Last day of June and a superb, sunny morning for the Saundersfoot Strollers to meet up in Kilgetty and travel up to Rosebush ready to walk up to the highest point in West Wales - Foel Cwmcerwyn in the Preselis.
On arrival at the car park in Rosebush, we were surprised to see another walking group from Cardigan about to start the same walk. A slightly amusing start occured when two of our group latched on to the other group and were seen setting off with them down the track, but after several calls to heel, they returned to join us!
Keith, one of our group, relayed interesting facts to the group after he had done some research into the history of Rosebush and the quarrying industry which started there in 1842; apparently at this time over 100 people were employed in the quarry with an output of 5,000 tonnes of slate annually, some of which was used for the roof of Westminster Palace in London.
This five-mile circular walk takes you through some stunning countryside, following a gently rising track through woodlands to join The Golden Road, which is an ancient pilgrim/trading route following the entire Preseli ridge. The views from this ridge range from St. David's in the west, along the coastline to Aberystwyth and South Snowdonia in the north and to the Black Mountains in the east.
Leaving The Golden Road, the track then makes its way up to the trig point on Foel Cwmcerwyn at 1,759 feet where spectacular views emerge overlooking the whole of West Wales.
A well-earned picnic was enjoyed here where everyone enjoyed soaking up the views, the sunshine and a cooling breeze.
The return to Rosebush, thankfully downhill all the way, was via lovely grassy-banked footpaths covered with wimberry bushes, the berries just beginning to ripen.
Refreshments at the end of the walk were then eagerly consumed at the Tafarn Zinc pub in the village.
Lyn Sandall