Tenby to Manorbier - 2
Posted by Paul Allyn Mon, 20 Mar 2006 15:32:00 GMT
The walk from Tenby to Manorbier was one of the shorter ones – only about 8 1/2 miles (14 Km). Having crossed The Burrows – the wonderful beach south and west from Tenby and up onto the rifle range by Giltar Point, we got our first real look at the cliffs along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from the top. Spectacular! I frequently had a hard time tearing my eyes from it.
We kept coming upon steep cuts down to isolated beaches like this one. For whatever reason, I find these fascinating. Perhaps it’s just looking down on a little beach that is dang near impossible to get to. Perhaps materialism – I see something I can not have and immediately want it. Kind of like looking at a Ferrari in a parking lot – I can see it, admire it’s beauty, and never have or touch it.
Coming around Lydstep Point (map) and looking back this is what we found. It wasn’t nearly as overcast as the photo makes it look. The rock forms and the motion of the waves was mesmerizing! I would take a few steps, stop, look back and repeat (lather, rinse, repeat).
A little bit further on we came upon the famous Church Doors.
The first site of it almost took my breath away. It’s huge! And the square cut corners add to illusion of this being a man made object. Walking around to the other side, there are a set – a large set – of steps down to the beach so you can have a good close look.
Kathy always feel brave when she tackles something that is steep and rickety (notice how she is hanging on to both hand rails. I love going across suspension bridges built for walkers with her. Without much effort you can get them in motion. I pay for it later though). There were a few places on the way down that looked more rickety than others. The climb down and trudge back up again are worth the effort.
At low tide, you can go through the Church Doors to the beach on the other side. For you dirt bound folks like myself, you had better pay close attention to the tide! If you don’t understand tides and don’t pay attention, you will spend many uncomfortable hours on the rocks before the tide goes out again and passage through the Church Doors is possible again.
After the Church Doors, we had to do some road walking to get past another one of those military danger areas. Not unpleasant, but not inspiring like the walks along the cliffs. We eventually got back to the cliff tops and rounded the Priest’s Nose and were startled to see a bay full of surfers.
Being from the U.S., I come with my own set of prejudices that include, “people surf in California and Hawaii.” HOly SMokes, there they were, about 15 surfers in wet suits. Very cool. Kathy took off her boots for a quick wade in the bay – she reports the water being very cold. From there is was a short walk up into town We spent the night at Honeyhill B&B. Very nice. Designed for a family on beach holiday. Our “room” had two bed rooms, a kitchen and private entrance.
God give you joy
Fr. Paul
