He was rather outnumbered by nine female companions when they met at Beach Road in Newton at the start of their coastal and inland circular walk.
Newton dates back to the 12th century when it was founded close to the Saxon settlement of Nottage and by the 17th century it had a thriving port, which eventually ceased trading when nearby Porthcawl Harbour was built.
They headed south to the coast and descended onto the beautiful Traeth yr Afon where the tide was out, as they tramped over sand and pebbles past the Black Rocks, which no doubt claimed many a shipwreck in days gone by, and onto firmer underfoot conditions further on.
Gentle waves broke onto the foreshore as dog walkers threw balls for their furry friends to retrieve from the water and despite the weather forecast of some rain, brief sunshine appeared as the clouds broke above them showing blue sky.
They exited from the beach tramping over stones and wood washed up by the tide and followed a sandy bridle path, festooned with bright daffodils, through the south western edge of Merthyr Mawr dunes and stopped for their morning break overlooking the Ogmore River, while being sheltered from the breeze.
Refreshed they moved on and made their way along the wide sandy track between the river and the dunes and turned inland, following narrow paths through the dunes beside a deep ditch carrying a small stream down to meet the River Ogmore.
Being out of the wind topcoats were soon removed as the temperature rose and when they arrived at Merthyr Mawr car park they made their way to the ruins of Candleston Castle, which is almost hidden from view by tall trees.
This was a fortified manor house relating to the Norman Cantelupe family and built in the 14th century, which was originally surrounded by a village.
But when the great storms hit this part of the coast the estate and its farming land was submerged below the sand and the village was abandoned, despite the house being occupied until the 19th century.
As a result of all the rainfall since the start of the new year, the main track which runs beside the stream was severely flooded in places, so they carefully headed across a makeshift footbridge, made up of branches placed across the narrow part of the stream near the car park.
They followed a sandy track and made towards the Big Dipper which at around 200ft is the highest sand dune in Wales and sits atop a limestone ridge in the Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve.
A steep climb on uneven soft sand led them up beside the Big Dipper, before a meandering bridleway led them further uphill and onto the lane leading to Candleston Farm and yet more lovely daffodils on show.
The lane led them gradually downhill in a westerly direction with lovely views towards Laleston and beyond, before a gateway brought them into the delightful green grassed Cwm y Befos and descending, the shelter of the valley made the perfect stop for their lunch break.
Then moving on they passed pretty primroses and stopped to admire both the Pin-eyed and the Thrum-eyed primrose, situated next to each other on the banks.
Then onward through a small wood and back into the dunes where they followed the path through pollarded hazel trees, then open land to the outskirts of Newton Village, where pavements brought them back to the church marking the end of their walk.
Dedicated to St John the Baptist the church was most likely founded in the 12th century by the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, and it was designed by the Normans for worship and also defence against the Welsh warriors and rampaging pirates from the Bristol Channel.
All that remains of the churchyard cross is its 14th century base as it was rebuilt in 1927, while its clock in the tower was fitted with an electric winding mechanism in 2004.
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