Category: Community Groups

“This must be the place” by Maggie O’Farrell

“This must be the place” by Maggie O’Farrell

The plot of this book is a love story between Daniel, a professor of linguistics and Claudette, a famous film star, who has decided to vanish from public gaze.

Each chapter is like a short story, introducing a new, believable character. By the end of the book, they have become entwined with the central pair. A variety of issues- alcoholism, severe eczema, infertility, severe stammer, separation from children by a divorced wife, stress of being in the public eye, are vividly described , as we meet this large cast of characters.

Although the story begins in a dilapidated, isolated farmhouse in Donegal, the characters take us to Bolivia, Sweden, Paris, Brooklyn, China, India and London. We cared about them, as they dealt with bitter divorce, secrets, remorse, miscommunication, grief and love.

Readers loved O’Farrell’s ‘rhythmic flow of language’ . ‘Beautifully written dialogue’ and ‘quirky writing’.

The time switches and large number of characters created a problem for several readers. But they felt that for this book was worth making the effort, to take notes, or reread chapters (or the whole book).

Score was 9 out of 10

“War” by Bob Woodward

OFF THE SHELF

“War” by Bob Woodward

IBob Woodward’s War is a deep dive into the first Trump administration’s approach to national security and military strategy. An award-winning investigative journalist, Woodward’s meticulous reporting provides an insider’s perspective, relying on extensive interviews and documentation.

Despite being a political and military-focused book (an unusual category for our book club), we found it surprisingly accessible and engaging. Woodward’s narrative style makes complex topics easy to follow, even for those unfamiliar with military affairs. War not only delves into the military and national security decisions of Trump’s first administration but also offers a broader comparison of Trump’s presidency with that of Joe Biden. His portrayal of key figures, from Trump to generals like James Mattis and Mark Milley, adds a human dimension to the high-stakes decision-making.

The book primarily focuses on the later years of Trump’s administration, particularly the unorthodox approach in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, military decisions, and national security issues, while also touching on the transition to Biden’s leadership. It provides critical insights into the leadership style, decision-making processes, and policy approaches of Trump’s first term—elements that could shape his return to office. For example, War details the resistance Trump faced from generals, advisors, and even his own staff. This explains why Trump in his second administration is determined to surround himself with loyalists rather than career officials who challenge his decisions. Even though it falls outside our usual genre, War was an eye-opening and easy read. Woodward’s storytelling keeps the complex political and military manoeuvres engaging, and his comparisons between Trump and Biden provide ample discussion points. Whether one agrees with all of Woodward’s conclusions or not, War is a thought-provoking and well-documented look at previous history. Overall, we appreciated the book’s clarity and insight, and it sparked some great discussions about leadership, strategy, and the current challenges of modern warfare. While not our usual pick, War proved to be an easy yet thought provoking read. We rated the book 9/10

Read Any Poetry Lately

Read Any Poetry Lately?

Have you read any poetry lately? Maybe not, as most people’s memories of poetry feature sitting in a boring English lesson, analysing verses and rhythms and learning lines to quote in an upcoming exam. So, when the Page Turners elected to read some poetry for the first time in the group’s existence, would this prove to be a challenge too far?!

Absolutely not! The group were given 10 poems by Mary Oliver to read. Mary Oliver is an American poet, born in Ohio, who published her first book of poetry in 1963, at the age of 23. Over the course of her long career, she received numerous awards and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984.

Although some of the group said they didn’t like poetry (…those boring school English lessons!) and admitted that poetry wasn’t their “cup of tea”, everyone agreed that Mary’s poetry was accessible, full of beautiful imagery and very descriptive. Most of the selected poems were focused on the joys of nature: “an armful of white blossoms”, in The Swan; “they are full of gorgeous life”, in Starlings in Winter.

The favourite poem of most of the group was, Starlings in Winter, which describes a murmuration of the birds. Who would disagree with some lines from this poem:

I want to be light and frolicsome
I want to be improbable,
beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings.

Go on. Spread your wings. Read some poetry! The Page Turners were glad they did!

 

A Few ‘Experiences’ From Four Walks

A Few ‘Experiences’ from Four Walks

The winter weather for our walks has been mixed with less than the usual amount of rain but…twice we have abandoned due to the weather; once for a storm and once for heavy rain. All the walks are on map OS151. Unusually, rather than describe full walks I am describing a few ‘experiences’.

Ely Valley Walk 8m 550ft.

