It was dark and freezing cold -2 degrees when Mary dropped me off at Amroth Beach this morning at 7:30am. The Sun hadn’t started to rise properly. The waves were noisy as they crashed up onto the beach and everything else was still around us. Mary was going for a dip with the bluetits. Big respect as it’s cold enough fully dressed let alone in only a bathing suit in the sea!
I got my gear on and did my Instagram post celebrating the fact that today I hopefully will have walked 2 and a half million steps. It’s quite unbelievable.
The sun started to rise and it was a beautiful scene the sunlight was glistening on the water. It made me think of Angela, I could see her smiling and laughing. It gave me a sense of feeling loved and that she was with me in spirit.
I made slow progress as the ground was icy and I can’t afford a slip. I was very tentative going downhill in particular on the frozen ground, especially when there were steps with wooden battons and bridges that were white with frost. I soon warmed up going uphill and gathered a sweat requiring me to strip off a few layers. Typically, just as I had stripped off it started to hail and so I had to put my waterproof jacket on. 
I walked for quite awhile without seeing anyone and then all of a sudden as I was approaching Pendine a whole load of twitchers came up the hill towards me with huge binoculars and monoculars looking for seabirds.
I dropped down into Pendine and found a café that was finally open and had a big breakfast and a cup of tea. Feeling refreshed I was on my way again.
The next part was road walking as I had to scoot around the edge of another MOD firing range!! There seem to be so many around here. 
Eventually I was back on a farm track and then through woodland around the estuary and into the beautiful place that is Laugharne. This was the last home of Dylan Thomas until his death.
The castle dominates the skyline and was gorgeous in the sunlight.
It had turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. I met lots of people walking making the most of the spring light day. This always slows me down with my pacing, but I enjoy speaking to people about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.
I stopped here at Ty Glo cafe for a cup of tea where I met lots of people and chatted to them about my trek and Angela. I saw two young women sitting close to each other and holding hands, obviously in love. It made me feel happy and sad at the same time. I really miss holding hands with Angela.
Storm damage was everywhere in the woodland with many trees fallen across the path and I had to limbo under some and climb over others. Who knew I could become so gymnastic?
Then came the mud, more mud and even more mud! it took me absolutely ages to cross three or four fields that the cows had churned up and some of it was uphill. The mud was really deep, and very slippery and I had to try and tiptoe as best I could hoping from one bit to another without falling into it. I’m glad I had my walking pole to assist with my balance and testing the depth and consistency of the mud. Even with my pole I nearly fell over several times and was often left skidding on the spot like a cartoon character. I’m glad I had my gaiters on. 
It was so wet and muddy in one field that a walkway had been built to provide a way across it. However, this must’ve been built several years ago and the planks were covered in moss and were extremely slippy. It was like walking on a ice. Added to this was the fact that some of the planks had rotted away and I had to jump across the gaps which brought its own perils! As I walked down the road I saw a campsite called the Marsh campsite! Very appropriate. I wouldn’t be camping there!
I finally arrived in St Clears and Mary and Lulu came to meet me and walk the final bit back to their house.
Morris was the perfect chef and made me a veggie burger and chips while I was in the bath. Mary told me all about her past working with horses and her treks in Africa and climbing Kilimanjaro.
Meanwhile back at home Helen sent me a video of the tree that had fallen down in storm Éowyn. The root system was absolutely massive. I’m just so glad it went in that direction otherwise it would’ve come crashing down on my house.
Best bits: arriving in Laugharne in the sunshine.
Worst bits: mud, mud, and mud.
Distance: 17.5 miles 
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