Eighteen Saundersfoot Strollers met up on Tuesday on a lovely, calm, sunny morning to make the short crossing by boat over to the lovely island of Caldey.

Several Strollers had visited the island on a previous occasion, but for some it was their first visit.

Arriving at the jetty, the Strollers resisted the urge to go and sit on the stunning Priory Bay beach, but made their way up to the village green where you get your first view of the grand building housing the Monastery built in 1913.

Following the Nature Trail, the group arrived at The Old Priory and St. Illtyd's Church with its 14th century leaning tower which sit on the site of the original sixth century Celtic monastery.

The Priory was once home to the Benedictine monks who lived on Caldey in medieval times. The church, though now unoccupied, remains a consecrated Roman Catholic Church and a very atmospheric place with its cobbled stone floor, stained glass windows and housing the Caldey ogham stone, an ancient stone slab carved with Latin script and a cross.

A visit was then made to the chocolate factory where several Strollers replenished their falling blood sugar levels with a 'chocolate fix!'

On the path leading along the cliff tops from the lighthouse, the group were rewarded with excellent views of the Pembrokeshire coastline from Stackpole headland through to Amroth and beyond, the Gower Peninsula and Lundy situated in the Bristol Channel.

Lunch was enjoyed back at the village green, after which, some of the group continued on the footpaths leading to the eastern part of the island overlooking Paul Jones Bay; Paul Jones being a ruthless marauding pirate who regularly moored up in the sheltered bay. Others in the group took the time and the opportunity to wander and soak up the peace and tranquility of this lovely island that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep.

Lyn Sandall