Freshwater West and Angle Circular

Andy and Fran were down in Paradise (aka Tenby) for the Easter Break and with Thursday looking particular fine weather wise, Andy and I drove to Freshwater west on the Pembrokeshire Coast for a circular walk.

Click on any links for further information.

Route (the start is not shown but it is the car park at the north end of the beach)

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Freshwater West Tide in

In my kayaking days we spent many a day kayak surfing off the beach and it was here that I discovered that a capsize in a rip tide sent one out to sea and not back to shore!

The weather was indeed excellent with shirt sleeves being the order of the day. I take the clarity of the sea around this coast for granted but Andy a Sheffield lad thought the sea was grey whilst growing up on the east coast and realised on a scout trip this was not so everywhere.

 

The above photos are not the most welcoming.

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We spotted a number of choughs flying around the cliffs but no seals today.

Lunch was had next to a dismantled gun emplacement overlooking Rat Island before carrying on to West Angle Bay. We had a choice now to shorten the walk by walking along the road through Angle or carrying on around the coast – the latter won.

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East Blockhouse – looking for the Armada

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Thorn island

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Possibly importing gas

As we turned the corner near Thorn island the Milford Waterway appeared with a number of ships moored up probably carrying oil or LPG gas. A new visitor centre had opened recently at Chapel Bay where renovation of a defence installation was now open to the public.

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Carrying on around the coast we passed a pub which was doing a good trade with patrons enjoying a drink on the outside seats – we declined and walked on through Angle and back to our car via a footpath cutting across a newly ploughed field. This would be a mudfest after rain.

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Angle Church

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Quiet moorings

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Freshwater West – tide out

The day ended back in Tenby where we met up with our wives and a big plate of fish and chips.

 

 

 

Porthyrhyd (Llandovery) Circular

Sunday’s chat with “The Navigator” told me that Monday’s walk would be centred on Porthyrhyd, but not the one a mile from my home but the one near Llandovery.

When I left home the weather was cold and foggy but the mist lifted but although dry the weather was not ideal for photographs.

Route

The walk would take in quiet lanes, footpaths and some of the old drover roads  which cross the area.

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Drovers road

Not far from the start we came across a renovated cottage where we had a chat with the American or was she Canadian owner who with her husband had spent a long time bringing the cottage back to life. I particularly liked the hand rail on the outside wall.

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A sense of humour

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Carmarthen Fans in the misty distance

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Unnamed Church

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Nature reclaiming machinery

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Caio – not CA 10 as someone pronounced it!

This being spring we saw lots of sheep with their lambs and one odd ewe who sounded a lot like a duck – strange.

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Kidwelly to North Dock Llanelli and back

A 25 mile bike ride which started in Kidwelly and followed route 4 taking in the newly installed section which is the altered route from the previous section through Pembrey Forest.

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Smooth!

I kept to the route which runs roughly parallel to the Millennium Path until joining that path near the Pavilion cafe .

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She landed here as the Pavilion cafe serves good coffee and egg on toast

I continued on to North Dock and stopped for a break.

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My return route kept to the Millennium Path and into Pembrey Park and then back to Kidwelly.

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We could have done with him against England.

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Bickerton Hill Cheshire

We were visiting Chester to carry out a spot of dog sitting for our son Rhodri and partner Gianna. In December 2015 they took delivery of our first grand dog a springer named Holly.

Just to warn the reader there are lots of photos of Holly!

She has grown a lot since we last saw her at the end of December and glad to say her teeth are no longer needle sharp!

We had sole charge from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon and with all necessary instructions imparted I think we came through unscathed if not a little bleary eyed following a 0600 wake up whine – toilet time (not me, Holly).

Sunday it was decided to follow a walk from Countryside Dog Walks in Cheshire and Rhodri chose a walk on Bickerton Hill. 

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We parked in a small National park car park and set off up hill through the woodlands. Holly was let off the lead chasing a  tennis ball bringing it back to be thrown again and again.

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As well as other dog walkers and people enjoying the dry sunny weather there was an orienteering race taking place with runners seemingly all going different directions.

We passed the ramparts of Maiden Castle and on to Kitty’s Stone with steep cliffs leading down to the Cheshire plain.

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Ramparts

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A chance for early inheritance? A gentle push?

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Up to now the walk instructions were spot on but then it went a little iffy and we clearly took a wrong turn, although even back tracking we could not follow the instructions given.

I have to say Holly has yet to learn tracking and she just kept on running around, happy to be out.

The route takes in part of the Sandstone Trail and there are tracks all over the hill and well worth further exploration.

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I’ve been a really good girl.

 

 

 

Treffgarne Gorge

The decision for a walk today was to drive west for  the better weather that was forecast and our destination was the Treffgarne Gorge in Pembrokeshire.

Our route would take in a number of well sign posted footpaths and bridle ways and quiet lanes. “The Navigator” warned that gaiters may be a good idea and he was proved correct especially by gates where cattle or sheep tend to congregate.

Route

We parked near the tunnel which runs under the main line just off the A40 near Treffgarne. From here we walked north through the woods with good displays of daffodils and snowdrops. From the leaves just starting to grow this will be a good year for bluebells.

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At Little Treffgarne Rocks there are excellent views across the valley towards Great Treffgarne Rocks, Maiden Castle and Poll Carn. Following a coffee break we continued north dropping down to Wolf’s Castle.

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Hobbit House

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Western Cleddau at Wolf’s Castle

More woodland paths saw us heading towards Sealyham Mansion, now an outdoors centre. There is more information about the mansion here.

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We had lunch sitting in the grounds of St Dogwells Church before moving off north easterly over fields to join a minor road which turned south east and south and then west passing Garn Turne Rocks and Burial Chamber back to Wolf’s Castle.

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St Dogwells

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Bridge over Afon Anghof

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Another bridge over Afon Anghof

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This years brood

We were now on the west side of the gorge. Another bridle way took us into Treffgarne and onto the A40 where crossed over and back to the car which included walking through the above mentioned tunnel.

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We had the best of the weather as it was clear as we headed back towards Carmarthen rain had fallen.