After three days with dad and Jean in Herefordshire featuring the Tupsley Coffee Shop, Cafe Miró, a day out to Compton Verney, and a long overdue tour of Abergavenny’s Tithe Barn, Millennium Tapestry and St Mary’s Priory, I took the train to Newport (Gwent) for the regular rendezvous with Dave – this time without Hazel who had to work the weekend (boo hiss).
Rain on our journey to the west set the tone for the weekend weather, which was counterbalanced by fabulous food – starting with a Friday night feast of six curries courtesy of Steffi before we headed over to Newgale for a night in the ‘van.
Saturday: Dave drove us to Newport (Pembs) for the 10.14 bus back to Fishguard (Abergwaun) (in the company of a Bristol walking club as far as Dinas) then a stroll back along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to Newport.
Looking ahead to Dinas Head, in the rain
We walked through all sorts of weather and were underwhelmed by lunch at The Old Sailor’s pub Pwllgwaelod, but at least it gave us an opportunity to dry off – albeit as the sun shone outside – before we set off towards Dinas Head.
Dave and Steffi at the Dinas Head trig point
A muddy final stretch brought us to Newport at low tide, and a wonderfully warm welcome at the Cnapan Restaurant with Rooms where we dined exceedingly well – a stark contrast with our lunchtime experience in every way. Highly recommended.
Back to Newgale for cheese and wine to finish off the last day of British Summer Time for this year.
Sunday: we woke to overcast skies, and strong winds – and so settled for a leisurely morning in the caravan with our foray down to the beach scuppered by the onset of rain. A tour of Aldi was meagre compensation, but Maurice’s Sunday lunch and Carmen’s Banoffee Pie were the day’s natural highlights.
Maurice’s Slap Up Sunday Lunch, Veggie Version
Snoozed for most of the drive back to Newport (sorry Dave!), then a slow journey back to Paddington listening to Neil MacGregor’s Shakespeare’s Restless World.
Another lovely weekend.