The cliffs along this stretch of coastline are totally different to Pembrokeshire but no less impressive.
The next point of interest is Nash Point with it's two lighthouse towers. This was built in 1832 following public outcry after the passenger steamer Frolic was wrecked with heavy loss of life in 1830. Only one lighthouse is in use today. Large overfalls can form here but today it was flat calm.
Paddling eastwards I pass St Donat's Castle which now houses Atlantic College and the Atlantic College Inshore Lifeboat.
Just before Tresilian Bay there is a large impressive cave which almost looks man made due to the layered rock formations. It is rumoured that the caves around this bay were once used by pirates. This one really took my breath away.
Passing Col-Huw point, the beach at Llantwit Major, the tide is now full in and all that is visible of the beach is a steep bank of pebbles. I paddle on to Stout Point where I have a short break. I then carry on around Summerhouse Point and the scenery changes for the worst as Aberthaw Power Station comes into view. The paddle along this stretch was a drag as the tide had changed and was flowing against me. 
I then paddled out to the concrete tower and into the main tidal stream to start on my return journey back to Dunraven Bay.
My progress is very rapid averaging 5 1/2 knots with little effort.
On the way back I get a good view of Tresilian Bay and it's numerous caves.
Before I know it I have reached the two towers of Nash Point lighthouse.
On passing East Nash Buoy, which is straining at it's moorings, due to the rate of the tide, I achieve my top speed of 8 knots.
Soon my peace and tranquility is shattered. As I enter Dunraven Bay the beach is full of people, very different from the deserted one I left nearly six hours ago, anyone would think summer had come early.
I had a great paddle today and covered 19.5 nautical miles (just over 36km) on a near perfect day.
3 comments:
Nice shot of the cave at Tresilian. I paddled there last night, didn't think of using my flash - doh!
I recall it being called Reynards Cave, but I think this is a bastardised version of Reynold, as I have found some historic stuff referring to it as St Reynold's Church.
Both are mythical, the Reynold being referred to is Reynold the fox.
The lintel of stone you can see in your shot is called "Dwynwen's bow of Destiny" and hither come anxious lovers eager to try their chances of matrimony, or in other words destiny,
by throwing a stone through this opening. Every failure means an additional year of probation in the state of single blessedness.
Hi Eurion, thanks for the input, the cave really was stunning, totally different to any other caves I have been in. Is the history you gave me local knowledge or did you find it from some other source? I searched for a while about that particular stretch of coastline but didn't find much.
Glad to know that someone else reads my blog also,
Cheers
Richard
I've always known it as Reynards Cave, the other references to Dwynwens bow and Reynold the fox I found in some writings regarding the Stradling family
The History of the Stradlings of St Donats Together with that of the Parish, Manor and Castle. T.C.Evans
Cardiff central Library Manuscript No. 3.166
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