The first walk of the new month was on Wednesday. The mild, pleasant, dry weather brought a strong turnout of 19 walkers to the start in Park Road. Tony Ha, backed by Phil, led the group down the road away from the half-term throng in the town centre. Barbara followed behind leading the small but exclusive short walk.

After passing through The Green and Merlin’s Court, they made their way up Gas Lane, then via The Croft to the North Walk. Arriving at the harbour, they headed into the centre of town and the reliably friendly welcome at No 25 Café.

The cheerful chat flowed steadily until all the news had been exchanged. Everyone enjoyed their social walk and went home in good spirits.

The following day, eight of the Nordic Walkers assembled at the north end of the Cleddau Bridge to catch the 356 bus to Milford Haven. From there, a short walk brought them to Black Bridge, the start of their planned section of the Coast Path.

Led by Paul, and backed by Val, they walked up through the housing estate and onto the busy main road to reach the turn to Venn Farm. After a cold, clear night, there was heavy dew on the long grass. As they wound their way around the perimeter of the Dragon LNG plant, they were rewarded with a succession of captivating views of the Haven.

They made their way through the various boxed crossings over the pipelines and the facility’s entrance road. Eventually they reached Hazelbeach and the long road past the church towards Neyland. By now it was pleasantly warm and even quite humid. This is a very flat stretch, but with good views of the waterway.

After nearly six miles of walking, they reached the Neyland Marina café for a welcome break and lunch. Well fed and refreshed they continued up Brunel’s Way, before making the final ascent up to the Cleddau Bridge and the waiting cars. The weather was amazingly pleasant for early November.

After heavy overnight rain, Saturday was also sunny and warming quickly. Forty walkers gathered in the Amroth car park for a choice of routes around Colby Lodge.

Paul, backed by Brian, led the extension group up the lane and into the lower entrance to Colby Lodge. Barbara followed behind at the head of the larger steady group, with Tony Ha and Val in support.

At the first junction, the extension group went straight on up towards the main car park. The steadies turned left across the wooden bridge to reach the opposite side of the valley. As the steadies continued up the eastern side of the valley, the speedies reached the car park and crossed the lane to reach the overflow car park. From there they continued, first up then down, to reach the rather muddy path alongside the stream. They were rewarded with the delightful sounds of a lively stream as they continued round to Rose Cottage. They then crossed the road to make their way back down the eastern side of the valley.

The steadies were long gone by then and were nearing the bottom of the western side on the valley, bound for the Amroth Arms and welcome refreshments. The new owners made us very welcome, as we admired the revamped décor and the awesome wood-burning stove.

So ended another very enjoyable walking week, blessed by outstanding weather for the time of year.

P. M.