THE lovely sunshine on the first Saturday in April put a spring in the steps of 34 walkers at Freshwater East.
They were members of Tenby-based Steps2Health walking club, which organises weekly walks exploring various parts of South Pembrokeshire. The club often creates alternative routes to reflect the different paces of its two groups, the Speedies and the Steadies.
On April 5, both groups took the same route from the car park at Freshwater East through the sand dunes. The Speedies, led by Brian and backed by Kym, then continued along the coast path, branching off up hill following a circular path back to the beach. The Steadies, meanwhile, headed by Annie supported by Chris, left the dunes to walk the length of the beach.
The surf was spectacular and the wind fresh, leaving all the walkers feeling invigorated and ready to enjoy refreshments sitting in the sunshine outside Jack’s Restaurant. This was a great start to the walking month.
On Saturday, April 12, 34 walkers gathered at Battery Gardens in Tenby for a choice of beach walks. After the spell of glorious weather it reverted to a more normal April day, grey cool and windy, but fine for social walking.
Barbara, backed by Kym, led the Speedies via Black Rock onto the South Beach for the classic beach walk towards the harbour. Chris, supported by Annie, led the Steadies the same way, but fell ever further back as the Speedies lived up to their name.
The going on the South Beach was pretty dire. There were large stony patches mixed with soft sinking sand - all good for anyone wanting to build up their ankles and knees. When the Speedies reached Castle Hill, they went once around it before pressing on across the North Beach and back. The Steadies stopped when they reached the harbour and headed for the town’s cafés for welcome refreshment. They were soon joined by the Speedies having completed their longer walk.
On Saturday 19, after 36 hours of relentless rain, it ‘magically’ stopped just before the walk. It was still cold and windy, but the club’s walkers are never put off by the weather as long as it is safe. 23 intrepid souls gathered at New Hedges Village Hall for a choice of walks back to town, with the hope of avoiding the thronging visitors in Tenby.
Brian, supported by Kym, led the Speedies via Waterwynch and the mighty hill to Allen’s View. The primroses were delightful when they stopped to take in the view. Marlene, backed by Donna, took the Steadies up Old Tenby Road, turning off at Turnpike Cottage into the top field.
As it was quite slippery after the rain, they took the M1 path to the town graveyard, which was lined with wild garlic. Both groups finished overlooking the North Beach. The town was so busy with Easter visitors that most walkers ended up at the Old Chapel, which was quiet, for tea and delicious home-made cake.
The final club outing of the month was a choice of local beach walks, but the weather was fairly dismal. The drizzle eased off as the 36 walkers began their walks from Battery Gardens. The tide was low, so the Speedies, led by Barbara and backed by Jane, walked to Giltar and back, hugging the tide line to avoid all the stones on the South Beach. As they turned about the drizzle reappeared for the home leg. The Steadies meanwhile, made their way to the harbour via the Esplanade and Paragon. There, Annie with Marlene in support, led the walkers across the North Beach to First Point and back. The two groups were reunited at Church House where a warm welcome awaited them at the Arts Cub fundraising coffee morning.