Kidwelly to Llanelli and on the ridge of Fairy Hill

On the trail steps 39281 miles 16 – Off the trail steps 20500 miles 9.6. Total Miles over 3 days 25.6! Overall Wales Coast path total 652 miles!This trip total 88.3 miles

Tuesday began brighter than the last couple of days and I set off for Gowerton to get the train to Pembrey and Burry Port – so I could walk back to Llanelli. All was well and I found a space in a free car park about 3 minutes walk from the station. I had 10 minutes to spare and the train was then a few minutes late. It had come from Crewe and must have started early!

I alighted at Burry Port and it was a short walk to the modern dock to get on the coast path and set up a touching point

I caught a glimpse of another light house (a short stubby one at the dock) as well as several sightings of the iron one on the way. The vast majority of the going was on the Millenium path/cycleway and was very easy going and with views over the Loughor estuary. I was regularly overtaken and greeted by cyclists and joggers. There was one brief shower of rain as I stopped for a coffee.

There were several decorative pillars and the arrangements for tunnels nearer Llanelli were impressive, alongside a smart welsh dragon and a cormorant statue. I walked further on to the new developments where I had finished on Saturday and saw a shelter which was decorated with an otter. The only thing that didn’t feature were naturally required facilities and in the end I had to resort to nestling in a bush by the shore not far from my finishing touching point. Once I had reached that I returned a few hundred yards to a smart metal bench with a wind break to eat lunch and then made my way back to Llanelli station.

I saw some fabulous street art which I appreciated and related to the history of Llanelli and got a bit distracted and found myself going rather a long way round to the station. Didn’t have long to wait for the train back to Gowerton!

Wednesday

I repeated the early part of Tuesday with the drive to Gowerton to get the train – this time to Kidwelly so I could walk back to Burry Port. I was a bit apprehensive about this as it was a long way! But there wasn’t an obvious exit at an earlier point.

During this time the hospital rang and arranged a follow up appointment later in September – it was good to have that sorted so I know how they will approach my skin issues moving forward.

The train ran better to time, and I got the last space in the car park at Gowerton. This was because of a bike ride setting off from there. I set up a touching point near the Kidwelly station which was also on the trail!

The initial section took me down to a canal and then alongside it and 2 roads – before heading out into a wildernessy area on a raised path with just the cows and a few cyclists and a handful of walkers. Unfortunately the cows seemed to think the path was the best place to relieve themselves! First there were antitank defences, and then the noise from a racing circuit and the local air field. The path cut down to a track related to the airfield I think. I sat on an available low concrete structure for a coffee and then eventually the path got to the edge of the Pembrey forest. There was a long section through the forest, which ended up eventually at the coast. I was intrigued that the bikes were also going this way and after a brief section through dunes were being recommended to cycle on the wide expanse of sandy beach.

For me it was obviously a long walk on the beach (about 3 miles). I stopped midway near to the various ship wrecks and sat on a log for lunch and then carried on until I saw the way off on the coast path in the Pembrey country park. It was disappointing that the café was shut – though the toilets were open.

I pondered what to do as I was quite tired at this point but after my second coffee decided to crack on – a section through the country park went past a little train (also shut) and then a dry ski slope. I was concerned the last section was through dunes marked on the map, but It turned out to be the start of the bicycle track and it was a very easy if long section – which had good views of the Loughor estuary (and inevitably both my two lighthouses – the iron one and the short one at Burry Port towards the end). It was beautiful – even if I was rather tired by this point. The last mile seemed to take a while before getting back to the touching point at the new dock area.

I staggered back to the station via a local café where I picked up a drink and some sustenance. This turned out to be a bananabread cookie – which was just marvellous and just what was needed after a very long (for me) hike – 13 miles was crested on this day! (who knew I could walk this far)!

On the train I had a wonderful view of the iron light house – with a rays of sun cascading down from the clouds – it was a moment of wonder and something deep. I love a modern worship song about lighthouses and it felt like a sign somehow. God being the peace in a troubled sea and the importance of following safe to shore. Powerful!

I was a bit stiff getting off the train and too late back to base camp to ease my muscles in the jacuzzi which was a pity.

On Thursday I decided to take an easier day – I drove up to Fairy Hill and walked along the top for a bit in both directions from the viewpoint to take in the view and the beauty of the Gower! I then went on to Southgate for a good coffee and chocolate cake and then took a leisurely drive back to base camp.

Having a base camp with a swimming pool and spa bath has been a bonus too on most days for my aching leg muscles…

Overall I am very pleased with my progress on this break – adding 56 miles to my coast path total, and doing over 88 miles in total (I did several circular walks this time which mean a lot of connecting and off trail walking!). The progress map shows why I have seen the iron lighthouse on most days! It is the purple line – a bit between Port Eynon and Rhossili and then all the way from Rhossili to Kidwelly station – result! I cannot commend the Wales Coast path highly enough! Give it a whirl!

