A large number of Steps2Health walkers met up at Penally station car park on Saturday, eager to discover for themselves just what was the Penally Experience (writes B.S.). And it certainly proved to be a unique experience. It satisfied all the senses as our morning proved to be quite magical as it combined beautiful scenery, nostalgia and history in the blend of community spirit and pride that makes Penally such a special place. Volunteer trained walks leader, Lyn Evans, could not have taken us on a better route to appreciate the area's beauty, landscape and history. Very well thought out, it was not a strenuous walk, even though it took us along clifftops from where we could appreciate the views westwards along the coast, eastwards to Tenby and beyond, as well as close up views of Caldey and St. Margarets Island, with Lundy in the distance. A short walk along the bypass had brought us to the footpath which goes under the bridge and then the long but not too steep incline to the clifftop. Our route back to Giltar Point was a veritable pink carpet of sea thrift. There were also some lingering bluebells reluctant to depart the springtime landscape. On the way up, we had passed the trenches which had been used by Sappers during the Great War, before they had moved on to live, fight and perhaps die in the trenches of Flanders fields. And in the village hall, where we enjoyed tea or coffee and delightful home-made cakes, we were able to see photographs of the trenches as they had been nearly a century ago. It was also intriguing to see old photographs of the village, older buildings still easily recognisable. And, at the centre of the Penally Experience, the ancient church welcomed us with a glorious display of flowers in the porch while, inside, impressive craftwork was on display. We had also been impressed by the talent of the artists whose work was displayed in the village hall. Tomorrow (Saturday) it is the turn of Steps2Health to host a coffee morning in Church House, so we hope you will all come along and support this effort. There will be a raffle and home-made cakes for sale. There will still be a walk as usual, starting from Somerfield at 10.30, after which we will join with the coffee morning.
