AS THE Festival of Winter Walks continues, Geraint played host to a group of six walkers and Biddy the dog and leaving the village square in Dinas Powys and tramping up Highwalls Road and Avenue, a swift trek uphill through the middle of the golf course brought them out onto the Beauville Lane right opposite the One O’Clock gate dated 1951.

A muddy entrance to a stile led onto the St Andrews ridgeway and through fields dotted only with sheep, whilst long distance views were blotted out by thick mist and pausing only long enough to locate Wrinstone Farm in the valley below, once the site of a medieval village, a field containing horses wearing snazzy coats led out onto the road.

Descending past St Andrews House and rubbish dumped on the verge amongst trees, the lane took them downhill to the Church of St Andrew with its interesting collection of gravestones including one to Thomas David better known by his Bardic name of Dewi Wyn O’ Essyllt, a prolific poet and writer who is honoured with a plaque on the outer wall of the Three Horseshoes in Dinas Powys where he lived and wrote.

A narrow path by the driveway at Garnhill led into fields and uphill back to the Beauville Lane for the descent through the Twyncyn onto Dinas Powys Common where the outdoor gym equipment attracted a few of the group to ‘have a go’ before the return back to their start.

Continuing the Festival walks in the lovely Vale of Glamorgan, only three walkers were lured out to join Joy and Biddy for the trip down to the Portobello car park at Ogmore-by-Sea and setting off in dry but overcast weather, a sandy path led them northeast towards the Pelican in her Piety pub with misty views over Merthyr Mawr Warren and to the confluence of the Rivers Ogmore and Ewenny.

Heading along the B4254 overlooking the ruined Ogmore Castle a path adjacent to the pumping station led them uphill onto Ogmore Down where some of the gorse and bracken adjacent to the Southerndown golf course recently has been cleared.

Heading downhill for a coffee break at St Bridget’s Church, a short journey to the village green in St Brides Major led to one of the four new delightful sculptures by Howard Bowcott, inscribed with a poem entitled Southerndown Man in both English and Welsh by Amanda Rackstraw with the help of St Brides Primary School pupils, in celebration of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast and unveiled this year.

Continuing past Pitcot Pool and Pool Farm and through fields with grand views towards Trwyn y Witch, a woodland path at Pant y Slade led them to a deviation onto Tir Gofal footpaths beside fields opened up by the landowner for the use of the public with grants from the Welsh Assembly.

Exiting onto part of the Wales Coast Path at Dunraven Park, a gateway led them down to the walled garden all that is left of Dunraven Castle.

It became a magnificent castellated mansion house during the 19th century when it was owned by the Wyndham family, but was demolished in 1962 and during their lunch break in sunshine; a dormouse hopped out of the foliage and amused them by eating titbits.

Passing another of the Southerndown man sculptures, this time with a bench and crossing the car park to descend steps leading to the Heritage Coast Centre and Seamouth Cottage, before climbing steps uphill, the skies turned black and rain began to fall.

Following the clifftop before heading up a bridleway to emerge at Heol Y mynydd where the rain stopped, muddy paths churned up by horse riders led down through Pant Mari Flanders and back to their start.

The Festival of Winter Walks continues and is open to all, but please note walk routes may be cancelled or altered during bad weather so please check with the leader.

On December 30, meet 9.30am at Penarth clifftop car park for a five-mile easy walk taking in Lavernock; contact Sue J on 029 2070 2901.

On January 1, 2017, meet 10am at the Colcot Arms pub, Colcot Road, Barry for a five-mile easy/moderate walk taking in the Highlight and Brynhill valleys; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

On January 4, 2017, the annual 10-mile pilgrimage to the Blue Anchor for lunch will leave the Viaduct car park, Porthkerry Park at 9.30am (pre booking unnecessary); contact William on 07528 701 952

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs 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.