Log No 239. Sat 8th Feb 2014 - Penarth to Newport, 17 miles (3661 miles walked)

There was no sign of "The worst storm of the year" yet, in fact it was a bright start to the day as I left Penarth railway station at 09.10.

I followed the Wales Coast Path signs down to the mouth of Cardiff Bay and walked across the Cardiff Bay Barrage to the other side of the Bay.

The sun was shining on the white buildings and the whole area was clean and new.

I walked past a building housing the "Doctor Who Experience" and the buildings of the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre.

Trying to follow WCP signs wasn't easy and I took my own route out of Cardiff.

I did pick up the signs after a short while but chose not to follow them round the sewage works.

I rejoined the Way as it crossed over Rhymney River and went alongside the river next to the landfill site to the shore.

The next 2 hours were walking on top of the flood embankment which was fairly boring.

It is amazing to see how much timber, branches and even whole tree trunks has been thrown up onto the shore by the storms, there is no shortage of firewood here.

The wind was quite strong but for a change it was more of a help than a hindrance as it was behind me.

As the day wore on the cloud thickened and the rain had started by 2 o'clock.

After passing the West Usk Lighthouse at the mouth of the River Usk the Way followed a farm road onto the B4239 to go into Newport.

I left it here and walked to where I had left the camper, getting there for 15.00 and drove to the campsite at Tredegar House.

17 flat miles.