Escape the Chill with a Job in Qatar

Is life in the cold getting you down?

If so, you may be interested in what some of our friends do.

They spend the autumn, spring and winter working in the Middle East, before taking escaping the heat for the pleasant climate of a Gower summer.

You can do the same too if you check out their jobs board, QatarVisitorJobs.com.

The board is dedicated to the richest country in the Middle East (and, indeed, the world), Qatar.

Membership is free, and after joining the jobs board you can upload your CV, browse jobs or set up job alerts.

To check it out, just click here: Qatar Jobs.

And when you are on the way to the airport, consider dropping off your fleece at Bryngwyn!

Whiteford Lighthouse on the Danger List

According to Cadw, the Welsh Ancient Monuments organisation, the stunning Victorian lighthouse that stands at the northernmost point of the Gower Peninsula is at risk of being lost forever.

(photo courtesy of Delmonti)

Whiteford (pronounced Whitford) lighthouse was constructed in 1865 to mark the southern side of the channel to Llanelli harbour. It is the only sea-swept cast-iron lighthouse in the UK.

The lighthouse can be reached by parking at Cwm Ivy and walking through the pine woods at the bottom of the hill (look for the National Trust signs). Once you reach the end of the woods, continue over Whiteford Burrows until you reach the beach then continue along the beach to your right until you reach the point. The lighthouse is located just above the low water mark. Ahead of you will be the Loughor Estuary, with Burry Port on the opposite shore.

(photo courtesy of Brad John)

As always when walking on beaches, but particularly if you are planning to walk right out to the lighthouse, remember to check the tide times before you leave. Tidal waters on Gower can move with frightening speed - don't get stuck!

Also, be aware that, if you continue round the point and back towards Cwm Ivy with the saltmarsh ahead of you, there is quicksand on this side of the point. If you're fit and healthy, you are unlikely to get into trouble, but progress is slow and can be very tiring (the nickname for this part of Whiteford Point is "Hard Work Bay"!)

October Tides

There have been some very high tides recently - known as "spring tides" (seems odd in October but "spring" tides are the opposite of "neap" tides, and do not refer to the season!).

Very high tides also mean very low tides, which can be great for exposing new areas of beach and cliffs for walkers to explore (although you should always be aware of tide times and ensure you have plenty of time before the tide comes back in!).

You can see in the image above of Worm's Head just how low the tide was recently at Llangennith Beach.

This meant we were able to walk almost right round the cliffs to Worm's Head itself, and get close to the caves under the cliffs.

For once (very annoyingly!) I didn't have my trusty SLR, but my companion took some great shots with his compact digital camera.

In the photo below, you can see some of the caves.

The very low tide also exposed an old wreck, with jagged metal struts rising spookily out of the sand. There was also a convenient pool, which reflected the wreck beautifully!

We love Gower and think it is one of the best places in the world to live - and to visit! We'd love to hear all about your Gower experiences and see your photo's too, so do post about them!

Four Star News!

We're really excited to report that, following a thorough inspection, Bryngwyn has been awarded four stars by Visit Wales, the Welsh tourist board, and we will have a logo up shortly. Whilst we think Bryngwyn is lovely, it is always nice to have it confirmed!

We were very impressed by how detailed and thorough the inspection was - every light switch, fitting and appliance was tested, furniture was moved to check for dust and the whole thing took nearly two hours. Obviously, you can really trust ratings given by Visit Wales!

We're also working towards earning our Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome badges - check back soon to see if the logo's are on www.gowerholidayhome.co.uk!

Gower Wins Award for Friendliness!

People living in Gower know that it is a friendly place.

That friendliness has now won the area an award!

According to a Virgin Money survey Gower is in the top ten of the UK's friendliest destination.

The friendliness that characterises the Gower is an added bonus on top of the superb beaches and countryside, as well as the wildlife that lead to its protected status as the UK's first designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

You can read the full story on News Wales.

English Breakfast at The North Gower

Don't fancy cooking during your stay in Bryngwyn?

At the North Gower Hotel, just one minutes walk from Bryngwyn you can find a superb English Breakfast for just £4.99.

The pub/hotel also does a great value lunch, with a two meal offer for just eight pounds - and that includes a free salad bar.

See more Pubs in Gower.

Mustard Bomb in Whitford

On a description of a recent walk I wrote that all through my childhood I had only heard of one bomb being found in Whitford.

Yet only days later a Mustard bomb was discovered on Whitford sands.

The bomb was dismantled by army experts, but a small amount of mustard gas was released in the process.

Two of the experts were later treated in hospitals.

The beach is now open, but warning signs have been posted around the area. All other beaches are safe.

So, while finding an unexploded bomb is still rare, do keep your eyes open. And if you discover something that is round and black and says bomb on it, it is best not to jump up and down on it - or even try to open it with your pen knife.