The Gorsedd Window, Carmarthen

The Gorsedd Window was created by John Petts in 1974, and installed at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen, to celebrate the Bro Myiddin Royal National Eistedfodd which was held the same year. It features several Welsh proverbs in its design.

This was in the lounge of the hotel we overnighted in, and the morning light on it was spectacular, as it reflected the colours in the coffee table.

After a good breakfast, D and I wandered around Carmarthen. At first, nothing was open. I left D on a bench by the old gaol, and walked down to the river and crossed the millennium pedestrian bridge over the Towey/Tawe to the railway station. What a magnificent bridge for pedestrians and cyclists! It's both suspended and spectacular.

Walked back up the main street, where shops were beginning to open, found D, and we walked back to the coach. Got on coach, and the driver announced that we'd be going to Mumbles, a trendy beach town on Swansea Bay.

The sun shone, and we got there via non-motorways in under two hours. Once in the town, I wanted lunch, and D said he didn't, but we ended up in a Bistrot with panoramic sea views, having a three course lunch! It was delightful, and the waitresses were French. The food was gluten free. Heaven!

Afterwards we strolled along the prom, and D sat on a bench by the Star of the Sea Catholic church, while I walked out to sea, or tried to. The tide was low, and the beach rocky. I almost reached the water, though, and caught the smell of the sea. It wasn't the Gower, but I can take a shingle beach. The sun warmed my coach-weary limbs.

Then D and  I explored the church, which used to be s music hall, apparently. I admired the modern stained glass windows (that's two lots in one day). The angels featured in the panes were somewhat pre-Raphaelite.

Back to the coach we trudged, and D recalled previous family holidays in Swansea. Eventually we got the motorway again, and returned via the Rhondda to the Second Severn crossing, completed 1997 ( the second fabulous bridge of the day) and thence to Gordano services. The minibus took us home, and dropped me off first, fortunately.

The undoubted pleasures of today have made up for the tedious travels of yesterday. As the minibus driver said, the mystery tours are  basically a sprat to catch a mackerel, a way of encouraging potential customers to book a longer holiday with the company. On a defined holiday of five days or more, people always know exactly where they are going to go. On a mystery tour they could go anywhere, as long as the driver doesn't exceed his/her hours (but are fairly likely to stop for lunch in one of three towns, depending on their ultimate destination). Once one knows this, it all makes sense.

Back to reality now. Already planning my next getaway.