Hi fellow Trekkers,

Many thanks are extended to the ever-ebullient Dai Horton for leading Friday evening's walk around Kenfig Nature Reserve, as well as the considerably more strenuous romp around Ystrafellte reservoir on Sunday. My legs, which throb and ache pleasantly from these exertions bear witness to some excellent trekking around some of the finest countryside of South Wales!

Sun and sand greeted those of us that joined Dave for a gentle stroll around Kenfig Nature Reserve on Friday evening.Home to the ancient and buried (by sand) village of Kenfig the dunes have a long and well documented history.Channel Four's Time Team dug around the bank surrounding Kenfig castle some years ago and there is ample reportage of this (for those interested) on Channel Four's website. This huge dune system did, incidentally, once stretch from Ogmore to Gower, the bit remaining that our intrepid crew walked on/in a mere portion of this at 100 square acres.

The path our (sizeable) group took from the (free) car park wriggled its way gently to the sea along sandy paths. We then followed the path running adjacent to the sea to reach Sker rocks, a solitary angler chancing his luck at its furthermost point.Young, curious bullocks greeted us next on the wind-swept grass land behind Sker beach, the thousands of sea shaped rocks scattered around on the grass testament to the sea's awesome power. Turning back, the prominent Grade one listed Sker house was clearly visible in the distance.Dating back to the 12th Century, this building originally served as a :

" monastic grange of neath Abbey, where it provided accommodation for the brethren along with a chapel for daily monastic services" (hauntedwales.co.uk).

Who'd have thought that?!

As you might have guessed, the house is very much haunted, supposedly by the troubled ghost of the long dead Elizabeth Williams (a farmer's daughter) who died (apparently) from a broken heart. Bless.Elizabeth's anguished soul is said to wail and scream behind the four walls of Sker house.Poor Elizabeth, will she ever find peace one wonders?

We left this phantom (of the imagination) to her ghostly and eternal suffering, to meander back to the cars through deep sand, surprisingly hot and sweaty at the finish. Then on to The (also haunted) Prince of Wales to enjoy an outside drink, the setting sun a deep orange upon the horizon. Thanks again Dave.

On Sunday, a group of "elite" (just kidding) trekkers braved a strenuous circuit of Ystrafellte reservoir. My  Jackhuahua Yogi (much beloved) caused much merriment with his unruly antics, deciding on two occassions to attempt to catch and eat sheep with his little teeth.I dutifully chased him down at full pelt (not pretty), slipping and sliding with wild abandon in my demonic attempts to capture the little bugger!Needless to say, he shall remain on his lead amongst sheep henceforth until he can behave himself.Sorry Farmer.Sorry sheep.

Despite these unwanted (from my point of view) distractions the walk turned into a beauty, with climbs up Fan Llia and Fan Fawr offering exceptional views of the surrounding countryside from their respective summits. Lunch was taken under a small outcrop of rocks overlooking Craig Cerrig Gliesied and it is safe to say that it was a struggle for all to extract ourselves from this special place to continue our walk!

A steep climb greeted us not long after lunch, each of us bunkering down into the solitude of our individual thoughts as we seperately made our way to the top.A gentle, cooling rain broke just as we began our descent to the reservoir itself which was surprisingly welcome.A final climb from the reservoir over marshy ground and then the descent on the other side saw us back at the cars, a dip for the dogs in the fford near the car park a well earned treat!

Post-walk drinks were taken in the New Inn (Ystrafellte), which (being under new management) offered a warm welcome second to none!Thanks go to Tricia for humouring the author of this news letter by reluctantly placing a ornamental jousting helmet on her head, and to Caroline and Silvana for continuing to turn up consistently (whatever the level of walk) week in, week out.Good on you ladies! Pictures of the walk just described can be found on the TT facebook page, offerings from Wayne and Dylan of particular worthiness I feel.

Come stomp the boards next Sunday on Christian's pleasant eight mile stroll arounf Laurgharne. Please contact Christian on 07921 840 629 for details, or check the (as yet updated) TT programme page.

That's all from me trekkers. I shall leave you with some wise words :

" After a day's walk everything has twice its usual value"

                                                                                  Wallace Stevens.

Paul Harris

Hi fellow Trekkers,

First things first: A warm welcome goes out to Nigel Bradshaw, who joined us for his first walk with the infamous Tawe Trekkers. Exceptional scenery in addition to colourful company hopefully made for an enjoyable day, as well as ingratiating us to him. Despite some gentle post-walk ribbing on Facebook, let's hope that Nigel sees fit to join us again. Welcome Nigel!

And what a walk! Starting from the village of llanmadoc, and led by the gallant Dylan Beardo Couch,our group of eleven (plus various dogs) climbed the fern-strewn llanmadoc hill, with wonderful views across North and West Gower opening up below us.The weather was fine, the occassional wind-swept dark cloud only adding to the picture postcard beauty. From the top, the full vista could be appreciated, the sand dunes and forests of of The National Trust nature reserve of Cwm Ivy and Whiteford Burrows stretching enticingly from horizon to horizon. A series of ditches and ridges (known collectively as the Bulwark) is to be found at the summit of this hill, evidence of an Iron Age fort. I could not help (poetic license) but imagine our bearded ancestors who once lived atop this mound of limestone making their way down to the sea to pick mussels from the rocks, bringing their gatherings back to their primitive homes. But I digress.

