Walking, photographing and enjoying the outdoor life. Most walks are along the Wales Coastal Path but some are on Nature Reserves, around Country House estates and others are just walks in the countryside.

New Walk Added : 11/11/2017

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Parc Slip Nature Reserve

Parc Slip Nature Reserve near Aberkenfig, Bridgend is an area of 300 acres containing a fantastic mix of habitats such as grassland, woodland and wetlands, restored from its previous status as a coal mining area.

Open water ponds, the wader scrape and wetlands provided habitat for many species of water bird, although in August the bird sightings were not that numerous. There were several open access hides and viewing areas throughout the reserve, overlooking the wetland areas. We accessed these as we walked around the well-maintained paths throughout the reserve. There is a Heritage Trail which enables you to explore the mining history and the natural areas. However, we went off piste and explored some of the more out of the way areas.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

All walks can be found under the drop-down heading WALKS.

Photographs of all walks can be found under the drop-down heading PHOTO GALLERY.

If you want to find out more about me and summaries of all the walks can be found under the drop-down heading THIS IS MY TRAVELOGUE

Look for the three lines to access the dropdown headings, then click.

 

Walking, photographing and enjoying the outdoor life. Most walks are along the Wales Coastal Path but some are on Nature Reserves, around Country House estates and others are just walks in the countryside.

New Walk Added : 26/10/2017

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Penclawdd to Llanrhidian

This walk is on the Lougher estuary but is on the opposite side to my “Lougher Estuary” walks. Obviously the estuary outlook is the same but the path covers different terrain. Some of the walk is along a busy road, unlike the purpose built  Mellennium Heritage path. Mudflats and saltmarsh are in view the majority of the time. A close-up picture of the flora and fauna of this unique ecological habitat is afforded to the walker. There are a variety of Waders and Gulls on the mudflats. This part of the coastline is associated with the Cockle industry with many of the workings are evident. It is one of the few estuaries left in the country in which commercial hand gathering with rake and riddle continues.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

All walks can be found under the drop-down heading WALKS.

Photographs of all walks can be found under the drop-down heading PHOTO GALLERY.

If you want to find out more about me and summaries of all the walks can be found under the drop-down heading THIS IS MY TRAVELOGUE

Look for the three lines to access the dropdown headings.

 

 

Walking, photographing and enjoying the outdoor life. Most walks are along the Wales Coastal Path but some are on Nature Reserves, around Country House estates and others are just walks in the countryside.

Lougher Estuary : New Walk Added : 11/10/2017

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Lougher Estuary Part 2: Llanelli Wetlands to Machynys and Bwlch y Gwynt

A walk through a variety of landscapes: woodland, industrial waste ground, lakeside, salt marsh and estuary. An ever changing vista with flora and fauna adjusting to the environmental peculiarities.Once an island within a salt marsh, this spit of land is a man made area. Tidal marsh was drained and a seawall built to accomodate the arrival foundries and heavy industrial works and their workers. There is now a new phase to the use of the land. Demolition of properties has allowed for regeneration. This part of the Welsh Coastal Path is called the Mellennium Heritage and Coastal Park. An easy, almost flat, enjoyable path for both walkers and cyclists.

I have walked along the Lougher Estuary but have broken it down into three parts. So there are more parts to come.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

All walks can be found under the drop-down heading WALKS.

Photographs of all walks can be found under the drop-down heading PHOTO GALLERY.

If you want to find out more about me and summaries of all the walks can be found under the drop-down heading THIS IS MY TRAVELOGUE

Look for the three lines to access the dropdown headings.

 

 Walking, photographing and enjoying the outdoor life. Most walks are along the Wales Coastal Path but some are on Nature Reserves, around Country House estates and others are just walks in the countryside.

