Day 70 Tenby to Pendine. I was awake early after falling asleep so early. I watched the sun come up over Tenby harbour and it was very peaceful in my little spot. I set off and the path was very hilly coming out of Tenby through lots of woodland till I eventually re-joined the beach. The tide was out so I opted for the beach as I had sprained my ankle earlier. A couple of days ago I had received a message from a girl called Hillary inviting me to pop in to their home in Wisemans Bridge they had also offered me the use of their shed. I arrived at their home and met Hillary and her husband, I declined the shed as I wanted to get more miles done today but gratefully accepted a coffee and a ham and cheese toasty. I said farewell and cracked on. I decided to continue on the beach as it was a nice day and the tide was well out. A couple of hours later I had to re-join the path as the tide started to come in and come in fast. I bumped into a chap called Charles Hawes who was going the opposite way and was walking the Welsh coast path, he had started from Chepstow. After a couple more hills I arrived at Pendine which is famous for its long beach and more so for the world land speed record attempts. I am now sat on the seafront writing this blog, the sky has gone very grey and am expecting the heavens to open tonight. I have already marked and recorded a good location to put up my poncho but failing that I still have my secret weapon as a reserve. I am drinking the last few slugs of the small bottle of whisky that Nick bought me yesterday, Im going to practice my harmonica until thats gone then pop into the Springwell public house that I can see to my right for one and upload the pics before having another early night. Day 71 Pendine to Saint Clears. I went to bed in a doorway on the seafront last night. By 04:00 Id wished Id found the disabled toilet. There was a storm and the waves were crashing 20 foot over the wall. All my kit was soaked and Id lost my brolly to the gale. At first light I grabbed my kit and went to find the toilets. It wasnt far away and I was gutted that I hadn’t slept in them. I made a brew in there and started organising my kit, I went to a cafe where I got talking to the owners who were kind enough to give me my breakfast on the house. Luckily there was a self-service laundrette in the village where I went to tumble dry my sleeping bag and kit because it had been soaked from the waves and rain in last night’s storm. After I was sorted I cracked on and the path ran parallel with the A4066. The coastal path was basically marsh land so I jumped on the road till I reached Laugharne. I re-joined the path which went past Dylan Thomass boat house and writing shed. The path then ran alongside the River Taf through lots of fields and woodland until I reached St Clears. Its a small little town but with a handful of pubs and plenty of shops. Im not going any further tonight as the weather isnt great the sky is very grey and soon to burst with plenty more rain. I have already spotted my bed for the night and not making the same school boy error I did last night. The storm has bought down power lines which I saw workmen repairing today. There are more flood warnings but that wont dampen my spirit too much. Onward Christian Soldier. I opted to sleep in the disabled toilet in Saint Clears tonight. Day 72 Saint Clears to Llansteffan. Last night I deployed the secret weapon and opted for the disabled toilet. I had a good night’s sleep until 05:45 when the door was being banged by the cleaner. He said hed be back in 20 mins. So I quickly packed and left. Its still far too dark to start walking so I hid behind the recycling bin out the wind for half an hour. I cracked on and on my way back to the path a car stopped beside me. I had been recognised by a guy called Darren who was an ex-Engineer, he kindly bought me a brew and a sausage and egg sarnie at the bakery just round the corner. We chatted for a while then said goodbye. I re-joined the path and because of days of heavy rain the River Taf had burst its banks. The path was just marshland my feet were soaked from wading through it. The path was horrendous and very difficult walking, not helped by a farmer who had an electric fence across what should be a public right of way. I waded through bog and marsh and was hit by a heavy downpour till I arrived at Llansteffan, Id had enough walking for the day and needed to sort my feet out. Earlier on a good friend of mine called Cozzie texted me to say hes been sacked from another job and he was coming to join me tonight. Which has really lifted my spirits. When I got to Llansteffan I went to the local shop/post office/cafe where I met Bethan and Hazel. I ordered a tea and got talking to them. Without asking I was given a fry up, thank you guys. I spent an hour there and charged my phone. I said farewell and headed off for somewhere to camp tonight and sort myself out. I have opted for a woodland near the Castle so I can make a fire and dry my feet and boots. Im sat here by the fire now looking forward to crazy Cozzie to arrive.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 19:50:07 +0000