A visit to the Pendoylan/Peterston-super Ely area.

As we crossed a field a pigeon landed on someone’s back and even when shoo-ed away continued to follow us, landing on various people’s heads and backs. It didn’t give up until at a junction of paths, Misty, the dog, decided to chase it and after much fluttering and briefly landing, it flew off. Someone else who walked in the same area a couple of weeks later had a similar experience.

We needed to cross the railway and had the excitement of telephoning for permission. We were told to wait for two trains. We found it hard to believe that the second train hadn’t already gone until it roared past us. This is a very fast line! A second phone call confirmed that we had crossed safely, and we continued, past a house called Pratt’s Bottom.

The latter part of the walk was across very muddy, wet and smelly fields where we hopped and jumped from grassy clump to grassy clump. At a stream crossing, with a steep muddy bank, one person heroically stood at the foot of the bank to help us across. Yours truly jumped across and up the bank to end up sprawled face down in the mud. Luckily most people missed the entertainment and someone helped me up!

Drinks to recover were enjoyed in the Red Lion, Bonvilston.

Cowbridge Walk 7 m 500ft.

Well, we thought the Ely valley was muddy but at least there we had water to wash it off. At the end of this walk which looped from Llanblethian to Siginstone, all of us had more mud on our boots and clothes than at any time this year.

The final leg of the walk took in the Coffin stiles which lie on farmland to the west of the new estate in Cowbridge. These stiles connect Penllyn with Llanfrynach church and were used when a coffin needed to be carried to the church for a funeral. Each has a double stile with a pillar in the centre to rest the coffin as the bearers cross.

Walking through the Clare Garden estate, West Cowbridge we spotted three brick chimney shaped structures which we presume were sculptures, but we were confused by them. We saw a few spring flowers, snowdrops, daffodils and primroses but no frog spawn or lambs this year yet. Everything seems late, presumably because of the low light levels.

Drinks in Baffle Haus.

Cardiff Bay

This was Bert’s monthly midweek walk. We parked near the Oyster Catcher in Penarth Marina and walked across the river Ely, through the white-water centre where ambulance staff were training, towards the Hamadryad and the nature reserve before stopping at Coffee Mania in the Bay for coffee/tea. Then back across the barrage to Penarth marina. It was freezing cold, and we certainly felt the cutting wind as we walked across the barrage but all of us were glad we had turned up and enjoyed the chat.

The Hamadryad was a seaman’s hospital and later a psychiatric hospital in Cardiff docklands. Originally it was HMS Royal Hamadryad a hospital ship provided for seamen and situated on a piece of waste ground, known as Rat Island, and donated by the Marquis of Bute. A free hospital, it was funded by a levy on shipping at Cardiff Docks.

Walk 5 miles easy (i.e. flat and on firm surfaces throughout)

Taff Ely Ridgeway Walk 7m

Lastly, but by no means least, at the end of January, on a sunny morning with temperatures below freezing but rising we walked near the wind turbines. At the side of the paths, we saw several examples of ‘hair ice’. This is a rare type of ice formation where the presence of a particular fungus in rotting wood produces thin strands of ice which resemble hair. Conditions for the formation of this ice are specific; to form moist rotting wood from a broadleaf tree in the presence of moist air and a temperature below 0oC . How lucky were we to see it – It was beautiful

 

Embracing Locally Driven Initiatives

WENVOE FORUM

Considering Tomorrow Today

Embracing Locally Driven Initiatives

Actions speak louder than words

The world is changing and we must change too. Environmental change is set to make Earth uninhabitable by humans. Globally, democracy is disappearing, big business and economic markets grab power and communities around the world are recognizing the need to take action to preserve our shared future. Wenvoe Forum is committed to exploring and encouraging action here in Wenvoe that can pave the way toward a more resilient tomorrow. By embracing locally driven initiatives, communities (and that means us!) can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also foster social and economic well-being.

Thirty years ago sustainability was all about fish stocks and the Amazon rainforest. Now it goes far beyond environmental conservation – it’s a holistic approach that integrates economic viability, social equity, environmental stewardship and respect and care for each other. At the community level, sustainable practices are essential for:

  • Resource Conservation: Minimizing waste and optimizing the use of local resources.
  • Resilience: Enhancing the ability to withstand and recover from environmental and economic challenges.
  • Quality of Life: Promoting healthy living conditions, economic opportunities, and community well-being.

