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.

Monday, November 19, 2012

S is for SWANSEA

 
Continuing with the saga of my summer holiday, I bring you the spectacular and sprawling seaside city of SWANSEA!  The city is situated in the shadow of seven hills along the inspirational coastline of the Gower Peninsula.  The scenery is breathtaking and there's lots to do in the area - water skiing, golf, hang gliding, and pony trekking.  I didn't get enough time there but do plan on returning some day!

In the 10th century, Scandinavians built a fort here and named the place after their leader, Swein.  By the fourteenth century, the Welsh had established ship building and sea fishing traditions which would span succeeding centuries up until now.  

Two of the most famous people who have come from Swansea are the poet Dylan Thomas and the actress Catherine Zeta Jones, who named her son Dylan after the poet.  A bronze statue of Thomas faces the long, splendid and curving shore, which was the inspiration for his early work.

If you're a regular reader here, you will recall that last week I wrote about Rhossili, which is part of Swansea's charm.   All along the coast are more spectacular views of the Gower Peninsula, including the area called Mumbles. 

From the pier in Mumbles, opposite the city of Swansea, I was able to capture a few photos.  

Right above is a photo of the Swansea Yacht Club building and below is the famous Mumbles Lifeboat Station, which officially opened in 1904.  For over 170 years, the station and its crews have received 33 awards for gallantry although it has also witnessed tragedy when 18 lifeboat crew lost their lives saving others at sea.   
Finally, speaking of saving lives, I'd like to tell you about Swansea Jack, a famous black retriever that rescued 27 people from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea. His first rescue, in June 1931, when he saved a 12-year-old boy went unreported.  A few weeks later, this time in front of a crowd, Jack rescued a swimmer from the docks.  His photograh appeared in the local paper and the local council awarded him a silver collar.  In 1936, he had the prestigious "Bravest Dog of the Year" award bestowed upon him by the London Star newspaper.  He received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and he is still the only dog to have been awarded two bronze medals (the canine V.C by the National Canine Defence League...The legend has it that in his lifetime he saved 27 people from the Docks/River Tawe.  swansea Jack died in October 1937 after eating rat poison.  His burial monument, paid for by public subscription, is located on the Promenade in Swansea near St. Helen's Rugy Ground.  In 2000, Swansea Jack was named "Dog of the Century" by NewFound Friends of Bristol who train domestic dogs in aquatic rescue techniques. (from Wikipedia)    
Supreme thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt, the founder and creator of ABC Wednesday and to her superb and stalwart second Roger, who is doing a slick job as he currently administers the site.  Also, thanks to my friend Liz from "Finding Life Hard" who so generously played tour guide in Swansea by showing us its staggeringly striking stretches of sublime scenery!

24 comments:

jill said...

What a lot of Sssssss!Iv never been to Swansea but I feel like I have now,thank you for sharing,Love Jill xx

Roger Owen Green said...

all right, all right, I'm officially jealous!
lovely. SENSATIONAL!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Photos are fab :-) .. I have been to Swansea and the Mumbles, when I lived in Wales . Arni and his family used to go to Swansea all the time when they lived in West Wales a long time ago .. You and Cathy got to see a lot of places :-)

GaynorB said...

When I was growing up I used to regularly go with my family. I haven't been for about 20 years.

Thanks for the reminder...

Carver said...

Fascinating narrative and photography. Looks like a great place to visit.

Reader Wil said...

Great post, Leslie! I love Wales. Your photos bring back precious memories of times long ago, when my husband and I enjoyed some wonderful holidays with our three young children.
Thank you so much for the touching story about Swansea Jack!
Wil, ABC Team.

Ann said...

You have been able to visit some gorgeous places on your trip! This looks like a marvelous trip.
Ann

photowannabe said...

I may never get to Swansea but I feel like I have been there. Sensational post Leslie.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Lovely photos and thanks for the memories of a city I'm very fond of.

carol l mckenna said...

Magnificent photography ~ Wow! Beautiful places and love the dog photo and history ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Anonymous said...

thanks for the tour.

Karen said...

A lovely area!

magiceye said...

Any city that honours its animals must be a lovely city :)

Mama Pajama said...

sounds lovely - thanks for sharing your adventures!

Gerald (SK14) said...

We stayed in Swansea once near Cwm Donkin Park where there is lovely memorial to Dylan Thomas.

Meryl said...

I just love your posts. They make me want to hop on a plane and visit each of these awesome places you post about! Thanks for the virtual visits and have a great week.

Hazel said...

What a pretty yacht club house! Swansea is beautiful. Thanks for the virtual tour. That's a very interesting info about Dylan Thomas and Catherine Zeta Jones naming her son after the poet.

Joy said...

Gorgeous photo of the coast and Mumbles lighthouse. It looks a most luxurious yacht club.

Lynette Killam said...

Gorgeous shots of a place I've yet to visit...I very much enjoyed the tour!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Spectacular scenery indeed!

Hooray, I finally get my PC back so I am playing catch up with all of the S entries this week.

SketcheS, please come and see.
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

A Lady's Life said...

What a fun post .:)

Liz Hinds said...

How have I only just seen this post?! I've been so out of touch.

lovely images and it was great being with you even if only for a short time.

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Anonymous said...

Just to say the photo you show of the Swansea Yacht Club is actually the Bristol Channel Yacht Club …. Established 1875.