Lougher Estuary : New Walk Added : 22/9/2017 

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Lougher Estuary Part 1: Lougher to Llanelli Wetlands

This is a short easy walk along the Lougher Estuary. It is wide track which facilitates both walkers and cyclists.  However, the path veers away from the estuary and below a seawall. Unless like me you want to walk on the wilder side, then there is opportunity to walk on a narrow path alongside the seawall. This offers lovely views of the estuary, the villages on the other side and the saltmarshes. It is also quieter and you are more likely to come across more wildlife.

I have walked along the Lougher Estuary but have broken it down into three parts. So there are more parts to come.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

All walks can be found under the drop-down heading WALKS.

Photographs of all walks can be found under the drop-down heading PHOTO GALLERY.

If you want to find out more about me and summaries of all the walks can be found under the drop-down heading THIS IS MY TRAVELOGUE

 

I am still walking and writing but family commitments are slowing things down a bit. I hope those of you who have read some of my blogs will keep logging in to see what I have been up to. If this is your first time please look at the “This is my Travelogue” there may be other walks to interest you.

New Walk Added : 

20/7/2017      A Walk Around Llangynwyd

Here is a summary of the new walk:

A Walk Around Llangynwyd Village

Llangynwyd is the village I grew up in, so this walk has brought back many memories for me. The details of the walk will therefore contain many reminiscences some of which are linked to historical facts. Llangynwyd is situated in the Llynfi valley, between Bridgend and Maesteg. The walk is fairly easy, taking in a number of different ecological areas: stream-valley broad-leaf woodland, rough and pasture land, minor roads, farms, marshy ground, old tramways and fantastic views over the surrounding hills. There is also the opportunity to make a small detour into the village itself, where you can visit the church and public houses, which are mentioned in the script.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

 

 

A new year and the coastal path and other walks are beckoning me. So soon I will don my boots and walking gear and head out into the wide outdoors.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

New Walk Added : 

5/3/2017      Loughor Castle to Penclawdd

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Loughor Castle to Penclawdd

This is a lovely, easy walk on tarmac paths, cycle tracks, woodland trails and some narrow roads. It passes a castle in ruins and skirts along the Loughor River estuary, where mudflats and salt-marshes can be viewed. However, in winter these can look rather bleak  with only a mosaic of bedraggled-looking vegetation and almost devoid of life. Look carefully and you will see a rich variety of wild-life. You are unlikely to see beneath the surface but it must be teeming  because of the abundance of waders and wildfowl that flock to the area in the winter months. My walk was quite wet and murky, washed out colours and mud, with a few glimpses of spring . In summer it would be beautiful with more birds and colourful plants.

 Now here comes the blurb:

Hover over the headings, then click the required walk etc. You may need to click the 3 line symbol ( ≡ )  to access the drop down menus.

Drop down headings:

The This is my Travelogue will tell you what the site is about and give a summary of all the walks.

The Walks are self explanatory.

The Photo Galleries exhibit the flora and fauna I encountered on each walk. All of which are mentioned in the text of the walks.

Indicates Wales Coastal Path 

 

 

Indicates other Trails and Nature Reserves

 

 

New Walk Added : 

16/12/16       Pengam to Peterstone Wentlooge

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Pengam to Peterstone Wentlooge

Rivers, parks, canals,bridges and sea-walls all feature in this walk. To reach the sea-wall at Rhymney Great Wharf and the estuary, we travelled over the River Rhymney, through Tredelerch Park, then along a canal. The River Rhymney runs into the Severn Estuary, having made its journey from the Brecon Beacons. The Severn is the longest river in the UK and has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. It is a boundary between Wales and England; the north Somerset coast looks very close on a sunny day. On the day I walked this stretch it was very clear. I was also able to see the two Severn Bridge crossings. The tide when out leaves huge expanses of mud-flats and salt marches. Both the park, canal and salt marshes are a haven for wildfowl, some of which are mentioned in the walk.

 Now here comes the blurb:

Hover over the headings, then click the required walk etc. You may need to click the 3 line symbol ( ≡ )  to access the drop down menus.

