Today started with a bus ride out of Pembroke over the Cleddau River toll bridge where I started walking again from Neyland. Very soon after starting met Kevin, a fellow Coastal Path-er (yes, that's what we're called!). Introductions

made, and "yes, it's fine to walk at our own paces. see you at Skerry Back Farm". 

So, walking again in a solitary way, but not really alone, the path took us past more industrial productivity. From now on there will be beaches, cliffs and traditional coastal scenery. I will miss the pipes..,,

the shadowy tunnels

the concrete 'sculptures'

Not trying to be beautiful

Yesterday I left Angle Bay, heading towards Pembroke and my first rest day. My guidebook to the coastal path warns readers not to expect too much of this stretch. In the background of my photos of the boats in the bay are the pipes and chimneys of the refinery I will walk past once I cross the Cleddau River. On both sides of the river it is very industrial. I don't mind industrial. In fact dad, whose death inspired me to do this walk, was an enthusiast of those subjects thought of as ugly or ignored in favour of the kind of bling scenery I have written about in my last few posts.

I do actually like the architecture of such productivity; it has been designed for a purpose without regard for any kind of aesthetic and this I appreciate. It is not trying to be beautiful but, somehow, it is. A bit like the Green Bridge of Wales which doesn't try either. Beauty in the eye of the beholder, I think!

At Angle Bay - Final Insallment!

In Part 1 I mentioned feeling fortunate.Getting to Angle from Bosherston in one day required me getting a bus around the closed section of the MOD firing range. As I was about to get on it, already feeling grateful for the sunshine, the place and just the fact of being there, I turned round to see a man walking towards me holding a bank card. My bank card!!! I had to thank him very quickly (and profusely!!!) as the only bus of the day was about to leave and I had to catch it.

Mmmm...... as well as feeling fortunate - think it would be good to be more careful with my stuff as I travel around!

At Angle Bay - part 1

It has been a beautiful day: sunny, blue sky with just the right amount of wind to keep me cool. Apart from the iconic Pembrokshire Coast Path scenery I have walked past, stopped to admire and photograph it has felt like a fortunate day, too. First here are the places I have seen.

St Govin's Chapel, where I lit some incense and offered merit on this altar.....
and

Then across the MOD firing range to Stack Rocks

At Angle Bay - part 2

After Stack Rock, the Green Bridge of Wales.

Then, as my trail guide explains - lots of strenuous ups and downs!!!

To a soothing, gentle amble along to my bed for the night.

steadily heading west........

We arrived in Bosherston in very good time on our third day of walking. After a shower, a cup of tea and a bit of a rest we decided to take advantage of the late afternoon sunshine and go for a walk back to the sea along Stackpole Lily Ponds. This is what we saw....

Mr and Mrs Cormorant and.......

Church Rock at Broad Haven Bay. We didnt get as far as St Govin's Chapel but I will pass it on my way via Stack Rocks on my way to Angle Bay where I don't expect much in the way of internet or mobile signals. 

All is well, no blisters, and looking forward to the next place where I will set up my altar.

Train delays, rerouted journey, taxi not there when we needed it, setting off walking 2 hours later than expected - but we made it! Thanks 

Broni, I couldn't have done it without you!! Will try to upload lovely photos when I am less

tired in the morning. Oh and what a lovely surprise to receive a greetings card at our B&B -thankyou so much.

Stairs wanting to be climbed.....

In the last few days, no hours, before I set off there still seems to be an endless list of stuff to do. I have gradually been working my way through this list and, I must confess, been getting ever more giddy and excited by the moment. Not a very comfortable place to be, really. So I talked things through, ate some food and sat still for a while.

It has taken a lot of commitment to get to this point and, as Rev Mugo writes in Jade Mountains sustained intention is something one has to put wholehearted effort into. The last 7 months of planning has not happened easily or without times when I questioned the wisdom of continuing. But here I am, my feet almost on the starting block ready to walk. As I rather self consciously said in the video interview with Rev Mugo, I have no idea of what will come of this journey and I am content with that. What I also get is the sense that there is something else besides my own will driving things on - the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.  When we take a step forwards, the Universe takes a step towards us. How good is that!

