FOLLOWING heavy rainfall when the planned walk was moved to the next day, a group of five walkers including leader Joy met at Redbrink Crescent, Barry Island on a dry but overcast and slightly eerie morning with mist blotting out the Somerset coastline and hovering over Steep and Flat Holm, whose name derives from the Scandinavian word for an island in an estuary.

Descending the cliff path to the empty Jackson’s Bay and following the Clement Colley walk around Nells Point there were lovely views across the wide stretch of Whitmore Bay populated mostly with dog walkers and towards the mist covered Rhoose Point.

Descending onto the eastern promenade and passing the brightly coloured beach huts, steps led down onto the firm sand of Whitmore Bay as dark brooding clouds passed to the north of the town of Barry, whilst to the south over the channel the sky was beginning to brighten.

After crossing the beach and ascending onto Friar’s Point, the path led past Friar’s Point House built in 1858 as the Marine Hotel by Francis Crawshay, then renamed the Pier Hotel until Lord Windsor took over the house in 1894, when he demolished the extensions to the property and gave it its current name.

Moving on towards the harbour wall and descending via stone steps onto the sand and crossing the stream below the old watchtower, a scramble up the pebble beach brought them to the site of the old Knap swimming pool.

Built in the 1920s along with Cold Knap Lake, the swimming pool was originally built as a tidal pool designed to fill at high tide through a sluice gate and it was one of the largest open-air pools in Britain containing more than a million gallons of water.

Circumnavigating the eastern side of the Knap Lake and crossing a footbridge over the feeder stream to Birch Grove, a pretty path through Birch Grove Wood still tinted with autumnal leaves led them out for the climb up the green and along the clifftop in front of Marine Drive.

Muddy pathways through the wood and a steep descent down the Golden Stairs led to Porthkerry beach for morning coffee in warm sunshine that felt more like April than December, whilst sitting on the pebbles.

With parts of the golf course still waterlogged and climbing the muddy leaf covered path up through the wood to the Bulwarks, a short road walk through Porthkerry Leisure Park led back out onto the clifftop.

Turning inland at the bottom of all that is left of Happy Valley and circling the edge of the quarry brought them onto pavements at the Rhoose Point development for the return via the airport bend to St Curig’s Church in Porthkerry village for lunch break.

Then descending narrow paths through woodland into Porthkerry Park and heading up through thick squelchy mud at Cwm Barri, urban streets led on past Romilly School and downhill under the Broad Street tunnel into Hood Road.

Passing Asda and through the new housing being created at The Quays, a green path led up to the Barry Island railway station bridge for their return to the start via Breaksea Drive.

The following walks are part of the Ramblers Festival of Winter walks which will hopefully encourage people who are not members to come along and join in a local walk which not only benefits fitness but is a chance to make new friends and improve health and mental wellbeing.

On December 28, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a six-mile easy walk around Cardiff Bay; contact Sue J on 029 2070 2901.

On December 29, meet 9.30am at Cogan for an eight-mile walk in the Wick area; contact Su G on 07954 139 946.

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

On January 1, meet 10am outside the Colcot Arms pub, Colcot Road, Barry for a five-mile easy/mod walk to welcome in the new year; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks on longer walks. 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.