Explore Britain with me: Day 5 Aberaeron to New Quay

Explore Britain with me...

Thank you for joining me. My journey has only just begun (September 2014). I will be travelling around the coast of Britain over the coming years. I hope to see all the coastline and much of the interior. I am going anticlockwise and randomly started at the Dyfi Estuary, one of the most beautiful parts of Wales that I already knew, overlooked by the most beautiful mountain Cadar Idris. I am looking forward to seeing and recording all sorts of things. My own passion extends to wildlife, geology, scenery, history, architecture and I am interested to meet people and see the communities and towns that I pass. I have read different accounts on the length of the coast and it varies enormously, but at its extreme could be as much as 37000km, taking into accurate measurements and including all the islands. I don't think that's feasible, but much probably is! I suspect Ill use a combination of foot power, bikes and busses if I am to do it all. Perhaps I can use boats too and maybe even swim a bit.

Sunday, 22 February 2015

Day 5 Aberaeron to New Quay

Day 5 Friday 13^th February 2015
Aberaeron to New Quay

Walk distance 9.5km

Height 225m

4 hours

Bus from New Quay to Aberaeron

Total coastal distance walked 9.5

Running coastal total distance 59.25km

Running coastal total height 1189m

Third weekend of explore Britain with me.

Friday 13th. Drove through mid Wales via Newtown in miserable weather with lots of rain and low cloud. There were patches of snow on north facing hill slopes and a proper dusting on the highest ones. Saw many kites after passing Churchstoke. Before mid day I parked in New Quay and caught a bus to Aberaeron and was able to start walking soon after noon. Despite the forecast it was sunny and so I enjoyed a coffee and sausage roll overlooking the harbour. Aberaeron is very colourful with its multi palette of houses. Just as I started the walk proper a distant squall gave rise to a beautiful complete rainbow.

The cliffs are high on this section but the tops are concave so it is difficult to see the faces. The water fall of Afon Drywl was impressive, pouring over the cliff top. In the sun it seemed like spring was near and the leaves of celandine and Lords and ladies were evident. The white of Gulls showed vividly against the darkening sky. Robins and stonechat made their presence known. At one point I was startled when a raven whooshed two feet above my head. In not sure if was trying to scare me or whether it flew over me by chance as it came up over the cliff edge.

Visited the church of St. Inna where I sheltered for a bit as it was starting to rain hard. This church is dedicated to a king of Wessex. The shore path to New Quay was not passable so I followed the inland route along lanes and road. I passed a huge, but smart, caravan park. However, they are ugly development's.

New Quay was deserted with sea front cafes mostly closed and the sandy beech empty. The rain was still coming down hard and I was soggy with condensation. I took advantage of a fish and chip shop and sat down in the warm to a really good meal. Friday night I stayed at Highbury bed and breakfast in Cardigan.`

Explore Britain with me