Across the bay we could see some of the buildings of the first of the oil refineries we would pass, Pemroke Refinery, currently owned by an American company out of Texas, Valero. Walking along the bottom of the bay, on our right were the remains of Angle Castle. Built in the 14th C, the castle is actually a 4-story tower house, that was originally entered via a drawbridge connected to the first floor. It is one of possibly only two such towers in Wales, the style of the building more popular in my own homeland of Scotland. Shortly after the castle we pass in to what was to be the first of a number of lovely woodland walks that we enjoyed on this stretch. After we broke from the woods we walked a long section with a very smiley dog walker who was happy to chat and pass the time of day as we walked. `obviously having some family troubles at the time, his sage advice to us was to 'cut people oout of your life and you will be happier'.
The path we were on now had hedgerow either side of us. In the verges there were swathes of wild flowers with butterflies flitting about from bloom to bloom and sunning themselves on the ferns. On the fields to our right a skylark took to the heights to regale us with song and Peewits provided an aerial display. It would be easy to only see the industrial structures here, but for me the land and seascape are big enough to subsume the industrial structures and not lose any of its beauty or character. I would not have wanted to miss out on this section of the walk.
Some of the countryside as we moved across the farmland was just beautiful, little standing pools of still water, the sun sparkling on the surface, shining in the dappled shade. From Pwllcrochan up to the road at Goldborough the path rose gradually until we reached the highest point of the day at sixty metres just before the village of Hundleton. It offered lovely views out across the Haven and the river. With a fairly cloudless sky and brilliant light you could see for miles in every direction.
Our saviour was the Middlegate Hotel on the High Street where we met the wonderful Pete, owner, 'concierge', chef and general factotum. Pete's Mum had died that day yet he was trying to keep himself busy in the hotel. When we heard of his circumstances we turned to leave but he was insistent we should stay and eat and keep his mind off other things. In no time at all he had rustled us up egg, sausage, chips and beans (him), baked tattie and salad (her).
Pete sat and chatted with us and told us a little about himself and the struggle to keep the hotel going. When Pete heard where we were camping for the night, which was a distance out of town and up a very steep hill, as he was going to close the hotel for the day he insisted on giving us a lift to the campsite. He is one of life's troopers, happy to go to any lengths to help someone even in his own time of need. His kindness is emblematic of our experiences as we have walked the coast of Great Britain. Thank you, Pete, we hope things worked out for your and the family.