In which our plans are thwarted

Husband's idea
'Let's drive to the new university bay campus and walk on the beach behind it.'

So we set off and arrive only to find there is no option but to park in the designated car park and it costs money. Neither of us has any.

My idea
'Okay, let's walk by the river and see the old copper works remains.'

After eventually finding somewhere to park (for free - thank you B&Q) we strolled by the river down towards the old ruins. Only to find them closed off for renovation - or making safe perhaps.

Amazing to think this was once the heart of Swansea's industrial zone. The banks of the river Tawe were home to copper smelting works, the river taking the ships carrying the copper all over the world.

For a time Swansea was one of the most important ports in the world.

Pic: University College, Swansea

This rather natty little gadget was situated at the entrance to the works.

Wind the handle and you can listen to the tales of a number of characters from that time, such as Captain David Morgan, who would spend a year at sea at a time, taking copper, nitrates, guano, and hides between Chile and Swansea. You can listen to his (short) story here.