STILL continuing the annual Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks, a group of 12 walkers from Penarth and District headed down to Porthkerry Country Park to meet William for the sixth annual pilgrimage to the Blue Anchor, East Aberthaw in order to celebrate the New Year with a splendid walk and the bonus of lunch half-way round.

Meeting in the car park at the Porthkerry viaduct end on an overcast but for the time of year mild morning and heading across the boggy pitch and putt course to clamber up the slippery woodland path to the Bulwarks, the remnants of ditches forming part of the ancient Iron Age Hillfort are still visible in amongst the trees.

Heading through Porthkerry Leisure Park and following the Wales Coast Path along the clifftops in front of the housing development at Rhoose Point, a dip down through the only remaining part of Happy Valley and a climb up steps led onto very muddy and wet paths for the journey to the most southern part of mainland Wales.

Pausing for morning coffee during which William recited a poem by his favourite Newport-born poet W H Davies called The Time of Dreams which was published in 1922 and is part of a collection of poems entitled - A Poet’s Calendar, it was soon time to continue past the redundant old quarries which have become lakes after being allowed to flood.

Following a narrow cliff path the seaward side of the old disused limestone quarries and descending steps to Fontygary beach there were signs of a recent heavy fall of rock from the cliffs, before the path continued through Fontygary Leisure Park for the descent to the salt flats and lagoons at Andrew’s Pant, where a startled little egret took to flight.

Steps at the end of the sea defence wall that stretches westwards in front of Aberthaw Power Station brought them to Pleasant Harbour and a tramp along more muddy paths behind the old ruined Limeworks to eventually reach Well Road.

Going uphill and reaching the delightful thatched Blue Anchor Inn, which dates back to 1380 and which has been owned and run by the Coleman family for more than 70 years, muddy boots were hastily discarded before entering to order lunch and partake of some comforting liquid refreshment.

At this point another walker who had mistakenly parked in the wrong place and spent the morning catching up with the group joined them, making 14 in total for lunch.

After a delicious, leisurely, varied and well-presented lunch, outdoor equipment and boots were once more donned and following Port Road through to the hamlet of Nurston some patches of blue sky broke through the clouds.

Passing the Highwayman Inn and following the perimeter fence of Cardiff Airport to enter Rhoose village, before heading down through Happy Valley Lane past a new housing development, after carefully crossing the main Vale railway line pavements through more new housing at Rhoose Point which had only been completed this summer, led them back towards the coast.

Then retracing their steps along the cliff top and through Porthkerry Leisure Park, a short journey along the lane into Porthkerry village heralded a quick visit to the churchyard of St Curig’s, which was used as a burial ground for some of the victims of the treacherous sea in the Bristol Channel.

After viewing the gravestone of one such burial place that survives with its headstone to a Seafaring Man found drowned in 1866 situated just to the south of the preaching cross, their route led them downhill through woodland and back into Porthkerry Country Park for the short journey back to the viaduct car park.

On January 14, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 12-mile moderate walk taking in three Cardiff Parks and returning via Cardiff Bay; contact Sylvia on 029 2070 8758.

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.