Back on the Wales Coast path – Walking from Rhossli to Llanrhidian

On the trail steps 36321 miles 15.72 – Off the trail steps 24891 miles 10.48. Total Miles over 4 days 26!

On Friday I got away quite early and was pleasantly surprised that my efforts were rewarded by a reasonable experience of the M25! (much against my expectations). I made steady progress stopping a couple of times, and then eating a late lunch after a trip to local coop to top up on fresh stuff.

Base camp is a well equipped (and reasonably minimalist) chalet quite a long way down the Gower. The bonus news is that there is a swimming pool and jacuzzi – which will be very welcome for aching leg muscles! I settle in and so far I have only forgotten to bring a microwave animal in case it gets cold at night!

Saturday morning dawns, bright and sunny. I return to Rhossili – such a contrast to my last visit when I got soaked to the skin! I find the touching post from last time, and set off down to the beach. The plan is a circuit on the beach on the way out and back on the coast path. It is a beautiful spot and I manage the steep concrete path with lots of steps down to the beach – near to where the Helvetica (ship wreck ruins) were clearly visible.

I walked a couple of miles and it began to cloud over. I realised in my enthusiasm for the sunshine I hadn’t picked up anything waterproof so I was thankful it didn’t rain! I had a coffee sitting on a cut log circle (and used it as a touching point), and then headed inland through the dunes to pick up the coast path. This wound through a caravan/surfing site and there were some very impressive toilets (which were very welcome!).

The coast path was on the route of the Marie Curie ‘walk Gower’ event, so it wasn’t very long before I was overtaken by a yellow clad 10 mile challenge walker! This path gently climbed back up to the Rhossili level over the 2 miles back. I passed the most scenically positioned Old Rectory – which had been used by the vicar covering Rhossili and Llangennith! No doubt getting on his horse to ride between the two!

It was much greener than I am used to and there was even a little mud! (a rare sight this summer in Warlingham!). I popped into the church on the way past. I reconnected again with the touching point I started with. By the time I got back to the car, I had been overtaken by about 10 yellow walkers, and as I ate my lunch I watched a steady stream heading for the Rhossili finish line. I didn’t see any blue clad 20 milers though 2 brave yellow ones were also wearing daffodil headdresses!

Sunday morning I went to the Methodist Church in Murton for worship – which featured one of my friends from theological college, and was a combo of thoughts about what it means to be a good neighbour in life and to the world. I drove back to Hillend (which was where I had left the beach on Saturday), and then got back to my log circle touching point. The only problem was that someone had set fire to two of the logs – I tipped one on its side in an effort to put out the flames but the other bit was too heavy to move. I don’t understand why they had been set on fire.

I used a neighbouring log circle as a replacement touching point, sat on it to have a coffee and then continued to walk down the beach. It was busy near the car park with the surfers and other folk enjoying the beach but after a while it thinned out to a handful of people walking the coast. I managed to avoid treading on a large jelly fish

I got as far as Burry Holms island after about a mile – which looks very like Burr Island without the developments! The island was cut off by the tide so no possibility of exploring it, so I found the way off the beach onto the headland and a stiff climb followed and a section on the headland – which was rather sandy in places and therefore rather challenging underfoot. I eventually found a place to stop overlooking the bluepool corner to have a late lunch – with an arch but the bluepool was not visible as the tide was in. It was a still a lovely spot!

The path worked its way down into Broughton Bay, and I followed the route into a caravan park, I established a touching point in the caravan park – when I turned to walk back on a more inland route. This involved more caravans for a bit and then a section labelled moor on the map but really not very moor like but a good route back to Hillend. I also spotted a car park I intended to use to continue on the trail on Monday at the Broughton end of the caravan park. I had to go all the way down to the beach at Hillend as there was a stream that was only passable across the stones at the top of the beach!. I sat on a log for a second coffee before returning again through the dunes to the car.

Monday, I tried to get back to the Broughton Caravan park but the road down to it was closed for 3 days, so I had to revise my plan. A helpful lady (whose entrance I was blocking trying to work out what to do) advised going to Llanmadoc (and the presence of a good coffee shop) which was a bit further down – I will have to fill in the gap at some point.

I stopped at Whiteford beach car park and walked down past the good coffee shop and then further down to connect with the coast path. I did two touching points in quick succession depending on how I get back to this point – one by the inland route and one by the path to the beach (advertising the importance of the Strandline beetle). I walked down to the beach on a good but sandy path – and then did a couple of miles on the beach round the headland. The view of the iron lighthouse just off the beach got clearer and clearer and I stopped for a coffee sitting carefully in the dunes. I did not want a repeat of the maram grass in the eye issue I had at the lovely Walberswick last year! The coffee was disturbed by the RAF doing exercises.

