Safe Haven

04Sep13

Admiral Lord Nelson cited the 22 miles of the Milford Haven Waterway as 'one of the greatest harbours in the world' for its depth of water and protection from the weather. It has seen many invading fleets over the centuries either taking cover or preparing for battle. Today, it is a home to the oil and LNG industries with 20% of the UK's energy supplies passing through the port; the fishing, coal, grain and mineral fleets have all but gone. Even with the adornements of refinery chimneys and heavy industry it is still an attractive area as is the whole of Pembrokeshire – However. The wealth, or lack of it, in the adjoining towns and villages does not reflect the vast economy of the energy business. Milford Haven, along with the majority of places we have visited on our journey is far from heading out of recession or even coming close.

Adjacent to Milford Haven is the Castlemartin firing range. Primarily a tank excercise area it is very disconcerting to hear and feel the earth-shaking percussion from shells booming around the haven throughout some days, and nights – when we leave we shall certainly be looking over our shoulders claiming 'right of passage' though I seem to recall even that failed to work for The General Belgrano!

During our stay here we have enjoyed the end of the Summer sunshine whilst awaiting a favourable change in the wind direction for our next stop: Penzance, around Land's End and onto the south coast.