I didn’t get the best night’s sleep. It was very hot, so I needed the window open, which just made the seagulls and automated barrier warnings announcements louder until about 5am when they both retired for the night. I wonder how many people don’t think about seagulls when they move to the coast.

I left the Dolphin hotel @8:15am and followed Sustrans 4 signs along the waterfront. It was so quiet and relaxing gazing out to the Mumbles that I missed the turn off into Clyne Common and actually ended up in the Mumbles which seemed a very pleasant place. Retracing my steps, I wondered whether I would be regretting these extra 3 miles later in the day.

Sometimes there is just took much information to take in.

It was a nice cycle to Llanelli on quiet,  cycleways, especially given that it is a Sunday. However there was a blustery headwind and rain was in the air as I reached the outskirts. I found a cafe by the station. Breakfasts with Pepsi Max were the standard order from the locals.

I followed Sustrans 4 out of Llanelli on the waterfront where it was as blustery as it was when I was last here for the marathon in 2019, but thankfully not as cold. This time I saw the monument to Phil Bennett, arguably Wales greatest rugby player, under the rugby posts from the famous Stradey Park which was sold for housing in 2008.

The cyclepath then took me out on a scenic route through Burry Port and on to Pembrey Country Park and beyond as I followed my nose along the coast.

Cutting back inland to Pembrey, I re-joined Sustrans 4 on the canal path but strangely didn’t see a canal. This eventually joined up with the A484 which started to climb. Approaching the summit the Sustrans 4 turned off on a quieter road which appeared to be descending steeply to Carmarthen until it reached a village and then climbed steeply. This was the start of the hills for the day.

While it’s only been 2 days , I have been impressed with the standard of the driving. Although there were a lot of protests against it, I partially put this down to the 20mph speed limits introduced by the late former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, some of which have been revoked by some Local Authorities, who perhaps see it as a vote loser. I have found all drivers very patient and respectful and feel that the threat of penalties maybe enough to deter some, who slow the traffic for all.

On the outskirts of Carmarthen I came across a Morrisons. I fancied lunching in Carmarthen, but then it was too good an opportunity to miss, so I compromised; buy food in Morrisons to eat in Carmarthen. It was also useful for the toilets and had a cash machine, except that after withdrawing £50 the cash machine retained my card. This was a problem, but could have been disastrous had I not brought a credit card with me. I also had some cash of course.

After my lunch in Carmarthen Square, contemplating my financial predicament, I reviewed the route options for Pembroke. All were hilly, but I opted for the quieter back roads rather than busy ‘A’ roads. I set off at 2pm with some 37 miles to go. The first hill was brutal and I was down to 4 mph. Reaching St Clear the headwind seemed to be bringing the rain with it, as per the forecast, so I took shelter, refuelled, donned my waterproof and climbed. I always find Radio Masts a reliable indicator of summits and so was pleased to see, and pass one with about 20 miles to go (although it was still undulating, but at least there was more down than up). The rain had thankfully stopped.

There are a lot of castles along the coast and Carew was the best I saw today.

After 81 miles, I finally made it to Pembroke for 6:15pm, checked in then set about cancelling my Debit card, before a wonderful vegetarian pasta and pint. It had been a hard afternoon of hills and headwinds; reviewing the route for Day 3, suggested that may be even harder. However, on a positive note at least it was cooler.