Day 11 - Newgale - St David's

Time Departed: 9.10am

Time Arrived: 3.20pm

Distance: 18.6kms 

Cumulative Distance: 176kms

Percentage Completed: 60%

Ascents and Descents: 561m

Cumulative Ascents and Descents: 4165m

Weather: Sunny and warm - max 19

Accommodation: Y Glennydd Hotel

Feelings: Neil - Fine, Henk - Good , John - Good, Di - Good 

We had a lovely day's walk with sunny skies and wonderful views. Our host, Paul along with his two energetic dogs took us on a circuitous route through meadows which led us into Newgale.  

This was to avoid the busy minor road which was a good thing. Unfortunately, it added 1.5kms to the day's walk. We were consequently late in meeting Ron who was was patiently waiting outside the Duke of Edinburgh Inn. Ron had caught the bus from St David's to Newgale. 

We had a very steep climb from Newgale to get onto the top of the cliffs. We had good views over the Newgale beach. 

The sea was very calm and the water was clear. It was a perfect day for walking. Unlike other days we saw many walkers making the most of the sunny weather. After our first steep climb the path quickly descended to a small, deep valley and climbed and descended with some more steep cliffs before we reached our lunch destination of Solva.

Solva was a complete surprise and is described as the prettiest village on the coast path. We had lovely views from the path over the harbour and to its colourful painted houses. We had lunch sitting in the sun outside the pub, Harbour Inn, in Lower Solva. We had good views over the boats. 

We had a steep climb from the harbour back up onto the cliffs again and once up there was the usual steep ascents and descents until we got to Trelerw which was about three kilometres from St David's and then it was mostly easy walking. We took countless photos of the coastline as it looked magnificent in the sun.

We went straight to our B&B to drop our packs. Neil, Henk and I were keen to make the most of the early arrival and visit St David's Cathedral. As we were about to leave our hotel Mylo and Clifford met us in the reception. It was lovely to see them again. We all headed down to the cathedral together. They took two days to drive from Guiseley in Yorkshire to St David's. 

St David's is the smallest city in Britain and only qualifies for this because of its wonderful cathedral which sits low in a valley of the small town. It was established in the twelfth century. 

The high ceiling of the cathedral is impressive. 

We met at the Farmers Inn at six thirty for dinner and the seven of us had a good time catching up. When we walked back to our B&Bs the sunset was looking spectacular. 

Tomorrow is going to be a challenge being 25kms which will be the longest of our walk so far and there is going to be many steep ascents. We have organised a 7.15am breakfast so we can have an early start. Ron, Mylo and Clifford are organising an alternate route and we will meet them again tomorrow evening at the Farmers Inn.