LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Midland Hillwalkers  No. 63                Total 778.5 miles
'A'  Walk led by Chris Othen

Time Taken:  5.75 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:   N/W Wind
 10:05 am - 3:50 pm       13 miles          75%               Cold, Breazy

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
   5oC         80%        0%       Average              Good            Birds, Sheep

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
  759 mls     778.5 mls   1700.5 mls     121 mls       898 mls       4257 miles

Companions: (Derek) Ken, Lynn and the contents of Trevor's coach.

Points of Interest:
Bream Cross     St. Briavels      Slade Bottom      Mork Farm     Quicken Tree Wood
Wyeseal Wood    Creeping Hill    Wyegate Green    Birt's Cottage     Astridge Wood
Greenbank Farm     Newland       Harps Wood     Upper Redbrook    Lower Redbrook
River Wye         Old Railway         Lone Lane          Pen-twyn          Craig Wood
Troy Orles         Troy Farm          Chippenham          Monmouth

General:
Started from Bream Cross on B4231 and walked along edges of fields to Bearse Farm,
near St. Briavels village. Continued alongside Slade Brook in Slade Bottom to Brook
Farm and the very loud noise of a clay pigeon shoot. Steep climb up lane and into
Quicken Tree Wood. Then slow desent through Wyeseal Wood to Offa's Dyke Path.
Sharp turn right up Creeping Hill to Wyegate Lane. Steady amble across several fields
to wood and steep descent to Valley Brook and fishing ponds by Birt's Cottage. Steady
climb out of valley past impressive Glyn Farm through Astridge Wood to Greenbank
Farm and the village of Newland. Lunch in churchyard near The Ostrich Inn. Continued
along lane and across fields past Harps Wood to Upper Redbrook, via a long slow
descent with scrambling motor cycles on adjacent hillside. Passed black swans
swimming in pond on descend to Lower Redbrook. Crossed old metal railway bridge
over River Wye into Wales and along the remains of the railway embankment. Very long
steep climb up Lone Lane to village of Pen-twyn where children were playing in trees.
Easy walk near top of hill to Craig Wood and good views across valley to Monmouth.
Slow descent through the clearing of Troy Orles, the remains of a wood with just the odd
deciduous tree standing. Sheep and young lambs very noisy as they move between
fields just before Troy Farm. School at Troy very impressive but now deserted. Must have
been an expensive school in its hay day. Crossed river Minnow under A40 road bridge
and continued through Chippenham to market place and Trevor's Coach. Another good
day with Bill on the hills. Cold in wind on hill tops. Warm in sun when sheltered.
www.streepmap.co.uk Start 359240/205600, finish 350560/212495, via 355315/209555

Hazards:
Another one of Bill's Moderate 'A' walks led this time by Chris and back marked by Ken.
I was going to walk the 'B' after a lazy Christmas and winter. Ken persuaded me to, 'Go
for it'. I took a few photos, as usual, and found myself at the back keeping company with
Ken. I was exhausted again. Enjoyable pint in the Robin Hood and a good return journey
with Trevor via the M50, M5, M42 and M40, this time missing the M6 traffic queues.