MEETING their leader Terry at Cardiff Central railway station, a group of 17 walkers boarded the train for the swift journey to Severn Tunnel Junction for the 13-mile completely flat linear trek along the second part of the eastern Wales Coast Path back to the Newport Wetlands. In bright sunshine they set off past neat allotments in Rogiet and across the bridge over the busy M4, with its clear views of the tollbooths and the second Severn Bridge which snakes across the estuary to England. Reaching the coast they headed into the breeze and following the grassy path above the seawall at the Severn estuary on the Caldicot levels, they passed pretty stone bridges allowing entry over the ditches into grassy meadows, with young cattle, sheep and new lambs grazing freely and along the way a magnificent chestnut horse being schooled, along with views inland towards Undy and Magor.

After enjoying morning break in a sheltered spot out of the breeze accompanied by homemade cake from Mike, periodically along the shore line where the mudflats were visible are the remains of the ancient art of putcher fishing, when five foot long funnel-shaped traps made out of willow and hazel were placed in a fishing weir or rank composed of oak, larch or elm poles and situated at right angles to the flow of the tide, enticing salmon to enter the funnel and being unable to turn around in the narrow end they became trapped and were harvested by fishermen on the ebb tide.

Continuing their journey past Redwick the group heard how since Roman times, man has been constantly attempting to reclaim the levels from the encroaching sea. This is achieved with artificial drainage schemes, with channels carrying surface water from fields into gullies, known as grips with water then flowing into wider channels called reens, which in turn drain into the sea through gouts. Passing the pink painted Porton House and meeting a modern fisherman who had caught a 4lb cod, he explained that he had caught a total of 77 of them since last September but added that whilst he loves fishing, he hated fish and takes his catch home for his wife to enjoy!

Turning inland by road in order to circumnavigate the Goldcliff Pill the group tramped on through the pretty village of Goldcliff, where the village church of St Mary Magdalene has been flooded on many occasions, including in the early 1600’s when a tidal wave swept along the Bristol Channel drowning 2,000 people. Following lunch the route led back down to the coast and on towards Nash, where in the Newport Wetlands nature reserve, the process has been turned around and new waterways have been constructed to keep the land flooded with freshwater and new footbridges to allow public access have been installed.

Passing East Usk lighthouse which was built in 1893 as a navigational aid for the entrance to the River Usk and which is still operational, soon Uskmouth Power Station and the modern Severn Power Station loomed up on the skyline, as the group made their way inland to their finishing point to await transportation to Newport. After a rest and a refreshing cuppa at the wetlands café, their pre-booked Newport bus failed to show, but the day was saved by Dragon Taxis of Newport, who despatched two vehicles at short notice and conveyed the group in style to Newport train station for their journey back home.

On April 25, a train ramble will begin from Rhoose Railway Station at 10:10am for the nine-mile moderate walk to Llantwit Major Station then a train ride home. If you intend making the whole journey by train to the start point at Rhoose, the train will leave Cogan at 9:48am, Dinas Powys at 9:53am and Barry at 10:03am and please remember to buy a return ticket to Llantwit Major; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

On April 26, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile moderate waterfall walk from Pontneddfechan; contact Clive on 029 2065 4156.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.