SEVEN walkers including leader Joy gathered at St Curig’s Church in Porthkerry village and descended through the sunken lane near Church Farm to cross a meadow at the bottom from where there were great views of the Porthkerry Viaduct. Crossing the newly laid cycle track a footbridge led over the brook and onto part of the Barry Heart Walk devised in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation’s bid to get people fit and healthy, before a series of newly installed metal kissing gates led them through meadows and then uphill beside the Whitelands Brook to Port Road.

Entering fields beyond Welford Farm and crossing some dilapidated stiles, a lane led them up to the road which they followed to Penmark village where the Church of St Mary, which originally dates back to around 1200 made a great place to pause for morning refreshment and as the church was unlocked they were able to view the inside.

The route continued steeply downhill and over the Kenson River Bridge before they entered the peaceful Kenson Valley, populated only with herds of cows that barely paid any attention to the group and crossing the river some way ahead, a path through woodland led uphill onto the Fonmon Estate. From the fields where the Vale show is held each year they crossed a road-bridge over the B4265 to reach the pretty Fonmon Pond, set in the centre of the hamlet before continuing along Port Road to East Aberthaw and the lovely old thatched Blue Anchor Inn.

From Well Road they entered woodland walking below the main Vale railway line for a short distance before a track led them down to the lovely lake at Pleasant Harbour and the tall ruined Aberthaw Lime Works, established in December 1888 by David Owen, owner of the Western Mail newspaper. The local limestone was renowned for its hydraulic quality and could set in wet or damp conditions, perfect for work in harbours and a tramway brought pebbles from the beach to the kilns where the lime was produced. However its working life was fairly short and the building finally closed in 1926 when Aberthaw Cement Works began to produce large quantities of lime.

The sea defence wall which runs along the front of Pleasant Harbour and Aberthaw Power Station to end at Gileston beach, formed a convenient backrest as they stopped in glorious warm autumnal sunshine for lunch whilst gazing across the salt lagoons to the misty coastline of Somerset. Refreshed, they crossed the salt flats at Andrew’s Pant and climbed the cliff path joining the Wales Coast Path through Fontygary Caravan Park to Fontygary Bay.

A path beside the disused quarries at Rhoose led them back up towards the railway line and crossing a culvert and fields they reached the flooded quarries at Rhoose Point and passed the southernmost tip of mainland Wales. A narrow track along the cliff top led down steps to what remains of Happy Valley before they reached Porthkerry Caravan Park, where the field beyond the Iron Age Fort at the Bulwarks was full of cars and people. Descending steeply downhill through woodland into Porthkerry Park they tramped across the empty pitch and putt course, before the sting in the tail, a short steep uphill climb through woods back to their start point.

On October 4, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile hard walk taking in Fan Gyhirych and Fan Nedd; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

On October 5, meet 10am at Cogan for a 5.5-mile moderate walk taking in Cefn Onn and the ridgeway; contact Pam on 029 2025 5102.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.