At the end there was a sign about explosion risk (at least I think it is) – I couldn’t read the English and did not want to go closer and my Welsh isn’t very good. I wandered around the end of the point, and then found the path back through the woods overlooking the large area of salt marsh. I was quite careful at this point as there had been an adder warning and the path got rather indistinct and overgrown.

About 1/3 of the way back the path improved. I stopped on yet another log for a coffee, and had a long chat about the coast path with some passing walkers! This was right by a part of the coast path which was closed (and clearly marked this time!). I had been aware there was a problem (and it was a shame as that part of the path went through the saltmarsh but it has been damaged for more than 10 years). On the approach you could see the big gap in the path and the section that would have required swimming or wading! The saltmarsh was quite dramatic especially the section with the ‘skeleton’ trees and this area seems to be very blighted too by ash die back. I carried on back to my first touching post and then realised the lane back up the car was on the coast path diversion so I carried on tracking ‘on trail’ steps. I was in good time to have an afternoon tea with a delicious chocolate brownie in the recommended café. It was a café with a fabulous view.

I did the stiff climb back up to the car park and set up another touching point on the wall.

On Tuesday I returned to Llanmadoc, and the Whiteford beach car park and I reconnected with the touching point on the entrance wall. I did a short stretch up the hill, and popped inside Llanmadoc church – which had a seriously good view over the marsh!

I followed the diversion through Llanmadoc on the road and into Cheriton. I stopped in Cheriton Church briefly, before heading uphill to a more rural path through fields to get to the edge of the saltmarsh. As it had rained heavily overnight it was a bit soggy and muddy in places, especially at the start. When I had got to the saltmarsh – I helped another couple who were a bit lost (and explained about the long path diversion). I stopped by a bridge for a breather and some coffee!

The next mile of so was very remote and wild with a long expanse of salt marsh. Eventually I ended up by some nice looking holiday lodges near Landimore and availed myself of an available bench

After this the path wound through fields and woodland just above the saltmarsh, and it was lush and green (I include a picture of the grass in case you have forgotten what that can be like!). I didn’t find anywhere suitable to stop, so eventually ate most of my lunch after a visit to Llanrhidian church, on bumper’s bench in the church yard. Part way through lunch, I moved to one about 300 yards away as there was a wasp problem! Inside the church there was a particularly scary looking eagle lectern! The second bench had a much better view over the estuary and saltmarsh.

I eventually walked up to where I hoped to get a bus. After a long wait, I realised the 115 just wasn’t coming – I need to work out why that happened. Both the bus app and google had it on the timetable but I am not sure that is right!. So I resorted to an Uber to get back to where the car was. From this point on it is all not so remote so the bus links should be more reliable and I did see several going in that direction rather than the way I wanted.

More walks and more organising!

On Sunday got on the road – more exploring of possibilities. On arrival I promptly found a loo and a source of strong coffee! Then went to a lovely eucharistic service at St John the Evangelist Church. Got an appropriate level of welcome from those at the door, and the lady next to me thanked me for my singing voice at the end. It reminded me of my clandestine visit to a prospective first incumbency back in the day. At least this time I didn’t say ‘Be careful what you wish for!’.

I appreciated the preaching bravely on Romans (been there too – that very unwise decision to preach on Romans in my first few months of the previously mentioned first incumbency!) The stress on the importance of generosity, and the need for everything not to be perfect but to offer what we have was helpful. Likewise some thoughtful and holy intercessions including an interesting response – To ‘lead us to do your will’ was the response ‘make it plain for us to follow’.

After a bit of faffing I went on a local walk – which was longer and over a mile longer than the walk leaflet suggested (and I got a bit lost at the end which didn’t help). It featured woods and countryside and a pill box – reminding me of 15-20 club rambles around Ranmore common. If you can remember that you have been travelling with me for a very long time! A couple of heavy showers added to the mix! I had lunch on a picnic bench in the shade at a national trust garden – but under an apple tree which was shedding fruit! Nothing fell on my head but it wasn’t very wise.

Monday featured more jobs around the house, and some pastoral supervision stuff and the hedge was finished. Tuesday had a local walk, which wasn’t totally successful as the field path back had to be abandoned as it petered out into significant overgrowth of brambles, and I did about 2 miles on the local lanes instead. Wednesday and Thursday included more organising and getting ready for heading west, and the straggly bits on the lawns were mowed!

The cats were suspicious.

Featuring elephants, Showaddywaddy and my laurel hedge!

Sorry it has been a while since I last added to this. I have been quite busy on several fronts and hugely grateful for it being rather cooler and even occasionally raining.

I had an enjoyable and informative trip to Newark Park before heading home after the excitement of all things HYC 50^th anniversary. It was an intriguing building (originally a hunting lodge) and no doubt at some point I will explore the park but on a cooler day. I was also deeply thankful that the M25 behaved itself on the way back (after a very lengthy drive on the way there).

