Unexpected weather in the Walking Area

SO much to do, too many hats, continual state of mild panic.  Apart from these things all is well.  I took Cosmo on a quick whizz up Brat Tor (Widgery Cross) this morning and it was snowing horizontally.  I ask you!  Snowing?  Anyway, a couple of snaps including a loathsome selfie, this morning just after 8am, cold and wet.

Oslo Odyssey

Spent a few days in Oslo with some dear friends.  I know an Odyssey should be a bit longer, but we certainly did enough to warrant the description.   It's a lovely city on the fjord which should, by all accounts, be covered in deep snow, but the winter there has also been unusual.  The snow was gone from the city itself.  That's not to say that it wasn't cold.  I felt like a human semiconductor going from indoors (boiling) to outdoors (freezing) all the time.

We explored the city, walked in the hills behind and dined on the Waterfront.  It is expensive mind you.  A glass of wine was £12.50.  Cocktails were cheaper strangely.  Oh well, have to save the pennies....

Anyway, I had a brilliant time and here are a few shots as a taste of Oslo:

(Mostly) Frozen Lake above the city of Oslo

Along the footpath from a 'Cabin' where I had an alarming beer that tasted of liquorice.  Nice bun though.

The Oslo Opera House - Superlative Architectural Design - Stunning

Worms Head at Rhossili, Gower - More Rocks and Water

The Gower, and Rhossili in particular, is a special place for me.  Visiting for the weekend, even during iffy weather was a joy.  And for once, our visit to Worm's Head was perfectly timed with the tide.  We danced slowly across the causeways at a particularly low tide.  I say 'dance' because you end up making strange shapes with your body and flapping your arms around whilst crossing the jagged rocks.  Not cool.

More interesting rocks and water.  Yay!

Just to set the scene then, here's Worm's Head on a sunny day, back in the days when the UK had sunny days:

Worms Head from Rhossili Down

The geology of the headland is essentially carboniferous limestone strata, sharply inclined.

Worm's Head Causeway

Here is the view from the main ridge of the headland looking back towards the mainland.

Further along, you come across 'Devils Bridge'.  It looks like a poorly thought out lego bridge.

Devils Bridge at Worm's Head, Rhossili

Worm's Head cliffs and 'Devil's Bridge'

This is the arch from behind, as far along the headland as we could go without disturbing the nesting birds.

Worm's Head north side

It's called 'Worm's Head' from the Norse word for dragon or serpent, as it's undulating shape implies.


Finally, back along the wave cut platform towards the mainland, the limestone is riddled with holes, fissures, calcite veins and interesting colours where you wouldn't expect them.

Limestone looks amazing when it's constantly abraded by water and stones in its nether regions - smooth, pale, interesting:

Carboniferous limestone at Worm's Head Causeway