WALKING HOLIDAY - SAUNDERSFOOT 0CTOBER 2005
Those members who joined the walking group to visit the Pembroke area set off in high spirits. The careful planning by Pam Caines who liased with members of Pembroke U3A did however go slightly astray on the first full day, due to absolute monsoon like conditions experienced on the 11th October.
We gathered at the Sloop Inn Porthgain to meet with John Jenkins of Pembroke U3A with the view to walking the coastal path. Over steaming cups of hot chocolate we were advised conditions were too treacherous so instead we visited St. Davids to enjoy the beautiful Cathedral and surrounding area before a jolly good lunch in a local hotel.
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of the WALKING HOLIDAY - SAUNDERSFOOT OCTOBER 2005
Wednesday saw dry conditions and back to the itinerary, those experienced walkers led by Geraint had two separate walks planned at Angle and Freshwater Bay. For less hardy souls a trip to Tenby, walking leisurely around the town and beach area, Tenby has much to recommend it historically. We visited the Merchants house, steeped in Tudor atmosphere and the guides gave us a great deal of information. Attached to this house the accommodation was now a coffee house and restaurant with almost no windows, it was lit by dozens of candles and three or four roaring log fires, a lovely way to enjoy a coffee.
The Tenby museum and art gallery on the castle hill was worth the steep walk to reach it. Situated in part of the medieval castle it is full of displays of archaeology, geology, natural and maritime history.
The Art gallery has a permanent collection including works by Augustus and Gwen John who were residents of Tenby. On our visit, there was an exhibition of watercolours, a feast of colour much enjoyed by members of our art group who had opted out of the walk.
Thursday saw us on the trip to Stackpole estate and the famous Lily ponds. This scheduled walk was lead by Marjorie, once more a Pembroke U3A walker. Once again we divided into two groups, some set off for the long haul 7-8 miler and those of a more delicate constitution settled for 2-3 miles, the lovely countryside and Broadhaven beach was bathed in sunshine and was a great success as we agreed over lunch in the St Godan Inn, back in the afternoon to say goodbye to the lovely Tenby. For two or three people a ride in a horse and carriage around the cobbled streets felt rather grand.
Friday was to some a very special day with a visit to Laugharne to see the boat house where Dylan Thomas lived and wrote "Under Milk Wood" (see our Drama page for our rendition of the play) it was full of memorabilia and atmosphere, set in the beautiful estuary with the sun shining it was a perfect end to the holiday.
The Saundersfoot hotel was an excellent venue, good food, entertainment and helpful staff, made sure the trip was successful. We all thank Pam Caines for her skill in organising the trip, her sense of fun and friendship is infectious and there are those already requesting we do it again next year.
Dianna Payne
10th Anniversary Pageant 2005
*Click the photograph below to access a photo album of the 10th Anniversary Pageant
These Boots Were Made for Walking!
Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower - June 2005
It was a damp start but the sun came out before the end of the walk. The finishing touch was a Welsh tea (Welsh cakes, scones, jam and cream) at the Heritage Centre, before leaving for home, lovely!
Jenny King
Bluebell Walk
Bluebell walk from Wenchford Picnic Site, pictures put together using Panorama Maker. A lovely day and walk.
Jenny King
Pontneddfechan Walk
*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the Pontneddfechan Walk
Our leader Sheila with Gil and Don just before the start of our 5 mile walk round Swansea Bay.
*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the Swansea Bay Walk
Cotswolds Walk
"Taking a rest" during our walk in the beautiful Cotswolds
Llanishen Walk
Another great walk at Llanishen followed by a pub lunch!
One of our walking groups take their first steps into 2004
On this page you will find 100's of links to UK web pages which detail 1000's of on-line walking routes, hiking trails, route directions, route maps etc. A growing number also carry GPS directions. Some may be associated with a particular theme, e.g. dog walks, river walks, city walks, railway walks, canal walks, IVV walks etc. Almost all of the walking information on these sites is provided free of charge.
The numbers in parenthesis, after each county or area name, indicate the number of links which are on this site within that area.
If you come across any other sites containing online walks, routes, walking trails, walking directions, maps etc which you think should be listed here; then please let us know.
So, if you are into walking, fitness walking, hiking, rambling, strolling or just plain ambling, this site should prove to be a valuable route finder.
WALKS AROUND CALDICOT CASTLE, COUNTRY PARK AND SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE
*These three short walks are where people in wheel chairs are able to make their way around the paths within Caldicot Castle and the Country Park, they include wide grass as well as crushed stone paths, the bridges over the river Neddern are also accessible, leading to the lake. Wonderful for people in wheelchairs but they need to get the paths checked first to see if their chair is suitable for the ground especially after a wet spell of weather.
(For all three walks you start from the Castle car park).
STARTNote: Before you start the 4½ mile walk check the route from the START as one of the variation from the 3 and 4 mile walks is at the starting point.
Route for 3 and 4 mile
From the car park in front of the Castle, face the Castle and walk round towards the right hand side, after a few yards, turn away from the castle and walk down the bank, across the field towards the river Neddern.
