Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve
As it was such a gloriously sunny summer's day, we decided to make the relatively short drive to the Cwm Clydach nature reserve, which is in the village of Craig Cefn Parc - some 4 miles north of junction 45 of the M4.
One of the first things you notice as you arrive at Cwm Clydach, is that the New Inn pub is conveniently located just across the bridge from the entrance to the reserve - so for those of you looking for some pre/post walk food or liquid refreshment you won't be disappointed!
The nature reserve is made up of woodland and grassy glades and the lower Clydach river runs through the entire length of the reserve. This therefore makes an ideal habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies and flowers.
The reserve also offers two different trails catering for those who want an easy route, called the 'Nixon' trail - which is child and pushchair friendly - or the more rugged 'Trussler' trail for the more adventurous walkers. The former is approximately 1.5 miles round trip to the car park and back, whilst the latter is around 3 miles there and back.
The trails lead on from each other, so you have the choice to carry on if you wish or simply turn back. Both are well signposted as well - so there's no chance of getting lost!
As we'd left the pushchair in the car, we decided to go for gold and do both! With two young children (6 and 2) this took us around 3 hours to do - with numerous stops along the way to look at plants, birds, butterflies and even some fish in the river.
Whilst walking along the initial Nixon trail, it was hard to imagine that until 1962 the reserve was actually a working coal mine and that this particular trail was the tramway that server the collieries. The remains of some of the old colliery buildings were still there for us to see - despite being covered in moss and ivy in many cases.
Here are some more of the better pictures I took whilst we were walking along the trails...
There were an abundance of foxglove's to be found throughout the reserve, which added some dazzle to the predominately green colours on display. There were also buttercups and bluebells aplenty for the flower lovers amongst you.
On the return leg of our walk, we we fortunate enough to spot a Grey Wagtail hopping between some rocks - looking for food I suspect - on the river.
We also spotted and heard the loud 'calling' of a young buzzard whom was being what I can only describe as harassed by some ravens. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't quick enough with my camera to capture it.
Despite spotting several different coloured butterflies - including a bright yellow one - I was only able to catch 2 on camera. I think that the following are pictures of a Great Spangled Fritillary and a Silver Washed Fritillary - but I stand to be corrected.
The reserve will offer a completely different persona and resident depending on the season of your visit, but no matter what time of year there is plenty of natures beauty on offer to entice people of all ages.
So if you're looking for something relaxing to do this summer and enjoying nature or walking, then I think you should make a visit to Cwm Clydach - I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Llyn Llech Owain Country Park
With my 5 mile Monday run out of the way by 11am this morning, we thought we'd make the most of the remainder of the Bank Holiday weekend and head off to a local country park.
It had been many years since I had been to Llyn Llech Owain Country Park and I was keen to show it off to the rest of the family whom had never had the pleasure of seeing it previously.
Llyn Llech Owain is situated in the village of Gorlas, near to Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire and is easily accessible from the nearby A48. Here's a link to the park on Google maps.
The park is essentially a peat bog, lake and woodland reserve of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has a wide range of interesting wildlife in its different habitats.
A modest £2 all day parking fee applies and there is a visitor centre, café, childrens play area - one for toddlers and one for the older kids.
There are numerous picnic spots dotted around for you to enjoy the different scenery on offer - whether it be the lake, nearby woodland, foresty or even the distant views of Pembrokshire's Preseli mountains.
The choice of several different walks around the lake and surrounding woodland making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and especially families with children.
Access to the walks is pretty good with the lake being circled by a boardwalk and the other paths suitable to pushchairs - with a wee bit of effort.
A well positioned bird watching hut - with views over the lake - will be a favourite with both ornithologists and part time birdwatchers. It also provides a tranquil spot in which to fully enjoy nature's beauty.
There is also a man-made bog pool in the park, which was created in order to provide a rich habitant for the various insects and amphibians which live in and around the lake.
The kids were drawn to the visitor centre (shame it was closed) or the mini tower as DDWT Junior refered to it!
They also liked the Welsh water pumphouse which meant they could get an even better view of the lilly pads on the lake - we didn't see any frogs though unfortunately.
Several of the boardwalks have sections which border the lake's edge thus allowing you to scrutinise the water for sign of wildlife.
At one of these sections, we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of dozens of tadpoles merrily swimming around just inches away.
We probably spent the best part of 2 hours wandering around the park and I've no doubt that we'd have been there longer if it wasn't for tiny feet and tummys starting to ache and rumble.
I'm sure that visiting the park on a Summer's evening with the sun setting - or even sunrise perhaps - would provide an even greater insight into the full range of birds, insects and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
So if you're stumped for something relaxing to do one weekend afternoon or even weekday evening - then head off the Llyn Llech Owain Country Park, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Tree O’Clock
Today was the day that DDWT Junior tried a make a little bit of history for himself by taking part in the BBC's Breathing Places Tree O'Clock event.
As part of National Tree Week, Breathing Places and its partners were encouraging people to plant trees in the Tree O'Clock hour - between 11am and 12 noon on Saturday 5 December 2009 - in an attempt to to create a Guinness World Record!
And here's the evidence of him taking part.... before....
and after....
A big thank you must go to Mr. Scannel from Focus DIY in Swansea whom kindly supplied 60 trees to the school to enable the children to take part in the record breaking attempt.
