8th October 2017
This is another of those days when we need to join up a gap between 2 previous walks – this one is a bit more substantial though at nearly 9 miles. We have previously walked from Margam Crematorium to Aberavon Sands, and walked from Ogmore to Porthcawl, so this one joins up the gap between Porthcawl and Margam. We parked in Porthcawl and headed to Greggs for our energy breakfast. Then waited for the bus to take us to Pyle. Yes, unfortunately we could only get to Pyle so we knew we had a 3.5 mile walk to get us to the Margam starting point!!
At Pyle it is a walk along the A48 (which used to be the coastal path route until the bridge was built over the Kenfig river but more on that later).
And within 55 minutes we were crossing the M4 and ready to start the walk proper at the Crematorium.
The new route of the coastal path goes around an industrial estate and down a lane.
It then crosses both the main London to Swansea railway line (unassisted – just look both ways and run) and then a series of sidings used by Tata steel.
This then brought us out onto Margam moor, which was very flat, and involved a simple long straight path.
We were uncertain where to go when the path split, but we were right to head across a footbridge over the reed beds.
We then came across a flooded section of path, hence why it is the moors, and for the first time in a long time we got wet socks while wading through it.
The path then became more sandy as we headed into the dunes, and the sand stuck beautifully to the muddy boots.
Then we arrived at the Kenfig river bridge, which was the reason why this route had been delayed from being open – if you read the 2014 edition of the Wales Coastal Path book by Goddard and Evans it says the route is still under negotiation – it is open now.
We stopped for coffee and a cake here but Sharon was more interested in playing hide and seek. As our blanket was across the coastal path we also had a runner nearly run right through us.
After our rest we walked along the dune, with the sounds of motorcross bikes all around. A couple of times we had to dodge out of the way, but the glimpses of the sea made up for it.
Pink Bay gave a great view back along the coast towards Port Talbot and Aberavon.
While ahead of us was Rest Bay and Porthcawl.
The next part of the coastal path goes alongside the golf course on the boardwalk – watch out for flying balls!!
And then we were in Rest Bay, and round to Hutchwns Point.
We stopped at the Atlantic hotel for sunday lunch. You would not have believed it was early October, sat outside by the sea front, and the food was very tasty.
We walked along the sea front for coffee and dessert with another view.
Who says it is all about the food!! And then we headed around to Porthcawl pleasure beach and the car.
Today was 12.3 miles in total, and 8.8 miles of them are coastal path. This takes our total to 322.7 miles walked and 547.0 miles to go. More importantly this completes Chapter 8 of the book and all the walks of the South Wales part of the coastal path from Swansea to Cheptow.
Andrew and Sharon
Walkies Cleo and Bonnie 