ON WHAT turned into a lovely warm and sunny late summer day, a group of eight walkers from Penarth and District Ramblers joined Terry at Cardiff Central Railway Station for the train journey to Chepstow, where they set off through the town and past the ruined castle.

Heading through part of the ruined old Port Wall which was erected in the latter part of the 13th century to protect the town with its look-out points and deep dry moat and arriving at Gunstock Wharf beside the River Wye, this area was renowned for its shipbuilding skills from the Middle Ages up to the early 20th century.

A mural of colourful ceramic tiles which is set into the ground beside the river marks the start or finishing point of the Wales Coast Path, depending on whether you are beginning from the south or north of Wales.

Officially opened on May 5, 2012 it depicts the whole of the 870 mile journey and all the counties that the path passes through, plus advising walkers that if Offa’s Dyke path is walked the circumnavigation of the whole of Wales is a whopping 1,027 miles.

Returning back into the town beside the Norman Priory Church of St Mary and heading uphill through a residential area to reach the same level as the railway line upon which they arrived, the route continued through woodland and the Bulwark, a 20th century residential area named after an Iron Age hill fort and known locally as The Warren, which is under the care of Cadw.

Still some distance from the coast and passing through a tunnel under the M4 before circumnavigating a huge industrial area, their first entry into fields which led them to the village of Mathern where a lovely carved statue of Tewdrig in cedar wood, by the sculptor Neil Gow stands in front of St Tewdrig’s Church.

This fearless King of Gwent was known as a magnificent warrior who later abdicated in favour of his son and became a hermit. But in 630 when the Saxon army threatened the kingdom, Tewdrig returned to lead his army into the Battle of Pont-y-Saeson near Tintern and in defeating the Saxons he received a mortal wound to the head.

On the journey from Tintern to Flat Holm, at Merthyr-Teyryn (now Mathern) Tewdrig’s condition deteriorated and he died where a spring began to gush from the ground and was buried in the original church built by his son.

A footbridge led them onto part of St Pierre Golf Course and crossing the railway line to pass through several fields on the Caldicot Levels the footpath runs alongside the River Severn between the two Severn crossings.

Following a grassy track westwards above Charston Sands and eventually arriving at the picnic area at Black Rock for lunch, there were brilliant views back to the old Severn Bridge. This particular area is renowned for its Lave Net fishing carried out on the ebb tide during the months of June, July and August, using traditional fishing skills passed down through the generations, but historically was also the place where the Roman legions were ferried to a fro across the River Severn from Black Rock to Chissell Pill just north of Bristol.

Continuing the journey to Sudbrook with its neat terraced houses built originally to house the construction workers for the Severn Tunnel, and then underneath the second Severn Bridge as it snaked its way across the river led them onto a man-made pathway with good sea defences.

Turning inland and crossing reclaimed land on the Gwent Levels, a footbridge across the M4 brought them into Rogiet in order to catch the train home from Severn Tunnel Junction after a most interesting day.

On September 17, meet 8.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 11-mile moderate circular walk from Glasbury to Hay-on-Wye; contact Sylvia on 029 2070 8758.

On September 18, meet 8.30am at Cogan for a 10-mile hard walk taking in Fan Brycheiniog, Llyn y Fan Fach and Fawr; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

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.