Day 3, Monday 24 May
Plan for Today…….. Given the conditions last night, I’m glad I booked the extra night. The intensity of the last couple of days will not be repeated today and in anticipation of that I slept soundly all night. After writing up my blog and consuming the rest of my rations I plan for the day The plan for today. I will first head towards the city to get some oriental provisions that are more expensive or unobtainable in Hereford. Beyond that I will take a leisurely drive back, as Ellie and Leo are back working today. I feel that there is little else I can do in this area so I check what opportunities for site visits there might be to pad out the day. I will checkout of the Swan Hotel at 10am.
Halal v Chinese…….. It’s will be now back to the cooker for me soon and despite my dieting, there are a few meals I plan to prepare. Curries are never far away from my thinking and thanks to YouTube I’m on my way to get some mutton on the bone from a halal butchers in Filton choosing Rahana 2. A couple of kilograms will do. It’s next off to Eastville to Wai Yee Hong Chinese Supermarket. However, it doesn’t provide me with all I want. A trip up to Wing Tip in Birmingham later is inevitable. This excursion has taken it up to midday.
Ringing the Bell…….. Despite being aware coming down that the Monmouth to Chepstow Road was closed (I only later found out it was due to a fallen tree), I still decide to cross the Severn via the older Severn Bridge which will take me into Chepstow. From here there is a lovely drive through the Forest of Dean. As I depart the Bristol area, I consider my options including what to do about lunch. I resolve this by heading into Chepstow where I locate a Wetherspoons pub, The Bell Ringer. This delay however will limit my options for the rest of the journey home. At the Bell Ringer I follow the procedure for test and trace using the QR code then order at the table as waiting at the bar is no allowed now. I wouldn’t mind if this situation was permanent and although it breaks with long tradition, it’s in keeping with a Continental style or indeed a style I’m used to in Thailand. It is quite quiet in the Bell Ringer and the service quick and easy.
Into the Forest…….. Rather than make my way up to Monmouth via Tintern fearing the road may still be closed, I stick to my commitment to head on along the Severn Estuary towards Lydney and into the forest that way. From Chepstow the road crosses the River Wye near its confluence with the Severn. I decide to park up on the far side of the bridge which gives me an excellent view looking back across to Chepstow Castle. This is one of a number of castles in the Welsh Marches added to in this area by Goodrich and Raglan. I make my way up to Lydney from where there are a number of options and I guess it was expected after the last few days; more rain. However, I am committed and head for an attraction not far into the forest.
Dean Forest Railway…….. According to the schedule, the Dean Forest Railway is due to open on Wednesday but I was hoping to arrive just to take a few photos but not surprisingly the gate is closed. On top of that the rain is now lashing down with some force preventing me from achieving anything meaningful here. So, despite other options I decide that it’s time to head back home but not before I negotiate dreadful conditions driving through the forest.
Calling it a Day…….. The thunderstorm continues until I reach Coleford. From here the road passes by Symonds's Yat Rock and down into the valley and into my home county. As the rain eases, I could go up to the rock to take that picture postcard view of the Wye Valley to the north. Pausing at the car park, I’m reluctant to pay for the minimum 2 hours parking of £3. Beside that forest floor is really damp and I don’t have appropriate footwear. It’s time to call it a day and head home. The sponge is soddened and I could squeeze a lot more out of it but this mini-tour has given me a lot to reflect on and just proves it unnecessary to travel that far under the circumstances. The mini tour has shown a path out of lockdown which was its main objective. It has been a pleasure but nonetheless as I arrive home around 3.15pm. there is also a sigh of relief.... Start Page.
Plan for Today…….. Given the conditions last night, I’m glad I booked the extra night. The intensity of the last couple of days will not be repeated today and in anticipation of that I slept soundly all night. After writing up my blog and consuming the rest of my rations I plan for the day The plan for today. I will first head towards the city to get some oriental provisions that are more expensive or unobtainable in Hereford. Beyond that I will take a leisurely drive back, as Ellie and Leo are back working today. I feel that there is little else I can do in this area so I check what opportunities for site visits there might be to pad out the day. I will checkout of the Swan Hotel at 10am.
Halal v Chinese…….. It’s will be now back to the cooker for me soon and despite my dieting, there are a few meals I plan to prepare. Curries are never far away from my thinking and thanks to YouTube I’m on my way to get some mutton on the bone from a halal butchers in Filton choosing Rahana 2. A couple of kilograms will do. It’s next off to Eastville to Wai Yee Hong Chinese Supermarket. However, it doesn’t provide me with all I want. A trip up to Wing Tip in Birmingham later is inevitable. This excursion has taken it up to midday.
Ringing the Bell…….. Despite being aware coming down that the Monmouth to Chepstow Road was closed (I only later found out it was due to a fallen tree), I still decide to cross the Severn via the older Severn Bridge which will take me into Chepstow. From here there is a lovely drive through the Forest of Dean. As I depart the Bristol area, I consider my options including what to do about lunch. I resolve this by heading into Chepstow where I locate a Wetherspoons pub, The Bell Ringer. This delay however will limit my options for the rest of the journey home. At the Bell Ringer I follow the procedure for test and trace using the QR code then order at the table as waiting at the bar is no allowed now. I wouldn’t mind if this situation was permanent and although it breaks with long tradition, it’s in keeping with a Continental style or indeed a style I’m used to in Thailand. It is quite quiet in the Bell Ringer and the service quick and easy.
Into the Forest…….. Rather than make my way up to Monmouth via Tintern fearing the road may still be closed, I stick to my commitment to head on along the Severn Estuary towards Lydney and into the forest that way. From Chepstow the road crosses the River Wye near its confluence with the Severn. I decide to park up on the far side of the bridge which gives me an excellent view looking back across to Chepstow Castle. This is one of a number of castles in the Welsh Marches added to in this area by Goodrich and Raglan. I make my way up to Lydney from where there are a number of options and I guess it was expected after the last few days; more rain. However, I am committed and head for an attraction not far into the forest.
Dean Forest Railway…….. According to the schedule, the Dean Forest Railway is due to open on Wednesday but I was hoping to arrive just to take a few photos but not surprisingly the gate is closed. On top of that the rain is now lashing down with some force preventing me from achieving anything meaningful here. So, despite other options I decide that it’s time to head back home but not before I negotiate dreadful conditions driving through the forest.
Calling it a Day…….. The thunderstorm continues until I reach Coleford. From here the road passes by Symonds's Yat Rock and down into the valley and into my home county. As the rain eases, I could go up to the rock to take that picture postcard view of the Wye Valley to the north. Pausing at the car park, I’m reluctant to pay for the minimum 2 hours parking of £3. Beside that forest floor is really damp and I don’t have appropriate footwear. It’s time to call it a day and head home. The sponge is soddened and I could squeeze a lot more out of it but this mini-tour has given me a lot to reflect on and just proves it unnecessary to travel that far under the circumstances. The mini tour has shown a path out of lockdown which was its main objective. It has been a pleasure but nonetheless as I arrive home around 3.15pm. there is also a sigh of relief.... Start Page.
The Bell Ringer, Chepstow
The River Wye and Crossing at Chepstow
Chepstow Castle
Dean Forest Railway
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