Walking Forum

Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: susiej on 21:39:59, 15/09/10

Title: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: susiej on 21:39:59, 15/09/10
The line-up;
SusieJ, Alewife and MrAlewife, Madmax, Southdowns and Mrs Southdowns, and appearing for the day on Saturday; PistonPete, MrJ and the kids, Amanda (my friend and forum meet lurker) and some of her family.

For some reason I had decided to camp on Friday night even though I only live 25 minutes away, this decision heralded the worst weather I have ever seen on the Gower; I arrived at the campsite in lashing rain. I pitched my tent (very quickly) and waited for my fellow campers to arrive...and waited...as it started to get dark and my texts went unanswered I headed for the pub. What would usually be a gentle stroll along a country lane turned into 1.8 miles of horizontal driving rain in the pitch black, peppered with terror as motorists sped towards me, missing me narrowly as I waved my torch around!
I got to the pub totally soaked to the skin but in one piece. I then spent the next hour and a half examining every single man who came into the pub wondering if it was madmax, I came close to asking one bloke, but then his girlfriend appeared so I retreated hastily. At last Alewife and Mr Alewife arrived having just missed the last food orders so there was nothing else to do but drink. We pondered the fate of madmax and thought that if he'd had any sense he would have booked into the Worms Head hotel along with SouthDowns and Mandy (well, not with them but you know what I mean...)
Back at the campsite a little extra excitement was wrought as the gate was locked but all Alewife's bedding was still in the car, and the rain, if anything had got harder so a frantic relay ensued with me driving my car to one side of the gate, pass the bedding into it and drive it over to the other tent. At last I was able to get into my tent and for the first time in hours was warm and dry.
The next morning we awoke to overcast but dry skies and having discovered madmax at the tap, things were looking up and only half an hour late we met up with Southdowns and his wife Mandy at the cafe in Llangennith and off we set up the hill onto Rhossili Down.

The first hill is pretty steep and there was a fair amount of huffing and puffing (from me anyway...)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4478.jpg)

Ray (Mr Alewife) and Mandy (Mrs Southdowns) starting to wonder why they signed up for this madness

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4480.jpg)

As we get to the top the skies start to clear and we can start to appreciate the views

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4479.jpg)

Madmax checking out the Worm in the distance

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4481.jpg)

WW2 Radar Station (something of a do-er up-er)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4483.jpg)

The top

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4484.jpg)
Although the rain had stopped there was still something of a breeze up here, and Southdowns had to do battle with his orange waterproof ...not sure who won...
(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4485.jpg)

Looking down into the village of Rhossil with the Worm in the background

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4488.jpg)

We met up with Steve (MrJ) and the kids and headed off over the causeway which was now exposed as the tide receded. PistonPete was nowhere to be seen but we'd heard rumours that he was in the principality (they like to keep a check at border control)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4490.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4492.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4498.jpg)

As we sat eating our sandwiches in the middle of the path getting in the way of our fellow walkers we were discovered by Amanda (Forum meet lurker) and a small fraction of her family (husband,2 kids and the dog)

We took the lower path round the Worm towards the head wondering where-oh-where was PistonPete? (Amanda claimed to have spotted him in the carpark so we knew he was close) We stopped to check out the sea below us and lo andbehold; having a tremendous time in the sea was a small groupof seals.

Eldest son, looking to see if there was anything in the sea...

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4504.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4529.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4531.jpg)

Amanda's family, SouthDowns and Mandy headed off across the rocks to go off to the top of the Head, Amanda, madmax and I stayed to watch (and film) some seals getting frisky in the surf.
We watched them progress and eventually appear on the top, where they seemed to stay for an age as we were clock- watching eager not to miss the tides.

Southdowns and Mandy are right there in the middle....it's a bit like Where's Wally?...

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4507.jpg)

Southdowns and Mandy appear on the other side of the expanse of rocks..
(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4517.jpg)

For those of you with good eyesight you can see on the top Amanda's 3 and on the right SouthDowns and Mandy (looking forward to seeing their pictures from there)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/IMG_4535.jpg)

We headed back onto the mainland, still not managing to find PistonPete, waved goodbye to the day guests and headed to the Worms Head hotel for a cream tea (Ok, OK, it wasnt a Devon cream tea as madmax was keen to point out...but it hit the spot)

Left to Right
Alewife, Mr Alewife (Ray), madmax (the Devon one, not the Welsh one in case you think he's had rather dramatic cosmetic surgery) SouthDowns, and Mrs SouthDowns (Mandy)


(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/gower009.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/gower008.jpg)


(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/gower006.jpg)
A longer- than-it-looks walk back across the beach took us past the remains of the Helvetia (OK, OK it's not a Devon shipwreck, as madmax was keen to point to out...but it has been there since 1887) where there was a bride and groom having their photo taken as the sunset

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/gower010.jpg)

(http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss5/susie_johnston/gower013.jpg)

We finished the day back in the pub...all present and correct having had a beautiful day...we never did find PistonPete, according to Border Control he was forced back to Swindon at gunpoint by 2 under 10's...
....to be continued....
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: alewife on 21:41:33, 15/09/10
spooky - just PM'd you!
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: Gilly62 on 22:03:45, 15/09/10
Looks like you had a fantastic day - shame about the rain the night before, but at least it stayed away for the walk itself!  O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: Glyders on 22:13:53, 15/09/10


Looks like you had a lovely day, glad the rain stayed away for the walk.

 
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: SouthDowns on 23:08:28, 15/09/10
Good one Susie. I'm (literally) on my way to Scootland now, so will add my pictures when O get back late next week.

We had a great time though, thanks again.