At home I have cracked on with various jobs and the garage (which has been a bit of a dumping ground for the last 2 years) is now looking very much better! Still some things to dispose of. I have sorted out some necessary administration and done some more work on my pastoral supervision course. It was good to catch up with friends from my curacy days, and I made a very tasty vegetable tagine (using Queen chickpeas which I had been introduced to at the weekend).

On Saturday (24/8) evening, I went to see Showaddywaddy live in Crawley. It turned out to be only 1 of the original line up (the drummer Romeo) but lots of excellent musicians. I had always liked their stuff back in the seventies. I was initially convinced the lead singer was the original (as he looked very like him), but eventually realised he was much too energetic to be the age the original would be!. In fact the original lead singer, manages the current line up. So it was really more tribute band but they sounded great, the music was very enjoyable. It is very rare to do Saturday night entertainment but it was very uplifting.

After a relatively late night, I went to church locally just over the border of the next deanery.

Monday dawned a reasonable temperature so I embarked on a previously postponed elephant hunt around Windsor and Eton. Lots of lovely painted elephants large and small in some very interesting settings. The ‘trunks across the Thames’ app was a bit unclear where things actually were, but there was only 1 complete fail because the shop the elephant was in was shut on a Monday.

In all I saw 20 – loving a purple and gold one the best!. The ones in the brewery were on a high shelf, and the most patriotic one was positioned outside Windsor castle walls but the only way to get both things in the shot was viewing the elephant from behind. There was also a giant bear on route too, a relative of Hunslet perhaps?

Healthwise, a repeat blood test was all good but the news from the skin clinic was not, so there will be more to come on that front in the weeks ahead. Having said that – I am giving thanks for the care and attention I am getting from the NHS on this journey. 2026 has had and is having its challenges!

Post skin procedure, I have now got over the line where proper exercising was allowed (3 weeks on) (and more of the Wales Coast path is looming on the horizon very soon). So the week ahead will contain more local walking 😊. I did a lovely walk on Saturday from Woldingham Station (a whole 2 miles from home). I have tried several routes from this point, this one was a new one on me and turned out to be quite energetic especially in the second half – but I was rewarded with some super views, some deer, and a soaring buzzard, plus the skyline of Croydon and even the central London skyline as the Shard came into view. It was in places rather overgrown and ended with 2 white alpacas!! (My next base camp for Wales does NOT have alpacas in the back garden!).

As well as sorting, clearing and tidying (and getting on top of my woeful personal admin). I have been having a go at the mammoth laurel hedge in the front garden to tidy up all the extraneous growth. This hedge is now a more manageable height (after a hedge person gave it a severe trim back in March) but is still much too wide!

Finally, I have been thinking a lot about living in the present and making the most of what each day brings. Thankfulness helps us keep things in perspective!

You can call me ‘Ali’ – Sabbatical week two.

The week went by in a bit of a blur and yet another 2026 heatwave with several opportunities to catch up with friends, doing some pastoral supervision related work for the course and some personal admin. I finally vanquished the tax return, the Clergy HLC stuff and some much needed paperwork in relation to one of my historic pensions! I also did some more sorting and tidying in my bedroom and the kitchen/utility room.

My energy levels are beginning to move in a more positive direction, which is pleasing and I have been sleeping better despite ongoing heat issues!! I had the stitches out on Thursday, and the scar on my face isn’t very visible which is a relief (for my vanity at least!).

Dominating my consciousness this week has been preparing for and then really enjoying the 50^th anniversary celebrations for Hilfield Youth Camp, which took place on Saturday 15^th August in the afternoon. Youth Camp is one of the few places where I was definitely known as ‘Ali’. These days I am mostly Alison!

Preparation wise, I dug out lots of old photos – scanned a few for the shared photo archive and looked at my Hilfield paperwork/memorabilia file containing stuff from most of the camps I attended (and a lot from the four where I was one of the overarching leadership team).

All in all I attended Hilfield Youth camp from 1984 – 1991 and then 1993 – 1998 and yet again as chaplain in 2005. After the first couple of years, in 1986 and 1987 I was a young leader with a work group (alligators and all sorts!), and then administrator and treasurer from 1988 – 1991. The admin stuff was fine and a skill set I recognise – being treasurer too was a trial and was really not my gift!

My archive file laid testament to a lot of it being done in the post and lots of handwritten letters. In fact, I can remember the first year we added email addresses to the address list! (in days pre-GDPR of course!), which was after my stint as administrator. Hard to imagine no email these days!

