A GROUP of 13 walkers joined Sylvia from Penarth and District Ramblers at Cogan on a cool, calm, dry and sunny morning, with slippery underfoot frost to explore three Cardiff Parks.

Setting off under open blue skies towards Penarth Marina, Pont y Werin or the People’s Bridge brought them across the River Ely packed tightly with moored boats.

The race was on to get to Canton to catch an opening between 10.30am and 11am in order to view an art exhibition by Dr Anna Polya, a popular member of the group and heading up through Dunleavy Drive where the first daffodils were in bloom heralding a taste of spring and joining the Ely Trail, the path under the A4232 with its colourful graffiti lay ahead.

Entering Grangemoor Park where the big hump in the centre is affectionately known to the group as ‘Asda Mountain’ and following the River Ely upstream before heading along white frosty pavements on Penarth Road just below the Cardiff Dogs Home, where volunteer dog walkers were out with their charges, the path led across Leckwith Hill where a group of canoeists were paddling on the river.

Heading back under the A4232 once more and through Sanatorium Park, past the groundwork taking place for the 800 houses which will form an urban village called The Mill on the site of the old Arjo Wiggins Paper Mill, a footbridge over the railway line led them into Cowbridge Road East.

Passing Victoria Park which was laid out on the site of the old Ely Common by WW Pettigrew and following urban pavements to the Kagyu Samye Dzong Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, boots were removed before entering to view the interesting art exhibition entitled Where Land and Sea Embrace, which was exploring the beauty of the south Wales coastline in all seasons and weathers.

After taking advantage of the comfortable and very warm lounge and enjoying delicious cake from both Mike and Tina over morning coffee, after replacing walking boots it was time to set off again along urban streets in Canton.

Heading into Thompson’s Park once owned by the wealthy Thompson family of Penhill, which was opened to the public in 1891 and passing the statue of Joyance by Sir William Goscombe John and ducks being fed on the pretty pond before exiting onto Pencisely Road, a descent beside busy roads led into Llandaff Fields.

Crossing Pontcanna Fields and reaching Blackweir, where a grey heron could be seen on the opposite side of the River Taff and heading across a footbridge, seating in warm sunshine for the time of year made for a comfortable lunch outside the Secret Garden cafe in Bute Park.

Continuing southwards past the famous Principality (previously the Millennium) Stadium which opened in 1999 and overlooking Central Square where the new headquarters of BBC Cymru Wales is under construction, continuing along Taff Mead Embankment with its group of tame swans seeking food on the riverbank led them to the Clarence Road Bridge and the embankment.

Then entering Hamadryad Park and finally passing below the A4232 to enter the Wetlands, then Mount Stuart Square and through the populated Mermaid Quay, past the Pierhead building, the Senedd, Norwegian Church, Scott Memorial and the Doctor Who Experience as clouds were forming in the sky, an open walkway to the south of Cardiff Bay with grand views in all directions led them towards the Cardiff Barrage.

Crossing to the Penarth side of the bay and passing the lovely Custom House before pounding pavements along Penarth Portway to the west of Penarth Marina, then along Terra Nova Way led them back to Marconi Avenue for the short tramp back to Cogan.

On January 28, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile hard walk in the Abercarn area; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

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.