So here's hoping that enough trees have been planted to set a new Guinness World Record 
But no matter if there aren't, the long lasting benefits to nature and the environment will be enough of an achievement.
Feed the ducks
With the end of my week's annual leave fast approaching and DDWT Junior almost climbing the walls with boredom at home, it was definitely time to wrap up warm and head off out for a long walk!
If there's one good thing about living in the Swansea valley - there are loads actually but that's for another time - then it's the beautiful natural scenery that sprawls all the way from Ystalyfera right down to Swansea, which makes going for a walk a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
We headed up along the Swansea valley canal towards Pontardawe, facing the full force of the usual wind funnel down the valley and feeding the ducks/geese along the way.
Our destination was the playground at Pontardawe leisure centre - how else could you get a 4 year old to walk several miles!!
Our walk and usual stoppages took us out of the house for around two and a half hours and despite feeling frozen by the time we got back it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Tree party
Well what an eventful Saturday the house of DDWT has had. So much so that we're all now completely zonked and stretched out on the settee, apart from DDWT Junior who's fast asleep in bed! I don't suppose the 5am wake up call from his nibs helped, but hey what the heck we've had a fun day.
Being up so early meant that I could go for a nice early morning run, which is unusual for me especially on the weekend. Anyway the run lasted 33 minutes exactly and the route along the Swansea valley canal meant a nice change from Swansea bay and SA1. The only downside really was that I somehow managed to jar my knee - which has only really become apparent as the day has wore on and I've started to limp. NOT good news.
After breakfast it was time to hit the road and head off to botanical gardens in Singleton Park for a 'Tree Party' - organised by the BBC as part of National Tree Planting week. It was quite a good event with a variety of demonstrations throughout the day. There was also a variety of owls on display (such as the one pictured below) and a numerous squirrels darting here and there.
The squirrels were the tamest I've ever seen to be quite honest as they would quite readily come and accept food off you, standing only inches away - a rare but pleasant site indeed, but much to DDWT Junior's joy. I took a few other snaps whilst we were there as well and for anyone who's been to Singleton Park, I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say what a great park it is.
After the park it was time to hit the beach opposite St. Helen's rugby ground and spend some time chucking pebbles in the small pools of water left behind after the tide had gone out - wayyyyy out I hasten to add. Can you see Mumbles head in the distance from the shot below?
Having walked quite a bit by now we were all feeling somewhat ravenous to say the least so I decided to take Mrs DDWT and Junior to the Village hotel for lunch, having enjoyed my last two visits there myself. Everyone (thankfully) enjoyed the change of venue and food (steak and kidney pie with chips and sausage & mash in onion gravy). So with our batteries now recharged and our tums full we headed off back into Swansea to do some Christmas window shopping.
I also took the opportunity to 'clock' the giant ferris wheel being built in readiness for next week's launch of Swansea's Waterfront Winterland.
By 5pm we were all out of gas and ready to come home - tired but happy and having enjoyed a nice day out and about. What better way to round the day off as well, with a nice warm bowl of home made cawl when we got home.
Tap tap – who's there?
It's a well known fact that seagulls are cheeky (and noisy) little buggars and the quick snap I took of one outside my office window today just proves it!
I'd just arrived in the office - after yet another 'commute-to-work-by-bike' - and could here this 'tap tap' noise every so often. It was then I noticed this cheeky little buggar waltzing his way along the window edge looking for a way in - he must have seen the size of my lunchbox ..... full of ham sandwiches I hasten to add. Seemingly undeterred by me taking pictures this little 'show' went on for a good 10 minutes.
On the subject of me commuting to work and the issue of the nails the other day, I wasn't impressed to see that they were STILL on the bloody cycle path. If that wasn't bad enough, the council workmen were even there today cutting the bloody grass verges!
But as is the norm for council (outsourced?) grass cutting teams across the land, they leave the stray grass (that doesn't make it into the collector) to scatter all over the place - cycle path included. Now you'd have thought they'd have taken the opportunity to clear up the path at this point wouldn't you?
Squirrel watch
Here's a tip for anyone who is into squirrels in a big way - head down to the cycle path through Clyne Valley and I guarantee that you will see loads of them. I've lost count of the number of them that have scooted across the path in front of me whilst I'm ambling along on my bike.
I went for a slightly longer lunchtime ride today - 17 miles worth in fact, taking in Gowerton and a quick loop around SA1. It was nice just to push it that little bit further and take a peek at the SA1 developments at the same time - not to mention providing some sporting entertainment for the sun bathing hoardes from the Admiral insurance office as well. For those that did see me, I hope you liked what you saw *wink*
The trampoline is already proving to be money well spent. I was amazed to get a MMS message from Mrs DDWT this morning at around 8:30 am with a picture of DDWT Junior bouncing away happily on his new acquisition. In fairness to the little fella, he even found enough energy to go swimming later in the morning and yes you've guessed it - trampolining in the afternoon again! Who says that all kids are couch potatoes in the making eh?
West Midlands Safari Park
We headed off to West Midlands Safari Park today for the first time in years for the Mrs and I, but for DDWT Junior this was his first visit.
The good old Tesco vouchers came in handy once again and meant we didn't have to pay a penny for entry on the day.
There was plenty to see and do with everything - which meant we had a full day at the safari park and I think we can safely say we'd go back again (if DDWT Junior has anything to do with it!).
It really is well worth a visit.