Coasting along

Wales 030
Originally uploaded by bexybeads

Well, today was the first full day of my holiday - or at least one that didn't involve spending 10 hours driving a car to get here!

The journey was very long yesterday - much longer than I thought it would be. But I survived it, and to be honest I wasn't as exhausted as I thought I would be.

So I was full of great intentions to get up and walk to the nearest village, along the coastal path, to have Sunday lunch at the pub there and then walk back. Unfortunately the day started with blustery winds, descended into yukky drizzle and had visibility shortening by the minute. With that kind of prospect, I decided instead to see what St David's had to offer. 10 minutes along the road by car later and I arrived. It was bigger and smaller than I expected all at the same time.

If I'm back there again in better weather, I'll take some photos. But instead, I wandered round a bit in the drizzle, got my bearings, found a farm shop outlet and stocked up on food, and booked a climbing course for Friday morning. Eek!

And then I found a pub and had lunch - not a full Sunday lunch since I hadn't worked up an appetite, but a lovely bowl of Bouillebaisse instead. All fresh local seafood I think too. And by the time I came out, the sun had started shining so I rushed back to the cottage, changed and headed out for my coastal path walk.

The photos are posted on Flickr so you can see a bit of what I experienced. While it was sunny, it was also still fairly windy, which was probably just as well as I think it would probably have been too hot otherwise.

The walk was beautiful - stunning blue seas, foamy white surf, dry pale green grass, clover and thrift - and solitude (on the whole)!

I even saw some peregrines or sea-eagle chicks - I'm not quite sure which, but they were definitely raptors - and only about 20 feet away. Amazing!

Provided the weather holds I'm planning a longer walk tomorrow - taking the bus to the start and then walking back home. Fingers crossed!

And now, there's another beautiful sunset to view so I'll leave it there!

Roadtrippin'

Ok, it wasn't dawn when I left this morning (and anyway this photo is sunset rather than sunrise) but it was early for a holiday! The benefit, however, is that it's 1pm and I'm (hopefully) half way there already.

I've just taken my 2nd rest break and am now about to 'turn right' to quote a friend. Heading off the motorway soon and into Wales.

It feels like the holiday is really beginning now.

(And yes, I am keeping to my challenge. Not a scrap of make-up, not even concealer or mascara! Cold turkey!)


STOP PRESS
I eventually arrived at about 6.30 pm - tired and somewhat bedraggled but elated at having made it. And I didn't get lost once - although it was a close run thing on one of the 'short cuts' I decided to take.


My estimate of half-way there at the 2nd pit-stop was wildly optimistic. The journey took a full 10 hours, although with 4 stops en route - one for a much needed ice-cream! The motorway driving was definitely the worst, not because of the traffic or anything, but just because it was so boring and hypnotic. The off-motorway driving, whilst more interesting (and very pretty) was frustrating at times - particularly when I got stuck behind Sunday drivers out a day early. Much unnecessary braking and an aversion to over-taking!! Grr!


But I'm here - arrived safely and firmly ensconced in my cosy hideaway. There's a beautiful view of the sea - photos of the sunset available on Flickr already. And now I'm just looking forward to my week of rest, relaxation, contemplation, exploration and perhaps some adventure.