Pembrokeshire's Wild & Rugged North

Kirstine and I took a week off to explore the Pembrokeshire National Park. Naturally we took our sea kayaks but we also took walking boots. Initially, it looked as though the weather would allow us to tour the coastline by kayak with a spot of overnight wild camping along the way. A cold stiff breeze from the north that would remain for the next 3 days soon put a stop to that plan.

We headed off for the sheltered campsite at Whitesands Bay where we based ourselves for 3 days of walking the windswept coastal path and paddling along some of the more sheltered shores.

The caves and arches close to Solva's natural harbour gave us plenty to do in sheltered waters. Occasional downdraughts from winds swirling around the cliffs kept us on our toes and served as a reminder of the overall blustery conditions out at sea.

Eventually the wind dropped enough for a trip out of Whitesands Bay, through Ramsey Sound and round to Porth Clais. A little swell from the south was enough to make the rockhopping conditions perfect on the swirling surges among the many channels and gullies.

At the end of the week, we headed south for a quick walk around St Anne's Head then off towards Stackpole Head for the Stackpole Sea Kayak Festival. Before heading for the centre we decided to make the most of the beautiful evening and met up with Pete Astles for a paddle along the red sandstone shores of Marorbier.