The great gate

After a stint of leafletting in St David's (there is a referendum in Wales next week on extra powers for the Welsh Assembly), the dog was more than ready for a walk on the coast. The recent windy weather combined with today's sunshine meant the surf was running and the views were breathtaking.

The furthest beach here is Porth Mawr (Great Gate), a long stretch of sand better known as Whitesands Bay, one of the world's foremost surfing venues. The first headland with the saddle is Trwynhwrddyn, Ram's Nose, next is a strangely shaped rocky protuberance called Craig y Creigwyr, Quarryman's Rock, and the third rocky spine has no name that I know of.

A few surfers had been lured into the foamy waves but the best thing about this time of year is that this popular piece of coastline was almost deserted. However, as well as the gorse, there were lesser celandines and scurvy grass already in bloom to remind us that the year is turning and it won't be long before the holiday makers we all rely upon will be heading our way.