EACH year Ramblers groups take it in turn to host the South Wales Area Walks and this year it fell upon Penarth and District, whose walks were in the lovely Vale of Glamorgan beginning from Bonvilston and attracted 96 walkers in total.

Geraint hosted the short walk and his 26 companions enjoyed sumptuous views over a green landscape around Pendoylan with the River Ely occasionally visible in the distance. Stopping for coffee at a small lake with coots then passing through a paddock of llamas overlooked by several enormous hairy Gloucester Old Spot pigs, they encountered some difficult broken stiles on the journey to the A48 where some people dropped out and returned to Bonvilston, but those who remained passed through quiet countryside near Liege Manor crossing more broken stiles on their way back.

Joining Rachel were 46 walkers for the medium walk with some local history thrown in as they headed out past Ty Mawr crossing a field with a couple of frisky horses before entering a copse carpeted in wild garlic. Continuing on past Ty’n y coed Farm and through a field of cows and calves, they noticed some of the dogs from the attached boarding kennels were being walked. On their journey from Whitewell Farm to Abernant Farm they passed scatterings of native bluebells, wild garlic, campion, primroses, bugle, green alkanet and wild strawberries in the hedgerows and continuing to Garnllwyd and Little Mill, before road-walking to Llancarfan and veering off on Valeways Millennium Heritage Trail, a diversion led to Aberogwrn for coffee break. Heading northwards past Navigator and Decca Springfield cottages, named after the Decca transmitting station that used to be there, they tramped through woodland at Coed Arthur which was covered in spring flowers, then past the delightful Wren’s Castle at Tre-Aubrey, finally stopping for lunch at St Illtyd’s Church in Llantrithyd before entering to visit the impressive Basset tomb prior to returning by road to Bonvilston.

The long walk was kindly led for the group by David Field from the Vale Ramblers, who took his group of 21 walkers southwards through the Nant Llancarfan valley, before heading west for morning coffee in Coed Arthur whilst listening to the sound of clay pigeon shooting nearby. Then turning north towards the A48 and passing close to the solar panel farm north of Llantrithyd they headed up to Hensol Forest which dates back to 1600, where the delightful Pysgodlyn Mawr Lake made a pleasant lunch stop in the sunshine surrounded by the sight and smell of wild garlic. Continuing on through the Vale Resort which is the training centre for the Welsh National Rugby Union team they turned east into the Ely valley and heading southwards once again paused for afternoon tea at a small man-made lake.

Heading back towards Peterston-Super-Ely they visited five fields at Lanlay, that form a pre-war mixture of wet and dry meadows which is the only natural meadow land in the Vale of Glamorgan and is owned and managed by the National Trust. Then passing through the small hamlet of Trehedyn, a sharp climb led them back to their start point. The Red Lion Pub came in very handy for much needed refreshment after the walks and the group send their thanks to all the leaders, who made the day such a success whilst details of all defective stiles have been passed on to the local authority for action.

On May 21 as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival you can join a four-mile easy walk leaving All Saints Church, Victoria Road, Penarth at 2pm, taking in the Victorian town and seafront and bring some money for an ice cream on the pier; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278. Geraint will be in action later at 7pm, when a three-mile moderate walk over Pop Hill will leave Dinas Powys Village Square at 7pm.

On May 23, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 11.5-mile mod/hard walk taking in Parc Slip and the Ogwr Ridgeway; contact Phil on 01446 711533.

On May 24, meet 9.30am at Cogan for a six-mile mod/hard walk to visit to the Guardian memorial in Abertillery; contact Jan/John on 01446 418514.

On May 28, meet 7pm at Dinas Powys village square for a four-mile moderate walk taking in the St Andrews Ridgeway; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

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.