Church Rock

Holiday backblip 4

Not feeling 100% this morning, so a quiet day perhaps? No, anything but! It turned out to be a day of re-discovery for MrM, as he took us to several places he remembered visiting on a family holiday when he was a child.

First through Haverford West and down to Manorbier, with its Norman Castle (Castell Maenorbyr), which stands Just above the beach, and we walked along a very short stretch of the coastal path.

Next stop was Bosherston Lily Ponds, where we walked beside the Western Arm of the lake and on to Broadhaven Beach. Neither of us knew of Church Rock (so called because it resembles a submerged church at high tide) until we turned the corner on to the sand and saw it before us. An impressive limestone stack! Lovely to stroll on the beach in warm sunshine before walking on the other side of the lake to the car. The lilies are apparently at their best in June and July, but there were still a few in flower.

A short drive to St Govan’s Head, where we climbed down the steps to St Govan’s Chapel, built in a fissure in the limestone cliffs. Fortunately, the steps are not nearly as steep or hazardous as MrM remembered from a few decades ago!

Last stop for the day was at Carew, to look at the splendid castle (Castell Caeriw). We walked down the lane to the tidal water mill, from where the castle can be viewed across an inlet of the Carew River. Nearby is a magnificent 11th-century decorated cross, probably commemorating a prince, Maredudd Ap Edwin (d. 1035).

(Extras: lilies at Bosherston, St Govan's Chapel, Carew Castle.)