My only brother has lived in South Wales for more than 45 years - so long in fact that he has acquired a 'soft' version of the local accent, and cheers fervently for Wales during the 'Six Nations' Rugby Union Championship! Consequently, I have also become acquainted with many lovely parts of the Welsh countryside.
Here we can see a portion of the beautiful Glamorgan Heritage Coast (Arfordir Treftadaeth Morgannwg), which is the southernmost part of the country of Wales (Cymru) and faces the English coast on the opposite side of the Bristol Channel, which leads towards the Atlantic. This part of the coastline stretches from Aberthaw (Aberddawan) to Porthcawl, a distance of 14 miles, and achieved Heritage Coast status in 1973. This particular shot was taken near the picturesque village of St. Donats (Sain Dunwyd), and shows an amazing wave-cut platform of Liassic limestone, which forms the beach. The cliffs consist of strata of Carboniferous sandstone and limestone laid down around 200 million years ago, and later uplifted.
This is a great spot for 'birding', and you can expect to see the Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), and the elegant Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Wildlife abounds, but there are also plentiful opportunities to indulge in watersports. If you are into surfing, then Cwm Colhugh at Llantwit Major has a classic right hand point break over sand and pebbles. The best wind surfing can be had off Cold Knap at Barry, kayaking is best from Dunraven Bay at Southern Down (excellent unloading facilities), and the sport of paddle boarding seems to be growing at Ogmore Bay.
Visitors to the area are directed towards the Heritage Coast Centre in Dunraven Park, close to Dunraven Bay, Southern Down. There the visitor can learn all about the 'Southernmost Point in Wales' and the Heritage Coast. Park Rangers are based here, and as well as giving out a wealth of information and literature, they also give talks on conservation, especially to school parties.
Having said all this, it is surprising to learn that you can now walk the WHOLE coastline of Wales. In May 2012, the Wales Coast Path (Llwydr Arfordir Cymru) was declared open, thereby becoming the LONGEST coastal path in the word - all 870 miles of it!
Wales is surprising - just when you think you know all about it, you find yet more delights!