NINE walkers including Diane from the Cardiff group joined leaders Terry and Val at Cardiff Central station, for the train journey to Chepstow and in heavy rainfall made their way down past the lovely Castle ruins, and through the old Port Wall which protected the medieval town to Gunstock Wharf just west of Chepstow Bridge, which spans the River Wye. Chepstow was renowned for its ship building skills and this particular point marks the Wales Coast Path which runs for 870 miles from Chepstow to Flintshire in north Wales, with a pretty tiled mural indicating the whole route of the path.

Making their way past the huge Norman Priory Church founded between 1067 and1071 by William FitzOsbern and built at the same time as the keep at Chepstow Castle, they headed uphill through a residential area walking on the same level as the railway line before pausing further on, taking shelter from the rain under a railway arch for morning refreshments beside the fast flowing Wye. Another burst of heavy rain accompanied their trek uphill through slippery leaf-strewn paths in woodland and paddling through a stream in the tunnel under the M4 motorway, where the drain could not cope with all the water, they circumnavigated an industrial area before entering boggy fields towards Mathern, pausing only to release a panicking ewe that was trapped in the hedge.

A lovely wooden sculpture of the Celtic King of Gwent, St Tewdrig a magnificent warrior who allegedly died on this spot, led them to the delightful church named after him with its unusual sundial half way up the tower, as the rain finally stopped. Following a lane and then into sheep-filled fields below Mathern Palace, a footbridge led onto part of the St Pierre Golf Course, then through waterlogged fields to an unmanned railway crossing where the path on the Caldicot Level finally led to the coast beside the mighty River Severn.

Enjoying brilliant views of the old and new Severn bridges to follow the grassy track above Charston Sands they reached a picnic area at Black Rock, where the sun put in an appearance at the same time as a huge rainbow lit up the sky above the old Severn Bridge during lunch break. The Romans used this point in the estuary to ferry legions of soldiers across to Wales from Aust and later ferry services conveyed people and vehicles across the water. It is also home to the Lave net fishermen who wade into the water with their Y-shaped nets to catch salmon during the summer months.

Continuing along the river they reached Sudbrook where the entrance to the four mile Severn Tunnel lies 200 feet below the ground. Sudbrook was built between 1873 and 1886 to house the tunnel workers and contained a school, mission hall, two hospitals, a coffee house and reading room. It took Charles Richardson the principal engineer ten years for his idea of a tunnel to be accepted and construction began in 1873 but later hit many problems, including extreme flooding and so a huge pumping station was built and after seven years the tunnel became dry so work could continue.

Passing under the second Severn Bridge and tramping a pathway above the sea defences the group reached a point where protected birds take right of way and the coastal path turns inland to join reclaimed land on the Gwent Levels. Crossing a bridge over the busy M4 they made their way to Rogiet in order to catch the train home from Severn Tunnel Junction, after what had been a very interesting tramp, not only through mud but living history.

On November 22, meet 9.30am at junction of Mill and Millbrook Road (bottom of Pen-y-Turnpike) Dinas Powys for a 7.5 mile moderate walk taking in Dinas Powys and Caerau hill forts; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

On November 23, meet 9am at the Barry Waterfront for a 10 mile moderate walk at Porthcawl and Kenfig; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

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