2024 Walking South Pembrokeshire - Day 8

Thursday 2 May - Final Day

Carew to Lawrenny via Whitehills and Cresswell Quay

THIS IS THE 2nd TIME OF TYPING THIS!! I GOT ALMOST TO THE END & WANTED TO DELETE SOMETHING.

I ENDED UP DELETING EVERYTHING BY MISTAKE & HADN'T SAVED IT!!

AGGGGHHHHH!

Wow! What a lot of rain we had last night! It threw it down!!

This morning it was still raining heavily so we decided to delay the start a bit in the hope that it would ease off a bit. Still, it gave me time to go via Tesco Café and grab a bacon & egg bap and a large coffee. Denise drove me back to Carew Castle and parked up so that we could peer through the rain-drenched windscreen at the castle on the other side of the millpond. I was waiting in the car for Richard Hatch to interview me for the fifth time about my walk for BFBS Afternoon Radio Show. Although the interviews air at around 1.30pm on each of the days he actually 'Zooms' me at around 10am. This means that he can edit them so that I sound slightly more human and sensible!! The interviews can be heard on Catch-up and went out at 1.30pm on the following days: Thu25/Fri26/Tue30 April & Wed1/Thu2 May

BFBS Link: https://radio.bfbs.com/catchup/bfbs-afternoon

After the interview I could put it off no longer. 

It was still pouring down but I had to make a start. I got out of the car all togged up but no umbrella this time as the wind was a bit brisk. 

Denise positioned the car so that she could wind down the window and take a photo of me in front of the castle without getting out of the car and getting wet. 

I'm so good to her!! 

Then it was off to bag the 1st fortification of the day (after Carew Castle). Park Camp was a fortified enclosure just up the ridge and across the main road from the castle. I had to cross fields to get near it and they were absolutely saturated. I feel so sorry for the farmers trying to grow crops and tend the land in this relentless rain. I found the enclosure, it had become the pristine lawn and garden of Park House. 

Photo bagged it was back across the main road  towards Cresswell Quay. The going after Park Camp was quite good as I was now on quiet lanes. I even did a little gentle jogging on the downhill bits (training for Bristol 10K!) Well, anything to be able to get out of the rain a bit quicker. Once at the Quay I had hoped to be able to cross the River Cresswell on the stepping stones that are exposed at low tide. The tide was only just starting to come in but I hadn't factored in the deluge of rain that we'd experienced over the past week. 

It didn't really matter as I had to continue a little way up the road in order to bag my next photo marked on my OS Map as Castle (remains of). I have passed on this road umpteen times over the years and have never consciously noticed it before! You live and learn. I know nothing about its history so must research it when home!

I continued round the road and up the hill till I came to a gap where the Landsker Borderland Trail continued. The Landsker is an imaginary line running from Solva in the north-west of the county to Amroth (where I started my 100 Miles) in the south-east. To the north of the line mostly Welsh was the language of choice and, to the south English was spoken predominantly. This was certainly more in evidence when I was growing up though perhaps not so much now.

I was now walking round the edge of fields that sloped towards the river. The rainwater, naturally, was making its journey as quickly as it could downhill. I was walking through running water, bogs, and trying to cross little streams that had become raging torrents. I squelched my way onwards, the mud sometimes sucking at my boots and at other times slipping and sliding from under me. The streams could sometimes be crossed with one of my long-legged strides (I can't say leaps coz my aged knees don't have the spring any more!!). At least once I had to trust a large pebble in the middle of the torrent and my rather rickety sense of balance to wade across. No wonder my feet were a little damp at the end of today's walk.

Still I ploughed (waded?) onwards. Past delightful picnic spots complete with table and bench. All it needed was a bit of sun and it would have been ideal. No time for picnics or snack breaks today, I had an appointment with a crab sandwich! 

Past the confluence of the Creswell and Carew Rivers as they became one to flow past Lawrenny Quay and into the Daugleddau and from there down to the haven and the sea. 

 

Finally I was off the sodden fields and onto the last mile or so of road leading from the village to the quay. 

