A walk on the Gower - from Port Eynon

Last weekend, I fancied an adventure. Looking quickly on the internet, I found Port Eynon, on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales.

And here we are, setting off from the car park (£5 all day)

The tide was out, and the forecast sunshine was somewhat absent, but, leaving the bay, we followed the coast path.

...which immediately (but fairly briefly) took us away from sight or sound of the sea.

Peering through the branches, ...

...we climbed steeply to Port Eynon Head,  

..with its distinctive Gower Monument marking the protected status of the area.

And then the sun came out: the (very hilly) limestone coast stretched ahead invitingly

There was a very steep descent, with a coast path direction sign in the foreground here.

Apparently, sand extraction further down the coast appears to have taken away much of what were previously beaches, leaving exposed rock strata instead.

Great views in all directions

The path goes in front of some of the towering limestone cliffs

So that's what my rucksack looks like when it's being worn!

More rocky beaches

Then the path goes up this narrow gorge-like valley to climb above the cliffs.

Everywhere, people have moved the stones about, for artistic purposes. This is the curved body of a dragon, or snake - I think.

And then the rain came towards us. This photo is looking ahead,...

...and this is looking back the way we had come.

Getting misty out to sea.

The rain started.

But we carried on.

More tomorrow. Click here to see it

Today's walk: Park at Port Eynon car park ( right on the seafront.) Turn right and follow the coast path. We walked out for 3.5 miles, and then back by the same route. The path has two steep climbs, but is otherwise fairly easy. After the first mile and a half, it keeps to the higher ground, as you can see from the above picture. It's very good for an out and back walk, because the views look different from the other way.

You can walk from Port Eynon to Rhossili, which is 7 miles, with a connecting bus service, but we didn't want to rely on Sunday buses in Wales.  During the week, buses are approx every hour till about 3pm. 

Kidderminster to Wolverley along the canal - part 2

Arriving at Kidderminster by canal towpath, you look back to this great view of St Mary's Church (A big thankyou to reader PAC who spotted my earlier mistake!)

Forward, and it's towards the ring road

The canal runs very close to the traffic, but stays fairly tranquil.

Kidderminster No 6 Lock is right by a shopping centre - very handy if you like that sort of thing!

The chimney, and warehouse (now Debenhams, but once part of Kidderminster's carpet trade)

 

Walking back, I noticed the old winding gear in front of the church

The redeveloped section of bank and its reflection

Just behind Sainsburys is this large wetland area - right in the centre of Kidderminster. I had no idea it was there

Between the trees, the River Stour runs by the canal

Sandstone cliffs fringe part of the route

On the Kinver side of Wolverley Lock

The popular Lock Inn. After finishing this walk, you can stop here for a drink - or an ice cream/cream tea from the Old Smithy by the canalside. Or you can walk a short distance into Wolverley and try the tea rooms in the old village store

In case you missed it - click here to see the first half of the walk 
Today's walk: Starting near the Lock Inn, Wolverley, I walked along the canal towpath as far as Kidderminster Ring Road, and returned by the same route. About 3.75 miles - but easy, flat walking.

Wolverley to Kidderminster along the Staffs and Worcs Canal. Part 1

Here is a canal walk which was so interesting to me that I have split it over two days.

This view of Kidderminster was familiar to me, so I decided to walk from Wolverley to find it!

I started from Wolverley, soon reaching Wolverley Court Lock.

It was dull weather as I walked, but everywhere was green, and lush

For a while, there is a high bank between the canal: the Stour floodplain is the other side of it, so technically it's a kind of levee!

The late spring flowers are going over now, and the high summer flowers are out

Green and pleasant walking

Owls carved from an old tree trunk

There has been some canal-side redevelopment along this section...

...and this bridge is fairly new (Stourvale New Bridge, built in 2000) 

Tower blocks in the distance

More carved birds!

And this riverside garden had four boats in among the flowers

Lovely old building, as we near Kidderminster

Limekiln Bridge - a reminder of more industrial era.

Just as we approach the ring road, there are some large retail warehouses

The towpath here is about 400 metres from the ring road - and a much quieter way to travel.

Handy for Sainsburys!

You can moor here while shopping.

The walk continues tomorrow - click here to see it.
Today's walk: Starting near the Lock public house in Wolverley, I walked along the canal towpath as far as Kidderminster Ring Road, and returned by the same route. About 3.75 miles - but easy, flat walking.