Swansea and Wimbledon

The past weekend I went to Swansea in Wales as part of a group retreat.  Located near the coast with lots of history, it was a perfect place to take a break away from the city.

Here are the beaches and sky of Swansea, in all their summertime glory.  The beach is quite long (almost a mile from the start of the sand to the water), with the ocean being quite shallow for a long distance out.  When the tide rises it creeps up extremely fast.

 Playing Kubb, a Swedish game that involves knocking opponents standing blocks over by throwing wooden rods:

 Engaging in some group activities:

The next morning we took a hike to the Gower Peninsula, one of the best hikes in the UK and an area of "outstanding natural beauty":

The most famous part of the Gower is the long coastline.  We will hike down there shortly.

 Hiking up to the highest point in Swansea:

 A view to the coast.  The protruding rock is called the Worm's Head, which can only be reached at low tide.

 Wandering ponies were everywhere!

 A baby horse hides behind its mother while we pass (look at the legs).

 Stone-age cairn, possibly an ancient burial mound

 The closest I was able to get to the horses before they started to run away:

 Passing the ruins of a WWII radar tower, we made our way down to the beach

A purple jellyfish is stuck in a shallow pool:

 Interesting channel pattern made by the low tide water:

Walking further along the coast, we see the Helvetia, a sunken ship that crashed ashore in 1887:

Heading now to the Worm's head, but the path was already watery and treacherous so we didn't go all the way.  That's it for the day's hike!

The next day we came upon the ruins of an old castle:

Ultimately it was a fun and productive trip.

Moving on, the very next day after getting back from Swansea I went to queue for tickets at Wimbledon, the oldest tennis championship in the world (started only two years after the sport was invented), Wimbledon is certainly one of London's must see events.  Unfortunately, to get a reasonably affordable ticket at face value, one must queue (latest at 6:30) to get entrance to the grounds starting at 10:30.  At 4:45 I woke up and headed off.

 The first thing they give you is a pamphlet about proper queueing, quite possibly the most British thing you can possibly do:

Properly ordered lines.  Amazingly, people have already started camping out for the NEXT day's center court matches!  Luckily, I was looking to just get in, rather than to see the major matches:

 After many hours, the excitement starts to build:

Of course, the grass everywhere you looked was perfect:

Finally in, with a view of center court:

 The outside court matches can be viewed by anyone without a reservation.  The players are lower ranked but the play is still world class:

The ball boys and girls apparently come from fancy prep schools around the area.

 The referee's chair, as you can see as four juice bottles right underneath.  What is baffling is that no one drinks the juice, it is just for advertising!

Managed to get a good seat later in the day:

You can see the juice, and the Evian cooler where the actual drinks are in:

 Doubles play is quite exciting for the rapid volleys it has:

 Plaque commemorating the longest match ever, at over 11 hours!

It wouldn't be Wimbledon without rain delay.  They cover the grass to prevent a muddy field:

The AELTC exclusive members' club.  No commoners allowed!

If you are feeling slighted about not being let in to the club, you can drown your sorrows in tennis ball dressed champagne at the stand (only 60 pounds for the cheapest bottle!):

Flowers fertilized with money:

The sun comes back out!

 Mixed doubles:

Aorangi terrace, where people can watch a live stream of center court:

With the second rain delay, I am left for good.  Thus ends my first and only Wimbledon experience for the foreseeable future.  Watching live tennis in a place like this really gave me a new found appreciation for the sport.  Hopefully if I go again I will be able to get center court tickets.