Llansteffan to St Clears
Today I am keen to complete this walk although I know its going to be a ‘stretch’ for me at a plotted 9 Miles which in reality became 11.2 miles and didnt’ I know it. This walk is one of two missing links on the South West coast of Wales. When complete it will mean I have walked from Chepstow to Pendine, however when the 2nd missing link (Pendine to Amroth) is completed next week it will mean I have walked from Chepstow to Mwnt since I resumed my venture in June 2021 at Milford Haven.
I am walking in reverse because “Forever Friend” is doing Taxi for me and Its far more pleasant to wait for my finish at Llansteffan than at St Clears. Here I am exiting St Clears walking over the A40 heading for the ‘Taf’ river.
I get to the road bridge crossing the river “Taf” where I do not cross but turn left and pass St Clears boat club. At the club I cross a stream to begin my journey South. Crossing the ‘road bridge’ would lead incorrectly to Laugharne ! [That’s NEXT WEEK]
It’s a beautiful and warm summers day and it isn’t long before I realise I might be slightly over dressed and after a mile or so ditch ‘a layer’ which feels much better especially when walking up-hill. The scenery is open fields and an undulating landscape with stretches of road as well.
I’ve walked a field or two and catch a first glimpse of the river since leaving St Clears and am probably a couple of miles into the walk. I need to go left apparently.
There are cattle in the adjoining field and their movement is restricted by an ‘electric Fence’ ; as is mine ! I unhook the fence and carefully replace it and am now among the cattle looking for my way forward which is not readily obvious. Using the Garmin and skirting the fields I head for my exit point. The signage is non existent so I take a route as indicated by my plotted walk. Its not helpful to see signs missing either deliberately or by poor planning by ‘somebody’. I eventually ; by being careful arrive at a farmhouse and a farmer is leading a couple of cattle into a field. We chat and I ask him the way forward and if its ok to cross the next field as I can see a ‘kissing gate’ in the corner.
Its O.K. I cross and enter roadway and take a left. I am now walking gently uphill past the farmhouse and am hounded by a fairly aggressive sheep dog. Having been rushed at by two ’yappers’ earlier its obviously going to be a ’doggy’ day.
Having climbed to the top of the lane I am signed right and joining another road down hill heading in the correct direction of Llansteffan.
It’s very warm which is lovely but roadway walking is obviously not the best.
I pass a beautiful yellow vista of marsh buttercups before ascending a little past “Ty Rhos” and onward to my first ‘butt sitting’ of the day.
I come to a corner and rest by a tiny river bridge in the shade. Its time for a nibble and drink and for the feet to be released a little as they are beginning to ‘complain’. If I remember correctly I am about 4.5 miles into the walk. I am about to get off my backside and resume and I hear two people chatting around the corner coming toward me. The two ladies are also walking to Llansteffan from St Clears . After we have had a pleasant conversation over 10 minutes or so, I suggest they go ahead of me. Later we end up finishing the walk as a Trio which was very pleasant and somewhat unexpected.
At last I leave tarmac, turn right and start climbing gently on the edge of woodland. It’s pleasantly cool after the heat of the roadway. Somehow we , the two ladies and myself, end up in the same spot. Our walking is completed together and some interesting observations and conversations are had , all the way to Llansteffan.
Next to the river ‘Taf’ and lovely and cool in the shade of the Woodland.
It’s a steady and quite tiring climb, maybe 2/3rds of the way through our walk and the view is breathtaking.
The ladies and myself after having a breather,level out after our ascent to view the confluence of the ‘Taf’ ‘Towy’ and ‘Gwendraeth’. What a view and after sitting a while and refreshing ourselves its all downhill the rest of the way till we level out on the sands of Llansteffan.
Done for the day and we are at Llansteffan
I ‘clock’ the Garmin. Its 11.2 Miles a record for me after ‘Big C’ and steps are 25,148 🙂 🙂
I am worn out but very pleased to have completed one of my two missing links and in the very pleasant company of my two lady companions for the latter part of my day.
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