FOR the final walk in the Ramblers annual Festival of Winter Walks, a group of five joined leader Robin and his spaniel Pepper for a trip down to the most south-western tip of the Gower Peninsula at Rhossili.

The forecast was for mist and sure enough upon their arrival at the National Trust car park; whilst the weather was mild the surrounding area was wearing an overcoat of mist.

Togging up and setting forth south westwards to the end of the promontory above Rhossili Bay the first port of call was the National Coastwatch Institution building.

After many of the old Coastguard stations were closed due to government funding cuts, the NCI was set-up and volunteers man the various stations keeping an eye on the coastal areas in Britain.

After a public meeting at Rhossili in 2006 calling for volunteers, the NCI station opened in 2007 after volunteers and supporters in the local community set about raising funds to refurbish the old look-out point and on this day a trusty volunteer stepped forward to take a photograph of the group.

The building overlooks Worms Head, shaped like a giant sea serpent and named Wurm by the Vikings meaning ‘dragon.

It is joined to the mainland by a rocky causeway which is only accessible at low tide and with water still covering the causeway the group headed back inland to the pretty village of Rhossili and with signs of brightness in the sky above and with the mist clearing, there were grand views of the three mile stretch of Rhossili Bay.

Passing the delightful Norman Church of St Mary the Virgin, a short but steep climb led them onto Rhossili Down which boasts prehistoric stone circles and burial cairns on its common land as well as the remains of a Second World War Radar Station, built to detect and send early warning signals of the approaching enemy planes to Swansea, but originally operated as a coastal defence station by the Army to protect shipping.

After pausing at the trig point situated at 193m to enjoy the views, their route continued along the ridgeway to its northern end before dropping downhill.

Ahead of them the small village of Llangennith or Llangenydd, meaning the Church of St Cenydd which sits between Rhossili Down, Hardings Down and Llanmadoc Hill and the church is the largest on Gower.

Many of the churches on the Gower peninsula date back to around 700 years ago and most are situated where ancient Celtic and much simpler structures once stood.

In the churchyard is the grave of wing commander Anthony Eyre DFC, born November 12, 1918 who served during the Second World War as a fighter pilot becoming a prisoner at Stalag Luft III and his name is recorded on the Battle of Britain Memorial on the Embankment in London as a true hero.

After the war he became the commanding officer at Fairwood Common, now Swansea Airport and was unfortunately killed in 1946 in a tragic accident after crashing into a tree near Aberthaw when later it was discovered his aircraft developed engine trouble.

After a delightful luncheon in the 17th century Kings Head Inn ably washed down with the local Gower Brewery Sampson’s Jack bitter, the route continued along the road to Broughton where in fact the sun put in an appearance.

Then diverting onto a grassy track to the rear of the sand dunes and exiting out onto the beach near the little river at Hillend, an interesting tramp across Rhossili Bay followed, whilst watching the many surfers out enjoying the waves before a climb up the cliff steps led them safely back to their start point for the journey home.

On January 21, meet at 8.15am at Cogan to share transport to Storey Arms in order to catch the 9.35am bus to Brecon for the eight-mile moderate steady climb back to Storey Arms; contact Barrie on 029 2053 0753.

On January 22, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 8.5-mile moderate walk at Llangorse; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

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.