Cycling from Fishguard to Felixstowe: Day 1

We knew the weather forecast wasn't good but we woke to grey skies and wind. The Preseli hills were shrouded in mist and cloud.
We dipped our wheels in the sea and headed off. The climbing started within minutes as we headed up through Fishguard. As we rode towards Maenclochog the mist turned to drizzle and then rain, visibility was only about 50m. We were now wet and cold. We continued to Carmarthen on NCN route 47. As we arrived the rain eased and while we had lunch in a cafe the sun came out so we headed off on the second half of the journey.
The next 10 miles or so were along the reasonably flat and scenic B4300 towards Llanarthne and sunshine improved our mood and dried us out. The next section involved some serious climbing to Gwynfe and over the numerous long steep hills towards Brecon. The scenery was awesome though. I think the highest point we reached was 375m above sea level near the Usk reservoir.
Most of the descents were almost as challenging as the climbs - steep, narrow, rough and the fact that our brake pads could barely hold us back and were wearing away quickly due to the wet and dirt.
Just as it started to rain again we rode past the Red Kite feeding centre so called in to the cafe for a cake and coffee and to observe the tens of birds that were hanging around waiting for the next feed.
From here it was still 20 miles to Brecon and the rain started again but eased and then the sun came out for the last few miles.
Not sure how the photos will come out but here they are