John, Val.Jo and myself set off to explore some of the scenic viewpoints around Penmaen on The Gower Peninsula on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year. John very kindly offered to drive and take the four of us in his car which was a blessing because of the excellent air conditioning.

The car was parked on the bottom of Cefyn Bryn in the National Trust Car Park. We then started to make our way up Cefyn Bryn stopping half way up to admire the view over Three Cliffs Bay from Cefyn Bryn. See photographs taken by John as we made our way along the walk. Just before the summit of Cefn Bryn we stopped to look at the plaque commemorating the Gower Way- unveiled by the Prince of Wales. The Gower Way runs 35 miles from Rhossili to Penlle’r Castell in upland Mawr covering the ancient lordships of Gower. At the summit of Cefyn Bryn after a water stop we admired the view over the Lougher Estuary as well as seeing Rhossili and Llanmodoc downs in the distance. After a short walk along the Gower Way we then descended into Nicholaston Woods. The heat was rather intense and the woods offered little protection from the heat. We also had to scramble around a fallen tree with its roots protruding in an upward manner meaning we

had to be rather careful with our privates. I then thought we would some relief from the heat on the coast path but to no avail. Another water stop. Before descending into Three Cliffs Bay we stopped to look at the magnificent view from Penmaen Old Castle. No remains left of the 12 Cent Mot and Bailey castle. Picking up the coast path again we made our way across the stepping stones at Three Cliffs Bay and followed the path up the estuary towards Penmaen. Another water stop. At Parkmill we availed ourselves of the facilities at the Heritage Centre. Our next stop was in Parc Woods to admire the Giants Grave which is actually a partly restored Neolithic chambered tomb dating back 5850 years. Why is it called the Giants Grave then ? Well Victorians were excavating land in order to put in a road through to the mill at Parkmill when they came across this tomb which they thought must have been the burial place of a giant. The name has stuck locally to this day. We then made our way looking for a Gower Way stone that marked our way back through the woods back to the car. I stopped was that a naked man I saw sunbathing on a bench ? Yes it was I immediately told the ladies to look away only to be told at our age we have seen everything anway. After the frivolity of this we did make our way back to the car. Again hard work because of the heat. We did 8.5 miles and had an enjoyable day good views and good company despite the heat