With a spring in my step I headed towards the last of my sites, the quay and landing stages which played a role in the World War II as a base for Supermarine Walrus seaplanes and a training centre, known as HMS Daedalus II, operated by the Fleet Air Arm. It was operational between 1941 and 1946, being used by the Royal Navy, 1941 - 1943 and then put into a Care & Maintenance status.

Finally I could see Denise sheltering by a 'pod' in the rain outside the Lawrenny Quay Tearooms. 

My 100 Mile journey had come to an end. 

My reward was enjoying the most wonderful crab sandwich at the Tearoom (they also do amazing cakes). 

I even managed to buy another dressed crab with salad to bring back to the chalet and have this evening once I've had my shower.

It has been one of the hardest challenges I have done, mainly due to the weather, but it has also been one of the most rewarding. It has taken me back to my childhood and all the wonderful memories that it brought flooding back. 

I couldn't have even contemplated it without the amazing support of Denise, my ever patient wife who suffered my crabbiness and control-freak backseat driving with her usual calmness and serenity. 

I am also extremely grateful for the generous support of everyone who has followed my journey and donated to my two wonderful charities, WRACA and The VC Gallery.  Thank you.

You can support me and my two charities by clicking on the link below which will take you to my fundraising page at Give as you Live Donate:

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/margs-pembrokeshire-100-mile-2024

If you would like to know more about my charities please follow the links. Remember, if you served, even for 1 day, in the WRAC or are a serving female soldier you can join the WRACA and its FREE. The camaraderie that you'll find and the events that you can be a part of all over the country will amaze you. 

https://wraca.org.uk/

https://thevcgallery.com/

2024 Walking South Pembrokeshire - Day 7

Wednesday 1st May

Pembroke to Carew Castle via Pembroke Dock

Penultimate day walking and the sun's shining!! At least, I think that's what that bright, shiny yellow thing in the sky is called!! Blue sky, a few clouds and a slight but cool breeze - what a difference a day makes. Denise took some pictures of me next to the statue of Henry VII who was born in the castle. 

I was as pleased as punch that I remembered to ask her. So pleased that it wasn't till I the site of my old Grammar School that I remembered to turn on my navigating gizmos!! My OS App fired up straight away but it took my Satmap until I'd arrived in Pembroke Dock itself before it woke up!! Obviously takes after its owner!!

It had rained all yesterday and very heavily overnight so I decided walking the nostalgic coastal path route from Pembroke, across the fields to Pembroke Dock was going to be too muddy. It was a path that I had taken many times in my youth but probably not for over fifty years. Sense prevailed and I climbed up Bush Hill and along the minor lane past the Care Home (which used to be a boys boarding house for sons of farmers wishing to attend my Technical Grammar School) To the south of where my old school had been (it's been demolished) they are building a new Welsh Language Primary School where everything will be taught through the medium of Welsh. To me this is welcome but strange news - Welsh was taught as a foreign language, beside French and German, when I was in school!! Onwards, along the Top Road where they've constructed a foot & cycle path divided from the road by a hedge. In my day we walked back and for along the pavement with a large stone wall to the south, protecting one from the worst of the prevailing weather, and the busy road inches away. I remember, one winter, being almost wiped-out when a lorry skidded on ice and ended up with the nearside edge of its bumper between me & my friend!! Oooooh! We lived dangerously in those days!! 

I had hoped to call into the VC Gallery but I was too early so I carried on down memory lane, past where some of my father's family had grown up, past Bethany Baptist Chapel where my father had played the organ as a youth and my Uncle Mauvan's (W G M Jenkins, MM) father had been pastor. And on again to what remains of Defensible Barracks. It is a Grade II* listed, Victorian-era fortification and barracks built between 1841 and 1846 to house the royal dockyard's garrison of Royal Marines and to cover the landward side of the dockyard from an infantry assault. It was probably the last trace bastion fort built in Europe. It's so sad to see the wreck that it is today.

