Castlemartin - Pembs

It had been some time since we had visited the coast and the Navigator had phoned the Castlemartin Range to find that there would be no firing for a few weeks and the path was open from Bosherton to the car park near Elugug Rocks.

Mrs Navigator was visiting the fleshpots of London and just the two of us parked up at The National Trust Car Park on the coast just south of Bosherton Village.

Route

The weather was clear and sunny, probably the best day of the week. There was a good swell running and the waves were crashing into the cliffs.  Despite walking this coast on numerous occasions it never fails to impress.

We looked down on St Govans Chapel from the cliffs above and then on to pass Huntsman leap, a deep cleft in the cliff with the sea boiling below.

Elevenes was taken near to the radar station at The Castle Fort. It wasn't long before we were walking in shirt sleeves!

Bullslaughter Bay was passed and then on to the impressive Elugug Sea Stacks and the Green bridge of Wales. The latter is not green and is not a bridge but a large sea arch.

After lunch the temperature dropped and we walked back in a more direct route along the main shared path (bikes, walk and bridleway).

The only walker we met happened to be a colleague we had not seen for some time.

Llangadog, Bethlehem and Carn Goch

I missed last Monday's walk owing to a bout of serious man flu, but almost fully recovered I joined again with The Navigator and his good lady for a very seasonal walk which would take into account Bethlehem.  This was indeed to the east of where we live but there was a dearth of wise men.

A cracking winter day with blue skies throughout.

Route

The car was parked on Carreg Sawdde common close to the road bridge and we headed through Felindre on a footpath across fields  to Bryngwyn Farm and then on a lane to Dolau Farm.  Here a footpath led up through the woods (ignore a footpath sign to your right which is not on the map) and to the road which leads to Bethlehem.  The small post office does a roaring trade here in December.

The Beacons Way starts here just after a well carved seat.

We followed this onto Carn Coch a huge iron age fort with good views to the Tywi Valley and down to Bethlehem.  Further information Just as we joined the footpath we were lucky to see some eight or nine kites swooping up and down over a field.

We had lunch on the east slopes of Carn Goch and then continued to follow the Beacons Way to a junction before it climbed to Bwlch Y Gors.  Our route went north west along the green dotted line.  The route is good but a little muddy in places.  If we had more day light hours we may well have taken the higher path which is just below Trichrug. This hill unfortunately is not on open access land.

We stayed on our path as it led downhill in a north westerly direction to join  quiet lanes back to Felindre.  We did pass a farm sign with an intriguing invitation, which we did not take!

Paxton's Tower (Llanarthne) (8th December 2012)

A good day was forecast and as Paul had not been to Paxton's Tower near Llanarthne the plan was made.

Route

We parked the car in the National Botanic Garden of Wales and walked down the minor road which leads past Glascoed Fawr.   A very sad Landrover was seen in a field.

We could also see our main objective of the day.

At Derlwyn Isaf we took the footpath to the right and across the Llanarthne recreation ground to join the other road which forms part of the National Cycle Network route 47.  We then walked south for a short distance and and took the footpath near Pen Heol Fawr.

About  a year ago there was no footpath sign but I was pleased to see that my request to the Council has met with success.  The path leads across a number of fields where the areas by the gates were a bit of a mud fest.  Just short of Pistell Dewi we joined the main road.

The lane shown by the map with green dots then led us steadily up through the woods with views over to Dryslwyn Castle.  

Clear of the woods we took the lanes which led to Paxton's Tower a large folly with extensive views of the Tywi Valley.

The history of the tower can be viewed  here.  After a coffee break we continued downhill on quiet lanes to a wooded area which forms part of the National Botanic Garden of Wales and shown on the map as Pont Felin Gat. If you find yourself here follow the orange tipped posts and it will lead you into the main area of the Gardens passing the Great Glasshouse.  Click here for the relevant website.