94 and 433

Day 14 June 22  – Bosherton, Stackpole Quay, Barafundle, Broad Haven and back to Bosherton

On the trail 11,259 steps   5.1miles

Off the trail 6,643 steps  3.1 miles

TOTAL 17,902 steps, 8.2 miles

Took the car beyond the army firing range to the National trust car park at Bosherton, for a final coast path walk! One I have done several times before, and particularly with Jane in the Autumn of 2013… nearly 10 years ago. I knew I was in for a real treat, and it began with the inland section to Stackpole Quay via the beautiful lily ponds (lilies out) and 8 arch bridge, followed by about a mile on a farm track over to Stackpole Quay. I paused for coffee and barabrith (very good!) in the National Trust café.

It was warm with a light breeze and really good walking conditions for the next part of the trail.  I set up a touching point (for days on the trail ahead) before a very civilised ascent up National Trust steps and over the headland to Barafundle, which is a really beautiful place – with the classic through the arch view, followed by a very civilised descent on sandy steps courtesy again of the National Trust. I walked across the beach and I had a rest on a rock in the shade before the ascent on to the headland beyond Barafundle. There were also lots of views of what is to come when I return to take up the trail in Pembrokeshire again at some point.

I walked a good way round the headland with views and craggy bits and could feel the breeze throughout which was a blessing! Eventually I made it to the other side and remembered that the path over to this headland was a bit weird – I came through on a small path through the bracken and in the end climbed down some rocks (not advised!) to get onto what I now know is called Broad Haven beach. I have visited this beach many times on the lily ponds walk but never known what it was actually called.

I found a spot to sit on the sand and have some lunch and just enjoy the beauty of the spot. It was not very peaceful as somewhere up on the headland there were some people strimming, and the army was firing on the range and there were other people around too (not as remote as some of my lunch spots). The final section was back past the shady side of the lily ponds and up to the car. I set up a touching point at the end for another day!

This has been a very good break in a comfortable base camp and making good progress on the trail. The weather has been pretty fabulous – one day wet, two days a bit hot, and the rest pretty perfect! Here are my final totals. On this trip I have completed 70 miles on the coast path, 24 off the trail, and 94 miles in total. And overall I have done 63 miles off the trail, and a staggering 433 miles of the Wales Coast path!