At the start of my second stint at camp in 1993, after one year’s rest, I was on the adult team. In 1995, I became one of the main hosts and did that role for four camps (this was the first time the hosts weren’t a married couple). I appear to have documented a lot of meetings, policies and even the top ten tips for surviving youth camp! (When I returned to camp just after being priested in 2005 as one of the chaplains, I was most amused the last of those were still being used!). In 2005, I presided at a Eucharist on the camp site (bucket list item ticked!), and sub-deaconed in the Friary chapel

To say my experiences at Hilfield Youth Camp changed my life is a massive understatement. In my more recent job applications, I have written this of those times.

I challenge myself to ‘live’ the gospel and provide an example of a flourishing life. A significant theological influence over many years has been my contact and work with Anglican Franciscans, particularly in their simplicity and focus on Jesus. My personal history includes four years leading at the Hilfield Friary Youth Camp and many years involved in the leadership team. There we fostered an ethos where the young people were accepted and experienced the strengths of true Christian fellowship through building life-changing relationships as a community. The inherent approach was to explore their faith experientially and at their own pace. This has widely informed my ministry.

That ministry would not have happened without these experiences too! At the end of camp in 1998, I went out for lunch with 2 of my dearest friends (you know who you are!), both priests in the Church of England. Their intent was to talk to me about whether I should think about my vocation to the priesthood. They didn’t know I had already had stirrings of that sort, but hadn’t talked to anyone about them. Their input gave me the impetus to talk to my Vicar when I got back. He said – “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that Alison” but hadn’t found an occasion!

I didn’t rush at the process as there was a lot to work through – it was a very big change from my career in IT and it wasn’t until 2001/2002 that I finally went through the rigours of the Church of England selection.

To say that I have very close and important friendships through all things Hilfield Youth Camp is another massive understatement. The weekend brought time to stay with some of them, and see some of the most valued and valuable, as well as meet the current generation and some lovely campers from across the years.

It was fantastic to see 42 years on from my first camp, it is still a place where young people were cherished, valued and loved as they are and that through faith there is hope and joy in this life. It was such a privilege to preside at the special celebratory Eucharist in the Friary Chapel (another bucket list item ticked!) and it was very, very holy and special. The presence of the Holy Spirit was epic! Apologies for forgetting the Lord’s prayer in the heat of the moment, and also not recognising one of the campers past that I should have known.

These days someone calling me ‘Ali’ is generally from the Youth Camp experience or related to it, and takes me there pretty rapidly! I need to relish the creative and imaginative gifts of my Hilfield Youth Camp ‘Ali’ years (as well as the process/spiritual leadership stuff that flourished there) and let it all flow as part of who I am. Maybe I should be a little more ‘Ali’ in the days ahead!?

To all those who made 50 years of Hilfield Youth Camp possible, and this weekend’s celebration – a very Big thank you!

For 50 years of Hilfield Youth Camp I give thanks to God, Father, Son and especially through the power of the Holy Spirit. For all that has been, for all that is and all that will be. Amen

A wet end for now – 596 miles

Friday 19^th June

Circular walk from Rhossli

Steps on the trail 6182 (7184 off) – Miles on the trail 2.67 (2.97 off!)

I had a leisurely start and started to prepare for the journey home, and then met an old friend for a long coffee and catch up session. It was very good to reconnect! Then the 30 minute drive to Rhossili. This turned out to be where I had visited on the Gower on placement back in 2003. The National Trust car park was busy and the clouds on the horizon were looking ominous. However I set off having established a touching point in the car park on the trail! This was about 12:30

It was very busy for the first ½ a mile and a very easy path. I was a bit entangled with a school party and later saw the inevitable Duke of Edinburgh groups. It was a relief when I overtook the first lot – they were filling in a questionnaire as they went rather than me being speedy. After about 10 minutes it was drizzling so I put waterproofs on and hoped for the best. By the time I turned the corner on the headland looking over towards Worm’s head it was raining quite hard. I decided to carry on for a bit and see how it all went.

I worked my way around the headland and was being buffeted by strong wind as well as significant rain. I went on for a mile or so, and stopped to have some lunch and got wetter in the process. I was finding the going difficult as the reddy/brown soil and rocky surface was a slippery combination. I carried on to the first really sensible exit point behind Mewslade bay – set up another touching point and took a track back to the road in Middleton. This means in trail terms I have about a 3 mile gap of glorious cliff walking to do between Rhossili and Port Eynon based on what I did yesterday to join the gap! As I will be back later this year, I carefully marked up my map so I know which bit to do. However better to be safe and not sorry. So I did not continue in the difficult conditions.

I used a path to reconnect with Rhossili from Middleton – like many this turned out to be very overgrown and as the overgrowth was now saturated I got even wetter!, and at one point could feel the rain running down my legs into my boots! When I got home I hung my boots outside on the washing line and they took 36 hours to completely dry out – despite it being rather warmer at home! Oops.

I got back to the car and deployed my beach towel to ensure I didn’t get the drivers seat too wet as I was absolutely soaked. Following the directives of the usefulness of the towel from the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy!

