We are so lucky here in , and around Biddulph, to be surrounded by beautiful countryside. Having the chance though to visit coastal areas, gives a whole different walking experience, and that's why our recent trips to Llandudno and Tenby proved to be popular.
50 members from both Biddulph and Stoke/Newcastle groups made the journey to Pembrokeshire on Saturday 13th May 2023, to be based at the Giltar Hotel in Tenby, directly opposite the sea. The county has an 186 mile coastline, and is made up of rural farmland and small villages, many of which we passed through on our travels to the walk's starting points. It also has a coastal National Park, with a rugged coastline and headlands jutting out into the sea .
In every walk location we saw an abundance of wild flowers, masses of thrift with blue bells, scarlet pimpernel, foxgloves, pink sorrel. wild orchids, wild primrose, oxeye daisies, gorse bushes smelling of coconut, and at times the overpowering wild garlic. There were many more species totally suited to this environment, all along the paths and cliff edges.
On Sunday 14th May it was overcast but mild and the walks would follow the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. 14 members on the longer walk, with slight changes to their plan, were dropped off first, prior to the 24 on the 7.4 mile walk from Amroth back to Tenby. Other walkers took the shorter option from Saundersfoot, but still with quite tough ascent and descent sections. Leaving Amroth there was a steady steep climb from the start on the coastal path, through areas of trees. On the approach to Coppet Hall Beach we walked through 3 tunnels, originally relating to the narrow gauge railway that ran to transport mined coal to Saundersfoot harbour. We continued onto that popular resort, with its lovely beach and harbour, then with a short stretch on the road, we continued to climb upto the coastal path again, with some tough underfoot conditions. Lunch was taken high on the cliffs overlooking the bay, and we were joined by the long walkers for a short while for a photo opportunity, before we left them to continue on our way. We had several muddy patches to pass through before we could see the view across to Tenby, with its amazing beaches, and the distinctive brightly painted houses.
Monday 15th was a lovely sunny, breezy morning. 31 walkers were on the medium 5.7 mile walk, and the remainder of the people walking with the group today were on the longer 8.5+, including Jo and Phil from Bury, that we met on Sunday, and were invited to join us. Everyone left the coach at Whitesands Bay, alongside another beautiful beach. The longer walkers set off first on the coastal path around the headland, and the others climbed up, with the sea on our left, along the rocky paths and across open areas. A group photo was taken on our drinks break. Later at our lunch stop there was a very clear view of Ramsey Island. We returned to the coach on the coastal and other paths, going past the Youth Hostel and some wild ponies, so that we could continue onto St Davids, where we met up again with the other walkers for a short break, before returning to Tenby.
Tuesday was our driver Mike's day off, so quite a few in the group, including John who ended up playing the role of Robinson Crusoe, took advantage of the sunny morning to travel over to Caldey Island, which is still inhabited by monks. Others spent their time looking around Tenby, and taking walks along the beach to the headland..
Wednesday 17th, saw 45 of us and our 2 friends from Bury, travel to Freshwater East, for the 2 available walks into Bosherston, taking in Stackpole Head or Stackpole Warren. We were able to catch glimpses of dolphins in the bay, as we headed up on a long stretch on the undulating coastal path, where we heard sounds from the firing range. However we could also hear skylarks all around us. We continued onto Barafundle Bay, where we dropped down to walk along the beach, to then move back to the cliffs for lunch. From here the group split, so that 22 walkers took the shorter route, to Bosherston to total 6.3 miles, and the longer walkers continued towards Stackpole Head, but had to reduce their overall mileage of 9 miles, due to the closure of the firing range. As we approached Bosherston we walked by the extensive water lily ponds, not yet fully in flower. Some bird watchers here identified a Chetty Warbler amongst the reeds. In the village we all met up again, and enjoyed refreshments at the tea rooms sitting in the garden, and then had time to visit the lovely church.
Thursday 18th, 2 walks started from Dale, and both took in St Ann's Head. The 13 longer walkers left the coach at Mullock for their 9.7 miles. The other 30 started out walking together, then split into 2 groups of 8 and 22. The smaller group had a slightly longer 7.7 and a higher ascent than the second group's walk of 7.3 miles. Both had steep climbs again onto the coastal path at different stages, with the larger group walking across the headland first to reach Blockhouse Point. From our high advantage point we could see a tanker on its way to Milford Haven Refinery. The coastal path again provided some dramatic cliffs and rocks as we went along the western side of the headland , before dropping down steeply into Dale village in the sunshine for drinks and ice creams. We were very lucky to see a pair of Red Kites flying quite low above us, and plenty of noise from the skylarks again.
Our final walks on Friday 19th took us to Freshwater East, on a dry, cloudy and mild day. The 8 walkers on the 11.6 mile walk followed the coastal path all the way back to Tenby via Manorbier, Lydstep Haven and Giltar Point. There were then 2 medium walks, an 8 and 3.7 miles. 26 were on the shorter walk following the coastal path from the bay to Manorbier, and this was still an undulating walk. We had time then to visit the tea rooms and the Norman Church in the village. The 8 mile walk started from Manorbier and took the coast path back to Tenby.
The weather for our stay was much better than the original forecasts , so we had no rain ! We had 2 very good journeys, stopping in a chilly Monmouth on the way to Wales, and a very sunny stop in Tewkesbury on our return, with a chance to visit the stunning Abbey The hotel was very welcoming with lovely staff.
As always there are so many people to thank, but especially Dave Martin for the mammoth task of planning and organisation. Our walk leaders were Dave, Charlie, Derek,Paul and Ian, and thanks also to the ''back markers'' who kept us all in check. Jan organised the walks brochure, and Geoff was the quiz master on our journeys, accompanied by his glamorous assistant Lesley, and these raised a considerable amount of money for charity. Mike from Hollinsheads was our excellent driver again( he must love us finding all the narrow country roads! ), and finally a thank you to everyone who took part, and made this another memorable holiday.
G. Gibbons.