Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK)

184 (am) Pembrey to Kidwelly

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

This day’s walking turns out to be wonderfully varied – from beach to estuary, from woods to marshy fields, from footpaths to busy roads. But I will start with the morning’s trek along the sands and forest trails of Pembrey Park.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged coast, hiking, photography, travel, walking | 6 Comments

183(pm) Burry Port to Pembrey

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I eat lunch in a local café in Burry Port. It is decorated in funky-bright colours and has loud music playing – designed to attract a young audience. A group of school boys come in and order burgers, but the majority of the clientele are older women (even older than me) and workmen on their lunch breaks, so I don’t feel out-of-place in my walking boots. It’s a friendly atmosphere and good value for money.

Afterwards I walk back to Burry Port. The tide is well and truly out, leaving the boats stranded in mud. You would have to time your fishing trips carefully.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged coast, dunes, marsh, photography, travel | 8 Comments

183(am) Llanelli to Burry Port

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

After catching the train back to Llanelli, I resume my walk at Seaside. The tide is in, and so the little estuary (called The Flats) doesn’t look quite so muddy today. (I love these practical and prosaic names: Seaside and The Flats.)

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged dogs, photography, travel | 2 Comments

182(pm) Llanelli and Seaside

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

After my exciting lunchtime encounter with a dead rabbit and a little weasel, the rest of the walk seems tame. The footpath doubles as a cycle path. I see more cyclists than walkers.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged beach, marsh, photography, travel | 11 Comments

182 (lunch) Pen-clawdd to Llanelli

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I’m sitting on the wall overlooking the mouth of the River Loughor. Across the water is Pen-clawdd. Behind me is a screen of bushes. It’s a private spot. Very peaceful. I relax and tuck into my apple.

When, suddenly, there is a soft slapping sound. A kind of “thumph” sound. Very close. Startled, I look around. Continue reading →

Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged lunch, photography, stoat, weasel, wildlife | 19 Comments

182am Pen-clawdd to Llanelli

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

The sun is shining and Pen-clawdd looks more picturesque than I remembered it.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged hiking, photography, pubs, travel | 12 Comments

181 Llanmadoc to Pen-clawdd

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It feels deliciously decadent to be out walking on a Monday morning, instead of working. I could catch a bus to Llanmadoc, but my B&B landlady offers me a lift instead. Double decadence! She drops me off by the church, from where there is a lovely view across Whiteford Sands and the Loughor estuary.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged hiking, marsh, photography, travel | 9 Comments

180b Broughton Bay and Whiteford Sands

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Not wanting to waste this sunny afternoon, I drive to Llangennith, find a car park, walk through a holiday complex of static caravans, and re-join the coast path at Twlc Point. Now I’m back at Broughton Bay. It’s beautiful – just as beautiful as Rhossili in my opinion – and even more deserted.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged coast, dunes, hiking, photography, travel | 16 Comments

180a Rhossili Beach

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Next day, I’m back at Rhossili Beach. The sun is shining and the air is clear. It’s a perfect day for walking and a perfect day for photography.

Despite its popularity, this beautiful beach is virtually unspoiled by development. It’s only from higher ground that I get a glimpse of caravan roofs at the far end of the sands. Shame.

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Posted in 12 South Wales | Tagged beach, coast, photography, travel | 7 Comments

179 Port-Eynon to Rhossili

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I set off full of energy for the climb up to Port-Eynon Point. I need it – the energy – because the path is steep and leads up along a rough track and through a maze of disused quarry workings. It could have been a harsh landscape, but the path is softened by the glowing beauty of gorse bushes in full bloom.

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