The journey toward a sustainable future is a shared endeavour, and every community has the power to drive meaningful change. Through education, collaboration, and proactive planning, we can create resilient communities that not only survive but thrive in the face of future challenges, but it requires action. Each community needs to secure renewable energy, food and water security and waste management and needs to take responsibility for its own resource management.

At a basic level, here are just a few easy, everyday actions we can take:

  • Start gardening: Even a small plot can help grow local produce, reduce food miles. Working on a community allotment creates a space for neighbours to connect.
  • Improve waste management practices: Reduce consumption, reuse or repurpose what might have been waste and finally recycle.
  • Organize Local Clean-Ups: Building practices to keep public spaces tidy and build community pride.
  • Adopt saving tips and tell your friends: like switching to LED bulbs, turning off unused appliances, or organizing an energy-saving challenge.
  • Encourage Carpooling or Bike Rides: Fostering a culture of sharing rides or using bikes to reduce carbon emissions and it might lead to reducing consumption by sharing tools and equipment
  • Set Up Rainwater Collection: Collecting rainwater to reduce water waste and lower utility bills.

Simple measures, community projects and small changes can serve as a starting point and lead to big impacts over time. It is not just about environmental preservation – it’s about being a part of a vibrant, interconnected community that values innovation and cooperation now and will impact on the well-being of our children and grandchildren and future generations and is a good place to live now and in the challenging years to come.

At the Tuckers’ Plant Sale.

Wenvoe Forum members continue to look at ideas for the re-use / re-purposing of various resources. To this end, we’re having a ‘donations/fund-raising’ table @ Glenys & Mike Tucker’s forthcoming VE80 plant sale on Saturday May 10th – in support of the Wenvoe Wildlife Group, and other local charities.

If you’d like to donate any surplus sporting goods, equipment (no clothing, thanks), garden tools, gardening equipment or plant pots etc. (in useable condition) that you no longer use, then we would be pleased to receive them. You can drop off any items between 5th and 10th May with Forum member Gareth Stone (gareth.stone1@btinternet.com) or just bring them along on the day.

Don’t forget that all year round a couple of existing Wenvoe Facebook pages support the idea of reusing existing resources – the Wenvoe Recycling & Reuse Group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/18704 75136410648 and the Wenvoe Buy and Sell pages, @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/30194691648 39088.

Gwenfo.Forum@gmail.com

Wenvoe Hop Growers

We now have 13 members in the group growing hops in Wenvoe that we harvest together and contribute to the Cardiff Community Hop Growers. Last year most of us had a good crop and the resulting brew Taff Temptress, by Pipes Brewery, Pontcanna was first class and much enjoyed.

However, our main aim has always been to brew a Wenvoe ale one day. We need far more hops, and so far more hop growers, if we are to succeed. One of our newest members has an allotment and has lined up an area for planting hops, so who knows that day may not be so very far in the future.

It’s a good time now to plant the hop rhizomes, or it is possible to grow from seed. The hop vines take a while to fully develop; the first year they are busy building a root network. If you have space to train them upwards, they can be very tall but you can also grow them along the fence and there are dwarf varieties like Prima Donna. Even before they produce a harvest they are quite attractive plants.

Sian Jones looks after the hop growers and if you would like to join in, please contact Sian via e-mail : gwenfo.forum@gmail.com

A Repair Café – what’s that?

Forum member Ken Hansen finds out

The idea behind repair café’s is to reduce the number of appliances, tools and such like that get thrown away and replaced because they are not working and the owner did not know how to mend them. The owner brings them to a place where they can be repaired and has a coffee and a cake while they wait.

It sounded like a brilliant idea but then the good folk that run the Llantwit Major café told me about all that happens behind the scenes; the legal position, insurance, health and safety, volunteer managements and so on, my heart sank. But quickly it lifted again as they also told me about Repair Café Wales, an umbrella organisation that supports and guides those interested in establishing and running a café.

RepairCafeWales.org lists the following advantages to collaborating with them:

  • Access to effective start-up, running processes and procedures
  • Support with start-up funding for marketing materials and equipment
  • Help to identify volunteers
  • Support with promotion, social media and printing
  • A presence on our website with a dedicated page for your repair café

and more. It seemed that a lot of help was available.

Then I saw Martin Thomas’s post on the Facebook page, another like minded resident of Wenvoe. I contacted him and now together we will explore the idea of a Wenvoe Repair café further. If you want to join us e-mail Gwenfo.Forum@ gmail.com marked FAO Ken. “Handy” people will be very welcome.

