On the trail steps 27615 miles 12 – Off the trail steps 10729 miles 4. Total Miles over 2 days 16! Overall Wales Coast path total 634 miles!
Thursday – After a rest day – I drove early to park up in the foreshore car park at Penclawdd. This as the guide book suggested was a free car park – which is a real rarity in this part of the world. I availed myself of the convenient conveniences – which were very colourful and clean but lacked a toilet seat in the ladies. I got to the bus stop with at least 10 minutes to spare! I also clocked a pharmacy which I will frequent when I get back here to search for more suitable sized compeed plasters. Somehow (and I am really not sure how) I have got a blister underneath my big toe. I have made do with a bigger one for today but could do with some smaller ones!
I studied the Adventurer bus app intently and the bus I wanted came into view about 10 minutes after it should have done – which was not good for my nervous system! After Tuesday’s epic bus fail I was a bit sensitive about this! Anyway the requisite 116 came along (and I was the only passenger). We made short shrift of the journey back to Llanrhidian and at the bus stop were I had waited in vain on Tuesday, I saw 3 adventure buses a 119 and a 115 as well as my 116!
I set off down the steep hill to where I had left the coast path, past a couple of pubs and the church I had visited yesterday. I retouched the touching point and set off on the trail. It was going to be mostly tarmac on this day. The first couple of miles was on a very quiet road by the saltmarsh with lots of signs warning it could flood. I saw a few dogwalkers and people with prams, and a chap with a very impressive beard ponytail! I stopped for a coffee and sat on the ruins of something – not quite sure what.
The road continued to the edge of Crofty – and then the path got a bit more like a track as it did a circuit around Crofty. Before that I had been through Wernffrwd where the more modern than many Anglican church was locked. It was interesting that I could still see the headland (with the unexploded shells warning sign) and the iron light house from Sunday’s walk at Whiteford as I walked. There was another of the shell warning signs – this time the English was just about legible as I was heading on the track at Crofty. I stopped for a second break on a slipway on the far side of Crofty and saw evidence of cockling! Though previously I had seen signs suggesting it was too polluted at the moment to be digging them up!
The path came out into a light industrial estate (about 70% occupied) on the edge of Penclawdd, and rejoined the main road. The final mile had saltmarsh on the left and the main road on the right and got increasingly built up as I entered Penclawdd. At this point the cloud was getting lower and the drizzle had started. By the time I got back to the car it was quite persistent rain. I had partly set off reasonably early as a wet afternoon was forecast. I visited a couple of shops (and had some success on the smaller compeed plaster front). Other brands of blister plaster exist but they aren’t so good! I set up a touching point at the far end of the car park!
Friday dawned and I set off again to the free foreshore car park at Penclawdd. It was disappointing that the toilets (even without a toilet seat) were locked this time (and I was later!). I set off after availing myself of the touching point. Round the corner was Penclawdd station platform (no longer in use) and the next section was on a path where the old railway line had been (taking things from the mines according to the information board I read). This though near the road, was much more pleasant than walking next to the road.
After about a mile, the path diverted to the other side of the road – and climbed up on the hillside opposite, and along – giving panoramic views across the Saltmarsh and the undulating valleys in the opposite direction. I shocked a few sheep (I don’t think this is the most well used section of the coast path). I walked through a settlement into a section of woodland which was very pleasant. It was a bit wet underfoot after yesterday’s afternoon and evening of rain! It was a bit of variety and undulations after several days on the flat!
The path came out opposite the road down to the bridge over the Island bridge. This section was not so great. In theory there was a cycletrack/walkway either side of the road – but it was a narrow and busy road, not wide enough for 2 cars without driving on the cycletrack/walkway. I crossed the bridge and sat down for a coffee. It was the first spot I had seen for a while – but people crossing the bridge were a bit surprised to see me!.
The path carried on with the road, for about a ¼ of a mile, and then thankfully dodged into a track passed holiday lets, crossing the railway and then a footbridge over the main road. The next section was more woodland leading into some housing and a park. I sat on a bench for a bit and had a snack contemplating what to do. I decided to go on about another ¾ of a mile so that I crossed the Loughor bridge, and entered Carmarthenshire!
This marks the end of the extensive section of salt marsh which has featured over the last four walks. This is certainly more saltmarsh than I have ever seen before! This wild wide expanse has a quiet quality to it. Apart from occasional lifestock (I gather saltmarsh lamb is to be desired!) and the bird life it is extremely peaceful and the silence is palpable. Lots of time to think and pray! On the other side of the estuary it is marked as mud and sand and wetland and maybe a short section of marsh but we shall see!
I walked on a little through to a car park by the sewage works. I established a touching point here, and then went and contemplated the bus stops and options. In the end I opted for an Uber (as the public transport route was going to take over 3 hours). I would have had to gone into Llannelli on a bus, then got a train to Gowerton and then another bus to Penclawdd). I did find out which app was going to cover the buses on this side (and I will also be able to avail myself of the train from Gowerton too in the days ahead). The uber took about 15 minutes to come and a similar amount of time to return me to Penclawdd!
The Adventures of Alison 