Day 11: Newton Beach to Sker Point

Day 11: Newton Beach to Sker Point (with a bit of Kenfig Resevoir thrown in)

Miles: Not sure as the Interactive Coastal Path map measuring device is down!)

Falafel: 4 (RT 25)



It's good to be in the great outdoors. It's been around seven months since my last excursion along the path and i've bee particularly looking forward to this stretch. 


Our path begins at Newton Beach and covers Trecco Bay, Sandy Bay and Rest Bay. 


The beaches, two of which are Blue Flag winners, make up the Porthcawl holiday resort. 


Originally built as a port town to support services the coal and iron industries. 


As other industrial towns such as Barry grew and took over, Porthcawl developed into a tourist destination. 

We join the handful of determined pint drinkers who are braving the wind to socialise over a beer in the sunshine this weekend. Five pounds for a pint mind! 


The resort was particularly popular with Miners and their families during Miners Fortnight, the main summer holiday period for the colliers around South Wales https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/miners-fortnight-barry-porthcawl-pictures-7492554


As we move away from the sandy beaches, the familiar rugged and diverse coastal scenery comes into view. 


This part of the coastal path has been made very accessible and safe for those ramblers who are less steady on their feet with a boardwalk. 


Some young beasts of the path enjoying the grass and the fresh weather. 


This little friend is so cute you'd want to cuddle him, not eat him. 


As move further away from the beaches, we approach Kenfig Nature Reserve.


It's one of the most important sites in Britain for nature conservations and is definitely worth a visit. 


Many animals call this part of the path home, and some very interesting plants including orchids, which I thought only thrived in tropical climes. It's definitely not tropical on the dunes today! 


Parts of the path are quite boggy today, but the mud is definitely worth it. The combination of the grasses, the trees, the sand dunes and the various bodies of water provides some stunning scenery. 


It's enough to make we want to come over all artistic.


These waterways make Kenfig an attractive site to various water birds such as Canada Geese, Coots and Moorhens 


We didn't see any rare birds today, but we did see a rabbit scuttling across the path. 








Easy! He's after my falafels! 


 I'm so happy to have made a start on the Coastal Path in 2021. What a stunning start!


The weather wasn't great at times; it makes me realise that it's definitely still early in the year and maybe I  should invest in a better coat. 




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