Quite a contrast from Sunday to Monday morning. We woke up to a very dense fog with no views beyond about 100 feet. So we packed up the wet tent and drove on, heading for Wales.About 3 hours later, we had done our driving on the M5, passed by Bristol and arrived at Chepstow where we picked up gas and groceries. It was then on to Tintern Abbey, not far away.
Tintern Abbey is an old ruins in a beautiful valley setting on the River Wye. Like pretty much everything here, it dates back centuries, to the 1100s. I'm repeatedly struck with the work it would have taken to cut all those stones and build these magnificent structures, keeping in mind that these were done centuries ago, all by hand. There are also numerous literary connections. Those are not my department.
Literally just down the road was Raglan Castle, which we just stopped by long enough for a quick photo. The current ruins date from the 1400s and later.
Camp for the night was as a campground that could pass for an estate's country gardens. I don't think I've seen a campground as neat and tidy with such good landscaping. It was right next to the Brecon Canal so we went for a walk and watched the canal boats wend their way along the canal.
At this point, I'd say that Wales is less crowded, the roads are better (ie: wider, straighter and easier to drive on) and the terrain is more forested, higher hills. I say higher carefully, because the highest point in southern UK is found here and I think it might be 700 or 800 feet above sea level. I decided NOT to tackle it today. At 700 feet, I'm not sure I should be bothered :-) [Upon looking more carefully at a good map, I see that the hills here are up to 2500 ft high - better, but not exciting. Snowdon, further north, is about 3500 ft or so]
We managed to get the tent dried out so it will be a dry night again. So far, the weather is being very cooperative.
3 comments:
Wouldn't Snowdon be the high point in Wales at 3560 feet? (1085 m)
I recall the Snowdon "horseshoe" as a good hike/scramble. But that was 35 (ouch) years ago :-)
Yeah - Mt Snowdon would be the high point in Wales - I think they were talking about southern Wales or perhaps southern Wales/England - not sure where their dividing line was. If we get good weather, maybe we'll give that hike you mentioned a go.
You should also try and climb Cadir Idris in Northern Wales. It is spectacular. The views across to Ireland are neat if the weather is good. Remember to take a compass with you on any hikes in the mountains as the weather can turn on a dime.
Have fun
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