Feeling A Moment

LETJOG E2W – Day 23: Monday 6 May – NEWPORT to FISHGUARD (12.7 miles)

Today’s ramble was somewhat shorter than many of the previous days of my LETJOG E2W challenge, but it proved to be a most enjoyable and, I have to say, an extremely satisfying walk. Four miles on lanes, but then – wow – tracks and paths banked by verdant greenery, bluebells aplenty, the smell of wild garlic, and sea views; all leading eventually onto the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. And all of this splendour was highlighted by sunshine, even if the tops of the hills still had mist upon them. I made it to Fishguard by lunchtime, leaving my rucksack at the hostel that I have booked into for two nights, and I proceeded to enjoy an afternoon exploring the town, the seafront, and the beaches.

Fishguard Harbour is of course my destination for the conclusion of the Great Britain part of this challenge, but I have decided to add in an extra walking day, as it would seem a little churlish, having trekked this far, not to visit the Welsh headland closest to Ireland, which is just down the road at St David’s Head. So that is my task for tomorrow, a 20-mile hike to the end of the peninsula for some sea views before taking a bus back into Fishguard. Then on Wednesday I will have a Rest Day from walking whilst I take the ferry (booked this afternoon), from Fishguard to Rosslare in Ireland, for the next stage of my adventure. Meanwhile, I have some photos to share of today’s walk.

So, all told, this has been a wonderful day! And this evening I have had a lovely email from JustGiving, telling me that I am now a ‘Top 10% Fundraiser’, and a ‘Legend’ indeed. No doubt this is all computer-generated, but I will take the comments in the spirit in which they are offered by the algorithm, and accordingly I am chuffed to bits. Of course these accolades are all thanks to you folk out there – friends, relatives, and followers of this Blog – for your kind donations to my page and to Parkinson’s UK that are making all the difference to the charity’s medical research into the condition. My thanks once again go out to everyone for your generous sponsorship, and also for all of the kind messages of support that have kept me going on my LETJOG E2W challenge so far, especially on days that have been harder work than my short ramble today in the sun. Thank you all!

My Blog heading today ‘Feeling A Moment’ rather sums up my mood of accomplishment at reaching the Irish Sea – even if I still have much of this challenge ahead of me. The words are taken from a song of that title by Welsh indie rock band Feeder, from their 2005 album ‘Pushing The Senses’, written by the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Grant Nicholas. The song was released as the second single from the album (after ‘Tumble And Fall’) reaching Number 13 on the UK chart; it may sound familiar to football fans, as it was used by ITV for the trailer advertising their coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and then in the next two seasons during the presentation ceremonies for the European and FA Cups. Feeder themselves hail from the other Welsh town named Newport, perhaps the better known one in South Wales – they were formed in 1994, in the ‘Britpop’ era, and they have continued to be successful ever since.