Day 47 Swansea to Margam (17.9 miles, cumulative 794.4)

After a short absence, the sun returned today. The coastal path weaved its way out of Swansea via a scenic route through woodland and along a quiet canal before changing the mood and passing under, then over some major flyovers.

A cyclist caught up with me, then slowed down to interrogate me about my walk. I headed to Aberavon and was pleasantly surprised by its beautiful sandy beach and its pleasant promenade. A local informed me that coal could often be found in the sand. 

The route through Port Talbot is best described as industrial, with its massive steelworks and gas plants, but not the place to stop for lunch. 

The coast path signs around Aberavon and Port Talbot seemed to bear no resemblance to my online Ordnance Survey map, which resulted in wasted time and much frustration. 

The path later turned inland through Margam and crossed a railway sidings into Margam Moors. One final drama as I left the coast path towards my B&B accommodation - 'Private - no pedestrians' signs threatened what was clearly marked as a footpath on the map. Ignorance is bliss.

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