I took a walk on the South Pembrokeshire Golf Course which commands a stunning view of the haven. It also appears to be a much favoured dog-walking area. When the Royal Dockyard was in its heyday the Barrack Hill (the area around the Barracks) was criss-crossed with wide, well used pathways as the workers walked from their homes to the dockyard and back home. Now most of the paths are badly overgrown and the area is no longer grazed. Whilst the golf course is pristine the remainder of the land is returning to scrub. I sat on a pathway step leading down towards the dockyard and carried out an interview with Richard Hatch on BFBS Afternoon (4th in a series of 5 interviews going out at around 1.30 pm) 

BFBS Link: https://radio.bfbs.com/catchup/bfbs-afternoon

After the interview I continued down the path to Victoria Road. Once there I was again down my memory lane. Past where my mum's aunt had a school & past where my Dad's sister went to school; past houses owned by members of my mum's family and along Fort Road, past the hospital where I was born. 

I came to the first of two Cambridge Gun Towers, the westerly one, that was constructed in 1844 to protect the Royal Dockyard. The other one is in Front Street to the east of the dockyard wall. 

In order to reach the 2nd one I had to retrace my steps along Fort Road, past the refurbished historic tower that is all that remains of the original property on this site, Pater Tower. 

I wonder if this also was a Peel/Pele Tower like the one at Angle? 

Once through the main gates of the old Royal Dockyard I was dismayed to see the neglect that many of these amazing buildings have suffered. The Royal Dockyard (1815 – 1926) built many ships including Royal Yachts. My aunt (Cpl W G Mauvan Jenkins, MM, step-mother) worked as an overseer, keeping female employees 'In order', during WWI. Bossing folk about obviously comes naturally to the females of my family!  When the dockyard was closed in 1926 it remained redundant until 1930 when the RAF took it over as a seaplane base. RAF Pembroke Dock (1930 – 1959) became the largest Flying Boat station in the world and at one point during the Second World War it was host to 99 aircraft. I used to watch Sunderland's, from my bedroom window, as they landed and took off. 

The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is located in the Royal Dockyard Chapel which is the only Georgian military chapel which survives in Wales. It tells the history of Pembroke Dock and is an amazing place to visit. They have a massive archive, some of it digital; they are looking forward to receiving the Digital History of my late uncle, Cpl W G Mauvan Jenkins, MM, a local man who was awarded the MM for acts of immense bravery and leadership which, both his daughter, Alison, and I wish we had know about as it might have explained the difficulties that he had in later life.

From the Royal Dockyard Chapel I headed, via the 2nd Gun Tower, towards the only Military Cemetery in Wales, situated near Llanion Barracks. In the 1850s a hutted encampment was established on Llanion Hill. In 1904 this was replaced by four brick-built barrack blocks, designed to house a thousand troops. The new barracks, the first to be constructed with a separate area for cooking and ablutions, was one of the most modern in the country at that time. I'm not sure that the soldiers posted there in the 50's & 60's, including 22 Lt AD Regt that I later served with, felt the barracks were that modern then.

The Military Cemetery is a calm and peaceful small plot. The early graves are for the soldiers and sailors & their families who were obviously stationed here in the mid to late 1800's in the real heyday of Pembroke Dock. There are rows of later graves, in the style that we now recognise as War Graves, to those who lost their lives in WW1. The final rows of War Graves are to the those, including many Australian RAF, who lost their lives in WW2, many flying out of Pembroke Dock in seaplanes. 

It was a time of reflection and thanks to those who gave their lives so we could enjoy the freedom we have today.

After a quick stop at Tesco café for a coffee and bacon & egg bap it was onward to Llanion Cemetery on the edge of the town. 

The cemetery is where many of my family, including my parents, are laid to rest. I couldn't' pass by without stopping a moment. 

From my parent's grave I went on to the grave of my late uncle Mauvan whose ashes, together with those of his wife, are laid on his parent's grave. Not only was he a very brave, un-assuming man, but his wife, aunty Megan was the most amazing, caring, self-less woman, another hero.

From Pembroke Dock I headed for Carew. I decided that, as time was getting on, it would take too long and be too difficult to do a circular route to "bag" Upton Castle. 

