Saturday, 16 October 2021 Monkhaven

Fourteen of us set off on a balmy sunny day to be joined by another person half way around.  It is a walk which takes in the stunning views over the Haven Waterway.  We were fortunate to have some knowledgeable historians among us and also some who could explain the navigational systems.  Great landmarks like Stack Rock Fort and Thorn Island were pointed out and we explored the Watchtower with strict warnings not to fall off the cliff!   We looked back behind wartime bunkers to a 'community garden' given to ex-servicemen.  When we stopped for coffee, we watched the Irish Ferry wend its way between the buoys on its way to Pembroke Dock and recalled watching it from the East Blockhouse on the other side of the Haven in August in a gale.  The weather was kinder to us in October.  We made our way inland across fields and through a dell with the mysterious remains of an old house covered in ivy, to a lane which brought us to Sandy Haven where we stopped to examine a lime kiln.  Then back to the coast path with reasonable views of Sandy Haven through trees almost denuded of leaves.  We made our way to what I call the 'lighthouse' - a navigational aid for shipping, but it does have a light on top - where we had a lunch.  Then a leisurely walk back along the coast path in the opposite direction towards Dale.