Windy Weather

It's been blowing a gale for the past 24 hours although, apart from a torrential downpour at about 8.ooam, we have missed the predicted showers. Today we went for a drive and walk to see the effects on the sea. There was some dramatic surf around the coast. I could sit and watch it for hours! These pics are from St Brides Haven. There were a lot of birds in the bay, more than I would have expected, presumably sheltering from the rougher weather at sea. The large flock of oystercatchers were scared by a dog, just as I was getting in position to photograph them. I managed to snap a few as they flew away.
A cormorant, seal, a small flock of turnstones and loads of gulls were also sheltering there. Round the coast at the Deer Park baby seals were on the beach with their mothers. I always find it strange that the seals give birth at the start of the autumn storms. Anyway we have a few more days here before heading home next week. Let's hope the rain stays away!

Elvie

Bikes, robots, castles & cromlechs

Despite indifferent weather we're enjoying having a prolonged spell at the caravan. Although we haven't seen much of the beach or the sea there's been plenty to do. The Pembrokeshire County Show is the second largest agricultural show in Wales and provided a great day out for us on Tuesday. I must admit we're not interested in agriculture but the motocross stunt show was amazing and Titan the Robot absolutely hilarious, more so for being unexpected. He's on You tube so look him up.

Yesterday we headed east into Carmarthenshire to avoid the rain forecast for the west coast. First stop was Dryslwyn Castle. This was a Welsh castle although ultimately fell into English hands after being besieged by an 11,000 strong army. It's hard to believe that such a peaceful place on the banks of the River Towy was the scene of bloody warfare. I found it very atmospheric, perched high on a mound with the outline of the village outside the castle walls just visible through the turf. It's small and a jumble of ruins but well worth a visit. Afterwards we visited another serene spot deep in the countryside, Talley Abbey, last resting place of the great welsh poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym.

Today we treated ourselves to another historical visit. This time going back 5,500 years at Pentre Ifan. This neolithic burial chamber is dramatically situated on a hillside above the Cardiganshire coast. The sense of drama was also highlighted by the sky which alternated between glowering clouds and bright sunshine.

Elvie

Tempus Fugit!

Doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself! It's nearly three weeks since I last posted...I'll be losing all my readers! Anyway we were fairly shattered on return from France & spent our first 5 days at home, recovering, doing the garden & visiting the parents. Then it was off to the caravan for a hectic week of entertaining & biking. The first visitors were J & S from France, who were staying with S's parents in Llangwm. We took them out on the Haven in the boat one day, here's J about to photograph the Neyland Bridge. The following day we abandoned the planned cliff top walk due to rain so spent the day eating! Lunch was at the excellent Sloop Inn at Abereiddi & supper was coked by J at Llangwm. There we were entertained by the wild foxes who visit the garden regularly.

Wed & Thurs was spent at Llanidloes where w'darranged sometrail riding with Trail Rides Wales. This was excellent practice for our proposed September trip although I only managed one day due to wrist ache on my clutch hand.

Back at the van we were host to B & A for the weekend. A & I were in college together, a long long time ago and remain the best of friends. We had a great time together with lots of good food boating & exercise. That's B& A admiringNewgale Beach from the coast path.

We've been back home for a couple of days again. The lawns have been mowed, garden weeded and parents treated to meals out so we're heading west again tomorrow for two to three weeks with short trips home intermittently to check all is ok.

Next adventure is booked for 14th September!