Walk 21 (Day 2) - Ogmore-by-Sea (Vale of Glamorgan, Wales) to Margam (Port Talbot, Wales)

We caught the bus from Margam to Ogmore-by-Sea. Thus linking up with day one of our walk on 9th March 2014.

The photograph on the left shows the start of our walk north up the coastline of Wales.

Looking North to Porthcawl.

The mouth of the confluence of the Rivers Ogmore and Ewenny, which cannot be traversed on the coast, necessitating a long walk inland to the first crossing place.

The walk inland along the banks of the river.

We just had to include this photograph of this pub with the most unusual name we have ever seen 'The Pelican in her Piety'!

Our walk then took us by the remains of the Norman Ogmore Castle, which was probably built in 1106.

The biggest challenge of this walk, walking over the stepping stones on the River Ewenny and not falling in, it was quite deep in the middle and some of the stones were slippery (apologies for the sideways photograph).  

The beautiful parish church of St Teilo at Methyr Mawr.

The remarkable Merthyr Mawr Warren. Like walking through fields of sand. A very strange landscape and did not make for easy walking by any means.

More views of the warren, which is known locally as the 'Big Dipper'. Scenes for the film Lawrence of Arabia were shot here!

We became a little lost in the warren, but followed our noses to the sea, emerging somewhere near to Newton Point.

Looking North towards Porthcawl and the direction of our walk.

Looking southwards back to Ogmore-by-sea in the far distance.

 

Onwards past Porthcawl Marina.

The view North from the far end of Porthcawl.

The photograph below shows the view of Rest Bay just outside Porthcawl.

 

Just north of Porthcawl we found our path had once again been washed away by the winter storms. The photograph on the left shows the remains of the boardwalk. Like a few other walkers we decided to press forwards and not take the lengthy diversion suggested.

In the distance The Great House at Sker, which began it's origins as a monastic grange 900 years ago.

This and the next four photographs show views from The Kenfig Pool and Dunes National Nature Reserve, through which the Wales Coast path passes. The white smoke coming from a chimney in the distance, originates from the infamous (for walkers), Tata steel works in Margam.

The Tata Steel works close up. The coast walks takes a wide diversion around this. Julie and I decided to take a leaf out of books of many walkers who have travelled before us and actually walk through the works. there is currently a dispute between The Crown and the owner of the works about who owns the land at the sea front. If you would like to retrace our steps follow these instructions. Where the coast path diverts, do not follow the diversion, but instead walk straight ahead, continuing past signs saying 'Private'. Eventually you will reach a metalled road, close to the coast. Follow this straight ahead until you come to a weighbridge with some disused green huts on it's left. The first turning on the right after this point is a public footpath, walk up this footpath and you will eventually rejoin the coast path. If you follow these instructions you will almost certainly be challenged by one of the steelworks security guards. If you ask them for the footpath, they will give you instructions if you are lost. The one we spoke to was very helpful and polite!

Andrea (and Julie below) at the end of our walk, at our accommodation for the evening The Twelve Knights at Margam.