A Slot in the Rocks October 2008
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Ster Wenn from the clifftop showing the permanent mooring lines used by local fishing boats strung across the shallows. At the top left corner, Les Poulains lighthouse is seen looking out to the open sea. q
“ Cliff walks from Ster Wenn are easy”
p The splendid jet black Chough, with bright red beak and red legs. It’s unmistakable “chee-ow” cry will be heard as it dives and swoops low over the inlet.
I have seen effective alternative mooring methods which include getting the stern line and assistant ashore first then anchoring ( very long line needed or the assistant gets a free water-ski lesson ) and a three stage method being anchor temporarily in the middle
then run a shore line then reset the anchor in the permanent location. It has to be said that it is worth making a pretty accurate early note of where your anchor lies since you may swing off line with an evening breeze and it is wise to advise newcomers to stay clear.
What’s there
There is a road at the back of the Ster Vraz which has a gently sloping pebble beach with easy access for landing bicycles by dinghy. Conversely the small beach at the end of Ster Wenn is not so easy as the shallows end in large stones and a seaweed covered foreshore. The road winds up over the saddle back and descends into Sauzon some 3 Kms away where every delight imaginable ( almost ) can be obtained.
Back at the mooring, the grassy cliffs to the East are ideal for an evening barbecue with many flat comfortable areas and the best of the evening sun. Here, look across to the steeper cliff face to the West where a bird sanctuary thrives amongst a host of wild flowers. Young gulls try out their wings for the first time, attempting a hop, then a jump, then are surprised to find themselves launched, panic then finally crash land back where they started. It is almost certain you will hear the “chee-ow” of the relatively rare chough which breeds around these cliffs, at first it may be mistaken for a rook in flight but has a bright red beak and red legs and flies adroitly with squared off black fingers spread at its wing tips.
The cliff walks from Ster Wenn are easy and among the most spectacular to be found on the West Coast with fabulous cliff formations a host of wild flowers and beautiful sea colours. £
If you would like to see more articles by Clive you can visit his website at www.clivewilliams.net