Cross the wooden bridge, turn left. Walk straight ahead towards the lake, you can make your way round the lake to the far corner, continue at this angle across the park until you pass the bridge on your left that would take you across the river Neddern and back to the castle, ignore the bridge and walk straight ahead.Go through the wooden barrier and cross the field until you come to a narrow wooden bridge on your left. Cross the bridge, walk straight up the field until you reach a gate, onto Church road.
(Note: - In the winter months these fields can be flooded, In this event return to the main entrance to the Country park, opposite St Mary's Church and turn right). Now turn right and walk up the right hand side until you reach the children's play area. Follow the path behind the houses and look for a stile on the right. Cross and walk straight ahead to a field boundary and cross the stile. Go straight on, then turn left towards a coppice of trees, go through a swing gate and keeping to the right hand side of the field, you will reach a road with the motorway bridge to your right.
(Note: - at this point you can return to the Castle via the Wentwood View Estate)
Now turn right over the motorway bridge, down the hill to a narrow entrance on the left leading to a path with a fingerpost. This path crosses the top of a field and emerges on to a lane.
Photo of the Caldicot Castle Country Park Lake
For the 3 mile versionTurn left and continue under the motorway bridge. Turn left on to a tarmac path; proceed through the playing fields to the left hand corner. Go through the Church yard and return to the Castle and Country Park.
For the 4 mile versionCross the lane and take the path signposted Brockwells which goes alongside the quarry. This brings you to the road. Proceed, uphill to the Dewstow Golf Club. Keep to the left and enter the car park of the Golf Range.
On the left of the building is a narrow entrance to a path, which proceeds along the top of the quarry, with the practise range on your right. Emerge on to the Golf Course. Turn immediately left and closely follow the hedge around to the right towards the pond.
(Do not be tempted to cross the fairway, as it is not a public right of way)Go to the corner where there is a pond. Go over two stiles, turn left on the road and go under the motorway bridge. Follow the directions for the 3-mile version.
Photo of the stile behind the children's park in the Crest Estate
Route for the 4 ½ mile version
From the Castle car park, follow the avenue, first crossing a bridge over the river Neddern, then along the avenue to the park entrance, to a half-timbered lodge. Head left to a stile at the end of a short lane. Keep to the right going behind a large group of trees.
(On this spot there was a house called ' The Homestead ' which was pulled down just prior to the Second World War. The Cobb family, who lived in the Castle, owned it).
Veer left to a gate and continue on the path alongside a railway line. With the field, pond and Castle on your left. Look for a break in the line of trees on your right. Go through the gate with the way marker, through another gate and straight on, which will take you to another gate. Go through this gate and veer left towards the top right hand corner ( the railway is on your right). Turn left on to a rough track, downhill, which brings you back to the Country Park. Cross the bridge over the river and follow directions as for the other walks.
We hope you enjoy your walks around our Castle, Country Park and Countryside.Four stiles on this section of the walk have now been changed for gates, paid for and installed by Caldicot and District U3A Walkers.
Access by Bus and Train - The buses are Nos. X14 and X74, both stop by the town centre, ¼ mile from the Castle. The railway station is south of the town, a mile from the start.
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of the Caldicot & District U3A Walking Group repairing and renewing stiles in Caldicot Castle County Park.
Over the past few months some of the Caldicot & District U3A walkers have been installing gates on local footpaths. The walking group is keen to open up local footpaths to people with minor disabilities, by removing barriers such as stiles. Money was raised by holding raffles and events, and with the full co-operation of the local authority, were able to finance and install four gates. The starting point for this walk, is in Caldicot Castle and Country car park, details, including map can be found on this page.
Two days before Christmas, in the fields above Caldicot, our photographer caught one of our walking groups enjoying a pre Christmas celebration. Wine, mince pies and sausage rolls were the order of the day before they set off on the remainder of their walk.
20 members of the Group recently attended a map reading session conducted by Robert Taylor-Heard, ably assisted by Ann. We learned how to read the contours of a map, where the hills were and to measure the height; recognise woodland and various types of paths and to measure how long the walk is before we set off.
Reading maps is certainly a challenging task, as I am sure many of you have experienced, particularly on car journeys. And we always get the blame, don't we ladies?, when the driver gets lost-but really he hasn't listened! I can almost see you nodding your heads in agreement.
I hope the additional training will help present us going round in circles in woodland. We were in Chepstow Park Wood and were 'lost'. I could have sworn I had seen that particular tree before.
Do you ever have a feeling of de ja vu? I marked the tree 'X' with a piece of chalk I just happened to have in my knapsack. Half an hour later-yes, you've guessed it-there was the 'X'. We did eventually find our way out!
Thanks to Robert and Ann.
This type of learning is in the best tradition of U3A - members passing on their knowledge and expertise to fellow members.
Sheila Ford
CWM SYCHAN WALK MARCH 2004
*Please click the photograph above to access a slide show with the Stragglers Walking Group on a compilation of different walks
In the Cwm Sychan Valley approaching the old Dam Wall Tony Samuel, leader of the walk used to swim in the reservoir as a boy.
The water was needed for the coal pits further down the valley.
© Caldicot and District U3A mmvii
