Around Sheffield Pike

Our first full day in The Lakes and the kindly " Navigator" was clearly concerned about my sciatica and proposed a walk which would not be too arduous. We would walk from base, visit Glenridding, onto Seldom Seen and back via Lanty Tarn.

Route

Place Fell

Boats at Ullswater

Ullswater from higher up

Seldom Seen

As it was going well a decision was made to basically walk around Sheffield Pike and home via Lanty Tarn.

Ullswater

We had lunch by the quarries at the back of the hill and then headed down Glenridding where we watched a group having fun canyoning in the river. 

Lunch time

Looking down to Glenridding

Looking down to Youth Hostel and our route above the wood

We then found a nice contouring path which eventually led us to Lanty Tarn and the back of Patterdale Estate. Ignoring an arrow we "meandered" back to base.

Looking back to the disused mines

Does it keep going?

Lanty Tarn in need of water

BOYS WEEK IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

The "Navigator" and I spent a week in the Lake District from 12th to 19th October based in Patterdale. Our base was a comfortable chalet at Patterdale Hall Estate.

Home for the week

Ullswater from near the chalet

Overall the weather saw little use of our waterproofs although there was little sun with cloud frequently hiding the mountain tops.

Cloudy Tops

 However with sciatica problems, ticking off the tops was not on the agenda and even low level walks in the lakes are not to be missed.

Hopefully the lack of words will be made up by the photos. Read on.

Pembroke and Pembroke Dock

The Sunday evening chat with the "Navigator" resulted in a walk in and around Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

Route

We parked adjacent to the Princes Trust Adventure Centre almost under the Cleddau Bridge.  The parking is free and for those with boats a number of free slipways into the Mildford Haven Waterway.  The centre also has a cafe and toilets.

Our route took us south heading towards Pembroke. Unfortunately as we were putting the world to rights we (him) overlooked a turning but we'll gloss over that.  We spent a little time trying to recover this error but all we did was explore a council estate.

Would this be true?

An executive decision was made and a more direct route was taken and we were soon at the battlements of Pembroke Castle.

Pembroke Castle

.

Fungi possibly sulphur tuft

Sorting the fat from the thin

Billy Goats Gruff

A coffee break was had before continuing our walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast path towards Pennar where we interrupted someone's game of golf and then onto the beach.

We were joined here by a huge bumble bee who took a fancy to the "Navigators" blue rucksack.

Where's the pollen?

Following lunch we walked along the stony beach, passing the first of a number of Martello Towers, into the area of Victorian dockyards and a number of interpretive panels depicting the history of the area.

Martello

The dockyards

Somebody should!

We had our afternoon break on a promenade and watched the Irish Ferry head off for Ireland before heading back to the car.

Next Saturday we are off for a week of walking based in Patterdale and I am hoping my sciatica problem eases or I might just become the "Navigators" shuttle bunny!

Cwm yr Eglwys

With the navigator and myself back from our respective holidays it was time for the usual Monday outing.

I returned from my holiday with sciatica and the Navigator with a less than perfect back - old age doesn't come alone!

However we manned up and decided on a walk in Pembrokeshire, partly coast and partly inland with the base at Cwm yr Eglwys.

Route

We were soon in shirtsleeves and heading around Dinas Island with lunch on Aber Bach beach.

Large Fungi

 We met up here with a husband and wife from Australia who had already walked across England, walked the coast in Cornwall and were now on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and they were of the grey brigade and so there is hope for us all.

Always found just after a stop!

Because of our aches and pains  we decided against going inland to Mynydd Dinas but stayed low wending our way on road and bridle ways back to Cwm yr Eglwys.

Cwm yr Eglwys

Arty shot through the remains of the church

We have one more Monday before our trip to Patterdale and hopefully fit and able.

Llechrhyd to Patch (Canoe trip)

Yes, I know it says "Random Walks", but at least today the trip did involve some walking as the river levels and tide were low.

With the weather looking good for Saturday (31st August) I thought I would introduce Paul to canoeing but the shuttle aspect with one car is a non starter.  However Nigel another canoeing buddy phoned to suggest a trip on the Teifi and the shuttle problem disappeared.

Route

We met up at Llechrhyd bridge together with Nigel's wife Sue, his daughter Isobel and Bonnie the bearded collie.

Nigel and I drove to Patch and left his van there and hightailed it back and launched. The river was very low, which with the lack of rain recently was only to be expected.

I should add that this was Paul's first long paddle and so far he was doing well.  We had a coffee break under Cilgerran Castle before paddling on. The water was mirror calm with lovely reflections but sadly no otter sightings.

Nearing Cilgerran

Coffee break

Bonnie

As we approached the first small rapid Paul was instructed to kneel and we bounced through and even managed some ferry gliding. Bonnie was quite non-plussed in Nigel's boat as they played in the moving water.

Ferry gliding

Getting the angle right

Made it

And now back again

We stopped for lunch just downstream and then carried on to the next rapid adjacent to the Cardigan Wildlife Centre.  This braided rapid can be shallow in normal levels but today I had to walk the boat part way down.

The calm conditions now changed as a strong wind made the paddling that much harder as we entered Cardigan. This was the first time I had seen the recent renovations taking place to Cardigan Castle

As we entered the estuary the wind was much stronger and as the tide had not made its entrance it was very shallow with again some walking involved.

Approaching Cardigan

With hindsight an exit at St Dogmaels would have been a better choice, but the van was down in Patch and we struggled on.  This was a bit of a baptism of fire for Paul, but I can report he is still talking to me and seems none the worse for the experience.

The start of the estuary

Sue rustled up a nice pot of tea to help us all recover and the day came to a good end.

St Davids Circular

We had a visitor from Canada staying with us recently and we planned to show her the delights of West Wales and today it was to be the coast path from Caerfai Bay to Porth Clais and up to the City of St Davids.

Route

This is one of our favourite short walks and we were keen to show it to Sue. She lives on Mayne Island which lies between Vancouver Island and the mainland. She told us the coast line there is much different.
We had the bonus of good weather!

View from path above Caerfai

We saw a number of groups enjoying,coasteering climbing and kayaking and of course fellow walkers.

At St Non's Well, apparently a cure all, there was a group of people holding a religious meeting and a laying on of hands.  Lets hope it worked for them, but it never restored my hair.

It seems that we hear a lot about young children not being allowed out to play and we saw an example of this at Porthclais where some mothers were continually shouting at their children who were trying to enjoy themselves paddling in the water. The mothers seemed more interested in gossiping and not helping the children enjoy a day at the seaside. Move on Andrews!!!

descending to Porthclais

Porthclais

Anyway Sue had a paddle and we walked up the estuary for a cup of tea before continuing on to the City of St Davids.  We had a look at the Cathedral and some shopping to include a huge ice cream, before heading home via Morrisons to buy some quick nosh for a meal at home.

St David's cathedral

Ladies who walk

Sue enjoys cooking and caters for parties etc. Amazing what one can do with a chicken and salad followed by peaches in Grand Marnier