ELEVEN walkers and Pepper the spaniel joined Joy from Penarth and District Ramblers at Eastbrook Railway Station for a linear walk back to Barry during which anyone could join or leave the group whenever they liked.

Crossing Cardiff Road and heading up through a built up area, a broken stile led them through the lower part of Seel Park and into fields leading in a northerly direction up to a driveway where boots crunched on crisp fallen leaves, before exiting onto Pen-y-Turnpike Road.

A short road-walk brought them to a gate leading into Penyturnpike Wood and heading through the centre of the wood, muddy paths led downhill through Casehill Wood and out onto Casehill meadow with lovely views across farmland filled with sheep to Park Wood and the TV mast at St Lythans.

Crossing a wooden footbridge over the Cadoxton River, then along a grassy riverside meadow to re-cross the river further on, in fields below the church in Michaelston-le -Pit a chance meeting with Geraint the group footpath officer out exercising his dog Patch, meant they joined the group on the journey up through Cwrt-yr-Ala Road.

A waterlogged path led on towards The Lawns and deviating into some woodland, fallen leaves made a nice soft and dry carpet for morning coffee before continuing through a field into a wood to shimmy beneath several fallen trees blocking the path.

Crossing a stile into the peaceful green Cwm Slade and walking several fields with views towards Wenvoe village before exiting onto Station Road East, Geraint and Patch made their farewells and set off on their planned route towards Wrinstone.

The remainder made their way down the lane and over the old railway bridge before heading through the playing fields and along a narrow pathway adjacent to the A4050, then through a tunnel under the road to enter a deserted Wenvoe Village.

Passing St Mary’s Parish Church with its neat churchyard and along Clos Llanfair, a narrow path between houses led onto a rough track alongside metal barriers where new housing is in the process of being erected.

A stile led into a field for the diagonal walk up to meet the lane leading to Burdonshill and following the quiet lane southwards there were great views through the Vale of Glamorgan with the British Airways maintenance depot at Rhoose silhouetted against the skyline.

Heading on past Wenvoe Castle Golf Clubhouse and following a lane to the entrance to Goldsland Farm, an open gate beside a collapsed stile led back into fields.

Ascending slightly then descending through a large meadow and crossing a footbridge over a brook, another climb through a field led them towards Port Road.

Tramping through a field above Bear’s Wood before stopping for lunch in the shelter of some trees in the corner of the field, a narrow pathway led them onto part of Wenvoe Golf Course and then through the grounds of the Cardiff and Glamorgan Memorial Park and Crematorium to Port Road East.

At this point two of the group headed west to walk back to Barry whilst the remainder carried on through Golwg y Coed and downhill through a narrow leaf strewn path beside Pencoetre Wood to Lidl.

After a farewell to another five walkers and Pepper who set off to walk back to Dinas Powys, the remaining group of five headed down Gilbert Lane then across Pencoetre fields and through Treharne and Coldbrook Road West to St Cadoc’s Church, more familiarly known as the Old Village Church for a peep inside as it was open.

Then tramping uphill to Victoria Park with its amazing views out over the Bristol Channel, a short descent led them back to the end of the walk at Cadoxton Railway Station.

On December 10, meet at Redbrink Crescent, Barry Island for an 11-mile moderate walk taking in the Barry beaches, Rhoose Point and Porthkerry Park; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

On December 14, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile easy walk taking in the two Severn Bridges in south Gloucestershire; contact William on 07528 701 952.

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.