Walk 15 - 18th March 2013 - Newport (Gwent, Wales) to Cardiff (South Glamorgan, Wales)

This was a second attempt of the disastrous walk we first tried on 12th November 2012. Thankfully, as you will see, the weather was much more clement, fresh and sunny with uplifting blue skies. On arrival at the rather futuristic looking Newport Station (left), we walked the short distance to Newport Bus Station, in order to catch the bus to Maesglas Retail Park, and the start of our walk. 

Andrea pictured just in front of the Maesglas retail Park. 

 Julie at the same location. With memories still fresh in our minds of the last time we attempted this walk, and all went badly wrong, we were this time very careful indeed, to check maps, guides and compasses (and not take directions from locals)!

Once again to the banks of the beautiful River Usk. Sadly for us no sightings of Kingfishers today, although we did keep a keen eye open for them!

Looking across some very waterlogged fields towards the Newport Transporter Bridge, which we plan to use ourselves in one of our future walks. 

Looking across the mouth of The River Usk to the industry of Newport. 

The West Usk Lighthouse, on the Severn and Usk Estuaries, overlooking the Bristol Channel. Built in 1821, by Scottish architect James Walker. It was the first of 21 lighthouses he built. The building is now a bed and breakfast, therapy centre and wedding venue. See their website 
http://www.westusklighthouse.co.uk/

Julie walking through the Gwent Levels. The estuary is described as an 'international service station' for emigrating and wintering shorebirds. It provides a vital habitat for birds to feed and rest. 

Walking along one of the wharfs this one is probably Little Wharf just before the Rhymney River, but it just might be Peterstone Great Wharf or Rumney Great Wharf. It's almost certainly Little Wharf, as just afterwards we came to the outskirts of Cardiff and encountered shocking levels of litter and waste strewn along the channel. Hundreds upon hundreds of plastic bottles lying around. Appalling and the shock of which meant we took no further photographs of this walk. But thankfully we did reach our destination - Cardiff.