26/12/11 - Xmas in Tintern

Distance - 5.6 Miles
Caches - 2
Refreshments - Tea and Turkey Sandwiches
Walk Inspiration

Tintern

Every year I visit Tintern at Xmas time.  Part of my OCD.  Up early, when you consider the amount of Port that was consumed at an impromtu cheese party at the Readings last night.  First sign of festive over indulgence is that the belt needs to be loosed ever so slightly on my walking trousers.

1 hr 15 minute drive down the M50 and park up at the Abbey.  Despite checking all the weather reports, there is a miasma of mist which is that really fine rain that soaks you through.  It also spoils the exceptional views that I have promised Sonia from Eagle's Nest.

Tintern Abbey

Cross the road and follow the cobbled lane up hill to the ruined church and cache number 1.  I've never noticed this ruin from the times been here before.

Abandoned Church

Uphill all the way through the lush woods, working our way to Penterry Farm.

Get in the photo, dog.

The higher we get, the further into the clouds we get.  Cross the farmland where Sonia almost loses her footwear.

Trench Foot

Get across this hurdle, with the farmer laughing at us from his tractor and across some greener fields to St Mary's Church, Penterry.  There is a multi cache here, but the rain and mist are down pretty low, so I can't be bothered to work out the complexities.

Instead, we plough on to the top of the hill where the signal masts are.  Nothing to look at all, so drop down via some road walking to Lower Wyndcliff Woods.  This is good walking on the Wye Valley Way, but there are no views to be had from Eagle's nest today.  I brought my big camera and everything.  Not to worry, we will have to come back in the summer and I do get the cache at the top.

Through Black Cliff woods.  Great walking country.  Across a field with problems with drainage and into Limekiln woods along a path that was a stream bed back to Tintern.

Tintern End of Wye Valley Way

The dog has ruined all the good work during her christmas bath, so this limits where we can go for post walk refreshments.  Its mild enough to sit outside the Team Rooms.

Had enough beer yesterday

Whilst purchasing the tea, the dog makes good her escape.  I know that she will do anything to avoid walking, but we felt joy riding a farmer's land rover was taking it too far.

I don't want to go walking tomorrow.