Friday 29 April 2016
BHS
Things are not looking too great at the moment for BHS. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the business survives as, along with Marks and Spencers, these really are, and have been for decades, the real backbone of Swansea's High Street.
Wednesday 27 April 2016
Bluebell Wood, Clyne Gardens
The bluebell wood located at the top end of Clyne Gardens has to be the most beautiful part of Swansea at this time of year. The best time of day to take in the beauty of this place is, in my opinion, the evening, when the spectacle of colour is highlighted against the setting sun. Get there soon, before the blooms fade...
Tuesday 26 April 2016
Monday 25 April 2016
Sunday 24 April 2016
Running Machines Down The Gym
Had a late evening session down The Gym in the city centre this evening. I like it when it's nice and quiet down there.
Thursday 21 April 2016
Moby Dick
This statue on the grounds of Swansea University (Singleton Park campus) was difficult to get close to to photograh as it is at the back of a bicycle rack! The piece is by Michael Fynn and was unveiled in 1985.
Confucious, Swansea University
This seven feet tall stone statue of Confucious, located on the grounds of Swansea University (Singleton Park campus) is, without anty doubt my favourite statue in Swansea:
The of the Chinese philosopher was unveiled in 2009 and was gifted by the European Federation of Chinese Organisations in recognition of "the success of the deep and strengthening links between academic institutions, businesses and government organisations." Assembly Member Andrew Davies noted at the time "I'm delighted that the European Federation of Chinese Organisations has selected Swansea as the first vibrant and multicultural city in Wales to receive a statue of the Chinese philosopher Confucius."
Difficult to find in the maze that is Swansea University, it is, nevertheless, worth seeking out as it is a truly impressive public monument and work of art.
The of the Chinese philosopher was unveiled in 2009 and was gifted by the European Federation of Chinese Organisations in recognition of "the success of the deep and strengthening links between academic institutions, businesses and government organisations." Assembly Member Andrew Davies noted at the time "I'm delighted that the European Federation of Chinese Organisations has selected Swansea as the first vibrant and multicultural city in Wales to receive a statue of the Chinese philosopher Confucius."
Difficult to find in the maze that is Swansea University, it is, nevertheless, worth seeking out as it is a truly impressive public monument and work of art.
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Litter Louts on Swansea Bay
I hate seeing litter left laying around like this. What kind of person has such utter disregard for such an amazing beach?
Odeon Outdoor Lighting
There are not many more days left of Swansea's iconic Oceana building on the Kinsway, WIth that in mind, I thought I would capture a quick snap of what is left of the outside lighting that is located beneath the overhang over the front entrance of the building. When it's gone its gone and all that:
Jessops
Jessops, the photography shop, located on Bellevue Way, sadly shuts its doors for the very last time in January 2013. Equally sadly, the premises remains vacant over 3 years later, which is quite a sorry sight for any major city centre. The shop looks like it is frozen in time, as though it closed only yesterday:
Tuesday 19 April 2016
Aberavon Beach
Being spoiled with another fantastic sunny evening, I decided to head to the nearby beach of Aberavon after work. It really is a great place to spend a couple of hours and the beach affords some stunning views over Swansea and the Mumbles headland:
The place is also great for families as it hosts some excellent facilities, including a great chipshop and ice-cream parlour. I really can't recommend the place highly enough.
The place is also great for families as it hosts some excellent facilities, including a great chipshop and ice-cream parlour. I really can't recommend the place highly enough.
Monday 18 April 2016
Sunday 17 April 2016
Climbing Kilvey Hill
Spurred on by wanting to make a good 100th post here on The Swansea Blogger, I decided to take a walk up Kilvey Hill. Thankfully, the walk proved not to be as steep a climb as I had envisioned as it meandered and snaked quite substantially en route to its summit.
Parking up in the car park at the foot of the hill at Pentechwyth, the first thing that greats you and introduces you to the walk ahead is this cool, wooden arch:
The arch is decorated with some great woodcut illustrations and I stood there for a while studyings its detail before actually commencing the walk. There is a great web page on the arch here if you fancy a closer look at it online.
A little further along the woodland walkway, I came across this great totem pole:
I have to admit to preferring its original colours though. Compare its original painting, which you can see here on this fantastic blog. The site was one of the very first websites I visited when I first had the internet and is one of the major inspirations behind The Swansea Blogger.
From here, the route took on a bit of an incline:
An interesting wood sculpture of I know not what:
What I found particularly interesting about the above sculpture was this funny little gnome someone had nestled away there:
The gnome's location intrigued me, and investigating it, I soon discovered that the location was of particular interest to Geocache players,
The next intriguing artwork I encountered almost startled me as it kind of merged into the background. The metal Green Man statue creeps up on your awareness until you are almost upon the thing. I found the sculpture amazing and it was definitely my favourite thing along the walk.
Just around the corner from this stature, my route cleared the forest and give views of the nearing 193 metre summit of the hill:
The Kilvey Hill Transmitting Station dominates distant views from right around Swansea and it felt strange seeing it suddenly veer closer and closer.
And then Mumbles peeked into view...
...and just as suddenly I had reached the top.
The cloud studded sky did not allow for the most clear views from the height of Kilvey Hill, but it was still an impressive sight seeing the city and the docks in one open vista beneath me:
And then it was time to head back down, and I decided to take a circular route back to the car as it afforded better views thant the climb up had allowed:
For those who have been a daunted by the thought of climbing Kilver Hill, please take give it a go. It really isn't as difficult a walk as you might think.
Parking up in the car park at the foot of the hill at Pentechwyth, the first thing that greats you and introduces you to the walk ahead is this cool, wooden arch:
The arch is decorated with some great woodcut illustrations and I stood there for a while studyings its detail before actually commencing the walk. There is a great web page on the arch here if you fancy a closer look at it online.
A little further along the woodland walkway, I came across this great totem pole:
I have to admit to preferring its original colours though. Compare its original painting, which you can see here on this fantastic blog. The site was one of the very first websites I visited when I first had the internet and is one of the major inspirations behind The Swansea Blogger.
From here, the route took on a bit of an incline:
An interesting wood sculpture of I know not what:
What I found particularly interesting about the above sculpture was this funny little gnome someone had nestled away there:
The gnome's location intrigued me, and investigating it, I soon discovered that the location was of particular interest to Geocache players,
The next intriguing artwork I encountered almost startled me as it kind of merged into the background. The metal Green Man statue creeps up on your awareness until you are almost upon the thing. I found the sculpture amazing and it was definitely my favourite thing along the walk.
Just around the corner from this stature, my route cleared the forest and give views of the nearing 193 metre summit of the hill:
The Kilvey Hill Transmitting Station dominates distant views from right around Swansea and it felt strange seeing it suddenly veer closer and closer.
And then Mumbles peeked into view...
...and just as suddenly I had reached the top.
The cloud studded sky did not allow for the most clear views from the height of Kilvey Hill, but it was still an impressive sight seeing the city and the docks in one open vista beneath me:
And then it was time to head back down, and I decided to take a circular route back to the car as it afforded better views thant the climb up had allowed:
 |
| Mumbles and Swansea Bay viewed from Kilvey Hill |
For those who have been a daunted by the thought of climbing Kilver Hill, please take give it a go. It really isn't as difficult a walk as you might think.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)