Walk 20 (Day 2) - 10th March 2014 - Barry Island (Vale of Glamorgan, Wales) to Llantwit Major (Vale of Glamorgan, Wales)

 

On the second day of our walk we caught the bus from the centre of Llantwit Major to Barry Island, making a satisfactory link with walk 14 when we were last at Barry.

The rather grainy photograph on the left, shows Barry Island and the start of our walk.

Looking back towards Barry as we continue West.

The pebble beach at Barry, heading towards Bullcliff Rocks.

Our path then climbed steeply over the top of Bull Cliff, affording dramatic views back along the pebble beach toward Barry.

Through Porthkerry Park and a great view of Porthkerry Viaduct. Construction of the viaduct began in 1896 to enable the movement of coal.

The next photograph below, is of Porthkerry house, once home to Roger Moore and Dorothy Squires.

 

 

Onwards past new housing at Rhoose Point.

The dramatic cliffs at Rhoose Point, which claims to be the most southerly point of mainland Wales.

The very dramatic scenery of Aberthaw Biodiversity Area viewed from Fonygary Holiday and Leisure Park. In the distance can be seen the concrete groynes of Leys Beach. The small lakes are sea and freshwater lagoons.

 

The Aberthaw Lime Works, opened on 22nd December 1888, is now derelict and a Grade 2 Listed Building.

Looking East along Leys Beach with its striking groynes, with the static caravans of Fonygary Holiday Park  seen on the top of the distant cliff.

Julie walking around the perimeter fence of the Npower Aberthaw Power station near West Aberthaw.

After trudging around the power station for what seemed like hours, it was a relief to see an uninterrupted view of the coast line ahead, with the pebbly beach of Limpert Bay stretching before us.

The coastal path then took us in land towards the hamlet of Gileston. We stopped at the cemetery near Gileston Manor for a very late lunch.

As we progressed towards Llantwit Major, we discovered that between Summerhouse Point and Stout Point the coastal path had literally been washed into the sea by the recent storms. We had to scramble down to the beach over large boulders in order to continue our walk.

Julie on the beach, looking back towards the power station.

The power station looking deceptively small in the distance.

Looking towards Llantwit Major and St Donat's Point in the far distance.

As we reached the end of our walk, we briefly watched repairs to the beach and a new slipway being built. We then walked slowly back to our car at Llantwit Major train and bus station.