So, long time not seen, or certainly not much walking. Really didn't expect these 500 miles to take quite this long but there's been a lot of need for interruptions unfortunately. We seem to be back some sort of form so now we need to get walking and complete this challenge - and get fit in the process!
We were going to visit Port Talbot this week having had a birthday boy and in view of another celebration in July when we are as a family having a weekend there. Those who have read the much earlier blog of the Wales Coast Path walk may remember how we were so pleased with the fundraising around Port Talbot so we always think of it as a special place for us! And so it was opportune to restart our walks. Today's walk was a repeat of a walk back on New Year's Eve in 2015 - or thereabouts.....except that day we got very wet!! We were hoping for better weather today - and we were not let down!
We were promised a warm, sunny day but as we set off around 10.30, it felt quite chilly and yesterday there had been a lot of rain so we donned coats too.......
It was just so lovely to be back beside the sea. Our first coast visit since New Year though we have kept planning to visit the sea for weeks. Today we made it! Rest Bay is a lovely rocky bay too and as we set off the tide was fully in crashing its waves into those rocks of all colours. We're always amazed at the geology around Wales.
We have been having a beautiful spring this year. The spring flowers have had more chance to stay with the weather being kinder, not too much wind, snow or even rain. The hedgerows have really shone this spring and seem to have stayed flowering for much longer The bluebells and stitchwort have looked, and still look, so lovely and now the wild garlic and umbellifers are staging a follow on parade.
So I was on the lookout for flowers and wasn't disappointed! I remembered the rock roses in the dunes from our first walk here.
The path was quite busy today and its neighbouring golf course although the huge Royal Hotel is now apartments, maybe a sign of the hard times the hospitality industry has had to cope with in the last 2 years. We seemed to pass much closer to the mediaeval/monastic house, Sker House, than on our first walk here though it is still bright yellow and currently undergoing renovations. We thought as we were approaching Kenfig beach that the path looks much more well trod since our walk with many more signs and even alternative routes on offer. But the beach is still as gorgeous and today being enjoyed by a few surfers, a common pastime down here. There are also many stone builders with various sculptures to be enjoyed,
And plenty of sea thrift amongst others, birds foot trefoil, sea kale and lots of buttercups and daisies, to be enjoyed too.
So off we set towards Port Talbot.....way ahead on the horizon.....and the tide well on its way out now. And the sun got hotter!
A little way further beyond the shingle and in the dunes, we spotted a signpost and wondered if it was a new route for the WCP. Last time we had left Kenfig quite soon after meeting it to head through Kenfig Burrows - once the largest area of dunes in Europe - and wondered if it now went nearer to the steel works. But the sig
npost was just a general footpath sign so still not sure where the official path now goes.
As we got nearer to the steel works, you may be able to see them with their Tata sign if you look closely,,,,there was an old wooden timbered skeleton boat in the sand. Quite a picturesque and poignant picture.... We could see Aberavon and Swansea and the Mumbles stretching out in front of us.
This is maybe clearer to see the steel works. Just where the dunes end ...
We ventured into the dunes again to see if we could pick out the path but couldn't but the Kenfig area is a nature reserve and there are huge areas of water which attract all kind of wildlife. We just love the contrasts and its own beauty,
We sat and enjoyed the view and a bite to eat before we headed back. Although we could have walked further, directly in front of the steel works, we were quite tired now and the beach probably ends by the docks there.
It was a lovely walk back on this huge beach. And most of the time we were most certainly the only ones there. It had become clearer aa the day had gone on so by the time it was easy to see the hills probably of Exmoor across the way on the Devon coastline. And once back at Rest Bay, now with the tide at its furthest out, we could see Flatholm island in the channel.
So safely back to the car, we had made another 8 miles and how lovely they were! Hope it won't be long before you can read the story of our next few miles! Thank you for reading and if you would like to donate, please visit the justgiving page here....
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