ON A glorious sunny spring morning a group of 12 walkers and Ramakin joined Penarth and District Ramblers leader Rachel for her celebration birthday walk at Rhiwderin and passing through a railway tunnel and housing estate into woodland, made their way along the Sirhowy Valley Walk uphill towards Coed Bedw and Fox Hill.

At the southern edge of Coed Mawr in amongst the trees the first glorious sighting of native bluebells forming a carpet before rough tracks led downhill to a new stile at Lower Ochrwyth.

Joining a quiet lane with stitchwort adorning the banks, a trek through a field containing friendly horses led to a squeeze through the fence as the gate was firmly locked.

From a farm track a stile led into fields with an electric fence and a stop for morning break utilising stones in the corner of a field for seats, before exiting at Castle Farm at Upper Ochrwyth with its collection of nine donkeys in a field.

A steep narrow rocky path led uphill to the old disused Ochrwyth or Pontymister quarry and past the remnants of old buildings and some dumped rubbish before continuing uphill to Mynydd Machen Common.

Entering fields with grand views as far as the Newport Transporter Bridge and the Severn Estuary, a boggy muddy area on part of the Raven Walk where a couple of people ended up with soggy boots, led to a man-made rough path through a desecrated area of felled trees, then onto a road.

A steep climb up a path through woods where a notice pinned onto a tree advised them this route had been previously cleared by Ramblers volunteers led them into open meadows with great views up the Ebbw Valley, but a threat overhead from black clouds that were gathering to the northwest.

Following a concrete road steeply uphill, a sudden hail shower bombarded the group and after a quick stop to don waterproof coats the route continued across Mynydd Machen towards the masts and back into sunshine but with a cool breeze.

Pausing at the top to take in the surrounding views, the leader explained this was the 80th anniversary of the Triangulation Station, more simply known as the Trig Point, next to which they were standing and even though GPS is the modern technology, trig points are still used for navigation purposes by walkers.

Dropping downhill slightly to avoid the breeze and enjoy lunch, the views stretched out across the Bristol Channel to Flat and Steep Holm, Cardiff Bay and Penarth Head and up towards the mouth of the Severn Estuary where dark rain clouds could be seen heading eastwards towards Weston and Bristol.

Descending and passing through a farmyard then back into fields, the next stop was at the remains of Castell Meredydd or Castell Machen, the only native Welsh castle in Gwent, built in the late 12th or early 13th century on a clifftop edge.

Crossing fields containing sweet-natured horses, then sheep-filled meadows and re-entering woodland at Graig Wyllt, the whole of the woodland floor was carpeted with delicately perfumed native bluebells and after this thrilling sight open fields led downhill towards a road adjacent to the railway line, for the short trek back to the Rhiwderin Inn for some refreshment.

Rachel would like to convey her thanks to the Rhiwderin Inn for permitting the use of their car park and more importantly to Newport City Council for the two new stiles and a complete set of woodland steps installed in Graig Wyllt following her previous report of problems on the route.

On May 14, the Merthyr Valley Group is hosting the Area Walks this year so please visit the website for details of all three walks.

On May 15, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a seven-mile moderate walk at Welsh St Donats; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

On May 18, meet 8am at Cogan for a 14-mile mod/hard mid-week walk taking in Bredon Hill in Worcestershire; contact William on 07528 701 952.

On May 19, the first of the evening walks will leave Cogan Railway Station at 7pm for a 3.5-mile easy walk taking in Penarth Cliffs and Cosmeston; 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 please log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.