small limpets (the smaller they are the tender they will be) 1 big onion, ﬁnely chopped 2 cloves of garlic, ﬁnely chopped 1 dl of olive oil 1/2 tsp of sweet paprika 500g of long grain rice Sea salt Ground black pepper parsley, chopped 1 bay leaf

Ingredients: 1kg of mussels 2 onions, chopped into ﬁne rings 4 Tbsp of olive oil 4 Tbsp of butter 1 dl of white wine Sea salt Ground black pepper parsley, chopped

Method: • Wash the limpets in clean water in order to remove any sand or seaweed attached to them. Place the in a heavy bottom pan and cover with water, bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes. Remove the limpets and set them aside to cool down. Reserve the cooking water. • In a clean heavy bottom pot, pour the olive oil, add the onions and garlic and place over a medium/low ﬁre. slowly cook until the onion becomes transparent . Season with salt, pepper, paprika and the bay leaf. • Measure the water that you boiled the limpets in, you need two and a half times the same volume as the rice. Add that water to pan. • Wash the rice and add it to the pan as well, give it a good stir and place a lid on the pot. Cook until you can barely see any liquid and the rice is cooked. • While your rice is cooking remove the limpets of the shell. When the rice is cooked add them to the pot and give a last stir. check the seasoning. • Serve immediately sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Method: • Clean your mussels with an old tooth brush until the water comes clean. • Find a large heavy bottom pot and place butter and olive oil in. Add the onions and cook until transparent, add the wine and allow it to reduce. Add the Mussels and season with salt and pepper, place a lid on the pot. • Once the mussels have opened, remove them from the pot and place them on a serving dish. Turn the heat up of the remaining juices and let it reduce without the lid for about 5 minutes. Sieve the juice and spread it over the mussels, sprinkle with parsley and serve alongside with bread as a starter.

Recipes by Tatiana Bento Marmalade Cookery School www.marmaladecookeryschool.co.uk

Fisherman Mussels serves 4

Photography by Jon Lewin Photography & Design

2012

Remember, going in the sea is a potentially dangerous activity. This is a guide only. Take notice of all local advice and signs. Please exercise common sense and caution.

h water

burry port To adjust for British Summertime, add 1 hour from 01.00 March 27th to 01.00 October 30th For approximate low water time, add 6hrs 15 minutes.

afternoon

-0m 8m 16m 79m 38m 87m 25m 52m 66m 66m 46m 04m 44m 75m 39m 12m 43m 07m 68m 12m 37m 45m 39m 20m 90m 51m 04m 50m

1 11.10 9.95m 23.33 12.03 9.90m ------ WSW 2 Ideal 12.24 13.21 9.65m ------swell: 9.55m 3 00.59 14.56 9.87m Bottom: Sand14.03 16.02 10.42m 4 Max/Min 02.44 9.89m rideable:15.24 8’/2’ 16.51 11.00m 5 03.51 10.59m 16.19 type: * Ì]Ê ivÌÃ 11.32m 17.05 17.33 11.52m 6 Wave 04.39 11.94m Best tide: High 17.48 18.14 11.94m 7 05.23 18.54 12.25m 8 06.06 Best 12.43m wind: SE18.29 19.33 12.45m 9 06.48 12.77m 19.10 20.12 12.52m 10 07.30 12.94m 19.51 20.51 12.42m 11 08.11 12.91m 20.31 21.31 12.13m 12 08.52 12.64m 21.12 22.15 11.64m 13 09.35 12.13m 21.56 23.06 11.01m 14 10.22 11.41m 22.47 15 11.21 10.61m 23.54 ------ -----12.55 10.21m 16 ------ ------ 12.38 Ideal swell: to S 10.01m 14.11 17 W01.23 14.26 10.15m 15.49 10.59m 02.58 10.30m 15.36 Bottom:18Sand 11.18m 10.93m 16.33 19 04.07 16.51Max/Min rideable: 12’/1’ 11.67m 20 04.57 11.51m 17.17 17.39 type: Beach, L&R11.93m 17.54 12.00m 21 05.36 18.19 Wave Best tide: 22 All 18.55 12.16m 06.12 12.17m 18.27 12.26m 19.00 23 06.46 19.29 12.19m Best wind: E 20.00 12.11m 24 07.18 12.21m 19.30 20.30 11.92m 25 07.49 12.06m 20.00 20.57 11.63m 26 08.18 11.82m 20.27 21.25 11.26m 27 08.46 11.49m 20.54 21.55 10.81m 28 09.15 11.08m 21.24 22.35 10.28m 29 09.48 10.61m 22.01 30 10.35 10.09m 22.58 31 11.45 9.69m -----@gowersurfersmap

