Pembrokeshire Coast Path - Goodwick Round

With British Summer Time just starting and a weather forecast to match, the Navigator suggested a coastal walk.  No argument from me.

We parked the car at the front in Goodwick, free parking until 1st April.  The plan was to walk inland and then return on the coast path.

From the car park we headed uphill on footpaths in the general direction of Llanwnda.

The next photo will bring a smile to canoeists.

Unfortunately it was next to an ornamental pond. From the bridal way we passed the horse riding establishment and joined a minor road and then up onto the open ground of Garnwnda.  This gave 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and coast and a good spot for coffee.

It was a bit of a clamber down to the lower ground but we made it without the use of ropes.

The route then continued along the lane leading past Pant Eglwys to join another minor road.

We continued along here until the footpath leading to the National Trust properties of Good Hope and Penrhyn.  The footpath sign is  misleading as it indicates the path only goes to the cottages but it will bring you to the coast path.   As you descend the path the sea comes into view and we saw the Irish ferry making its way to Fishguard.

This path contains two sets of stepping stones, the first being fine but the second which leads around Penrhyn stops short of a boggy area - I KNOW from a wet experience.

We had lunch on Trwyn Llwyd and it would have been no trouble to have a snooze but it was not to be and on we strode.

We soon reached Carreg Wasted Point where the French landed in 1797 to be captured by a load of feisty Welsh ladies. Just last weekend the glorious Welsh rugby team also beat the French to claim yet another Grand Slam - CYMRU AM BYTH.

We were not the only ones at Carreg Wasted and anothe couple were having a break and told us they could hear a seal who was probably within the bay of Aberfelin. 

As we walked on we kept an eye out and spotted about four seals swimming in the clear water.  From time to time they surfaced to look at us.

The coast path here does go and down a bit but with lovely views such as the headland below known as Penfathach.

We were now heading back to Goodwick and the car. On the way we passed a beacon brazier, bizarrely supported by British Gas as there was no sign of any gas line.

The tide was right out by now.

A glorious day was had by us all.

Twrch Valley (and the convertible pullover)

Agreement this week was reached to walk up the Twrch Valley from Ystradowen and return over Carn Fadog and down the straight incline back to the car.

We walked up the true right bank of the Afon Twrch to Bryn Henllys Bridge and crossed to the other side of the river and followed the Ffordd y Glowyr (The Colliers Way), a dismantled railway.

 The Navigator told me that when they were last in the area this route had been closed.  Today however it was very much open and clearly a lot of work had been put into it, very pleasant.

We continued to the wooden footbridge and headed towards the tall chimney and the disused lime and brick works.  The information panel seemed to indicate the full history of the area was not known which seems strange as it was in historical terms quite recent.

The weather which we had left behind was foggy and dreary, but we were now in full blue sky and walking in shirt sleeves.  Looking back the valleys were in cloud all day. We came across a ruined cottage which was in the throes of early renovation. The on site owner  told us he was 78 and would probably not see the finished job!  We wished him a successful project .

From hereon the ground was very wet and we wondered what it would be like after a normal winter. An early lunch was had next to the waterfall near the map name Llwyncwmstabl.

More wet walking continued until Terry and I heard, "Help".  Janice had stepped into a bog up to her nether regions and had to be pulled out by both of us.  I did not dare to take a photo.

With a soaking wet companion we decided not to continue to Nant Y Llyn but to cut up to Ffrydiau Twrch. A lovely steep stream whose source we found bubbling from underground.

We had a second lunch here and with girl guide skills Janice removed her very wet trousers and somehow with the help of my Swiss army knife made a passing pair of "Ron Hills" from a pullover.  This was a good example of never taking anything on the hill which does not have two uses!

Our proposed return over Carn Fadog was now amended to the area below Cefn Carn Fadog and the disused quarry and onto the incline which is as straight as an arrow! There were some good views of the area from here.

Unfortunately part way down it becomes a nightmare of wet bog and so we headed a little southwest towards Coedcae Mawr and over the footbridge at Ddol-gam which housed six noisy collies and some goats.

 We could now look forward to a dry walk back first along a concrete roadway and then a rough track above the Afon Twrch back to the car.

This is a good area for some backpacking and if one follows the Afon Twrch to its source you will reach the Carmarthen Fans and the heart of the Black Mountain.  No need to visit Scotland for wilderness.

Carmarthen Fans -Again, but different Route

Clearly "The Navigator is not reading my blogs.  He asked on Monday when was the last time you had walked Carmarthen Fan area?.  Quite recently I replied! After a discussion it was decided to continue but use a different route.  The truth be told it is always a beautiful place no matter how many times one walks it.

Near Llandeilo we saw a hot air balloon.

We parked at the usual car park below the filter beds after driving through Llanddeusant - more on this later.

We left the car after commenting on the rather sexy drawing of the Lady in the Lake on the interpretation panel.  No wonder the farmer's son was smitten!

Instead of walking up the track to the lake we took the stream bed of Nant Melyn and then cutting up on to its steep sides and headed towards the path shown as Gwely Ifan Y Rhiw on the OS map.  This path takes you under Fan Foel and climbs steadily up a narrow path to the bwlch.

Here we had lunch and could see workmen repairing the footpath on the eastern slope.  Probably pleasant work today but not so when the weather turns.

A number of walkers passed by as we ate, busier than we expected. After food we climbed the hill to our west following the escarpment all the way around  to Bannau Sir Gaer.

The views went on forever and we could make out the outline of Caldy Island, the Tenby Bay and more to our south Swansea Bay  To the north the Usk reservoir could be spotted.

Our route back followed roughly the Beacons Way through Pant Tyle Gwyn, Carnau Llwydon.  On the way down my eye was drawn to the valley of Afon Mihartach - looks interesting.  We reached the lane below Blaenau Farm.

Whilst walking back we noticed that the lane we had drove down had had some repairs carried out but a sign had appeared telling us that the road was closed Monday to Friday apart from residents.  This was a little worrying for further visits as there is no other parking and impossible in the lanes.

The following day I made enquiries especially as The Brecon Beacons Tourism blog for that day had described this particular hill walk using the car park.  I emailed them and was told, after he had made enquiries, that Kevin Walker the writer of the blog, the following

Okay - panic over! National Park inform me that the restriction is temporary whilst Welsh Water resurface the track (well... let's face it... it did need it, didn't it!). So a temporary disruption in order to make longer term access easier! Hope this reassures you :o) Kevin.

Why Welsh water could not have made it clearer is beyond me.  We will have to watch to see if the sign is taken down in due course.