Bendy Day 14 - Fishguard to Newport

20.16 Km in 5:56

Penultimate day

Yesterday's walk took it's toll on Twitchy and I; we are both sore and were not fully ready for today. My boots hadn't dried well last night so started with damp feet. We headed off close to 0930 (just Twitchy and me  for what we estimated to be about 18Km (under estimated again).

The day started with a number of steep, long hills but flattened off once on the top of the cliffs.  It was a day of numerous ventures into and then out of small coves each of which had steep sides to get into and out of them. Some of the coves had sandy beaches and some had pebbles (these are a pain to walk across and there were people swimming at pebble beaches - nutters).

Old fort at Fishguard

We met a German girl (probably in her early 30s) who has taken 3 months off work and is walking in the UK; to date she had completed 900Km in 11 weeks. She easily out walked us and disappeared into the distance (we nicknamed her the wonder woman).

We stopped at 'The Old Sailor' pub (in the hamlet of Pwllgwaelod) for a quick refreshment and a break.  On the way down into the cove the old sailor (me) slipped on the mud (not looking at where he was putting his feet) and landed flat his bum; no injury.  It was the first fall I have had in years of walking and luckily just my pride was damaged (I'll get over it). The time of the fall was close to 1200 so it could be said "On the way to The Old Sailor the old sailor fell on his bum at 8 bells of the forenoon watch" (sorry it's a Navy thing and I couldn't help myself).

The Old Sailor pub

The break at the pub was planned in order to get us ready for the ascent of Dinas Head; a daunting 142m climb. The view from the top is amazing. We were surprised to see 'wonder woman' there. The walk to Newport was still going to be another 4 to 4.5 hours. The descent of Dinas Head took us into the lovely little village of Fforest, (no I am not stuttering).

Ruin of church at Fforest

Eventually we came down into Parrog - we were nearly there. The final couple of Km are quite beautiful through a tree lined coastal path.  Turning back into the town from the bridge we were at the hotel (the Golden Lion) close to 1600. This is a great pub (rooms a bit small to explode luggage). We had a great dinner in the pub.

Coming into Newport

Tomorrow is the last day and apparently it is a testing day😤 

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