It was a clear morning with a bit of wind and a slight chill to start - but not for long!
The sun was like a spotlight on the horizon for much of the morning, lighting up the gorse making its second blooming.
We made our way down to the next bay where we said goodbye to Joe and Olwyn and left them to play on the pebbly beach whilst we manfully made it up the next steep slope. I am afraid I have no pictures from here until we reached Amroth as the camera got muddled with the GPS and I did it wrong somehow. We passed Marros sands that we couldn't really see a lot of as we were still quite high and the tide was in too. There were quite a few ups and downs and at one we met a couple out picking sloes who we had a chat with and they donated into our collection tin - thank you! Another hard climb to Telpyn Point (seemed to be a lot of hard climbs today!) before we dropped down into Amroth - and the official start of the Pembrokeshire coast path at the New Inn!
The Pembrokeshire Path is a long standing long distance trail - I think from about the 1970's so we are following the acorn signs now as well as the coastal path logo. This trail is 186 miles long and has its own certificate so Chris and I are hoping to claim ours from a pub in St Dogmael's at the end of this part!
We re-met with Joe and Olwyn at the pub for lunch where it was so warm we ate in the garden - in October!. It was quite busy in Amroth, the pub was very well regaled with Hallowe'en decorations and its food was good. There were lots of fishermen in the bay (only 2 walks have been without fishermen) and also lots of monks who must have been from Caldey Island.
On we went through Amroth, past its castle and along more cliff walks to Wisemans Bridge which we liked very much. The view from its pub was lovely - and lots of people were enjoying it!
We had a pleasant walk along the seafront here enjoying the views in the sunshine - amazed already at how far we had come today.
The lovely path ended as it came to a tunnel - well 3 actually - which had been originally built for small railways, first using horse power in 1834, to carry coal and perhaps iron to Saundersfoot harbour for export. We passed through just 2 tunnels before we dropped down to the beach at Saundersfoot and looked back to Wisemans Bridge and further.
We enjoyed our beach walk and I became obsessed somewhat with looking for the old geology in the cliffs!
As well as looking back...we could also see Monkstone Point looming ahead...
It was an enjoyable walk through Saundersfoot and quite busy and we also met a friendly waiter who contributed to our funds generously - he himself was a keen fundraiser, so good luck with the beard! On up again and into Rhode Wood which was approached by an incline and had ups and downs within it. It was at least a little cooler. We soon had good views looking back to Saundersfoot...
...and it wasn't long before we had rounded Monkstone Point too!
It had its own little beach too - and not that accessible! We decided we wouldn't make it to Tenby on the beach so continued the up and down route and soon Tenby was in view!
Quite wearily then we headed for the North beach where there are 2 lifeboat stations - I understand the furthest is now a private residence having featured on Grand Designs. Tenby was a glorious sight in the evening sun!
Day 2 saw a new destination. We had originally planned to get to Bosherston but having reviewed the maps the previous evening we decided Stackpole Quay was far enough and so when Joe and Chris left to move the cars on the morning of the 13th so that ours was at the end should we be slow - and didn't get back for breakfast until 9.....I was a little alarmed! It was obvious we had made the right decision. My Ordnance Survey Getamap had let me down a bit, I felt! Anyway today Chris and I set off with Joe, leaving Olwyn and Catherine to shop! How sensible - I didn't find out if Catherine had treated herself......
and as the flags weren't flying on Sunday we could cross Penally range with no problem and enjoy the views ahead.
We soon approached Lydstep Bay and were amazed at the sizes and shapes of the cliffs
..and at Lydstep, with its many caravans we could again walk on the beach, albeit a pebbly one.
With many coves and indents to pass we did have a lot of ups and downs again today but it was worth it! We even had a great, clear view of Lundy Island on the horizon and we were all so impressed by the blow holes and green bridge! The geology changed again around here as we approached Manorbier Camp. We had to detour a little away from the coast but had glimpses before we quite left the headland.....down to Shrinkle Haven beach - and its natural arch! There are steps down here - but we didn't fancy the coming back up bit!
It was lunchtime when we reached Manorbier (manna-beer) with its lovely Bay and magnificent castle ( as below) where Gerald of Wales was born. On the path down to the bay stands a dolmen - Kings Quoit, just sitting there! Joe had already been sampling the last of the blackberries en route.
A quick lunch was had as now the clouds had taken over and spots of rain began as we headed out of the Bay and up some fairly substantial climbs! We soon dropped over to view Swan Lake Bay - so pretty even in the damp - and only 1 family there.
I think maybe my pace picked up in the damp and I certainly didn't take as many pictures so we were able to believe we would make the rendez-vous with Catherine and Olwyn at the allotted time!
So the Bay was soon behind us and after further climbs and descents we came to the huge beach of Freshwater East where a beach walk was a must!
Then Stackpole came into sight - and the rock changed again from the red sandstone into the limestone again - it was quarried in Stackpole which has its own lime kiln. Joe commented that we had in fact walked across a complete geological era!
27 miles - 14 hours walking behind us!
Don't forget to visit www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress if you would like more information about how the fundraising is going..
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