Monthly Archives: June 2014

Freshwater West

Posted on by under Pembrokeshire Coast

Another Monday and another walk. The “Navigator” suggested a coastal walk based on Freshwater West.

The usual suspects were joined by Chris and his dog Daisy.

Route

We parked up at the car park at the north end of the bay and joined the coastal path keeping the sea on our left walked around the headland.

Freshwater West Beach

 

It was at this beach whilst kayak surfing and a capsize that I found that rip tides take one the wrong way!

Choughs were seen and at lunchtime a female peregrine falcon was perched on the nearby cliffs.

Near

 

Nearer

Anyone thinking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a flat walk will be in for a surprise on this route. There were some steep pulls  as the path crossed a number of valleys, however the excuse of looking at the view came in handy!

 

 

Ancient Fort

 

Good news
Angle

 

Bad news

 

A minor panic ensued back at the car, when I had mislaid the car keys, but the third search through the rucksack by Chris found them.

Daisy slept on the way home – sensible girl.

Pootle on Mon. and Brec. Canal

Posted on by under Canoeing

Not a random walk but a paddle on the canal.

I met up with Judy for a trip on the Mon. and Brec. Canal. We started at Talybont and went as far as Llangynidr Locks.

We normally paddle on a weekday but for all kind of reasons we were here on a Sunday with good weather which had brought out a fair number of narrow boats.

Talybont

 

I`m watching you.

We had to go through Ashford Tunnel which on a quiet day is straightforward as it is rare to see any boats, but today we became a little nervous about what the tunnel may hold.  Thankfully both on the outward and return journey we were able to tuck behind a narrow boat and follow them through. If you don’t have this facility make sure you are carrying torches.

We had lunch at the locks and then returned back to Talybont where we had a cafe stop and yours truly was treated to a scone and butter.

Approaching Llangynidr

 

Lunch

 

New life

A nice leisurely day.

Llansamlet to Ystalyfera and back

Posted on by under Cycling

Paul and I decided to revisit NCN 43 as the environmental works on the Afon Tawe had been completed and the original route was now reinstated. We would also ride the Glais loop on the way back.

Route

We parked up near the lake on the Llansamlet retail park and joined the cycle route. Following the major riverside protection works the cycle path has been relaid and in due course the current  bare banks will have tree cover.

We had a coffee break not far from Clydach and sat next to the iron sculptures which represent local people.

 

This a great route to cycle which is completely traffic free as far as Ystalyfera. We continued on into the town, which Paul noticed seemed to be shut! In fact the cafe at the end of the traffic free route was just closing – at dinner time.

Afon Tawe

 

I have written about this route before and was taken by the home made memorial to 4 miners who lost their lives in the private Gleision mine a few years ago. There is now a more formal memorial.

Our return journey took in the Glais loop which gave the only granny gear climb of the day and we revisited the work we had carried out with Sustrans where trees were planted and a picnic table made.

Kidwelly to Pavilion cafe and back

Posted on by under Cycling

Spring Bank Holiday Monday was set fine for a bike ride and I decided to cycle from Kidwelly and head as far east towards Llanelli as my legs would go.

Route

The route is NCN4 and included the new diversion.  The old route went via Pembrey Forest had been changed because of continuous flooding.

The new route takes in minor lanes and some single track off road for a short while before returning to the main route at Pembrey village.

Nearly missed this sign because of overgrowth

 

Single track

Once on the Millennium Coast Path it was very busy with cyclists and walkers enjoying the sunshine.

Worms Head on Gower

 

And again

I rode through Burry Port and then stopped at the Pavilion Cafe for a coffee (no cake) and then returned back to Kidwelly taking the coastal path to the entrance of the Pembrey Country Park and then rejoining my outward track back to the car in Kidwelly.

Burry Port harbour

 

Looking back to Burry Port

 

Flowers, beach, sky, lovely