Stackpole/Bosherston/Barafundle and Angle

Adding a Saturday walk at Stackpole/Bosherston/Barafundle to Mark's already planned Sunday walk at Angle proved to be a winner.It brought people from far and wide to join in one or both days and ten of us stayed overnight at Orielton House, arranged to perfection by Mark.

On Saturday we all met up at a small car park well used by locals, one of whom was very disgruntled that we were there and tried in vain to get us to park elsewhere and vacate what she seemed to class as her own personal parking area.

I did joke as we set off walking that perhaps she would let our tyres down by the time we returned.Funnily enough—though not for her—Sandy's tyre was flat when we eventually got back to the cars, but this was definitely due to a bizarre coincidence.

As Robert, (assisting Mark) led us to the lovely Stackpole Elidor church, and the family vaults, I was glancing back over my shoulder looking for Trace and Bev who had failed to turn up at the appropriate car park.Due to poor mobile reception for most of the day, I continued scanning the horizon for them, but we only all managed to meet up later on in the day at Orielton House.

Meanwhile our walk continued through the Stackpole Estate and to Stackpole Quay and The Boathouse cafe where we had our lunch.

Afterwards, we made our way to the very beautiful Barafundle Bay, Stackpole Warren and had a well earned rest in the sun on Broad Haven beach.We continued to Bosherston Lily ponds and eventually returned to the car park.

The day trippers said their farewells and the rest of us made our way to Orielton House having a tour of the Mansion House and some scrummy coffee and cake.

After a wash and brush up we —plus Trace and Bev—made our way to the nearby Speculation Inn for a relaxed and enjoyable evening meal.

The following morning, suitably refreshed by a good nights sleep, we made our way to the dining room for breakfast, where we were accompanied by the students staying at the field study centre, but WE were given spaces on the top table with the teachers!!!Did we let the power go to our heads??--not one little bit!!

After a tour by Mark of the study centre grounds we were soon driving to West Angle and then took just a few cars to Freshwater West to start our walk back to Angle.

Firstly we had superb coastal views and then we made our way inland and northwards to Angle village and lunch at the Old Point House.This pub is cut off at high tide but luckily(??) for us we kept our feet firmly on the ground, continuing our journey to West Angle.Even the Pembroke Power station didn't look too much of a blot on the landscape—or perhaps I was looking through my rose tinted specs??!!

A welcome cuppa at the cafe there, was accompanied by cake brought by Neil, as it just happened to be Steve's birthday.A chorus of “Happy Birthday” ensued and the scrummy dolly mixture topped cake disappeared in double quick time.

Some members then made their way to their cars for the journey home leaving four of us to complete the intended walk out to Sheep Island.

We were rewarded on the return leg back to the car park by the sight of a seal popping his head above the water and very quickly bobbing out of sight again.

Many thanks to the efforts of Mark and Robert who helped to make this so enjoyable and thanks too, to all who attended and to everyone who expressed their appreciation--with many saying how much they soooooo enjoy the group and Rose said that her and Marie always feel "loved up" after being with us, what fine testament.

How lucky we were, given this weeks wet and windy weather, to have it so sunny and dry with some of us still in our shorts!!!

 

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