Dolphins and Seals in the Mist

 

The forecast this morning was for sustained heavy rain all day, so we donned waterproofs from head to toe, and wrapped the backpacks in their rain covers, in anticipation of a proper drenching.

In the event, there was not much rain, just a couple of light showers, but the low clouds descended and mist rolled in steadily from the sea, turning to thick fog half way through our walk.

This was a day for hardened walkers, determined to complete the stage at whatever cost, and look ahead to better days. There was precious little visibility, and the warm, muggy conditions felt really oppressive. Sweat poured off our brows with nowhere to evaporate, and glasses steamed up like we were in a Turkish sauna. It was pretty hard going as well on the roller-coaster path, long steady climbs followed by long steady descents.

We found a sheltered cove at Cwmtydu, for our tea break with biscuits, and by chance witnessed the spectacle of a pod of dolphins, arcing gracefully amid the waves, at times just 100m or so away from us. A special treat.

Later, along the clifftop, we heard the plaintive cry of a newborn seal pup, which we spotted below us, through a brief break in the fog. Squint hard enough, or maximise to the nth pixel, and you can just make out its grey blobby figure (tucked in immediately under the boulder-shaped rock). There was a sign further along indicating the pup was a few days old and warning humans not to approach.

Here's a photo of a mist-dewy cobweb that Em took.

And now for a pic of an impressive fungus that Em snapped.

Which is all by way of saying that we couldn't see much, but that didn't stop us noticing the small miracles that nature has to offer, alongside the marvellous wildlife we got to see on this otherwise uninspiring outing.

We are staying at the Penwig hotel in New Quay, just by the harbour of this seaside resort town, and the rain has been really chucking it down out there. So it could have been a whole lot worse.

Downpour over, we sampled a pint of local ale at the village pub, and then enjoyed a first class meal at the Blue Bell Bistro. Em devoured a whole bream, while I took a delicate fork to a delicious red snapper. A fine way to put a forgettable day to bed.

Joff x