Log No 218. Sat 18th Jan 2014 - Fishguard to Trefin, 17 miles (3349 miles walked)

As forecast I set off in the rain at 08.40, with 17 miles to do to Trefin and the bus back at 17.15 I should have plenty of time.

I'm really enjoying this coastline, even with the rain there is always something of interest to see, not like walking on the road in the rain when it is a case of head down and fast forward.

Strange noises drew my attention and looking over the sheer drop of the cliff edge I saw half a dozen seals. I could probably have tossed a stone right onto them.

A stone on the cliff top at Carregwastad Point had the inscription: "1897 Memorial Stone to the landing of the French, February 22nd 1797".

The rain cleared up here and I had an hour walking in the dry before it started again.

After rounding Strumble Head the path became more rugged and rocky, I felt like I was back in the Scottish hills.

I just noticed today that all the stiles on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path have a small copper plate with an I.D number, the first I saw was number 111 and the last one I looked at was 138.

Some of the cliffs today were very high, after coming round the Youth Hostel at Pwll Deri, near Trefasser, the path went up a ridge as high as 140m, there was a handy bench with a good view and the rain conveniently stopped long enough for me to finish my lunch here.

I had to drop down to sea level at Aber Bach to cross a stream, only it was more of a raging torrent after all the rain of late.

There should have been stepping stones for me to get across but the water was flowing to high and fast and had covered a lot of them. I didn't want to wade through as my gaiters and waterproof trouser wouldn't have been able to keep my shoes and feet dry.

Faced with a 2km detour I decided to try and throw enough large stones in to enable me to cross. While I was doing this a chap had seen me walk by and came down to see me "Are you trying to walk across?" he said, "it was ok yesterday".

He, Richard, offered to go to his house and lend me his "gum boots" so I took him up on it and managed to cross where the tide was without getting wet. I threw his boots back across to him, unfortunately one fell just short and got wet, luckily it was just at the edge and didn't get swept away.

It was plain sailing again after that though I slowed down so I wouldn't have too long to wait for the bus.

Abercastle was the only settlement right on the coast that I passed today, Trefin was inland a bit and was the nearest bus stop I could get to.

I arrived at 16.30 after a very enjoyable day.

No buses tomorrow so it is a day off.