ARRIVING at Monmouth Leisure Centre eight walkers including leader Joy set off to join the riverbank where several swans took to flight through a hazy mist that covered the still water of the River Wye.

Pounding pavements across the five-arched stone Wye Bridge and heading uphill on the A4136 before joining part of Offa’s Dyke Path, a wide path through woodland led uphill towards an orchard containing an abundant crop of apples, where spider’s webs adorning the fence line were covered with dewdrops.

The clouds soon began to break as they continued uphill into woodland with sunshine streaming through the trees and exiting into a paddock the climb led up a muddy boulder strewn steep path to the Kymin.

Stopping at the Roundhouse constructed in 1794 as a retreat for the gentlemen of Monmouth to enjoy social events, there was a cake sale which fitted in nicely with a stop for morning coffee but unfortunately the views, which on a clear day stretch over nine counties were still obscured by mist.

After pausing to view the renovated Naval Temple which commemorates the victories of 16 British Admirals and is topped by a statue of Britannia, a narrow path led them into grassy meadows containing horses and a small flock of sheep patiently waiting to be fed by their owner.

A slippery track led downhill to a road at Upper Lydbrook and crossing a footbridge above the Mill Pond, another climb led through woodland at Furnace Grove and alongside a series of harvested fields where growing pheasants were running freely, whilst ahead lay the pretty village of Newland, which is dominated by the 13th century All Saints Church also known as the ‘Cathedral of the Forest'.

Entering and admiring the beautiful stained glass windows, effigies and the miner’s brass which is a one foot high engraving of a Forest of Dean miner with a candle in his mouth, pickaxe in hand and a hod over his shoulder before exiting into the sunshine, lunch was enjoyed on the preaching cross in the churchyard opposite the Almshouses which have been refurbished and are now privately owned.

Descending via Savage Hill to Cloth Lane and following a rough road into the steep-sided Valley Brook where the river once ran red after passing over natural iron ore deposits giving its name to Redbrook; a roe deer raced below the track seeking a way out of a field, whilst sheep quietly grazed.

As a buzzard soared in the sky, a stoat scurried across the pathway ahead and passing only a few isolated properties, then a pheasant feeding station with hundreds of young birds running around and several fishing lakes to reach Lower Redbrook, a path through a small park commemorating the industrial heritage of the area led on towards the old Monmouth and Wye Valley Railway viaduct across the River Wye, under which is a footbridge.

Heading through wooded areas and meeting several small groups of young female walkers taking part in the Silver D of E Award scheme before passing through copious amounts of tall Himalayan Balsam, the path soon opened out into riverside fields.

Passing the huge outline of the Monmouth Viaduct where the span over the river was demolished, then under the iron Duke of Beaufort Bridge opened in 1874 to connect the railway stations of Monmouth Mayhill on the east side of the river, to Monmouth Troy on the west and skirting the edge of the Monmouth School playing fields, a swift tramp over the Wye Bridge led back into Monmouth.

On October 3, meet 8.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 10-mile hard walk from Pencelli taking in Bryn and the Talybont Forest; contact Phil on 01446 711533.

On October 4, meet 9.30am at the Barry Waterfront for a five-mile easy/moderate half day walk taking in Cwm Nash and Wick; contact Geraint on 02920 51 5278.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 02920 255102.