With the miles done this day, I have done another 52 miles on the trail (and 24 miles off the trail) on this break. Again the very varied terrain on the south side of the Gower is quite challenging! Taking my running total on the trail to 596 miles! I have also been doing a walking challenge in June to do 60 miles for an Alzheimer’s charity (which includes some walking at Kew as well as on the coast path) – that total was also reached! The blue and pink dashed line shows where I have walked!

https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/alisonway

Wet and much drier!

Thursday 11th June – It rained heavily for most of the day – I had a rest day!

Port Talbot parkway to Baglan

Friday 12^th June

Steps on the trail 13927 – Miles on the trail 5.18

It was a drizzly cool start to the day so I was well wrapped up and with my winter waterproof trousers on and gloves!. I walked down from base camp to Gowerton Station and let a train ultimately aimed at Manchester Piccadilly take me as far as Port Talbot Parkway. I descended on the coast path side of the station and I soon connected with the coast path, and created a touching point on a coast path sign.

I walked along the side of various roads on a shared pedestrian/cycle track – wondering at the very low cloud and windy conditions – which was obliterating any sense that a large steel works was nearby!! I saw some really impressive orchids and a pyramid orchid on this section – It looked that machair! The route ran along several main roads, and eventually after a complicated cycle/pedestrian bridge section, I walked through a housing estate, to a water way cut. On the opposite side was the completely invisible steel works. There was quite a nice path along the side of the water way, but I was getting blown and damp due to the persistent drizzle! There was even some artwork of the other side which I could not see!

Eventually the route came out onto Aberfan beach – which was a spectacular 3 mile stretch of golden sand – but I was then walking straight into the very strong wind. This really wasn’t very pleasant and rather hard work! I saw various penguins and a whale, plus a highly decorated house as I struggled along. There was also a very dominant kite sculpture. Eventually I decided to take a break in a café and had a very welcome cappuccino and toasted tea cake. You can see in the picture I am looking rather windswept.

I had to do at least another mile after the café on the seafront – the rain was easing a bit but the wind persisted. I eventually took a small short cut from the route and to have a break from sharing my way with bicycles! I soon reconnected with the coast path signs as I got through a housing estate including walking past 2 large schools towards the industrial estate at Baglan. I found the bus stop touching point I had used on Wednesday by another cycle bridge. I repeated my route back from that day – an X1 to Swansea bus station and then the 116 back to base camp! I took a while to get everything dry again!

Southgate National Trust Car Park to Caswell Bay

Saturday 13^th June 2026

Steps on the trail 12440 – Miles on the trail 4.43

Thankfully the day started dry and I drove to the National trust car park at Southgate to start today’s walk. It was still pretty fresh, but as the walk progressed it got warmer. I was determined to walk with the wind at my back today – which I definitely achieved (rather than yesterday’s experience). I connected with a touching point at the coast path and set off. The first section was an easy grassy path next to a narrow road, at times on the road and I made good progress. I saw a fantastic dragon at a gateway of a house on the road section.

The path verged off towards Pwlldu Head and started to be much more up and down. The views were getting impressive! And I worked around Pwlldu head before reaching a steep descent. I had a comfort stop and half a coffee at this point – whilst taking in the wonderful view. The descent was quite tricky and eventually became stone steps which made it a bit easier. I came down through a wood – to another even more tricky descent. After yesterday’s rain it was slippery and had a loose stone/muddy surface on quite a steep gradient. Not pleasant and I made heavy weather of it really. My left ankle though much improved after my post-Easter break is still abit twingey!

Eventually the tricky path came out at Pwlldu bay – but it took a while to find a suitable rest spot as the path wound back up again. This was an easier stretch generally and eventually I found a lovely vantage point for a longer coffee break and rest. Shortly after this there was a very difficult stretch of descent when I ended up on my bottom (deliberately) for the bigger drop and it took a while to get down safely – with a steep drop on one side. There were several notices warning of the danger of falling which was a bit off-putting – as a couple told me this path was going to be used for a race that afternoon!

I continued on and there was a stiff climb up and then windy steps down to reach the beach at the far end of Caswell bay. A lovely walk on the beach followed winding back at the touching point, with plenty of time before the rather late number 1 bus back to Blackpill on Swansea bay. Unfortunately I missed my connection as the first bus was late, and had just over an hour to kill, so found a bench overlooking the bay and the promenade/cyclepath and watched the world go by whilst eating my lunch. There were convenient toilets here but I didn’t use the first one as they were trying to release someone who was stuck in that cubicle! Oops.

I got the No 14 back to Southgate with a rather grumpy driver!

Adding to both ends!

