After six enjoyable and relaxing days at Cricket St Thomas, we loaded up the cars and motored back to Bristol. Andrew and Neethd are leaving the group to move into their flat in Brislington, Bristol. A farewell lunch at the Knowle, and on to Newland, Wye Valley for the remaining four. We settled into our accommodation in Rose Cottage, then dined at Amici in Coleford. Excellent Italian food and service.
The day dawned fine, so an opportunity to explore one of the many walks in the area. We chose the King Arthur’s caves circular, featuring Symonds Yat. All up, about 11kms. Dinner for the evening was just down the road in the Newland village pub, the Ostrich Inn. A classic old pub, with a log fire and excellent food.
Our final day in the Wye Valley, and with the agreeable weather forecast, we come up with a cunning plan. Firstly, Tintern Abbey and some morning tea, then on to Monmouth for lunch, then an afternoon walk.
Lunch in Monmouth was at the popular Estero Lounge, and we were all very happy with our lunch choices. It was then time to burn off the lunch excesses, with the 6km Monmouth and King’s Wood trail. The terrain was a mixture of lanes, fields and woodland. It was at times heavy underfoot, and took us almost two hours.
For dinner, back to Coleford and our friends at Amici Italian restaurant. We enjoyed it so much the first time, we just had to go back. It didn’t disappoint!