Any self respecting guide to the historic town of Pembroke is bound to mention its castle and the fact that it is the birthplace of Henry VII. It will probably also mention that the castle is one of the best preserved Norman castles in Britain but on one of the hottest days of the summer I decided that, rather than scaling the ramparts, a walk by the cooling waters that surround three sides of it would be more than sufficient exercise. I started from the car park beneath the castle walls and walked along the footpath by the river before ascending Westgate Hill.

A short detour into The Parade offered little respite from the scorching sun but with blue skies all around I wasn't complaining.

A War Memorial stands at the top of Westgate Hill close to the entrance to the castle and a little further on the town church and a clock tower stand side by side.

Descending the hill again via Northgate Street took me back towards my starting point, the bridge over the River Pembroke. The entrance to the car park is just visible on the left but I turned right to follow the river.

The River Pembroke flows into the Milford Haven waterway which was described by Admiral Nelson as the "greatest natural harbour in the world". A wide walkway runs by the side of the river with pleasant views in both directions.

The town grew up around the castle and for many years served as a port exporting Pembrokeshire goods to Ireland, France and Spain as well as the rest of Britain. Today's landing stages serve mainly as easy access and feeding points for the river wildfowl.

But on this glorious summer's day, a family of cygnets was content to float by on the gentle current. My soul is an enchanted boat, Which, like a sleeping swan, doth float Upon the silver waves of thy sweet singing. Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792 - 1822

The wide walkway eventually narrows and after crossing a footbridge over the river a footpath leads between a railway line and a school to reach the residential development on the northern bank. Looking back along the river the castle is clearly visible and in hindsight I should have retraced my steps back along the pleasant southern bank as the return journey through the streets left me hot and perspiring. I'll know better next time!