Taking the path directly behind the Clock House we left our safe haven at 2:45pm. This led us to the Marloes Sands road and we then decided to take the path to the beach.
W-O-W, this was probably one of the finest beaches in the Country!
The sand was white and the sea as clear as the Carribean - it really was an idyllic setting. The sedimentary rock formations in the cliff face overlooking the beach were amazing.
The Duke wanted to cross the rocks to climb Gateholm Island, but the sea was definitely coming in and we were unsure of the tide times (....that old chestnut!). We settled for a brief visit to the neighbouring Albion Sands (named after the paddle steamer that sank here in 1837 - we saw some remains of the steamer protruding from the beach).
We then needed to back track into Marloes Sands before making the steep climb to join the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. As we walked along the cliff-top Skokholm and Skomer Islands both came into view. Further in the distance Grassholm Island was clearly visible.
At the summit of Deer Park we made a donation to the volunteers of the National Coastwatch Institute who now run the former Coastguard Hut that looks out over Wooltack Point to Skomer. We could now see Ramsey Island and The Bitches far in the distance across St. Brides Bay.
The path now took us through the remains of some ramparts and down the hill to Martins Haven, the embarkation point for Skomer. Just before the pebbled beach the path climbs steeply back up to the headland and heads north-east towards West Hook Farm.
This section of the path had not been as visually dramatic as the first coastal section before the former coastguard hut, but the views soon improved when Musselwick Bay came into sight. Sweeping around the corner directly on top of the cove we left the coastal path at a finger post pointing to Marloes.
Turning left at the end of this path we approached the outskirts of the village by road. We covered the nine miles in three hours before popping into the Lobster Pot for an aperitif or two. The landlord soon gave Wandering a rollicking for removing the menu from his restaurant! But 'entente cordiale' was soon restored when they discovered that both of them had played club cricket! After the earlier incident with the menu the landlord was very non-committal on whether or not we would be able to eat at his establishment later that evening, as he explained that they had been extremely busy over the last few weeks and he could not guarantee that a table would be available!
After a few beers to quench our thirsts it was back to the Clock House for a quick shower and change of clothes.
Ninety minutes later we returned to the Lobster Pot in trepidation to find the place half empty - so much for his predictions on the number of covers the chefs would do that night - to enjoy a pleasant enough meal.
Butterballs won the game of pool, but the music (Razorlight, Jeff Buckley, Killers, Elbow and the Duke's opening choice Lady Gaga!!) was top class.
Another great walking day!
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