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