The Ham Nomads

9 May 2014. <GB-WLS> Laugharne, Carm; Haverfordwest, Pemb —

Clocktower in Laugharne

Woke up in Ty Croesi. The club was deserted. Took our time (our starting times are getting later and later as Warren has mastered the art of sleeping in while Susie has a coffee and reads yesterday's paper). Drove the A48 via Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin), turning south at St Clears to get to Laugharne (if you pronounce it like the Victorian beach resort Lorne you're not far wrong!) as recommended by the lass in the Cardiff Tourist Information Centre. This is a beautiful spot, where Dylan Thomas spent a lot of his time writing — he wrote Portrait of the artist as a young dog here.

Laugharne Castle

Dylan Thomas' Writing Shack

The Boat House

The castle is spectacular, although small. We couldn't go up the tower because of conservation work in progress, but the gardens around it are delightful. Its last owner built a summer house overlooking the estuary of the River Taf, and Dylan Thomas had his "writing shack" built a little further along the path. A little further along was the Boathouse, where he stayed for some time. We spent a bit of time just exploring, and then went into the village for a lunch of fish and chips (what else?), which we ate in the comfort of our van overlooking the estuary and the castle. They can't charge for parking where we were sitting, as the car park is liable to flood at high tide. A bit more walking around the castle, then we departed for parts further west.

Drove up to then across towards Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd). Called in on Picton Castle, but it was too late in the day to do much more than have a quick look at part of its beautiful gardens before moving on. In any case, the castle itself looks more of an 18th century manor than a medieval castle, so we were happy to push on.

Spent a couple of hours in the McDonalds at Haverfordwest, catching up on computer time and chatting to Joan who was waiting tables there. She suggested that in St David's we look for the Chapel Chocolate shop — she makes trips over there just for the chocolates!

Set off, but instead of making directly for St David's (only about 15 miles to the west), went up the A40 for two reasons — good large parking areas by the road (to camp over) and the avoidance of some steep slopes on the direct route.

Distance driven — today, 88 miles ( 141 km ); to date, 863 miles ( 1,389 km )