CROESU I GYMRU
Welcome to Wales. Pembrokeshire is on the South West of Wales facing the Atlantic and the Irish sea. The weather is variable, but we had a lovely settled sunny spell on a campsite near St. Davids.
Welcome to Wales. Pembrokeshire is on the South West of Wales facing the Atlantic and the Irish sea. The weather is variable, but we had a lovely settled sunny spell on a campsite near St. Davids.
CAMPING SIGN
This unusual camping sign caught my attention. It is a couple of tent shaped cut outs on a painted plywood board.
This unusual camping sign caught my attention. It is a couple of tent shaped cut outs on a painted plywood board.
HARVEST BOUNTY
These are lots of cornfields in Pembrokeshire and the weather was ideal for the farmers to begin harvesting. I thought these stalks looked better in black and white.
These are lots of cornfields in Pembrokeshire and the weather was ideal for the farmers to begin harvesting. I thought these stalks looked better in black and white.
RED BUOY
Pembrokeshire is defined by the sea and this small fishing boat was the first thing that caught my eye at St. Justinians.
Pembrokeshire is defined by the sea and this small fishing boat was the first thing that caught my eye at St. Justinians.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
Out first activity was an early boat trip on our first full day to see the local sea life and especially the Gannets that nest on a nearby island. On the way out we saw several dolphins and porpoises.
Out first activity was an early boat trip on our first full day to see the local sea life and especially the Gannets that nest on a nearby island. On the way out we saw several dolphins and porpoises.
THAR SHE BLOWS !
Dolphins love riding the bow waves of boats and we had a small family group that played around our boats for about 10 minutes before getting bored.
Dolphins love riding the bow waves of boats and we had a small family group that played around our boats for about 10 minutes before getting bored.
HE'S BEHIND YOU !
Sometimes even the guides can't keep up with the pace of the speeding dolphins !
Sometimes even the guides can't keep up with the pace of the speeding dolphins !
SUPER FISHER
Gannets are superb fish hunters and they plunge down several metres to catch fish. They have a specially formed skull that absorbs the shock of diving into the water. I love their coloured heads.
Gannets are superb fish hunters and they plunge down several metres to catch fish. They have a specially formed skull that absorbs the shock of diving into the water. I love their coloured heads.
SEARCHING
A Northern Gannet. There are three species of gannet. The colony we viewed was on Grassholm Island and there are up to 39,000 breeding pairs on this fairly small rock.
A Northern Gannet. There are three species of gannet. The colony we viewed was on Grassholm Island and there are up to 39,000 breeding pairs on this fairly small rock.
STANDING ROOM ONLY
The roost at Grassholm Island is just full of gannets both on the rock and in the sky above..
The roost at Grassholm Island is just full of gannets both on the rock and in the sky above..
RULING THE ROOST
Gannets nest very close together. Spacing is measured by beak stabbing distance !
Gannets nest very close together. Spacing is measured by beak stabbing distance !
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
This gannet loses a feather in flight. A seabird's plumage has to be kept in waterproof condition.
This gannet loses a feather in flight. A seabird's plumage has to be kept in waterproof condition.
FLIGHT TESTING
A bit of exercise to get those wings ready for flight.
A bit of exercise to get those wings ready for flight.
AIR POWER
Gannets just continuously fly overhead, looking like squadrons of aeroplanes.
Gannets just continuously fly overhead, looking like squadrons of aeroplanes.
SAINT JUSTINIANS
The boat trip (Thousand Island Expeditions) sets off from the beautiful setting of Saint Justinians. Here is the lifeboat station and a general view.
The boat trip (Thousand Island Expeditions) sets off from the beautiful setting of Saint Justinians. Here is the lifeboat station and a general view.
ALWAYS READY
The lifeboat station is a working station and always ready for an emergency. Here, the crews helmets hang on pegs.
The lifeboat station is a working station and always ready for an emergency. Here, the crews helmets hang on pegs.
GIVE IT SOME WELLY
Likewise the Wellington boots are stacked, ready for use.
