Aberystwyth Archives - Sandals N Socks

Wonderful Wales: Aberaeron

willis — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 06:51:10 +0000

Following 2 consecutive hottest days of the year, (in the UK that’s around 34C), today’s forecast was for some cooler temperatures and promised to be cloudy, so it seemed an ideal day to do a longer section of the coast path, the route South from Aberystwyth to Aberaeron. The coastal path is a great way to do some exploring, it was created some years ago and runs around the entire coast of Wales, with easy to find information on each section.

Things to watch out for

At around 15 miles and classified as moderate to difficult this section wasn’t going to be easy. ‘So why do it?’ I hear you ask, well the sense of peace and tranquillity you get while experiencing some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere is well worth a little effort.

The first hill

As always the path starts with a hill, this one quite severe, but just take your time and it’s soon over with, and while you’re resting you can take in the views. For the first 10 miles there’s little that’s unusual about the route, spectacular cliffs inhabited by a myriad of seabirds, open farmland and cooling forested areas become the norm, but as you reach the crest of the latest hill or round the bend of yet another bay the scenery changes, but always outstanding. At around the 10 mile mark you arrive at llanrhystud where you can call it a day if you want, with the path going up to the main road where you can catch a bus back to Aberystwyth.

I decided to carry on to Aberaeron, another 6-7 miles.

I think this bridge needs work: Luckily there was a new one!

Continuing on brings you to Doluarth with its church and collection of houses, when I was nearing the village the path was a little confusing, there were ropes stretched across the path blocking my way, but with help from another couple, who were walking the same path, we decided to just head straight for the church, ignoring the ropes, this turned out to be the right path.

The path is fairly flat for quite a distance, running right along the beach, with some bits actually being on the beach, and you’ll see ahead of you the next hill, looming like a goliath in the distance, but don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it looks! Luckily this is the last major hill, and once at the top it’s either flat or downhill all the way to Aberaeron.

My plan of doing this section on a cooler day was flawed on so many levels, it turned out to be the latest hottest day of the year (34C+) and not as cloudy as predicted with little or no cooling breeze. So when I arrived in Aberaeron and the first thing I saw was an ice cream shop I thought I was in heaven, and after eating a generous portion of their vanilla I was convinced that that was where I was.

Aberaeron

Aberaeron is a quaint seaside town with a small tidal harbour, a mostly stony beach and is known for its brightly coloured houses. The whole town has an artisan feel about it, even in the local ‘supermarket’ you’ll find homemade cakes, breads and preserves. There are numerous shops selling locally produced goods, handmade this and that and a range of locally produced foodstuffs.

The town has a very laid-back feel, and on a sunny day nothing is better than just wandering around, ice cream in hand, soaking up the atmosphere, but on inclement days sitting in a pub or cafe chatting with locals and visitors alike is equally as relaxing.

I was lucky enough to walk up to the bus stop just as the Aberystwyth bus arrived, so I was soon sitting in the old railway station pub back in Aberystwyth having a well deserved cool beer.

To get back to Borth it’s a short bus or train ride, both services are regular so there was no rush to finish the beer …. Well except to get another!

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Wonderful Wales: Pembrokeshire

willis — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 06:50:50 +0000

Pembrokeshire:

Pembrokeshire is a county in the South West of Wales, and was the first Welsh county to create a coastal national trail. The trail stretches for 186 miles (299 km) from St Dogmaels to Amroth and now forms part of the larger Wales coastal path.

As a bit of a taster I decided to do a short section of the path from Broad Haven to Newgale, at just 7 miles it shouldn’t be too challenging.

Nolton sunset

I parked up in a little campsite in Nolton, not much there but a little walk takes you to Nolton Haven, a stunning little beach overlooked by a pub, so evenings sorted.

I started the walk in Broad Haven, a slightly larger town with a couple of pubs, cafe’s and shops and a great sandy beach. As always the start involved a hill that was soon over and rewards you with a great view.

So what are we hoping for on our coastal walks? Great views, a well signed proper path and a destination worth getting to: well this little section of the route ticks all those boxes with hidden coves and quaint seaside towns breaking up the cliff path.

Nolton Haven

Our destination: Newgale, is a long sandy beach with a great pub, a couple of cafes and a little shop, it’s ideal for all manner of water sports with seasonal lifeguards, and there’s even a campsite! Regular bus services mean you can explore from here, or you’ll find it easy to get back to wherever you’re staying.

Newgale beach

Another 7 miles North along the path takes you to St David’s, the smallest city in the UK, but small doesn’t mean quiet. As with most of the Pembrokeshire coast, St David’s is a mecca for all manner of water sports and therefore an eclectic mix of people.

Things to see in St David’s include the Cathedral and the ruins of the medieval Bishops Palace which has been the destination of pilgrimages for centuries, the lifeboat station which brings home the link between the area and the sea, and Whitesands bay is one of the best beaches in the area.

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Wonderful Wales: Aberystwyth

willis — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 07:22:35 +0000

Isn’t it strange how we seek out travel blogs written about far away ‘exotic’ places, and often forget about where we actually live, just think; we could be living in someone else’s exotic destination. With that in mind I thought I’d do some pieces about my home, namely Wales.

This first episode looks at the area around Aberystwyth, a university town on the coast of mid-west Wales. Base of operations was the seaside town of Borth, around 6 miles North of Aberystwyth, and home to a 4 mile stretch of beach, ranging from stony at the town end to pure golden sand dunes at the other, and it goes without saying spectacular views, well it is Wales after all.

A great way to do some exploring is to walk sections of the Wales coastal path. Created some years ago the path runs around the entire coast of Wales, with easy to find information on each section. Starting from Borth I set off for Aberystwyth, at just 5 miles it promised to be a nice morning stroll.

Welsh Coast Aberystwyth

As with most sections of the path you start with an uphill climb, not too severe but it does get the blood pumping, after about 20 minutes you’ll come to a nice little stony beach where you can have a little rest, more about this later.

The path is up and down for the next couple of miles, until you arrive at Clarach, but remember to take the time to stop and take in the views, I was lucky enough to see a Dolphin playing just off the coast, something about watching as it jumped out of the water, sometimes turning and landing on its back, made my heart sing, for around 10 minutes it just splashed around and I could only imagine it was shouting ‘yippee’ as it played in the sun. It was gone all too soon and I was back to the walk.

Aberystwyth pier

After a very welcome ice cream break in Clarach it was over just one more hill to Aberystwyth. It’s a fairly big town, with a grand promenade, not as long as Llandudno’s, but equally as impressive. There are places to eat on the promenade, but if you venture into the town you’ll find a whole host of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Once I was fed and watered I decided to do the walk in reverse, back to Borth, so off I set.

How can it be that walking one way can be more difficult than the other, for some reason the hills I’d just come down seemed far steeper going back up, I found out afterwards that one in particular was nicknamed ‘heart attack hill’ so by the time I got back to the little stony beach I was ready for a cooling swim, if you’re passing this way and fancy a swim take a little walk along the stones towards Borth and there’s a nice sandy bit.

Our private swimming area: The stony beach

So what to do once you’re back in Borth? Well there’s a couple of pubs, the Victoria and the Railway are the best. The Victoria has a patio right on the beach, a better place to watch the sun go down you’ll be hard pressed to find, even equalling sitting in a shack on the beach in Goa! mix that with fine ales and good food and you’re set for the evening. Personally I enjoy a good Indian after a hard days walking and Borth just happens to have one, so happy days.

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