Southern Wales
Lori and I took advantage of the May Bank Holiday (Monday day off) to take a trip to southern Wales. We stayed in Pencoed right off the M4 motorway and visited Cardiff, The Gower Peninsula the Brecon Beacon National Park, and the waterfalls near Pontneddfechan on the way home. Other than a little rain to start the trip, the weather was beautiful (60F/45F) for the UK. The total trip was ~ 550 miles.
Cardiff
We drove down Saturday morning and spent the day in Cardiff. We visited the Cardiff Castle, walked through the city, and walked down toward Cardiff Bay.
Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle likely commissioned by William the Conqueror built in the 11th century on top of a 3rd century Roman fort.
The castle stone walls were tunnelled in the 1900's to be used as bomb shelters during WWII.
The "keep", is a style of medieval fortification, best described as a stone structure circled by a moat.
Inside the Keep
A view from the top
The castle was in the hands of the Butte family in the early 1800's and a residence was built within the castle walls. The Butte family became rich since they owned the surrounding mineral rights and began exporting coal from the port of Cardiff.
Lori in the main dining room
The 9th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1875)
High Street, Cardiff
The Wales Millennium Center, a theatre used for for musicals, opera, ballet and dance. (language is Welch)
The Pierhead Building was built in 1897 as the headquarters for the Bute Dock Company.
Cardiff Bay was created just 10 years ago by damming and adding locks to the outlet of the Taff River that runs through Cardiff. The normal tides in this area can rise up to 15 feet, which made the bay only navigable for a couple hours a day.
Gower Penninsula
On Sunday, we drove to Rhossili Bay. The beach is described as one of the best in Britain. A little cool and breezy start but it warmed up as the day went on...
The drive to Rhossili
Overlooking the Bay
The Worm''s Head. The difference between high and low tide can be ~ 15 feet, which allows access to Worm's head 2.5 hrs before and after low tide. We got there a little late to make the full trek, but we had enough time to explore the peninsula. The picture below is about an hour after low tide.
The path down to the sea
Rocky Coastline
Some rough climbing
Plenty of mussel for the taking
The anchor belonged to the Norwegian ship Samuel, which sank in February, 1884.
Crowds picking up as the tide was coming in
Brecon Beacons National Park
The next stop was Brecon Beacons National Park, which is a mountain range in South Wales.
Pen Y Far, the highest mountain in Wales in the background
Trail with the visitor center in the distance
Waterfalls near Pontneddfetchan
We stopped for a hike to see the waterfalls near Pontneddfetchan in the Brecon Beacons National Park on the way back to Derby on Monday. The full loop is 9.5 miles and is estimated to take 5 hours. We took a trip up to Sgwd yr Eira (~ 4 miles round trip, 3 hrs).
A steep opening climb
Beautiful views along the way
As usual, you have to share the trail
The first stop was Sgydau Sychryd waterfall
Evidence of a forest fire from last fall
signs of regrowth
The path was easy to follow, and good sign posts along the way. We were glad it was dry.
Sgwd Yr Eira Waterfall
A nice trail behind the waterfall
A great weekend.....
