Barry Island Pleasure Beach
Home to the closest seafront fairground to us, cheesy ‘Cwl Cymru’ and coastal playground of my youth.
Over the decades, through travel and adventures far and wide, it’s a place I come back to time and time again. A place I rediscover new corners and delight in the timeless Welsh seaside charm I thought I knew all sides to, but still keep finding new treasures. A place I now pass the baton on to my daughter, who’s idea of heaven is a crisp ten pound note in her back pocket. To ride the fairground rides and while away the leftover pennies in the amusement arcades.
And don’t get me started on people watching, or even seagull watching as they edge closer to fallen chips and ice cream melts.
In recent years, it’s become the hometown of Stacey, before she met her Gavin, and you don’t need me to talk about what’s occurrin’ with Nessa and Smithy …for my overseas friends who may have escaped this comedic phenomena, just google Gavin & Stacey.
It is a place that has uniquely, quirkily and authentically kept its local charm, while keeping modest in its international fame. It is a place that brings simple and quintessential delight to all that amble there. All moods, all cultures and all generations. 40 minutes from home.
“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh, from A Gift from the Sea.