Instead I went to the nearby village of Cosheston and then along the lane, passing close to the castle, but not close enough to see it & take a photo. 

Having got to the village of Milton it wasn't long before I arrived at Carew. Denise had parked up and was ready and waiting to take a photo of me, in the sunshine, in front of the castle.

Today I have covered an amazing 14.5 miles. It is my last day tomorrow and I'll be walking from Carew to Lawrenny, Hopefully for a crab sandwich at the Lawrenny Quay Tearooms. Sadly the weather looks to be going back to be horrid but, who cares - its the final leg in a wonderfully nostalgic journey.

If you would like to support me and my two charities you can click on the link below which will take you to my fundraising page at Give as you Live Donate:

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/margs-pembrokeshire-100-mile-2024

If you would like to know more about my two charities please click on the links. Remember that, if you are ex-WRAC or serving female military, you can join the WRACA for FREE.

https://wraca.org.uk/

https://thevcgallery.com/

2024 Walking South Pembrokeshire - Day 6

Tuesday 30 April

East Angle to Pembroke

Another soggy day in my home county, Pembrokeshire. Not exactly the dry, balmy weather I'd hoped for but crack on soldier!! Despite the deluge I knew that today was going to be nostalgic as I'd be walking beside many childhood memories. As a family, when I was growing up, our special days were Sundays, the only day my dad had off from work. In the summer we spent it on the river in our 15ft, clinker-built, ex-Navy/RAF tender which was powered by a noisy outboard engine. Depending on the tide times we'd either go up-river or, better still, down to Angle to swim and picnic at West Angle Bay or go cockling off the boat, on the mudflats, at low tide. Very Swallows & Amazons!! The sun always seemed to shine in my memory!! In the other seasons we walked the abundant quiet lanes, picking blackberries and sloes or foraging for mushrooms. Sometimes we even found the odd pheasant snared by some poacher - we had been known to release the poor, dead creature (& later eat it, roasted!!) This was the setting for today's walk.

My starting point was East Angle Bay. 

So eager was I to start that I forgot to switch on my gizmos or get Denise to get out of the car (in the pouring rain) and take a start photo. Needless to say, she didn't remind me!! 

I'd walked almost a mile before I remembered to switch on & take a photo! 

At this time I'd been sheltered by trees but, as I carried on I decided to use my umbrella to keep the worst of the rain off. 

Fortunately the wind was a mere puff compared to yesterday. 

My route took me all the way round the edge of the bay, not particularly to report other than the incongruity of the massive Valero Oil Refinery dominating the skyline. I felt and still feel sorry for the residents of Rhoscrowther and Pwllcrochan; the installation was large when first built when I was a young teenager - it has grown even larger since then. 

As I walked past Sawdern Point I turned and took a picture of my Start Point (see green arrow)

Angle village, Angle Point and the lifeboat station are barely visible in the rain and mist. As for a view down the haven of the Stack Rock Fort and Dale Fort on the northern shore at the mouth of the haven, they were shrouded in a cloak of mist.

I walked on towards Popton Fort which was completed in 1864 as part of the inner line of defence of Milford Haven. It has tapering hexagonal ramparts with pentagonal bastions at the angles. It is surrounded by a large clear area of sloping ground to the front, and a ditch on the south side. It comprised two batteries, Moncrieff Battery on the west side and Open Battery on the north. It was abandoned at the start of the 20th century it was used again by the military during the Second World War. It was ought in 1957 by BP to be used as an oil terminal & was renovated but was closed to the public. It is now part of Valero's Angle Bay Refinery & still closed to the public. 

I climbed the steep road on the northern side of the fort and then headed down the Coastal Footpath with the Haven on my left and the Refinery on my right. I had to pause at the top whilst I was "interviewed" by Richard Hatch of BFBS Afternoon. This picture was my view! I think that my interviews (3 so far) have gone out at around 1330hrs on Thu 25th, Fri 26th and today. On all 3 interviews I have tried to plug the WRAC Association being free to join but know it's been edited out at least once!! I'm going to try and put a link and see if it works!!  It will take you to a new page.

https://radio.bfbs.com/catchup/bfbs-afternoon

After the interview I headed down the path and yes, it went down, to go up, to come down, . . . you get the idea. 

