So. We are safely ensconced in our  home for tonight. The very unexpected ‘Patricks with Rooms’ in Mumbles, Wales. It’s a very traditional looking Welsh village along the seaside, including this place called Patricks. But, when we got up the top of the two flights of stairs we found this delightful garrett painted an indigo blue. White leather sofa, black sparkly bathroom floor, mirrored desk, all of it combining to be tres chic and hip but with a definite fun edge. We have an amazing view of the bay and across the bay, Swansea is all aglitter with night time lights.

Today was a walk out to Worm’s Head. Apparently named because ‘wurm’ was the ye olde word for Dragon. I think they should have stuck with Dragon’s Head. Sounds a tad less, well…wormy. It’s a dramatic sweep of beach and rock and gorse. Quite divine on a windswept sunny day like today.

Today included lunch at Oldwalls Leisure, a new resort property in the centre of the dramatic Gower Penisula.  Beaches, crumbling castles, long rambling trails combined with very chic cottages. There is nothing twee or country cutesy about these places. Instead, they have clean lines, hip furnishings and the lablog in appliances.

Our lunch at Oldwalls was a remarkable risotto with laver bread (aka seaweed), cockles and bacon. Excellent. Of course, I stuffed every morsel back and then realized it was a starter because out came the salt marsh lamb with a rosemary jus, french cut green beans and roasted potatoes. Let’s not talk about the famous Kate’s brownies served with Joe’s ice cream. Best not to go there, especially since we’re just getting ready to now go to dinner here at Patricks. Clearly, I should have brought bigger pants.

Unfortunately, I have ascertained one negative about Wales. Somebody needs to get them on to the coffee thing. It’s instant wherever you turn. In spite of Starbuck’s shot at the new instant with their Via line, I swear instant is so 70s. It’s over people. Let’s move on to the real thing.

But let’s end this on a happy note. A very happy belly note. We just ate at Patricks restaurant. I had mussels in a creamy pesto-type sauce that was to die for, followed by a wild mushroom tartlette with sides of carrots, snap-peas and a somewhat scalloped potatoey thing. All this washed about with lashings of white and then red wine. The chef sent over a little dessert taster that was a chocolate creme brule with a piece of honey comb and dollop of melting ice cream on the top. We all licked them clean. Everyone’s meal sounded fantastic.

All I can say is, if you ever go to Mumbles, stay and eat at Patricks. Ask for Room 6B and watch the lights on the bay.