1 00.18 9.73m 2 01.52 9.95m 3 03.07 10.59m 4 04.03 11.33m 5 40.51 11.97m 6 05.38 12.47m 7 06.24 12.80m 8 07.09 12.95m 9 07.52 12.88m 10 08.36 12.58m 11 09.21 12.06m 12 10.09 11.36m 13 11.07 10.63m 14 ------ -----15 01.00 10.19m 16 02.24 10.33m 17 03.33 10.78m 18 04024 11.25m 19 05.05 11.61m 20 05.42 11.84m Llangennith 21 06.18 11.94m 22 06.51 11.93m 23 07.23 11.83m 24 07.54 11.66m 25 08.24 11.41m 26 08.54 11.10m Rhossili 27 09.29 10.74m 28 10.15 10.36m 29 11.18 10.05m 30 ------ ------

9.78m 9.54m 9.60m 10.18m 10.90m 11.56m 12.10m 12.50m 12.75m 12.83m 12.71m 12.35m 11.77m 11.04m 10.34m 10.01m 9.93m 10.41m 11.02m 11.53m 11.87m 12.06m 12.12m 12.07m 11.92m 11.68m 11.36m 10.95m 10.47m 10.00m ------

broughton bay

rhossili bay

morning afternoon gowersurfersmap@gmail.com

12.21m 1 06.34 12.24m 18.52 12.59m 12.50m 2 07.10 12.27m 19.28 12.52m 12.61m 3 07.44 12.19m 20.01 12.32m 12.55m 4 08.15 12.00m 20.33 12.00m 12.35m 5 08.45 11.71m 21.02 11.58m 12.01m 6 09.12 11.34m 21.31 11.09m 11.56m 7 09.43 10.90m 22.05 10.54m 11.03m 10.39m 22.51 9.96m 10.21 Easy –8 good for beginners and experienced surfers 10.47m 9 11.15 9.88m ------ -----9.93m 10 00.00 9.52m 12.35 9.59m 9.80m 9.51m 14.27 9.86m 01.45 11– for Caution intermediate and experienced surfers 9.64m 10.07m 10.54m

15.35 12 03.09 10.03m 13 04.03 10.77m 16.22 11.24m 10.65m 14 04.45 11.42m 17.03 11.85m Danger 11.25m 12.31m 17.43only 05.26 11.95msurfers 15– experienced 11.73m 16 06.06 12.33m 18.24 12.63m 12.10m 17 06.46 12.58m 19.03 12.80m 12.35m 18 07.26 12.69m 19.44 12.80m 12.50m 19 08.06 12.62m 20.24 12.60m 12.52m 20 08.46 12.36m 21.06 12.17m 12.39m 21 09.30 11.89m 21.52 11.54m 12.06m 22 10.20 11.26m 22.50 10.80m 11.55m 23 11.25 10.61m ------ -----10.90m 24 00.06 10.18m 12.50 10.24m -----25 01.39 10.04m 14.24 10.43m 10.25m 26 03.05 10.45m 15.39 11.03m 10.42m 27 04.07 11.08m 16.32 11.65m 11.03m 28 04.54 11.62m 17.15 12.10m 11.69m 29 05.33 11.98m 17.52 12.36m 12.19m 30 06.09 12.17m 18.27 12.43m

