A group of sixteen joined Sheila from Penarth and District Ramblers for a train ramble to Merthyr Tydfil in order to follow the Trevithick Trail whose history dates back to when Richard Trevithick, a Cornish engineer was asked by Samuel Homfrey the owner of the Penydarren works if it was possible to utilise his high-pressure steam engine in order to travel along the newly created tramroad.
Richard Crawshay of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks scoffed at this prospect and was keen enough to see it fail by putting a wager on. However, on the 21st February 1804, the engine hauled five wagons containing ten tons of iron, plus seventy men riding along for the journey from Penydarren to Abercynon and back but is not really known if the wager stood.
Pavements led them on past various places of historical interest in the town as they made their way into woodland and on past Trevithick’s tunnel which carried the tramroad through and after pausing for morning refreshments they continued over a railway bridge onto the path where the stone sleepers that held the original railway line are still in situ
Onward through the Pontygwaith Nature Reserve where they gazed at the beautifully arched stone bridge over the river, before meandering on to Brunel’s slightly curved Goitre Coed Viaduct.
Arriving at Quakers Yard named after the Quakers burial ground set behind stone walls, they crossed two bridges, passed below two flyovers to arrive in Abercynon at the end of their journey, before returning home.
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After the determined fight that women have made during the last 115 years for equality, there was no way that snow was going to stop proceedings and even though most of the expected walkers dropped out because of the weather conditions, the local Shortish Strides walk with Joy went ahead in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Welcoming newcomer Angela and her spaniel Bella at Dinas Powys village square, the group of four set off across the golf course and down a sunken lane to arrive at the Millfield and sloshing their way through a muddy copse, they followed the edges of fields covered in a snowy blanket. A farm track led them to a bridleway for the slippery climb up into Park Wood where the bare trees were covered in snow.
Circumnavigating the woodland and ducking below branches heavily laden with snow they descended to the Beauville Lane and crossed into fields of virginal snow with not a footprint in sight.
Crossing the ridgeway, they arrived at St Andrews House and descending by quiet lane the church of St Andrew came into sight.
At Garn Hill they followed the narrow path near the boundary hedge, then through a series of gates replacing old worn stiles to arrive at the Twyncyn Wood.
All that was left was the descent to join pavements at Highwalls Avenue back to the start and although somewhat cold and wet, all agreed it had been a pleasure to walk through the stunning winter wonderland, despite the fact it is officially spring.
You can follow the group here or on Facebook.
By Joy Strangward
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