Harbour

High winds today made walking difficult, set the windows clattering and the cat flaps flapping, snatched at clothes and hats and hair. I went down to Fishguard's old harbour which, facing north, escapes the worst of the sou'westerlies.

Once, this was the hub of a thriving herring industry with whole families engaged in the business of catching and preserving and trading. But in the late 18th century the shoals suddenly stayed away and the economy withered. The town developed in new ways further up the hill while the remaining community down here caught enough fish to sustain themselves but not to make much profit. Now tourists and holidaymakers are the main catch. Most of the cottages are holiday lets and in the summer the harbour is busy with leisure craft. A few locals go after crabs and lobsters but at best it's a part-time occupation.

Here, the tide is low and the waves are just nosing in where gulls have sought shelter from the rough sea. The fishing boats are temporarily aground, their dingies tied up to the quay. This should be a safe haven tonight if the wind does not change quarter.