WALKING WITH STEVE – YOU’LL NEVER GET LOST.

Discovering the Pembroke Coast: 

Siân and I believe in making discoveries in the hands of experts. This week we and my cousin Wendy went on a walk across the headlands near Porthgain on the Pembrokeshire Coast. Our expert was Steve Jones, a fully qualified Lowland Walk Leader. 

 

Historian, naturalist, photographer and cartographer (twenty years with the OS no less) Steve is someone who quietly shares his huge knowledge of the coastal path hereabouts.

 

We started and finished in Porthgain. 

 

He began with a talk, down on the quay, charting the rich history of the village-port; slate mining, brick making and granite crushing. All this was shipped from the harbour.

 

Out of the harbour we scampered (!) up a set of steep steps and onto the headland. The apparitions of Porthgain’s industries are readily apparent, derelict buildings and walls, evidence of trams and trains.

 

Glorious weather, gorse, flowers and bird calls and cries beat out our steps. At each turn another gem of info from Tour Guide Steve. Barley fields to our left waved us on. Vertiginous drops on our right to seas or beaches far below.

 

And it was busy. Walkers of all ages were on the coastal path, as busy as a Saturday afternoon in Waitrose. Well not quite. Everyone greeted us as they passed by, everyone full of smiles and joy at being here.(Unlike Waitrose)

 

At one point about, halfway through the walk, we stopped and looked down; into the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddi. This was former slate mine until 1910. Now in this weather a perfect spot for a dip.

 

From the hamlet of Abereiddi you can return to Porthgain in an hour. Siân and I visited Abereiddi before, however this was a new view. Looking down onto the few cottages set  behind a huge amphitheatre of fields and farms. Quite remarkable.  

 

The return walk was inland. Nonetheless beguiling; Steve led us along paths through gorse and heather, small fields of corn, red campion, sea campion and kidney vetch. 

 

A marvellous four hours. And now we are casting about for the excuse to do another walk with Steve.

 

If you want to really discover the incredible St David’s peninsula in North Pembrokeshire walk with Steve Jones. The first step is here: https://www.peninsulaguides.co.uk

Since the trip, More drawings ! ....