Saturday's Walk - Clyne and Mumbles Hill

Hi all,

This Saturday Andy leads us on a walk that is very local to Swansea, but surprisingly interesting and scenic at the same time.
Many of us are very familiar with Swansea but we tend to travel along the same old roads and walk the same streets. This walk will show you Swansea and Mumbles from a new, more elevated and altogether more rural perspective. Take it away Andy...

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Clyne Gardens and Mumbles Hill

Hi Everyone!

Here are details of the walk this Saturday (1st December)

Difficulty – Easy

Distance – 7 miles (was going to be 5miles but I decided to add a bit!)

Dogs – This walk is suitable for dogs.

Meeting Points:

9.30am at County Hall car park (East) or

9.50am at the Clyne Gardens Car Park (next to the Woodman Pub)

Description of Walk:

This walk is ideal for beginners as it is mostly on good footpaths, there are no hard climbs and there are loads of good pubs along the way!! ( what do you expect from a walk I am leading!!)
Although this walk is easy, if the weather has been bad the paths are likely to be muddy.

I like this walk, for very little effort you are rewarded with some excellent coastal views, and the fact that the walk is never far from civilisation means that there is ample opportunity to stop for a quick drink or food etc.

Points of interest:

The Story Telling tree in Clyne Gardens, Lee Trundle’s House, Pet cemetery, Oystermouth Castle, remains of World War Two air defences, graves from Mumbles life boat disaster, woodland scenery, open parkland, excellent views of the coast & for those of you who fancy it a chance to buy ice cream at Verdi’s!!

Hope to see you Saturday!!

Andy

Mob – 07817878793
Home (01554) 759714

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Thanks Andy, looks like a nice walk with a good opportunity for a pub visit. Talking of which, don't forget it's the club's regular pub night at the Brunswick on Thursday (29th).

If you're driving to County Hall car park on Saturday, remember that you don't have to pay if you're just going to be waiting for a few minutes. Just tell the guy on the gate you're with the walking club, you're just here to meet up with people, and he'll let you in.

Cheers

Doug

Newsletter - Afan Valley and the Tunnel

Hi there,

This weeks newsletter features details of the walk on Sunday and a weekend in the lakes with Doug.
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Afan Valley to Tonmawr passing the Gyfylchi Tunnel Entrances and the ruined chapel of Gyfylchi.
Last time we went to the Afan Country Park, we headed East, this time we head West to explore the old railway tunnel that formed part of the old mineral railway line built by Brunel in the 19th Century. Long since disused, it formed a vital part of the railway network in South Wales for both passengers and industry.

The walk, as usual, hits part of the St Illtyds Way, the Coed Morgannwg Way and the Cistercian Way, these ancient footpaths carry the ghosts of the monks who once trod them.

From Tonmawr, we head East towards Cymmer and then back towards the country park for a cup of tea.

We meet at the usual start in County hall at 9:30 and then head to the country park, where there is a parking fee of £2.60. As usual, with me, dogs are welcome on my walks with well behaved owners with the distance being a smidge short of 10 miles.

If you require more info, give me (Rob) a call on 07990 807510, but hope to see you there.
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Spaces on a Lake District Trip - This Weekend!

If you're feeling adventurous and fancy striking out a bit further this weekend: Doug has contacted me saying that there are two spaces for a trip in the Lake District that he is attending. Going up on Friday (morning, preferably), and driving up to Hawes End YHA; a hostel that Doug and a group of his friends have booked for Friday and Saturday. Cost will be £30, including food, plus a share of the petrol. Call Doug on 07766652837 for more details.

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That's it for this newsletter, hope you can make the walk or the trip to the lakes.

Rob

Newsletter - Mynydd Du on Saturday - NEW START TIME

Hi all,

This Saturday a sadistic Australian doctor leads us on a tough but rewarding route in the Black Mountain (including the Sawdde Valley and Fan Foel). See Alex's message below for the lowdown, and NOTE THE NEW START TIME OF 9AM, not 0930 as it said on the Programme. Any problems or queries give Alex a ring.


