Dylan Thomas Needs a Nosejob

Titled 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Octupus', Peter Fowler's large 9 x 6 metre artwork fronts the old nightclub The Venue and was commissioned as part of the city's 2014 celebrations of the Dylan Thomas Centenary in 2014.

The artwork features the poet along with with an eclectic and rather curious mix of images the painter, and local children he worked with on the project, identified as being iconic to Swansea and to Dylan's writing.

Peter Fowler's 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Octupus'

Sadly, the piece, only 2 years old, is starting to appear a little worse for wear. Hopefully it can be fixed up as it would be sad to loose this public art from the city.

Dylan Thomas' nose in need of a little cosmetic work

The 99p Shop is No More

The 99p shop, which was located opposite Poundland on Oxford Street, is no more. And guess what is going to replace it  - another Poundland. That makes two large Poundland stores right across from each other. Hmm - isn't it great to see so much variety in the shops here!

Another Shop Closure

Yet another shop closure in the city centre:

And notice one of the advertised features promoting the move out of the city shopping centre - free parking. Parking in Swansea is way too expensive and it is way too cumbersome driving around looking for somewhere to park.

Plans may be afoot to reinvigorate Swansea's shopping centre, but it is still sad seeing it deteriorate so fast at the current time.

Espresso Bar, Swansea High Street

The Shoulder of Mutton Pub, High Street

High Street Graffiti by Photini Matsi

After what might be decades of neglect, High Street Swansea is finally emerging from its chequered history in a blaze of colour. After the opening of the marvellously designed 'Creative Cluster', the latest eye-catching to blossom on the once very troubled street is this gloriously graffiti building, designed by the artist Photoni Matsi. It is an incredible and awe-inspiring site and a timely reminder that whilst more and more shops are closing in the city centre, other areas of the city are trully blossoming:

The piece was created as part of the arts project Station to Station. They tweeted about it with the words "Las year you asked for more colour on Swansea High Street, this spring we are delivering it!"

Sundog Over Caersalem Newydd Chapel

I am not usually too alert on my way in to work in the mornings. But I was lucky enough to spot this fairly rare Sun Dog whilst stuck at the traffic light outside Caersalem Newydd Chapel this morning. Lovely little thing ain't it.

Books For Free

The charity 'Healthy Planet' have a great free bookshop down on the Kingsway. The company operates by saving books no longer needed by libraries and other charity shops and offers them back to the reading public for free. They also accept donations.

The books are mostly in great readable conditions and you can find a wide variety of reading subject here from various decades. Run by volunteer staff, the opening times are a bit hit and miss, but the place is definitely worth checking out. You might be surprised just what you might find in there.

A Brisk Dusky Stroll

After fortifying myself with a Verdis' sundae, I took a brisk, dusky, stroll around the Mumbles prom. Despite the sun having already set, evening colours were gorgeous and the clouds quite amazing. I also had an encounter with a very friendly robin and met an even more social cat down on the seafront. A great walk, up there with the best of 2016 so far:

Seagulls decorating a beautiful cloud-painted sky over Swansea Bay

Mumbles Pier

A very friendly Robin

Swansea Pier

Swansea Promenade at dusk

Swansea Bay

Fishing along the  Mumbles Promenade

Ending the evening's walk with a cwtch with a
very social cat along the seafront

A Verdi's Raspberry Sundae

I had a delicious raspberry sundae down in Verdis this evening. An utterly divine experience. The place was packed with cusomers, but I still managed to snag a window table overlooking Swansea Bay. Highly, highly recommended.

Eden Closes in City Centre

It is sad seeing so many shops in the City Centre continuing to close. Where are things going to improve here?