We spent our Bank Holiday Monday soaking up the sun at Porthkerry Country Park in Barry—a rare scorcher for Wales and a perfect excuse for a family day out. The park was alive with the sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves as we explored its meadows, woods, and winding trails. With our nets in hand and a thirst for adventure, we headed straight for the pond to see what creatures were lurking beneath the surface. The kids all excited to see what creatures were lurkin in the (not so)deep.
Pond dipping turned out to be the highlight of the morning. The kids were thrilled to scoop up tadpoles wriggling in tight clusters, while sticklebacks darted between the reeds. We even spotted pond snails gliding slowly along submerged leaves. It was a peaceful moment of connection with nature—one that brought out everyone’s inner child as we marvelled at the tiny, hidden world below the waterline. Operating a strict "vatch and release" policy, the tadpoles were none the wiser, and NO creatures were hurt.
Later, while searching for creepy crawlies and reptiles in the warm, grassy clearings near the woods, we stumbled across a beautiful slow worm basking in the sunshine. Truth is, 1/2pint( my son), had his heart setnon findin and taking home a pet python.... Dont ask!! Kids imaginations are amazing, and i didnt have the heart to tell him we didnt have any of those in Wales. The legless lizard (aka slow worm) was sleek and golden-bronze, it slithered calmly into the undergrowth, giving us a moment of quiet awe. These encounters reminded us just how special places like Porthkerry are—not just for the fresh air and open space, but for the wild surprises waiting around every corner.
