3rd OCT. ST.DAVIDS YHA TO NEWGALE SANDS

Got up at 7. Cooked breaky but because of no oil made a mistake by trying to make poached eggs that turned out scrambled.
We were packed up and away at 9.30. It was really slow walking,  unsure why just didn 't make the usual mileage by midday. The walking was not to bad,  we had sun and although a fair wind from the south west we could not seem to get on.By the time we reached Porthlysgi I decided to put J in front to pick up the pace. In doing so we had completed 12 miles by Solva and as it was 3.30 it was possible we may make our 15 mile aim. On walking into Solva we aimed for the shop and was directed by a local who informed us we were on the best part of the Trail. I did not agree but said it eas very nice, for want of a better adjective. He also informed me we had only walked 9 miles , I did not correct him. At least he pointed us in the right direction. After snacking out we continued. We walked on and before we got to Newgale Sands ,a few miles on, we both knew pitching would be awkward. The problem was it was fairly early to stop. We both saw a potential place to pitch. J wanted a more direct approach and wanted to head over rough land to get to it, I eanted to take the path and drop on to the site. When I saw J finding it easy to go via the rough I followed. It was a mistake the brambles got deeper and more dense, plus nettles and thorn also to added to the ever increase in painful bare knees becoming bloody. I had taken the lead as I had gaiters on. In the end we turned around, I cursed the brambles and myself and lost the brollie trying to get out. J said my knees looked like the passion of Christ film after the lashes. I wad so peed off that I decided to walk on, past the easy drop to the potential pitch site via the path. Ot was to early to stop anyway, 5 pm. J was happy walking on but ee gained another 3 miles and walked passed Newgale and pitched just south of the beach/ sands. The eind wad picking up so we pitched off the path behind gorse. It eas the first time we had pitched the tent with the broken pole and was pleased to have a dry day. It eent up ok but the buffeting did put me on edge. We only had dry bread and crisps for a meal that night- bread with a crunch. J's sleeping mat was punctured by pitching on thorns, great as I had only just fixed mine. I felt disorganised and out of sorts, I kept losing things J, maybe just tired but did not sleep until 11.45 as I was listening to the radio. Walking we had had numerous radio stations but the clearest was from southern Ireland. Slight rain and tent flexing in the wind and but stable. 18.5 miles today.<

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