Mark
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: Starling on 00:50:32, 16/09/10
Sounds like quite an aventure.  Sorry to have missed it ...  I've heard its a beautiful place and I will get there one day.
 
Lovely photos, btw. 
 
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: angry climber on 02:19:56, 16/09/10
Good one Susie. I'm (literally) on my way to Scootland now, so will add my pictures when O get back late next week.

We had a great time though, thanks again.

Mark

Border control have been informed to check out three guys pretending to be hillwalkers
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: angry climber on 02:23:51, 16/09/10
Nice report Susie nice pics too. cheers for sharing  O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: ramblingpete on 04:15:27, 16/09/10
Lovely pictures Susie - nice and fresh. Thanks for showing me what I missed ....again O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: SouthDowns on 04:52:09, 16/09/10
Border control have been informed to check out three guys pretending to be hillwalkers

Clive's just suggested doing this in kilts. He's currently walking south on the M73!
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: carolina2k9 on 07:58:26, 16/09/10
i really fancied this walk but couldnt make it, i wish i had now! it looked fab, lovely pics. :)
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: joester on 08:52:20, 16/09/10
Great report, most entertaining!
 
Cheers!
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: sunnydale on 08:57:49, 16/09/10
Great report and photos Susie.  Glad you all had a good time  O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: PistonPete on 10:33:24, 16/09/10
I...I..I...It's me, hurrah  O0   Well, I left Swindon/Tetbury a bit late, so didn't get to the car park in time.  Little Girl (6) didn't cope with the rocks too well (it was her first time) so we only did a bit of rock pooling half way across to the first part of the worm.
 
The kids had spotted the vastness and sandiness of Rhosilli beach earlier, so we had to go and head for that.  By half past four they were showing signs of fatigue, and bearing in mind I wouldn't get back to Swindon until 8ish, we headed back.
 
Sorry I missed you all, Suze, Deb, Mark, but we did promise you good weather and seals, and that appeared (apart from one short sharp shower)  O0
 
Some pictures from the day.  Only had my phone with me so they're 1.3 MPixel only.
 
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image000.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image002.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image003.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image047.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image004.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image008.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image011.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image012.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image013.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image016.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image017.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image019.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image020.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image021.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image023.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image024.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image025.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image036.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image037.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image038.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image039.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image040.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image041.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image042.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image043.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image044.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image045.jpg)
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac284/PistonPierre/Walking%20Forum/Gower%2011th%20September%202010/Image046.jpg)
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: Exit5man on 10:56:13, 16/09/10
Great report SusieJ and photo's from you both .It does look a beautiful place and i hope one day i'll get there .
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: mad max on 12:33:19, 16/09/10
Ace photos Susie and thoroughly entertaining trip report,wish we could have made the walk but somebody changed the date to one we couldnt make :tickedoff:  ,didnt they,but at least we had the pleasure of walking the Worm recently again,i loves it,its so lush.


Great photos too PistonPedr,i love the one where Conor has wrote his name in the sand and drawn a face,the boys got talent,and your daughter looks pretty,must have got her looks from her mother  :-X ,only joking mate,your not bad looking  :uglystupid2: .
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: PistonPete on 14:23:27, 16/09/10
Great photos too PistonPedr,i love the one where Conor has wrote his name in the sand and drawn a face,the boys got talent,and your daughter looks pretty,must have got her looks from her mother  :-X ,only joking mate,your not bad looking  :uglystupid2: .

You're all heart Mate, or was it a big tart, I get confused they all sound so similar  :D   You going to come up the Carneddau in October, PM me  :-* ;D
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: susiej on 23:00:48, 18/09/10
Ace photos Susie and thoroughly entertaining trip report,wish we could have made the walk but somebody changed the date to one we couldnt make :tickedoff:  ,didnt they

sorry max  :'( we missed you honest we did....it wasnt deliberate to avoid you...really it wasnt...no, really....honest
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: alewife on 13:14:19, 19/09/10
Max - sorry you couldn't make it. You missed a good one (pub was nice too, and they had lots of alcohol. Cool, eh?). I'm sure we'll be doing another meet-up there in the future.
 
Actually, I think 2 mad maxes may have been a step too far ;D
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: SouthDowns on 17:36:03, 23/09/10
Here's a few of my pics from this day.

Gwate big mushwoom, all on its own:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0811/web.jpg?ver=12843799580001)

The end of Rhossili beach, with the Worm beyond:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0812/web.jpg?ver=12843799790001)

Where did the 4th walker from the left go??!!:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0822/web.jpg?ver=12843801750001)

Heading for the head:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0853/web.jpg?ver=12843807130001)

Umm, long way to run if the tide really is coming in!:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0861/web.jpg?ver=12843808530001)

Examining the 2 x 8" blow hole:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0870/web.jpg?ver=12843810290001)

Waiting for Mum:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0871/web.jpg?ver=12843810450001)

Wreck of the Helvetia at sunset:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0904/web.jpg?ver=12843816310001)

The old Rectory, overlooking the beach:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0925/web.jpg?ver=12843819430001)

Evening kite surfer:
(http://gallery.me.com/mark.berry/100922/IMG_0949/web.jpg?ver=12843823110001)
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: susiej on 23:49:19, 23/09/10
Aha! I had never seen that view from the head looking back down the worm to Rhossili...it does look pretty far!
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: Exit5man on 11:05:00, 24/09/10
Thanks for more brilliant photo's
They're all good but the last one .AWESOME. O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: angry climber on 13:38:27, 24/09/10
Nice photo's again Mark cheers  O0
Title: Re: Gower Meet; Sept 11 Worms Head
Post by: mad max on 13:58:54, 24/09/10
They are lush Mark.