| Issue 11 | |
February 2002 |
 |
|
January 2002 and time for the annual social gathering of YHA Wales Volunteers, with Port Eynon youth hostel on the Gower peninsular as the chosen destination. Arriving Friday evening in the dark and not familiar with the hostel, finding the way was a little difficult. Eventually we discovered you turn right at the roundabout at the shore then take the first left down a rough track. It is not possible to drive right up to the hostel but we were told to park on the track; this left a three minute walk across a corner of a field to reach it - a torch is useful here. Bags and food had to be ferried across the field in driving rain but eventually my wife and I were able to make our way up to a pleasant, recently refurbished, two-bedded room. Several helpings of beef stew and a few sherries later and I was sitting very relaxed in front of the roaring fire.
Rain was battering on the bedroom window when I went to bed and in the morning nothing had changed. Perhaps after breakfast it would clear up? - no such luck. Faced with conditions of persistent driving rain we all decided that discretion was the better part of valour and abandoned plans for a five mile walk from Rhossili Head.
As it turned out one of our party just happened to have with him slides of his recent bird-watching trip to the Antarctic so we spent the morning cosy and warm in front of the fire while admiring icebergs, dramatic mountains and 57 varieties of penguin found in that part of the world - thanks Alistair.
After lunch the rain finally abated and we wandered along the empty beach before walking up to the headland. Here we walked along the wide grassy promenade at the top of the cliffs, buffeted by strong winds, while the waves crashed on the rocks below.
Returning to sea level we ventured out onto the spit, keeping a close watch on the narrow point, which obviously submerged at high tide. On the right hand side the tumbling breakers were a mass of white foam, while on the left the more sheltered conditions of the bay prevailed.
And then, back to the refuge of the hostel, the glowing coal fire now supplemented by driftwood from the beach. A hearty communal meal cooked in the members kitchen and the second leg of Alistair's epic voyage completed the day's activities.
Sunday morning and guess what, more wind and rain, so nothing for it but to head for home.
It follows from its original use that the hostel is directly adjacent to the shore, the short slipway in front of the lounge leading to the beach. The few adjoining cottages were once the homes of oyster fishermen.
The lounge-cum-dining room has two important features; on one side large windows looking out over the sea, and on the other an open fire which gave out a satisfying amount of heat. Armchairs and easychairs are positioned around the fire but beware of the YHA trick chair - it looks like a normal easychair but as you sit on it your bottom gently sinks through the frame until it rests on the floor.
The upstairs bedrooms had been recently refurbished and the building has gas central heating.
The hostel is open from 5 April until 6 November 2004 and is available for Rent-a-Hostel at other times.