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To join our Facebook group, please ‘friend up’ with the Gwen Fo account @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1 and then jon the Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/ groups/635369267864402

Some further information and updates, blog site https:// wenvoeforum.wordpress.com/. Any Wenvoe community member is welcome to join the Forum meetings, via Zoom, which are normally held 19.00 on the second Thursday of each month. E-mail gwenfo.forum@gmail.com if you wish to join

 

 

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To join our Facebook group, please ‘friend up’ with the GwenFo account @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1 and then jon the Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635369267864402

Some further information and updates, blog site https://wenvoeforum.wordpress.com/. Any Wenvoe community member is welcome to join the Forum meetings, via Zoom, which are normally held 19.00 on the second Thursday of each month. E-mail gwen-fo.forum@gmail.com if you wish to join

Two books Reviewed

OFF THE SHELF

“Holding the Line” by Barbara Kingsolver

In 1983, Barbara Kingsolver, had a job as a scientific writer but she spent her weekends as a freelance journalist covering the Phelps Dodge Miners’ strike in Arizona. This book tells the story of how miners’ wives took up the mantle of their labourer husbands and held an 18-month picket line for a union contract that never materialized. Kingsolver follows this timeline through the eye-witness accounts of the women from Arizona. It’s a verbatim report from many tapes, and the group often felt it was lengthy and repetitive. However, what we did feel was immensely gripping, was the powerful strength of the women who continued to battle for a fair and just cause. The relentless belief, and energy of the Miners Women Auxiliary is a testament to how commitment can outwit and grind down the giants, who tried to break the morale of the strikers through violent and sometime illegal methods. The book shows how strong women changed the patterns of life by making small steps and it was acknowledged that this wasn’t an easy road to take, with often a high price to pay in terms of marriage relationships and family breakups. Although it was hard to keep track of the threads of the research there was no doubt that the endless efforts of these women led to major changes for the rights of women. As individuals began to speak out and ‘hold court’ in a world which was dominated by the male voice, they earnt a respect which travelled internationally creating a world arena for women to continue to speak out against injustices. It is a book which includes many characters and acronyms which can be confusing, but the direct factual approach leaves the reader with the sense of awe that this was an immense period in world history for feminism.

The group gave it as score of 8 out of 10.

Isobel Davies

“Golden Hill” by Francis Spufford

It is 1746 and a handsome young man arrives in New York wanting to cash a bank order for £1,000. The City is very much in its infancy and suspicious of the newcomer; who is he and why is he here. A fast-paced rollicking story with many highs and lows for the protagonist. It is full of twists, turns and wonderful descriptions. Extensive research obviously underpins this novel.

Opinion on this book was divided. Half of the group found it hard to get into because of the archaic language and at the start it seemed disjointed. The rest of us really enthused over the fun, adventures and eventual reveal.

We scored 7/10

Patricia Coulthard

Cwm Gynfig and St Athan

Cwm Gynfig near Margam Park

January produced some icy weather, causing anxiety about the forecast of snow flurries or freezing rain after 4pm. We parked on a road south of the route to avoid driving on icy/narrow country lanes. Although cold (layers were the order of the day) it was a beautiful sunny day, and we were soon striding out. Until we met streams of water running across the road, hiding black ice in places, when shorter tentative steps were taken.

We laughed at a sign on a gate ‘No Trespassing If you weren’t invited you aren’t welcome’. A field of goats were hidden by a hedge, but they ran around as we passed.

As we approached a farm, a woman came towards us asking ‘Where are you going?’. ‘How friendly’ I thought. But she changed her whole demeanour, became very angry and told us in no uncertain terms that there was no footpath through her land and if we went across the fields, we would find sheep, cows and bulls. Several people had maps in their hand and tried to explain quietly ‘look the footpath is on the map’. She would not listen to reason and berating us told us to go back down the hill and take another track; of course, the track was not a footpath. Our skilled navigators soon had us back on route and the rest of the walk passed without incident.

As the morning progressed ice on the paths melted but the frost remained with surrounding fields and tree stumps often retaining a sparkling white veneer. We had excellent paths throughout and walked a variety of areas – woodland, open spaces, and farmland. We spotted some fungi, foxglove seed heads, a buzzard and a heron.

As we gained height, we observed the devastation caused by recent storms. Trees tumbling over one another like matchsticks. Emerging from the forest it was very cold, and we walked faster.

