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......