6.18.2024

Wales, part 3

I'm not sure what to call it, the name for the nostalgia you sense in a place you've never lived, but that feels like home? 

Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, Wales is the only country in the world to have a continuous waymarked path along the entire coastline, an estimated 1,680 miles. Encasing the western foot like a protective green slipper, the Pembrokeshire coast is peppered with blue flag beaches, never more than ten miles to the sea from any spot.

From our converted cow shed situation it was a short walk along Bosherton's lily ponds to Broad Haven beach, a beautiful bucket and spade spot with plenty of sea caves to explore. We went one evening, stayed for several hours, and determined to spend the entire next day there. Once the Ministry of Defense completed live gunnery exercises at Castlemartin (Tolliver was thrilled to hear battle tanks firing), the road was reopened and we were able to see Stack Rocks and the Green Bridge, covered with breeding guillemots. We spent another day strolling the narrow, pedestrianized streets in the small seaside town of Tenby, nestled behind imposing medieval stone harbor walls and surrounded by picturesque pastel colored buildings.

Wales boasts five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and three National Parks. We aimed to explore the most exquisite spots, but it turns out that likely could have been anywhere in the country. 

Our land is a living thing, not a grave of forgetfulness under our feet. Every hill has its history, every locality its romance, every part of the landscape wears its particular story.
- from the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea 

1 comment:

rht said...

I'm so thankful that Wales felt like a homecoming, and that the places you visited were good for your spirits! Thank you for sharing such good stories and magnificent pictures.