Progress map below by courtesy of Ordnance Survey showing the north Wales Coast Path crimson worm back in its rightful place on the beach at Borth. Within striking distance of Aberystwyth. Still no reaction from the south crimson worm about 110 miles away, stuck at Abermawr

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie,

Yesterday, Tuesday, 18th June, v v early, I drove with Nobby to Machynlleth to complete the inland diversion around the Aberdovey estuary. Last trip I had already completed the north bank, Tywyn to  Machynlleth, and now I was hoping to finish the south bank counterpart of Borth to Machynlleth

I chose to catch the train from Machynlleth to Borth and walk the Wales Coast Path in reverse because the trains worked out nicely.w

Even having time to breakfast on the train

– Barra brith and coffee before arriving at Borth below

And now after filling my rucksack with snacks at the local grocer, I was ready to take on all day long the bogs, hills and forests which the train line had just skirted in twenty minutes. I only got lost once-

at Brwyno GR SH/SN 710 964

I missed a wooden finger post high up pointing almost back on myself; very easily spotted walking back though!

Bogs above

Forests below

I don’t know what you were expecting but the above pictures are typical Wales Coast Path inland diversion- not much to sea?

Sorry  but I do navigate much better with the sea on my right…..  or left

but there were dramatic rivers below

And one intruder

Did someone say  lunch?

After lunch and a very impressive display from my new friend who was so happy to see me, I realised my phone charge was getting low and reception wasn’t always guaranteed.

I opted for radio silence  to save power for any real emergencies and that meant no more pictures. My own personal batteries were going the same way, getting lost again was no longer allowed

I’ll list the significant features of the journey so you won’t miss out

After getting lost along the Afon Brwyno River I returned to charted territory at Caerhedyn and followed theLlyfnant Valley to the RiverRhisglog at Gelli Lydian where some serious tree felling made following the path more interesting until …….

…….At last after a very long day, starting out at 6-30am Machynlleth came into view. The photo was timed at 5-10 pm. Laid out before me from my elevated position I could see the river bridge and the railway station a couple of miles away. Fortunately it was a downhill dawdle most of the way to Nobby parked at the railway station just after six thirty pm. Not even bothering with the flask of coffee he had been guarding all day, I hopped in and drove home by gone 8pm

Simple.

Not.

But yes! once home if you were to look due West over our back fence, across the River Teme and beyond over the 😊Cambrian Mountains, that’s where I’ve been getting lost . No people. Just one horse.

Overall, a very satisfactory two (Saturday and Tuesday ) day’s walk despite the 36 mile diversion being mostly unnecessary if I could have forded the River Dovey at Aberdovey! The journey from Tywyn to Borth direct incidentally measures about 9 miles with no allowance for tides, currents, wind, tacking or calling in my investments in the RNLI! So the full effect of the diversion is about 27 miles extra.

l’m not bitter, just worn out. But I didn’t drown, I wasn’t swept out to sea and I didn’t succumb to quicksand

Donald birthday edition 

He was one for the forty fifth time on Friday 

 

Progress Map by courtesy of Ordnance  Survey

 The  crimson worms are leaving quite a trail around Aberdovey, particularly following our previous February visit to Tywyn and Aberdovey to climb Cadair Idris with Stan and his pals. Add to this the 12 mile trek from Aberdovey inland to Machynlleth to cross the R Dovey  and I’m getting maximum use out of OS Explorer Map OL23 and there’s still the return journey to the coast from Machynlleth to Borth.

Dear Rosie (have a nice birthday party on Friday), Lauren (   Good luck with song on Friday ),   Stan(remember Cadair Idris?), Jake (so pleased you’re back in the fray -how’s the cricket going?), Rowan (first horse riding lesson accomplished) and Maisie (have you reached the top yet?) and Richard also, (Happy V BIG Birthday),

Because the Wales Coast Path action is close to home I managed a day trip yesterday (Saturday) to resolve the dilemma caused by having to cross the River Dovey on the way to Aberystwyth. But  just in case this cunning plan went awry, Nobby was filled with all sorts of camping and hiking equipment so I could bale out any time

My options were to blag a lift across the river to Borth at Aberdovey or walk 12 miles inland to Machynlleth the nearest bridging point; and twelve miles back again to Borth.

