Postcards from Penarth: Cosmeston Lakes, August – December 2022

This, is one of the reasons we chose to live in this part of Penarth. Cosmeston Lakes, the path to which is about 5 minutes from our new home.

Early August. An overview of one of the lakes with the camera looking into the sun. There are reeds and grasses, with the light catching the tips of the grass flowers which look kind of red and glowing. The sky is blue interspersed with clouds.
Eastern lake, early August
A view of the South lake in mid-August. Blue sky with a few fluffy clouds, the sun shining down and catching ripples on the water. There are boardwalks around the edge of the lake, and trees in full leaf around it. To the right are a few people standing on a pontoon access to the lake.
Eastern lake, mid-August
An overview of one of the lakes in September, with all the foliage on the trees surrounding it. Standing near the edge is a brown person with hands resting on their hips and a big smile. The sky is a light blue with soft clouds.
Western lake, mid-September, with Manishta
A couple of white swans near the edge of one of the lakes. The water is blue-green and has ripples from the wind. Further back are trees edging the lake. The sky is blue but becoming overcast with clouds.
Part of the Western lake, mid-August, with two inquisitive swans
An almost black and white photo, as it was taken directly into the sun. It's one of the lakes, partially frozen with about 50 ducks standing on the ice.
Western lake, early December, with some of the lake frozen
A view of a lake with dots of white in the distance, being a mix of birds on the water. There are trees to the left and then going across the middle of the photo, with the blue of the lake matching the blue of the sky, with clouds in the distant horizon.
Eastern lake, early December
An overview of one of the lakes, standing near the grassy edge of one side, with trees and the other side of the lake in the middle distance. There are ducks and seagulls both in the water and on the land. The sky is clear blue.
Eastern lake, early December
An overview of one of the lakes in September. In the middle is a boardwalk heading down towards the lakes, and on either side of it are green grasses and reeds. You can see bits of the water and around the edge of the lake are green trees. The sky is a light blue with fluffy clouds.
Towards the Eastern lake, with bridge for crossing between the two, in the distance, mid-September
An overview of one of the lakes, more the golden-brown grass and reeds, which have been slightly flattened due to frost. On the right side is a boardwalk that has some frost still on it, but other parts have melted because of the sun. The sky is a mix of cloudy to the left and becoming clearer to the right.
Towards the Eastern lake, with bridge for crossing between the two, in the distance, early December
A seagull sitting in the water, with it's beak just open, as it tries to chip away at some of the frozen lake. You can see a reflection of the bird in the water and ice.
A seagull chipping away at some of the ice; early December
Early August, a boardwalk in the middle stretching into the distance. On either side are green reeds and grasses, and some trees on the right. In the middle distance is a building, which is the lake's cafe.
Early August, on the boardwalk to the cafe
A frosted boardwalk in the middle stretching into the distance. On either side are orange-brown reeds and grasses, and some trees on the right. In the middle distance is a building, which is the lake's cafe.
Early December.
A frosted boardwalk in the middle stretching into the distance. On either side are orange-brown reeds and grasses, and some trees on the right. In the middle distance is a building, which is the lake's cafe. In the middle of the photo, on the boardwalk, is a person in a mobility scooter. You only see them from behind, but you can tell they are also taking a photo of the same view.
Early December, Gwenfar in their mobility scooter
August, mid-afternoon. An asphalt path in the middle of the picture stretches into the distance. It is surrounded by trees on both sides, which give it a tunnel -like appearance. The afternoon sun sneaks through gaps in the trees and gives some of the leaves and the path a beautiful glow. It looks very inviting.
Early August, the path back to our house.

As you can see, there are plenty of paths I can use my mobility scooter on, and in fact more to explore, along with a medieval village and it’s gardens. Access. That’s one of the reason we chose to live here. Access to nature, to explore with Kevin, and with friends.

A map of Cosmeston Lakes put up by the council. It points out specific points of interest, including a dragonfly pond, meadows, a bluebell wood, and facilities, including a Changing Places toilet next to the cafe.
Map of the lakes, woods and paths. And FYI, it includes a Changing Places toilet next to the cafe.

3 thoughts on “Postcards from Penarth: Cosmeston Lakes, August – December 2022”

    • Thanks Tamsin. This was fun to put together. Next year I’m going to do the 4 seasons from the same places and see how they change.

      Reply

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