Day 2 - Tenby - Manorbier

Time Departed: 9.00am

Time Arrived: 1.45pm

Distance: 13.8kms

Cumulative Distance: 25.8kms

Ascents and Descents: 356m

Cumulative Ascents and Descents: 720m

Percentage Completed: 8.7%

Weather: Sunny, brisk breeze, max 14

Accommodation: Manorbier B&B, Brynteg B&B

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

After a hearty breakfast we emerged from our B&B to sunshine with St Mary's bells ringing loudly. We were soon descending from the end of the Tenby Esplanade onto South Beach. This beach is long with a distance of about 2.5kms. We had good views looking back towards Tenby. The tide was low again so it was easy walking but there was a brisk breeze coming in from the sea. 

Our walk today was mostly along the edge of high cliffs with stunning views over them to the sea. Some sections of the path were quite steep. 

We spent some time skirting around or walking through Military of Defence firing ranges. We were able to walk through one area as it was not being used for shooting practice. During the morning we frequently heard military artillery guns being fired and the sound was loud and permeated across the cliffs. We saw one being fired from a cliff into the sea. We waited for some time to see another but it didn't occur. We think they might have gone to lunch. The firing continued throughout the afternoon as we continued to walk along the cliff paths. 

After two hours of walking we had a break at Lydstep Haven which had many up-market portable holiday homes overlooking the bay. We found a coffee shop and a picnic table and sat soaking up the sun for about forty-five minutes as we were in no hurry due to the day's short distance. We were surrounded by lovely tubs of tulips and cherry blossoms trees. It does look like Spring even if it is chilly. 

Our path into Manorbier was a pretty one as we descended steeply from a cliff, walked a short way along a beach and took a path into the village. We passed Manorbier Castle and a 12th century church which are both very close to the shoreline.  

We found a tea-house and sat for a considerable time in their back garden enjoying the sun and eating very British sandwiches - Coronation Chicken, Prawns Marie-Rose and Bacon. 

Our tour organiser, Contour, has split us up tonight and Henk and I are staying in one B&B and John and Neil at another, however, the village is very small so we are close by. Our B&B is excellent with views over the castle and sea. 

We left our backpacks at our B&Bs and set off to do some afternoon exploring including a visit to the castle and the church, St James. Manorbier Castle is impressive as well as being privately owned. It has also been frequently used as a set for movies including the "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". 

We met at the local pub, the Castle Inn, at seven o'clock for dinner. I had a delicious plate of local muscles in a cream and garlic sauce. It was a good way to end a lovely day of walking.