Today was long and difficult, but overall, a very good day.
Despite possibly a few too many beers last night, we had the tents packed away and were ready to leave by 8.45...our earliest start yet. It was just as well too, as there were a couple of bridges that we needed to reach within 2 hours of low tide in order for them to be passable. With the early start however we managed to make both in time and were able to avoid lengthy (and very unwelcome) inland detours that would have otherwise been necessary.
The first 5 1/2 miles from Sandy Haven took us towards Dale, and was a very pleasant walk - not too many hills, and some lovely views. Given this fact, it was surprising how few people we passed during hid stretch and how overgrown some areas were. In fact, the only person that we passed walking the other way provided us both with a bit of a blast from the past - Miss Brownett, our old maths teacher from school. What are the chances?!
Just before Dale, the path took us down from the cliffs into a large estuary area called The Gann, and along a freshwater river in which James spotted a number of rainbow trout in the water below.
Since we started the walk, every morning so far we have begun the day with a fry up. Today however, we decided to be healthy, and instead had porridge and a banana. It seemed a good idea at the time, but meant that by the time we reached Dale at about midday, we were both absolutely starving. We found a seafront cafe run by an elderly lady assisted by her less than enthusiastic grandson, and ordered 2 lunches each - a toasted sandwich and a filled jacket potato. Very nice they were too!
Having filled our stomachs, we were provided with a difficult moral dilemma. The next stretch of the path took us for 6 miles around the Dale Peninsula, whilst in reality given the geography, only moving us an additional 100m further towards our destination. Given the distance that we had to walk today, the temptation to take the shortcut was pretty strong. We resisted however, and with a few longing looks behind us, started up the steep hill towards St. Ann's Head, and the longer, official route.
Our decision was rewarded, when we first had a very amusing encounter with a mobile butcher, and then after a few miles, we reached the headland to find our support crew (this time minus Ben) waiting, and once again ready to take our bags to the evening's destination. Thanks again guys! We also saw a helicopter land on the cliff top just few feet away from us to pick up supplies and ferry then to one of the nearby islands. It seemed to be a bit of an expensive substitute for a boat, but what do we know.
We continued around the peninsula, back into Dale, and then out towards Marloes Sands, a beautiful beach, but one that unfortunately we were unable to take any pictures of because of a lack of batteries in our cameras. We bought solar powered chargers from e-Bay before the walk, but unfortunately these have proved to be pretty useless, and finding charge for various electronic devices is a continual problem.
Our plan was then to spend the night at a youth hostel overlooking the beach. However, when we reached it and found that a night in a dormitory room (without breakfast) was going to cost us £18 we decided instead to pay the extra few pounds and head for the luxury of a B&B.
We booked into the homely Albion House, a mile's walk inland in the village of Marloes, where we were immediately made to feel very welcome by the landlady Mrs Llewellyn. She has even done our washing for us (brave lady!), and our pants and socks are currently hanging out on the washing line in her back garden!
Following food and a few drinks at the local pub The Lobster Pot, we were both feeling the strain of the 15 miles we had covered today, and were in need of an early night.
Tomorrow should be a good day - a relatively easy 10 miles to cover, and James' finance Jill and her parents Gail and Ed are due to be meeting up with us at some point in the afternoon. Looking forward to it.
Tight calves!
Dan and James
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