I parked Nobby at Machynlleth Station -free!- with no particular plan other than leaving all options open. I took the train along with two carriages full of mature walkers doing the same thing, but was only one of few getting off at Tywyn (my last known walked destination on the Wales Coast Path) and headed for the beach and Aberdovey

At Machynlleth option of train to Tywyn or bus to Aberystwyth- the train won.

While Nobby stayed put in the free car park

Arriving at Tywyn and heading for the beach and the Wales Coast Path

Stan will remember the prom and arcade, curiously closed today, maybe they thought he was coming to empty their coffers again….

Tide going out plenty of surf and firm sand to walk on to Aberdovey

First sighting below was the RNLI Lifeboat Station which I inspected and bought a few souvenirs as insurance but did not help my pleas for cadging a lift across the Dovey

The city limits of Aberdovey were quite fish and crab orientated  but today with low tide just before 2pm and intermittent rain there were no fishermen or boatmen around to serve my need to cross the river at Aberdovey rather than walk an extra 24 miles inland detour via Machynlleth.

I approached some locals whose best advice was they had just seen a jet ski being launched, perhaps if I tracked it down I could blag a very wet crossing? But all was quiet – no irritating raucous racing engine noise – even though I would have temporarily displaced my aversion to these almost unnecessary machines.

A few minutes later, the last picture above depicts a broken down jet ski being revived on the beach / what’s the opposite of serendipity? Seems that idea never got off the ground! It would never float

The next twelve or so miles were unimportant to me as I headed inland. I had been unsuccessful in my attempts to get a lift across the Dovey at Aberdovey despite asking the RNLI Station, Outward Bound, the Harbourmasters Office, fishermen, the yacht club, charter fishing boats and any kids with a lilo or even an inflatable toy. .Here is a selection of the trip photos which for the most part followed the railway line and the main Aberdovey road to Machynlleth – with no footpath! And it rained and the off- road parts of the walk were poorly signed.

I was constantly changing into wet weather gear, sun gear, hi-viz gear and dodging traffic on the country lanes while searching for non existent waymarkers on this redundant bit of the Wales Coast Path.

At last I’ve reached the lowest bridging point of the River Dovey and I crossed and headed for Machynlleth Railway Station, Nobby and home after a slightly resentful walk inland away from my beloved coastline.

Next visit I will resume from this Machynlleth station heading along the south bank of the R Dovey to get back to the beach at Borth. I will then be back in position on the opposite bank of the River Aberdovey heading for victory for the north in the Crimson Worm stakes ….

Nanny’s favourite picture of Abereiddy

The theme for this walk is rain.

The patches proved useless and the pockets all rapidly filled with rainwater otherwise prepared for anything! On Friday it rained all day, but Saturday was sunshine all the time.

Progress map around Wales by courtesy of Ordnance Survey below and similarly around mainland Britain further below…

Closing in on Aberystwyth

The overall picture of the journey round mainland Britain with Aberystwyth spotted white and brass tacks pinpointing my present positions of Tywyn, north; Abermawr, south.

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie!

Running low on time to complete the circumnavigation of Wales before the finale in Aberystwyth at the end of July. Which is why we found ourselves heading out from Whitesands Bay in the pouring rain on Friday in the general direction of Aberystwyth. It was genuine unrelenting Welsh rain, the kind that soaks to the skin despite several layers of waterproofs and also the kind that reminds you that, although it is June, Summer is still far away.

Consequently, despite the superb scenic quality of my surroundings, it was real trouble and strife to use the camera and it wasn’t long before the damp and humidity had rendered all pictures sub-marine, so apologies in advance, and also for large gaps in the spacing due to being preoccupied with possible drowning  .

Clug..Gluggle  gulf gluggg..

