Tawe Trekkers Newsletter 22/05/12

Warriors, Wreckers and U-Boats! An Archeological Walk on Gower - Sun 27th May


Lorraine leads us on a walk with a difference. We will explore some of the beautiful and diverse landscapes of south Gower and will be taken on a fascinating coastal and woodland journey investigating the area's widespread archaeology, dating from prehistory until World War Two.


Start point: Please meet us at County Hall at 09.30 or contact Lorraine (07956734534) if you wish to meet at the start point (NT free car park Penmaen SS523886). With regret we cannot bring dogs on a latter section of the route as it takes us through fields that are being grazed by cows with calves (please see the bottom of the newsletter for details).

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate

Evening walk - Three Crosses to Craigcefngolau - Thursday 24th May


The walk on Thursday is from Three Crosses to Craigcefngolau with open views over the Loughor estuary. Option of a drink afterwards at the Joiners Arms which is our meeting point to start the walk. Address is 27 Joiners Road, Three Crosses SA4 3NY. Grid reference is SS 569 943. The walk is less than 3 miles and is easy with just one short climb. Call Robert on 07981 963 681 for more details or a lift to the start.

Dave's Jubilee rambling special

Our intrepid explorer Dave is planning a trip over the forthcoming bank holiday. He is looking at Beddgelert to do Nantle Ridge and another walk in the area with the view of possibly camping. If anyone is interested please contact Dave on 07414590217.

That is it for this week folks. Watch out for the new programme which will be posted very soon.
Christian

Footnote:

Dogs in field with cows and young calves


Some of you may be confused as to why dogs may not be able follow some of the route. Lorraine is a dog owner herself and would love to have them with us for the duration. However, there are substantial risks involved with bringing even individual dogs into fields with cows and young calves, particularly when they are on leads.


The route we are taking brings us through some little know coastal paths around south Gower, featuring some stunning landscapes and very interesting remains. However, part of the route is being used, from time to time, to graze cows with calves. As has been widely reported there have been several, sometimes fatal attacks on dogs by female cows protecting young calves. Guidance from the Ramblers association on this issue states to not take even individual dogs into fields. Furthermore, restraining the dog can aggravate the problem, rather than resolve it. This is because a dog on a lead / carried by its owner cannot outrun cows, and nor can its owner. Given that a number of us may be walking, we cannot also lead dogs into the field with us. Consequently, if cows are grazing in this field, dogs will not be able to continue along this section of the walk. Owners and dogs can, of course, leave the walk at this point, if this is the case (for c.1.5miles ).


Further information is available here

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/press/archive/2011/Dog+walkers+urged+to+be+cautious+near+cows+with+calves