08/04/17 - The Dunes of Merthyr Mawr

Distance - 9.9 Miles
Geocaches - 9
Pub - The Watermill, Ogmore
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, Jan 1996, Walk 17


Britain's diversity continues to impress.  A case of jumping in a car, driving less than 2 hours and walking in a completely new landscape.

Merthyr Mawr Warren has 600 acres of Sand Dunes - the 2nd largest in Europe.  And a mile walked on sand is two miles of regular walking.

The walk starts at large car park at the end of a single track road out of the delightfully pretty Merthyr Mawr.  The map shows a lot of barren light brown shading that doesn't really prepare you for conditions underfoot.

Mrs Mappiman wondering where the Sea is for her Coastal Walk

Slow walking through the sand, as we polish off the geocaches in the area.  Mrs M has booked this trip to get her fix of coastal walking and is initially disappointed that she cannot see the sea.  Minor rerouting is required to get down to Mean High Water description on the map and all is well in her world.

Onto the Beach

We walk up to Newton, on the Eastern edge of Porthcawl.  Lunch nearly shared with Rosie the over enthusiastic Staffie with a taste for Ham Salad sandwiches.  She escapes her owner and sits between us, using her big brown eyes to maximum effect.

Newton is a very civilised two pub, one church kind of place with a large village green that the locals use on sunny evenings for impromptu block parties.  The pubs may be closed at 11am, but we are booked into Porthcawl's oldest boozer for our evening meal.

We'll be back

The walk back is total contrast to the outbound leg.  Just as I am warned about my reddening neck, we enter a shaded copse.  All lush greens with splashes of yellow from the wild flowers before we meet the new residents of Candleston Farm.

Shady Return

Triplets

Merthyr Mawr village is a timeless delight of thatched cottages and an ancient church.  It provides a decision point, we could head back to the car park or investigate the ruins of Ogmore Castle.  Mrs M has a hankering for a continental lager and lime and I can see on the OS Map, the greatest symbol of them all.  The Big Blue Cup of Joy.

Merthyr Mawr Village

We arrive at the castle but have a stream to ford.  The only way across is on a collection of stepping stones and we wait patiently whilst a never ending stream of parents and kids come across slowly.

Stepping Stones

Mrs M's patience is severely tested as the people coming from the castle side refuse to give way. Having waited 10 minutes, we start our crossing, resulting in a difficult mid point cross over.

I then hear three sounds a man should never hear.  Sound 1 - Mrs M shouting "Ian, I'm falling".  Sound 2 - A splash and Mrs M shouting "I've gone in".  Sound 3 - Children showing respect by laughing very, very quietly.

I pretend that I don't know her and ask horse riders about the pub.  The wonderfully named "The Pelican in her Piety" is closed down, making you wonder how you cannot make a success of a pub in such a tourist attraction.  Never fear, 15 minutes walk down the road and we come to the Watermill Inn.

Pelican in her Piety - now just a handy car park

The Watermill

Mrs M's Sock, gently drying out in the Welsh Sunshine