Day 1: Gower Calling and a Change of Plans
The adventure officially kicked off this morning at 08:30, leaving Newport behind as Black Betty and I clocked 74 miles straight to the breathtaking Gower Peninsula. My initial plan was to hunker down at the Oxwich Bay Hotel, using its car park as my base for the night, but the day had other ideas.
Lacing up my walking boots and with snacks and drinks stashed, I hit the coast path towards Port Eynon.
Barely half a mile in, I was greeted by a series of brutally steep, towering steps climbing into the woodland – a moment of pure, unadulterated regret! But I pushed through, and thankfully, the subsequent 4.5 miles to Port Eynon were surprisingly manageable.
Strolling along Port Eynon beach, I spotted a cluster of campervans perched on a hillside, each boasting an unbeatable sea view. Curiosity piqued, I went to investigate. I found the campsite, SkySea Caravan and Camping (link below!), and a wonderfully accommodating lady at reception confirmed I could stay the night.
So, with my new plan solidified, all that remained was the trek back to Oxwich, retrieving Black Betty, and then braving some of the narrowest country lanes I've ever encountered on the drive over to Port Eynon.
Right now, I'm sat outside The Ship pub, pilfering their Wi-Fi to get this update out to you. Dinner tonight will be a van-cooked special, and I’ll be sharing the culinary details with you later!
An Evening by the Sea
It's 7 PM, and dinner is done – a delicious pork belly with vegetable rice and salad, cooked right here in Black Betty. After the tactical move from Oxwich, I positioned the van perfectly at the campsite I'd spotted earlier in Port Eynon. Now, with the rear doors wide open, I'm stretched out in bed, engrossed in a good book, soaking in the awesome sea view. The sky might still be overcast, but with a panorama like this, the weather simply doesn't matter.
Calling it a Night
It's 21:30, and I'm calling it an early night. I'm settling down for some much-needed rest, preparing for another solid walk once I hit my next destination tomorrow. See you all then!