First came the Vikings, who used the waterway for shelter from the late 8th Century through to the Norman Invasion in 1066. It is recorded that a Viking Chieftan, Hubba spent one winter here with his 23 ships – hence Hubberston Point. Many names in the area such as Skomer, Skokholm, Solva etc bear witness to the influence of Norse invasions between 850 and 1100.
The great Irish expedition of Henry II began from here in 1171. Making use of the deep water and protection of the waterway, he gathered 400 warships with huge numbers of troops before setting sail for Waterford and Dublin.
The tidal creeks and relatively sheltered mudflats provide a natural sanctuary for many wildfowl and waders. The narrow, winding channels can only be navigated by dinghies and canoes so it's always peaceful. Large stretches of both rivers have been designated SSSIs and are being studied by the RSPB to develop conservation strategies.
The importance of the waterway
I admit much of the text borrowed...
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The June edition