PENARTH and District Ramblers leader Sue and staff Jodie welcomed 14 walkers and spaniel Lexie at the Twyn in Dinas Powys for a circular evening walk to the Salmon Leaps.

Setting off along Highwalls Road past Heol-y-Cawl, so named because one bad winter during the 19th century a soup kitchen was set up there in order to feed the local community, who were cut off by deep snow for some weeks and had run out of food.

Passing the Ebenezer Church, built in 1895 on the site of one of the earliest Calvinistic Methodist Churches in Glamorgan, the road led on towards the entrance to the Dinas Powys Golf Club, which opened in May 1914 on land where Highwalls Farm stood.

Quietly passing around the edge of the golf course as a game was still in progress, a sunken lane led downhill through woodland and along a narrow path emerging at the entrance to the lovely beech wood.

Continuing along a woodland path through the steep sided Cwm George several gateways led out onto a farm track beside a cropped field with glorious views across the valley towards Michaelston-le-Pit and northwards towards the large shape of Garth Hill dominating the horizon.

Peeping through the trees a slight view of Cwrt-yr-ala House where the present building is a Georgian mansion built around 1939 for Sir Herbert Merrett.

Though back in 1877 the estate had two parks, the present one and a larger area to the north, which is now farmland and the only reminder of this is the farm track at The Lawns which was the main drive.

In the south park a series of five ponds were created and fed by the Wrinstone Brook and whilst the upper ponds have become silted, the three lower ponds are separated by weirs and the former boathouse is now a dwelling called The Dairy.

Crossing the Cadoxton River via an old stone bridge and joining Cwrt-yr-Ala Road near Bullcroft, where the Bullcroft and Wrinstone brooks join to form the Cadoxton River, a narrow path to the rear of The Dairy led up through tall vegetation past the ponds and into woodland where the daylight dimmed.

Emerging once more into the evening light and passing through a field of cows with a huge bull silently munching grass whilst suspiciously eyeing up the group, led them to the road near Wrinstone House.

A rough bridle path opposite Wrinstone Farm with lovely views towards Wenvoe led slightly uphill before curving around and downhill to rejoin Cwrt-yr-Ala Road beside a field with cows and young calves.

Heading south down through Michaelston-le-Pit and once more crossing the Cadoxton River, a series of kissing gates led through fields and back to the ford where the two dogs delightedly splashed about in the water.

Nearby are the remains of a weir and sluice gate where in the early part of the 15th century, the Cadoxton River was diverted into a leet to provide the power to drive the over-shot wheel of the old mill, before being returned back into the river.

Then with time swiftly moving on and retracing their steps back across the golf course, the evening came to a close with a refreshing drink in the village.

On July 16, meet 8.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 11-mile hard walk at Talgarth taking in Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve and Y Grib; contact Barrie on 029 2053 0753.

On July 17, meet 9am at Cogan for a 12-mile hard walk from Llangynidr to Tor y Foel and the Chartist Cave; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

On July 19, meet 7pm at Cogan for a 10-mile mod/hard night walk in the Black Mountains (a torch and spare batteries are essential); contact William on 07528 701 952.

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.