Drive Out to Porthkerry Country Park – 30th August 2026

Members met up for a long-awaited day of fun, companionship and beautiful scenery after earlier attempts had been postponed from the original event that was a planned Drive Out to Porthkerry Country Park in August 2026.

PLAN C – THE DEJA VU TOUR – Sunday, 4 October 2026

We have a saying in Wales “three times for a Welshman”. Basically, it means if Plan A and Plan B have to be aborted, hopefully, Plan C will work out.

Plan A – Sunday 30 August 2026, Drive out to Porthkerry Country Park near Barry was abandoned due to storms being forecast.

Plan B – Drive out to Porthkerry Country Park plus Sunday lunch, 4 October 2026 abandoned. (Seems we are not meant to go there). This was due to the Cardiff Half Marathon taking place on the same date and in the same area meaning many roads would be closed to traffic. Hence a last minute change.

Plan C – Villages and Valleys, the Deja Vu drive out. One member had attended this event last year but was happy to repeat the experience. Four cars met to drive to the beautiful old market town of Cowbridge. Two local cars made their way to The Bear Hotel where we all met for coffee and a catch up and to introduce 2 new members of the FOC.

On leaving Cowbridge we drove via common land and country lanes to the oldest pub in Wales for Sunday lunch. Established in 1147, The Old House in Llangynwyd is a mix of thatched, old and new buildings overlooking stunning views of rolling hillsides. As usual Sunday lunch there was excellent with very efficient service.

Leaving Llangynwyd we drove through a very pretty Maesteg where it seemed that flags and bunting had been put out to welcome us. We continued our drive up over the misty Bwlch mountain road and down to the Rhondda Valley, taking care to avoid the sheep that were grazing along the roadside. Sadly, the amazing views were rather restricted but the villages soon came into view as we descended through the mountain mist. We made a stop to refuel and to say our goodbyes until the next time.

I appreciate the effort of the members travelling quite a distance in order to attend – Sandra and Peter, Sharon and Phillip, particularly an injured Ian, who had recently broken his wrist and to Pauline who had to take over the driving. Thanks also to local members – our good pals, Catherine and her son Paddy and two new recruits to FOC, Maggie and Bryan, (who happen to be our daughters in laws) on their first event in their recently purchased Figgy, Maureen. Not forgetting my very patient other half Ian who did the bulk of the driving while I was his “sat-nag” did the navigating.

Thanks for arranging this for everyone Helen! Enjoy the photos in the gallery below!