Report by: Joy Strangward
AFTER well over a year of being asked to refrain from the use of public transport unless absolutely necessary Penarth and District Ramblers took the plunge when a group of eight joined Joy on a train ramble from Barry and Rhoose stations to Llantwit Major for the socially distanced linear walk back along the coast.
From the shopping precinct, Colhugh Street led them southwards past the Drangway and Seaview Park and the road bridge over the Hoddnant Brook to deviate up a narrow path in woodland and into a field containing two lively but friendly young stallions, then through the remains of the Iron Age hillfort of Castle Ditches, to join part of the Wales Coast Path.
In lovely sunshine and under deep blue skies with a cooling breeze and turning east tramping beside vast fields of wheat, just past Stout Point a stop for morning break on the clifftop whilst gazing at the slightly hazy views of north Devon and the Somerset onward coastline.
Past a field of newly planted maize to Summerhouse Point with its redundant Seawatch Centre and rusted anchor hidden in the undergrowth and with the sound of mechanical tools on the breeze the industrious three workers just ahead politely paused their path clearing to let the group through.
Descending to Summerhouse Bay and scrambling across the pebble beach before tackling an overgrown path below more beautiful wheat and barley fields brought them past the WW2 concrete and pebble tank traps at The Walls to overlook Limpert Bay, overshadowed by the enormous Aberthaw Power Station.
The concrete footpath behind the tall sea defence wall led to a stop for lunch overlooking the peaceful and tranquil River Thaw estuary, before continuing on the rough path above The Leys with its groynes stretching down the beach towards the sea.
On through Pleasant Harbour with its lovely lake and resident wildfowl guarded by the remains of the ruined Aberthaw Limeworks built in 1888 and a wonderful variety of common spotted, southern marsh and pyramidal orchids.
Disturbing wild rabbits, a grey heron and a little egret at the delightful salt lagoons at Andrews Pant led them to the steps zig zagging up the cliff, which were refurbished at the start of the year by contractors working on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council who did a magnificent job.
The heat unfortunately brought out swarms of little black flies which were attracted to the bright yellow rucksack of one of the group and when insect repellent failed to move the mass, the rucksack was covered with a plainer coloured fleece jacket which thankfully seemed to keep the offending flies at bay!
Continuing through the caravan park at Fontygary and reaching the disused old limestone quarries, a deviation from the Wales Coast Path brought them through fields beside the main Vale railway line to Rhoose Railway Station car park, where six of the group peeled off to return to their waiting cars at the end of their nine-mile journey.
The remaining three crossed the culvert and tramping through a field made their way back downhill on a narrow path to re-join the Wales Coast Path above the old disused flooded quarries at Rhoose Point.
Past the tall stone marking the southernmost tip of mainland Wales, the cliff path led down steps to the only part left of Happy Valley and more steps out onto open meadows bringing them to Porthkerry Leisure Park.
Heading through the remnants of the Iron Age hillfort at the Bulwarks, an uneven narrow path in woodland led them downhill into Porthkerry Country Park with its glorious view of the 110-foot Porthkerry Viaduct.
Leaving the WCP once again and heading across the main meadow brought them across the Barry Brook and uphill via Lover’s Lane back into civilisation at the ruins of Barry Castle.
Pavements at Park Road brought them past All Saints Church down Porthkerry Road to Romilly Road and Canon Hill for the return along Bird Cage Walk to Barry Station and the end of what had been a delightful 12-mile journey.
You can follow the group’s exploits before, during and after lockdown on their Facebook.