Ramsay Island being left behind in the midst and mist of rain

Keeping to the treacherous, slippery path was tricky when you couldn’t look up in driving, stinging rain

There were no rendezvoussss for ten miles with no vehicle tracks intercepting the Wales Coast Path until Abereiddi where  Nobby and Nanny found me washed up on the beach and a rare picture of a road…

Leading to late lunch and a change of clothes

…. which allowed me to wring out another couple of miles towards Porthgain

Porthgain, back and front- a welcome port for any storm

Back to our warm, dry, welcoming b&b in Carnhedryn with Rhian, followed by a meal at the Farmers Pub at our usual table in St David’s – everywhere else was reserved

Forecast for tomorrow is no rain – hardly surprising, they used it all up today.

We’ll see!

What a difference a day makes. Twenty four hours and the sun’s shining and it’s warm

Saying farewell to Rhian after our second excellent visit to her b&b conveniently located in Carnhedryn with lots of help and advice.

Restarting from Porthgain

…..this time in the summertime!

Stopping for a break at Trefin, heading for Abercastle.

Still heading for Abercastle – Nanny warning – she has parked up and is heading my way

I have deviated off the Coast Path to visit Pen Castell Coch which juts out into the sea, at height, giving two glorious views up and down the coast and then the glorious view of Nanny coming to check I haven’t fallen off!

Below- Descending to Abercastle Harbour at the same time as a party of ladies Coasteering their way along the rock face opposite us, and when the rock face ended they dived off into the water- some more reluctantly than others!

Looking back on the way to Abermawr beach followed by the beach…..

………Below – Descending from the cliff top of Castell Coch through dense, steep undergrowth to find Nanny waiting on the Wales Coast Path, or beach, with a short walk back to Nobby waiting in the car park to take us home. The rain yesterday had exacted its toll and my legs refused to go any further.

Y

Nanny’s favourite photos this trip

Porth Clais ……and …….Solva

Walking round Britain’s coastline

Progress map below by courtesy of Ordnance Survey with my crimson worms highlighting the completed route so far.

England finished; Wales nearly done: Scotland nothing yet.

To complete Wales there remains most of Cardigan Bay left to finish before the end of July, but I have reached the most westerly point of mainland Wales, Penmaen Melyn. See the LHS – white dot.Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie,

A sad weekend seeing Spurs losing the Champions League Final to Liverpool – no more need be said!

So I immersed myself in walking and the memory of the dubious penalty in the first minutes of the game, dissipated. Maybe – time will tell …..

which is how I became to be heading down to South Wales with Nanny and Nobby within hours of the bitter result, to resume walking North from Newgale. I have almost put it out of my mind? Not surprising considering how stunning the scenery was. And it’ll soon be Rosie’s Birthday

The route after a very damp Newgale start was via Solva, Porth Clais, Pen Dal-aderyn (or is it Penmaen Melyn, which form the most westerly point?) , Ynys Dinas, RNLI and Whitesands Bay. The weather was perfect and gave rise to several early season ice creams!

Excellent accommodation was afforded by Rhian Thompson for our overnight stay, at a B&B in Carnheydryn a few miles short of St David’s on the A487 , so good we’re going back next time – and soon

Off we go……..except,

we had to wait for some unsolicited  heavy rain to pass over, which it did and never looked back….

Starting off from Newgale Sands heading  north for a rendezvous at Solva.

Below- scenery starting to get impressive on the way to Solva

In Solva we discovered a redundant life boat shed to add to that collection; the tide well out and plenty of people messing around in boats; we watched a father carrying aloft a six year old, fording the River, being towed by a large recalcitrant puppy dog .which tangled in the mooring lines and chains. I wondered if there was an ancient rescue boat in the ancient boathouse for an accident about to happen?

And there was other boating activity to watch on the tidal estuary of the River Solva before moving on along the Wales Coast Path with its variety of weathered rocks and cliffs daring you to peer over cliff edges or walk into great clefts in the ground where more cliffs were getting ready to detach themselves.. The cliffs were eroding under my feet.

Sometimes there is no choice but to walk along the edge hoping my extra body weight made no difference to the cliff’s stability!

Finishing the first day at Porth Clais and returning to our b&b in Carnhedryn to freshen up before a night out in the big city of St David’s, at the Farmers Arms where the food was good but getting a table was a bit of a bun fight.

