Since our trip, in early July, to the Chain Bridge Honey Farm in Northumberland I have been on a constant search for Heather Honey, just a few miles up the road from where we are now staying there is a honey farm so we pop off to have a look. Unfortunately, it is closed on Sundays and Mondays so my search will have to continue elsewhere.
We have decided to have a quiet day with little driving. The weather continues to be a bit overcast and Lynnie is still getting over Friday’s wade through the bog land near Devil’s Bridge, so today we agree to take another walk on firmer ground.
As the day goes on the sun appears and for the first time for a few days it starts to feel warm again, a trip to the beach is in order. We walk from our site at Rhydalen Farm down the lanes to New Quay Bay. It is a pleasant walk of just over two miles, easy going because of the tarmac road with hardly a car passing us.
At New Quay Bay the tide is out and the boys get busy chasing tennis balls, they do enjoy being on a beach and have a cracking time. It is over a mile to New Quay Harbour and by the time we get there the boys are ready for a bit of rest. They welcome the opportunity to scour the pavements for discarded chips and ice cream cornets.
The hordes that were here on Thursday have now departed and it is pleasant to wander around. We spend a few minutes looking out across the bay to see if we can spot one of the many bottlenose dolphins that frequent it, unfortunately in vain.
Nowadays New Quay is a prime tourist spot, but until the early 1800’s this was a small village of a few thatched cottages. Then in 1835 the New Quay Harbour Act was passed and a stone pier was constructed, leading to the development of the town. Over three hundred men were employed in the ship building industry. Alongside this came associated works, like rope making and blacksmith forges, making this quite an industrial area. Hard to believe on a sunny, autumnal evening.
Ship building ceased in the 1870’s, but by that time the maritime industry had flourished and most of the local men were employed as fishermen or in related activities.
We retrace our steps back along the beach (more throwing of tennis balls for the boys) and then back up the road, and I do mean up! What was a steady downhill stroll to the beach is a long uphill drag back to the Unicorn. By the time we get back we are thankful for the opportunity to put our feet up.
(31st August 2014)
[To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer 198 Cardigan and New Quay]
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2014)