Drop down headings:

The This is my Travelogue will tell you what the site is about and give a summary of all the walks.

The Walks are self explanatory.

The Photo Galleries exhibit the flora and fauna I encountered on each walk. All of which are mentioned in the text of the walks.

 

Indicates Wales Coastal Path 

 

Indicates other Trails and Nature Reserves

 

New Walk Added : 

28/11/16      East Moors to Pengam

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

Here is a summary of the new walk:

An interesting but a different walk of contrasts along the coast. There are some excellent views but much of the walk is centered around the industry in the area. There are patches of waste land where industrial complexes once stood. This section though  was being used, probably illegally, by trail bikes. Away from here and closer to the coast the countryside is much pleasanter. Until, that is, you arrive at a traveller’s site. I would walk quickly past here; avoiding the dumped rubbish and burnt patches. Also be mindful of the dogs, who are continuously barking, straying onto the path.

Now here comes the blurb:

Hover over the headings, then click the required walk etc. You may need to click the 3 line symbol ( ≡ )  to access the drop down menus.

Drop down headings:

The This is my Travelogue will tell you what the site is about and give a summary of all the walks.

The Walks are self explanatory.

The Photo Galleries exhibit the flora and fauna I encountered on each walk. All of which are mentioned in the text of the walks.

 

Indicates Wales Coastal Path 

 

Indicates other Trails and Nature Reserves

 

New Walk Added : 

21/11/16      Port Eynon to Rhossili

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

Here is a summary of the new walk:

This section has a glorious unspoilt beauty all along its coastline. High cliffs jutting into the water of the swirling seas. Long Slades/Valleys, lush in vegetation, running down to small hidden coves and magnificent Bays. It has long stretches of moorland or heath, usually inhabited by sheep. However, this walk is not for the faint hearted, because of its undulating and sometimes rough terrain, but is extremely pleasant if you are able. The whole area is steeped in history, from early man to the industrial age. Evidence of their activities is plain to see, in places, or hidden among the cliffs. These areas are for the more adventurous among you. The day we walked this section the weather was unkind at first but eventually the sun shone. The misty views of the cliffs and the dampness of the Slades soon transformed into a veritable feast for the eyes.

 Now here comes the blurb:

Hover over the headings, then click the required walk etc. You may need to click the 3 line symbol ( ≡ )  to access the drop down menus.

Drop down headings:

The This is my Travelogue will tell you what the site is about and give a summary of all the walks.

The Walks are self explanatory.

The Photo Galleries exhibit the flora and fauna I encountered on each walk. All of which are mentioned in the text of the walks.

 

Indicates Wales Coastal Path 

 

Indicates other Trails and Nature Reserves

 

 

New Walk Added : 

7/11/16      Cowbridge Oasis

Apologies for the lack of blog updates but I have been globe trotting. To China no less. May be an off the beaten track episode will be forth-coming.

There are plenty of walks available. Check them out on “This is My Travelogue” and read the ones you are interested in.

Hover over the headings, then click the required walk etc. You may need to click the 3 line symbol ( ≡ )  to access the drop down menus.

Drop down headings:

The This is my Travelogue will tell you what the site is about and give a summary of all the walks.

The Walks are self explanatory.

The Photo Galleries exhibit the flora and fauna I encountered on each walk. All of which are mentioned in the text of the walks.

 

Indicates Wales Coastal Path 

 

Indicates other Trails and Nature Reserves

Here is a summary of the new walk:

Cowbridge Oasis

Cowbridge is a major market town in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan. It is well contained within its 13th century town walls. It boasts many individual clothing, food and vegetable, gift and bespoke shops. It has an interesting array of eateries from the typical coffee shops to refined dining. For relaxation there is a celebrated Physic Garden where you can while away  an hour sitting among plants with wonderful fragrances. However, there is another calming oasis not far from the High Street. It is a pleasant walk around a small lake with interesting planting. The day we were there,however, calming would not be the word I would use to describe it. Please read the walk details to find out more.