I hadn’t realised that ‘The Gower’, far from being just a couple of little old seaside villages, is a largish country area, spreading from the west side of Swansea out to… I’m not sure where. It’s a lot farther than I can walk, that much is as sure as old banana skins.
Okay, let’s leave that thought dangling for a bit. What other natural areas do I have within my grasp?
Well, to the north, we have an inland hilly area known as the Brecon Beacons. Some folks would argue that I should use the term ‘mountainous’ rather than ‘hilly’. I don’t think I have the desire, or the time, to argue that one out.
Now, I don’t know the Beacons awfully well. I’ve been there only once or twice and then with people who know the area only from the road to and from some pub or other.
I do not measure my landscapes by the pubs they shelter, nor by the roads between. I’m far more inclined these days to see a landscape as a convenient support for gentle walking, deep breathing, sky, tree and sea watching and, when satiated thusly, to hold a café where I can get something along the lines of sausage, egg, chips and beans and a good deep cup of black tea. Or fish’n'chips and black tea.
So, then, we have ‘The Gower’ and the ‘Brecon Beacons’, one of them a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the other not only that but a National Park to boot. The near edge of either of them is less than half an hour away by car.
The Gower is fabulous for the sea. The Beacons are fabulous for huge open views.
I am blessed. I can happily spend the rest of my life pottering around these places, sea when I feel like smelling the sea, and the hills when I feel like pretending I’m hiking again, relishing the mile upon mile of fresh, unpoluted air.
You know what? I may well do just that. I seem to have the sea and the hills and the rest of my life just around the corner and over the hill.
Just around the corner and over the hill
truly delightful options
Lovely, John. How I wish I lived nearer the sea!
Lovely thought!
Lovely! Please take an extra sniff for me. Nothing’s more resuscitating, at least for me, than a nice deep lungful of salty air. And that path going down, looks most inviting. If only there weren’t “The Way Back UP!” I have sharp memories of rounding a special curve and catching that first sniff of the sea and knowing I was THERE!
Mehtinks you have found paradise !
I have an old school friend who lives in Brecon Beacons she said it is like no other place on earth.
Your a favoured man John Bailey ……
Life sounds good
Ha make that Methinks…
I sound a wee bit Irish “Mehtinks” lol
How delightful – you have truly found your home. Enjoy many happy walks amid the changing seasons.
One of the blessings of Korea is the sea, around three sides of the peninsula. My frequent overnight excursions are almost always by ship, just to get a good long dose of sea air and that pleasing sensation of being “rocked in the cradle of the deep” when I drift off to sleep.
You have a wonderful stretch of seaside and hills to explore in the coming years. More power to you! Hugs, ~ Sil
Wonderful! Wish I could share with you. I’ll find a place soon.
OH! So pretty!
I don’t know if I’d rather be bicycling or walking down that path, John. Either way, it’s all good!
Gosh, that’s just lovely.
I’m charmed.
Oh, that does look so very inviting…