Rome

After France, I flew into Rome and met up with Josh from UNCW, and we began 10 days of travelling through Europe. We had one day in Rome to explore.

Here you can see the remnants of an ancient aqueduct in the center of the frame. This photo was taken in the Roman Forum, which is an area of archaeological work that has revealed the ancient Roman Forums where politicians would stay and socialize.

This is the view from the Forum of the Coliseum, with a good view of the line to get in. The line was two hours long, so we didn't get to go into the Coliseum, but the views from the Forum were good enough for us. Since we visited on Easter weekend, the crowds were extra severe.

This is the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, and the site of sermons to Saint Peter's Square, which is directly behind from where I took this picture. Once again, due to it being Easter weekend, security levels were high and crowds were massive, so we didn't have time to see the Sistine Chapel or the Basilica from inside.

 This is the Trevi Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world, and the largest in Rome itself. Here, there is a large tradition of throwing coins over the right shoulder for luck, which generates about 3000 euros a day.

This is the Pantheon, which is the site of an original building from 27 BC that was rebuilt around 126 AD. It contains tombs of two Roman Kings and the builder Rafael, as well as functioning as a Catholic church.

Oh Franceee

For the first week of my 3 week long spring break, I travelled to Hossegor/Capbreton in the South of France for a week of surf and relaxation. Hossegor and Capbreton are two of the most prestigious surf towns in Europe, and have some of the most consistent and perfect waves in Europe. The area sucks in all available swell via a submarine canyon that funnels swell directly onto the beaches in the area. In the winter and spring, the surf can be wild and the weather awful, so we lucked out entirely with smallish waves and perfect weather all week.

This is one of the only pictures that I took of the 3 days of really good surf that we got, all the other times I was way too excited to take pictures. This is down the street from my hostel in Capbreton, at a spot called La Piste. Such a good sandbar.

Sunset on the first night of surf, looking towards Northern Spain and the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance through the clouds and rain.

The daily routine. French breakfast of baguettes, ham, cheese, cereal, and loads of coffee, then bike 2 miles down to Hossegor to go and surf La Graviere. La Grav sucked in all available swell (1 ft at 12 secs) and peaked it into perfect waist to chest high peaks. 

The view of the most chill hostel in the planet. Board and bike room on the left, outdoor shower, and the coolest aesthetic around. For $35 a night!

Little mural of the late Andy Irons on the back of a building in Hossegor town center. The town is steeped in surf culture, with WSL offices, European headquarters of every big brand, and a strong competitive environment. Hossegor lives and breathes surf.

A sunset over the bunkers at Capbreton on one of the last nights. The bunkers were originally built on the top of the dunes by the Germans in WWII after they had invaded and occupied France. Over time, the dunes receded and the bunkers fell into the sea, where they remain half buried and heavily graffitied.

Standing atop one of the bunkers looking South.

This is the most iconic of the bunkers, as it has managed to flip entirely and now rests pointing straight up. Many of the bunkers can still be entered and explored where sand hasn't filled entrances or exits.

Rhossili Revisited

Went back to visit Rhossili again, but this time it was a bit cloudier with a bit more surf. Got to see some cool stuff that you miss when it is sunny out.

A couple of local residents just checking out the surf from the cliff.

Another little guy living life. The sheep are marked with spray paint to identify them to different farmers' herds. They all mingle together out on Rhossili.

Overlooking Rhossili and the watchman's house in the bay.

A view of the sign with the crossing times where the causeway will be exposed. In this picture you can see how the tide is too high and drowns the causeway, making the island an island once again.

Three Tears Cliff.

Swell lines rolling into Rhossili. Possibly one of my favorite photos I've ever taken!

These are the remnants of an ancient shipwreck on the beach at Rhossili. The original wood timbers from the ship's hull are exposed at low tide and with low sand levels.

Gower Sunsets

This was from a particularly nice day back in mid-March. Welsh sunsets are no joking matter when they happen!

Looking back into the sun over towards Caswell Bay, doing the best to burn out my phone's camera.

Daffodils are the national flower of Wales and have strong meanings of national pride. In the turn of spring, they are all over the place.