 

An area where stones littered the ground, and heather grew proved excellent for lunch. Then we returned through the valley surrounded by rusty-brown, bracken covered hillsides – so much better to look at than walk through.

We enjoyed warming tea at Pyle Garden centre.

Walk 8m 1000ft. Map OS151/166

St Athan

Parking in Aberthaw we discovered that one of us (who will remain nameless but has experienced many years walking the footpaths of South Wales), realised he had brought two left footed boots and would have to walk in the shoes he was wearing!

It was a grey day with glimmers of sunshine. We started by walking back up the road to the coastal road, we stepped out quite smartly, hesitating only to look over the parapet at the structures within Aberthaw

We walked north across land associated with a castle and investigated the remains of a dovecote. Several trees had large black bracket fungus on their trunks. As we approached St Athan a large caravan/chalet park could be seen in the sunshine.

Turning south we could see the airport; several planes were parked up. Then our most experienced walker said, ‘I’ve never walked this path.’ It was a very short section, but the walk planner was very pleased to find something new!

On reaching the coast we scrambled over the stones and through the 2nd world war sea defences to gaze out to sea while we ate our lunch. The tide was out but five surfers entertained us by riding the slightest of waves.

This part of the coastal path was wet underfoot until we reached the firmer path in Aberthaw. A structure out at sea is the sea water intake used for cooling in the power station .There is a tunnel connecting the caisson to the land so personnel could walk out to it if required.

As a coal fired power station Aberthaw could supply enough power for 1.5 million households. It is now silent and there was evidence of buildings and contents being dismantled. When it was active, coal trains would come in and out of the site on a continuous railroad without stopping; the carriages released their load from the bottom onto a conveyor belt which carried the coal to a store. There is now a hill of coal ash at the edge of the site where several species have set up home.

Reaching the end of the high wall around the power station, we walked through the nature reserve back to the cars. Drinks in the Blue Anchor rounded the day off nicely. Walk 7.8m 280ft. Map OS151

Traditional ‘Lucky Dip’ At Christmas

‘Lucky Dips’ At Christmas

It has become somewhat of a tradition for a ‘lucky dip’ at Christmas for the Page Turners group. Everybody wraps a book and it is pot luck what you pull out of the hat. At our January meeting, members share their surprise gift.

This year was no exception with some members delighted with their find and others less so as gifts ranged from known and loved authors to short stories (as ever varied), to one person who was lucky enough to receive 2 books and one of them even had 2 books within 1!!!

A brief synopsis:

  • Maggie O’Farrell’s, “This Must Be The Place” was agreed to be read by the group for a future meeting as all had previously thoroughly enjoyed her writing.
  • “The Essex Serpent” by Sarah Perrin had been read by the group many years ago and was enjoyed by a new member.
  • “Cold Comfort Farm”, short stories by Stella Gibbons, whilst easy reading was recommended as a group read.
  • “The Sky Beneath Us” by Fiona Valpy, again described as a simple read but not recommended for the group.
  • “Ghost” by Robert Harris, whilst described as excellent by the reader, was felt not to be up to his usual very high standard of research and analysis.
  • “Burmese Days” by George Orwell didn’t go down a storm as the characters were described as unlikeable and uninteresting, the setting equally so.
  • “The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts” by Louis de Berniere was confusing initially and at times hilarious to read.
  • “The Woman on the Ledge” by Ruth Manseni, a thriller, was a great page turner;
  • “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” AND “Mrs Harris Goes to New York” was great and the New York book built on her Paris adventures.
  • “Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose was described as written by an amateur Agatha Christie and not recommended for book club.

Once again we were fortunate enough to sample Babs’s Christmas cake which was up to her usual very high standards!!

“White Teeth” by Zadie Smith

“White Teeth” by Zadie Smith

White Teeth is the author’s debut novel which was published in 2000 to rave reviews. Smith was only 21 years old when she started writing the book and 24 when it was published. The whole group felt that this book did show that she was a talented author but that it did contain some immature writing throughout.

The book is about the lives of two main characters, Archie and Samad, who met in the second World War. It follows them living in multi-cultural London and chronicles their lives crossing and weaving together over many years as they try to reconcile where they fit into modern Britain. It brings in their wives, children and other people that they meet along their journey and focuses on them getting through their lives as best they can. The group felt that the plot meandered along without focus and although it intertwined, it didn’t connect easily. Many of the characters were not developed and were boring. The group didn’t engage with the story and said that their attention wandered while trying to read the chapters. There were a few glimpses of humour, a lot of swearing and some unbelievable situations. For all the group, the book lacked warmth and emotion, and nobody felt that it’s a book that they would recommend to others. The average score was 4 out of 10.

