We were past it in a second – the road sign that warned of wild horses ahead. I blinked – mentally anyway. Had I seen such a sign before? The equine form black on white, lissom, tail whisking out, suggestive of a sprightly canter. And no sooner had I thought this, than there they were – in the flesh, and nothing less wild could be imagined. Two colts, flat out and dozing in September sunshine, while below the lush farmland of north Pembrokeshire joined them, stretching out and out.
It was last Tuesday, just after breakfast, and we had taken the hill road out of Newport (Trefdraeth in Welsh) where we were having a few days’ holiday. My notion at least had been to climb Carn Ingli to explore the ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort that surrounds the summit. I’d read it was one of the largest hillforts in West Wales with traces of 25 hut circles within. A fortified village then, perhaps seasonally occupied.
And not only this, there are also Bronze Age burial cairns and the suggestion too that the mountain top was first enclosed in Neolithic times. In fact the whole area, from coast to hinterland and all across the Preseli Hills is littered with traces of prehistoric occupation: henges, standing stones, chambered tombs, hill- and promontory forts, burial cairns. The land of ancestors indeed, and for those of you who know your Stonehenge prehistory, you will recognise the name Preseli, and remember that the so-called bluestones of the inner circle were transported 140 miles from West Wales to Wiltshire. Recently the actual prehistoric quarry sites were discovered by a team of geologists and archaeologists. You can read the report here.
By the time we had gathered ourselves and tried to fathom the map, the wild horses had peaceably regrouped and we were joined by two mares, one in foal. Overhead the sun bore down very hotly for September; two ravens cronked and glided; the air filled with the scent of gorse and fading heather.
We set off up the track, eyed by a white-faced bullock. The path went up and up, past tumbled rocks which may or may not have been part of some ancient hut circle.
But the higher we went, the further we had to climb, and I was soon aware that he who is not so passionate about ancient relics was thinking thoughts that contained words like ‘wild goose chase’ and ‘hare-brained’. We gave it up, gazed awhile at the upland vistas and then drove on, wending on narrow lanes overhung with beech and hazel and ash, following the steep cleft of the Gwaun River valley down to Fishguard on the coast.
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P.S. In case I’ve whetted you appetite for a better glimpse of the hillfort, coming up is a view taken a couple of days later when we attempted to climb up from the seaward side. You can make out weathered ramparts. Below is Nevern Estuary and the tiny settlement of Parrog Quay, once a thriving ship-building yard and port for nearby Newport.
copyright 2019 Tish Farrell
Lens-Artists This week Amy asks us to show her countryside or small towns.
Tish Farrell 
A wild landscape…
Definitely, and not for clambering in after too much breakfast.
😄😄😄
Breathtaking… Love the photos of these horses. The third one is my favorite. Can’t imagine being there to enjoy this view. Love the vast view of the last image. Thank you so much, Tish for sharing your adventure. 🙂
So happy to share a bit of Wales, Amy. Glad you like the pix. The horses were so lovely.
The best thing about climbing a hill is the view back down, Tish. Especially when it’s of a lovely bay like this one 🙂 🙂
Not being the greatest strider-out as you are, the downward view is very often the best 🙂
Gorgeous landscapes, Tish. That was quite a climb.
It really was very steep, which actually made the retreat more hazardous than the ascent. It was at this point I remembered that I’d thought we ought to invest in some walking poles. Duh!
Ah well, there’s always next time. ☺️
As always, your words and pictures work so well together Tish.
Many thanks, Su. Magical landscape helps.
Good visit.Enjoyed this.
Thanks, Beverly.
Blessed are they who try – results not withstanding Tish! Personally I’d have been just as excited about the gorgeous wild horses!
A lovely perspective, Tina, and you’re absolutely right. The horses and the ravens were the best thrill.
thanks for taking us along. beautiful landscapes. 🙂
Absolutely my pleasure 🙂
A ‘fabalas’ area the Preseli Hills. We stayed in Rosebush one Christmas and had a Christmas Eve walk on the beach at Newport. It was refreshing to say the least!! Didn’t climb up this mountain, but we did find the wonderful Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber close by. Lovely photos of the horses.
After 2 failed attempts we found Pentre Ifan too. It was well worth discovering. There’s another similar burial chamber in Newport too – surrounded by bungalows.
I think there is something similar in a village on Bodmin moor, which I must track down.
Have always been fascinated by chambered tombs. Brittany’s a rich terrain too.
Never been there. I think I would like Brittany, but probably won’t get there now. I seem to have lost my urge for travel at the moment.
You’ve had a lot of worries I think. Am also thinking there may be a fairly handy ferry at your end of the country (?) should the urge to go come upon you. I’d like to go back there myself. Remember going into a little village church – remarkable for having a complete medieval danse macabre painted around its interior, and its crypt formed from a Neolithic long barrow. Talk about historical continuity.
Beautiful views and lovely horses, Tish! Thank you for the tough trip…The little calf looks such a sweety too.
He certainly gave us a good look over.
Oh gosh!! this takes me back…I stayed there in a cottage half way up Carningli one summer/autumn. That view is incredible!! So glad you went there Tish and it looks like it was an amazing day
What a lovely place to have stayed. How nice to have been walking in your end of summer footsteps, Athena.
Hee hee what is is about these hills that never have a summit! Loving the view of Parrog Quay
Parrog is great down at ground level too. Very excellent fish and chips in the pub and accompanying fine sunsets.
Fascinating post, Always a pleasant read. And what a lot to learn about history.
Many thanks, Stephen.
Beautiful. Have I heard that horses sleep standing up? Not always!
I’ve never seen them lying down quite like this before. You live and learn, don’t you 🙂