From the Cairn and trig point, from where further expansive views of the sweep of Llangenith sands and the impressive jut of Worm's Head can be clearly observed, we descended gently through the soft ferns, crossing fields until we reached the dunes of Whiteford sands and then the beach itself.

Interestingly (and coincidentally), on the same evening as this walk, the BBC's Countryfile focused heavily on Whiteford Burrows. For those of you interested to learn more, this informative exploration of the Burrows can  be found on i player. But hurry, because it will be removed in six days from now! More on the Whiteford Burrows Nature Reserve can be found on The City and County of Swansea's web site, it's National significance described as :

"one of the the best dune systems in Britain and (having) an excellent series of dune habitats".

Also:

"Llanridian marsh is one of the best examples of a salt marsh in Britain and is of International importance for its enormous population of interesting wintering wildfowl and waders".

Yippee Gower!!!

Our group, made relaxed by the wondrousness of the natural world at its very best lunched amongst the same dunes, before Dylan called marching orders and we spread out across the sands, the dogs frolicking for all their combined worth upon this vast expanse.In the distance, the solitaryWhiteford point lighthouse beckoned, pulling us all unconsciously toward itself, its light long extinguished (!).

Built in 1865 from cast iron, this noble and impressive structure is "the only wave-swept cast-iron tower of its size in Britain" (wikapedia).The tide was dutifully out for our approach, the majority of our group willing to cross the slimy green stones for a closer look.Close up pictures of this unique structure can be found on the Tawe Trekkers facebook page, some of the most impressive the work of Helen Thomas!

The remainder of this fascinating walk took us back to Llanmadoc and the waiting cars through forests of pine and across the salt marsh mentioned earlier. A well earned post-walk drink was taken by all in the Brittania Inn, the caged birds twittering in the Brit's garden aviary, a fitting serenade to a wonderful day out. Thanks Dylan and to all of those in attendance!

Next week's Sunday walk is a circuit of Ystradfelte reservoir, and it includes climbs up Fan llia and Fan Fawr, with lunch overlooking the cliffs of Craig Cerrig Gliesied ! Led by Dave Horton and his ever faithful Tirion, this walk is advertised as strenuous. Given that the past has a tendency to predict the future this walk will be strenuous, so bear this in mind prospective walkers!Please note also that the meeting place has changed and is now The Harvester car park in llandarcy (SA10 6G2) at 9.00a.m.

For those less experienced trekkers among us, Dave also leads a gentle stroll around the sand dunes of Kenfig Nature reserve this coming Friday. Dust off, boot up and come join us for this one why don't you?The meeting place for this sojourn is the Kenfig Nature Reserve car park (CF33 4PT), the whistle for kick off blown at 7.00p.m.

That's all for now Trekkers. Take care and keep on trekking,

Paul Harris

Hi fellow Trekkers,

Four intrepid souls joined Dylan BeardoCouch for a rain-soaked stroll in Cwn llandeilo (Bishopston valley) on Friday evening. By all accounts this was an enjoyable walk, the rain unable to dampen the spirits of this little ensemble. Thanks Dylan for persisting with the elements where others may have floundered!

Thanks also to Janet Thomas and her unstoppable labrador Shona for leading a group of over twenty on an eight mile walk which turned into a ten mile walk (smiles) around the open forests and moors near Penwyllt. Penwyllt (according to Wikapedia)  is a Welsh Hamlet located in the Upper Swansea Valley to the East of Black Mountain. Penwyllt also boasts a long history of quarrying, and as such the landscape is dotted with the remnants of this industrial past (if only the rocks could speak). Two trekkers (myself and David Horton) walked seperately to the main group in the same area, picking up a farm dog at the start of our walk who simply refused to turn back for home, completing a circular walk of ten miles (unbeknown to his owner)!

It was great to see so many new faces on Janet's walk, some borrowed from Swansea Outdoor Group, and made (I hope) to feel welcome amongst the regulars! Come again all you Sogsters, our door is always open.

First appearance also for Anwen Cale's dog Molly, recently acquired by Anwen and likely to become a familiar doggy face in the ever increasing doggy crowd! Welcome Molly!

A well deserved post-walk drink was enjoyed in the garden of The Ancient Briton pub in Penycae, most of us somewhat crammed into the outdoor gazebo (for want of a better word), the more sensible among us more relaxed around a picnic table. Thanks again Janet for a most pleasant day in the great outdoors!

Next week's Sunday walk should  also be a beauty. Dylan Beardo Couch leads us around Llanmadoc Hill, Broughton Bay and through Whitford Burrows National Nature Reserve! Please note the earlier meeting time (at the civic centre, Swansea) at 9.00 a.m. and the early start time of 10.00a.m. from Whitford Bay car park. There is a one pound parking fee so remember to have some gold with you for this one. The walk is advertised as moderate and of 10-12 miles in length. Post-walk drinks will be taken in the Britannia Inn, Llanmadoc, for those of you who are that way inclined.

That's all for now. Take care,

Paul Harris

Hi fellow Trekkers,

There is a change to Janet's walk on Sunday 06/07/2014: Instead of meeting at the civic centre at 9.30 a.m. as advertised, please come to the Tesco car park in Pontardawe at 9.45 a.m. Thanks.