Mumbles – South end car park to Caswell Bay

Tuesday 9^th June

Steps on the trail – 13927 Miles on the trail 4.35

It was a bright sunny morning – rather windy and I returned to the South end car park on the Mumbles. I took a while to get organised and set off on the final bit of the promenade, up to the pier. I availed myself of some facilities before ascending some steep steps up on to the headland. What followed was several miles of scenic coastal walking, made very much easier by a cement track (all bar the last ½ a mile into Caswell Bay). There were many seats and a few ascents and descents. There were lots of people on the track of all sizes and ages, and plenty of dogs. I stopped first for a coffee looking back at Limeslade bay.

The wind was really blustery and I wished I was walking in the opposite direction. It was really very straightforward – dipping down first to Langland Bay – where I again used some convenient facilities. There was a terrific footpath sign, with memorial plaques, and a reference to the dark side! I stopped for a second coffee on a bench at Snapple point (which was reasonably sheltered) looking back across the bay.

The next stretch was even more windy and a big more rugged and after about a mile wound down into Caswell Bay. I didn’t need the conveniently placed defibrillator near one of the sharp ascents. It was in good time to get a No 1 bus back to Mumbles but it stopped about a mile from where the car was parked. I had lunch on a bench on the promenade, did a little bit of shopping and walked back to the car along the road, taking in a wool shop with lots of knitted animals on the way back!

Jersey Marine to Baglan (near the station!)

Wednesday 10^th June 2026

Steps on the trail 12440 – Miles on the trail 3.94

I got the 116 bus from 5 minutes away from base camp back to the Swansea bus station. I nearly missed my connection as the bus driver had logged off the bus before I tapped off! I had to wait for the new driver to log in again! Not very helpful. I just caught the X7 back to New Road in Jersey Marine where I had stopped on Monday. I really wasn’t feeling that special (and an hour on the bus hadn’t really helped!).

I started the trek by the bridge over the Tennant canal and retouched my touching point. I walked on soon joining a combined cycle route and walkway alongside the A483. I stopped in a garage, to use the facilities (and some of the reason I wasn’t feeling so great became apparent!).

The walk was not very exciting along side a main road but there were occasional orchids in the verge. As I drew near the M4, there was an underpass so I could get under the dual carriage way, and I then walked under the motorway (M4) (which is elevated at this point!). I carried on alongside the A48 and over a bridge over the river Neath. I had to make a choice between the red and blue options on the coast path – and I chose what I thought would be a walk on the beach/sand dunes – the blue option. As soon as I could I stopped for a coffee break on a slightly less busy road, on the corner before a turning to a recycling centre sitting on a crash barrier. Not my most scenic coffee stop by any stretch of the imagination! It started to rain briefly so I donned my kagoul. I was contemplating putting on my waterproof trousers when it stopped!

Shortly after crossing under the M4 again, I started following the coast path signs for the blue route – which bore no relation to what the map or the guide book said – and the walk was alongside a B-road through a long industrial estate! I really wasn’t feeling it and it tried to rain on me several times. I decided when I eventually reached a footbridge near a bus stop to regroup and was contemplating what to do sitting on the footbridge footings. I was just under the 4 mile point, but I really needed facilities! And there was nothing obvious ahead.

I checked what was happening bus-wise and 2 minutes away was an X1. I hastily set up a touching point abandoning the activity of the day. I took the X1 back to Swansea bus station, and was relieved to find the facilities (spotlessly clean but 30p a throw) and spent some time in there. I decided to get the 116 back home. Again feeling rather grim on exiting the bus – I knew I had made the right choice! I had a quiet afternoon, watched some tennis and had a sleep and things have calmed down!

Swansea Bay

Mumbles – South end car park to Brynmill

Sunday June 7^th 2026

Steps on the trail 8064 – Miles on the trail 3.48

A more leisurely start, following a church service at Murton Methodist Church – with a good exposition on the first chapter of Philippians. I liked the idea of Bible month, and enjoyed the strong Biblical focus and some super singing – with 2 great Wesley hymns.

I parked at the South end car park on the Mumbles, it was overcast and it looked like it might rain! I failed to get the car park machine to work after several efforts (things improved a bit when I got it to prompt me in English rather than Welsh – but it failed to do the final step – so I resorted to an app). I set up a touching point using the Southend sign on the Mumbles railway trail. I did a leisurely stroll on the promenade in the direction of Swansea, seeing evidence of the Swansea half marathon that had been earlier. There had been significant improvements to this end of the promenade, which were opened in 2025 – it did look good, and rather better than my memories from a placement in Sketty in 2003. I stopped for a coffee after I had found a public toilet.

I walked on to Black Pill before stopping for lunch. By this stage I realised I wasn’t going to be able to get a bus back very easily because it was Sunday, and the land train wasn’t running because of the marathon, so I decided when it came to it I would get an Uber!