Day two

On Monday fuelled up on a full English we were away early from Rhian’s excellent acommodation to resume walking from Porth Clais  – day two. The target was Whitesands Bay with a halfway visit to RNLI Station at Porthstinian . The usual problem is it’s impossible to leave out any pictures…..

Porth Clais – looks like day one of new diet – after I’ve finish up current supplies of snacks in my rucksack. Essential grazing along the way  include water, figs, prunes, muesli bars, oranges, apples, dark chocolate, werthers, meat slices, cheese slices and Tom Pugh’s delicious meat pies which never seem to last long?

Porth Clais – River Alun – St Brides Bay  at sunrise

Carreg yr Escob and Carreg Fran

Soon to Turn the corner to see the RNLI Station as a white speck

Turning the same corner at sea finds Ramsey Sound – looks treacherous; understand why there’s a lifeboat station just past St Justinians.

Ramsey Island top right.

Porthstinian RNLI Lifeboat Station below ahead;  visitors about to descend on St David’s Lifeboat and the new and old Stations alongside each other with Martin on duty guarding the new £2.7m boat named after the benefactors Mother Norah Wortley. After a long chat with Martin, something from the gift shop and a rest, it was time for lunch

WhitesandsBay was just round the next corner and I began my descent down to sea level where Nanny and I finished off proceedings with ice cream and a promise  to diet tomorrow.

The speck below is Nanny waiting for me to land as I descend the near vertical steps    to the bay.5

Whitesands Bay – not a bad place to fetch up – complete with rescue centre and cafe.

Studying the maps we found the next stretch heading for Aberedie difficult to plan. There was limited access to the coast and once started, no choice but to keep going the full 15 miles. It wasn’t prudent to start after lunch with today’s mileage already approaching double figures. If we needed help making a decision – it started to rain!

And so we decided to go home via Aberystwyth to recce the scene for the Finale.

Finally here’s the overall progress map again by courtesy of Ordnance Survey, showing my completed walk round mainland Britain’s coastline – in crimsom

Tywyn to Aberystwyth plus Aberystwyth To Whitesands       =   115 miles to finish

If there were no ferry across River Dovey add 27 miles going inland to Pont ar Dyfi and back to Borth ie 142 miles to finish- better get checking the ferry!

Nominal end……..

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie,

A quick trip to Barmouth by Bobl and Nobby and one overnight camping puts the northern crimson worm in favourite position to get to Aberystwyth first.

Progress Map – Walking round Wales

The white spot indicates I haven’t moved the southern crimson worm any nearer St David’s recently……

……Whereas the northern crimson worm has reached Tywyn and closing in on Aberystwyth. The slight hiatus around Tynwyn includes a previous excursion to climb Cader Idris, which is not yet on the coast, but global warming might sort that out.

I used my oldies railcard and the train to link Llanbedr, Fairbourne and Tynwyn. The rail track mirrored the WCP and also the stations  provided free parking quite legitimately and logistics proved straightforward

The southern crimson worm (the white dot), is still stranded short of St David’s. Better get moving otherwise it’s a walkover for the North.

Nobby and tent at Bwlchgwyn  Camp Site with views over Barmouth Bridge

Crossing the Barmouth bridge after leaving the campsite

Barmouth RNLI boathouse and Sue in the gift shop. Another mug for the collection

Off the road at Llanaber and proper coast walking getting wet

Morgan Dyffryn nature reserve

Crossing Barmouth Bridge by train

The railway features large in this episode

Clever editing…Fairbourne beach with road and rail fighting for space – the WCP gets shifted inland

These close ups of the bush show what happens when you lose the path – short cuts . Vertical routes. And bramble rash. Break our the Elastoplast .

