Day 34 Burry Port to Weobley castle

Saturday 9th February 2019

Walk distance 0km

Cycle 33 km

Height 70 mest

5 hours

Total coastal distance walked 0km

Total coastal distance cycled 32km

Running coastal total distance 455.85km

Running height climbed 12320m

After another huge cooked breakfast I put my bike together ready and then drove to Gowerton, to then catch the train back to Bury Port. The area seems very built up from roadside and there are was a lot of traffic. The journey went well and by 1030 I was on my bike. With the wind behind me I made swift progress. But it was too chilly to stop much. Where there was industry is now open recreational areas, some modern apartment and a great cycle route hugging much of the coast. This is really well laid out and signed. The marshes are magnificent here and waders and waterfowl feed really close to people. Despite the weather its clearly popular with many people making use of it. There is ugliness too, with power lines, the steel works, roads and traffic. The estuary crossing the Loughor bridge was stunning. The castle was a bit of a let down as it had been crumbling for hundreds of years. I carried on the cycle route which hugs the marshes in many places around the north coastline of the gower peninsula. The scale is magnificent and these seem cared for with sheep and ponies grazing. The first section followed the road and I was amazed at the traffic as I couldn't t think where it was headed. In the first village Pen Clawdd a rain storm started so I sheltered in a coffee shop. Ive noticed how loud welsh seems to be in all the places ive eaten. The rain ceased and I carried on, increasingly harder now against a head wind. At Llanrhidian church I stopped for lunch. The church has a very ancient carving in the entrance way. Views across extensive marsh magnificent. The roads hear were quiet and I headed for my destination, Weobley castle. 

This is very imposing, last used as a fortified manor house. No one was around so I had free entry. Rather than cycle on and risk there not being the only evening bus from Llanmadoc I then cycled back to Llanrhidian to catch the bus. Id anticipated leaving my bike to collect later. The bus driver arrived early, to have his break, and was happy for me to ask if I could take the bike too. He looked at the deserted bus and said yes. Great to get back so easily.