Lunch hit the spot – and I carried on through more of a country park. The evidence of the half marathon was littering the side of the track, and it was quite poignant as I passed the 11 mile mark. I remembered my own half marathon (run for Christian Aid and my 50^th birthday in 2011!) in and around the Royal Parks in London. I remembered hitting the wall a bit between the 11^th and 12^th mile markers on that occasion. I had trained for 6 months to get to this point and I was particularly grateful for the encouragement from the crowd as I alternated between walking and running at this stage!

I did another mile on the trail, but was getting a bit conscious of sharing the path with a cycle track and seeing several folk in county lines kit passing me at speed – I have watched too many episodes of Line of Duty!. At Bryn mill on the mumbles railway trail I established a touching point and a very chatty Uber driver took me back to where the car was parked. Just as I was getting out of the Uber it started to rain! Which continued well into the evening!

Brynmill to Jersey Marine

Monday June 8^th 2026

Steps on the trail 15329 – Miles on the trail 6.56

I had spotted a car park near the Brynmill touching point and I headed back there. Ready to walk by 9:30am. It was bright and sunny, but cool and I decided gloves would be a good idea! There was a very patriotic bin! After connecting with the touching point, the trail kept above the beach and was much more open than yesterday’s final section. I walked along with the developments getting more and more upmarket, (though some were not ageing well), and there was a mermaid!. Eventually where a building site blocked off the path, I turned a corner on the side of the river Tawe and a marina came into view. I found a toilet, crossed the Tawe on a foot bridge, and then settled down for morning coffee.

The trail headed inland round the Prince of Wales dock, past a Norwegian Church which is now a nursery and on to a track, with a very impressive footbridge (suspension!) over the main road. I carried on along the track for about ½ a mile, before passing Fabian Way park and ride to a road.

I had a bit of a dither here, as I worked out whether to carry on. I did do a further 2 and a ½ miles to Jersey Marine, along a track that deteriorated to a narrow path, and went past some wetland, and eventually the last mile or so by the disused and overgrown Tennant Canal. (Thankfully this was much to remote a path for more county lines stuff! And I saw 2 cyclists and 1 man walking his dog on the entire stretch!) – There were several signs discouraging crime and telling me I was being watched!

I established a touching point where the path came out by a bridge, and wandered up the road to a very convenient bus stop. I had a short wait to catch a T6 bus into Swansea and then a number 1 back to Bryn Mill. I ate lunch overlooking the beach back near where I started, before heading back to the car.

Post Easter rambles

Steps on the trail 44738 Miles on the trail 19.3

Steps off the trail 32392 Miles off the trail 13.9

TOTAL 77130 steps, 33.2 miles

Unusual to be on the coast path trail for my post Easter break. Lots of contributory factors to me not being very trail fit. For starters I had a nasty run in with cellulitis in March, and have been rather careful with my right hand as a result. I was a bit reticent about using my walking poles – but that has proved to be OK and I have had no issues with my hand!

Unfortunately the choice not to use my walking poles on my first day – which ended with a lengthy spell through the Kenfig sand dunes to connect with a bus went not a good one for different reasons. Not using the poles was a mistake, as I ended up with an achy left ankle (from an old sprain I think!). Lots of twisty movements in the sand dunes without the stabilising influence of my poles was really not good…. And resulted in 1 day only doing a short distance (because my ankle hurt) and a rest day (with retail therapy at the bridgend outlet centre!). The ankle responded well to icepack treatment and wearing a tubigrip in support and reverting to my old boots! Also the poles helped in ensuring I didn’t have too many twisty movements, along with a lot of time with my foot up on the sofa watching the snooker!

Over the days I have done short chunks of the coast path and picked up the trail from Cwm Nash and got as far as part way through the Kenfig reserve – with me only doing on the trail and off it (total mileage . I have been pretty blessed with the buses using a 63B, the 303 and an X2 to connect up bits of the trail and where I had left the car. I walked from my base camp in Porthcawl on several days which was unusual.

I was vindicated in the choice I made in the summer when I stopped on a very hot day too – which was a relief. I need to trust my instincts about this more. I have usually carefully plotted where the possible exits are and how to connect with buses etc, and this is time well spent!

The weather, though initially rather cool with a stiff wind – has been dry through out. I have also combined with watching the early stages of the World Championship mostly in the afternoons and evenings!

At the weekend the weather was lovely which meant it was very unusually busy! I met anglers, walkers, runners, swimmers, Duke of Edinburgh expedition survivors (on Sat and Sun), a large queue going to a street food festival near Ogmore, and lots of families on and round the beach and headland at Dunraven!

On Sunday, I redid the walk I abandoned earlier at low tide, which reduced the section in the sand dunes from several miles, to just about 1 so as not to aggravate my ankle further!

Lovely stretch of coast path and very few issues with navigation – even if I have not achieved a great distance. I am back soon staying on the Gower, but can hopefully join up to where I finished in Kenfig somehow!

And the trail total is 524.3 + 19.3 = 543.6 miles!!!