About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

R is for RHOSSILI

Since this week is brought to you by the letter R, I'd like to send out three rousing cheers (RAH! RAH! RAH!) to our regal ABCW administrator for this round - that resplendent rascal ROGER! Isn't he doing a radical job?  He is remarkably reliable and respectful to everyone who participates.  Just remember, though, he's razor-sharp in noticing posts that don't follow the rules.  So please review them carefully and be sure that your contribution relates to the weekly letter by using some words with it and refer your post to ABC Wednesday site.  We all would like to remain with the original representation created by our one and only Mrs. Nesbitt. That's only reasonable, don't you think?


Rhossili is located at the most Western part of the Gower Peninsula in south Wales. The most photographed part of Gower, The Worms Head, stretches out to sea and becomes an island when the tide comes in. The breathtaking view is completed by the long sandy beach and the towering cliffs and this makes it a popular destination throughout the year with surfers, paragliders and ramblers. However, Rhossili still manages to maintain its tranquility and unspoilt beauty. 

The village and surrounding area are steeped in history. The prominent wreck of the Helvetia, which ran aground on Rhossili Bay in November 1887 bears witness to the challenging weather conditions and the tales of our ancestors, who lured boats ashore to plunder their hold. The arch over the doorway of the church dates from the twelfth century and is believed to have been moved from the lost village (built in around 1100 and buried possibly by sand storms some time in the early part of the fourteenth century). 

Remains of stone age man were found in Paviland Cave and fourteen Bronze Age burial chambers and two Neolithic burial chambers (Sweynes Howes) have been identified on Rhossili Down.
Add to that a handful of Iron Age promontory forts and nobody can dispute that Rhossili is not only beautiful but full of history too! (Oh... and it can be very windy, so come prepared!) 

The parish of Rhossili stretches from the village itself towards Scurlage and encompasses the hamlets of Middleton, Pitton and Pitton Cross. There are plenty of establishments that offer various types of accommodation and many coves and beaches to visit and spend an afternoon. Walkers are most definitely in their element with some of the most fantastic views on offer and try not to miss one of our sunsets!   The above comes to you courtesy of http://www.the-gower.com/villages/Rhossili/rhossili.htm and if you click the link, you can see lots of great photos of the area. 

I had the wonderful privilege of seeing Rhossili courtesy of my friend Liz at "Finding Life Hard" here.  We "met" online blogging and on Facebook and then when she came to Vancouver a few years ago, we met for lunch at Granville Island's "Beaches" restaurant dining al fresco by the water.  We continued to correspond and this summer was my turn to see her on her home grounds.  She drove Cathy (my travel partner), Jane (my good friend who lives in Newport, Wales), and me to Rhossili for a distinctly pleasureable day.  My first reaction to the view was utter shock and awe!  Now, I must say I have seen some spectacular scenery during my travels, but Rhossili absolutely took my breath (and words) away! This time, we dined at Bar Helvetica on the patio overlooking resounding views! (photo below courtesy of Mr. Google)
I didn't get to see the churches or the Iron Age forts or even the hamlets that surround the area.  Because of that, I simply must return one day to spend even longer in the area.  I might even try out one of the many bed & breakfast inns or even a self-catering cottage.  Rhossili is a photographer's paradise and as such, I just have to get up on the top of the downs and try to get some sunset shots!  Finally, I want to be able to walk along the body of the "worm" and get out to the worm's head before high tide comes in.  To do that, one has to be prepared and know the right time to give it a go.  And if I can do that, I'll get to see some of the remains of the famous "Helvetia," the ship that ran aground here in 1887.  You can read more about the Gower Peninsula here.

I put together a nice little slideshow showing my photos of Rhossili and put it to the music of "Epic Journey" and "Panorama".  I hope you enjoy the scenery!  But remember, you just have to go there and see it for yourself.  In the meantime, sit back, turn up the sound and be prepared to be taken away on a cloud to the most romantic place! 
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

33 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

You describe me so well!
Oh, the other stuff is good, too!

GaynorB said...

As a child growing up in Wales i spent many wonderful family holidays near Rhossili.

A lovely reminder of this beautiful place.

