Eight walkers including leader Geraint, plus Jodie the dog jumped on the train at various locations before alighting at Rhoose railway station for a nine mile coastal walk to Llantwit Major.
Heading south down the newly widened and tarmacked path to the coast and joining part of the Wales Coast Path they headed west along the cliff and through Fontygary Caravan Park. Then descending steps in the cliff before crossing the salt lagoons to arrive at Pleasant Harbour a detour took them to the ruined Limeworks which is now a Grade II listed building.
Established in December 1888 by David Owen the owner of the Western Mail newspaper, this local limestone was famous for its hydraulic and quick setting qualities making it perfect for use in wet conditions such as harbours, docks and lighthouse building. A tramway went east to the shingle bank where limestone pebbles were collected whilst to the west there was a short extension of the Aberthaw branch of the Taff Vale Railway. The pebbles were conveyed to the top of the building and dropped into the two limekilns which each had a capacity of 40 tons of burnt lime per day that was then transferred into the stone-breaker which reduced the lime to a fine powder, after which it was bagged and taken out by rail. The works were finally closed in 1926 and lime production was moved to Aberthaw Cement Works.
After a quick tour inside the building the group headed around the western end of the lake sighting swans, shelduck, mallard and tufted ducks and passing trees covered with fragrant apple blossom.
Arriving back at the sea defence wall they stopped for coffee out of the brisk south-westerly wind as the sun came out. The name Aberthaw derives from ‘aber’ meaning mouth of the River Thaw and there were Roman settlements along this coastline and originally Well Road just below the Blue Anchor Inn, led onto marshland and a ford across the Thaw estuary but when the power station was built the river was diverted.
During the 16th century the port of Aberthaw was a small but thriving harbour importing and exporting goods via the Bristol Channel and after the nearby port at Porthkerry was lost Aberthaw became well known.
Then continuing along the Leys where the groynes reached into the incoming tide and crossing the River Thaw by bridge, the path in front of Aberthaw Power Station led them to Limpert Bay.
Fields of bright yellow rapeseed contrasted brilliantly with the blue sky as they passed tall cement tank traps still standing in quiet defence along the top of the pebble beach.
Deviating off the Wales Coast Path, a narrow track through flowering blackthorn led them through a gate and alongside ploughed and cropped fields to Summerhouse Point, where the edges of the path were awash with wild violet, primroses and celandine. Secretly hidden beneath overgrown trees and scrub on the landward side stands an Iron Age hill fort, which in turn contains the remains of the octagonal-shaped Summerhouse, built around 1730 by the Seys family and apparently enjoyed fine views.
Arriving at the old HM Coastguard building which is now a Seawatch Centre, wooden picnic benches made an ideal lunch stop in bright warm sunshine. This look-out station is set out inside like a ship’s bridge and equipped with radio receivers, navigational and meteorological instruments and manned part time.
Continuing along the Wales Coast Path with brilliant views towards the lighthouse at Nash Point, a fall in the cliff path was surrounded by warning tape and new metal kissing gates have recently been installed further inland ready to replace the old stiles almost on the cliff edge, which may not remain in use for much longer.
With stunning views along the coastline to St Donat’s and inland to Boverton and out across the Bristol Channel, the group passed the ancient hill fort of Castle Ditches before descending the cliff path to Llantwit Major beach car park, which was extremely busy with people out enjoying the sunshine and a group of volunteer litter pickers who were doing a very thorough job.
Leaving the coast path and turning inland up through Cwm Col-huw, Jodie did not take much persuading to jump into the clean cool water of the Afon Col-huw and crossing a footbridge over the river and climbing out of the valley, three youngsters were at the top of the hill getting ready to roly-poly down the bank.
Joining a farm track a small group of young bullocks stared as the group made their way to Lower House Farm. From the road, a stile led into a field containing the old dovecote from where doves and pigeons provided much needed food during winter, whilst their feathers were utilised in pillows and covers for warmth.
Passing a terrace of houses at Hillhead built at the end of the 19th century to house the poor of the parish but now private dwellings, a fossil in the shape of an ammonite was spotted in the end wall of the houses next to the steps leading down to the Ogney Brook.
Almost hidden away in the valley is the delightful church dedicated to St Illtud where the first Norman church was a simple cruciform building with a tower built on the site of an earlier church which could date back to the 5th century when St Illtud founded a monastery and centre of learning in the area. During the 13th century a low tower on the east end was added and an extensive grange farm was established to the west of the church and the extension to the main church which is known as the Galilee Chapel dates from then and now houses a collection of ancient standing stones and Celtic crosses found on the site before the present building was erected.
Some pavement walking through the town led them to the railway station with only a short wait for the train to arrive for the journey back home.
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