On my walk I shall be meditating each morning at 7:30 am and each evening at 8:00 pm. I will be offering Transfer of Merit for a list of people and situations. It would be lovely if you would be able to join me at those times, as often as you are able. If you would like to know about the Transfer of Merit list or want Merit Transferred for someone then please go to Field of Merit

Oh, and if you would like to get email notification when I post something new then please click on the link top right. 

If my first step is false.......

My travelling Altar

My preparations continue; I walk in the hills of Derbyshire in ever increasing distances, I make sure my waterproofs are waterproof, I gather together my altar-in-miniature, I reduce down my kit to the very basics. As Rev Mugo remarks in her recent post   my venture has brought me to the stripped-down here and now basics of daily living. I am training in all senses of this word. The long distance path challenges me to stay in the present moment. I could allow myself to wish away the miles. I could, and do, say to myself How much further? When can I stop? Or, if my feet hurt or the terrain is tough, When is it going to get easier? I have asked these questions quite a few times on my walks. But I am very aware that if I indulge in these thoughts when in Wales, with many, many miles still to go, I will suffer! So I am training my mind, enjoying the rhythm that develops, walking onwards and forwards..........

I have arrived - I am home - my destination in each step

Thanks to another walker who took this photo, here I am by Eagle Rock on, I think, Baslow Edge. Here to test out my new boots and my ability to blog on the move. And, first of all, I must apologise to my poor feet! The size 5's were the problem, not them. So I am walking without pain and skipping up and down the hills, helped as well by wearing my new single vision glasses.

I am sat in the Grouse Inn, just above Grindleford. and I can recommend the sticky figgy pudding and toffee sauce with ice cream quite highly. Better get going back to the car and walk off the calories!

Showing me the way

Only a couple of weeks to go before I set off.  What do I really need to take? What can I leave behind? Lists have been made, maps poured over, and only time will tell if I have prpeared well enough.

For the most part I am excited and can't wait to get on the road but I quite naturally have fears and anxieties about what I am about to embark on and those that care for me have theirs too. A good friend has bought me a head torch in case I end up walking in the dark (definitely not in my plan but you never know....). Nigel has given me an emergency blanket, and I am currently considering the satellite  SOS system suggested by Rev Mugo.

I also am considering the state of my mind as I prepare to travel. As with my rucksack, I hope to travel light . Tricky to achieve at the best of times, but somehow, over these past 6 months leading up to this trip, I have found myself more able to keep in the moment. This plan of mine to do this walk, for the most part, has been held lightly in my mind. And I have a great role model at the moment. My daughter is pregnant with her first child and I asked her recently about her birth plan. Her response was I have no birth plan! She has done her research, knows as much as she can about her options and has realised that, with the unpredictable nature of childbirth, it would be foolish to cling to a plan. She is an inspiration to me. If she can let go whilst preparing for her big event, then so can I!

Next priority is to get myself a travelling altar ready for meditation en route. Nigel has suggested a three folded card with a Buddha image on it, and I could easily find space for a packet of incense and a lighter. I am sure that the B&B's might be able to lend me a votive candle. Any other suggestions gratefully recieved.  My next post will contain pictures of said altar set up - a thought that is making me smile right now - have altar.... will travel!

Happy feet!

This is by way of testing out how easy (or not) it is to blog from my new smart phone. It is likely that, through both tiredness after a long days walking and the fiddley nature of using a phone keyboard, that my posts will be quite short once I am in Wales. We'll see......

Pictured are the size 6.5 boots I purchased this evening. I have been experiencing toe pain towards the end of a long walk and decided to have my boots checked out. They were a size 5 so no wonder I was struggling!