7 Õ `ÊÞ ÕÊ iÊÌ Ê>`ÛiÀÌ ÃiÊ ÊÓä£Î¶Ê iÌÊ ÊÌ ÕV Ê ÜÊÌ ÊÀiÃiÀÛiÊÞ ÕÀÊÃ« Ì°

Break rating

Design and production: GMID Design/Brand 01792 641350 www.GMID.co.uk

17.46 18.32 19.14 19.54 20.31 21.06 21.40 22.12 22.50 23.40 12.01 13.35 15.11 16.09 16.53 17.33 18.10 18.48 19.26 20.03 20.42 21.22 22.07 23.03 -----12.59 14.33 15.51 16.48 17.34 18.15

afternoon

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

morning

06.42 07.15 07.45 08.14 08.42 09.12 09.50 10.43 11.57 00.54 02.24 03.26 04.14 04.57 05.39 06.22 07.05 07.48 08.31 09.18 10.12 11.16 -----01.17 02.39 03.41 04.27 05.06 05.42 06.16 06.49

12.23m 12.16m 12.00m 11.75m 11.43m 11.02m 10.56m 10.09m 9.79m 9.58m 10.03m 10.74m 11.45m 12.04m 12.48m 12.75m 12.85m 12.77m 12.48m 12.01m 11.41m 10.83m -----10.13m 10.42m 10.92m 11.40m 11.76m 11.99m 12.08m 12.07m

morning

afternoon

13.15 14.41 15.42 16.32 17.18 18.03 18.47 19.30 20.12 20.56 21.42 22.36 23.41 12.19 13.43 15.03 16.01 16.45 17.22 17.57 18.30 19.03 19.33 20.03 20.31 21.03 21.42 22.36 23.48 12.36

9.67m 10.17m 10.90m 11.60m 12.18m 12.60m 12.85m 12.91m 12.76m 12.39m 11.81m 11.13m 10.51m 10.08m 9.96m 10.30m 10.82m 11.29m 11.63m 11.85m 11.95m 11.94m 11.83m 11.64m 11.39m 11.07m 10.70m 10.35m 10.14m 10.00m

afternoon

19.00 19.33 20.33 20.31 21.00 21.33 22.18 23.24 -----13.30 14.50 15.45 16.31 17.15 17.59 18.42 19.25 20.09 20.54 21.44 22.42 23.53 12.33 13.57 15.10 16.04 16.48 17.26 18.01 18.36 19.08

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

01.09 02.22 03.24 04.18 05.09 06.00 06.48 07.36 08.23 09.10 09.59 10.52 11.52 00.27 01.36 02.43 03.39 04.27 05.09 05.48 06.25 07.00 07.33 08.06 08.40 09.17 10.01 10.55 -----00.30 01.40

Horton

Port Eynon

gowersurfersmap

afternoon

10.27m 10.73m 11.33m 11.89m 12.33m 12.61m 12.72m 12.65m 12.40m 11.98m 11.43m 10.86m 10.37m 10.50m 10.41m 10.57m 10.86m 11.16m 11.40m 11.56m 11.62m 11.61m 11.53m 11.39m 11.21m 11.00m 10.76m 10.54m -----10.65m 10.86m

47 morning

A484 13.55 10.33m 1 02.46 15.02 10.92m 2 03.48 15.58 11.56m 3 04.45 16.48 12.10m 4 05.40 17.37 12.50m 5 06.33 18.24 12.74m 6 07.24 19.11 12.80m 7 08.12 19.57 12.67m 8 08.58 20.43 12.37m 9 09.43 21.32 11.91m 10 10.29 22.24 11.37m 11 11.17 23.22 10.86m 12 -----13 00.45 ------ -----10.13m 14 01.48 13.00 B4295 14.12 10.20m 15 02.51 16 03.48 15.15 10.52m B4271 16.06 10.92m 17 04.38 16.48 11.28m 18 05.22 17.27 11.55m 19 06.02 18.04 11.72m 20 06.39 18.39 11.77m 21 07.15 22 07.51 19.12 11.74m A4118 19.43 11.63m 23 08.27 20.15 11.47m 24 09.04 20.49 11.27m 25 09.45 21.29 11.04m 26 10.31 22.19 10.82m 27 11.26 23.21 10.65m 28 -----12.00 10.44m 29 01.04 13.10 10.55m 30 02.16 14.21 10.89m

