Llanddowror Countryside Walk.

Rather than self- isolating, nine walkers (all with no known virus symptoms) from Pembrokeshire Ramblers assembled in the car park beside the old café in Llanddowror for an 8 mile walk through the Carmarthenshire countryside.
After a brief visit to view the village history board the route followed the road that is opposite the church to a steep track leading up to Maes-y-land farm, then south east via quiet country lanes and fields to Halfpenny Furze.
After passing through Halfpenny Furz the scenery became more picturesque, diverting around Greater Newton, and following the farm track down hill beside the stream to the ford at Newton Wood. It was at this point that walkers were given the option to take a shorter 5mile route back to the start but all nine were quite happy to opt for the full 8 miles.
From the ford it was uphill again passing through Newmeadows to the Laugharne -Pendine road at Deers Park, then west along the road for almost a mile to the farm road leading to Castell Toch.
After Castell Toch it was up hill again to the site of the old conifer plantation at Castell Toch Wood. The conifers have long since been felled and the site is now covered with a mix of dense brambles and tufts of grass. After picking our way through this it was time for lunch.
Up until this point the weather had been dry but as we were lunching a light drizzle set in so it was a quick lunch.
After lunch and with 6 miles achieved so-far the walk continued through Woodhouse Farm to the road, along a woodland path to the footbridge over the stream in the valley. By now the sun was shining and it was a very pleasant walk along a primrose covered grassy bank to the rear of the dwellings on the east side of the valley. This path terminated in the village and it was a short walk back to the car park, just as the rain started.
All agreed the walk was enjoyable and those who wished to retreated to the Sporting Chance in Red Roses for refreshments.

John Reeves,

Walk leader