DESPITE the threat of heavy rain showers and maybe hail and thunder, seven walkers joined William for a train ramble making the journey to Pontyclun (bridge over the River Clun) station, where a once tranquil area was transformed into a town with the arrival of the South Wales Railway in the 1850’s along with the coal and iron ore industries.

Heading west in dry bright weather on a footbridge over the Nant Felin-fach and passing through a pleasant housing estate they entered Coed Trecastell, where the woodland covers old mine workings and was filled with pretty birdsong along with native bluebells. Exiting the woods a slippery bank led down to the Nant Melyn Brook and jumping across before climbing a steep embankment to an unmanned railway crossing, where two trains thundered through, they swiftly crossed and slithered down a bank being careful to avoid landing in a deep water-filled culvert on the other side.

Crossing the busy A473 the stiles near a small industrial estate were obscured by foliage and eventually entering a field they passed a handsome billy goat tethered to a post before scrambling across a metal and barbed wire fence and heading uphill through woodland. Crossing a field with friendly horses and locating a lane at Garth-uchaf Farm, a grassy bank underneath some huge beech trees came in useful for morning coffee whilst gazing back across Pontyclun and Miskin. Continuing through fields to Graig-lwyd Farm and joining part of the long distance Glamorgan Ridgeway Walk to descend through the Ely Valley past Yngsmaerdy Farm, the disused railway line is now a cycle track and walkway and pausing on the footbridge over the clean Nant Muchudd several brown trout were spotted.

Passing the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and crossing the A4119 pretty paths around the steep-sided yellow broom-covered slopes of Y Graig, led them to the steep cobbled Heol y Graig and into Llantrisant where the centre contains a statue of Dr William Price who was an eccentric and brilliant scholar, archdruid, political reformer and surgeon who rather unpopularly pioneered cremation. Nipping through a traffic jam where a tractor hauling a trailer full of tarmac was attempting to reverse into the aptly named Roam Road, which was being resurfaced and descending to the road at Cross Inn before crossing another dismantled railway, a steady climb led to the Iron Age Rhiwsaeson hill fort. Stopping in a grassy meadow for lunch the blue skies and sunshine soon clouded over and a hefty shower of rain fell.

Heading past Ty-mawr Farm the group paused at the Caesars Arms Farm Shop to admire the lovely Tamworth piglets and the friendly Dilwyn, one of four Alpacas kept for their wool and more importantly for their leader to purchase a hand-raised pork pie! Then continuing through Ty’n-y-Coed and climbing steeply to the ridgeway under another short heavy shower, the group climbed to the trig point on Garth Hill where to the north and south the downpours could be seen dropping from the grey skies. Descending steeply into Coed Rhiw’r Ceiliog and through Gwaelod-y-Garth, then following the banks of the River Taff, they arrived at the railway station at Taff’s Well in time to shelter from a heavy hailstorm whilst waiting for the homeward train.

On June 6, meet 8.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 11-mile mod/hard walk taking in Skirrid and Bryn Arw; contact Sylvia on 029 2070 8758.

On June 7, meet 9.30am at the Barry Waterfront for a 9.5-mile moderate walk taking in Wick, St Donat’s and Nash Point: contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

On June 7-12, a party of Belgian walkers travelling in their own coach will be visiting the area to take part in walks arranged by the Vale and Penarth groups. On June 8 Penarth will be leading three walks all beginning from Rhossili and if you intend joining them, please meet 9am at Barry Waterfront in order to share transport and details of the walk routes can be found on the group website.

On June 11, meet 9.30am at Castell Coch car park if you would like to take part in two more walks with the Belgian group and please access the website for details.

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