Likewise the Wellington boots are stacked, ready for use.
GLASS ARTIST
After the boat trip we toured St. Davids and met Steve Robinson who makes beautiful glass artifacts. Here he is in front of one of his works.
His website is :-
http://www.steverobinsonglass.com/
After the boat trip we toured St. Davids and met Steve Robinson who makes beautiful glass artifacts. Here he is in front of one of his works.
His website is :-
http://www.steverobinsonglass.com/
GOAT STREET GALLERY
Here we met Amanda Wright who was finalising a design for the cathedral of St. Davids. This sketch, if approved, will be converted into a tapestry.
Here we met Amanda Wright who was finalising a design for the cathedral of St. Davids. This sketch, if approved, will be converted into a tapestry.
SKETCH DETAIL
Here you can see the intricate design.
Their website is :-
http://www.goatstreetgallery.co.uk/Home.html
Here you can see the intricate design.
Their website is :-
http://www.goatstreetgallery.co.uk/Home.html
LEARN AS YOU GO
This craft shop also allows you to learn the local language !
This craft shop also allows you to learn the local language !
SAINT DAVIDS CATHEDRAL
The presence of the cathedral makes Saint Davids the smallest city in the UK. The cathedral itself is set into a natural valley. Of course, when we arrived there was scaffolding around the main tower. This happens everywhere we seem to go!
The presence of the cathedral makes Saint Davids the smallest city in the UK. The cathedral itself is set into a natural valley. Of course, when we arrived there was scaffolding around the main tower. This happens everywhere we seem to go!
CATHEDRAL INTERIOR
The interior of the cathedral has a beautiful wooden ceiling.
The interior of the cathedral has a beautiful wooden ceiling.
PEACE
A moment of calm in a hectic world and maybe a moment of prayer for peace in a week filled with headlines of violence.
A moment of calm in a hectic world and maybe a moment of prayer for peace in a week filled with headlines of violence.
STRUMBLE HEAD
Another day and a visit to Strumble Head near Fishguard. It is a working lighthouse and so no visitors. However, it is a beautiful headland in sunny weather like this.
Another day and a visit to Strumble Head near Fishguard. It is a working lighthouse and so no visitors. However, it is a beautiful headland in sunny weather like this.
STRUMBLE HEAD
The view inland from Strumble Head. This scenery is very typical of Pembrokeshire.
The view inland from Strumble Head. This scenery is very typical of Pembrokeshire.
UNDER THE SLIPWAY
This shot was taken under the lifeboat station at St. Justinians as we waited for an evening boat trip around Ramsey Island.
This shot was taken under the lifeboat station at St. Justinians as we waited for an evening boat trip around Ramsey Island.
ONE MAN AND HIS DOG
One man and his dog went ..... fishing !
This is the local shepherd on Ramsey Island fishing for his supper as the tide roars in. With a 7 metre tidal range, the water outside Ramsey Sound gets several feet higher than the water in the sound due to a reef. As a result the water pours in at around 7 knots.
One man and his dog went ..... fishing !
This is the local shepherd on Ramsey Island fishing for his supper as the tide roars in. With a 7 metre tidal range, the water outside Ramsey Sound gets several feet higher than the water in the sound due to a reef. As a result the water pours in at around 7 knots.
TIDAL RANGE
Here you can clearly see the difference in sea level between the Irish Sea and Ramsey Sound.
Here you can clearly see the difference in sea level between the Irish Sea and Ramsey Sound.
CONFRONTATION
A gull tries to dislodge a Guillemot from the cliffs in order to steal eggs or chicks.
A gull tries to dislodge a Guillemot from the cliffs in order to steal eggs or chicks.
WINGING IT
Although we didn't land on the island to get close to the puffins, we did see many of these endearing little birds on a nearby tiny island and flying in the bay.
Although we didn't land on the island to get close to the puffins, we did see many of these endearing little birds on a nearby tiny island and flying in the bay.
SITTING PRETTY
A puffin watches another bird landing with some freshly caught sand eels.
