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Monday, April 8, 2013

Pembrokeshire, Wales Part III - Stackpole Quay, Barafundle Bay and Mencap Gardens

A number of remote and unspoilt nature spots are in the purview of the National Trust. We visited a number of them. To get to the first, Stackpole Quay, we had to climb a narrow and very steep path up a hill and then down the other steep side. Wifey's parents made it with no sweat. A small and rugged bay greeted us, as well as many limpets and a little blue boat.




About a 30-minute walk beyond Stackpole Quay lay Barafundle Bay. This sandy beach is so remote that there are no roads that lead directly to the beach - the 30-odd-minute walk is the only way to get there. One of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen, thanks in no small part to its distance from easy access which weeds out litterers and hooligans (who are often lazy too) from spoiling the site.


Access to the sandy beach was via a long and steep flight of stairs. We had Wifey's parents waiting at the top of the stairs while we went down to the beach. She then had a brilliant idea. We dug into the sand with our feet, drawing a huge heart with a 'YD' in it, before standing in it and having our picture taken from way up. You can see the result on the bottom right, two pictures up. 

The taxing walk had taken its toll on Wifey's parents, so as they rested at the apartment, Wifey and I had the afternoon exploring other parts of Pembrokeshire. 

We visited the Eight Arch Bridge, located on the other side of the Bosherston Lilly Ponds that we had visited the day before.

Commercial break: this ice-cream rocks! (your tongue and your pocket too...)

We drove to Broadhaven too see its beach, which had a famous rock structure called Church Rock. But as the weather was chilly, windy and drizzling, we spent just about three minutes there.


We also dropped by the Mencap Gardens. This is a huge walled garden with a huge variety of plants (both for sale and for display). It provides valuable work experience and horticultural training for adults and young people with learning disability. Although it was too early in the season to see all the plants in full bloom, we had a thoroughly enjoyable time walking around the garden and admiring the plants that were in bloom there. Most of them were in greenhouses. 






We came home with a lavender plant, which is alive and kickin'!

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