Cat, cake and chaffinch

There were a couple of places that I really wanted to visit, as well as St. Govan's chapel. Stackpole estate, managed by the National Trust, covers a large area on this bit of peninsula. It includes Stackpole Quay.

From the NT website:

Stackpole Quay is part of  a tiny inlet nestled between two cliffs with an historic masonry quay which was rebuilt in 1735 by the Earl of Cawdor. The original quay dated back to 1680 and was used to transport coal dust from Saundersfoot. Under the Cawdors  it was used for shipping lime and limestone out and docking coal, slate and bricks from Swansea, Bristol and north Wales, as well as bringing in luxury goods for Stackpole Court and the wider estate. 

About half a mile south-west of the quay, and only accessible on foot, is Barafundle Bay, often voted Most Beautiful Beach in the World. At least once anyway!

We spent a couple of hours here, sunbathing and, in my case, swimming. Okay, another exaggeration: a quick dip under the water.

Nearly forgot to mention the cat on the beach. A young couple had a very friendly, fluffy, cat on a lead. 

Followed by cake and tea in the little cafe at Stackpole Quay.

Badly-timed photo!

A chaffinch joined us. Not quite brave enough to take the crumb from Husband's hand but happy to eat from the table.

With that little tummy I suspect he was used to tourists feeding him!

Then we were off again to another part of the estate, Stackpole Court. Sadly the mansion was demolished before the estate came into the hands of the National Trust, and only a tiny bit remains. When Sir John Campbell inherited Stackpole Estate in 1777 he began a huge landscaping project that included the damming of a valley to create Bosherston lily ponds, as a backdrop to his mansion. The lakes and their surroundings are now a nature reserve and site of special scientific and conservation interest. 

The famous Eight Arch bridge in the distance and then closer.

Husband said seven cygnets but a passing woman and I agreed on eight.

Back to the cottage to relax and read until we set off for Tenby for fish and chips. The chip shop Husband found on the internet claims to be 'the first and only 5-star fish and chip in South Pembroke.'

Of course we had to eat our chips on the prom looking at the sea. In spite of all the signs warning against feeding seagulls we weren't approached by a single one. We were watched carefully by a jackdaw though.

Were the chips as good as promised? They tasted nice but weren't the best ever. Fish was nice and crispy and tasty though. Then home to bed. I'd made Husband walk a lot including lots of ups and downs cliffs but he coped with it. (I did keep checking he was okay.)