A puffin watches another bird landing with some freshly caught sand eels.
EVENING WAKE
The finale of the boat trip was a couple of fast turns in the bay.
The finale of the boat trip was a couple of fast turns in the bay.
STUNNING COAST
A view towards Ramsey Island in the early evening glow.
A view towards Ramsey Island in the early evening glow.
OVER THE GATE
Most local cottages, like this one, have been converted into holiday cottages.
Most local cottages, like this one, have been converted into holiday cottages.
THE FIRST WORLD WIDE WEB
A look back at another time with this local pillar box. In this internet age, the only mail we tend to receive are bills and junk brochures.
A look back at another time with this local pillar box. In this internet age, the only mail we tend to receive are bills and junk brochures.
THE COAST
This little flower is Thrift or Sea Pink and it grows in abundance all around the coast of the UK. For me it just shouts COAST !
This little flower is Thrift or Sea Pink and it grows in abundance all around the coast of the UK. For me it just shouts COAST !
THE PAST
I can tell you that this Neolithic burial chamber is Pentre Ifan (Ivan's Homestead) because I photographed the sign! The capstone is said to reflect the shape of the hills in the background.
I can tell you that this Neolithic burial chamber is Pentre Ifan (Ivan's Homestead) because I photographed the sign! The capstone is said to reflect the shape of the hills in the background.
AT REST
A small fishing boat at rest in the beautiful tiny harbour of Porthgain. The Sloop Inn there does lovely fish and chips !
A small fishing boat at rest in the beautiful tiny harbour of Porthgain. The Sloop Inn there does lovely fish and chips !
PILOT GIG
Pilot Gigs were designed in Cornwall to meet the transatlantic mail boats. Nowadays, they are found worldwide and race at a big event on the Scilly Isles. A crew of six man the oars.
Pilot Gigs were designed in Cornwall to meet the transatlantic mail boats. Nowadays, they are found worldwide and race at a big event on the Scilly Isles. A crew of six man the oars.
THISTLES
Normally associated with Scotland, thistles are found all over the UK. This bunch was found overlooking Porthgain harbour.
Normally associated with Scotland, thistles are found all over the UK. This bunch was found overlooking Porthgain harbour.
JUST BORIS
This is Boris and we fell in love with him. He is a full sized Schnauzer with a beautiful grey coat. He was as good as gold and just sat taking in his surroundings.
This is Boris and we fell in love with him. He is a full sized Schnauzer with a beautiful grey coat. He was as good as gold and just sat taking in his surroundings.
STACKPOLE
On the south coast of Pembrokeshire is Stackpole owned by the National Trust. Here there are some nice lakes, a beach and a headland.
On the south coast of Pembrokeshire is Stackpole owned by the National Trust. Here there are some nice lakes, a beach and a headland.
STACKPOLE BEACH
The beautiful beach at Stackpole is in a small bay between sea stacks and cliffs.
The beautiful beach at Stackpole is in a small bay between sea stacks and cliffs.
MINIATURE CLIFFS
These "cliffs" are only about 18" high but look like their full sized cousins.
These "cliffs" are only about 18" high but look like their full sized cousins.
REFLECTED BEAUTY
The simple beauty of a swan reflected in the calm water of a lake at Stackpole.
The simple beauty of a swan reflected in the calm water of a lake at Stackpole.
A BRIDGE TOO FAR ?
I was beginning to run out of steam by the time I reached this bridge on the way back to the car park.
I was beginning to run out of steam by the time I reached this bridge on the way back to the car park.
BUZZARD
I am afraid that I can take no credit for this one. We had spotted a buzzard earlier but couldn't stop. Later we saw this one (probably the same one) on the main road but only visible from the passenger side. So this lovely shot was taken by Linda, albeit using my camera !
I am afraid that I can take no credit for this one. We had spotted a buzzard earlier but couldn't stop. Later we saw this one (probably the same one) on the main road but only visible from the passenger side. So this lovely shot was taken by Linda, albeit using my camera !