The River Severn was very high today as we crossed the old Severn Bridge into South Wales for a drive through the autumn colours of the Wye Valley.

A rare trip back to the West Country had given me the chance to show Frau W another beautiful part of the British Isles.  On previous trips she’d seen the North Wales coast, Liverpool, Edinburgh, the Isle of Arran, London and the Somerset coast. Tomorrow we’re off to North Devon, where we’ll be visiting my hometown, Barnstaple, before staying a couple of nights on the coast at beautiful Saunton Sands.

Anyway, back to today. The weather was dry and the sun was trying to peep through the clouds as we set off. First stop was Tintern Abbey, a stunning ruin dating from 1131 and home of the first colony of Cistercian Monks in Wales. After buying a selection of Welsh fudge, a Bara Brith (cake) and some Welsh toffee waffles, we followed the course of the River Wye up to the tiny village of Raglan and its impressive castle, built in the 15th Century.

After a nice pub lunch of Welsh Rarebit in the Beaufort Arms, served by a Spanish waitress called Laura, from Cádiz,  it had started to rain heavily so we headed back through the narrow Monmouthshire lanes and across the Bridge back into England and a nice cuppa. 

© Paul Whitelock

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