the north road

the south road

oxwich bay

Oxwich

morning

oxwich bay

morning afternoon Ideal swell: Big WSW

11.37m A48 A483 11.86m A4070 12.25m 44 A4067 12.51m 12.62m A484 A4217 12.59m 43 12.40m 12.09m 11.68m 11.23m 10.79m 10.34m A483 A4118 10.13m Sketty 10.18m Killay 10.46m 10.85m A4216 11.21m Swansea Tourist 11.48mA4118 Information Centre 11.65m Sketty Lane Plymouth Street 11.73m A4067 Swansea SA1 3QG 11.74m 01792 468321 11.70m Blackpill B4436 11.62m 11.50m 11.33m Oystermouth 11.12m info@greatgoweroutdoors.com 10.93m Ideal swell: Big W to S 10.70m Bottom: Sand 10.75m Best wind: NE TO SW 11.04m

at Clyne Farm Centre, Mumbles, Swansea.

swansea YOUR ONE-STOP FOR: campsite, tipi hire, self catering cottages, horseriding, indoor climbing, archery, gorgewalking and:

3 08.20 11.49m 20.40 4 08.52 11.17m 21.14 5 09.30 10.79m 21.57 6 10.19 10.43m 22.54 7 horton 11.24 10.18m -----beach 9.88m 12.41 8 Ideal 00.09swell: W to S 9 01.30 10.11m 13.57 Bottom: Sand 10 02.42 10.67m 15.02 rideable: 6’/2’ 11Max/Min 03.38 11.33m 15.56 11.93m 12Wave 04.27 16.46 type: Beach, L&R 12.40m 17.35 13 Best 05.15tide: Not high 14 06.01 12.71m 18.24 Best12.84m wind: N19.11 15 06.47 16 07.33 12.80m 19.58 17 08.21 12.58m 20.46 18 09.10 12.21m 21.36 19 10.03 11.74m 22.30 20 11.00 11.25m 23.29 21 ------ ------ 12.03 22 00.37 10.33m 13.12 23 01.51 10.31m 14.23 24 02.59 10.58m 15.24 25 03.53 10.97m 16.14 26 04.37 11.35m 16.57 27 05.16 11.65m 17.37 28 05.54 11.85m 18.14 29 06.29 11.93m 18.48 30 07.02 11.90m 19.21

CHALLENGE VALLEY

the muddiest assault course in the world! swansea bay

mumbles head

caswell langland bay bay

Mumbles Tourist Information Centre Mumbles Methodist Church 520b Mumbles Road Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4DH 01792 361302

afternoon

11.18m 11.39m 11.07m Wave3type:08.39 Beach, L&R 21.01 10.79m 11.14m 21.41 10.79m 09.15 4 tide: High 10.37m Best 09.59NW10.89m 22.28 10.52m 5 wind: Best 10.02m 6 10.53 10.67m 23.28 10.33m -----7 11.58 10.57m ------ -----10.21m 8 00.38 10.32m 13.08 10.67m Ideal 10.99m swell: WSW 10.58m 9 01.51 10.58m 14.18 11.16m 11.44m Bottom: Sand 10 03.00 11.06m 15.22 11.75m 11 04.00 11.62m Max/Min 16.21 11.89m rideable: 6’/2’ 12.25m 12.26m 12 04.54 12.13m Wave 17.17type: Beach, L&R 12.59m 13 05.45 12.51m 18.09 12.51m Best tide: Not low 12.76m 12.60m 14 06.35 12.74m 19.00 12.76m Best12.55m wind: NE 15 07.24 12.81m 19.49 12.57m 16 08.12 12.73m 20.36 12.34m 12.21m 17 08.59 12.49m 21.22 12.00m 11.72m 18 09.46 12.13m 22.08 11.56m 11.16m 19 10.35 11.66m 22.56 11.06m 10.65m 20 11.25 11.16m 23.48 10.58m 10.85m 21 ------ ------ 12.21 10.71m 10.66m 22 00.49 10.24m 13.25 10.43m 10.73m 23 02.00 10.16m 14.33 10.42m 10.99m 24 03.09 10.39m 15.36 10.65m 11.29m 25 04.06 10.80m 16.30 10.98m 11.56m 26 04.52 11.22m 17.15 11.30m 11.74m 27 05.33 11.56m 17.54 11.54m 11.82m 28 06.11 11.77m 18.31 11.68m 11.81m 29 06.46 11.87m 19.06 11.72m 11.71m 30 07.19 11.87m 19.39 11.69m 31 07.52 11.82m 20.13 11.61m

caswell bay

to/from East Wales

PICK UP THIS GUIDE

01792 403333

1 07.33 07.21 11.96m 19.39 11.79m Bottom: Sand11.79m 19.54 11.55m port12 eynon 11.33m 08.06 11.61m 2 rideable: 07.51 11.76m bay 20.09 11.52mMax/Min 4’/1’ 20.27

