Chepstow (Day 2)

Once the pubs closed and the Friday night revellers left, we settled down in Marge to a quiet night. The park up was reminiscent to one we'd stayed at in France by a chateau, under the trees. An added bonus nice clean public toilets with a hand dryer that blew warm air, perfect as a hairdryer. Needs must.

Today we decided to visit Tintern just six miles down the road. The village is famous for its Abbey founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks. This roofless splendour dominates the landscape and attracts many visitors each year. Today was no exception, when we arrived around midday the area was busy. Marge parked on the site of the old wireworks we walked down to the abbey, astonished by its size. One could only imagine how impressive it must have looked in its heyday. 

Keen to explore the area more Angela walked back to Marge to make sandwiches which we took with us up to the Devils Pulpit. 

The walk up was challenging. Our feet slipped on the rocks and dry ground as we made our way up, up and up careful to avoid catching the exposed tree roots which were waiting to trip us.

Along the way John spotted a few fungi, none of them edible (one lethally poisonous) so we left them in place. The woodland was dense and stunning. However, the walk was worth it.

We were rewarded with spectacular views from the rocky outcrop down to Tintern abbey and the river Wye below.

Having puffed and panted our way to the top we now had the joy of the descent. Fortunately, Angela had remembered to bring the walking poles with her when she returned with the lunch which helped stabilise us as we returned to the village. After walking three strenuous miles there had to be a reward. Ice cream anyone? 

Tired from the day we decided to return to Chepstow. The weather forecast for tonight is not good so we'll sit it out until mid morning tomorrow when we will move a little further into Wales. There's no rush is their Marge?

Chepstow

What are you doing? It's the beginning of the school summer holidays! We know Marge, but we've been home just over three weeks now, time to set off on another adventure in you, our happy place. After copious amounts of water had been deposited into our raised beds, we set up an amateur watering system in the hope Angela's plants would be looking as good as they do now upon our return. 

Right Marge, you're off to Wales. Let's do this! A couple of hours into our journey the weather turned. Lashing rain, traffic and unfamiliar roads do not bode well and Angela felt a little stressed. But needs must, we needed to escape Poole, our neighbours and the holidaymakers. 

An accident on the M4 saw us diverted by our sat nav onto country roads, the journey taking us into Gloucestershire and eventually to the bridge crossing the river Severn into south Wales. Our destination Chepstow. 

By now the weather had thankfully settled and with Marge happily settled by the castle we walked into town.

Although a little down at heal it was an interesting place to explore.

And pre dinner drinks totalling less than four pounds, bargain, what was there not to like about this town, where you can buy a tortoise seven days a week!

And better still a Chinese take away. Tired and full from our meal we walked down to the nearby river Wye, the tide out exposing the mud flats sculptured by the water and heat of the sun. Around four o'clock tomorrow morning the tide will be high, having risen around twenty-eight feet.

We walked across the bridge leaving Marge in Monmouthshire, Wales, whilst we headed back into Gloucestershire, England. Bizarre. 

This evening we must plan our onward journey. We have two weeks here in Wales and are looking forward to cramming in as much as possible. You know what they say Marge. 'Go big, or go home'!