The Monmouth Meander!

It was supposed to be fine - but no sooner had we set off up Kymin Road in Monmouth and "the heavens" opened (and don't be fooled - this is no road, it's a hill...).

The guide book states "....it starts with a steep up-hill stretch to The Kymin...." and never has a guide book been so true!

But, do you know what, once we got into the woods close to The Round House, the views (even in the rain) were absolutely beautiful - looking over towards the Black Mountains and you can just about make out Sugar Loaf on the left.

We continued into High Meadow Woods - where we were met by a herd of deer. I'm not sure who was more startled - them or us. Shortly after this our guide book instructed us to "turn right up a narrow, muddy path. At a path T-junction turn right and after 50 yards fork left and go uphill for 100yds to reach a wide forest road". What it didn't make you aware of was the mud version of "quick sand' half way up "the hill". Suddenly my boot and right leg disappeared up to my knee. Well, I might be exaggerating a little - it may have been just above my ankle - but it felt deep......

Our tour leader from WaterAid has stressed a number of times that our boots must be "well worn in" - well mine sure are now.........

Eventually we dropped down to the banks of the River Wye and set off down the 4 mile river bank stretch back into Monmouth - a beautiful walk, even in the rain. The impact of the bad weather over the last couple of months was very evident - the river bank was littered with uprooted trues almost all the way back into Monmouth.

Well, there's just over 2 weeks left - and whilst I've really enjoyed the Monmouth Meander Walk - I still need to do more......

The Monmouthshire / Brecon Canal

Another gem in the Welsh Countryside - The Monmouthshire / Brecon Canal is considered by many to be Britain's most picturesque canal - and in my opinion it really is.

It stretches for some 35 miles between Brecon and Five Locks, Cwmbran and whilst we only walked the parts around Talybont on Usk, Llangynidr and Pencelli (just outside Brecon) I truly do concur - it is very beautiful. Never have I seen so many "wild" snow drops - so peaceful.

Of course the recent winds had also taken their toll - and there were many trees down along the tow path - some even across the canal itself - but I managed not to fall in...

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time.

Discovering the Forest of Dean

It really is true - you don't appreciate what is on your own door step. Having spent the last couple of weekends (or part of them anyway) in the Forest of Dean I can honestly say this is so true.

The Forestry Commission (or NRW which they are part of now) have done an amazing job in creating some wonderful places to walk and explore. If you've never explored the area around Speech House - which lies between Coleford and Cinderford or the area around Symonds Yet, I'd urge you to visit - it's beautiful (even in the rain..).

Not even a break at Christmas...

My Christmas present (to myself I must add) came early this year - a brand new pair of Scarpa walking boots - and they are fantastic - probably the best pair of footwear I've ever had (how sad am I....).

This year we decided to go away for a few days over Christmas - down to Brixham in South Devon - well I had to wear those new boot in didn't I.... and some how walking on the cliffs, over looking the sea on Christmas Day seemed so much nicer in Brixham than at home. Well that was my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

And so on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Friday 27th the boots were duly "broken in". The deserted stretch of beach over at Elberry Cove was the perfect place to stop for a picnic on Boxing Day (a girl still has to eat) and a turkey sandwich tastes so much nicer on the beach...