A bit dull to begin, but hopes of brightening we set off for Swansea, with bikes on the rack, with a plan to look around Swansea and a cycle along the prom to Mumbles. It's about the same distance/time as Cardiff from Brecon, around an hour or so.
We managed to park near the marina. There's a long dual carriageway set back from the sea front and marina, and after a few wrong turns we found it and eventually ended up on the right side of the carriageway for parking near the marina. The centre of Swansea is then a short walk over the carriageway and through the indoor mall. We did not spend too long as we were a little underwhelmed with the shops in comparison with Cardiff. So after a fairly short walk around and a bite to eat in M&S cafe we headed back to the car park and the bikes.
A bridge (going through it) led onto the marina, and this led out via some zig-zagging steps onto the sea front. Turning right and following the excellent walkers/cycle path we headed for Mumbles, about a 5 mile easy cycle ride.
The views were great across Swansea Bay, and out to Mumbles in the distance. The cycle path ran alongside the beach for a while, and then alongside a rather busy main road, before it became quieter again and widened, following the beach once again.
The beach here was nice and sandy and you can see Swansea now in the distance.
Then looking in the other direction the view towards the headland at Mumbles.
The path was quite busy in places with both walkers/joggers and some other cyclists.
As we approached Mumbles it became even busier. We dismounted, used some facilities, wheeled the bikes past a rather large nice looking cafe/restaurant, then sat on the small harbour for a while admiring the views around the bay.
We then headed back the 5 miles, pausing once or twice to take a few more pictures and admire the beaches.
Once back at the car park we loaded the bikes up and set off back to Brecon but via Henrhyd falls as it was not too much of a diversion from the route back.
Henrhyd Falls
Not too far off the beaten track we found the car park with a few others there. I picked up my camera gear and tripod and Susan waited while I indulged myself in a few pictures of the falls.
The way down to the falls was easy to find and a fairly steepish but well trodden gravel path about half a mile or so.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1475028-d6495878-r206651626-Henrhyd_Waterfall-Coelbren_Powys_Wales.html
When I arrived there were a few others there, some just having a look and a walk behind the falls. I spent a few minutes chatting to a couple of other like- minded amateur photographers who were just finishing and packing up their gear.
I waited a while as a few people were behind the falls, so set up and planned my shots.
Took the one above with long exposure, 10 stop ND filter and polariser while the shot was clear.
Soon after more people arrived and sat behind the falls for a while, so I got bored and took a long shot anyway. Due to their lack of movement during the exposure, they appered in shot.
A closer shot using 70-300mm zoom.
Finished with another long exposure, but if you look at the bottom of the shot, some bathers had decided to have a splash around and it was clear they would be some time, so took the shot anyway and their presence can be seen at the bottom near the tree. Packed up and headed back as Susan was waiting and I had already been a while. The hike back up was a bit more strenuous uphill, arrived back to the car a bit hot and ready for a drink!
Travelled back to Brecon ready to pack for the journey back home Friday, having had a good week in South Wales.
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