Lady In Read said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to visit...

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and great photos for 'R' ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Liz Hinds said...

It was so good to see you there!

photowannabe said...

You so make me want to jump on an airplane and see the beautiful sights you talk about. what a photographer's paradise.
Love your intro of Roger too. Right On!

Reader Wil said...

Wales I love it! You look radiant, Leslie! Thanks for the visit.Thanks for the little story of the christmas card.May be I post it next week!
Have a wonderful week.
Wil, ABC Team.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the informative tour.

Lmkazmierczak said...

Ordinary words...Great info and tantalizing tales to encourage more friendships amongst FBers and bloggers♫♪

Mae Amore said...

What a beautiful place!

My first time to join ABC Wednesday.
Mae

Carver said...

Thanks for the tour of the beautiful town. I love the shot of you. You look great

Meryl said...

Oh I love your slide shows, and this was stunning. Amazing how beautiful and how diverse that small part of the world is, the stunning beaches alongside awesome cliffs and lush fields. Thank you! Have a great week

Hildred said...

Gorgeous photography, = what a treasure this is Leslie. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful experience.

magiceye said...

Very interesting

Lea said...

Pretty place!
Have a wonderful day!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Gerald (SK14) said...

went to Worms Head some years ago - mid to late 90s I think - wonderful place indeed

Hazel said...

First glance at the title I tried not to look at the pictures and did some fun guessing which was wrong (I guessed Rhossili was an Italian name for a girl) Places with old history always appeal to me. I enjoyed reading this post. Oh I like Roger too :)

Chrissy Brand said...

Fabulous place Leslie and lovely photos- I was there this summer and I guest-posted about a week or so ago at "Smitten By Britain" ;-)

http://www.smittenbybritain.com/2012/11/a-toast-to-the-gower-coast/

Gattina said...

Thanks for enlarging my geographic knowledges ! Seems to be a lovely place !
Gattina
ABC Team

Laloofah said...

I love learning about new places through posts like yours! Rhossili looks Ruggedly beautiful with a dramatic history to match its scenery. (Though I have to say - and I admit I'm prejudiced - Wyoming's sunsets Rival Rhossili's!) :-) Those gravestones look too old to be readable (not that I can read Welsh! My goodness, what a musical mouthful that language is!), or I'd have happily been in that churchyard for hours. But that incredible coast's siren song would have lured me away eventually.

I think it's just great that you and your friend Liz have hit it off so well and are enjoying trading visits! What fun!

Lisa said...

I love these European tours! This is such a lovely place.

Reader Wil said...

Hi Leslie. me again. Could you write the story you had in mind? You are a writer, I believe. See my new post.
Hugs, Wil.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Spectacular setting. No wonder people visit. Thanks for the tour.

Luna Miranda said...

beautiful place! thanks for the tour.

Unknown said...

Leslie I saw your comment/question who's thinking about seccesion in the USA...yesterday I inadvertently came upon that info - 20 states have asked for it, but Texas has the necessary amount of votes (23000. Th writer of that article said there's no chance they'll get what they want. It seemed that the same was going on in 2004 and 2008.

Joy said...

You make me want to set off now and head for the Gower peninsula. I think the tourist board should hire you:-) Great photos.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

summer is coming up here, my big girl, whom I haven't seen for 4 years will be coming. Some of yr beach photos look like this.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Roger is indeed a very efficient leader.

The place is beautiful!

Running Shoes
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

ChrisJ said...

Another place I'd like to visit if i ever get back there (I was going to say 'home"). It looks like a fascinating place but no doubt the wind was blowing, I'm sure.

Unknown said...

Nice one! Gorgeous place and photos and you describe it really well. Love all the bits here. x

Scudds

Black Jack's Carol said...

Yes! Please Repeat my compliments back to Roger. He Really does a fine job although I'm guessing he isn't needing the Reassurance too desperately :)

I enjoyed your tour and wonderful photographs of Rhossili and agree that getting out at the right time to see some of the Remains of the shipwreck would be an awesome experience.

Mama Pajama said...

wow, what a gorgeous place! loved the slide show, too, thanks ~

Lisa said...

What a gReat post! I want to go!!!