176 Swansea Bay

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s early afternoon by the time I arrive at Swansea bus station. Heading for Swansea Marina, I begin my walk through the Swansea Maritime Quarter. This area has been redeveloped and I tramp past rows of modern apartment houses. The ships in the water are pretty enough, but the development has a soulless look about it.

01 Swansea Marina, Ruth walking the coast in Wales
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175 Port Talbot to Swansea Marina

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Today there is hazy sunshine and unusually good weather for Easter Monday. I am only planning a half-day of walking, in anticipation of a long drive home. But I’m determined to reach Swansea.

01 Ruth on Wales Coast Path, Port Talbot Continue reading →

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174 Kenfig Dunes to Port Talbot

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

We are staying in a B&B perched high up on a hillside. The access road is bumpy and rough, but gives us stunning views across Port Talbot and Swansea Bay.

01 view over Port Talbot, Ruth's coastal walk

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173b Porthcawl to Kenfig Dunes

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

After lunch (a rather uninspiring prawn-cocktail) I head across the bay, turning to look back at the far side and to take a photograph of the area I’ve just left. This is probably the least scenic part of Porthcawl, with a fun fair and amusements lining the beach.

a01 Porthcawl, Ruth on her coastal walk, Wales

But I soon come to a pretty marina – well, ships on water are always pretty, even if the marina is simply a great concrete basin. Continue reading →

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173a Ogmore-by-Sea to Porthcawl

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Ogmore-by-Sea is calm today. The wind has dropped and the forecast promises sunshine. I head up the river valley, heading for the nearest crossing point. The gorse is flowering and the smell is mouth-watering – sweet coconut.

01 Ogmore River, Ruth on the Wales Coast Path
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172 Nash Point to Ogmore-by-Sea

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s Good Friday and the beginning of the Easter holidays. Nash Point car park is (almost) crowded. It cost us £2.00 to park here for the day. The view alone is worth it.
Nash Point light houses, Ruth on Wales Coast Path

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171 Lantwit Major to Nash Point

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

This afternoon I must travel home to Lincolnshire and so today I’m planning a short, circular walk. I will be following the Wales Coast Path along the cliffs to Nash Point Lighthouse, and then back to my car via an inland footpath.

I drive down to the beach at Llantwit Major. The weather is still dull, but not as bad as yesterday. I can even see the horizon as a definite line!
looking towards St Donat's Point, Ruth on her coastal walk in Wales

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170 Barry Island to Llantwit Major

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

It’s another dull day. My rules say I don’t have to walk around islands, but today I’ve decided to walk around Barry Island before heading up the coast.

On my right are parked cars and terraced houses. On my left, between the road and the water’s edge is a broad strip of waste land, strewn with litter and rubble. Across the water is the new development, where I sat to eat a snack yesterday.

01 looking across to Barry, Ruth on the Wales Coast Path, Barry Island

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169b Cardiff to Barry

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

I walk along the Cardiff Bay Barrage. This is a narrow band of land that stretches for 1 kilometre across the entrance to Cardiff Bay. I’m following a smooth cycle track, which doubles as the Wales Coast Path.

The weather remains murky. Shame, because it is impossible to take any decent photos across the bay. I can only photograph objects that are close to me, including sail structures on the barrage – but even these photos require enhancement when I get back home.

b01 Cardiff Bay and sails, Ruth Livingstone

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169a Cardiff Bay

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Ruth Livingstone

Wales Coast Path marker, Ruth in Cardiff BayAfter a dispiriting end to yesterday’s walk, I start today with no great expectations.

And today doesn’t seem promising either. The weather is dull. My hotel is on the edge of a huge car park that feeds a new shopping centre. All I can see are parking bays, busy roads, and fast food outlets. It takes  me a few minutes to orient myself. Continue reading →

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