Coastwalk , Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Shrinkle Haven → Amroth

Distance: 12.3 miles
Ascent: 724 metres
Duration: 4 hours 31 minutes

The end in sight
« Bosherston | Pendine »

Ahead of me this morning, the remaining section and a half of the National Trail. Public transport links looked terrible, but the distance looked achievable. Could I, by the end of the day, reach Amroth and complete my first long-distance path?

Of course I could.

The shape of the path from Manorbier to Penally was familiar, before dropping down to the long (and tiring) beach south of Tenby. The town was beautiful but I was keen to keep moving and besides, Saundersfoot seemed to be just around the headland.

Once again my optimistic map-reading skills had neglected the contours between the two towns but the views were pleasant and the breeze welcoming. From Saundersfoot to Wiseman's Bridge the coast path was closed so I had to take the treacherous road past Peggy James Wood. This fact meant that I was done with footpaths; from here to the National Park border a mile east of Amroth was all on the roads.

And so I completed the Trail. An anticlimax if anything: a carefully balanced camera provided the obligitory self-portrait with the Trail sign, then a slow trudge back to Amroth village for a bus into Tenby then another to Manorbier.

Staying at Manorbier has been fun. The YHA itself is an old army building, previously part of the camp just to the south. That camp is still active and no matter how much I dislike the thought of army activity, it was entertaining watching the drone aircraft buzz up, followed by the booms that characterised target practice.

Tonight I'm off back home. I considered continuing, but I think something within me gave up when I reached the 100 mile marker (I've walked 102.2 miles these ten days). Time to put my feet up.