Gower

Day 1 - Rhossili Down 

Written by Elliott Wright

After a sleepless night packing for the trip, I headed down to the usual meeting spot - late unfortunately. We all clambered into the minibus and quickly realised that had all of us who were due to go attended, we would not be able to fit in... (side note: this was likely mine and Billy's fault, as we were going backpacking in the Brecon Beacons that weekend; Editor's note: this was in fact my fault for underestimating the space tents take up...) Dominating the sound waves was musicals, specially selected by our very own vice president Harry T: Billy was not a fan. 

Shortly afterwards we were all able to eat our lunches in the most beautiful McDonald's I have ever been in. By the time we reached the camp site, the sun was high in the sky and suncream had to be applied. The Erectors (myself, Billy, Martin, James, Alex), as we became known, put up one of the tents, and cleverly engineered a way to put our majestic flag up. 

After much faffing, it was time for the Wayfarers' first hike. We ended up on Rhossili beach, with a few members - myself included - braving the cold Irish sea. I won't sugar coat it, I was shivering profusely, although it was made up later by a pleasant talk with our resident doctor - Dr Alice Hyde. Then it was a short minibus trip and the Wayfarers were quick to bed, lulled quitely to sleep by the sound of Alex snoring.

Day 2 - Fall Bay and Worm's Head

Written by Danni Kempson-Byrne

Waking up to hot sunny weather, our second day was already off to a good start. After eating breakfast and discussing the temperatures of the two tents, several layers of sun cream was applied, and we set off from the campsite walking towards the coastline. After a short walk we scrambled down some rocks and ended up on Fall Bay, where we enjoyed a game of cricket, with Harry explaining the rules several times each time a new person asked.

While some swam in the sea after using the gaps in the rocks as a changing room, others took the time to wander around looking at the caves and features of the beach. We then had some lunch and relaxed shortly before heading off. After taking a while for everyone to get their shoes on we began climbing over more rocks as we walked along the beach, where the phrase “is this a black” was asked many times to the climbers.

With the time in mind, we then set of towards Worm's Head where we had three hours to get to the end and back. We set of climbing over the rocks and pools until we reached dry land where a well-deserved break was had by all before setting off again to reach the end and look out over the ocean. After getting halfway a small group turned back and the rest continued. Numerous squeals were heard by Peter Brightling as we walked back over the rocks as well as conversations about different ways to eat a muscle.

Upon reaching the land a few sat there wondering if the other group would make it back in time, saying “is that them?” whenever a figure could be spotted. After a brief stop at a pub where some local cider and Welsh cakes were enjoyed by all, along with a game of who’s more sunburnt, we headed back to the campsite down some rather questionable paths where the cricket bats came into good use redirecting the stingers.

Showers were showered and sun cream was re-applied (again!) before heading back out on a hunt for a fish and chip shop that was open - eventually finding one. Back at the campsite we ended the day with a rather interesting word game and a late-night snack of chocolate log cake before heading to bed.

Day 3 - Three Cliffs Bay 

Written by Billy Semmens

Having been rudely awoken once again by the bright sunlight and sweltering heat inside our tents, we faffed around having breakfast, packing bags and taking showers before mobilising to take down the tents and break camp.

A short drive to the Gower Heritage Centre where baked goods were procured was followed by a short walk down to the beach at Three Cliffs Bay, where said baked goods had to be fiercely protected from scavenging dogs. We wasted no time going for a swim in the sea, then got out to re-suncream and eat our lunch, followed by a quick game of catch to warm up and dry off.

The eponymous three cliffs had caught our interest so we went for an explore through the caves and then drew some sand artwork so huge it could only be properly appreciated by climbing the hills behind the beach (totally worth destroying the soles of our bare feet on the sharp rocks). After getting back to our beach base camp, we found our president had abandoned us to catch his National Express back to Birmingham - apparently the university minibuses aren't luxury enough for him - so we had a wander down to the other end of the beach and did our best Chariots of Fire impressions.

The clouds were rolling in at this point so we headed back to the Heritage Centre where we browsed the hot chocoates, fresh-baked sourdough and local beers to cap off a thoroughly relaxing day. The sun came back out in full force as we set off back to Birmingham, turning the minibus into an oven as we appreciated the neverending building sites of South Wales.

Before making the rest of the drive back to Birmingham, a quick stop was made in Abergavenny to drop off me and Elliott so we could enjoy the rainy weekend to come, backpacking through the Brecon beacons and lamenting that we'd missed the traditional Wayfarers after-trip meal at Dilshads.