Walk 7 - 8th (or it might have been the 1st) August 2012 - Cheptow (Gwent,Wales ) to Lydney (Gloucestershire, England)

    

 For some reason these photos haven't loaded as they should and the blog isn't letting me write captions to the right of all of the photos as usual. So have had to make the best of a bad job!



Julie standing at Lydney Station. We had driven from Gloucester and parked at Lydney station and then  caught the train from Lydney to the station at Chepstow  and the start of our walk (see photo below).




 

After getting off the train at Chepstow we made our way through the streets to the bridge over the River Wye, where we were able to spot Chepstow castle peeping out from behind the trees (see photos below).

  

A momentous occasion, the first time we have crossed  from one country (Wales) to another (England). We then walked for a considerable distance up the A48 as far as Hollands Grove Farm, 
where we travelled across country, thankfully leaving the busy road behind, to rejoin the River Severn (see below). 

On our walks Julie and I engage in conversation with many people, who are interested in our travels. On this occasion a local gentleman had told us to ignore our maps and follow the rough path at the edge of the river. Throwing all caution to the wind, we decided to follow his advice. The photo on the left shows the path Julie and I took through some banks smothered in summer flowers teaming with bees and insects. So far so good. 

The two following photos show how this path deteriorated and then completely ran out culminating in a Blackthorn thicket! We had to decide whether to retrace our steps, adding several miles onto our walk, or find a way through. Somehow we did find our way through - but it was very difficult and very thorny. Ouch! The moral of the story is always work from your maps and never trust a local (no matter how well intentioned), many years may have passed since they have walked the path they are recommending you take!!!

 

At last back at Lydney station at the end of a rather arduous walk in places!!!!