Manorbier,  Wednesday 27th April 2022

A good group of Ramblers including several ‘first timers’ met at Skrinkle to commence an undulating figure of eight walk around the Lydstep/Manorbier headlands. 

After welcoming the newcomers we headed into the cold easterly wind to complete the Lydstep part of the loop with fine views across to Caldey Island. Returning past our starting point it was noted that ‘we’ve been walking for over an hour and are still only half a kilometer from our cars’. Undeterred we continued to our first beach which involved, for those that opted in, a descent of the 140 steps down to Church Doors,  magnificent natural arches in the rock face one of which, for the few intrepid explorers, lead onto the deserted Skrinkle Beach. 
Heading back up to the clifftop we reconvened as a group to continue along the coastal path. After passing the military base a smaller group took on the 170 step descent to Precipe Bay. With the tide out it would have been unbroken golden sand except for the unusual remains of a military drone that, only a very short time earlier, had  erroneously crashed onto the beach. The parachute, having been lost in the sea, was retrieved and placed above the high water mark. Quite an unusual find for any Ramblers outing.
Again, after ascending back to the coastal path and rejoining the remainder of our party we continued westwards to Manorbier. There was a good show of spring coastal flowers, nesting seabirds and passing gannets.
After a short lunch break on a largely deserted beach, we commenced our return in increasing sunshine inland, around the castle and back, once again to our cars at Skrinkle.

The day was rounded off with excellent cake and refreshments at the local YHA cafe.

Thanks to everyone who attended and especially Helen for backmarking, no easy feat given the detours onto the beaches.

 Debbie