#kenfig

[nao-and-again]

[bikepackinguk]

Day Eighty-six

It's a brand new day by the Clyne River, so it's up and at 'em to start off with a roll down the trails and out to the coast once more by Blackpill.

It's a dreary morning with grey skies and a rainy mist obscuring the sight across most of Swansea Bay, but the cool air and lack of wind make for some good riding conditions as I take advantage of the great cycling paths around the coastline around to Swansea.

After a stopoff in the city centre for supplies, it's a pleasant ride around the Maritime Quarter before NCN Route 4 crosses over the River Tawe and carries on eastwards.

The trail keeps firmly out of the traffic which I am grateful for, as the roads here are very busy with the proximity of a junction with the M4 motorway. The cycle route loops around and under the flyovers before crossing the River Neath into Briton Ferry.

I'm finally away from riding alongside busy roads for a stretch as the route dips down into Port Talbot, which then gives way to some large industrial areas and steel mills along the coast.

I've a busy junction to navigate by Margam, with Route 4 departing up into the hills at this point. So it's back to the road for now, tracking next to the motorway before tracking back across the M4 for a ride through Kenfig National Nature Reserve.

The weather alas has decided this is its time to roll in though, and with little buildup a torrential amount of rain begins to pour down. I'm fortunately able to throw the waterproofs on in short order, and after a bit more riding through the downpour am able to duck in to a bus shelter to let the worst pass.

With the rain down to a light drizzle, I carry on down to the sea once more at Porthcawl. The waterfront is quite nice and I'm sure on a sunny day it'd be a beautiful spot!

The wet is continuing though, and with no road through Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve, it's a long slog up the hills back inland to head into Bridgend.

The rains have abated for now, so I have a bit of a break after navigating some of the interesting parhways bolted over the Ogmore River here.

I head out south from Bridgend towards Ewenny, where I can jump on to Route 88 as it heads back down around the coast of the Bristol Channel. It's a steep climb up initially, but eventually the trail leads on through some rolling hills and pretty country lanes.

With the skies clearing, I'm eventually able to get a good sight of England's coast and Exmoor National Park across the water.

I taje a brief detour at Marcross to go check out the lighthouse at Nash Point, which is set on some nice cliffs, before heading back up and on to the wonderfully named Llantwit Major.

Route 88 heads up to the hills further from the coast at this juncture, and with the afternoon wearing on I decide to stick with the coast and start chugging along the B4265 as it rolls along eastwards. It offers a few more nice views across the channel, before getting hemmed in with greenery once more.

As the road leads on by Cardiff Airport, I'm starting to feel it's time to get aome rest in, and with the forecast threat the possibility of hail later, I'd rather not leave it too late before finding a spot.

Thankfully there are a good few copses and trees not too far from the main road, and a short ride later I find a good sheltered pitch that should hold up for the night.

The border is fast approaching! The forecast for tomorrow doesn't look great so far, but we'll see what the morning holds.

TTFN!

[eliasfkk]

Kenfig Burrows Wales

[walkaholicuk]

Kenfigs lone tree. #lonetree #moon #kenfig #tree #lake #night #reflection #porttalbot #margam #steelworks #porttalbotsteelworks #lightpollution #silhouette #sunset #dawn #landscape #evening #dusk #silhouetted #branch #nature #sky #alone #winter #backlit #dark #water (at Kenfig Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7QUJ-xDdK3/?igshid=qg0aj33plg4n

[nunoxaviermoreira]

Kenfig Pool and Caravan Park by Tyrone (Ty) Williams Although cloudy, this aerial view of the caravan park and Kenfig Pool exude a feeling of a relaxing stay, with flocks of geese flying across your head to roost at the pool. https://flic.kr/p/2gYypYU

[evilmaniclaugh]

[robertgooch]

Sker Beach, 

[bobsblips]

#kenfigpool #tree #pond #kenfignaturereserve #submergedtree #kenfig #appicoftheweek #nature #amateurphotographermagazine #sonyrx10ｍ4 #lonetree #porttalbot #naturephotography #landscapephotography #flood #flooded #stormciara (at Kenfig Pool) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8pDGzlHRuE/?igshid=1eukrsh7tisob

[nao-and-again]

[airmanisr]

Hawker Hunter F.1 [WT569] by Alan Wilson Via Flickr: c/n 41H-665419 Built in 1953 and was a very early production Hunter. She spent her short active life as a trials aircraft, either with Hawkers or the A&AEE. She was retired for ground instruction in November 1957 and was allocated the maintenance serial 7491M. She is now looked after by No.2117 Squadron of the Air Training Corps at Kenfig Hill, Mid-Glamorgan, Wales, UK 12th June 2021

[bathrobe-hero]

It wasn't boiling today which was nice.

[sidneysloth]

NYD walk (at Kenfig Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/B60FT3tgli2/?igshid=1bejjuodi3bw5

[walkaholicuk]

Try to contain your excitement. This is the vast remains of Kenfig Castle. This is about all that's visible. #kenfig #kenfigcastle #porttalbot #ruin #ruins #abandonedbuilding #abandonedhouse #abandonedcastle #old #history #castle #remains #castlesofwales #margam #kenfigpool #kenfignaturereserve #nature #landscape #travel #instatravel #instago #stone #outdoors #grass #beautiful #wood #flora #summer #hill #leaf (at Kenfig Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8sxUtIDQ3A/?igshid=1ngk4sak80koe

[stephanocardona]

On the Rocks by EdMorris

[evilmaniclaugh]

[robertgooch]

Port Talbot