The WCP retreats in land a lot whereas the railway and main road hug the coastline, I much prefer getting as near to the waves as possible – l must go down to the sea again……- I get unsettled if I’m out of sea sight. To me it’s not proper coastal walking unless you feel the sand between your toes, or boots soaked by rogue waves that take you by surprise. Anyway a visit to the Tonfanu Quarry to witness the decline of industry and derelict workings was fascinating

The final stretch approaching Tywyn gave views back over the Tonfanu Quarry, high point 178 metres right below

And left below, looking down on the rail bridge and footbridge over Afon Dysynni

And so to Tywyn and I’m ready to finish but not before driving to Aberdovey and recce-ing the shortest river crossing. It seems the map takes a very long inland estuarine detour when a perfectly respectable “ferry” from Aberdovey would cross the river in minutes. I’m asking the local sailing club for help- conveniently placed alongside RNLI Aberdovey!

Overall progress walking round Britain’s coastline below

Even more unfortunately for the south, our visit to recce Aberdovey today has paid off. It would seem there might be plenty of takers to stand in for the missing ferry service – it’s been missing these last 30 years! And the ferry refuge is now gone,  so that means a trek inland will not be necessary. I might organise that while the going’s good.

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie!

On the last walk from Pwllheli via Criccieth, Porthmadog to Harlech and finishing at Llanbedr, I was joined by Mark and, in particular, by Justina with her camera. This is her  take on The Walk….

colouring in time…

Restarting at Pwllheli after a planning session

Pwllheli lifeboat station – and the chart naming the hills on the horizon which can clearly be seen in the backgrounds..using a half decent camera

And a stranded shark

Near Pen ychain trig point

End of day one at Criccieth below

Mutiny  – Time for ice cream while Bobl walks on to RNLI Criccieth and the rendezvous at Dylan’s and day’s finish.

Day two

Restarting at Dylan’s in Criccieth through Porthmadog, Lunch,  Portmeirion, Pont Briwet and finish at Railway halt at Llandecwyn

Day three

Justina is last man standing to accompany me on my final day from the pylons at Pont Briwet as far as we can walk

xx

Harlech Castle above

We arrived in Harlech for lunch rendezvous with Marilyn and a final stroll to the beach through Royal St David’s golf club and farewell to Justina who had her transport back to Porthmadog waiting.

I trudged on alongside the railway line seeing how many stations I could collect.

Starting with the Harlech cliff to Llanfair which did for me – and no station! I got to

Llandanwg followed by Pensarn, then had nothing left by Talwryn-Bach near Llanbedr. After 50 miles in four days, Nanny and Nobby miraculously appeared and I was whisked off home….

Photo of The Walk – Wales Coast Path after Boston Lodge Halt Ffestiniog Railway

Painting of the Walk – The Wales Coast Path nearby Boston Lodge heading for Portmeirion , by Artist in Residence (Porthmadog), Mark Buckingham  

See more of Mark’s work- click on the link

http://www.markbuck.co.uk

PROGRESS The crimson worm maps..

….but first introducing our photography and painting guests;

At Glastraeth, Justina and bipod facing Portmeirion……

….while Mark and tripod paint the town red at….- Portmeirion  – photos taken simultaneously on either side of  Afon  Dwyryd on the final day. Spooky!

And now – Extract of progress map below- by courtesy of Ordnance Survey, showing my route on the Wales Coast Path. Walking 50 miles this trip, with Mark Justina and Nanny all contributing PBs.

I have now completed the Llyn Peninsular and temporarily fetched up just South of Porthmadog in the north and remain stranded slightly short of St David’s in the south. That effectively leaves the whole of Cardigan Bay to finish plus a bit. More accurately 192.25 miles!

Before the end of July!

All welcome to join in either 192 miles or 0.25 miles or see you in Aberystwyth? Mark and Justina did and survived – they Jjust about made their Mmark…

DIVERSION

Just in case you didn’t notice, Spurs wiped the floor with Ajax last night and as a result will be appearing in the European Cup Final (to give it its old name) against Liverpool, on June 1st in Spain. All walking traffic will be diverted via Madrid or maybe White Hart Lane (tgiion) at this time.COYS!

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan, Maisie and Lucas Moura

Well done on your hatrick Lucas; your mock report Rosie, your solo Lauren, your rugby tour Stan, your swing ball Jake, your show Rowan and your 5th birthday Maisie!

It’s all go!

