List of walks
Abereiddy to Whitesands (Pembrokeshire)
Abersoch to Llanbedrog (Llŷn Peninsula)
Llanbedrog to Pwllheli (Llŷn Peninsula)
Beaumaris to Trwyn Du (Anglesey)
Trwyn Du to Red Wharf Bay (Anglesey)
Fall Bay to Port Eynon (Gower)
Port Eynon to Oxwich Bay (Gower)
Porthcawl to Merthyr Mawr (Glamorgan Heritage Coast)
Merthyr Mawr to Southerdown (Glamorgan Heritage Coast)
Saundersfoot to Amroth (Pembrokeshire)
Amroth to Pendine Sands (Pembrokeshire)
Talacre to Prestatyn (Flintshire/Denbighshire)
Prestatyn to Rhyl Marina (Denbighshire)
Ynyslas to Borth (Ceredigion)
Borth to Aberystwyth (Ceredigion)
BBC weatherman Derek Brockway is a Welsh national treasure, much loved by the public, and his new series of Weatherman Walking will be broadcast across the UK on BBC2. He has published three other books of walks connected to his TV series: 'Weatherman Walking', 'More Weatherman Walks' and 'Great Welsh Walks'. He comes from Barry Island. Julia Foot had a career in journalism before becoming a producer and director for the BBC.
Wales is known for its stunning scenery and is always popular with
walkers. Our breathtaking coastline is one of our greatest assets.
This book contains 15 guided walks along the Wales Coast Path, as
undertaken by BBC Wales’ beloved weatherman Derek Brockway in
Series 12 of the BBC’s Weatherman Walking. Each walk is between 4
and 8 miles long and the book covers sections of the coastal path
all around Wales. Some are an easy stroll, and others involve more
challenging climbs – though the views at the top will be worth it!
For each one, there is an OS route map, a handy ‘Essential
information’ panel and clear, easy-to-understand directions. There
are also lots of interesting snippets on landmarks and local
history, as well as about unusual activities or people from the
area that Derek came across in the related TV episode. The photos
of the gorgeous vistas you’ll see on each route are sure to have
you itching to put your boots on and get walking.
The 8 long walks from the series, around 12–16 miles in length, are
divided into 15 shorter walks between 4 and 8 miles long, making
them more accessible to less experienced walkers, with a note that
the second walk of each pair could be done as a direct continuation
of the first by more committed walkers.
*Publisher: Y Lolfa*
Mention the name ‘Derek’ to anyone living in Wales, and they will
know exactly who you mean. He is the Weatherman, and he goes
walking. This book covers a good selection of easily do-able parts
of the coastal footpath. The walks are conveniently split so that
you can walk four to eight miles or join two walks for a longer
trek. The prose is exceptionally clear and readable, thanks in
part, I'm sure, to the dedication and hard work of co-writer Julia
Foot, who tells us that she has walked every step of the way.
Derek Brockway can put in the miles if he wants to, but what he
loves to do is to engage, both with people and with the
environment. He looks at landscape history and he chats to people
on the way with an easy familiarity. He has delighted us with
unmissable TV programmes in which he explores Wales on foot in his
uniquely relaxed manner, bringing in local people and experts who
respond readily to his warmth and enthusiasm. We all feel that he
is our friend. He brings the outdoors to us in the comfort of our
homes – just as he explains the weather to us in his role as the
regular forecaster on BBC Wales.
It's one thing to present fine TV programmes, but quite another to
produce a usable book of walks. Derek, Julia and their team are
experienced at this, and this latest gem is no exception. It is a
convenient size and weight for carrying with you on a walk, and
very good at ensuring that you hit the right route. But the special
feature is the way Derek's easy and informative style comes across.
It is frankly astonishing how much wide-ranging information is
packed into the pages: from sand lizards and natterjack toads in
Prestatyn to land speed records in Pendine, and from wild orchids
in Ynyslas to sand-art in Whitesands Bay.
Derek will have a go at anything, sometimes laughing readily at his
own lack of competence. On several parts of the coast he helps the
numerous volunteers who do such admirable work to maintain the
path. On others he tries kitesurfing and paddleboarding, working
sheepdogs, caving and abseiling. He even spends some time with
Welsh super-chef Hywel Griffiths in the kitchen of his restaurant
at Oxwich.
There really is something to whet the appetite of everyone in this
little book. The pandemic has curtailed the scope of walkers, but
at the same time encouraged many folk to go and examine their local
footpaths, and therefore their environment. Derek's adventures will
be an inspiration to us all. On a practical level the book provides
all the information you need about access, difficulty, transport,
distances, timings and route-finding in a colour-coded panel for
each walk. And even if you don't walk, there's much to learn here
about the history, culture and wildlife of the Welsh coast - a
reflection of Wales in all its life-affirming positivity.
*Richard Hartnup @ www.gwales.com*
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