days out in pembrokeshire: coastal path

 

 

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is 186 miles long and hugs the spectacular coastline in Pembrokeshire from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. Most of the path is within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Britain's only coastal National Park.

 

The sun was shining so we headed out to Marloes near Dale to explore the path in the beautiful weather. We have tried our best to get out and about when the weather permits and today didn't disappoint. The secluded beach in the photo above is located at Musselwick Sands.

 



 

 

 

We parked up and got out into the glorious countryside. The bees were buzzing, spring flowers bursting out all over the place and the sun making a welcome appearance. It wasn't long before I was stripping off the layers because I was too hot.

 

 

 

The pink thrift was everywhere and looking fabulous. I think that's what it's called anyway!

 

As you can see, parts of the path can be quite dangerous with the path coming quite close to the edge of sheer drop cliffs. This signpost certainly got the message through!

 

 

We picked a perfect day to explore a little part of the path. The sea was like a millpond with not a breath of wind to be had. We only stayed for an hour, just enough to work up an appetite for an ice cream from the village shop afterwards without tiring us all out.

We are planning our next part of the path to walk when the weather allows. Have you walked the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path? Which part is your favourite bit?

days out in pembrokeshire: caldey island

 

 

Caldey Island is located off Tenby's South Beach. Hop on a boat from the harbour for a short boat ride to this secluded island. It is now home to an order of Cistercian monks and their monastery overlooks the village green. The monks make perfume and chocolate on the island which is sold in the gift shop. I can vouch for the plain chocolate, it was very nice (I just had to support the monks in their venture, didn't I?!).

The lighthouse offers spectacular views. As you can see, the sky was an beautiful shade of blue on the day we visited.

There are numerous churches on the island with beautiful stained glass and statues. Some of the churches were quite tiny and we were free to wander in and out of them.

Have you visited Caldey Island? What did you think of it?

days out in pembrokeshire: national trust stackpole estate

 

 

 

 

The weather has been wonderful here this Easter so we have been out and about the local area exploring. The wild garlic in the woods at Stackpole was everywhere. Stackpole is a National Trust site with extensive woodlands, lakes with an abundance of wildlife including resident otters and a beautiful beach at Broad Haven South.  

 

 

 

 

There is a pair of swans nesting right next to the footpath which makes for easy access photography!  Just as well because I didn't have a zoom lens with me today.  The swans must be quite used to people and dogs because the path is widely used and they hardly reacted to us being there.

 

 

 

 

This view is up towards the estate from the Eight Arch Bridge where the otters like to appear from time to time. Sadly we didn't see them today, maybe next time. We have spotted them before so we know that they are usually about.

 

 





 



The greenery was waking up from the long winter slumber. Almost as if it was unfurling itself before our eyes. It was quite a show.

 

 

 

 

The bluebells also put on a good show as usual. This time of year is ideal to be visiting wooded areas in the UK with nature bursting out at the seams at every turn. The Stackpole Estate is just one part of Pembrokeshire worth a trip to visit. I'll be coming back soon with photos of other things to do in the area. Let me know if you have any gems which a worth a visit!

 

 





Silent Sunday - Amroth Beach, Pembrokeshire

vintage fair - a first for Pembrokeshire!

I'm doing my first vintage fair on Saturday, eek! I have seen how popular they are in other parts of the UK but this, I believe, is the first one being held in Pembrokeshire.  I'm busy making more vintage tea cup candles, including some new scented and coloured ones. All very exciting!  My products are a mix of new, vintage and upcylced materials so hopefully there will be something on offer for everyone to enjoy.

I originally made tea cup candles for my wedding reception and I must say they looked great. Especially when teamed with old tea pots, jugs and coffee pots being used as vases. The flowers were beautiful spring flowers and I thought tied in with the simple vintage style very well. I still have the tea pots, etc so I'll take them along too and pop them on the stall.  I have a beautiful old fashioned black Bakelite telephone with a dial on the front. It isn't for sale but I might take it along as a prop. It is beautiful and it works too, bonus!

If you are in Haverfordwest on Saturday please pop along! Albany Hall, Hill Street. 10am to 2pm. Tea and cake also being served. Free entry!

Beach life

The sun is continuing to shine on our little corner of the UK and we have been making the most of it by getting down to the beach after school and at the weekends. When the tide is out the beaches are a lovely, wide open expanse of sand. Perfect for nice long walks from bay to bay. I have no idea what my son is doing in that photo, inspecting for mini-beasts I expect.

We like to take the dog on big open beaches because she has an embarrasing tendancy to wee on sandcastles! Oops, lol. I don't know why she does it but she makes a beeline for them and likes to make her mark. Usually with me yelling and screaming at her, then apologising like mad to the irate parents. Maybe that is why I usually only take her with us in the winter when there are no sandcastles in weeing distance. What a little darling she is.

I am continuing my hunt for beach glass but no avail. I fear it will be a long time before I have enough to do anything crafty with it. Maybe I should widen my hunt to interesting washed up ceramics. Then no doubt I will be looking on You Tube for tutorials on mosiac or other things to do with fragments of pottery and beach glass.

I've got a school fete tomorrow evening and I hope that the weather is kind to me. Please wish me luck!