Nostalgia hit me as I came upon Bulwell Bay. I well remember as a child/youth mooring in or near the bay at low tide and squelching around in the mud picking cockles. You could feel them with your toes so could then bend down, pick them up, give them a bit of a wash and throw them in a bucket. We'd take them home, let them soak in salt water for a day or so to clean them and then cook & eat them!! Yummy, especially when bottled in vinegar.

I'd taken the coastal path that skirted round the refinery. The going was ok, a little soggy underfoot with some smallish puddles and a little slippery descending and climbing so I had to take care. I was quite pleased then to be finished with the jetties as I made my way under the pipelines carrying the fuel to the refinery. I took a photo of Pembroke Dock, some way up-river shrouded in mist and rain like everything else. Then I started to ascend again, walking up towards the fields above the treeline.

Just when I thought it was safe and I was out of the soggy path I ended up in the mire!! 

I laughed it off. 

"Oh well, never mind", I thought, "I'll soon be walking on a nice grassy field"

Well, you know what thought did? 

It found me some cattle!! 

Thanks to the rain the sloping field that they were grazing was a more a sloping lake. They had obviously trampled around quite a bit and churned the ground up quite badly all over the field. They ignored me and I ignored them from behind my umbrella!! All I had to do was exit the field and find my next prehistoric fortification. Both proved difficult. This was the gate I had just come through and the fortification was through another, equally muddy, gateway to my right! I decided the fortification could go un-bagged!!

I made my way down the muddy lane to Rhoscrowther church with the view of the refinery burning off excess gas!!

Blot on the Landscape springs to mind. 

I guess this is the price we pay for our modern conveniences!!

The next bit of my walk I decided to keep to the road and not dice with mud-baths on the coastal path. As I was walking southwards up onto the ridge again the wind, such as it was, was full in my face and the rain was battering me. 

At the top of the ridge I headed eastwards along a very minor road. The road undulated and became a typical quiet Pembrokeshire lane with high banks topped with hedging and surrounded by woodland each time it dipped down towards sea-level. 

The wild flowers were stunning and I saw my first wild orchid of the year.

Each time I crested the ridges I was rewarded with panoramic views. 

I even saw the P&O ferry as she made her way up haven to Pembroke Dock. 

Bet it wasn't much of a pleasure cruise yesterday!!

I didn't stop for anything to eat for a couple of reasons; firstly it was raining so nowhere dry to to sit (or even stand), secondly, with all the waterproof coverings, umbrella etc to cope with it was just too much trouble to unpack my sandwiches!!

Before I knew it I had passed Monkton Priory and was making my way towards Pembroke Castle. 

This spectacular and forbidding castle was the home of the earls of Pembroke for over 300 years and the birthplace of Henry VII, the first Tudor king. 

Most of the present buildings date from the 13th century. The oldest part of the complex is the looming keep, dating to 1204. Next to the keep is the Dungeon Tower, where you can peer into a dank, dark prison cell. 

Nearby, with access through the Northern Hall, are steps to Wogan Cavern, a large natural cave that was partially walled in by the Normans and probably used as a store and boathouse. 

According to research carried out in 2022 the cave was occupied by residents as far back as the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Periods

In the room in which he is believed to have been born, in 1457, a tableau commemorates Henry Tudor (Harri Tudur), who defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 to become Henry VII.

You can support me and my two charities by clicking on the link below which will take you to my fundraising page at Give as you Live Donate:

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/margs-pembrokeshire-100-mile-2024

My thanks to everyone who has so generously donated. Your money will be well used by both my charities.

2024 Walking South Pembrokeshire - Day 5

Monday 29th April

Castlemartin to Angle

Wow! What a busy day I've had!! Last night we took one look at the weather forecast and knew that today was going to be interesting to say the least. Wind and rain were on the cards and boy! did they turn up!!

