Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Fresh Fish, Keyrings and Butterscotch

Pembrokeshire is the pride of Wales, and should be visited by anyone who is (A) looking for jaw dropping beauty and (B) of sound mind. There is no excuse for skipping it should you be a visitor to our green lands, (and if you are British then even the devil has no possible excuse for you if you have not been).
It is all one could ever hope for and more. Indeed a loud hearty cheer ought be heard upon passing the Croeso I Sir Penfro (Welcome to Pembrokeshire) sign. I do it every time hoping my 'hwyl' rings along its rugged coastline where both mighty legends and weekend paddlers have been awed by the scene before them. From castles to bars, and monestries to beach side chip shops, it would be a very dim (and probably close to death)individual who would not be thrilled by its charms.
Solva, Freshwater East, St Davids (Britains smallest city), Tenby, The Preseli hills, St Govans, Amroth, Porthgain, Bosherston, Carew, Milford Haven, the list goes on and on of charming little places to seek out. And each one has a different 'feel' about it.
Should peace be your thing then Solva will delight with gentle walks along the river and stunning views. For those seeking a little more then the ever popular Tenby will provide with its bars, restraunts and beaches, a magnate for tourists (or 'grockles' as they're affectionately known).
Tenby has a special place in my heart, and seems to hold the very spirit of my youth only rivaled by Porthcawl many mile away. I still remember the joy of buying rubber snakes and pistol keyrings in the seaside gifts shops that had beachballs and other inflatable toys hanging from their fronts. And these shops still flourish to this day, feeding my inner boy memories of when the sun shined always.
And the fish and chips in these towns, (fresh cod or hake usually but other fish are offered) are simply to die for. Fresh caught off the boat and coated in a batter which melts in the mouth. Food for gods and devils indeed, and factor in the busy pubs serving chilled ale and you have a irresistible menu in your lap. Of course Pembrokeshire offers a wider choice of specialities in its numerous restraunts but personally I find freshly cooked cod, smothered in vinegar to be perfect for sea towns. A mixture of tradition and tribute.
Whenever I visit I find myself going back in time buying paper bags of boiled sweets and butterscotch and playing on old arcade cabinets. Parts really are unchanged from the 1980's, and obviously if one cares to tour one of the counties many castles which are still well preserved then time goes a lot further back than 1980.

No comments:

Post a Comment