A blustery night, but the tent is fine, sheltered by the hedge. I woke up once, around midnight; the full moon lighting up the tent.
I’m homeward bound, not wishing to experience 95 mph winds tomorrow. The Castlemartin firing range was due to be closed today, but perhaps the exercises will be cancelled due to the weather. The sun is out, so I try an early morning stroll along the cliff top to St Govan’s Chapel, which is in the restricted area. The views are wonderful.
The first red flag is furled, so I may be lucky. Unfortunately, the rat-a-tat sound of machine gun fire and the thump of grenades suggest otherwise. Sure enough, the second flag is billowing in the wind. St Govan’s Chapel is hidden somewhere in the cliffs. This is as close as I can get today, but I will return.
I head back east. The weather is chaotic, with rain, wind, hail, and sun; all in the same hour.
Broad Haven Beach looks less menacing in the daylight, and the dunes are much easier to cross.
I leave the beach, to head inland to Bosherston village, making sure to walk round Lily Ponds, beautifully reflecting the clear blue sky. A large heron launches from the path in front of me. It’s hard to believe a storm is coming.
It’s a five mile walk to the nearest train station, at Pembroke. I’m a little anxious to find out if the trains are still running, so keep up a brisk pace.
The journey home is fraught with delays, cancellations, emergency bus services, and a fatality outside Swansea, so I’m relieved to be home before midnight. I may just stay at home for the next storm, regardless of the forecast as to which parts of Britain will be hit worst. Hard to predict a storm’s progress; another lesson learned.
Walk distance: 7 miles.
Total distance: 1,475 miles.
Hi Tony, when I cancelled a few trips to the NW of Scotland, it was generally not the underfoot conditions, but the drivings conditions getting to and from home. Sorry if I have already said that before.lol. Went to watch Worcester Warriors women on saturday, as I really wanted to ‘bag’ the ground. But the girls were good. I’m off to watch the Red Roses at Leicester at the end of April when they play Ireland.
Hi Alan. I can imagine some logistical nightmares getting to the NW of Scotland, especially the islands. Enjoy the rugby. I may be in Wales for the England game. All I need to do is find a pub showing the match!