After a very dismal Saturday with constant downpours, I wondered if Sunday’s walk would go ahead. However, glimpses of blue sky were visible as 5 Wick Wanderer’s met at Wick Village Hall and we headed off towards St Donat’s, collecting Sue on the way.
We walked along the lanes, having one very brief slight shower enroute. By the time the rainwear was on, the shower stopped and we were blessed with sunshine all day.
We stopped at St Donat’s village fishing pond, to admire the deer, a cow, heron and back end of a duck! Funny how stationary they were!
Arriving at the main gate we headed down to The Castle, then walked around the exterior to the top lawn. A glorious view over the gardens below and out over The Bristol Channel gave us a perfect spot for our picnic, and we were joined here by Bridget.
Although we could have sat eating and chatting all day, I eventually led the group back around the Castle to The Valley. This lovely, sheltered area is where The Atlantic College Students have an orchard, vegetable growing area, vinery and poly tunnels. We had a little tour here then headed back up to the lawns. The group then split into two: some were shortly catching the bus back to Wick, the remaining four headed down via the garden terraces towards the sea. We admired the roses, lavender and many other beautiful flowers in the Tudor gardens, before leaving via the gate in the castellated sea walls. The four of us sat on the rocks, gazing out to sea and enjoyed a coffee/soft drink.
Homeward bound now, via the coastal path to Nash Point, along the valley criss-crossing the stream by the 5 sets of steppingstones. We then headed up around the back of Marcross, this path being so overgrown in parts I did wonder if I was leading us into a jungle! Back over the fields to reach the road we eventually made it to The Plough and Harrow, and stopped for our final well-earned refreshments. Moyra then caught the bus, Bridget and myself had a lift……and only our Chairman Richard was the hero walking back to Wick (he was offered a lift I hasten to add!)
My mileage was 10.64 miles or over 20,000 steps, everyone’s would be different depending on what they had wished to walk, but hopefully we all shared the same enjoyment of the day.
Thanks for joining me!
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