12.37m 12.19m 11.91m 11.55m 11.12m 10.63m 10.10m 9.66m -----9.93m 10.52m 11.24m 11.88m 12.39m 12.73m 12.89m 12.86m 12.63m 12.18m 11.55m 10.86m 10.31m 10.49m 10.56m 10.96m 11.43m 11.81m 12.04m 12.14m 12.12m 12.00m

afternoon

11.23m 15.24 11.64m 16.22 12.00m 17.15 12.26m 18.06 12.39m 18.56 12.39m 19.44 12.26m 20.31 11.99m 21.18 11.61m 22.06 11.17m 22.54 10.72m Three 23.47 ------ Crosses 12.10 10.46m 13.13 10.32m 14.21 10.40m 15.23 10.65m 16.15 10.94m 17.00 11.20m 17.41 11.39m 18.18 11.50m 18.53 11.54m 19.27 11.54m 20.01 11.49m 20.37 11.40m 21.16 11.26m 22.00 11.06m 22.54 10.85m 23.55 ------ 12.31 10.84m 13.43 10.95m 14.57

Supervised beach (see local signs for details)

Car park

langland bay

Surfing

Ideal swell: WSW Bottom: Mixed Max/Min rideable: 10’/2’ Wave type: Beach, L&R Best tide: All Best wind: N

Windsurfing Kitesurfing Tourist Information Centre

Located in the heart of Swansea’s city centre...

http://issuu.com/gowernews/docs/gowersurfersmap2012 Break rating

Easy – good for beginners and experienced surfers

The Dragon Hotel boasts 106 bedrooms, AA rosette Brasserie, Piano Bar, 18m heated swimming pool and a fully equipped gymnasium.

ZGOAPE8625 GOWERS SURF AD D2.indd 1 Published by: / iÊ-ÕÀviÀÃ½Ê >« PO Box 83 Swansea SA3 4XX } ÜiÀÃÕÀviÀÃ >«J} > °V

12.48m

71m 05m 22m 25m 15m 94m 61m 20m 74m 24m -9m 2m 23m 81m 33m 74m 04m 25m 35m 32m 13m 76m 22m 62m 33m 16m 52m 12m 67m 04m

morning

afternoon

broughton bay

rhossili bay

B4297

llanelli

morning

to/from West Wales

mumbles road The Kingsway, Swansea to/from City Centre

Our superb location is within easy reach of Swansea's many attractions, beaches and vibrant nightlife.

SA1 5LS +44 (0)1792 657100 info@dragon-hotel.co.uk

A4067

Caution – for intermediate and experienced surfers

swansea bay

Danger – experienced surfers only

Ideal swell: Big W to S Bottom: Sand Best wind: NE to SW CASWELL ROAD

oystermouth

caswell bay LANGLAND BAY ROAD

Mumbles Tourist Information Centre Mumbles Methodist Church 520b Mumbles Road Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4DH 01792 361302

caswell bay Ideal swell: WSW Bottom: Sand Max/Min rideable: 6’/2’ Wave type: Beach, L&R Best tide: Not low Best wind: NE

langland bay langland bay

Supervised beach

www.dragon-hotel.co.uk

(see local signs for details)

Surfing

Car park

Windsurfing

Tourist Information Centre

Kitesurfing

Ideal swell: WSW Bottom: Mixed Max/Min rideable: 10’/2’ Wave type: Beach, L&R Best tide: All Best wind: N

limeslade

mumbles head

Remember, going in the sea is a potentially dangerous activity. This is a guide only. Take notice of all local advice and signs. Please exercise common sense and caution.

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