South Wales May 2022
Our first trip with Nouvelle Nicolle and the first time Sue and I had been back there since the 1960’s! Sue went with St. Mary’s Teacher Training College, Cheltenham, to play in a Ladies’ Cricket Match against Cardiff University. I went with Bath University Canoe Club to the Gower Coast.
Our first trip with Nouvelle Nicolle and the first time Sue and I had been back there since the 1960’s! Sue went with St. Mary’s Teacher Training College, Cheltenham, to play in a Ladies’ Cricket Match against Cardiff University. I went with Bath University Canoe Club to the Gower Coast.
Immediately after crossing into Wales we spotted Raglan Castle and decided to visit. Built in the 15th and early 17th centuries, the castle was a luxurious fortified home complete with a large hexagonal keep and surrounded by parkland and water gardens. It was home for the Herbert and then Somerset families.
Spent several hours exploring the castle and grounds before heading to the Brecon Beacons National Park Centre.
Spent several hours exploring the castle and grounds before heading to the Brecon Beacons National Park Centre.
The next day we visited Tretower Court and Castle. The castle, built in the 12th and 13th century, is roughly triangular in shape with a three story cylindrical keep. The court was built in the 14th century and provided much more comfort for the family with a large hall and spacious buildings. The castle was retained to provide a safe retreat when needed.
Drove through the Brecon Beacons on the Head of the Valleys road, this time heading west. A very scenic road but rather narrow in places. Stopped to explore former Black Mountains lime works.

Visited Weobly Castle. Built in the 14th century it is largely ruined now but has a delightful location overlooking the Llanrhidian saltmarshes and the Loughor Estuary. Unfortunately the main hall, the most impressive of the remains, was closed for cleaning following an event at the weekend.
Our next stop, Oxwich Castle, which was closed completely!
Our next stop, Oxwich Castle, which was closed completely!
Stopped at the Mumbles before driving to nearby Burry Port where Amelia Earhart landed her plane on 18th June 1928. A plaque she landed there having become the first woman to fly the Atlantic.
After great difficulty we managed to find a parking space in Kidwelly and visited the castle. Built in the 12th century, the castle consists of a square inner bailey defended by four round towers. The curtain wall has a massive gatehouse next to the river.
Parked overnight by Kidwelly Quay. The Kidwelly and Llanelly Canal and tramroad were built to carry anthracite coal to the coast for onward transportation by coastal ships.
Next day, a short drive took us to Laugharne. Unfortunately this was closed so we walked to The Boathouse, Dylan Thomas's cottage. This too was closed so we had to make do with a peep through the window of his writing shed! We did however have a very pleasant walk along the foreshore path and strolled into the village to the church to see his grave with its simple wooden plaque. |

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From here a short drive took us to Pendine Beach where Malcolm Campbell broke the land speed record in both 1924 and 1927. In June 2000 his grandson set the electric land speed record here in Bluebird Electric 2.
John Parry Thomas also set a land speed record on Pendine Sands in 1926. He was driving Babs, the car built by Count Louis Zborowski, which became famous as the flying car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
In 1933 Amy Johnson and her husband took of from the beach to fly across to America.
Our third disappointment of the day, the Museum of Speed was being rebuilt in new accommodation and the exhibits were in storage.
From here a short drive took us to Pendine Beach where Malcolm Campbell broke the land speed record in both 1924 and 1927. In June 2000 his grandson set the electric land speed record here in Bluebird Electric 2.
John Parry Thomas also set a land speed record on Pendine Sands in 1926. He was driving Babs, the car built by Count Louis Zborowski, which became famous as the flying car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
In 1933 Amy Johnson and her husband took of from the beach to fly across to America.
Our third disappointment of the day, the Museum of Speed was being rebuilt in new accommodation and the exhibits were in storage.
Carew Castle has been owned by the Carew family for more than 900 years. We spent a morning exploring the castle and walking to the Tidal Mill and around the mill pond.
St Davids is named after the patron saint of Wales and is the smallest cathedral city in Britain. It is built on the site of the monastery founded by St David in the sixth century. A short walk from the carpark took us to the cathedral which is nestled in a hollow. Spent a couple of hours exploring the cathedral and the adjacent ruined Bishops Palace before walking to Caerfai Bay and then along the coastal path to St Non's Bay. From here a path leads to the 13th century ruins of St Non's Chapel. According to legend it was here that St David was born in 500AD during a fierce storm.
Driving along Cardigan Bay we stopped at Newport, a delightful small seaside village at the estuary of River Nevern. Took a walk along the shoreline passing a lime kiln and pretty cottages with superb views across the estuary, river and sand dunes. The bay is a popular area for canoeing and quite a few where heading out.
Two and a half miles up a very narrow country lane took us to the Pentre Ifan, a Neolithic burial chamber. We then explored Cilgerran Castle near Cardigan before heading to New Quay where we parked overnight on the car park.
We planned to follow the Dylan Thomas Trail through New Quay but unfortunately could find little evidence of it. The tourist office is now a cafe, the old life boat station are now the public toilets and London House, the home of "Nogood Boyo" is now the Corner Shop and Post Office! In the Post Office they told us that the town had run out of trail leaflets a few years back and none were left.
Dylan Thomas lived across the bay from New Quay in 1944 and 1945. It is believed that it is the setting for "Under Milk Wood". We found the Blue Bell (now a deli and bistro), the Black Lion Hotel and the Sea Horse Inn (the Sailors Home Arms in the book). Wandered the steep streets with their many pastel coloured cottages.
Dylan Thomas lived across the bay from New Quay in 1944 and 1945. It is believed that it is the setting for "Under Milk Wood". We found the Blue Bell (now a deli and bistro), the Black Lion Hotel and the Sea Horse Inn (the Sailors Home Arms in the book). Wandered the steep streets with their many pastel coloured cottages.
A short drive took us next day to Devils Bridge. A very steep path with many steps took us down to the Devils Punchbowl where there was a fine view of the three bridges. According to legend the lowest was built by the Devil but it was actually built by the monks of Strata Florida Abbey in the 12th Century. The middle bridge was built in 1753 and the top bridge in 1901.
A beautiful drive took us across the slopes of Plynlimon and the Wye Valley to Rhayader. From there we drove to our final destination of this trip, the Elan Valley and the dams and reservoirs which supply Birmingham's water supply.