St David's October 2015: The great outdoors

Although we've been to St David's and its surrounding area many times and have walked much of the coastal footpath before, there is always something new to see. The light may be different, the tides may be higher or lower, the sea calmer or rougher and the weather may be wetter or drier. Whatever the reason, it's always a novel experience. Here's just a few images to illustrate what I mean.

The south end of the beach at Newgale, looking north along 2 miles of hard sand. which affords an excellent walking surface.

Looking down on the small harbour at Porthclais. I just couldn't see how that car got down there. There was obviously a way but I couldn't figure it out.

A mile or so along the coastal footpath from Porthclais takes us to Porthllisky. A small beach without a harbour or a convenient access by car.

An iconic view of the cliffs on this part of the coast. In the distance is the 'inlet' that leads to Porthllisky.

Looking across to St Justinian's with the old (left) and new (right) lifeboat stations. The new station has been under construction for about 18 months and should be completed in the middle of next year. It will be interesting going around it to see the improved facilities. And, just think, all the funds are provided by voluntary donations to the voluntary organisation that is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Looking northwards across Whitesands Bay, possibly our favourite spot?

About half a mile from the mainland lies Ramsey Island and the journey there crosses the Ramsey Sound. This part of the sea has a phenomenal tidal range and, where the water narrows around an outcrop of rocks called the Bitches, there is a noticeable 'drop' between one side and the other. A tidal rapid it's called and when we were there the south side was about 1 metre lower than the northside. Under certain tidal conditions, this difference can be as much as 4 metres, a figure that I find staggering.

And now a couple of inland sunsets, taken within 5 minutes of each other, but not from the same exact position, at Newtown House in Llandeilo.

A slight difference in the angle of the setting sun and the sky changes completely. Amazing.