Day 28 Skomer

Sunday 1^st May

Walk distance  4km

Cycle 0 km

Height   70 est

4 hours

Total coastal distance walked km

Total coastal distance cycled 0km

Running coastal total distance 371.35km

Running height climbed 11714m

There were many people were on the island so we decided to walk the opposite way around to that recommended. It wasn’t long before we saw puffins, with 100s nesting down burrows under the turf.  As the walk progressed we saw more, and gradually we came across more right next to the path. The last ones proved to be wonderfully photogenic.  We sat and had lunch on a flower rich bank.  There were lots of sea campion in flower as well as spring squill. We also saw porpoise out to see occasionally breaking the surface.  Towards the end we noticed a ranger telling people about a short eared owl, which we then spotted.  Whilst waiting for the boat we observed one seal swimming in the small harbour and just before we left realised that there were dozens on the beach, cunningly disguised as rocks.

Day 27 Tenby to Amroth

Saturday 30^th April

Walk distance 11.7km

Cycle 0 km

Height   88est

2 hours

Total coastal distance walked km

Total coastal distance cycled 0km

Running coastal total distance 367.35km

Running height climbed 11574m

  

With Ann, I caught a bus from Amroth to Tenby.  It was a beautiful spring day and we had a leisurely walk all day. We looked at lots of plants and found one or two interesting ones including a type of cleavers that’s a woody perennial.  One section of the path involved a clamber around some rocks, as the tide was still in.  It was really wonderful to see the sign at the end of the Pembrokeshire coast path, and so satisfying to have walked so far.  Even more so it was lovely to complete the last leg of the Pembrokeshire coastal path with Ann. I was already planning the next section and wondering whether to miss out the lengthy estuaries. Perhaps I could follow the route as if it was days gone by when there were ferries across the estuaries!

Day 26 Penally to Tenby

Day 26

Saturday 2nd April

Penally to Tenby

Walk distance 7 km

Cycle 0 km

Height  35m est

2 hours

Total coastal distance walked km

Total coastal distance cycled 0km

Running coastal total distance 355.65km

Running height climbed 11521m

Richard and I stayed in Tenby for  weekend of culture.

We walked the length of the beach from Tenby and up around the headland. The weather was not the greatest with rain threatening and a breeze.  We watched para moving rapidly along the surf line.  On the way back, which completed the short walk to Tenby went into St Margarets island fort. Like many of the forts I had passed around Milford Haven these buildings are impressive and attractive.  This one was at least open to visit. However it had in time been a house as well as a zoo.  The new owners are trying to make something of it, but it all seemed a bit dishevelled at present. Hopefully there will be more interpretation about the history in the future. Tenby is a really lovely town. Made all the more attractive by the castle walls and the nature of the town perched upon cliffs. We loved the National Trust house.  The guest house was nice too. The only down side was the awful parking. We ended up being fined for not having bought a valid ticket. I had I thought paid for three days parking! During the long weekend we visited Manorbier castles and well as numerous garden centres.

Day 25 Manorbier to Penally

Sunday 28^th February

Walk distance 8 km

Cycle 7 km

Height  200 est

2.5 hours

Total coastal distance walked 8km

Total coastal distance cycled 0km

Running coastal total distance 351.65km

Running height climbed 11486m

Cycled from Penalty to Manorbier and started walking from the castle in good weather. The early mornings are lovely with few people on beaches. A short section for maybe two km follows high cliffs and then the path cuts in land around Manorbier army camp. The path emerged at the wonderfully named Srinkle haven. Numerous caves and blow holes are passed as well as military foundations. Views of Caldy island open up. Although forewarned about the large caravan park  at Lydstep haven I wasn't prepared for the scale. An entire bay and cliff side spoilt by so many ugly homes. Some attractive cliffs then led on to another military range before I dropped down to Penally station car park

Day 24 Stack Rock to Manorbier

Saturday 27^th February

Walk distance 20 km

Cycle 0 km

Height  690 est

6 hours

Total coastal distance walked 20km

Total coastal distance cycled 0km

Running coastal total distance 343.65km

Running height climbed 11286m

Saturday
Caught the shuttle from outside Pembroke coop. A rather lengthy journey to get to Stack rock, but made all the more interesting by chatting to the bus driver. Detecting the home ascent he was from Bracknell. He had moved down to Pembroke 12 years ago to enjoy the beautiful coast, cheap living and traffic free driving (except in the summer).

  

Started walking from stack rock date admiring the huge natural arch. The walking was easy and on the level. On one side the Rocky almost limestone pavement gave way to cliffs and on the other the military training area. Several tanks were dotted around, with their camouflage it was easy to miss them. The path followed a well Defined track, occasionally close to the cliffs, caves, sink holes and steep gullies were passed. This track is normally shut in the week. Once leaving the military area the chapel of St. Govan is reached. This thirteenth century building tucked into the cliffs, overlooks a stack and natural arch.

The next section of walk is defined by a steep valley lined with WII defences. Because of the numerous car parks I saw many walkers and dog walkers. None more so than in the lead up to Broadhaven below Bosherton. So many dads carrying children in rucsacs! This is one of my favourite places having camped at Broadhaven in the past. I have fond memories of swimming here, sheltering from the sun in a cave and watching first pike and then a family of otters from the long bridge over the lily ponds. Too many people for the latter today. I briefly stopped for a bite to eat in the cliff top dunes above the Sandy bay. From here I continued along the limestone cliffs admiring a huge swallow hole. Barafundle beach is stunning. A few choughs kept me company.

