17.10.2021 Pwll Deri – Strumble Head
Fifteen walkers assembled at the lay-by at Pwll Deri on the north Pembrokeshire coast. Well wrapped up against the rather damp weather, but admiring the spectacular views of the sheer cliffs, we proceeded along the coastal path in the direction of Strumble Head. Peering over the steep cliffs into the wild cove of Porth Maenmelyn, seals were spotted but after weaving our way further along the path, we were stopped in our tracks by two cows who had jumped over their fence onto the path in front of us and were now perilously near the edge of the cliffs. Tony Weake bravely persuaded one cow to jump back onto safer territory, and the other to move down a grassy path away from the coast path, so we were then able to continue on our way. Phew! Daunting and exciting at the same time!
Continuing on past the lovely Carreg Onnen Bay to Strumble Head, we decided to take coffee in the shelter of the old Ministry of Defence building, now used by bird watchers, but on that day used to spot dolphins and porpoises – unfortunately none were spotted during our coffee time…..
Resuming the coastal path, we walked until we came to Carreg Goffa and Carregwastad Point, the stone here marking the last invasion of Britain, on 22 February 1797. Lunch was hurriedly taken due to the worsening weather, and we then moved inland, like the French invasion force of all those years ago, to Tre Howel farm, although unlike the soldiers, we did not proceed to steal the farmers wine and become incapacitated, but instead bore right along the road to turn left at Trenewydd, then continuing uphill went towards Garn Gilfach, which was above and to the left of us. Going up over a stile on our left on this green lane, passing Garn Fechan on our left, we arrived at the National Trust car park at the base of Garn Fawr. At this point the party split, with some preferring the green lane round the base of Garn Fawr and the rest taking the upward path from the car park to the summit and then the slow, rather awkward descent. Both groups reassembled at the Pwll Deri layby, with the offer of a well-deserved cup of tea at the nearby Melin Tregwynt tearooms.
*Note: The inland part of this walk is no less attractive than the coastal path section, with panoramic views looking down across the flat plain towards the rugged coast.*
