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Pembrokeshire Coast Path St Dogmales to Porthgain 10/6/2004-14/6/2004
Thursday 10th
Travel day Dave, Dick, Paul, Ian and Graham in one car Steve, Andy and John in another.
Dave drove to Pwllgwaelod in time for lunch at the Old Jolly Sailor, after a light lunch the Poppit Rocket was taken to Newport to walk back to the car.
Steve drove to Newport taking lunch there before walking on to Pwilgwaelod again stopping at the Old Jolly Sailor before getting the Poppit Rocket back to Newport.
The walk was a good way to loosen up after the long journey. A distance around 7 miles along the coast path via Dinas Head, with good views, not too taxing ups and downs, but spoilt by some rain towards the end though not too heavy.
Both groups met at the Old Jolly Sailor briefly before those in Dave's car went off to get breakfast supplies and meet the Poppit Rocket in Newport to carry on to Poppit Sands, the bus the others would be on.
The changeover went well. Steve was taking his car to Poppit Sands, en route picking up the breakfast food from us, just leaving us with our bags. The Poppit Rocket was very aptly named as it only had two speeds flat out or dead stop which was quite interesting along narrow country roads.
The stop at Poppit Sands was about a mile from the Hostel at the bottom of the hill but Steve and Norman (who had driven there direct) met us taking us and bags to the hostel (most welcome).
After a quick shower and change we made our way to TheWebley Hotel for dinner and drinks. John Stopani joined us there in time for food, before walking back up to the hostel.
Friday 11th Poppit Sands to Newport 14 miles
Weather for the day was fine, sunny and hot but with some wind.
Dick cooked breakfast of porridge and honey, poached egg, beans (so that's where the 'wind' came from) and toast, toast and jam. He also made some jam butties as there was no lunch time stop.
We all started the walk but Norman returned after a mile to his car to drive to the other end and meet us there. The walking was good with pleasant views over the sea and along the coast. Some of the climbs and descents were quite sharp but not too long so all coped ok.
The highlights of the day walking were seeing seals, Stonechats, sheep and horses grazing way down the cliffs, some even saw a pair of great tits at Newport beach most missed them though.
We had arranged to meet Norman by the café at Newport beach, but it was closed so he walked back along the path to meet us and tell us the good news! Several of us bathed our feet in the sea before going on to a café at Parrog for light refreshment as we had time to kill before the hostel opened (this added another mile to the walk).
Once washed and changed we went to the Royal Oak to eat and try their ale this was enjoyed looking at a picture of a Tudor Rose. Then on to the Castle Hotel where the locals tried to get us singing rugby songs.
There was also an art deco style radio but nobody could work out how to tune it in. Next came the Llwyngwair Arms where Dick, Andy and John played pool with Dick remaining undefeated. We found time to move on to the Golden Lion, which had some interesting sights, particularly the red and white pictures.
Saturday 12th Pwllgwaelod to Pwil Deri 17 miles
Weather sunny fine hot with less breeze (probably due to less of Dick's beans).
We all set off together apart from Norman, Steve and John. Steve left his car at Pwllgwaelod then went on with John and Norman. Norman did his own thing as it was too far for him. John and Steve walked in reverse so people could leave their bags and not walk with full packs, meeting us at the lunch time stop. Walking was fine again good coastal views though it was hotter with fewer breezes than the previous day.
We all met at the Rose and Crown at Goodwick for an early lunch. They were not serving food but there was Joe's chippy across the road so all was not lost.
After lunch we continued along the path past the monument to the last French invasion of Great Britain, to the lighthouse at Strumble Head, then on to the hostel at Pwil Deri. The afternoons walking was again fine but the last section Strumble Head to the hostel was harder going, made worse by the fact we had to get washed and changed in time to get the Strumble Shuttle bus to Fishguard for evening refreshment.
All made it in time apart from Ian who came down later in a taxi meeting us in the Royal Oak. At this point things started to get tricky; there was trouble sorting out taxi's to return (we managed in the end), food could not be ordered at the bar until 20:00hrs, the pub computer broke down which meant some of us did not eat until 21:30 and by the time Ian got there he had to go down the road to eat, as they could not handle any more meals. After eating some went down to the Fisherman, a pub they had been to on a previous walk. Others went back as we had to get two taxis.
Paul had hurt his back on Friday at Newport beach but it was still hard work keeping up at the end of the day!
Sunday 13th Pwil Deri to Trefin. 9.7 miles
Weather again fine, sunny, and hot with no breeze (run out of beans).
Again a very scenic walk, several ups and downs but nothing too bad. No seals today but some cows were seen on the beach. Norman spotted some naturalists but nobody else did (orders were being processed for the x-ray glasses he was wearing).
We walked in two groups as some were going home (Steve, John, John and Andy) wanted to get home, the rest took our time as it was only a short walk today, meeting up at the Ship Inn in Trefin. After lunch Norman took Dave to get his car and his fleece which he had left behind the previous night. The rest tried to check in at the hostel but the warden did not turn up so we made our beds got washed and changed ready to eat and watch England lose to France in the Ship Inn.
Monday 14th Trefin to Porthgain 1.7miles
Again fine, sunny and hot. Too hot for the last day with all the travelling to do later.
Just a short walk to stretch our legs before going home. The sea was flat calm, sun shining, so with difficulty, after an enjoyable stroll and tea stop, we left for home. All arriving safely.
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