Overall I saw very little wildlife all day. The path drops down to Stackpole where the geology changed dramatically in a fault line to sandstone. Here I had a coffee in the National Trust boathouse cafe. After having been chilly i was now overheating and was glad to be out in the fresh air. I wasnt sure how I would do times use for catching a bus back, do I decided to walk onto freshwater east. Rather than walk up to the main road for a big bus or wait three hours I decided to press into Manorbier. The dunes at freshwater were impressive piled up onto the cliffs. The sandstone cliffs are full of undulating folds. I stopped at the last Sandy bay to eat some malt loaf and realised I had less than an hour to walk to Manorbier and catch the bus. Despite the steep inclines and long distance I marched fast. I was relieved to see the castle and walked quickly up through the village to the bus stop. I had fifteen minutes spare. The bus was perfectly on time.

Day 23 West angle to Stack Rock

Friday 26^th February

Walk distance 8 km

Cycle 15 km

Height  595 est

6 hours

Total coastal distance walked 8 km

Total coastal distance cycled 5km

Running coastal total distance 323.65km

Running height climbed 10596m

Parked in the car park at Freshwater west in the dunes.  I then cycled to west angle. This involved a steep cycle out of the dunes and then a level road which dropped down to freshwater. With the wind behind me it was easy.  I parked my bike a started walking hoping to beat the rain. Heavy rain was forecast all day. As x said at breakfast the weather is often different on the coast and the rainfall is much higher even a few miles inland. Amazingly the sun was shining.  The path headed out to the point x where more fortifications, derelict foundations of east block house, stood. These were built in 1854..

There is also an Elizabethan watch tower built after the armada, and WWI lookout. Then there are iron age fortifications as well as a large bank around WWII Angle airfield. Rounding the Point the full force of the wind became apparent. The path way was mostly on wide turf, just occasionally narrow above steep drops a and in places the path was very steep. Rounding the pointing was once again walking with the open ocean. Large waves crashed against the rugged red cliffs.  Views of freshwater west open up a magnificent sweep of a bay with huge sand dunes behind. Beyond is the military zone of castle martin. After collecting my bike, I returned to the same car park. I then cycled out of the dunes along a ridge which marks the boundary of the live firing area. Every now and then I heard explosions as rank shells fired as well as artillery. the ride was into a head wind and it was cold. I didn't want to walk this long tarmac section of the coastal path. It was an interesting ride passing the challenger and.   Tank at the entrance to Merrion camp.  Tanks were training in the distance. On the return ride it did all feel rather depressing.

After the initial excitement of seeing tanks it dawned on me this was real war games.  I noticed cottages with names like cold comfort farm. Hardly welcoming.  The barbed wire and trees along the road was bedecked in torn black plastic. Billowing in the wind with a backdrop of military warnings on one side and the power station in the distance on the other.  With rain just coming I was glad to get back to the car.

Day 22 Pembroke to West Angle

Thursday 25^th February

Walk distance 20 km

Height  520 est

6 hours

Total coastal distance walked 18 km

Running coastal total distance 315.65km

Running height climbed 10001m

Stayed at High Noon, a lovely B and B in Pembroke. The most fantastic cooked breakfast. Walked down high street passed very attractive buildings and then skirted the cliff and walls of the castle. The path followed a road through x. Briefly passing a bay where I saw redshank and an egret.

 
Once the path left the road much of the walk cross pasture, which was fairly muddy and poached by the hooves of animals.  Although there had been a frost the day was not too cool. At times the sun came through. In sheltered spots it was warm, and here celandine, daisy primrose and dandelion were in flower. Small birds like goldfinches, hedge sparrows and wrens abounded. Pylons dominated the skyline. In a ways they look magnificent and without them of course we'd have no power. These lines led from a very large power station that it took an age to walk around.


Just before hand I passed a beautiful church dominated by the towers behind. This was the scene of a civil war battle. Entering the church yard I spotted a sign for a nature reserve with a fabulous board walk through a reed bed. This had been built by the Prince's Trust. A fantastic organisation helping young people develop skills.


The path now reached the estuary which was more attractive, but the south side was now dominated by an oil refinery. In time, I passed the enormous metal quays with oil tankers moored up alongside. Like with electricity where would we be without oil. Mind you, the world may be a better and safer place if we used some alternatives. It was obvious that the purchase of land for the refineries had led to much of the coastal land being abandoned. There are also many ruined buildings. In one woodland there was a carpet of wild daffodils and snow drops.


All around this section are inaccessible forts. As buildings go they are stunning and off of Angle point one sits on an island. In the middle of the estuary is a Martello tower. I had lunch sat on a derelict sea wall by the bay. Concrete sandbags lay across the beech.

 All around the derelict buildings, concrete and banks suggested a dis-used airfield. Although the estuary, ports and industry had been interesting I was really pleased to see cliffs and the open sea beyond the Milford Haven. I enjoyed taking more pictures of the Irish ferry. Rounding the point I dropped down to West Angle bay which looked fabulous. Then a fast walk into the pretty village of Angle to catch a bus back. Until Angle I had seen no one other than industrial workers in cars. In Angle an elderly lady assured me I was at the right bus stop. But her unsure spoken manner and odd phrases indicated she didn't actually know where the buses stopped or turned. Odd as she lived opposite. So marched to the village church to be sure I was more likely to be picked up. Of course when the bus came it went right by and I wished for it to turn around! My wish granted, the bus ride back went to all the villages, every one dominated by incredibly tall church towers. Presumably doubling as look out towers.