Dale - Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd January 2022

Due to the brilliant popularity of the Pembrokeshire Ramblers, more walks are now taking place, and this one was put on both days of the weekend, in order to accommodate their enthusiasm.

Fortunately, it was not too cold, too windy or wet.... perfect weather for walking really, although a bit of sunshine would have been welcomed ( mustn’t grumble though..)

The route for the 16 walkers on Saturday and 18 walkers on Sunday started from the large car park in Dale. Crossing the first field, a rare Glossy Ibis was spotted by ‘twitcher, Julie ( on the Sunday), before we continued across to West Dale beach.
Although a generally easy walk, this first climb up onto the Marloes airfield did get the heart pumping, but was then followed along the flatish (only one more heart pumping climb around the pink cottages of a Retreat) coastal path with some lovely views of Skokolm, Skomer and Grassholm, before turning inland across the disused airfield and farming paths, into Marloes village playground for coffee.
Refreshed, the walk then continued towards St.Brides, but turning right at the old School House up to the recently sold, Winterton Farm. Then across fields and down to the old Mullock Bridge for lunch. This is no longer used for traffic, so has plenty of room to sit, and good views of the Gann floodplain and across to Dale.
A bit of unavoidable road walking followed, which then took us as far as Mullock farm where we were able to rejoin the footpath and head past the deserted Slate Hill Farm and down towards the Gann crossing point. This has one section missing at present and note that the crossing can only be made 3.5 hours either side of Low Tide.
We walked across the Pickleridge noting the gravel pools beside it, with its many birds - one of Pembrokeshire’s best bird watching sites.
The walk ended by passing the old partially restored Lime Kiln and following the road back into Dale .
As last week, sadly no local pubs or even tea rooms were open, so drinks and chat were enjoyed apres-walk, either on the beach or chez Dale car park.

Walk Leader Val John

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"Many thanks to Val for leading 2 walks in 2 days"