Nanny and Bobl drove Nobby to the Lleyn Peninsular last week and resumed walking the Wales Coast Path from Nant y big heading for Abersoch. The weather was perfect for walking. Our immediate target was to meet up with Mark and Justina, who wanted to join in this stretch of the Walk around Porthmadog, where we were all billeted at Sue and Ian’s for the duration. This time Nanny and Bobl not only had the superior accommodation but relative company and endless gossip and catching up with family….

In between I managed to  add 50 miles to the WCP walking tally over four days . Surprising, considering we stopped at every coffee shop and ice cream outlet plus less formal refreshment breaks supplied by Nanny and Nobby at regular intervals

When we were walking, keeping  to the Wales Coast Path took us through the following photos…..

Day one Friday Nanny drops Bobl at Nant y big on the Wales Coast Path.

In the round or all square.What’s the point? Trywyn  yr Wylfa!

The St Tudwalds Islands

Above – the old lifeboat house near Machroes privately owned but still eligible for the collection.

Borth Fawr

The newer lifeboat station at Abersoch

The sands at the Warren, Abersoch.

Below – looking down, and back, from, and at, the Tin Man overlooking Llanbedrog

Here he is!

I was under instruction not to walk the shoreline with the danger of erosion and being cut off by the tide. But the cliff top wasn’t exactly a stroll in the park either!

Late afternoon approaching Pwllheli city limits, I became aware I had company in the shape of a very dark cloud. Time to call it quits – here Endeth day one – off to have fish and chips in Pwllheli and then greet M&J in Porthmadog.

Day two Saturday – met and gret Mark and Justina. Mark is local knowledge monitor and Justina photo monitor. Nanny is in charge of Nobby and food. I’m just going along for the ride and the weather which has been well behaved so far. My photos finish this blog . I’m afraid the disparity in quality between mine and  Justina’s is all too obvious so will award her a separate blog Episode 125

To continue; new arrivals Mark and Justina starting off from Pwllheli beach looks like we photoshopped that sky.

A slight deviation from the WCP to take in Pwllheli RNLI Lifeboat Station in the marina, but it was closed.

The photo editor is playing up!

I had been berating the surrounding Snowdonia mountain profiles constantly on the horizons for not having labels. The aspects and orientations are constantly changing and I always lose track.

Now this chart below should help especially as we had a clear day

Now all we needed was s comfortable seat and coffee and ice cream which we found plentifully in this newly landed space craft with idyllic views of Snowdonia

Several miles along the beach and in and out of the sand dunes round the point at Pen-y-chain to our rendezvous at Afon Wen and back again walking the roads to Llanydtumdwy where we found Afon Dwyfor and the beach again

Eventually the city dwellers got tired and demanded a lift to the nearest coffee ice cream outlet at Criccieth. It was past the castle and at Dylan’s that a rebellion occurred and the day’s walk was over. I just sneaked in another lifeboat station at Criccieth

Day two finish was celebrated at Spooners in the Harbour  Station Porthmadog alongside the Ffestiniog Railway

Day three started at Dylan’s and headed past Criccieth Castle looking for Porthmadog

We walked along Black Rock Sands with a rendezvous in Borth y Gest and sneaked a lunch at the Harbour Station after which I was the last Walker standing heading along the not so picturesque A497 passing  Portmeirion And Minffordd . Just prior to this MArk gave me directions to the scene of his latest painting creation nearby Boston Lodge Hall. As soon as I arrived I recognised the site and include my own photo for comparison.

I visited the back entrance to Portmeirion and after trouble finding the right road out, I followed the railway to Penrhyndeudraeth and finally for day three stopping at Llandetwyn STation.

Day four was more of the same. I suppose I was feeling a tad weary as I followed the meandering level route alongside the road, railway and marshland to Morfa Harlech and Harlech and one final torturous climb from the beach to Llanfair.

By the time I got to the station at Talwryn-Bach I was done for.

The steps to Llanfair are hidden well in that bank on the left below. After four days of walking nearly 50 miles it’s not fair making me climb that!

I can see my final photos for the last day/s are getting scrambled and problems with editing are not helping. I think it’s fatigue and I won’t have the energy to put it right till….. don’t know when?

Anyway the next blog will feature Justina’s take on the walk from Pwllheli to    Harlech.

