Beautiful Swansea & Gower Beaches

 Hi Swantv Viewers

Boxing Day used to be when many sat down to think about summer holidays and even book their hotels and flights. And Boxing Day is already racing towards us. It's been almost impossible over the last couple of years with the pandemic plus the difficulties with flights. But most of us are hoping that we can return to normal next year. But will that mean seeking out the sun away from the UK? I feel that many have now experienced again holidays in the UK and this year the weather has been exceptional. So will there be a divide between those travelling abroad and those staying in the UK?

We have all seen video or pictures of packed beaches, not just on the Costa del Sol but also in the UK, for example at Blackpool during the heatwaves this year. And this might be your heaven but the contrast with Swansea and Gower beaches could not be more different. 

You may enjoy being on your own square metre of sand, jostling your way into the sea,queuing for that ice-cream or, if you are out of the country, longing for a Britsh cup of tea. It might be very hot (although summers here are getting longer and hotter) and the food may be different, although I hear of visitors abroad who look for english food and beer. You may have had long delays or even cancellations at the airport or ferry.

But wouldn't it be nice to arrive refreshed after a reasonably short journey with no worry about long-term parking, being 2 hours ahead of a flight, worrying that the flight may be delayed or cancelled, sitting in a crowded plane? South Wales is just a car drive, coach or train journey away. So no passports, medical documents, no language difficulties. And if you arrive by coach or train Swansea is a waterfront city where you can walk to the beach in minutes from the city centre. For a really relaxing vacation there are buses to take you around the Gower and bikes are readily available to hire. 

There are now numerous hotels from the national chains to the more intimate private hotels where a real Welsh welcome awaits with real Welsh menus of delicious mouth watering locally produced food. And the guest houses, camp sites and caravan parks offer a huge selection of accommodation to suit every pocket.

Whether using public transport or driving, just pack up a hamper which you can make yourself if in self catering, pick up sandwiches, prepared salads and drinks and off you go. Find a quiet beach ( and there are many) park up and spend a family day. Don't want to take a hamper? There are many places to eat, great  restaurants and pubs serving delicious food made with local produce.

And the beaches! You want some fun as a couple or family or just alone. There are desserted beaches, vast arrays of soft golden sand and clear safe water. Many beaches have top awards for clean water and litter free. The catch? It's simple, many beaches are a short walk from parking and for many that's more than enough. But isn't it worth a 5 minute walk to be in such a haven!

It is becoming more common to have a number of shorter breaks too. So coming to Swansea for 3-4 days plus a weekend a few times might be a good way to make the most of the more days we all have from work now. For the holiday maker there is so much to see and do here from sitting on the beach, walking around the marina or cliff-top routes, seeing local cheeses, chocolate, pastries and other specialities being produced, visiting the many castles and other heritage sites, having a Joe's ice-cream or being in Wales's largest indoor market (and voted best indoor market in the British Isles) and tasting local cockles or a pastry. Joe's ice-cream is iconic and known across the globe, and once tasted never forgotten. There's also the Heritage Centre, archery, horse-riding and many other activities to enjoy.

And for entertainment there are the usual cinemas and don't forget the Grand theatre with it's varied productions, the Little Theatre and Taliesen Theatre on the Singleton University campus. And now the new Arena with a great line-up of shows. There are art galleries and museums. 

Swansea, the waterfront city offers so much. And because the city has a small foot-print you don't need a car, walking anywhere from the beach, marina or city centre is just a stone's throw. And now with the network of cycle pathways and the ease of hiring bikes you can enjoy a relaxed time.

