CARN EITHEN (SOUTH)

WHITESANDS

ST DAVIDS

 INFORMATION FOR GUESTS

 Introduction:

 

Welcome to Carn Eithen, we do hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable stay with us. Carn Eithen has been our family home for many years and the ambience reflects this It is comfortably furnished in a period style. If you are looking for a minimalist modern flat the property is not for you!

 Carn Eithen has a double bedroom and a verandah bedroom. A third guest can be accommodated in the Verandah is a lovely room with sea views. However it does get light early in the summer and this is a secondary bedroom best for those not disturbed by light mornings.

 A brief History

 Carn Eithen comprises two traditional Pembrokeshire Cottages built of the local stone and were first constructed around the 1700s. The cottages had fallen into  disrepair after the First World War. They were restored as a summer home by a Miss Leetham in the 1930s. My parents bought the cottages in 1940 and the house has now been our family home for 65 years.

 ACCESS

 The road to Carn Eithen is a Public Bridle Way – that means there is a public right of way on foot, or on horseback (including bicycles) but there is no public vehicular access beyond the old hotel. We enjoy a private right of way over the whole length of the road out to the St Justinian Road. The track is not publicly maintained. We try to keep the road in reasonable repair, but do please drive slowly and take obvious precautions to avoid potholes. The road to the south of Carn Eithen is NOT suitable for ordinary vehicles and should NOT be attempted in a car – it is passable if you have a 4WD vehicle, but the lane is narrow and full of brambles – beware scratches!

 BEACHES

 There are two beaches within comfortable walking distance:

 WHITESANDS BAY

 About 25 minutes walk - a renowned 'blue flag' beach. Go North (to your right as you look out sea) from Carn Eithen turn left just before the Hotel and follow signs to the beach. The steps at the South end of the Beach are very steep and not advised, the easiest access is to continue down the path until you reach the Car Park.

 

If you intend bathing or surfing at Whitesands please follow the instructions at the beach and only bathe in the designate areas.

 WHITESANDS - has a good Car Park (paying), turn left at the end of our road by the Golf Links.  There is a new seasonal shop and café and quite a good range of supplies.

 PORTH SELE BEACH – seen here at a very low tide in the autumn

 

 

This is the nearest beach to Carn Eithen. On foot it takes about 15 minutes . It is an attractive little cove and therefore busy in high season. It forms the south end of Whitesands Bay. Turn left (south) out of the drive. Follow the lane to the next Farm (Treleddyn). Turn right and follow the footpath signs. A track leads through two fields, then the path takes over - through a stile and down to the beach to your right. There is no supervision of bathing, which is confined to the left hand side of the beach (as you look out to sea) as the right hand side (Whitesands end) is rocky except at the lowest of tides. Bathing is best here at high tide. You can reach Porth Sele by car - leave St Davids on the St Justinians road turning right down a track about a mile from the Lifeboat Station. The farmer makes a charge for use of his field. The ordnance survey map for the area is useful for finding these lanes and tracks.#

 A summer evening at high tide on Porth Sele

 

 

OTHER BEACHES in the area for exploration by car:

 CAERFAI  - a mile south of the City of St Davids this attractive beach faces south into St Brides Bay, particularly pleasant in the mornings, there is parking at the top of the cliffs and fairly steep path and steps down to the beach. Bathing is unsupervised and proper care should always be taken.  

To the north are Abereiddy (black sands from the slates which sometimes contain Graptolites). Aber Bach and Aber Mawr are quite a drive but attractive bays which can be combined with a visit to Strumble Head, although the lighthouse, now automated, is closed to the public.

 To the south are the many attractive coves and beaches of St Brides Bay and the Dale peninsular easily found from OS Maps and visitor guides. Broadhaven has a good beach, Littlehaven has great charm and waterside pubs.

Swimming: the whole of this area is very tidal with exceptionally strong currents, heavy surf and strong undertows are prevalent. Porthmelgan - the little cove next to St David's Head has notoriously bad currents and undertows and is NOT safe for bathing. Bathing conditions generally are therefore unsafe for weak or inexperienced swimmers who should stay well in and always in supervised areas. Never bathe when you are tired, or feel unwell, stay well within your depth, don’t bathe immediately after a meal or after consuming alcohol or at night. Do follow local advice and instructions.  

SNOW  

This is very unlikely in Pembrokeshire – but we did have some this year – here are the Water Buffalo sheltering beneath Carn Gynon in February.

 

 

BANKS  

There are small branches of Lloyds, HSBC (Midland) and Barclays in St Davids. Lloyds and Midland have a cash dispensers. HSBC (Midland) has limited opening outside the holiday season.

 BOAT TRIPS.

 I photographed this dolphin on a boat trip to Grassholm a couple of years ago.

 

 

Do try to take a professionally run the trip around Ramsey, or (at some expense) to the outer Islands. The boast leave from the Lifeboat Slip. There is a ‘dry’ traditional boat, or there are the ‘wet’ ones – the Rigid Hull Inflatables (RHIBs) - for the more adventurous. You get a very different perspective on the coastline from the sea. Details are advertised in the City. A day on Ramsey Island is particularly lovely in fine weather.

 Sailing and Boating – a warning!

 The coast is very treacherous with tide rips, half submerged reefs, overfalls, and fierce currents. Conditions at sea can change very rapidly from flat calm to gale in a matter of minutes. It is not a suitable area for 'own boats' - other than perhaps for the very experienced sailor. The lifeboat is stationed here for good reason! We therefore advise against using your own boats in this area.  

