Day 9 Poppit Sands to Moylegrove

Day 9
Saturday 29th March
Poppit Sands to Moylegrove

Walk distance 13km
Cycle 0km
Height 360mest
4 hours
Bus from Molygrove to Poppit Sands

Total coastal distance walked  13
Total coastal distance cycled 0

Running coastal total distance  119.25km
Running height climbed  3133m

Estuary and Cardigan island

Parked at Molygrove and caught the Poppit Rocket back to Poppit Sands.  The bus was filled with the banter of several mostly elderly, locals.  One got on at a garden centre along the tiny lane with a tray of alpines.  The man next to me said it was a good garden centre and worth a visit.   I had already decided not to walk too far as the weather was very windy and I had read the path to New Port was difficult in normal weather. So at a leisurely pace I followed the dead end lane passed the hostel and to the last farm. The sun shone a bit and the colors and view across the estuary to the cliff hotel.

The breaking waves were large. As I reached and rounded Cemaes Head I realised just how strong the wind was and it seemed to be gusting off the land. I glimpsed a peregrine flying by. The sea was too rough to see much in the way of bird life.  I reached a gate which I struggled to close against the wind and with the path narrowing close to very steep drops I decided to retrace my steps and find an inland route. Even here it was windy but I followed paths, mostly sunken bridleways lined by turf covered banks, it seemed as if everything was just about to burst into growth. Foxglove rosettes were bright green and blackthorn buds were just about to break.

The most notable place I passed was a chapel in ruins in the midst of nowhere. The pulpit was still standing despite the roof starting to cave in. I could see other chapels scattered across the farmland. All servicing a small community. Throughout the walk I passed many ruins under many brambles, and in woodlands were derelict walls and buildings. I guess the population was much larger once. Sustained by industries long since gone. Maybe quarrying and fishing. Also farms now need few labourers so I guess many buildings are redundant.  I must read up about the history of Welsh chapels.

I headed back to the coast where a small stream cut down to the sea to see if the wind had eased.  I am glad I did as saw a peregrine again and the cliffs I had bypassed had  terrific folds in the rocks, these being Pembrokeshire’s highest cliffs. The wind was still too much and the path even narrower. I headed inland again.

The weather was changing and after leaving the cliffs it became  grey and colder. I followed quiet tarmac lanes and then dropped down to the deserted beech of  Ceibwr bay. The sun appeared and I finally sat down in a sheltered spot, the only person on the beach.

Ceibwr bay

The last km wound up through an attractive ash woodland along a stream fringed by violets, wild garlic leaves and golden saxifrage. A few daffodils, celandine and primrose added to the yellow of spring.   A couple of tantalising signs pointed to the garden centre café.  Once the walk was over I drove to the garden centre I had passed earlier in the day, for a coffee and a wander.  I could not resist coming away with a few plants for our new garden.   Tight curls of pond weed in a pot for our new pond. I seem to always be carting plants around the country.  Before now I have bought plants from driveway sales and carried them many km in my rucsac when walking.

View from hotel window