Weatherman Walking - The Welsh Coast

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