BUSES and TRAINS

 There is a bus service to Haverfordwest approximately hourly. There is a less frequent service to Fishguard. Please check in St Davids for times. The bus stop is opposite the supermarket in New Street.  There are through trains from Haaverfordwest to a number of stations. The service to Swansea is approximately two hourly.

 

St DAVIDS CATHEDRAL

 No visit to St Davids is complete without spending some time in the this lovely 12th Century building. Service times are displayed at the entrance. Usually there is Holy Communion at 8am, a Parish Eucharist (and a separate Welsh Service at 9.30). The principal morning service at 11.00am varies between Matins and the Eucharist. A choir sings evensong most days, and there are full choral services (in English and in Welsh) on Sundays. For music lovers St Davids enjoys a number of festivals and celebrity recitals throughout the year. Details will be readily available at the Cathedral

 The Bishops Palace (ruins) are well worth a visit just to the south of the Cathedral in the Cathedral Close. Full literature, guides and music will be found in the Cathedral shop.  

CLEANING

There is no cleaning or laundry service. You will need to bring your own sheets and towels. Please leave the property as you would like to find it. Our competitive rates reflect the trust we have in our guests

We live nearby and you should contact us with any problems.  

COAST PATH

 The Pembrokeshire coastal path is one of the foremost in the Country, and the St Davids peninsular has, in many people's opinion, the best stretch. There are many guides and it is worth acquiring one to get the best out of a coastal walk. Care and good shoes are essential. Some stretches are quite easy others quite demanding with few access points. Do take care. The path is not generally fenced and walkers  use it at their own risk.

 

 

DISWASHER

 A new dishwasher has been installed in the South End – the controls are self explanatory. Normally the ‘3’ setting is all you need. Please use Ecover or other environmentally friendly tablets only.

 DRAINS:  PLEASE READ THIS!!!  

Like most remote properties Carn Eithen is connected to a Septic Tank. This is not in any way comparable to mains drainage and needs to be understood. Septic tanks work on the principle of anaerobic bacteria consuming the sludge. They can only do this satisfactorily if they are not bombarded with modern chemicals and the like. Unhappily modern detergents and septic tanks do not go well together with the result that if non-organic waste is flushed into the tank it kills the bacteria, blockage and overflow then result all too easily.

Please observe the following precautions:

 1. Be as sparing as possible in the use of washing up liquids and especially sparing of clothes detergents.

 2. Please do not flush anything down the lavatory other than lavatory paper. Sanitary towels or other personal items should be disposed of in sealed bags in the rubbish bins and never flushed down the loo.

 3. If you suspect a blockage (which will be all too evident as water accumulates around the drains and inspection covers) please contact me or the agents immediately  

Pumping out the tank is now very expensive. About £300. If this is necessary and found to be due to a blockage for misuse contrary to these guidelines we reserve the right to seek the costs from you.

 EATING OUT

 One of the pleasures of a holiday - we cannot list recommendations here as standards and preferences vary, but standards and choice have improved enormously in the area in recent years. There are usually leaflets in the folders with various suggestions, but an up to date recommendation is best, if you find any particularly good places do mention them in the visitor’s books for others to try.  

ELECTRICITY

 

This is the normal 220V AC. The circuit is protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker, which will trip if too many appliances are turned on at once. You will be able to access the trip switch in the North End porch area if I am not available to help. Alternatively please call the Agents.

 A WARNING

The overhead supply cable is very obviously visible, please therefore do not let anyone fly any form of kite or model aeroplane or anything similar near the cables or try to touch them, a shock will probably be lethal.

 HEATING

 There is a Night Storage heaters in the South End on a separate circuit which will normally be activated for Winter and shoulder seasons. The middle setting should be satisfactory for most conditions and should not generally be altered.  

Do not attempt to move the heater. Do not place anything on the heater or very close to it. Contact me or the Agents if you suspect a problem.

There are electrical heaters in each of the rooms for supplementary heat if needed.

 HOSPITAL

 WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL HAVERFORDWEST  01 437 764 545

 INFORMATION

 There is an excellent Tourist Information centre as you approach St Davids -  in the City Hall.  My sister Nona works in the Library on a Tuesday and Friday, and in the Pebbles Bookshop on a Thursday, and will be pleased to help with information.

 RESERVOIR

The reservoir in front of the property belongs to Tom Spittle the neighbouring farmer at Treleddyn and is out of bounds at all times. Very occasionally it will be used for irrigation. This necessitates pumping; Mr Spittle regrets any disturbance this might cause but it is a necessity of modern farming, he will do what he can to keep any disturbance to a minimum. The banks are not safe and it is deep and muddy.  Children must be kept well clear at all times. Please admire the birds and wildlife which it attracts from a distance.

 RUBBISH

 Please take your rubbish to the St Davids recycling centre.

 SHOPPING  

Basic supplies from the seasonal shop at the Whitesands shop. Most  household supplies and needs are well catered for in supermarket, butchers, and Delicatessen in St Davids. Haverfordwest has a number of modern supermarkets. Fishguard is also well worth visiting for shopping.  

SUNBURN

 

 It is deceptively easy to burn at the Seaside, do take proper care and follow the advice given. (See weather pages of teletext.)

 TELEPHONE

 

There is no phone line – mobiles work OK upstairs.