Day 9 Thursday April 10th Rhosilli Beach

 Another beautiful day dawned on the Gower.  We had our usual early morning phone consultation and thought the wind might be lighter on the westward facing Rhosilli beach.  We would go to Hill End and would be able to further explore if it wasn't suitable for watersports.  So we all met up in the car park and after looking decided there was too much surf for kayaking and paddle boarding (but plenty of good surf for other people who were surfing).  Charlotte joined us but her boyfriend Dan had to do some work and he stayed in the cafe area.  We found a dingle and established a base camp.  The tide was beginning to come in and we thought perhaps the surf would reduce with the wind as the tide came in.  We had also seen the island at the end of the beach with a causeway (Burry Holms) and this might be something to get to a bit later.

Burry Holms

We had a very tasty beach picnic and a little while later we set out along the beach.  Dan joined us as their was no good wifi at the cafe and he agreed to stay and mind the camp whilst the rest of us explored.  It was quite a hike on good hard sand but eventually arrived there.  The tide was fairly close to cutting the island off but Alexander decided to climb onto it and look all over.  He came back with some good pictures (I'm sorry I do not have any yet) including some of the ruins of an old building (St Cenydd's hermitage?).  It reminds me of St Helens in Scilly.  Whilst that was going on there were plenty of rock pools 

Alexander atop Burry Holms

along the causeway to explore.  One feature of them was 

starfish galore

the number starfish everywhere.  I know I have never before seen so many in one place, there must be an explanation and it must mean the water is pretty clean.  When Alexander and Charlotte, who had briefly gone on the island, returned we started on the long trek back to base.  Everyone made it safely home and there was a short recovery period before some began to get ready for swimming in the sea which was much nearer now.

I am told the water was cold even for those who now experience the cold Californian seas.  Cool but refreshing was the conclusion.  We soon had to say sad goodbyes to Charlotte and Dan who were leaving for the wedding venue where Dan was due to be best man tomorrow.  That event being the reason we had arrived in this part of the world.  The rest stayed a while longer before packing up and returning to the car park.  We went back to the accommodation where everyone else was staying and enjoyed a chicken supper followed by some cake and coffee.  It was soon time to say our farewells to all these lovely people as we were all making our way home in different directions the following morning.  It had been a fantastic week with fantastic weather and a wonderful time together.  We said goodbye and we left for our hotel after this brilliant day.