Some days I put on my walking boots and feel as if I could keep walking for ever. Friday was not one of those days, Ian had to lead all the way, and it has taken me several days to get round to writing the blog.
We caught the bus to Pembroke from outside Milford Haven Tesco’s – it didn’t feel like somewhere to want to get back to at the end of the day. The bus dipped and dived around the Haven, taking an hour to cover a 20 min car journey. We were glad to finally start walking, soon leaving the town and castle behind us and heading mostly through woods up and along the ridge between Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
Over 260 Royal Navy ships were built at Pembroke Dock between 1816 and 1922, and a few historic buildings remain. We passed the barracks above the town, and a Martello Tower at the water’s edge. Then we climbed up the hill through uninspired modern housing and out onto the Cleddau Bridge, completed in 1975. Half a mile to the far side, high over the Haven, and then a further mile or so alongside the main road until we’d crossed Neyland Pill as well. It was a relief to get away from the road noise and heat, back into woods until we reached the shore at Neyland – developed by Brunel as the Great Western trans-Atlantic terminus, but now quiet in the afternoon sun. And now heading back downstream!
Continuing along the foreshore road past Llanstadwell church, I was very pleased to find an unexpected pub at Hazelbeach for a cold ginger beer and a chance to rest tired feet. Then back onto footpaths, but soon we had high wire fences and some over-zealous weedkiller use as we skirted around the Liquified Natural Gas plant. The refinery that we passed on the previous walk was in action again and the sound carried over the water.
The path turned inland and joined a B road, somewhat busy and badly littered. The last couple of miles into Milford Haven were a bit of a slog and by the time we reached the car I had had enough – straight home for a bath, and fish and chips from our local takeaway. 12.3 miles of coast path, not as unpleasant as I have made it out to be though sadly lacking any sight of the sea, and I hope my energy returns!
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