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not have picked a less likely hero than and as stragglers raced the tide to hike
the roistering, wenching, boozing Welsh back from Worms Head.
man who died in New York in 1953 of a
‘massive alcoholic insult to the brain.’’’ This was definitely a moment, a newly
discovered “I’ll be back” place.
“We love our archetypes in Wales,” said
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who played Next time I’ll be prepared with a map,
Thomas in the film “The Edge of Love.” hiking boots and a certain book of poet-
ry. That’s all you need on The Gower.
“The big drinker, the carouser, the no-
good boyo. Dylan’s image fitted incredi- IF YOU GO
bly well. And he was irreverent at a time
you weren’t supposed to be, the 1950s. Blue Badge Guide Bill O'Keefe: www.
planetwales.co.uk
“We haven’t got many hell-raisers, but
Thomas stuck two fingers up at it all and Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea: www.
lived the life he wanted. Richard Burton dylanthomas.com
(who was friends with Dylan and who
was buried with a copy of Dylan’s poet- The Gower Society: www.TheGowerSo-
ry) was exactly the same,” Rhys said. ciety.org
Today, literary and film pilgrims inter-
ested in Dylan and Burton can embark National Trust – Gower Peninsula: www.
on hikes tracing their lives in South nationaltrust.org.uk/rhossili-and-south-
Wales, including stops at pubs with con- gower-coast/
nections to the two local icons.
Patricks With Rooms (Mumbles hotel):
Back at Rhossili, a favorite of Dylan’s, www.patrickswithrooms.com
I could see what were like toothpicks
sticking out of the otherwise pristine Richard Burton heritage trails: www.vis-
beach below. itnpt.co.uk

These were the rotting timbers of the Swansea and area: www.visitswansea-
barque Helvetia, left from its wreck in bay.com
1887.
Visit Wales: www.visitwales.com
There was time to take it all in for a few

minutes more, watching the sun draw Horses grazing on the heather with the Worms
closer to the sea’s flat horizon as the Head in the background. Top: Arthur’s Stone

paragliders remained like gulls overhead on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales.
Photos courtesy Wiki Commons and Wiki Media

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