Although we set off from Castlemartin towards Freshwater West it soon became apparent that the wind was far stronger than we thought. We had set off fairly early to do as much of the walk as I could before the rain started. I abandoned the first part of the walk as it was only on the rather boring road; I had to be in Pembroke Dock for 11am so time was limited. 

So busy was I re-planning the day's walk that I forgot to get Denise to stop the car so I could take photos at Freshwater West Memorial, this one is a stock photo. The memorial cross, situated on the north western headland overlooking Freshwater West Bay, commemorates the sinking of LCG 15 and LCG 16 a pair of ‘Landing Craft, Gun’, swamped and sunk in a severe storm en route from the H&W Yard, Belfast to Falmouth. The tragedy took place on the night of 25/26th April 1943 with the loss of 85 lives. Most of the victims were from the LCG’s but also included 6 crew from the fisheries protection vessel, HMS Rosemary, who attempted a rescue using their ship’s lifeboat.  

I decided to try and "Bag" the first 2 forts on my list, the 1st at West Pickard Bay, the 2nd at Whitedole Bay near Sheep Island. As the wind was blowing at around a Force 8 and gusting to Force 9 I decided that it would be a tad unwise to attempt the Coastal Path so the plan was for Denise to drop me off on the road leading to Angle. There were a few points where I hoped, looking at the map, I would be able to get to or near the prehistoric sites. The first stop looked quite promising. The Photo shows how the wind was whipping my backpack cover to one side. I waved Denise goodbye and headed south across the headland towards the coastal path. The wind was very strong and a little gusty which made progress a bit stilted, however, at least it wasn't raining, more a heavy mist. 

I came to a gate and, looking across the fields, could see two 'lumps' which could have been the remains of the camp - the red arrow points at them!! I also saw a sizeable herd of cattle!! I'm not keen on cattle - too inquisitive, too big & unpredictable!! So, not that. approach. 

I skirted round to the left down another track but sadly that ended up in a ploughed field edged by a barbed-wire fence and thick, thorny hedge.

I clambered up a grassy mound and took a photo and nearly got blown over for my pains! One fort "bagged" - well, sort of!

So back to the road and onward to point two where I thought I might be able to access the 2nd fort. On the way I came across a fox heading towards me. I saw him before he saw me so I stopped as he trotted happily towards me. Just as I was about to take a photo a car drove past me and frightened the fox away. 

Sadly the track, when I came to it, was horribly overgrown. 

I attempted to negotiate it but had to abandon and return to the road passing several old carcasses, probably of lambs, which might have been the reason the bold fox was on the prowl. 

So, no "Bag" number 2.

Once on the road I was then heading for the 3rd and last means of reaching the sites. This time it included the East Blockhouse, constructed on Henry VIII's orders to protect the entrance to the haven. It is the earliest military site around the haven but is sadly falling into the sea with coastal erosion.

Imagine my surprise (& fear!) when, carrying on up the road I came across a small herd of young cattle. They had obviously got out of their field several miles back because I had been avoiding their fresh poo splatters all the way! I think they were even more upset than I as I gently followed them up the road towards East Blockhouse. 

When we got to the end of the road it was a dead-end for them because of a cattle grid. Fortunately there was enough room for me to squeeze gently past them as they skipped off back the way they'd come.

Sadly I was never going to reach the East Blockhouse. I was now on the highest part of the headland ridge and the wind was now definitely getting worse, probably around Force 9. I would have had to head into the teeth of the storm and I didn't feel safe enough to do that. Instead, I cut my losses and headed down the footpath to West Angle Bay where Denise was waiting for me.

We now had to head for Pembroke Dock by car as I was due to meet fellow veterans at the VC Gallery for Naafi Break at 1100hrs!! 

Wow! What a reception we got. Steph, the manager, was there to greet us with a very warm welcome. We met so many wonderful people and spent far longer there than we should have. I met people who had known my family, folk from 22LtAD Regt, RA where I had been Assistant Adjutant (many years previously), the grandson of the lady who made or altered most of my clothes (I was a very tall, very skinny kid!!), a member of my late aunts school choir and all the volunteers and staff who make the place the VC Gallery the vibrant, positive place that it is. 