So if you live locally explore those places you've not visited before or try those activities for new experiences. If you live away why not make Swansea a holiday destination next year. We'd love to see you.

ref: 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/trip-advisor-swansea-things-to-21468028 

 https://www.visitswanseabay.com/

 

 

On Your Bike

 Hi SwanTV Viewer

I know that bikes are important, not just in helping us towards a greener environment and saving money  but also in giving us that exercise that we all need to keep fit and live longer. And most cyclists ride with care and obey the Highway Code to keep the rest of us safe. Cycles are integral to out transport system and should work in partnership with motor vehicles, each having due care and attention to others. I was shocked to read yesterday that a third of drivers thought that cycles should be banned from public highways. And seven in ten of the drivers questioned said cyclists should have insurance. The findings come from an online survey of more than 12,000 UK motorists by data collection firm Yonder who asked 12,500 motorists. What do you think?

I am becoming very wary of those mavericks who ride through traffic lights, on pavements and undertake on the inside of both moving and stationary vehicles, mainly in cities. Twice in the last 7 days I have narrowly missed being hit and possibly knocked down by cyclists on pavements. The first occasion they overtook me as I walked along, almost brushing against me as they passed, and at some speed too. They rode ahead, crossed at a pedestrian crossing, still riding, and sped down on the opposite pavement. The second time I stepped out of a shop and a bike wizzed by on the relatively narrow pavement, almost knocking me over, the cyclist turning his head and shouting "Watch out where you walk!" And this on a pavement!

The Highway Code states emphatically, in Rule 64 that “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement”. It also advises that cyclists “take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room”. I can understand that children ride on the pavement and that is probably safe because they are smaller than pedestrians and going slowly. And also where pavements are deserted and there are no doorways or gates opening onto them. But city centres are different, often crowded, mothers with young children, older people who are slow and who have poor eye-sight and hearing. 

And I understand that many cyclists might feel threatened by motorists on busy roads where there are cars parked kerbside and roads may have potholes or uneven surfaces. And some vehicle drivers are either careless or menacing as they pass too close. I've noticed that some drivers seem to think this is a game, as is driving through puddled roads and splashing pedestrians (which is also illegal!). And cycling on roads in the rain must be difficult when visibility is poor and cars are spraying surfacewater as they pass.

There are many cycle routes now throughout the Swansea area and these are increasing year on year, making cycling safer. And the Local Authority must be applauded for this but the problem locally seems to be Swansea inner city and main roads leading there. The only cycle lane I have noticed has been outside the Grand Theatre and this is two ways in a one-way street. Theatre goers leaving may not notice approaching cyclist and I feel this is a hazard. 

Visiting Bristol I was amazed that there are cycle lanes throughout the city. And they are very busy plus e-scooters are licensed  and these are heavily used. I was surprised that none were using the pavements and all obeyed traffic signals. The scooters all have a registration number and I undestand that users get a discount if they wear a helmet and can be fined if caught using pavements (there must be adequate CCTV to pick this up). As a pedestrian I felt quite safe on pavements, and everyone safer, cycles, pedestrians and motor vehicles are all separated. Could this be an answer in Swansea? Cycle lanes and e-scooters! 

And finally should cycles be registered, have a warning bell that is used and carry insurance? I can't remember the last time I heard a cycle bell. Bikes are silent so riders should use their bells sparingly where necessary. 

With the volume of cycles, insurance would probably be reasonably priced, must be worth considering. I've seen cyclists with cameras on their helmets, presumably to catch motorists breaking the law, driving too close or in case of an accident. So they have a record of registration numbers. With cyclists they can just disappear in a flash, drive through red lights, on pavements, without lights or dangerously but we have no way of identifying them. A good solution might be to show the number on a hi-vis vest that the cyclist wore. This would both identify them and make them more visible. 

So what do you think? How can we improve safety for all raod and pavement users? Should the police or local authorities take more positive steps to stop racing cyclists on pavements? Cars that threaten cyclists? Introduce more safe cycle lanes? Introduce registration numbers? Introduce local e-scooters? Maybe a media campaign. Are the rcent changes in the Highway Code appropriate and well thought through? Lets make it safer for all. 

Mike Leahy SwanTV