Looking back towards Langland Bay.

Around the corner from Langland, looking back at the sun along the cliff path towards Bracelet Bay. 

The view of the sunset at Bracelet Bay...unfortunately couldn't get a decent picture with the lighthouse in it so those houses had to do.

Pontneddfechan Waterfalls and Climbing

Pontneddfechan is an old mining town on the edge of Brecon Beacons, closest to Neath. An area that has many abandoned mine shafts and old mining equipment laying around, but also happens to have some of the best climbing in the area called Dinas Rock with multiple crags. We travelled up on an afternoon to explore the park and boulder around for a bit.

One of the first waterfalls right in the front of the Dinas Rock, Kennelgarth Wall where we climbed. Can see the steps and concrete blocks from an old mining track that ran along this waterfall.

Grace looking up at a very impressive cave/crag. Apparently people have climbed lines in this. The rock holds are made by water seeping down the rock, so are incredibly small and difficult. Very cool.

Stagnant pool downstream from one of the waterfalls. Very clear water.

One of the main waterfalls right near the entrance to one of the mine shafts. This waterfall and pool are clearly a popular area to swim and cliff jump, with abandoned clothes and paths everywhere.

This is me getting crushed by one of the easiest climbs at the Kennelgarth Wall (V1). Since this crag is one of the oldest and most documented in South Wales, the routes are rated super super super hard, and all the rock is smoothed out to be glass smooth from countless climbing shoes wearing them down. Cool experience but horribly difficult.

Time lapse of the Kennelgarth Waterfall.

Rhossili/Worms Head

Rhossili is the further West beach of the Gower and is one of the largest and most expansive stretches of beach along the Gower. It showcases huge tides and has some of the most incredible backgrounds on the Gower. Worm's Head is the island off the tip of Rhossili which can only be accessed via a causeway that is only present 2 hours either side of low tide.

One of the first cliffs along Rhossili looking over the beach at low tide.

A view of Worm's Head in the background with some of the many free-range sheep in the foreground running to fresher grass.

Looking out to Worm's Head with the exposed causeway in sight.

Looking towards Tears Point further to the East, looking back towards Swansea and out to sea.

Looking from Tears Cliff towards Worm's Head and the causeway about to go underwater. You can see the house to the right where men are stationed 24/7 to keep an eye on the Worm's Head causeway for potential stranded hikers or fisherman.

Standing atop the main cliff at Tears, looking along the Gower coast to the East.

Looking back at some friends standing on Tears Cliff.

The view of Rhossili and Llangenith beach to the South, with the tide moving back in.

Time lapse from Tears Cliff looking along the Gower.

Imogen Hits Wales

On a Monday a few weeks ago, we were hit by winter storm Imogen, which proved to be quite large even for the North Atlantic. 70 mph winds and 15-20 foot waves smacked the coast, bringing lots of rain and tree damage as well. So of course we decided that we should go out to the coast to witness the storm's power. It was very impressive and one of the largest storms I have ever witnessed. The sun alternated between poking out and going completely cloudy, so we got to see a lot of different moods as we walked.

Started at Caswell Bay, where sun was entirely hidden and it was quite misty

But as we went to leave Caswell, the sun began to pop out for our walk along the coast. Tide was very low, but would rush in VERY quickly, faster than we could run. 

Walking along the coast. To give size perspective, headlands are a couple hundred feet tall. Estimating that waves were 15 to 20 feet. Typically waves do not break at all in this area.

Looking back at Caswell and out towards the Three Cliffs area

Sun began to pop out through the mist and pop some color that matched some of the local wildflowers on the tops of the cliffs

Standing out on a headland on top of the cliff, looking over the huge seas when the sun started to shine hard

Watching 20 foot waves break against the giant cliffs. Can see the fine mist all along the coast that was constantly regenerated with each wave.

Moody view from the edge of a low cliff. At about 20 feet up and facing straight into the wind, this location was the windiest.

In the same spot, we were being drenched by the spray from the waves on the rocks. Spray was travelling a good 100+ yards to reach us.

Looking out into the North Atlantic