Edging the Estuary

An archetypal Cardiffian sets out to explore his heritage in this anecdote-rich account of the walk along the Welsh side of the Severn Estuary as he reclaims his personal memories while discovering the lives of others. With a detour to Maismore, the highest tidal point of the estuary, author Peter Finch then walks the English side, taking in the differences with Wales, reviving past links and looking at his homeland from abroad. On his journey he sees the estuary as a border, a highway for trade and ideas, an industrial zone, and a place where people spend their leisure. Evocative in description, the book details villages and cities, power stations and fishermen, castles and caravans, leg-aching walks and deck chairs on the beach. This narrated walk along some of the most beautiful coastline in Britain is punctuated with stories that include the tragedy of Lynmouth; the competing delights of Porthcawl, Barry, and Weston-super-Mare; the industrial sites of Usk and Port Talbot; the fate of Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea docks; the ancient trackways of Swansea Bay; and the Star Inn at Neath.