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We arrived at Penally in five cars on Thursday pretty close to 16:00 to be greeted to tea and
still-warm home-made scones on the lawn in the sunshine. Meals were booked at the nearby pub. In
the meantime some walked to the beach, while most of us conserved our energy. David had forgotten
his walking poles, so a major swap-around had to be organised. Brian, who does not normally use
his one stick loaned his. John also does not normally use his one stick, but it had a different
stile of handle, so this had to be loaned to Gill who loaned hers to David.
On Friday we drove to Angle Church, due to be the end of the walk, and were driven by the minibus
to the start at Neyland marina. At least, most of us were driven to Neyland; three ladies had opted
to form a B party, having being dropped off half way. We started badly with an unscheduled and
unapproved ¾mile detour to find some toilets, and ended up returning to the car park for a
starting group photo.
We were not expecting much of this day (17 miles to walk out of Milford Haven, which one guide
book suggested we should omit), but it started with a pleasant walk
through the woods, but followed by the boring walk along the
road
bridge over the River Daugleddau and through the outskirts of Pembroke. We passed
Pembroke Castle, lunched
sitting on the grass outside a community cafe, and went in for coffee.
The afternoon saw a variety of woodland and waterside walking, past
an oil-fired power station, tanker jetties and an oil refinery, but quite pleasant
(photos).
Steve twisted his ankle, so we had to leave him near the oil refinery, and collect him an hour or
so later. Several of us bought the next day's lunch in Pembroke on the way back; others bought the
B&B's sandwiches. That evening we ate in the local pub again, and again had good service.
On Saturday Steve gratefully joined the ladies on the B party, while the rest of us drove to Trevallen (St
Govan's Head), where we just beat the car park attendant and parked for free. The B party, who
were cherry-picking the best bits and walking them at a more relaxed pace, got dropped off by the
minibus, while the rest of us returned to Angle. After visiting the
church
and chapel we set off on a non-firing day to walk past the Castlemartin firing ranges. In the
morning we escaped from Milford Haven (photos),
being too early for the cafe at West Angle Bay.
We lunched near Freshwater West Bay,
where David had a Pembrokeshire Special ice cream
(with honey), but regretted not trying an oyster one. Now we had four miles of inland road walking
around the firing ranges, with refreshments on a
tank loading ramp.
We were well rewarded when we got back to the coast
(photos).
That evening we ventured out to a nearby restaurant. They had squeezed us in, so the service was
slow, but the food was excellent.
Sunday was
slightly easier organisationally because we were walking back to Penally, so we had a later and
longer breakfast.
We wandered around the headland at Trevallen, then found ourselves back at the car park.
Then spent so long admiring the wonderful scenery that we spent two hours over the first three
miles (photos). So we decided that we needed to settle down to some
serious walking, but soon changed our minds when we got to the
cafe at Stackpole Quay;
an opportunity to buy post cards.
The rest of the day was spent through glorious scenery again
(photos).
It was nice to walk straight back to the B&B. That evening the restaurant had plenty of
time for us, and we had a great time, Bill bravely sorting out our travel finances.
On Monday all cars needed to be at Amroth, so the minibus brought the drivers back to
Penally railway station and dropped off
the B party on the way. Steve rejoined the A team today, but his place on the B team was taken by
Kathy who wanted to get away early. We missed out 100 yards of the Coast Path because we had
inadvertantly left the beach a little early yesterday. We dodged the incoming tide to reach Tenby
by the beach route, and resisted all temptation in the town. The rest of the morning offered good
scenery again (photos) on the way to lunch on
the benches at Saundersfoot Harbour
with company. This was
followed by coffee and/or ice cream in a cafe, where David was disappointed to learn that an
oyster ice cream is one in an oyster-shaped biscuit. The afternoon
(photos)
was an interesting but undramatic walk to Amroth, during which we nearly lost some of the party at
some confusing sign-posting in Wiseman's Bridge.
Completion group photo of
all except Kathy, and a group photo of those who have
completed the whole Coast Path and therefore received a
certificate.
Another tremendous walking holiday, thanks to the great ideas, determination and effort
put in by David, and the good weather that he brought with him. An excellent choice of B&B,
which gave us good friendly service, and of the minibus which was there when we wanted it
every time. So a big thankyou to David.
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