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Published: July 14th 2023
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Thursday and Friday, 13&14 July, Tenby, Pembrokeshire Wales.
19363 steps, 9.9 miles.
Our first full day in Tenby we are up before 0700 and into town to buy breakfast and a lunch. Our lodging, Glenthorne Guest House, only serves breakfast from 0830 and we have a T&S taxi picking the five of us up to drive to Martin's Haven for our boat trip to Skomer Island and a day of exploring this wild life park for the Puffin's.
This 45 minute drive was on typical single lane country tracks with turnouts for meeting traffic. At the carpark on the cliff above the boat landing we checked in at the Lodge. Jo had reservations and we each got a ticket for our 10:00 am boat to the island. When we arrived at 0850 the lodge was closed and a brisk breeze and rain started. The Lodge opened early so we could come in out of the rain.
The rains quit and the skies changed to partially cloudy when we made our way down to the landing. Our boat was a catamaran Hull with good power, holding over 60 passengers. It as a smooth ride with calm seas.
Trying to get off the boat
A group trying to get on blocking the way of those trying to get off. As we approached our landing on Skomers Island we were engulfed by thousands of swimming and flying Puffin's. We learned from the volunteers that this breeding colony is close to 50,000 strong and growing.
The island is about 3 miles in circumference and home to Puffins, Shearwaters, sea gulls, oystercatchers, crows and owls. We got to see all these except the owls during our four hours on the island.
We were back at the landing at North Haven by 1410 for our 1500 boat back to the lodge. All agreed it had been a special day. For more details go to:
https://www.visitwales.com/activity/skomer-island-landing-trips-1837467
This breeding island is saturated with burrows for the breeding pairs. They mate at about 3-5years of age and the pair remain together for the rest of their 30 years of life. The population here has been so well protected that it is thriving and growing. After about 4 months here they spend the next 8 months in the waters of the North Atlantic. Their exact locations and habits are subject of much of the research about Puffin's. I think the reader will agree from the photos they a beautiful to observe.
Back in
Tenby we found a place for dinner and made reservations for the next 3 nights. This resort town has most places booked for dinners.
Friday we awake to heavy rain and wind. Fortunately we have the day to acclimate.
We have many options for our breakfast. Lisa is the kitchen cook and Jeff serves and visits. There is one other couple from Oklahoma at breakfast at the same time.
We find the laundry coin op and do the washing so we are ready for the next six days of walking.
A visit to the bank allows us to exchange paper 20 pound notes for the new plastic currency. We found the bigger paper currency is not taken by the establishments in Wales.
Tomorrow we start the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
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