ON A rather cool but dry morning 12 walkers set off with Penarth Ramblers leader Sylvia from Bassaleg to complete the circular Graig Diamond Jubilee Path, an urban and rural 10-mile route and tramping along Pentre-Poeth Road they turned into a narrow woodland path adjacent to houses.

After crossing an open green meadow a boggy waterlogged path led them onto a footbridge over a swollen brook and uphill to circumnavigate the lovely fly-fishing lake at Cwm Hedd with its glorious views towards Twmbarlwm.

Climbing gently through fields containing sheep and under blue skies with bright sunshine the route led onto a lane and down the drive of Park Wood House into Park Wood where deep surface water was running like a river down the centre of the path.

This soon opened out to a waterlogged farm track and exiting from the wood a gateway beside the fast flowing Rhymney River bore a plaque in memory of Frank Rees, a local community councillor and keen walker.

Tramping through more waterlogged fields with a buzzard soaring high above them and holly berries still decorating the hedge line, there were fine views to the old Elizabethan manor house of Plas Machen, the seat of the influential and powerful Morgan family until they moved to nearby Tredegar House.

Then taking a detour and following the edge of a ploughed and cropped field, the lovely old restored iron bridge at Draethen beside the surging River Rhymney afforded them a quiet place for morning break before a raised pathway through the middle of a boggy field led to the A468.

Heading uphill by road through Lower Machen past the delightful St Michael and All Angels Church, then a railway bridge over the old Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction railway line, a stile led back into fields and clambering uphill and across a swift flowing brook to join a road, there were brilliant views down through the beautiful Rhymney Valley towards Michaelston-y-Fedw.

A pretty coppiced archway of trees led into a forestry plantation and dropping downhill into quiet empty meadows, a stop for lunch on a bank under the trees in warm sunshine for the time of year followed, with misty views out over the mouth of the Severn and the Bristol Channel.

Refreshed and continuing along a road to Five Lanes Farm the path led through stone outbuildings being lovingly restored by a craftsman, before another path thick with mud and swimming with water from a small brook over-running its banks led past a small pond and out onto a road through a pleasant housing development on the outskirts of Rhiwderin.

Climbing steps into a narrow lane adjacent to houses and crossing a road to join part of the Sirhowy Valley Walk, a climb uphill through fields meant lovely views towards Rogerstone, High Cross and Newport illuminated in the sunshine.

Tramping along undulating muddy pathways through Coed Bedw before descending to a lane to join the western banks of the Ebbw River, then over a footbridge and a disused railway line which carries minerals to and from Machen Quarry, a short steep climb led uphill into a housing estate.

Then onwards past the towering St Basil’s Church to pound pavements back to their start point where a rural market was still open and attracted a couple of members to buy pies, pickles and bread, whilst the remainder drifted into the Ruperra Arms for a sit down to ease aching legs and a swift refreshing drink prior to the homeward journey.

On February 13, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a seven-mile moderate walk taking in Llanfeugan, Pencelli and the Brecon Canal; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.