Trip 06 - Wales

Ride to Newport, Dyfed

The bike was loaded with the side panniers, sporting their new 'TiNY Travels the World' graphics and securely fastened so that we didn't have a repeat of our journey to Ireland, along with the top box and tank bag, leaving just enough space for Mo and myself to get on board. We headed down the motorway and hit our first band of heavy rain sweeping across the northwest just outside Chester and stayed with us until we had reached Oswestry. Mo had decided not to wear her water proofs, but didn’t seem to get wet either. This may have been due to our close proximity to each other on the bike with me taking the full brunt of the pouring rain. By the time we reached the village of Pant the rain had passed and the sun had started to shine. Upon entering the village I noticed that the name place signs had been modified with black sticky tape to add a letter ‘S’ indicating what the perpetrator thought of the place. After following a minor diversion due to road works we continued through Welshpool and Newtown and onwards to Llangurig enjoying the twisting road that leads toward Aberystwyth, eventually turning off to have a break at the Woodland Café and Caravan Park at Devils Bridge. Whilst we enjoyed our refreshments we got chatting to a family sat at the next table. The father explained that they had been in Bristol to see off their son, who was going to Australia for three years, so they had decided to drive back through Wales back to the Midlands to help cheer themselves up. After saying goodbye we continued our journey and joined the main coast road that runs down Cardigan Bay passing through Aberaeron and Llanarth before reaching the out skirts of Cardigan. The GPS unit indicated to turn off the main road to reach Newport but I wished I had stayed on the main route because the road was more a narrow track. With the side panniers fitted the bike is a lot wider and I hoped that’s no other vehicles where coming the other way. The road emerged back on the main road at Nevern only a few miles from our destination.

Day 1 Route

                A    Runcorn 

                B    Welshpool 

                C    Newtown

                D    Devils Bridge

                E    Cardigan

                F    Newport 

                     Distance 164 miles (263 km)

Ride to Llyn Brianne Reservoir

Day 2 Route

                A    Newport 

                B    Cenarth 

                C    Tregaron

                D    Llyn Brianne Reservoir

                E    Llandovery

                F    Llanwrda

                G    Lampeter

                H    Newport

                Distance 217 miles (349 km)

It was cold, dark and wet but undetered a route was decided. After filling up with petrol at the garage at Eglwyswrw, Dave led the way to Cenarth to find the Holy well (Ffynnon Llawddog) which is one of the land marks they needed to photograph as part of the Round Britain Rally marathon they where taking part in this year. The rain had been falling all morning and we arrived to find the Afon Teifi (River) flowing fast through the village and fishermen taking advantage of the swollen water. The well is covered with a small stone building with a pitched slate roof. Dave and Pat lined up the bike in shot of the find and started to take their required photographs. The rain was still falling as we left Cenarth and headed onwards towards Tregaron. After a few wrong turns, ending up in a farm yard, we arrived in Tregaron and took the opportunity to have a break from the persistent rain in a small café. A warm drink and a hot meal were required to help remove the gloom of the weather outside. Lindsay was still feeling the cold and decided that she would head back to the cottage, so Mike choose to go back with her leaving the rest of us to continue. From Tregaron the narrow road leads out on to the bleak open rain soaked hillsides that surround the Llyn Brianne Reservoir. The twisting treacherous road was a challenge to ride and we slowly made our way down some tight hair pin bends before stopping at Nant Brwynog where Dave and Pat where to leave us and head home after their weekend stay. With Dave and Pat disappearing off into the distance Jim started off in the other direction towards the reservoir. The rain had eased off but the road was still very slippery and it was a clump of pine needles that nearly caught Jim out as his back wheel skipped out causing him to take evasive action. At the bottom end of the reservoir we stopped to look at the large sluice that controls the flow of water. It looked like a concrete ski jump ramp leading to the start of the river below. From here Paul took the lead and without stopping we made our way back to the cottage.

Ride to St Davids

With Dave and Pat having gone home, Paul and Kay were spending time together on their 25th Wedding Anniversary, that left Mike, Lindsay, Jim, Mo and I to go out together for the day. The weather had changed and the rain had stopped so we decided to head towards St. Davids sticking near to the coast as much as possible. After riding down the twisting road that leads into Fishguard, filling up with petrol and climbing the twisting road out we followed the narrow lanes that meander towards the lighthouse at Strumble Head. I have always found there is something magical about riding up to a lighthouse the way the beacon at the top appears over the horizon as you approach. Leaving the bikes in the rocky parking area we walked down towards the building to find that it is in fact on a small island separated by a narrow channel from the main land. There is a bridge across which is accessed down a steep set of steps but the sign clearly said no public access. The lamp was slowly turning sending its characteristic signal out to sea warning of the dangers below the surface of the water. After visiting Abercastle and taking photographs of the picturesque little seaside village we continued towards St. Davids and the Cathedral for a lunch stop. We walked around the large impressive cathedral in the warm sun posing for photographs with the landmark behind us. From the cathedral city Mike led the way along the coast road that runs along St Brides Bay through the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, passing through the small villages of Solva, Newgale and Nolton Haven before stopping on the sea front at Broad Haven.  Opposite was a coffee shop, so we all went inside and enjoyed a refreshing drink and some tasty cake. After picking up some essential supplies for our evening meal at the superstore in Haverfordwest we started to circle back taking the narrow twisting roads that climb to the summit on the Newport to Cwm Gwaun mountain road.  Stopping at the top we could see far out over Newport and the sea towards Cardigan in one direction and Fishguard in the other with the possibility of viewing the coast of Ireland on a really clear day.

Day 3 Route

                A    Newport 

                B    Strumble Head Lighthouse

                C    Abercastle

                D    St. Davids

                E    Broad Haven

                F    Haverfordwest

                G    Bethesda

                H    Mountain View

                Distance 77 miles (123 km)

Our trip continues with day 4 to day 6 Read more.....