At 9am on Friday morning, all was not well, ‘We’ve only got one confirmed for Saturdays walk Claire, can’t believe there’s only 3 of us, I’ll send a reminder’!!
By Saturday morning 5 cars and 13 people headed off for Pendoylan, my panic from the previous day over, we looked forward to the walk, hoping that the light rain forecast for later would stay away.
Parking at Pendoylan Church in Wales school, we walked north along the main road, and in spite of impatient drivers managed to get everyone over the first of two stiles, and onto the path and field that would lead us to Tredodridge, passing Plwca Dafydd farm.
A short walk along another road, and we were passing through as kissing gate and into a river valley alongside Coed Leishon woods and the Nant Tre-Dodridge and with a steady climb we arrived at the first stopping point and time for refreshments, enjoying wonderful views across the valley. To the west we could make out Llantrisant and the Garth, and to the east Cardiff city centre.
We continued toward Ty Fry farm, and at this point a tractor stopped, the farmer asking if we were lost, so I explained our planned route. He then asked if we were impressed with the new gates, and explained that local farmers had helped the council/valeways install these during lockdown. How nice to hear that local land owners are supportive of those wishing to walk in the countryside, nice chap in my view.
Back on the road again, we stopped and admired a wonderful house, the Grade II Listed building Ty-Fry Lodge (County Treasure 1124).
The building is a late 19thcentury lodge to the Ty Fry Estate, situated adjacent to the entrance driveway to Ty Fry Farm and House. The property was the lodge to the country estate of the Insole family of The Court, Llandaff. It is one and a half storeys, constructed of local random rubble with Bathstone dressings and quoins, beneath a pitched roof of picturesque composition, and a good example of an eclectic, picturesque lodge, retaining original fenestration and with definite architectural character.
The next right led us to Warren Mill Farm, but in spite of all my efforts, emails, phone calls etc., to get us in for coffee etc, we were turned away.
As we left Warren Mill our walk took us westwards and into Cwm Corrwg, a delightful valley leading us to the road and the start of our return to Pendoylan. We stopped again for refreshments just off the main road, and decided to head towards the Ely River and then navigate our way back to Pendoylan, but unfortunately, we found ourselves in a field with no way out, so with the rain now falling, we headed back to the main road.
At this point (I normally manage to mess something up!) I realised that we hadn’t taken the team photo, so I have included one from the same walk taken in 2018.
The walk now complete, we headed off to Topstak, for a very enjoyable catch-up, coffee and cake.
Wick Wanderers 