Long day. Short walk.

You can't go very far in Wales without bumping into a castle or two. We have three within a twenty mile radius of us, the closest being at Carew, about 10 minutes drive away. It is a place we often go to for a short walk and it is lovely at any time of the day or any time of the year.

Yesterday's beautiful weather made us decide to get down there after dinner for a stroll around the castle and its tidal mill,the only restored one in Wales. The tide was out in the main part of the millpond and it was a wonderful evening. The air was still and warm and there was not a single soul there to share it with. It is a very special feeling when you know you have a place all to yourselves isn't it?

The castle started as a Norman fortification and was altered by Sir John Perrot in the 16th century into part-Elizabethan mansion. He didn't finish the job though as he ended his days in the Tower of London. In its time it's been painted by many artists, even Turner in his heyday, and they should have been there last night to capture the millpond looking just like glass.

Along with the usual seagulls we saw a couple of herons but no sign of the Little Egret that's been there recently. We also saw the millpond's resident pair of swans. There are never any more than the one pair in evidence and they have been there for years. They are two males who build a nest every year and fill it with flotsam and jetsam which they seem to hope will hatch into a family. Apparently it is not unusual to find gay swans although I've never heard of it anywhere else.

The circular walk around the castle is only a mile. Last night we strolled around it. Sometimes I come down early in the morning and walk around it when the mist is rolling off the water. It is a lovely place, but like everywhere in Pembrokeshire, never crowded. We never tire of coming here and looking at the view. What a great summer we're having. Long may it continue.