Cowbridge Walk with TBR - 14th May 2006

This motley looking bunch are the Tiger Bay Ramblers, our larger counterpart in Cardiff, and the 14th May saw a historic joint walk between the two groups around the town of Cowbridge. We had a total of 32 people turn up for the walk, which goes without saying is quite a big crowd.
Let me set the scene; you are driving through the open, peaceful, and unassuming countryside of the Vale of Glamorgan, and all of a sudden after taking a particular turning you find yourself in a bustling, knotted swarm of Range Rovers, Barbour-wearing accountants, over-priced tea shops and boutique delicatessens.
Yes, this is Cowbridge, and despite its sometimes overcrowdedness (and my initial description), is actually a pretty nice place to spend some time. Indeed, after the walk both groups enjoyed a promenade down the high street and a pint in one of the many quality drinking establishments. I was even tempted to pop into one of the delis and buy a £6 jar of 'aubergine and seville lemon' chutney but my sensibilities won over, and in the end I came away with just great memories of the walk and of meeting the people from TBR.
The walk itself was a very pleasant experience, and took us over some luscious expanses of typically rolling Vale farmland and through the genteel village of Llanblethian.
I must note that this type of walk provided us with a very different contrast to the Beacons/mountainey type walks we often do; which was good, as I felt as though we were getting some variety in our walking careers. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
The photo shows us sitting down for lunch on the banks of Vistla Farm at about the half-way point of the 8 mile walk.
Strangely enough, on the final stretch we were propositioned by a photographer claiming to be from the Cowbridge and Bridgend Tourist Board. He took photos of the group walking back into Cowbridge and informed us that the pictures should be available soon on the website of the local paper.
Who knows, this could be the start of great things; of fame and fortune! Today: The East Cowbridge Evening Recorder, tomorrow: The World!

Doug

Port Eynon to Rhossili Walk - 20th May '06

We all did something today that we've never done before. 'Look at a map?' I hear you ask.
No, we took the bus. More specifically we took the bus from Port Eynon to Rhossili, then set off from Rhossili to walk the nine or so miles back to Port Eynon.
There was something quite unique about a crowd of us clambering on board with our walking equipment, the wry looks we won from the sparse fellow passengers, and the atmosphere of subtle camaraderie which ensued as we rumbled along the quiet Gower roads.
I realised this is what we've been missing on our journeys to walk destinations; the shared sense of anticipation as we approach the adventure ahead of us. By the time we were off the bus we had all 'warmed up' in the sociability sense, and we were all laughing and messing around in Tawe Trekkers style before the walk had even started.
This was, I must add, helped by the fact that the driver was a very jolly fellow and entertained us with educational quips about Newton and Einstein on the way. Oh yes he was quite a find; the kind of character you'd expect to meet in some twee whimsical drama about Swansea, rather than the real Swansea, in which a bus driver is more likely to be some disgruntled codger with a stale poly-cup of coffee in one fag-stained hand and the dog eared sports pages of the Evening Post in the other.
The walk itself was marvellous, all thanks to Martin; our leader for the day, and he took us on a coast hugging route back to Port Eynon which treated us all to the classic Gower scenery.
It wasn't what you would call a 'nice' day as such though. At times the wind was high, and powerful foamy waves barked at the rocks like rabid dogs. The cliffs loomed larger and more imposing due to the ominous weather and the rawness of nature felt closer than usual. I personally prefer these type of conditions on Gower to the sort ot lazy, submissive summer weather that would generally be thought of as ideal. It lends a whole different atmosphere to the place which is somehow more exhilirating.
Anyhow, things did calm down and the sun shone more brightly through the clouds as we neared Port Eynon, and the picture above shows us looking back towards Rhossili from Port Eynon Head.
Notice the artistic sepia tones that I developed the photo with in my darkroom? It took me ages to do that and my hands are still stinking of chemicals.
Do excuse me, people; I have to go now to order some more photographic supplies, but I hope this will encourage people to come out with us to the wonderful, romantic peninsula that is the Gower.

Doug

The Forest Of Dean Weekend

This is us on the Forest of Dean weekend, on the Sunday walk to the the 'Devil's Pulpit' and Tintern Abbey.