Monday 2nd September 2024

Day 1 – Cardiff to Barry Island

Yes, we’re back on that Coastal Path and once again accompanied by our very lovely friends – David Rose, Ros Crawley and David Jockel. We’re staying in airbnb’s and planning to walk each day over the next couple of weeks to move further along the South Wales coastline. It seems they must like us because they’ve come back for more. Quite incredible!!

For the first week, we’re based in Porthcawl – a pretty little cottage, not the best equipped but it does the job. And it’s near a beautiful beach.

Today we were up bright and early, drove to Barry Island and caught the train to Cardiff. Lovely train ride to start the day’s adventure. We were pretty wrapped up as the weather was damp and overcast … but nothing dampened our spirits as this was the first day and we were full of expectation.

We’d had experience of walking from Cardiff (walking in the other direction) and recalled the lack of coastal path signage, so we were super careful of heading in the right direction this time. We had the delight of wandering alongside a pea green canal, horribly littered too but still with elegant swans gliding along and herons perching alongside.

But things got better and better. Interesting to see different parts of the city and then a pretty sizeable hill climb took us up to cliff tops and sea views, from time to time lurching into woodland walking. The day got warmer and warmer too and the layers were removed one be one.

Lots of walking and talking today – the very best way to do it … it’s all about distraction. Along the narrow woodland paths there was an abundance of berries. Huge succulent blackberries there for the picking. I could feel Steve twitching to get at them to add to his winter stock. There was also elderberries, rose hip and sloes. Ros was so informative about methods of making wines, cordials, gin and syrups – I need to get foraging.

About half way through (or so we thought), we reached Penarth Beach with its very pretty and well maintained pier, so there was a group decision to stop for our picnic lunch. With gay abandon we tucked into our chicken and avocado sandwiches – such sophistication.

And so we continued on our way.

Unfortunately, the last few miles saw us strolling back to Barry Island, via Barry and via Barry Docks, along a busy ‘A’ road, so not the most inspiring. The fact that what we’d estimated it to be a 12 mile walk and the reality was that it was a 15 mile walk led to even more weariness. But you know us, we didn’t grumble!!

Barry Island had livened up a bit by this time, with waltzers, rollercoasters and screaming in full force, kids making the most of their last bit of freedom before the new school year began. We would have joined in but we were dizzy enough from the excitement of a day on the path.

From here it was home for recovery and … Coq Au Vin on the menu tonight … it was absolutely scrumptious.

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Day 2 – Barry Island to Gilestone

We left home at 8am and reached Barry Island at 10.30am, having driven and parked up in Gilestone, then literally a run up the hill to the bus, catching it in the nick of time. Luckily there were a few good sprinters amongst us!! A minute or two later would have seen us hanging around for another hour. So all went like clockwork.

And it was a sunny day today – blue sky and a fresh wind, just perfect for walking. The clamminess of yesterday had passed.

A wonderful day of scenery again today – beaches, woodlands, cliff tops, fascinating rock formations, roman ruins and even a power station! Quite a few hills to climb I must say and the downhill slopes and steps to go with it. But nothing slippy, slimy or treacherous, so all good.

Another great day of walking and half of yesterday’s mileage – 7.5 miles. Nothing outrageous to report. We have considered making some things up and the ideas included falls off the pier, daring do rescues, shark attacks, buried treasure and pirates, dinosaur prints and a gigantic race of seagulls taking over the world. But who’d believe us?

What did happen though is that 4 out of the 5 of us went swimming when we got back to Porthcawl and it was great – warm and wavy and loads of fun. We have photos to prove it.