Day 10: Puffin & preditor: Solva to Tenby

A rose between two thorns? Today's crew, Amanda

Amanda, our Fundraising Consultant and latest crew member, arrived bright and early at 7am, and we headed out of Solva harbour over St Bride's Bay.  The Solfa coast, Southwood estate and Sheepfields, Littlehaven, three of our properties that flank the bay, faded into the distance as we approached the fearsome Jack Sound.  The presence of increasing numbers of seabirds, busily crisscrossing our route, heralded the proximity of Skomer.  We spotted our first puffin, bobbing on the sea with it's beakfull of sandeels, and soon there were squadrons of them hurtling past, their frantic flight reminding us of over-wound clockwork toys.

Jack Sound, with the Deer Park and Midland Isle

Despite it's reputation, the Sound was smooth, with just the occasional upwellings and swirling eddies tugging at the rudder, hinting at the power of the tide race which would soon be upon us if we didn't keep moving.  We passed Midland Isle, the Trust's only sizable non-tidal island in Wales and rounded the Deer Park into the bay off Marloes Beach with its tidal Gateholm.  Soon St Anne's Head hove into view and I spotted Kete, where a wartime radar station for the tracking of low-flying aircraft was once located.  Crossing Milford Haven's busy shipping lanes we aimed for Freshwater West where we intended heading out to sea to avoid the Castlemartin firing range exclusion zone.

Range safety vessel, Predator comes alongside

But before we could do this, from apparently nowhere appeared the threateningly named Predator, a range safety vessel which requested that we headed three miles offshore due to live firing on the range. As we approached the Stackpole estate, another safety vessel accosted us to make sure we kept our distance.  Eventually we anchored off Stackpole Quay, dropped off Amanda and joined our colleagues, who by happy coincidence were having an evening social kayak and barbeque.

Stackpole colleagues see us back out to Capercaillie

We then headed for Tenby, where we were to meet our next colleague-passenger tomorrow.  This journey took us past Manorbier and Lydstep Head, the Trust's first property in Pembrokeshire, donated in 1936.  We eventually rounded Tenby's St Catherine's Island and moored in the harbour with minutes to spare before the ebbing tide landed us gently on the sand at 10pm.

The bright lights of Tenby, from the harbour

Go to Day 11

Get started on the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenge

There are 56 National Trust places in Wales where you can do your 50 Things activities.https://www.50things.org.uk 

And if you tried to do all the 50 Things possible at all these places then you would need to do 1,340 activities and that’s a lot to ask of even the most active child over one summer.

Throughout the year there will be special events organised around a 50 Things theme and this week you’ll be keen to try out some of the places in Wales that come out tops in the UK poll of places to do the 50 Things activities.

So to suggest six of the best: here is a list of top places to consider in starting to try out at least one activity.

1. Cook on a campfire – Stackpole (How to get there and more information)
2. Plant, it grow it, eat it – Tredegar House (How to get there and more information) 
3. Go on a walk barefoot - Pembrokeshire, Strumble Head to Cardigan (How to get there and more information)
4. Eat an apple straight from a tree – Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion Coast (How to get there and more information)
5. Catch a crab - Plas Newydd, Anglesey/Ynys Mon (How to get there and more information)
6. Go swimming in the sea - Llyn peninsula, North-West Wales (How to get there and more information)

https://www.50things.org.uk 









Some of the things that are happening in some of the locations this weekend on the 4th and 5th May 

Wild camping at Plas Newydd, Anglesey 
Plas Newyd-things-to-see-and-do-events
Construct a raft, fly a kite, go bug hunting and build a den.

Tree Story Seed to Timber at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
Build a den, climb a tree and find out about all kinds of wood and what it's used for.
colby-woodland-garden-things-to-see-and-do-events

Wildlife Trails at Stackpole, Pembrokeshire

Walks and family wildlife trails.Stackpole-things-to-see-and-do-events

Where’s the best place in the UK to walk barefoot? - WALES of course

In the top ten list of 50 Things activities the best place to take a barefoot walk in the UK is Strumble Head to Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, strumble-head-cardigan-things-to-see-and-do and the best place to cook on a campfire in the UK is at Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire. Stackpole-things-to-see-and-do-events

And just to keep you in the picture. The 50 things website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50things has loads of great information to help you tackle the 50 things adventures. Sign up online and receive:

• Top tips and guidance for each activity
• Secret challenges to unlock
• Special rewards for the best explorers
• The wild test will help you find out what sort of explorer you are
• Your very own virtual explorer to guide you through the 50 things

Get in there quick and your 50 things scrapbooks will be available free at more than 350 participating National Trust properties (subject to availability)

So this year's get started on the 50 things to do before you're 11¾ challenge:

1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a really big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skim a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Go on a really long bike ride
12. Make a trail with sticks
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Play in the snow
16. Make a daisy chain
17. Set up a snail race
18. Create some wild art
19. Play pooh sticks
20. Jump over waves
21. Pick blackberries growing in the wild
22. Explore inside a tree
23. Visit a farm
24. Go on a walk barefoot
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Go star gazing
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Explore a cave
30. Hold a scary beast
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a falling leaf
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what’s in a pond
36. Make a home for a wild animal
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40.Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go swimming in the sea
43. Build a raft
44. Go bird watching
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try rock climbing
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Learn to ride a horse
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river

by Moyrah Gall

Introduction

Yep that’s me taking pictures!

I'm Moyrah Gall and recently started an digital media internship with the National Trust on the Welsh coastal project. I also work with the Rangers at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole/ in Pembrokeshire.

Until now Richard has regularly been updating things happening around the Welsh Coast, a rather daunting challenge for one, and my internship role will be to learn from and help Richard with this task and as the journey unfolds, share the experience.

But let me introduce myself properly, I have a number of career skills but mainly my background is documentary photography with an interest in the environment. I have a passion for the sea both on and under, and as a child sat glued to The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau at.http://www.biography.com/people/jacques-cousteau-9259496

Oh yes to be an underwater photographer was my dream, alas it took a little longer but last year I achieved my diving ticket and took my first underwater images. 

At Stackpole it has been hands on in clearing the evasive plant Leycesteria Formosa, also known as Himalayan Nutmeg, Flowering Nutmeg, Pheasant Berry and Chocolate Berry. 

Rangers Alex and Jim at Stackpole explain it was first introduced as camouflage for Pheasant farms and although the flowers are attractive, in some environments the ease in which it grows overtakes and other plants suffer. However it seems it has got edible aspects see Himalayan Honeysuckle Berry Fig-style Rolls (vegan and gluten free) at http://www.wildmanwildfood.co.uk/pages/himalay.html

 South Broad Haven Beach

On the edge of Stackpole is South Broad Haven Beach. This magnificent stretch of sandy beach is ideal for the family, surfing or simply chilling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_Haven_South 

Park up at one of the National Trust car park (members park for free), either above the beach or at +Stackpole Estate from where its a pleasant walk through the 100 acres of lakes. Known as the lily ponds these lakes are plentiful of bird-life and present the opportunity to enjoy or photograph the resident otters.

Robin at Stackpole Estate: checking it out

Fishing is also available by licence: enquire at the centre for cost and seasonal availability. 

As the sun goes down enjoy sighting of the bat activity, both the lesser and greater horseshoe bats are breeding in the area. Stackpole bat walks are a must and come personally recommended.

Lily Ponds @Stackpole Estate

Not sure what an internship is, no problem; the National Trust website not only explains what an internship is but advertises other internship opportunities available @ http://www.nationaltrustjobs.org.uk/our_people/people_in_our_internships2