SHEILA from Penarth and District Ramblers played host to a group of 12 walkers plus dogs Bruno and Tuppence when they met on a very cold but dry morning at the village of Wick.
They set off through the playing field and tackled the first of the many stone stiles they would encounter, passing gentle ponies and a flock of sheep in the fields. They passed through the garden of the lovely restored Little Monkton and followed the road to reach Marcross where the old Malthouse has been converted into flats.
They went across the Nash Brook that flows through Water Street and back into fields for the journey through ploughed and soggy meadows to the Church of St Mary Magdalene. After viewing the interior and hearing some of its history, they moved on along Heol Las and crossed into what had been in years gone by a Cistercian monastic grange or farm, with its decaying buildings including a dovecote covered in ivy and foliage.
Crossing the slippery stepping stones over Nash Brook with care, fields led them to woodland at Blaen y Cwm to slither and slide their way through mud and surface water at Cwm Nash for a stop at the coast to enjoy refreshments in bright sunshine but with a cool wind. The climb up the narrow cliff path that followed warmed them a little, but on the open clifftop they walked straight into the strong prevailing wind.
It wasn’t hard to imagine that the Nash sandbank caused many a shipwreck, along with the notorious ‘Wreckers of Wick’ who tied lanterns to the necks of wandering sheep to lure ship to their fate on the rocks below. Glad to turn inland for some shelter, they followed the road to Monk’s Wood and made their return via open fields.
Shortish Strides from Rhoose
Taking a chance after a rather inclement weather forecast, a group of 10 like-minded people plus Bruno the dog met up with Joy and Tuppence at Rhoose Railway Station at the start of their 7 mile Shortish Strides walk in dry weather.
They made their way over the railway track and through Rhoose village and circumnavigated the boundary of Cardiff Airport, on past The Highwayman Inn and along quiet lanes to enter part of the Fonmon Estate.
A field brought them down to woodland and across the Ffwl-y-mwn Brook, past Fonmon Pond with its noisy waterfowl all hoping for titbits that were not forthcoming; then through a small wood into a ploughed field. They joined Port Road, which was traffic free and headed south to pass the Blue Anchor Inn, where Well Road led them downhill into the East Aberthaw Nature Reserve.
With underfoot conditions in places very muddy, they walked along the newly laid pathways, which were mud free, and through metal kissing gates to the rear of the old Aberthaw Limeworks with ease and crossed the sea defence wall. Then along the salt flats at Andrew’s Pant where the recent high tides had washed up all manner of flotsam to the base of the cliff and clambered up the steps into Fontygary Leisure Park.
Under darkening skies, they gazed across to the Somerset coastline which was experiencing what appeared to be heavy downpours, as they made their way to Fontygary Bay and stopped for some refreshments. Then, deviating inland around the disused Rhoose quarries, they headed south and rejoined the Wales Coast Path before pavement walking along Heol y Pentir back to their start.
You can follow the group on or on Facebook.
Joy Strangward
.
- Penarth ramblers enjoy their weekend in Sussex
- Ramblers explore Sully Island
- Ramblers celebrate with a picnic in the park
Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
Royal Welsh highlights the role of the rural economy
Parent may have to lose job for school run
