So what is Mumbles?

S.J. Qualls also asked about Mumbles.

I was born and raised in Mumbles and after a short period away from Swansea now live just outside this seaside village in south Wales on the very edge of the Gower Peninsular. In 1956 Gower was the first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Mumbles is famous for its pier and lighthouse but probably most famous for The Mumbles Mile.  It was considered something of a challenge especially for stag and hen nights to complete the Mumbles Mile, which involved drinking a pint of beer in each of the numerous pubs running from the village to the pier (20 in a 2-mile stretch). Now, thankfully some of us may say, a number of those pubs have closed so it's less challenging but in the past groups would come from all over to try to earn the right to a 'I've done the Mumbles Mile' mug or t-shirt. 

But let's concentrate on more attractive aspects. The village itself has a thriving community spirit again. After a long period when it lost its heart a new generation has arisen and revitalised the village with a host of posh shops as well as all the essentials. 

For good old-fashioned fun you need to visit the pier and its amusement arcade. After being in a state of disrepair for some years the pier itself is now being spruced up - and made safe! 

Before repair

Withe new lifeboat station 

Mumbles lighthouse from Bracelet Bay

And from the pier

For many years the lighthouse was manned and for some years a unit of soldiers was also stationed there. In 1883 the lifeboat was launched to go to the aid of a German ship. The crew was rescued but the lifeboat itself later got into trouble. Jessie and Margaret, the daughters of the lighthouse-keeper, helped rescue crewmen washed up in lighthouse waters and their actions were commemorated in a poem to be found here. And very recently a blue commemorative plaque was installed at the top of the steps leading down to the beach to the lighthouse.

Of course, Mumbles lifeboat has a proud and sad history. As well as the 1883 disaster in 1947 the boat and the crew of eight were all lost during a rescue. 

For the first time in 61 and a half years

I was born in Mumbles and have lived for most of my life in Swansea but never once had I walked out to the lighthouse. Never until yesterday.

Once a manned station where families lived - and at times a troop of soldiers - it's now on automatic and is maintained by Trinity House. It can be accessed only when the tide is out and, although it's not far, you have to keep an eye out for the tide coming in. 

'You must have gone out there when you were a child,' Husband said.

'No, we wouldn't go there because of the rats.'

'What made you think there were rats there?'

'Auntie Gay told me.' 

Like she told me, when I was scared to go on the pier, that it was strong enough to carry the Queen Mary. Although it wasn't the strength of it that concerned me as much as being able to see the sea through the planks.

Not looking quite so strong these days but now the new lifeboat station has been built at the end I'm assuming there will be some rebuilding going on. You usually have to pay to go on the pier but currently it's free, probably because of the danger you put yourself in walking on some very dubious looking planks.

Then, as we were walking that way and it was past lunchtime,

we had to stop at Verdi's for an ice cream - my second in two days!

Sunday afternoon stroll in the sunshine

On top of Mumbles Hill, high above the traffic and people that flood to the village on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I think of Mumbles as being made up of different parts. The bit immediately below us is Southend; the bit in the curve of the bay with the castle on the hillside is Oystermouth. A little further on and you get into Norton.To get ice-creams from Verdi's at Southend, we walked from the hill down Dickslade, this lane of prettified old fishermen's cottages.

Mumbles Lighthouse from the hill.