Day 20: West Carmarthenshire to Maenclochog

We knew what to expect today – in the first couple of miles, two sets of a steep drop down followed by a steeper climb up old tracks. Then a lot of plodding along lanes heading straight west, to the foot of Foel Cwm Cerwyn, the highest point of the Preselis. We checked last night with Stephen and Judy who assured us that the tracks were usable though steep. They had prepared us a great meal of home-reared beef, which made a lovely change from pub meals. Home-made cider too!

Well that was the plan, foiled at the outset by the first track up to Llanwinio being blocked with a ‘Footpath Closed’ notice and red tape on the footbridge over the river. So we checked the map for the alternative route – I thought I’d made sure that there was always a reasonable road alternative – and found it involved a 4 mile detour, down the valley, east up a side valley then across and back up the other side of the valley.

With hindsight, perhaps we should have tried the footpath anyway, but being law-abiding folk, we headed off south and east – it was very beautiful but not what we wanted. After 5 miles, we were about a mile as the crow flies from where we had started. The second track up fortunately did exist and made a pleasant change from the lanes we were on for the rest of the day – 18.3 miles in all. But we have made good progress west and are in Pembrokeshire again at last.

Thank goodness it was not as hot as it has been – some drizzle to start with, a bit of a westerly breeze, clouds rolling down across the hills at times but no serious rain, a little sun to finish.

We’re looking forward to reaching home tomorrow – but that is not the end, as we then carry on beyond St Davids. If any of our Pembrokeshire friends would like to join us on Saturday for a celebratory cup of tea at Pencarnan (SA62 6PY, third caravan on the right from the big green reception barn), we hope to arrive at around 4pm and you are all welcome.