Thursday 21 April 2016

144.Chepstow - Tintern Abbey (12 Miles)

 9.5/10




Another Welsh / English wander this week starting from Chepstow on the most glorious day.  Soon after leaving van we are surrounded by Bluebells and peace and quiet .


Chepstow Racecourse with its beautiful grounds with views out over Bristol channel and back to England.


Plenty of Lambs resting in the morning sunshine.


Looking back to Race course.
The 2 Mile course and grounds were purchased in 1925 by 10 South Wales business men opened for racing in 1926,personally i think the horses should ride the jockeys but each to their own !


From just in front Piercefield House now derelict looking across to Severn crossing and England.
The house owned by David and Simon Reuben, They are Worth a few quid $10.6 billion and 2nd in richest people list. Make ya wonder why house is in ruins ?


The first view over the Wye is from Giant's cave, 
a superb viewpoint and a cave that cuts through limestone to carry on with walk, built in 1781.


After following on along Bluebell lined forest walkways and then a steep warming up hill stretch after Lower Wyndcliff car park we reach a fabulous viewpoint a place to definitely rest and marvel at view. The Eagles nest.


Who needs color ! 


From here Chepstow castle our final destination can be seen stunning stuff.


After a few more miles of Bluebells and Wood Anemones we come to Tintern Abbey.


 It is situated adjacent to the village of Tintern in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, which forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England.


House sparrow in full song :)


Built starting 1136 in took 400 years to look this good ! 
Falling into disrepair in the 16th century. 



Tintern Wireworks Branch Railway Bridge,TWR shut in 1935 when the rails buckled in the heat of the summer ! In Wales ! Must have been a hot one .


View from bridge Cracking Eh ?! The River Wye Running on under.


After now climbing up to Devil's Pulpit following Offa's Dyke path which is a about 600ft 
from river and Abbey but O so worth it !


Monks thought the Devil was trying to lure away the young monks from the Abbey. 
Spectacular .


Gotta be done, Me.



Can't get enough of a good view the River Wye Below travels on up to 
its source in the Welsh mountains at Plynlimon. 
Its the 5th longest river in the UK,
and is 134 miles long.


After leaving Offa's Path rather abruptly strangely we have to walk down a busy road for 
1/2 mile or so. 
But now as we come in to Chepstow more civilisation starts to appear. This looking back up to the road.


Then bit more Black n White to add to scene Chepstow Castle.


Technocolour 


A Great looking Castle built in 1067 by William the Conqueror is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain at around 400 AD.


A very tall ladder needed with towering walls on three sides and cliffs 
and the River Wye the other side .
No Mr Whippy and the fact that on leaving for home got caught speeding !! Me. Doing 34 in a 30 no excuse but no 10/10  - 9.5 /10 
a truly stunning walk a must for any walker 12 miles, up and downs the best views and early summer forests full of flowers and bird song !


Thanks for reading Now walk it !!!

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