Looking in to the face of the cliffs on the eastern edge of Greenala Point caves, stacks and sea-cut rock formations could be clearly seen. On top of Greenala Point there was an Iron Age promontory fort ( 800 BC - AD 43. The cliffs on the south and east provided natural protection to the fort, with the addition of constructed defences to the north.
Many of the cliffs on this section of the Pembroke coast are sites of scientific interest and are owned by the National Trust. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, as well as being a national trail is also a designated National Park (1954).
The walking environment on this section was changeable, sometimes on an open path, at others hemmed in by the occasional bit of hedgerow, but always enjoyable. There were wild flowers aplenty (Bluebell, Ragged Robin, Sweet Cicely, Sea Pink) and a number of butterflies on the wing, albeit they never stayed still long enough for us to photograph them. The walking itself was good on a dry, hard-packed earth path with good views all around.
The star of the show was the sea which on that day just seemed immense, stretching endlessly in three directions. From the high ground just after Greenala Point, the route goes steadily downhill to the hamlet of Stackpole Quay. On the way to the Quay we passed people going in to the sea diving and many swimmers and paddleboarders. There is a lovely little National Trust cafe here that does good food and coffee. The National Trust also own and manage much of the local estate and the village of Stackpole We met up again with Martin Howe here, who was busy tucking in to a three-course breakfast. That man has some appetite! Of course, it is powered by a prodigous appetite for exercise and activity. Over the years, Martin has walked all of the British National Trails, as well as done a power of cycling including round the North Sea and the Lands End to John O’ Groats via the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland! Martin records his adventures on his website which the link will take you to.