On a bright and sunny but suspiciously cool morning a lovely bunch of Brunellers set off (almost but not quite in convoy) from Clifton’s Water Tower to seek out the well-kept secret of South Wales’ beautiful Dunraven Bay and its rugged “Glamorgan Heritage Coast”. The location has historic interest in abundance: a college with a castle, Wales’ last manned lighthouse and 16th century walled gardens to name a few not to mention ancient castle ruins, fossil hunting, rock pools aplenty and the sea!! – the “Dream Team” of Barbs, Kirstie and Kirsty had clearly excelled themselves this year.
So we reconvened above Southerndown beach with some additional members to total 41 plus a pooch and set out on our respective walks:
James D led the 3 boot via Ogmore and Candlestone Castles, Merthy Mawr Nature Reserve, Trecco Bay and an ice-cream shop and also included a “painful” river crossing, but a few rather more intrepid individuals opted for a full plunge!
Jenny N led the 2 boot, following the Valeways Millenium Heritage Trail, through Old Castle Down heathland, pretty hamlets and took in the fabulous views from the cliff-top path.
For the 1 boot, Kirstie G expertly led the first three-quarters, taking us along the stunning coast, along the River Ogmore to Ogmore Castle and the ancient stepping stones and up onto Ogmore Down, through the rare limestone heathland to St Brides Major and then left us in order to get the BBQ started. Fuelled by chips, post pub stop, yours truly takes over and promptly leads the group through crops, brambles, nettles, barbed wire, cow pats, you name it and over a fallen dry-stone wall in order to get to the correct route (I’m not exaggerating much). In my defence, I was unable to reccy and I blame the mishap on the walk leaflet which I believe omitted two instructions. So what did I learn from the experience? Always have a map, at least as a back-up!!
With all returned from our walks, the BBQ was getting underway but priorities first – the sea was beckoning so off I went to really make the most of the location and the warmth of the sun. I can safely say that Dunraven Bay is the perfect spot for family swimming due to the shallowness of the water quite some way out. Back at the BBQ, a plethora of delicious treats were cooked to perfection and enjoyed by all, only interrupted by the incoming tide – I may hazard a guess that this is the only BBQ which had to be shifted a few metres! This was a small price to pay for the stunning scenery and the additional activity of a swim to cool down!
A very big thank you to Barbara, Kirstie and Kirsty for a sterling job done of organising a superb day…. I am sure to return to sample the delights of the other two walks – avec map!
Written by Steph Hitchcock