Hiking in Wales

Quick update for those of you still checking this out. Headed West to Wales on Thursday morning. Clay,, Les, and I took several trains to arrive at Fishguard Harbor. We got there in the afternoon so had plenty of time to hike up to the village, explore, and settle in at the backpackers hostel there. Quite a quaint little place. Steve, the hostel owner, was full of helpful hints for our planned 2 day hike of the Pembrokeshire coastal path. Next morning we were up early and caught a bus to Cardigan, about 40 min away. Our hike began from the bus stop there out past Poppit Sands where after about 2 miles the actual trail began. It followed entirely along the coast with some spectacular views of the cliffs, caves, and rolling hills that make up the area of Welsh countryside. We took our time and even enjoyed the presence of some curious cows and newly reintroduced welsh ponies along the way. Walking along the path was nearly deserted. Plenty of ups and downs to make it an invigorating 17-18 mile hike. Around 5pm made it to the beach of Newport. The tide was out far enough that we cut a bit of mileage off by hiking on the beach itself - with boots off our toes got a bit of a rest. To finally get up to the village we waded through thigh high (for me at least) very cold water in the slipway. The youth hostel in newport was quiet and nearly empty so we got a home cooked meal and our own room. The 12.5 mile hike planned for Saturday was vetoed due to a knee injury that Clay incured on one of the down slopes an hour or so away from Newport. My semi-sunburn and blistered heel approved of the decision. We slept in a bit before heading to Fishguard on to Haversfordwest where we caught 3 trains back to Bath Spa. A long couple of days but well spent, good company and beautiful scenery. Now back to the work that I have been putting off for weeks!