Day 46 Southgate to Swansea (13.2 miles, cumulative 774.5)

I headed to Swansea bus station for the final time to catch the bus back to the start of the walk. I'd love to know who plans the bus routes here - today, in a narrow terraced street near the city centre, we were caught behind the refuse collection truck for ten minutes. 

It was another grey, damp, misty morning as I set off from Southgate. I soon caught up with a group of four ladies and walked with them for a couple of miles. They were on a walking/gin tasting/chocolate tasting week, but I suspect they told their friends they were on a walking holiday!

The route descended to fine, sandy beaches at Caswell and Langland, then became a concrete path as it rounded Mumbles Head, then transformed to a fully fledged pedestrian and cycle track for the long section across Swansea Bay. Here it started to rain, a fine drizzle, but enough to dampen clothes, despite waterproofs. The beach runs very close to the centre of Swansea, but it was deserted today.

I enjoyed my time on The Gower, with its rugged cliffs, coves and headlands, together with its picturesque villages, but the inclement weather of the last two days makes me feel that I haven't really seen the area at its best.

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