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Alex's Mynydd Du March (brought to you by the letter "M")





March at Mynydd Du: More monstrous than moderate, or maybe merely mean, this march is most appropriate for the more masochistic or mountain-loving 'mong us (maybe Martin or Mr Morgan?) - minus mongrels or mutts. Meteorological mishaps:moisture and mist, 'mongst others, might make magnificent vistas mundane and marr merriment and mirth.





Hmmm.... Or, in English, it is a tough walk up hills rewarded with scenic views (weather permitting). This walk is not suitable for dogs. It is also not suitable for people who are less confident with hills or off track walking as there is a long, moderate ascent over rough groundat the beginning followed by a steep ascent. We then walk along thecliff face for a while before a gradual descent back to the car park.
To try to beat both the evening mist and hopefully get a drive homebefore dark, we will set off from the council car park at 9AM.
Make sure you have warm, wind-proof clothes, as it can get quite coldand windy, particularly at the top of the mountains.
If anyone has any questions, please call me on 01792 295735 during workhours or 01792 522370 after hours.

On the day, I will have Rebecca's mobile, 07920 030308.

Cheers,

Alex

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Newsletter - Craig Cefn Parc and FRANCE!

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Sunday 11th November - Mynydd Gellionnen and Craig Cefn Parc

This Sunday we're venturing up to Mynydd Gellionnen and the wild (or should that be 'feral') post-industrial landscape that surrounds it. There are a lot of interesting features along the way including some nice sections of the River Clydach, and a mirage-like view straight down to Swansea and Mumbles.

Meeting Points: 0930 at County Hall, or 1015 at the lay-by near Gellionnen Chapel.

Difficulty: Moderate. Although there are no major ascents on this walk, please be aware that we cross some awkward and boggy land. However, don't let that put you off as this is a gem of a route that feels like you've had a proper adventure when you've finished.

Distance: 11 Miles

Directions to Start Point: If you're meeting us at the start point (and if you're a Tiger Bay Rambler then you probably are), you need to take Jct 45 off the M4 then take the 4th exit on the roundabout which is the B4603. Follow the road through Clydach for about 2.5km, and when you come to some shops and a Junction, take a left turning. You then take the 3rd turning on your right (Gellionnen Rd), and follow this about another 2.5km until you see a small gravelled lay-by on your right by the entrance to Plasnewydd farm. Grid reference 703035. Some halfwit from the council has decided to make a small stretch of Gellionnen road one way (in the opposite direction), but it's easy enough to take the parallel street and then get back onto it a couple of blocks up. Once onto the moorland you may have to run over some cows to get to the start point, as they do tend to get in the way, (or you can just drive carefully around them if you want to avoid vehicle damage.) Please give me, Doug a ring on 07766652837 if you get lost, or indeed if there are any questions, queries, quibbles, qualms or quandaries related to the walk itself.

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Trip to France - 1st May

Did you know that the Tawe Trekkers is twinned with a club in France? It has a membership of one person, and it is called 'Lionel's Trekkers.' Lionel, being the extremely kind person he is, has offered to let us stay with him in his family's converted barn in the Alsace Lorraine region of France. The suggested and provisional date is from Thurs 1st May, for a period yet to be exactly determined but it shouldn't be longer than 5-6 days. We are capping the numbers at 8 so if you want to come it's first come, first served. Give me a call on 07766652837. The mode of transport and cost has yet to be worked out and any help in looking into this would be much appreciated. Give me a call on 07766652837 to discuss and get your name on the list.

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Christmas Meal - Full!

We have twenty people down for the Christmas Meal, which is as many as the Woodman will take. If you are one of the lucky ones attending this feast, and you haven't yet paid your deposits or given your menu orders then please get them to Tyra as soon as possible. Any queries please call Tyra on 07960378639.

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And after that assortment of differently shaped but equally hot potatoes, it leaves me to say that's it for this week.

See you on the hills!

Doug