It may be a busy time just prior to Christmas, but as part of Ramblers annual ‘Festival of Winter Walks’ a group of nine walkers along with Biddy the dog found the time to spare to take part in a local walk.
Joining Susan J. at Penarth Clifftop car park on a dry morning and in weak but pleasant sunshine and pounding pavements towards the disused Taff Vale Railway line, that was built in 1865 and following it to Cosmeston Drive, they descended to cross Lavernock Road.
Entering Cosmeston Country Park and walking a path adjacent to the eastern lake and making their way along muddy paths to the top quarry, in order to avoid further muddy paths in Cogan Wood and upon joining Mile Road, it led them southwards.
Deviating off Mile Road and descending towards the western lake, the waterlogged rough track led them uphill and circumnavigating the lake and crossing a footbridge to re-join Mile Road, a field adjacent to Cosmeston Medieval Village, which was completely abandoned but lit up in the sunshine brought them through a gate and onto Lavernock Road.
Carefully crossing and following Fort Road under the railway bridge and past the Marconi Holiday Village, they paused at St Lawrence Church at Lavernock Point to read the plaque commemorating the fact that on 13 May 1897 Marconi assisted by his friend George Kemp successfully sent the first wireless signal in Morse code across open water between Lavernock Point and Flat Holm.
Tramping through a patch of thick mud and joining part of the Wales Coast Path there were misty views out over the channel as they paused for a group photograph on the clifftop.
Continuing along the path where the incessant heavy rainfall during December had formed a deep rut down the centre it eventually led them out onto Penarth clifftop to enjoy sunlit views towards St Augustine’s Church on the eastern skyline and down to Penarth seafront. Then following the clifftop walk they made their way back to their start after what had been a delightful morning walk.
