The Festival of Winter Walks continued despite the rotten weather with only three walkers being brave enough to join Geraint and his sheepdog Patch at a very windy and wet Cold Knap car park.
Developed in the 1920’s, The Knap Park and gardens and the lovely promenade that overlooks the Bristol Channel and the boating lake which forms the shape of a Welsh harp when viewed from above is a popular area for enjoying the sea air. Beyond this the Knap Pool built around the same time entertained locals and visitors in the large open-air swimming pool originally built as a tidal pool to fill at high tide by means of the use of a sluice gate, now of course it has been replaced with a grassy area that serves no real purpose!
Despite their attempts to stay dry, one umbrella broke and had to be abandoned as they made their way along the gusty promenade to drop down and circumnavigate the lake where all the surrounding seats which are very pleasant to sit upon in the summer were empty and even the wildfowl on the choppy lake were having a hard time!
Climbing a muddy sheltered path through the pretty Birch Grove Wood to Dingle Close and along the narrow path that traverses the centre of the Garden Suburb bisecting Bron Awelon, Tan y Fron and Westward Rise they exited onto woodland paths.
Reaching Porthkerry Park with its waterlogged and slippery ground they followed a path through the Millwood where the remnants of the saw mill which had twin leats for powering the fifteen foot diameter overshot mill wheel, was constructed in 1835 for the Romilly Estate.
Porthkerry after being purchased by the council was designated a country park in 1976 with the ranger service being introduced in 1979.
Tramping alongside the fast running Nant Talwg stream the group walked towards Cwm Cidi or the valley of the Black Dog which was in existence from the middle of the 13th century and in 1622 the village contained five houses and some scattered dwellings.
Gradually making their way through the park a visit to the Forest café was a must for hot coffee and generous helpings of delicious cake after which the leader tramped the group up the Golden Stairs to work off the extra calories!
Patch really enjoyed good romps on the open grass including along the green in front of Marine Drive from where the great views out across the Bristol Channel to the Somerset coast were enjoyed. Then dropping downhill to the Roman remains, consisting of a building which was constructed from local limestone with a ceramic tile roof that had twenty-two rooms around a central courtyard, which may have been a store room or part of the maritime link between south Wales and southwest England, home time beckoned with the chance to get warm and dry after what had been an invigorating and healthy way to start the new year.
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