The forecasters had the weather wrong again today. Barbecue and sunshine was what was predicted - however although it was grey and overcast at times the weather held out for the Chepstow VIA black mountain drive.
A collection of cars all met up at a garden centre near Pwyll Meyric just outside Chepsow. After admiring the cars - which appeared to consist of quite a few MG's and several Austin Sevens.
I met up with Rose at Iron Acton and Rose drove tothe garden centre in her 1948 1800cc Triumph
which as you can see is a very stylish car although with a long nose! We sped out of the garden centre and through the roman town of Caerleon -which still has remains of hydrocausts and large 15ft ramparts around the church and town and some roman bits and peices in the church. We took a small road towards Llanfair Discoed. The map said to turn right at the Taj Mahal. As we were not in India I presumed they meant the resteurant which has actually been renamed.
which as you can see is a very stylish car although with a long nose! We sped out of the garden centre and through the roman town of Caerleon -which still has remains of hydrocausts and large 15ft ramparts around the church and town and some roman bits and peices in the church. We took a small road towards Llanfair Discoed. The map said to turn right at the Taj Mahal. As we were not in India I presumed they meant the resteurant which has actually been renamed.
I thought we had entered the village on the wrong road but no problem we arrived at Llanfair Discoed and climbed past the resevior and through the Wentwood Forest and down towards USK where we headed out towards Glascoed and onto a nearby resevior.
We had to rescue Roses' door at a nearby petrol station but sped on towards good old Abergavenny with the Sugar Loaf mountain in the distance which I have climbed with Lee, Mel, Stuart and Sheila and of course carried baby Holly up when she was 1.
We headed along the very narrow road towards Llantony through the windy valley road negotiating bends, tractors and cars. At the abbey there were horses just having come back from a ride and we parked up and had a look at the transitional abbey - typical cistercian choice of beautiful locality in which to meditate.
We headed off towards Hereford but then ended up at Ross on Wye and had lunch and watched the cricket near the river.
The trip back was through the forest of Deane (near where I had been a couple of weeks ago) and through Coleford and into St Briavels past the castle - and of course the wonderful drop into the Wye Valley. The drive ended up at the Anchor Inn opposite the abbey.
I set off for a walk not to see the abbey but the medieval/Victorian church which stands on a very isolated spot on a hill and had been destroyed by a couple of people who had been dabbling with black magic in1977. The church lost its roof to fire and is today is in a very dangerous condition. The joists in the body of the church have rotted exposing the crypt and bits of stone work falling every where and trees and bushes growing all over it. Very sad to see. The walk up to it was along a cobbled path hidden between cottages and up a steep hill - lots of interesting tombs some quite sad including a 17 year old who died in 1876. Some were grand but covered in Ivy and there were one or two very loose slabs I stood on and moved quickly.
One wonders what the future of the church is. The churchyard is still owned by the church in wales but the church building privately although open. There was a note about it belonging to the Grail Trust.
Who ever it belongs to obviously isn't too concerned about health and safety (and quite rightly). Too many buildings are knocked down in the name of H and S or tarted up beyond recognition. Maybe this sad and very lonely old church will crumble on it's own - yet it is a key part of the scenery - completely upstaged by the abbey.
The place feels haunted.
However we made our way back to Thornbury where I said goodbye. Thankyou Rose for a lovely day - I really enjoy these rallies - they remind me alittle of the world of James Herriot (who you remember I came across accidently in Thirsk many year ago - although under sad circumstances!).
The evening I spent at Vicky and Hollies. Vicky made me my favourite Goats Cheese Tart with salad (a firm favourite) and Holly insisted on having a piggy back ride whilst watching 'about a boy' (With the wonderful sound track by Badly Drawn Boy).
