Pembrokeshire - Our search for the Blue Stones |
DAY 1 Arrival We all arrived safely at Rhostwarch Farm in high spirits and ready for the traditional Bryn Walking steak BBQ manned excellently by 'The Mighty AW' (aka Alan Ward but renamed some time ago by Sian). Cooking steaks for a large group to eat at the same time is a challenge but it was a great success and each steak was cooked perfectly to everyone's preference. | |
Day 2 The Golden Road
An ancient Neolithic track used as a travellers route to and from Ireland, perhaps carrying gold.
We left the farm at 0900, meeting Bethan and Lyn up a Bwlch- gwynt, the starting point. It was very windy and very murky but all the group are as tough as old leather (not in appearances!!!) and just get on with it, no fuss. It was a linear walk taking us first to Foel Feddau (bare graves) a Bronze Age cairn and then on to Carn Goedog (wooded hoof) the site where the majority of the spotted Dolomite stones at Stonehenge came from. Hitech geological testing has been done on the stones to prove this beyond doubt. The group photo above is at this site.
Then on to Carn Menyn (butter) - the stones up here do look like packs of butter. The route is undulating and not particularly difficult, the only real uphill follows from here up to the top of the Iron Age fort Foeldrygarn which has a trig point (363m). It was extremely windy on reaching here. A huge site with the remains of three ramparts.
It was a cross country route back to a PROW that would take us back to Rhostwarch - the terrain proved tricky but quite fun actually picking our way through gorse, bog and tufty grasses. Again the group proved their steadfast abilities and determination.
An ancient Neolithic track used as a travellers route to and from Ireland, perhaps carrying gold.
We left the farm at 0900, meeting Bethan and Lyn up a Bwlch- gwynt, the starting point. It was very windy and very murky but all the group are as tough as old leather (not in appearances!!!) and just get on with it, no fuss. It was a linear walk taking us first to Foel Feddau (bare graves) a Bronze Age cairn and then on to Carn Goedog (wooded hoof) the site where the majority of the spotted Dolomite stones at Stonehenge came from. Hitech geological testing has been done on the stones to prove this beyond doubt. The group photo above is at this site.
Then on to Carn Menyn (butter) - the stones up here do look like packs of butter. The route is undulating and not particularly difficult, the only real uphill follows from here up to the top of the Iron Age fort Foeldrygarn which has a trig point (363m). It was extremely windy on reaching here. A huge site with the remains of three ramparts.
It was a cross country route back to a PROW that would take us back to Rhostwarch - the terrain proved tricky but quite fun actually picking our way through gorse, bog and tufty grasses. Again the group proved their steadfast abilities and determination.
A great day and lovely cosy accommodation to come home to. It was satisfying to walk all the way back to the farm but because of inaccessible footpaths (the farmer could pre warn us) it made the route tricky and not straight forward so next time I'll leave the van in a suitable place for the finish point.
Day 3 St. Justinian's and St. David's I had received a call the day before to say that the ferry to Ramsey Island had been cancelled due to high winds and causing 4-5m high swell. A pity, but we always have contingency and headed over to St. Justinian's in anywise as I knew a lovely coastal circular and a superb cove where we would be sheltered from the winds for lunch. The winds were such that we wouldn't be at risk on the coastal path. The sun shone and the sea looked spectacular. Views over towards Whitesands bay and Ramsey Island, no seals to be seen but very atmospheric all the same. The new Lifeboat Station was open to the public and provided an easy way of making donations by text to RNLI. Then a short trip into St.David's, a tiny but beautiful and historic city. At one time it was a bit down-at-heel but now seems more vibrant with a variety of shops. |
Day 4 Solva Circular
Another prompt start - all the group being ready and reliable. It was another dreary start but we were all raring to go. This was a logistically challenging day which I hoped would all fall into place, which thankfully it did. We parked at Solva Woollen Mill, having had advanced permission to park there all day and set off from here up the hill on the edge of the Solva valley, then taking a path around the perimeter of the disused St David's Airfield, we could then pick up a bridleway which would give us an easy and safe crossing across the busy A487. Then we could see the sea!! .. and the sun came out! We were ok for time too - I had booked 'The Cafe on the Quay' in Solva for lunch, submitting our preorder. The cafe had very kindly opened for us as since I arranged our booking they had decided to close on a Wednesday and Thursday. The food and service was spot on and the best coffee I've had in a long time.
We arrived back at the mill in plenty of time for us to browse and spend - I think it was well worth them having Bryn Walking parking there all day.
Another prompt start - all the group being ready and reliable. It was another dreary start but we were all raring to go. This was a logistically challenging day which I hoped would all fall into place, which thankfully it did. We parked at Solva Woollen Mill, having had advanced permission to park there all day and set off from here up the hill on the edge of the Solva valley, then taking a path around the perimeter of the disused St David's Airfield, we could then pick up a bridleway which would give us an easy and safe crossing across the busy A487. Then we could see the sea!! .. and the sun came out! We were ok for time too - I had booked 'The Cafe on the Quay' in Solva for lunch, submitting our preorder. The cafe had very kindly opened for us as since I arranged our booking they had decided to close on a Wednesday and Thursday. The food and service was spot on and the best coffee I've had in a long time.
We arrived back at the mill in plenty of time for us to browse and spend - I think it was well worth them having Bryn Walking parking there all day.
The walk was full of interesting features and a whole mixture of views and terrain - a really good one and the timings worked well.
To finish a lovely day off and to make the last night special I had booked a meal at the Royal Oak in Newport. All went according to plan.
To finish a lovely day off and to make the last night special I had booked a meal at the Royal Oak in Newport. All went according to plan.
Day 4 A Day of Discovery
We checked out at 0830 and all met up at Bwlch-gwynt, piled into my bus and trundled back down the road to Tafarn -y-bwlch. We wanted to find the original site for Stonehenge - and we did!! The whole hill Waun Mawn (339m) is very spiritual and mystical. The bright rising sun, long shadows and wild ponies all contributed to the atmosphere - none of us really wanted to leave. Then on to Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber - a well preserved 5000 year old tripod of massive stones. It's very impressive. Coffee stop here before driving on to Craig Rhosyfelin where at least one of the blue stones at Stonehenge originates along with 1200 loose stone chipping found in the ground at Stonehenge. This site feels otherworldly and certainly a place of significance. The rocks, just like up at Carn Goedog have natural weaknesses that were exploited so that obelisk shaped pieces could be prised off.
Back up at Bwlch-gwynt we said our good byes and everyone headed home.
Thank you to everyone involved for making this a superb week.
We checked out at 0830 and all met up at Bwlch-gwynt, piled into my bus and trundled back down the road to Tafarn -y-bwlch. We wanted to find the original site for Stonehenge - and we did!! The whole hill Waun Mawn (339m) is very spiritual and mystical. The bright rising sun, long shadows and wild ponies all contributed to the atmosphere - none of us really wanted to leave. Then on to Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber - a well preserved 5000 year old tripod of massive stones. It's very impressive. Coffee stop here before driving on to Craig Rhosyfelin where at least one of the blue stones at Stonehenge originates along with 1200 loose stone chipping found in the ground at Stonehenge. This site feels otherworldly and certainly a place of significance. The rocks, just like up at Carn Goedog have natural weaknesses that were exploited so that obelisk shaped pieces could be prised off.
Back up at Bwlch-gwynt we said our good byes and everyone headed home.
Thank you to everyone involved for making this a superb week.
'til next time
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