I’ll never forget the drive to Newport in Pembrokeshire – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the motorway turned into a comedy of errors thanks to my hopeless sense of direction. Sat nav insisted we were nearly there, but no, we ended up looping around some narrow lanes near Fishguard, arguing over whether to trust the phone or my vague memory of a map. Then, the heavens opened, and we hit a massive puddle that soaked the windscreen. By the time we spotted the coast and pulled into the off-road parking spot right by our holiday apartment, we were drenched, laughing, and questioning our life choices. Still, that anticipation bubbled up – after all, we’d been dreaming of this coastal escape for weeks.

Stepping out, the first impressions hit like a wave (pun intended). There it was, this delightful one-bed apartment perched right on the edge of Newport’s coastline, with the sea breeze whipping in and those classic Pembrokeshire hills rolling out behind. We dashed up to the first-floor entrance, shaking off the rain like a pair of soggy dogs – speaking of which, our little terrier, Monty, was in seventh heaven, tail wagging at the promise of beach walks. Inside, straight into the charming double bedroom, and blimey, it felt like a hug from an old friend. The en-suite was a godsend after our soggy ordeal; I practically dived into a hot shower while my other half unpacked, both of us grinning about how we’d almost bottled it with the weather.

Downstairs, the well-equipped kitchen sorted us out in no time – I rustled up some bacon butties with local bread we’d grabbed en route, nothing fancy, but it tasted like heaven. The living/dining area was spot on for kicking back: we cracked open a couple of tins, toasted to surviving the journey, and just soaked in the views through the windows. From there, you could see the waves crashing below and the outline of Carningli mountain in the distance, all misty and magical. First impressions? Absolute gold dust. It was compact, cosy, and exactly what we needed for a tranquil couples’ getaway – no faff, just pure Welsh charm.

That evening, we wandered the 1.6 miles into Newport proper, past the little harbour where fishing boats bobbed about. Popped into a pub for fish and chips (proper crispy batter, none of your flabby nonsense), and Monty got his mandatory beach scamper along the sands. The chaos of arrival melted away; I found myself reflecting on how we city folk so often chase far-flung adventures, when gems like this – a stone’s throw from home – deliver the real magic. Sure, I’m a bit of a numpty with directions, but mishaps make the best stories, don’t they? We left feeling recharged, already plotting a return. If you’re after a laid-back coastal bolt-hole, this corner of Pembrokeshire won’t disappoint.