Photo Friday: Swansea, Wales
May 1st, 2009 by Kristin
In 2006, when I was finishing up my tenure in Denmark, I had a friend, Adam, who was living in Wales. So another pal from Tennessee, Wes, and I convened in Swansea for a rousing time full of Welsh goodness.
I don’t think the sun peeked out the entire five days we were there. But then again, does it ever? I would almost feel gypped had I arrived in Swansea to pleasant weather.
It actually made San Francisco’s dreadfully foggy days seem desirable.
The wind and rain also were no joke. My jacket was a permanent staple that trip—I wouldn’t doubt I even slept in it at night, as I never could quite warm my soggy bones.
I also saw more sheep than people, so Wales did seem to live up to all its stereotypes.
The three of us rented a car and drove around the countryside for a few days, visiting castles and chasing sheep. I’m not even kidding—there’s this classic video Wes shot floating around somewhere on the Internet of Adam and I casually walking through a field, then quickly changing course and sprinting full-speed at a flock of unsuspecting lambs. It was pretty freakin’ awesome.
The thing about traveling with photographer friends—they’re both professional photojournalists these days—is that you’re always in front of the lens, as opposed to the other way around.
Not that I mind, as I am vain like that, but in looking back at all my pictures from Wales, I notice a good majority are taken by Adam or Wes—or the same shot by both from different angles.
Only, it does seem like I was traveling alone, as photographers never seem to want to be in anybody else’s shots.
All the better that they took cafe of the important stuff, as I didn’t haul along my SLR for that trip, just a point-and-shoot; not to mention, they’re far more talented than I could ever dream of being. They also made me pose in almost embarrassingly cheesy positions, but then again, I was born a ham.
Oh wait! Here’s a single blurry shot of them in front of the lens—guess all it takes is a Guinness…or five.
Ah, and another, which they would promptly murder me for if, well, you know, they read my blog. (They don’t.)
Wes (left) and I had the best time making fun of Adam (right), who left Knoxville a total outdoorsy photographer who you could find permanently perusing the backpacking section of REI and, just four months later, had already morphed into some kind of British hipster hybrid in a hat. “Hi, I’m Adam, and I wear a fedora!” Good times.
**Photos 1, 2 and 4 taken by me with an old school Nikon Coolpix that had seen better days; the rest shot by Adam Brimer or Wes Clanton with fancy-schmancy Nikon D70s.
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Rain, fog, greenery- my type of place. Going there in September, as a matter of fact!
Looks lovely. Consider yourself lucky to be traveling with 2 such talented photographers; not only do you have wonderful pictures of your trip, but you don’t have to hide any of them because your cheeks look fat. (Not that yours could, but you get the idea.)
I think I only spent a day or so in Wales. Looking at your pictures, I wish I’d had more time there. FOR SHEEP CHASING.
Ooooooooh, the memories. I was there over 15 years ago. It doesn’t look like much has changed, it’s still gorgeous, with fog and lots of sheep. I love Wales, we took a horse ride through the countryside and then ended the day with beer at the local public, minus the cigars:)
Photo Friday – Cano Island – The Truth Revealed
GORGEOUS.
I have a Welsh name – so really, I should pay Wales a visit.
WALES! GUINNESS! You KNOW I love it
I’m still fairly certain the only sunny day in Welsh history was my wedding day. We were NORTH of Swansea too . . . And you know the UK: The further north, the colder and wetter!
I haven’t tried this sheep chasing thing you speak of. I might need to go back for that. There ARE lots of sheep. And, now that you mention it, they ARE rather chaseable
Nice photos
I wish I looked that good when it’s raining. ha ha.
I love the way you tell stories…:)
I need to go. I need to go. I need to go…
I wish my hair looked like that under such wet circumstances. Instead, I look more like a soggy sheepdog.
yay keep these posts up they are great! I love your damsel in distress pose the best!
I did some camping on the Gower last summer and even in August the weather was quite showery – you can count on green hills in Wales. Read about it here.
http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/camping-in-sunshine-and-showers-on-the-gower-in-wales/
You could also enter any articles like this about Wales in the Wales in Words competition, if you fancy winning ahotel stay for a return visit.
http://blog.visitwales.co.uk/623/wales-in-words-the-visit-wales-blog-competition/