A special postbox!

Well, while we were there we had to visit this splendid postbox - well the wall around it actually. The wall an extensive patch of Rocella phycopsis, not a common lichen and lovely to see. The post box itself is out of use as bees nest in it! 

Grey Seals

It has been really good to see so many seals and pups whilst out walking the coastal path. These are photos from our St Justinian walk. All photos taken on maximum zoom and from high on the cliff top. 

St Justinian to Porthlysgy Bay and then Porthselau

 A figure of eight walk today. We parked at the free carpark at St Justinian before heading back round the coast to Porthlysgi Bay. Super scenery and lots of Grey Seal pups - lovely to watch them playing in the swell. From Porthlysgi Bay we headed inland towards Treginnis Lodge and from there along a new footpath - for us: a nice old lane along the edge of Pwll Trefeiddan. I've been impressed with the general upkeep of the footpaths in general, and this one was no exception, having been recenty strimmed. It could though be a tad damp underfoot in the winter, as it is so close to the water's edge. From there we rejoined the St Justinian road, but Rocky had other ideas and made it very apparent that he wanted to go down the path to Porthselau. Looking at the incoming area of grey over the sea, we decided to risk it, arriving back at the car just as it began to rain. Rain that continued for most of the late afternoon and evening. 

Setting off from St Justinian.

Spectacular caves.

Looking across to Ramsey Island. 

..and back towards St Justinian.

Spectacular colours...

Seals and seal pups.

Ramsey and the beginning of some sunshine.

Small Copper. 

More blue....

From Porthselau towards Carn Llidi/

from just a little further - Whitesands Bay is now clearly in sight. 

St David's Head in the sun

After a wet morning the weather gods looked favourably upon us ...although a rather rapid return to the car was required, as we could see the incoming squall out at sea. 

Across to Ramsey Isand.

Carn Llidi. 

The headland end...

Looking back to Carn Llidi and Whitesands Bay.

Coetan Arthur Dolmen or Arthur's Quoit: Neolithic burial chamber.

Still a poser! 

Rocky with Carn Llidi. 

 

Solva in the rain

A wet forecast for the morning, so to get out we went for a wander round Solva and up onto the Gribin. Not many photos as it was rather wet! 

From the Gribin out to sea. 

There are plenty of Parasol mushrooms out at the moment...

The Gribin.

Nice lichens...

Pines....

..and cones. 

 

A rusty bit of ship

Those who know me, will be impressed I resisted the temptation to bring this home! Mainly as I had some rather heavy cones in the rucksack  already and we were quite a long way from the car! Anyway, a few very textural and colourful photos ...

St Ann's Head

A good forecast, so off to explore a new area of coast. We parked in Dale, at the entrance to Milford Haven and went in a clockwise direction around the headland. A varied walk, starting off through deep lanes with lush vegetation, then coves, clifftop and beaches. The highlight was the geology though! ..See the photos below...we also had a couple of late summer butterflies, plenty of acrobatic Choughs, a white wagtail and a Devil's Coach Horse Beetle. There was also a lovely rusty piece of ship - but that will be another blog. 

Dale.

Looking back at Dale Fort. 

The lanes full of Hart's Tongue Fern.

Milford Haven oil refinery.

West Blockhouse Point.

One of the small bays.

Lovely to find Greater Knapweed - not something we get much of at home. 

En route to Pembroke Dock.

St Ann's lighthouse. 

Cobbler's Hole - wow! What superb folding! 

A very obvious syncline further along the coast.

Common Blue and Small Copper butterflies. 

The distant white of the Grassholme gannetry.