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