I wanted one more look at Rhossili beach and to show Rodney the classic side view of Worms Head before we left the Gower Peninsula, so after checking out of the campsite, we drove across to Broughton Burrow just north west of Llangennith. We traipsed up the highest sand dune and marvelled at the wonderful view of the coastline and from there you can see how long Worms Head really is. The roads all around the peninsula are very narrow, but knowing that the buses can get through, we wiggled about, backing up occasionally, and finally found our way along the north side back to the M4.
As we drove in to Pembroke, searching for LPG, the clouds burst and the rain came pouring down. But as we drove back east the rain stopped, just as suddenly as it had begun. The clouds drifted away and the sunshine returned; another reprieve for Rodney to continue wearing his shorts. We picked Wood Park campsite at New Hedges, just north of Tenby, because they had some pitches available with electricity. We had wanted to stay closer to Barafundle Bay, but it turned out that the campsite over there was full and all the roads will be closed off on Sunday due to ‘Ironman Wales’ being held in the area. It’s a huge event with 1,675 athletes, from forty countries around the World, competing in the 2.8 kms swim, 180 kms cycle ride and 42 kms run. They start at 7am and have to be finished by midnight to complete the course…crazy!!!! I’m totally exhausted just reading the leaflet! So we thought it best to aim closer to Tenby, checked in to Wood Park and put the chairs and table up outside Eileen. It was only 4pm, but it really was too chilly to sit outside; it looks like Autumn might have arrived a bit sooner than we expected and I won’t be lazing on any of the beautiful beaches around here. Dang.
The next day, wearing warm clothes and with instructions from the campsite owner to follow a footpath called ‘Slippery Back’ , we managed not to get lost and after 25 minutes found ourselves standing above North Beach in Tenby. We wandered around the pretty town and stretched our legs along the sand on South Beach. In fact, we wandered for hours; poking our noses in shop and gallery windows and eating lunch on a bench above Harbour Beach.
Finally we strolled down to North Beach, where everything was set up for the ‘Ironman’ start on Sunday and an ‘Ironkids’ event was currently in full swing. Children from 5 up to 14 years of age had to run 100m to the water’s edge, walk or swim 90m through the water and then run 100m back up the beach to the finish line. It looked like more my sort of course, though I know I couldn’t have beaten some of the older kids. The last race was for 5-year olds and the winner looked very fit, but the little lass coming last was holding Dad’s hand all the way, and looked really confused as to why she had to keep running.
It was a steep walk back up to the campsite, but it only took half an hour and luckily we got back before the rain showers started. With no sign of a pub nearby, we settled in to dinner indoors, a movie before bedtime, and listened to the rain on and off throughout the night.
On Sunday, it continued raining all morning, and I wondered how the Ironmen were feeling performing their swim and cycle ride in such wet weather; though I don’t suppose it made much difference to the swim section……?! At 1:30pm, with the sun finally peeking out behind the clouds, occasionally, we strolled out to the main road and watched the cyclists still coming past on route to Tenby and there were runners already starting to come through New Hedges. When we got down in to Tenby there were tourists lining the route through town and everyone was cheering on the runners. We found a window seat inside The Baytree Café and had a roast dinner whilst watching the ‘superfit’ running past us outside. In my opinion, quite a few of them looked like they could have done with a roast dinner themselves.
We wandered away from the crowds for a little while by walking up to the top of Castle Hill and we reached the top just in time to hear the loudspeakers announcing that the winner, Scottie from Scotland, had just passed the finish line and a Polish chap was about two minutes behind and would come in second. It was 4:15pm and it only took them 9 hours and 15 minutes to complete the course. We’re both wondering what time this evening the last person will cross the finish line. We weaved our way back through the crowds, wondering how these men and women running past us could possibly still be running, after having already swum 2.8 kms and cycled 180kms in the morning!!!
We wandered back up the Slippery Back for the last time and when we reached New Hedges there were lots of runners still going around, and even a few cyclists still completing that section! Yep, I wonder what time they will finish tonight…..
The roads around the area should be open again in the morning, so we’ve decided to stay one more night and drive out to the far side and see a bit more of this beautiful peninsula.
