12th March 2014 - Of Coastal Walks and Sculptures..

Sunshine over Sandy Water Park and another bright day. The dog quite sure that another walk was on the cards and we set off to pick up the car from Burry Port again ... A light chill on the air - but we both soon warmed up as we took the side path ....

At the Eisteddfod park, the steps down into the ground are bordered by the Millennium Coastal Park stones, one on each step leading down into the main area. A little damage on the steps but I am sure that they will be fixed before August and the National Eisteddfod.

View from the railway bridge, showing the opposing spiral patterns looking out towards Burry Port.
These were created by artist and landscape designer Richard Harries - I always thought they were meant to be a snail or perhaps an ammonite or other fossil... The arial photography show it well.  

Richard Harris calls 'Walking with the Sea Turning with the Sea' - Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli, 1999
"The idea is like a wave travelling towards a waiting shore.

My idea grows according to the geography and feeling of that one site.

The sculpture is shaped by the influence of the existing land, as a wave is shaped by the sloping sea bed. Along with past experiences I bring with me, come new understandings of the place, district and people, as the work progresses. All this naturally filters through into the sculpture and I hope, back out again, in another light, to the people who see and use the place."

"As I have been a surfer for most of my life, the forces and energy of the sea have had a strong influence on my sculpture. This earthwork is for me a coming together of the relationship between land, sea and people.

The sculpture is on the edge, turning into the promontory the Coastal path is elevated by the earthwork. It is there for people to experience physically; unfolding as they walk the paths, giving views over the park, the surrounding land and across the water to the Gower a place to feel openness, wind and light before turning down to the small sandy beach."

From his own website is a photograph of the sculpture being built..

Millennium Coastal Path - 1999

Moving onwards, still blocked from the easy and quick path and having to go the long way around. Apparently the bridges on this route are two award winning earth-bridges over the railway. The whole is part of the Celtic Trail which runs from Pembrokeshire to Chepstow. It is also part of the Sustrans cycle network.

This section is one of the most popular sections of the Celtic Trail, a long distance trail which runs from Pembrokeshire to Chepstow. - See more at: http://www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales/routes2ride/millennium_coastal_park/#sthash.v8R8rueT.dpuf

his section is one of the most popular sections of the Celtic Trail, a long distance trail which runs from Pembrokeshire to Chepstow. - See more at: http://www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales/routes2ride/millennium_coastal_park/#sthash.v8R8rueT.dpuf

his section is one of the most popular sections of the Celtic Trail, a long distance trail which runs from Pembrokeshire to Chepstow. - See more at: http://www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales/routes2ride/millennium_coastal_park/#sthash.v8R8rueT.dpuf

But by this time it is clearly a welcome stop at the ponds for a hot dog... The paws are getting a little warm and the weight is slowly dropping off with the exercise, and I am sure the dog is the same!

Time for a quick soak..  Actually Rusty was unsure of the necessity of coming out rather like a petulant child.. but in the end he agreed that we could head on our way...

Time for a quick shake and onwards to Plas y Mor and a welcome cup of tea for me - and a drink of water for Rusty... 

Another day walking and exercise - hopefully we both will be showing some benefit by next week ... Not holding my breath...

[ 14:13 -7 : MPV 1491+263 ]