MEETING at the Twyn in the centre of Dinas Powys on a beautiful summer’s evening a group of ten walkers with leader Val Hartrey and Alfie the dog prepared to take a jaunt through some of the new mixture of metal and wooden kissing gates that have been installed and now make the passageway along the public footpaths between the village and Michaelston much easier to negotiate.

Tramping up through Highwalls Road before descending the narrow lane at Heol-y-Cawl into Mill Road, St Peter’s Church came into view and because the stone was carefully chosen the building actually looks older than it is, as it was not constructed until 1930. Crossing the road bridge over the Cadoxton River and reaching the bottom of Pen-y-Turnpike Road a deviation back across the river which led to their first kissing gate and the narrow path at the Millfield.

Journeying on to the ford on the Cadoxton River, it was interesting to note that this was once part of a huge mill leet that provided the power to drive the over-shot wheel of the old mill back in 1426. The river was diverted into the leet through a weir and sluice gate which are still visible and after passing along the leet it entered ponds from which the overflow dropped into the over-shot wheel, filling up troughs or buckets one by one and the weight of the descending water turned the millwheel, before the water was returned to the main river.

Continuing through the field beside the river before several new kissing gates led them through agricultural land with its crop of healthy looking maize on their journey along farm tracks towards the old stone bridge at Michaelston-le-Pit, suddenly Alfie the dog decided to go absent without leave. Having to leave the main group in order to track down the missing hound who had completely disappeared, Val decided to hand over the reins to Sue so the walk could continue without further interruption.

Tramping along farm tracks below Park Wood the remainder of the group entered Cwm George where the steep rocky sloping sides of the cwm are covered with trees and passing through the beautiful beech wood several more kissing gates led them past castle field and uphill to Dinas Powys golf course.

Carefully making their way around the edge of the fairways and back through Highwalls Road, the pleasant evening stroll was rounded off with a refreshing drink at the Three Horseshoes and after much searching Alfie was eventually found.

On July 26, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an eight mile hard walk taking in Sugar Loaf Mountain; contact Liz on 029 2051 3698.

On July 27, meet 9am at Cogan for a 10 mile moderate walk from Trellech taking in stunning woodland in the Wye Valley and pretty meadows; contact Nick on 01446 420540.

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