JOINING Geraint at Welsh St Donats in the lovely Vale of Glamorgan on a beautiful sunny morning the group of 13 from Penarth and District Ramblers set off through the churchyard of St Donats or St Dunwyd’s Church.

It is over 800 years old and crossing an old stone stile, strode past a lovely lake complete with marsh marigold to enter fields containing bluebells and a beautiful horse chestnut tree with its striking flowers that resemble candles on their way to Caercady.

Joining a quiet lane leading towards Prisk then turning northeast through fields with glorious views across the Ely valley spoiled only by a large collection of tall electricity pylons, a marshy field with flattened bracken and pretty wood anemones led onto a road.

A slight climb through a field containing young Welsh Black cattle led across a tall stile to the entrance to Castell Talyfan Farm, where during the 12th century a medieval castle stood, unfortunately now in total ruins.

Crossing meadows deeply rutted by the hooves of cattle, a narrow path between field boundaries with lots of stinging nettles and hawthorn bushes bursting with may blossom led into an open meadow and a stop for morning coffee, whilst gazing at the substantial views towards Garth Hill, Talbot Green, Llantrisant and Talygarn House in the valley below.

More fields led to a road and banks rich in spring flowers where farm tractors and trailers were busy collecting silage and passing a huge amount of fly-tipping in front of a farm gate and tramping northwards, a stile led them into woodland where a rough muddy track through the trees had been recently hewn and led to a field containing sheep.

Then swinging east into part of the Vale Resort which is a leisure complex built on the site of the former Hensol Hospital and following the fence on the edge of the golf course, a heron which took to flight and a pair of Canada Geese carefully protecting their two young fluffy yellow babies were spotted on Llwyn-yoy Pond.

A very narrow track through trees led to a clearing beside the Norman B Lloyd Gate, named after a benefactor of the Wildlife Trust who purchased Coed Llwyn Rhyddid in 1990 and where the mixed woodland and tall Scots Pine hosts a successful breeding heronry.

Skirting the Mill Pond and following a road before a rough field led across the racing gallops and on towards Tre-Dodridge, a gradual climb up through a long grassed meadow where the sun disappeared behind the clouds led the group for the first time into a blustery cool breeze.

Having decided to delay lunch and continuing along a farm track to the road from where there were glorious views towards the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, more fields opposite the picturesque Ty Fry Lodge gave the group a chance of a sheltered lunch behind a hedge.

Passing through a field of extremely laid back cows where the grass was adorned with the delicate lady’s smock, a rough track which was muddy in places led on through Hensol Forest which is managed by the Forestry Commission, to re-join a road lit up by bluebell and garlic covered hedgerows for the short journey back to Welsh St Donats after a brilliant spring walk.

On May 26 meet 7pm at Port Road Travel Lodge (old Cwm Cidi) for a four-mile moderate walk at Porthkerry; contact Jan/John on 01446 418514.

On May 28, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile moderate walk, with a steep climb at the start taking in Llanfoist and Blorenge; contact Clive on 029 2065 4156.

On May 29, meet 8am at Cogan for a trip up to Llanthony Priory for a 20-mile strenuous walk taking in some of the best known Black Mountain peaks, Bal Mawr and Bach, Rhos Dirion, Twmpa, Hay Bluff, the Cat’s Back and Hatterrall Ridge; contact William on 07528 701 952.

On June 2, meet 7pm at Penarth Clifftop car park for a five-mile easy walk taking in Lavernock and Cosmeston; contact Sue J on 029 2070 2901.

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.