VAL W from Penarth and District Ramblers was joined by 10 walkers before leaving Barry in rain to head down to Newton just east of Porthcawl which was founded as the New Town and during the 16th century had a thriving port.

Gathering in sunshine near St John’s well which is also known as Sandford’s well, abutting the village green and named after de Sandford a Norman Knight Crusader with the Order of St John of Jerusalem who was granted land at Newton by William Earl of Gloucester between 1147 and 1183, the bottom of the well is below the high water mark, so it fills when the tide ebbs and empties at high tide.

Deviating off Beach Road along a footpath leading into Newton Burrows splattered with a variety of summer flowers including evening primrose and viper’s bugloss, sandy paths led down to the Wales Coast Path just above Newton Beach with glorious views westwards back towards Trecco Bay and Porthcawl.

Descending over pebbles onto the sandy beach at Traeth yr Afon and walking east towards the Ogmore estuary, a bridle path led them through the dunes on the edge of Merthyr Mawr Warren which once stretched all the way along the coast to the Gower Peninsula and is a national nature reserve, designated as a site of special scientific interest. After pausing for morning coffee break in a sheltered area, a sandy bridle path led up towards the car park at Merthyr Mawr.

The ruins of Candleston Castle, the name of which derives from the Cantelupe family who built a fortified manor house on the estate during the 14th century, which along with the surrounding village of Treganlaw became submerged under the shifting sands during fierce storms, rendering the land useless is situated behind the trees. Journeying along really dry sandy paths, which are prone to flooding in bad weather, the pathway led uphill towards Candleston Farm.

A short piece of road walking along a quiet lane led the group over several stiles into the delightful steep-sided and green pastured Cwm y Befos where the fields are usually populated by sheep, but on this day were entirely sheep free, so presented a practical place for a lunch stop.

Crossing two stiles into woodland, more sandy paths led down to Cwm y Gaer and a steep path uphill through woods to a narrow footpath below the caravan park at Wig-Fach before descending back into the dunes and out onto man-made pathways leading through a housing estate at Newton.

Approaching the allotments hidden in a sheltered dell behind a stone wall, after admiring the opulent displays of yellow sunflowers and runner beans, a gateway led into the grounds of St John the Baptist Church, built in the 1180s and founded by the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and possibly built originally as a fortress and which overlooks the village green.

Rounding off the day with cool refreshments in the Ancient Briton to toast the fact that Val has decided this would be her last walk as a leader, the group wish to thank her for all the splendid walks she has led in the past and look forward to her company when she doesn’t have to walk up front.

On August 27, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile moderate circular walk along the River Usk from Llanellen to Llanfair Kilgeddin; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On August 29, meet 9.30am at the Barry Waterfront for an 11-mile moderate walk around seven villages in the lovely Vale of Glamorgan; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

On August 30, meet at Cardiff Central Railway Station to catch the 9.12am train to Chepstow for a 10-mile moderate walk from Chepstow back to Severn Tunnel Junction which is the first part of the Wales Coast Path; contact Terry on 029 2070 6315.

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 penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.