Day 6 June 14th – Day off – boat trip to Grassholm from St Justinian’s nr St David’s
Had a leisurely start to the day and was glad I was finally going to get to go on 2022’s boat trip. Can’t say I wasn’t apprehensive about it too as I am not the greatest sailor! It was hot! So I was glad I wasn’t walking. I drove to St David’s and parked at oriel parc. I had a coffee and a cake (a gluten free carrot cake which was very tasty) before being a bit of a tourist in St David’s. No success on finding sun hats or suitable postcards.
I didn’t go in the cathedral as it was shut (and numerous groups of children were having picnics prior to leaver’s services). I went to see where Jane is in the cremated remains plot, and paused for a bit. There were some very impressive new beehives near by (I am sure she would approve!).
I walked back up in to town and then had a very leisurely lunch back in the oriel parc café. I made my way to St Justinian’s and had an ice cream, before proceeding to the embarkation point for the boat!
We left about 4:30pm on the blue shark and it was a super trip. Ideal conditions on the way out seeing Dolphins and on the way back some of the others saw a whale fin (needless to say I was looking in the wrong direction at the pivotal moment).
As we approached Grassholm the number of sea birds increased exponentially. Gannets, kittiwakes, razor bills, puffins, manx shearwaters and seals! The smell was overwhelming and as we held position and went round the island. It was quite choppy (and I didn’t feel particularly good). It was a sight to behold on a sunny evening.
One thing really struck me as we were heading out to Grassholm that I had walked all the coast path I could see for miles and miles and miles….
Day 7 June 15 Milford Haven to Sandy Haven
On the trail 2 steps 13,413 6.25 miles
Off the trail – steps 6219 2.84 miles
TOTAL 19382 steps, 9.09 miles
I tried to make an early start so I could walk before it got really hot. This was not entirely successful. I drove to Milford Haven and parked the car (and availed myself of some convenient conveniences!). I walked back to the touching point I had established by the war memorial on Saturday and then on to the bus stop (mostly on the trail) by Milford Haven tescos.
I proceeded unhelpfully to get on the wrong bus! It started ok going through Haven and Hubbeston, but when it started to go in the wrong direction completely I realised my error. I had said Herbranston to the driver but I thing he thought I had said Haverfordwest!. So I walked back again towards Milford Haven tescos. I decided to walk on from there and then catch the bus back where there was less potential for getting on the wrong bus!
Initially I walked through the streets of Haven, and it was a bit up and down and rather hot! I came down a cut to Gelliswick bay to encounter a large fox! I walked round the bay, and then onto a tarmac path round the first part of South Hook LNG terminal. There were many, many signs asking me to keep out and away and lots of imposing fences. Instead of a scary bridge over the pipes, I descended to a beach with many intimidating notices (especially about not lighting a barbecue!) to go under the pipes this time. I reascended up on to the low headland. It was no longer a tarmac path fence on one side (with notices!) and then hedges and overgrowth so not much in the way of views. I eventually stopped when it was low enough to peer over and had a coffee sitting on the path! (I saw no-one on this section of the path!)
After that it got more scenic, I did see some workers from the LNG terminal on a higher path to me (a hot day for wearing high vis and hard hats! There was even a sign to say I had finished the walk around the LNG terminal (in case I could not work this out!)
The path followed the low cliff edge and eventually went down to sea level. I succumbed to temptation and went on to Sandy Haven beach and did about a mile on the beach rather than more of an undulating low path. It was lovely, with a cooling breeze, and occasionally more hazy sunshine. I walked round to the river crossing to the next part of the trail (and was relieved to see a bridge rather than stepping stones). I crossed and established a touching point for another walk, before crossing back to a shady spot for lunch on a rock.
After a leisurely lunch watching passing horses and dog walkers, I went off the trail though the long way round if the bridge was inpassable) up to Herbranston. I had half an hour on a hot bench on the green, before the bus took me back to Milford Haven tescos. I walked round to the car park (the third time I had walked on that particular piece of road today) and reconnected with the convenient conveniences! Before coming back to base via a trip to Lidl!
The Adventures of Alison 