Friday 24th we set off to meet at Severn View Services for the start of the Wye Valley Tour. Just a sprinkle of rain as we headed down the M4 but the long term weather forecast looked promising. Over the Severn Bridge towards Chepstow and then up the A466 to Tintern Abbey. It never ceases to irk me that you have to pay to get in to Wales but they let you out for free. Tintern Abbey is an impressive ruin (courtesy of Henry VIII once again) but you can see that in it's heyday it was a thriving community. Life was not just ecclesiastical but secular and rural, providing not only support for the monks but a sustainable economy for the surrounding community. Now vast walls and huge empty windows dominate the ground plan conjuring up images of life in the 13th and 14th century. You could understand why a modern day couple chose to get married there. We wish then every future happiness.

Tintern Abbey

The view from Symonds Yat Rock

Saturday 25th was bright and sunny but with a cool wind that gave a hint of Autumn in the air, as we set off after breakfast. First stop was Symonds Yat Rock, in the Forest of Dean,. towering almost 400ft above the river Wye offering stunning scenic views over 3 counties, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. A popular destination of walkers, climbers and bird watchers intent on seeing the Peregrine Falcons and other birds of prey as they raise their young and fly across the beautiful landscape. From the cool air of the "Rock" we journeyed a short distance to the Butterfly Zoo. What a contrast to enter a world of high humidity and 26 degrees C surrounded by exotic plants and the ephemeral beauty of Moths and Butterflies as they fly past and inevitably settle on you.

It was also a centre of discovery finding caterpillars and eggs, taking care where you went to avoid stepping on Butterflies and Moths that had settled on the ground. After more than an hour in this fascinating world, the heat and humidity begin to get you and you feel the need to enter the autumnal world outside. We took a short walk down to the river and joined the boat for our trip along the River Wye. The gentle pace of the boat, the continuing voice of the commentary (all very interesting), was quite soporific, not that anybody admitted to falling asleep. The river was busy with canoeists and people having lunch by the riverside, kingfisher's flying across our path, swans and geese swimming in the reed beds. All too soon 40 minutes had passed as we returned to our starting point.

 

Making acquaintances at the Butterfly Zoo

Sunday 26th we bade farewell to the Chase Hotel and set off on the longest drive of the tour, 120 miles. The weather was good despite the sharp frost we found on the cars when we awoke. We drove through early morning sunshine on quiet "B" roads to Hey on Wye where some stopped for coffee. Pressing on we had a long run down the A470 through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Brecon. This road was busy, but with clear weather we were presented with, and could enjoy, stunning views of the hills and the countryside. From Brecon we headed for Abergavenny and on to Blaenavon.. The Big Pit was the highlight of the tour for me. I had been looking forward to the experience of going underground and it did not disappoint.

Setting off from the Chase Hotel

After lunch, kitted out with helmets and lamps we were lowered to pit bottom ,90m down, in the traditional miners cage but not at the speed that miners would have experienced. Our very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide "Rob" explained about the safety aspects and equipment of the mine. For safety reasons the mine is segmented and separated by doors. "Rob" drew a vivid picture of young boys known as "Trappers" sitting in pitch blackness listening for the sound of horses and miners approaching. He would open the door allow the miner and horse to pass with their load of coal and then close the door to wait for the next one. The "trappers" were busy as long as the miners were busy but in the event of a problem they could have to sit for 5 hours in pitch blackness until the traffic resumed

Rob's description of the life of pit ponies was in many ways horrific, condemned to work underground 50 weeks a year for life. Yet inspiring in the amazing bond that developed between man and horse as they toiled away in this black world. Just how black was demonstrated as we all switched off our helmet lamps. It was a surprise to most of us to learn that at one time even young girls were employed underground. some seams of coal were only 18" high. Their smaller frame meant they could get in to these seams to extract the coal when men and boys could not. After 1841 children were no longer permitted to be employed in the mines though with the exception of girls this was largely ignored by the mine owners. Slowly the working conditions of miners improved. It was a campaign by women that saw the introduction of Pit Head Baths. Eventually it was our turn to ride to the surface and turn our back on a fantastic experience. For those who did not venture underground there was still plenty to see in the exhibition and various locations around the pit. By the time we all met back at the surface the afternoon sun was low and there was a threat of rain in the air as we set off home. We made a brief stop at Raglan Castle before returning to the Severn Bridge where our weekend tour started

Our thanks to Tony and Sue Eades, Phil and Sue Parkinson for a great weekend tour in good weather with beautiful scenery and interesting places to visit. We appreciate the detailed planning and preparation that went in to making our weekend so enjoyable. To all the Wye Valley Tourers thanks for your company and friendship.

 

The Wye Valley tourers were