We heard a lot about how difficult the terrain was on the next leg, reports describing it as 'tough and difficult'. After due consideration, including looking at the weather forecast with a possibility of rain, we decided to reverse the direction of travel for one day and to take the Pocket Rocket bus to Poppet Sands and walk back to Newport. It meant we could camp for two night's in the same place and just walk with a day pack instead of the full rucksack. The drawback to the plan was it meant a late start, only arriving at the start point at 11.30am.
From the car park at Poppet we had a long and steep climb up the hill to Allt-y-goed farm and campsite where we went through Gate Number One of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a hint that we have almost completed the path, albeit our adventure is longer than that. After clearing the farm, we moved out on to the headland proper where the path is quite exposed at times and close to the cliff edge. There are hidden, half-buried stones on the path and care is sometimes required with foot placement to avoid tripping.
There were some steep ascents and descents to Ceibwr Bay, just below Moylegrove, where there is a wee bridge over the stream which runs down on to the pebble beach. Climbing back out again there are more gullies to come, however, we did not find it as forbidding as it was described. On the whole, terrain and footing was good, offering some lovely walking over grass and heathland.
There is a big climb to go up and round Foel Goch and Foel Fach with more ups and downs before reaching the last corner and the final drop down to Newport Sands. We had been looking forward to an ice cream at the kiosk here but arrived five minutes after it had closed. Walking on tired legs now, we had a last mile or so to the iron bridge to take us over the river and back into Newport. We went back via the village where we bought cold drinks and supplies for the next day or so.
Back in the camp we cleaned up and went to the cafe for fish and chips and lots of liquid to help us to rehydrate. Walking with no rucksack had certainly been easier, but the legs were still tired and we were more than ready to rest.
From the car park at Poppet we had a long and steep climb up the hill to Allt-y-goed farm and campsite where we went through Gate Number One of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, a hint that we have almost completed the path, albeit our adventure is longer than that. After clearing the farm, we moved out on to the headland proper where the path is quite exposed at times and close to the cliff edge. There are hidden, half-buried stones on the path and care is sometimes required with foot placement to avoid tripping.
There were some steep ascents and descents to Ceibwr Bay, just below Moylegrove, where there is a wee bridge over the stream which runs down on to the pebble beach. Climbing back out again there are more gullies to come, however, we did not find it as forbidding as it was described. On the whole, terrain and footing was good, offering some lovely walking over grass and heathland.
There is a big climb to go up and round Foel Goch and Foel Fach with more ups and downs before reaching the last corner and the final drop down to Newport Sands. We had been looking forward to an ice cream at the kiosk here but arrived five minutes after it had closed. Walking on tired legs now, we had a last mile or so to the iron bridge to take us over the river and back into Newport. We went back via the village where we bought cold drinks and supplies for the next day or so.
Back in the camp we cleaned up and went to the cafe for fish and chips and lots of liquid to help us to rehydrate. Walking with no rucksack had certainly been easier, but the legs were still tired and we were more than ready to rest.