READING
WEEK PART 1: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
This
past week my University had reading week so that students could have
uninterrupted time to study. So naturally I abandoned all responsibility for
course work and instead dedicated my free time to travel. I easily could have
traveled farther, but we decided to get to know our host country better. And
let me tell you, such a good choice. Samantha, Lauren, Parmigiano Reggiano the
dragon (or Reggie for short), and myself traveled around Wales!
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| Parmigiano Reggiano (Reggie) the dragon in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park |
For
the first night we stayed in Poppit sands, starting off the next day hiking the
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We were told by experienced hikers that the
hike to Newport should only take about 3-5 hours, and of course we trusted
this. So the next day we set off with all of our belongings expecting to be in
Newport in time for lunch. After some pretty steep climbs along the coastline
we had become exhausted. However, our optimistic outlook was still going strong
with the beautiful view.
Along the way we reached a farm with some very friendly
horses, and also met the older man who owned them. Reggie wanted to eat the
horses but I told him they were just for petting. He was reluctant but
eventually he did bond with one of them!
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| Marissa and her new friend. |
We then asked the owner, already assuming
we were correct, if Newport was close. He laughed. We became afraid. He then
proceeded to tell us that we were barely halfway. Our hearts broke a little,
because after 6 miles/3 hours of hiking up and down hills we were exhausted.
But we had our destination, and we had our goals! We continued to trek on, and
finally came upon a sign that said 8 1/2 miles left…and then another sign
telling us that we were now coming upon the most difficult part of the hike.
With hardly any food and the fear of losing daylight, all we could do was get
there.
The
view was still beautiful, but there came a point when all I wanted to see was a
town…with other people. Gradually our motivation dwindled, which led to us
jumping fences. I do not feel bad for trespassing because 1) we were in the
middle of nowhere, 2) what is a nice Welsh gentleman actually going to do?, and
3) the territory over the fence was drastically easier to hike than the stupid
up and down hills (where we basically had to crawl on our hands in order to
pull ourselves up). Of course Reggie made no complaints the whole time because
he was either flying or riding in my backpack. I would be lying if I didn’t say
that the little dragon’s peppy mood didn’t bug me about half way through. But I
am happy that the little guy had fun…while I was in pain. Finally after 14
miles we came over a hill and saw civilization…praise! Not only was it gorgeous
because civilization, but in general Newport is an amazing town. We climbed
down from a waterfall (because once again there was a hill and we were done
with those) onto the bay. It was the perfect time of day, with the sun setting
and the clouds reflected in the water.
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| Success! |
But
we were not done yet! We had to walk about another mile to the center of town,
catch the bus to Haverford West, and then catch a train to Cardiff. With an
hour to spare before the train came, we took the bus back into town to get some
food. Only thing about this last excursion…the next bus to take us back to the
train station would arrive 5 minutes before the last train left. We were a
little on edge. Thankfully it did come, and we stepped onto the platform just
as the train pulled in. I sat down, breathed the biggest sigh of relief, ate my
healthy choice of KitKats and chips, and napped until Cardiff.
It
was definitely a long day and certainly painful, but now I can look back and
say I hiked a total of 19 miles in one day. It may have been torture in the
moment, but it’s one heck of a story.
Part 2: Bath, to follow!
Marissa Sarver
Trinity St. David
Wales
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