Not surfing in Wales

Glorious sunshine, blue skies, warm air... perfect for a week's holiday. Unless the aim is to surf, in which case the associated flat seas make getting a ride more than tricky. So it was when Jon and I (and for a bit Simon too) went down to Gower and then Pembrokeshire the week before Easter.

Here is a photo of the conditions at Gower (Oxwich Bay):

And here is what greeted us at Newgale, Whitesands etc:

Not the 3-4ft clean, glassy conditions we hoped for. V frustrating as every day we phoned PJ's surf report at Llangennith and heard (eventually) the bad news. I say eventually because on this peak rate number PJ enjoys speaking about as slowly as is possible, and uttering a multitude of semi-relevant statements about his "roving" nature (roving from his house to one beach it seems), before telling keen listeners what they want to hear. Anyhow, given the flat waters, we did lots of other fun things:

Went to Ramsey Island RSPB reserve and saw choughs, eagles, wild deer, ponies etc.

Went for a nice walk round St David's head.

Went snorkelling (good viz: crabs, starfish, fish, kelp etc)

Hung around at St Davids

Drove round to Porthgain and Llanhowell

And went coasteering (which was way fun - pictures to be added soon I hope)

More photos on flickr