 

Many thanks to Lynne for hosting and providing festive refreshments

Wyndcliff to Tintern

Wyndcliff to Tintern

Wyndcliff to Tintern

The Lower Wye valley, Blackcliff and Wyndcliff, form a Site of Special Scientific interest containing rare plants and an ancient semi-natural woodland (dating back to at least 1600). Unusually small leaved lime trees grow over yews and rare plants include Twayblade orchid, toothwort, Tintern spurge and herb paris. Rare species include greater and lesser horseshoe bats, common dormice and high brown and silver-washed fritillary butterflies. Deer are a pest, as they have no predators.

A notice stated ‘Rich in natural beauty and natural resources the Wye valley has attracted both artists and industrialists. Abundant charcoal, limestone, timber, iron and water meant the lower Wye valley once teemed with forges, quarries, kilns and mills. As the birthplace of British tourism, a tour of the Wye valley also drew painters and poets from Turner to Wordsworth.’

We made our way to Upper Wyndcliff, part of the Wye Valley Woodlands. This was designated an area of outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1971 and straddles the border between Wales and England for a stretch of fifty-eight miles. A notice declares ‘Every season offers something special: bluebells in spring, lush summer leaves, fantastic autumn colour, and the beauty of winter tree silhouettes. Discover stately oak and beech trees as well as ash and cherry. We maintain the historic viewpoints by cutting back the trees. These offer spectacular views across the Wye gorge and river, across to the Bristol Channel and the old Severn bridge. You can enjoy these views all year round but especially in winter, when the leaves have fallen.’

And did we strike gold on our autumn walk. The ground and the trees were carpeted in golden beech and sweet chestnut leaves; it was a dull day, but the woodland glowed.

We passed a sign advertising ‘The Eagles Nest Trail’ a difficult walk of 1 hour and 1.25miles long. Now the walk started in earnest taking us up 365 steps to the top of the gorge. There is something about climbing steps which appears easier than walking up a slope, especially in this case as the steps vary in size from shallow steps to those which are a struggle for people with shorter legs. One section of the climb has a slanting metal bridge with a deep drop below it, scary if you suffer with vertigo and difficult for the person who had to carry their dog! As we climbed, we saw fungi, moss covering surfaces and amazing intricate tree roots clinging to steep faces.

Trees stood majestic a around us, dominating beeches gradually giving way to sweet chestnuts and then suddenly there were yews – more than any of us had ever seen growing in one place. We began to descend and moved into open fields where we could look back across the gorge to the autumnal colour of the woodland on the other side. On a side path we found the Tintern Limekiln, with two arched openings, it was used from 1700s onwards, for making lime by heating limestone to 1,000 degrees C. The lime was used in building for mortar, plaster and limewash and industry.

Descending a short stretch of road past houses, we found ourselves looking at the skeleton of Tintern Abbey so beautiful in its architecture. It was close to lunchtime, but we knew we had another climb so ploughed onwards and upwards, along a paved pilgrimage route, to St Mary’s church. The crumbling church is surrounded by fencing and warnings to keep away. It has been associated with Tintern Abbey since the 12thC, and the monks probably came here on retreat. Wine cooler, obelisk and pyramid graves are in the graveyard. Many commemorate the ironmasters who ran the wireworks along the Angidy, reflecting their wealth and power. A bright yellow glow came from a small gingko tree in the graveyard.

Church Grove Cottages had a lovely surprise, etched astrological clocks of various kinds were hanging on the walls, beautiful and fascinating. At the top of the walk, we stopped in the woods for an extremely late lunch. Someone joked that we had taken a wrong turn, and I was so hungry I said ’I have no sense of humour at this point’.

We passed a lake with glamping pods, named after woodland animals (fox, hare etc.), as we descended. Colourful trees reflected in the mirror of the water. We walked across farmland with sheep and cattle and the view opened again so we could see the Severn estuary.

We continued through Upper Wyndcliff once more to return to the cars at Lower Wyndcliff.

A superb day in beautiful woodland, rounded off with refreshment in the local inn in St Arvan.

 

Walk 7m 1700ft. Map OL14

 

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