I had decided to play safe for the first walk of the year and choose a route that didn’t involve mud and fields. Three miles of streets, parks and paths of Penarth seemed a safe bet, although the monsoon rain of the previous day did make me wonder if it would go ahead.
First stop was Plymouth Park to meet up with Sally who has returned to her Penarthian roots. We set off up the zig zag path in St Joseph’s Park, immediately losing a few members who disappeared off to learn about a wormery in the newly planted orchard! Reunited we were soon at Penarth’s tiniest green space, Arcot Triangle. A large stone in the centre was inlaid with bronze tattoo designs. The meanings of the symbols were explained, and it reminded us of all the sailors and dock workers who had once inhabited the area.
Crossing Plassey Square we reached Dingle Park admiring Penarth Skytown Gateway, this park led us up into Penarth town. Passing by the Edwardian and Victorian houses and the quaint shops in Windsor Arcade, we reached our next destination of Belle Vue Park. This was once a quarry, then a deep lake which was filled in and finally a leisure garden, with a brief interlude as a Warden base in WW2.
Next stop was St Augustine’s Church, definitely a well-known landmark on the skyline. Beautiful views, but I think just beaten by the one from Pembroke Terrace Park where our group photos were taken.
Then it was downhill all the way, in a manner of speaking! Passing enroute Headlands, Old Custom House, and derelict Marine Building. If only old buildings could talk, not that they would get a word in with the 9 of us who had chattered and laughed our way around the route.
Refreshments were at The Galley, Penarth Marina. A little packed on arrival, we sat outside coinciding with the only rain of the day! How happy we were when the 2 young waiters managed to make room for us inside.
Before reaching the cars, the group spiralled up Teletubby Hill to check if Belvedere, a solar pavilion, really did project a Welsh inscription onto the giant footprint on the floor. The sun was now shining, but maybe not quite strong enough!!! Y Tiroedd Oll Yw Fy Nghorff/All Lands Are My Body. And with that our footprints conveyed us back to our starting point.
Thank you all for joining me.
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