A shorter ramble today that turned into a longer one by mistake. These things just happen sometimes. Usually because we get distracted and miss a turn or two but it’s often only by getting lost that we end up in interesting places we’d might have overlooked. Such was our experience this morning. A dull day weather wise but at least we just missed the drizzle!
Abbey Dore
A walk riddled with one of my favourite periods of history on the Welsh/ English borders today – scene of many skirmishes in the Middle Ages between the two nations. The twelfth century Abbey Dore was the starting point for a circular walk taking in Ewyas Harold with its eleventh century castle motte as well as the sedate, peaceful St Michaels and All Angels and a sad Victorian workhouse on the far north of Abbey Dore.
I Lift My Eyes to the Hills
A damp foggy tramp deep into the forest of the Lower Wye Valley with Ian today. Having taken a rare day off work today he was blessed with poor views but we did find some signs of spring and more colour than expected.
Rhiw Cwrw – the Beer Track!
Walking from Llanthony Priory, up to the Hatterall Ridge along the track known as the Rhiw Cwrw (Beer Track) an ancient track used by the monks of Llanthony Priory to transport casks of beer from Llanthony to Longtown on the other side of the Ridge. All I can say is they must have really liked their beer to do this. Rather them than me!
Misty day in the Wye Valley
A misty drizzle of a day for a quick tramp through the woods and a good excuse to visit one of the best places in Monmouthshire to have coffee – The Filling Station in Tintern. Had the rare pleasure of bumping into friends along the way with their medley of dogs (Nicky Lee & Ruth Harper) – I think that’s a first!
It’s only the hardy types who venture out on days like this and we rarely meet anyone at all, let alone people we know.