Tenby (Coastal)

The heavy rain of the two previous afternoons seemed to have passed but the next morning started cool and cloudy. It was soon to improve though and while it did, we decided on a walk around Tenby. Tenby boasts four distinct beaches and during our wanderings through the streets we would see them all. This is the first, North Beach, where the prominent rock in the bay which was once part of the surrounding cliffs until wind and sea erosion over the centuries took its toll, is known as Goscar Rock. The name, like many others in the area including Caldey, the small offshore island, owes its origin to the Vikings.

From the cliff top, where strategically placed seats and a viewing platform offer good views across Carmarthen Bay, steps lead down to the beaches below. Monkstone Point which lies midway between Tenby and Saundersfoot, can be seen here with Amroth in the far distance beyond.

From a similar viewpoint, the second of Tenby's beaches, Harbour, lies immediately below. This is also a good spot for views of the harbour itself, Castle Hill and the Lifeboat station. The original station was built in 1852 but in the summer of 2004, construction of a new station was well under way.

On the other side of Castle Rock, the sands quite naturally are called Castle Beach. When the tide is out it is possible to walk across to the fortified island of St Catherine's but on this particular morning we stood and watched a number of small vessels going to and fro. Several made their way across to Caldey Island, off this picture to the right whilst others like the one seen here, were just out for a spot of fishing.

This is a close up of the same fishing boat seen above off St Catherine's Island, taken from our position on top of the cliffs.

Much of the cliff top has been cultivated and many different flowers thrive. Some of the hotels and guest houses manage private formal gardens; other patches exhibit a more natural appearance and here the steep drop to the sand and rocks below is partially masked by growth on the very edge of the precipice.

Whilst standing looking over the edge, we were surprised to see a surfboard being paddled from Tenby's fourth beach towards St Catherine's Island and Castle Beach. Engaging full optical zoom on the camera I was able to take this picture.

Moving a little further along to The Esplanade, the full length of South Beach, that fourth beach mentioned above, could be seen stretching out to Giltar Point. From here we made our way back through the narrow streets of the town - morning coffee beckoned.