Well, the weather forecast was for appalling rain and
wind, so what did we decide to do but go to Bryan's caravan for the
weekend.
We arrived at Solva on Friday lunchtime confidently expecting a drink
in The Harbour Inn, only to find that it was closed (again) for
refurbishment. We had a pint at The Ship and then walked round the
headland to Gwadn, then on to St David's to buy supplies.
The weather forecast was spot on. The rain started at about 0400 on
Saturday morning and carried on until 1100. We had a late breakfast and
started walking as the rain was easing off. The wind made walking
difficult at times, but fortunately it was blowing off the sea, so if
you did stagger it was towards land.
We walked from Whitesands Bay to St Justinian's and then along the
coast path to Porth Clais. Surprisingly we had a bit of sun at times.
Ramsey Sound was comparatively calm, but once we came out from the lee
of the island the wind picked up again and the waves were crashing in on
the rocks. Several times spume from the sea was being whipped up a
hundred feet of cliff and flying over our heads into the fields beyond.
At Porth Clais we considered carrying on to St Non's Bay, but the
call of the Farmers Arms in St David's was too strong. After a
restorative pint or two we carried on through St David's, past the
Cathedral and back up the hill to the caravan.
Apart from a few folk on Whitesands beach we saw nobody else for the
entire walk, this must be a record for the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. We
did see the spoor of another walker on the path, so someone else must
have been about.
Length of walk 15.5 km (10 miles) - Ascent 465 metres
After the rain on Friday night it was the turn of the wind on
Saturday night. Seventy mile per hour gusts were forecast. Andy
complained that he was kept awake by the cutlery and plates rattling in
the caravan's cupboards. A good sea was running when we got down to
Whitesands Bay, at times St David's Head was under water. We had a walk
along the beach and then headed for home.
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