As the new Group Coordinator in Caldicot u3a, I decided I needed to get out amongst the members and get to know what they appreciated and what they were looking for in our u3a.
‘Amblers’ was chosen as my first ‘victim’. I had already met the group leaders and I knew the area of the day so I was not on total unknown territory, and I do walking.
I arrived at the parking spot near Brockweir Bridge and the first thing I encountered was the lady from the car in front of me waving with a big grin on her face. Immediately all my concerns about this venture dropped from my shoulders. It quickly transpired that it was a question of mistaken identity, but it did not take away the feeling of joining a friendly group.
The walk would follow a track along the English side of the River Wye to Tintern and then back through Tintern and along the river on the Welsh side. We were 15 members striding across the road, all neatly together in a group. It was like a duck leading her (‘his’ actually) ducklings. It was Stan leading and Jenny 'supervising'.
River Wye is tidal up to Bigsweir about 3 miles further up. Crossing Brockweir Bridge we see the old quay just up-river which was vital for the boatbuilding. The last large boat built in 1847. we are into the village where we pass the Moravian Church.
We were offered a quick visit inside. I had been there before, and the others had probably been as well, so we walked on over meadows until we hit an old track.
Photo curtesy of Roy Parkhouse @ www.geograph.org.uk/photo/204791
Lots of old history here as we stopped for reassembly on top of the old railway (the start of the railway tunnel from Tintern Station) before we descended down a very stony path down to a side line of the old railway track which used to pass over Tintern Bridge, just as we were doing.
For coffee stop we found a café next to Tintern Abbey. Somebody commented how we forget this monument we have in Tintern, it is just there, part of the landscape. It was good to sit down under an umbrella in a slight breeze cooling us down in the rather close feeling air.
Through coffee break we were entertained by busy sparrows feeding their second brood under the roof-edge. Some members fed themselves ice-cream which looked delicious.
The returning walk was along the main road through Tintern. This was possible the only time I have appreciated the 20 miles/hour restriction for vehicles. The good thing about walking rather than driving was that I could have a good look through windows and up the hillside seeing how cleverly people had managed to get a garden out of their hills.
At the other end of the village, we had another chance of a church visit: St Michael’s Church, which was declined. We carried on along our path onto meadows with cattle well contained behind a fence. They looked very peaceful though.
We could have walked up to Tintern Station which is worth a visit. The train carriages have exhibitions showing the history of the railway linked to the industry in the Wye Valley. However, we carried on along the river and avoided the temptation of the station’s coffee/tea and their cakes.
We could have walked up to Tintern Station which is worth a visit. The train carriages have exhibitions showing the history of the railway linked to the industry in the Wye Valley. However, we carried on along the river and avoided the temptation of the station’s coffee/tea and their cakes.
The walk was about 3.5miles, fairly flat, easy under foot with only a couple of styles and the pace was good: not ambling but relaxed with stops if anybody fell behind (too much chatting). The sun came out from changing cloud cover, the temperature was just right although a bit humid, the trees and undergrowth had lovely fresh colours of green, and the birds were singing. People were very friendly chatting away and I came home with plenty of ideas which I shall keep for myself for the moment.
Thank you to the Amblers who made me feel so welcome into their group and letting me come along for the day. I can recommend the group for everything which is good for you.
Ingrid Arntzen,
Group Coordinator