Anyway this was definitely the final railway station below, maybe next time I’ll get the train to here to resume the tour?

  The final station before going home – Talwryn-bach Llanbedr

The Havens  – best picture?

RNLI at LittleHaven – add to RNLI collection. Closed when I visited!

Twice I got escorted by pony trekkers  on this trip – maybe I should get a Norse?

Sorry about the panic – my unfinished blog contains errors and omissions and now we’re rushing off again – where we won’t be walking any coastline… instead we’re stuck in the heart of Europe on the original Exit Brexit day. Berlin has very little scope for coast walking. A very sad few days as Nanny and I attended Christa’s funeral.

She was coming to visit in the spring.    A very lovely lady. We’ll miss the phone calls.

It all took the edge of this last Wales Coast Path trip – quick summary – All in two different pictures – below – the finish at Newgale Sands which extend for several kilometres and where I pick up the trail next time out- just to whet your appetite – bring yer togs! C’mon in the water’s  FREEZING!

View from the top and view from the bottom of Newgale Sands

… and the middle – sort of…..

Holiday let’s and lighthouse at St Ann’s Head

St Ann’s

Dear Rosie, Lauren, Stan, Jake, Rowan and Maisie,

Nanny, Bobl and Nobby took off this last weekend to stay in Haverfordwest whilst walking the Wales Coast Path in South Pembrokeshire for three glorious April days – a fourth day was abandoned when our luck ran out and we awoke early  in the morning to a misty, damp atmosphere that portended worse to come. We cashed in our chips at 35 miles for the first three days. An excellent return at this time of year. Grand total mileage round England and Wales is now 4,116 in 335 days. And then we took off unexpectedly to Christa’s funeral in Berlin. So unexpected. So sad.

Meanwhile – back on the Wales Coast Path…

Aside – we don’t get much opportunity to complain but two incidents warranted our amused moan to relevant authorities. The normally excellent Premier Inn at ?, unfortunately lodged their noisiest occupants in adjoining rooms to ours. I eventually dropped off but Marilyn tells me they kept going most of the night!

Another chips story emanated from the adjacent eatery whose curious name , The Lost Coin, suggests they were losing money. When asked if my meal was ok, I happened to mention that my scampi and chips was a bit light in the chip department to which I received the reply “Everyone says that?”

Ordering another side of chips was suggested without it being clear who coughed up. So nothing happened except that we established they had set portions of chips! At least my waist line remains sylph like.

Anyone analysing my walking progress will note the decline in daily distances- I put this down to too many chips, returning from hibernation, slippery tracks, frequent steep climbs and very irregular winding paths and age! Simple!

Progress Map below by courtesy of Ordnance Survey showing my overall route around England and Wales, including Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke. The circumnavigation of England is complete, with about 250 miles left to finish the Wales Coast Path  – mainly Cardigan Bay.

i have reached Newgale approaching St David’s on the southern Wales Coast Path and nearly finished the Llyn Peninsular on the northern Wales Coast Path arriving at Porth Ceriad aka Nant y Big

The following pictures  in chronological order of my walk, don’t do justice to the scenery but here goes all the same….watch out for eroding cliff edges and perfect blue skies in April.

Approaching St Ann’s Head the rugged cliffs occasionally make room for beautiful secluded (inaccessible) sandy beaches….

Getting weary towards the first day’s end- slow going from the St Ann’s Head to Dale. I seemed to be walking much further than recorded.

Day two or Sunday was the same pleasant weather of sunshine and light wind. Early supplies of sunblock were in order. The pictures above show progress from Dale to Martin’s Haven with Nanny in the last photo coming  to greet me for lunch.  After a suitable break I made it to Mill haven before retiring with twelve more miles completed

The third day was again magnificent for walking and i continued through the Havens and the eroding cliff top walk until the vast expanse of Newgale Sands demanded I negotiate the cliff face and drop down to the rocky shores below to walk the shoreline

Nanny was waiting with Nobby at the end after another twelve miles today. What will tomorrow bring?

It brought rain and a decision to halt the walk and return home with a total 35 miles this trip in three walking days