Porth Swtan to Llanfachraeth (8 miles)

Today was another two-car walk - but chosen to end at Llanfachraeth to enable a public transport link next time!

After four weeks, the vegetation has changed. Primroses almost all finished, sea kale in full flower, and thrift thriving: despite continuing dry weather, there were, overall, more in in flower. 

Most interesting today, and mainly at the start of the walk, were the gossamer-like webs of the Orchard Ermine moth. These caterpillars were feeding selectively on blackthorn, other plants nearby being untouched. Caterpillars of varying sizes could be seen, and had evidently stripped these bushes almost bare of leaves; no doubt they will recover. 


A very short diversion from the map took us to Castell Trefadog, a late medieval fortified house, now partly eroded by the sea. We were fortunate that it has recently had vegetation cleared, allowing the overall shape of the site, and the depth of the ditch, to be appreciated. There is also a new interpretation board.

As we approached the Alaw estuary, our guide book told us to turn onto a track towards a ruined farm building. The path on the ground was different, cutting across heath to join the same direction a bit later on, and the building is no longer ruined but has a new roof. The worn line of the path suggested this had been diverted for months if not years - and our guide book was published only in 2024!

An easy enough walk, this took us from seeing Ynys Cybi - Holy Island in the distance to being just over the other side. Ferries coming and going were evident.


   

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