Steph gave us a guided tour of the facility which offers so much to veterans and the community in general. My hat off to Barry John, MBE, an ex-RRW veteran who used his Army severance pay to fund the first of these wonderful places. The charity now runs two centres, both in Pembrokeshire and, as one of the volunteers said, "If only these could be rolled out throughout Wales, what a difference they would make" I wholeheartedly agree. 

I was fortunate enough to meet up with Colonel James Phillips, The Veterans' Commissioner for Wales. It was great to find out how things are being done for veterans here in Wales. James is really easy to talk to, we had a good chat and it was lovely of him to give of his time to meet up with little old me. (Photos to follow as neither Denise,  myself or James took any!)

I gobbled up a plateful (or two) of the delicious buffet the VC Gallery had put on (they admitted it was left over from a function this weekend!!) The KFC-style chicken and pasta salad hit the spot! But. . . . . . I still had a walk to complete. Denise, bless her, drove me back to West Angle Bay again to restart where I'd left off.

Somewhere on that headland is East Blockhouse

If anything the weather had got worse. It was still blowing about Force 9 but now the rain was also lashing down. I headed out of the car park along the Coastal Path. Denise drove to the other end of the village to await my arrival as I walked the peninsula. I got as close as I could to Thorn Island Fort, a the wind and rain battering me. The Thorn Island Battery was built during 1852-4 to provide the first forward defence for the Haven waterway, coupled with West Blockhouse, Dale and Stack Rock forts. 

I was stopped on my way to Thorn Island, not only by the wind on the exposed pathway but, by the massive muddy bog that 'blocked' my way!! Turning back was the only solution. 

I had to continue back along the road and turn left up to the ridge towards Chapel Bay Fort. 

Chapel Bay, one of a series of forts built as part of the inner line of defence of the Haven following the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, it is a Grade II Listed Building and is also known as Chapel Bay Battery. Construction began in 1890, and was completed in 1891. The battery was the first fortification in the area to be built of mass concrete. It could accommodate 91 men, and had a mess room and sick bay facilities. Its initial armament was three ten inch rifled muzzle-loading guns. There were twelve forts constructed to protect the Haven and Royal Dockyards. 

I was fortunately blown up the road to the Fort and was so relieved to have got there that I forgot to take a photo till I was past it!

The remaining walk was just on the leeward side of the ridge so was a little easier. it was, however, through woodland and I was a bit concerned that the storm might bring down some debris. so, I joggled a bit, just to get out from under the hazard!! 

I should have had interesting views of the haven but it kept disappearing in the rain!! 

I passed the Lifeboat Station and was able to see Stack Rock Fort in the middle of the Haven and the jetties of South Hook Gas Terminal and Valero Oil Refinery. 

It was then a quick dash over the brow of the hill, back into the wind and rain. From Café Mor at the Pointhouse it was another soggy joggle along the shingle track back towards the village. 

Before my walk was done I had one more fortification to "Bag". Angle Tower was constructed in the 14th century by the Shirburn family. With 3 foot thick walls, a drawbridge and a moat, it had enough fortification for the family to feel a moderate sense of safety if threatened, particularly by seaborne raiders. It is thought to be the only Peel (Pele) Tower in Wales.

Time to strip off my wet outer garments and get back in the car for our journey back to our accommodation. Poor Denise, she complained that she had a square bottom for all the sitting around she had to do today!!

I've no idea how far I've walked today - my App went bonkers!! According to it I've completed 11.45 miles but it did something weird so I'm not sure. I think the 9.7mph must have been when I apparently zoomed across the haven!!

Another day done. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little less hectic & traumatic. I'm being interviewed again by Richard Hatch on BFBS Afternoon tomorrow at around 1.30pm (Tuesday)

If you would like to sponsor me and my two amazing charities please follow the link: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/margs-pembrokeshire-100-mile-2024