Nooks and Corners of PembrokeshireTimmins, H. Thornhill (Henry Thornhill)
History
Nooks and Corners of Pembrokeshire
Timmins, H. Thornhill (Henry Thornhill)
Pembrokeshire (Wales) -- Description and travel
Our investigations completed, we betake ourselves to the Cardigan
terminus, and travel thence over the branch line of the Great Western
Railway as far as Crymmych-Arms Station. Beyond Kilgerran the line
traverses some pretty furze-clad dingles, and, as we approach our
destination, mounts in short, sharp curves towards the high ground that
forms the watershed of northern Pembrokeshire.
From the summit level, some 700 feet above the sea, we command a noble
prospect of the Precelly range, and the more remote hills about Newport
Bay and Fishguard; the effect being heightened by the sunset glow, while
a brilliant rainbow spans the purple clouds that brood over the loftier
crests of the distant mountains.
At Crymmych we avail ourselves of such accommodation as the wayside inn
affords, intending to start away bright and early upon the morrow's
explorations.
[Illustration: CROMLECH AT NEWPORT.]
CHAPTER XI.
A RAMBLE OVER PRECELLY HILLS, TO THE SOURCES OF THE CLEDDAU.
The broad grassy slopes of Fryn-y-Fawr, (or Vrenny Vawr, as they
pronounce it), a big isolated hill to the east of Crymmych-Arms, afford
a pleasant morning's stroll, with a widespreading outlook at the end of
it. The mountain road by which we approach the monticle follows the
course of the ancient trackway called Fordd-Fleming, which we presently
exchange for the open, heathery hillside; going as we please for the
tall green tumulus that marks the summit.
Save towards the west, where the higher Precelly range intercepts the
view, the prospect is wide and unrestricted, comprising nearly the whole
of Pembrokeshire, with its setting of silvery sea, and a vast stretch of
South Wales, including the peninsula of Gower; while the northern
horizon is bounded by the remote Northwallian hills, amongst which, if
the day be clear, the peak of Snowdon may possibly be distinguished.
Descending by the opposite end of the hill, we pass a small homestead,
whose name indicates that the source of the Nevern River is near at
hand.
Somewhere within the flanks of Fryn-y-Fawr, there lies hid (according to
the tradition of the countryside) a leaden casket packed full with
untold gold. The _genius loci_ that guards this mysterious treasure
takes the form of a violent tempest, which bursts, in thunder and
lightning, around the head of the man who is foolhardy enough to seek to
possess himself of the forbidden prize.
Returning to Crymmych-Arms, we settle up accounts with mine hostess--a
simple process in these parts, often arranged without the formality of a
'bill,'--and set forth anew upon our wanderings. The old trackway again
forms our route, leading us past the site of a rude monument called
Croes Mihangel, and thence across the heather-clad shoulders of Foel
Trigarn, the easternmost spur of Precelly, which, as its name implies,
is crowned with three cairns, surrounded by the stony ramparts of an
ancient British stronghold.
[Illustration: THE SKIRTS OF PRECELLY.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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