Today was definitely not one of my best – in fact, it was only a Tin day. I had planned to drive to Aberaeron and get the 10.46 bus back to Cei Newydd. On double checking over an excellent meal last night, I found that the Saturday buses are at 9.51 or 11.51. I decided to go for former although I was a bit worried about making it as breakfast is not served here until 8.30 and obviously, I am quite unable to function without my breakfast!  Once I got to the actual bus stop, I found yet another timetable which said 9.47. Fortunately, I had 3 mins to spare, despite having to run back to the car for my walking poles.

The weather was miserable although it was not actually raining when I started out. I got down to the shore to discover that the tide was high and that I couldn’t go along the main path which crosses the beach.

An older lady helped me. She was clearly a native Welsh speaker as a couple of times she said it in Welsh then repeated it in English. Fortunately my Welsh was up to the challenge. She told me how to get through the town to the higher path.  I followed directions satisfactorily but it was hard under foot, marching along a B road. The lady had told me that you turned at a junction for the alternative high tide route but the only tiny junction I passed was not way marked and seemed different from the map. I carried on, thinking it all very strange, and eventually found myself on the main A487. I had a vile walk for at least another 2.5 miles on the road, with traffic roaring past, a pavement that came and went, and pouring rain.  I turned off down a side road to pick up path by the shore.

It was all very dull, although the rain had eased. I then had the pleasure of walking through a field of cows. I checked the map to see if there was an alternative route, but that would have taken me back onto the A road, which was not a good plan. Fortunately, the cows were docile. They watched me, but did not move. At last, I reached the shore and walked for a couple of miles along the cliff path, where I saw what I think was a stonechat sitting on a bush looking as though he had been painted on. 

The water was very grey, but also very calm. Just at the end of the path there was a muddy slide down to the beach, so I was filthy when I got to the car, having covered 9 miles.  I once thought of moving to Aberaeron, but I’m glad I didn’t. There are some lovely houses but the beach is all pebbles, and the town is a bit  ‘kiss me quick’.  I arrived home to find the cat had been sick all over the bed to punish me for my absence.