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Autumn Walk, October 2013, The Kings Head (Monmouth) & Welsh Bicknor,
3/10/2013 - 6/10/2013
Thursday 3rd October.
Travel day. Richard and Ian met at Dicks to travel down in Dick’s car. We left in sunshine with no incidents on the way however the further west we went the more overcast it became. We arrived just after 12:00 noon as it started to rain and went to the Kings Head (a Weatherspoon’s Inn/Hotel),where we were staying, to see if we could get into our rooms but we were too early. We went into the bar and discussed our options for the warm up walk, Dick was not walking as he was nursing a cartilage problem, Richard did not want to get soaked straight away but Ian wanted to walk. A decision was made to drive to The Boat at Lower Redbrook for some food, as it closed in the afternoon, then Ian would walk back along the Wye on the Wye Valley Walk. We all got soaked anyway as it was tipping it down when we went back to the car. Dick missed a turn and then tried to get to The Boat via the back roads failing this test so it was back on the main road to Lower Redbrook. You have to cross the Wye via a footbridge by the side of a disused railway (a theme to the weekend ). We met Pete in the Boat to sample some good food and ale whilst watching the rain fall from the heavens. Once suitably refreshed, Ian donned his wet weather gear to set off along the Wye Valley Walk arranging to meet up later at the Kings Head. Good news for Ian the rain did ease as he walked back but it was very slippery in places.
Dick, Pete and Richard went back to the Kings Head to check in and drop their bags off. This proved harder than it should have been as there was a new member of staff and to pay the bill when you first arrive does not compute, though eventually resolved over the weekend, beware. After dropping the bags off we wandered around the town a little bit calling in at a couple of watering holes before taking advantage of the Curry night offers on the menu.
Friday 4th October.
Steve had got up at 05:30 to come and join us. Over breakfast Dick said he would drive Richard, Ian and Steve to Tintern, so that they could walk back along the Wye Valley Walk, rather than getting the bus. Pete and Dick then went to The Kymin a National Trust monument and Naval Temple. There were great views but somewhat obscured by the changing conditions
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The walkers had a varied walk but apart from a little bit of drizzle to start with, kept dry. The walk took them along the river to start with, then up into the hills, through woods, before coming back down to the river and arriving at the Boat for a well deserved rest and sustenance, where Dick and Pete joined them. After lunch the walkers followed Ian’s route of the previous day where as they came into Monmouth Richard and Steve saw an Otter. This came out of the undergrowth within a metre of them to the front, crossed their path before disappearing in the muddy waters of the Wye.
As we returned we found that some of the keys to the rooms did not work, this caused much discussion but was resolved in the end so that all could get a welcome shower and change, meeting later downstairs to eat.
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Paul joined us around 21:00, we were all glad he could make it. After our meal we worked our way along the handles until being urged to retire.
Saturday 5th October.
The original plan was for the walkers, Paul, Ian, Steve and Richard to take the bus from Monmouth to Ross then walk back to Welsh Bicknor along the Wye Valley Walk but as Dick was not walking and there was only 4 walkers ( the fewest yet on one of our trips ) he gave them a lift, then doing his own thing before meeting them for lunch. Pete also did his own thing before joining the rest at the lunch time halt.
The walk from the centre of Ross along the Wye Valley Walk was straightforward in town until getting out into the countryside, where apart from a couple of indistinct wooded sections, was well marked. All met at the Inn on The Wye at Kerne Bridge for lunch. After a leisurely lunch the walkers minus Richard crossed the Wye at Kerne Bridge then followed the river to the hostel at Welsh Bicknor. Dick ( took Richard ) and Pete drove to the Hostel, quite an adventure as to get down to the hostel you had to drive along a narrow wooded track with hairpins. All survived without mishap though.
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It had been noted that there was a couple of options for entertainment not too far away for that evening, Hells Bells an AC/DC tribute band and Echo Bandits who perform songs by various artists. The evening meal was taken at The Courtfield Hotel, which was reached by walking along the river & crossing over another footbridge by another disused railway bridge. Dick drove as it was too far for him to walk. It was decided to see Echo Bandits who were playing up the road in the village hall. Paul and Ian decided not to go to the music event so just walked back along the river in the dark but they got back ok managing not to fall in. Dick took the others to the music, which all enjoyed, before driving back again without mishap.
Sunday 6th October.
Last day, we woke up to the valley above the river being full of mist but by the time breakfast had been taken and the walkers were ready to leave the sun had burnt it all away and it was turning into a lovely autumn day. Pete arranged to meet the walkers at the cafe by Symonds Yat Rock for tea break before going home. He nearly missed them as he sat at a table, near the hostel enjoying the sun, lost track of time by nodding off. He just caught them though. Dick and Richard took all the bags back to Monmouth to meet the others. Paul went off straight away as he had to get back. Lunch was taken at the Punch and Judy before going home. It had been another good walk with much better weather than expected, apart from Thursday‘s rain mostly fine. All got home with no mishaps.
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