Sightseeing

The coastal path kept drawing us back, but we did spend some time visiting towns.  First, a trip to St Davids, where the cathedral and, more especially, the ruined bishop's palace, lived up to expectations. The fantastic variety of colours in the stonework still endures.

St David's Cathedral

I know no one in this part of Wales so I was disconcerted when a woman came hurrying purposefully towards me.  I have had this experience before, in the Pass of Glencoe - the very north of Scotanld  - where a pupil and her family were holidaying.  Here, it turned out to be a former colleague who had moved to Wales with her family some years ago .  It was still quite a shock, as I would never have recognised her in a passing crowd.

 

Another day saw us in Pembroke, where the castle is very impressive.  The main sections were built by William Marshall, a man who, according to my husband, knew all the kings of England reigning from 1135 to 1272: Stephen, Henry 11, Richard 1, John, and Henry111.  This is the sort of thing my husband just knows.  Apparently, as a child, Marshall  played "knights" with King Stephen, while he was a hostage for his own father's good behaviour.  In his old age he lived to be Regent for the infant King Henry 111.  Generally regarded as one of the "flowers of chivalry", whatever that might mean, he is buried in the Temple church in London. 

Pembroke Castle

 

From there, we moved on to Tenby, a seside town which has certainly seen better days.  We were hoping for a trip around Caldey Island, but the blustery weather drove the hundreds of visitors into the centre of town and the trip was cancelled.  Instead we visited  the National Trust's merchants' house and admired the many Georgian buildings.