Coastwalk

Ferryside → Burry Port

Distance: 16.4 miles
Ascent: 227 metres
Duration: 4 hours 47 minutes

A walk of thirds
« Carmarthen | Gowerton »

Like so many coastwalks, this one was dominated by a military presence. The middle section of the coast here is out of bounds - an aerial firing range - and by the time I got to Kidwelly, fighter aircraft were swooping down low to lock onto targets laid out on the sands. The aerial accompaniment continued for much of the morning.

The start of the walk gave no hints about what was to come though. For three miles from Ferryside to the Carmarthen Bay Holiday Centre I walked on the wide sands of the foreshore, a beach almost overwhelmed with small shells. Each step made an unavoidable crunching sound.

The third section was similarly distinctive. South of Kidwelly, a Sustrans route leads into Pembrey Forest, a pine forest growing out of the sand dunes. The shelter was welcome, and the paths easy to follow.

I feel exhausted. I'd intended to walk to Llanelli, but by the time I reached Burry Port I felt I'd completed my day's quota of miles.

In all then, I've walked thirty miles these three days. Some way short of the fifty I'd intended, but I'm relaxed and I'm ready: tomorrow I drive to Greenbelt.