Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journeyBabs Hoffman
Its been more than a year since we have been confined to the boundaries of our locale due to the Pandemic. Though we have tried going around and visiting/staying at few places post the lockdown, still something was missing and travel itch was at its peak 😁. The last year has been a bundle of joy with our little one Audrey (Addy) arriving and growing up to be our new cog in the globe trotting wheel. Ofcourse the dynamics of our travels have changed while we try accomdating our sweetheart but trust me its been more fun and definitely more relaxing. She is now used to our little adventures, drives, hikes and walks and she knows well what she has signed up for.😍 Join us and Visit Tintern – Exploring the Wye Valley, Dean Forest, Puzzlewood, Symonds Yat and more.
Wales has always been one of those go to destinations for us to unwind outdoors. While Scotland seems far, Wales is still something which can get close to the natural beauty of the Highlands. While browsing around I stumbled onto a Instagram post about this sleepy little village in South wales nestled betwenen mountains and a River. My eyes lit up seeing those pics – Does a place like this exist in the UK? No doubt that UK is beautiful with its rolling green meadows, beautiful shorelines and castles but is there a place which resembles my experience with hill stations and valleys back home in India.
Did some quick booking and off we went, the drive was rather cumbersome with heavy traffic but Addy was a sweetheart for not driving us nuts! Finally in the evening we reached Tintern, the sleepy little village nestled between lush green mountains and the Wye river. I was dumb struck at the sheer beauty of this place, low handing clouds, birds chirping through theie nests in the foliage, River wye winding it way through the village, no soul in sight – Absolute Zen. We had boked a place right on the river with awesome views from our Living room and Bedrooms – couldnt have asked for more.
Tucked our little one for the evening and had a great meal while we saw the evening lights fade and darkness set in – absolute pitch dark and solitude. The next morning we were up early, thanks to the crazy energy Addy has! After taking in the fresh morning air we made our way to the nearby Dean Forest (Read more). The Drive was absolutely stunning and we made our way through more country side villages and tree canopies. Its had been a while that we did some cycling and we wanted our little one to enjoy the forest on 2 wheels. Dean Forest Cycles(Click here) at Parkend helped us hire the bikes and get kitted up for the 20k.m trail. While we were worried if Addy will sit all the way during her first ride, she was just jubiliant seeing the cycles and off we went. Though its called the Family trail – riding mountain bikes on a forest trail is no mean job , especially when you not into cycling regulalry! Half way through Addy had her nap and we marched on. Dean forest was absolutetly stunning with high and dense trees, lakes, bridges and more. It was so refreshing taking in the morning breeze and freshness into your lungs (which were close to bursting open!)
While Addy was quite refreshed and charged up post a nice ride and a nap, we were quite exhausted. We then made our way to Symonds Yat Rock(Read more). The plan was to do the circular walking trail and use it as a pitstop for lunch. But with a kid things dont go as planned and flexibilty/adpatability is the new norm for us while we travel. Addy dint want to sit in the baby carrier and wanted to run around – so the trail got dropped. However the stunning views at Symonds Yat rock are well worth the drive. This was one of the fimlimg locations for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – p1.
We had our lunch at Symonds Yat – so the energy was back in and Addy was in no mood to be confined indoors. So off we went to Puzzlewood Forest(Read more) – An ancient woodland with pathways for picturesque walks. The tickets for the same have to booked online beforehand. This is a different nature expeirnece to the ones we have been before and is a magical place, with a maze of pathways laid out betwen the deep gulleys of moss covered rocks and twisted tree roots. It truly is a surreal and an enchanting expeirence. Addy was quite exchausted by this time and had to carry her on around on my shoulders while we enjoyed walking through the deep gulleys and into a fantasy world. I did heart that Puzzlewood Forest used for filming the WB movie – Jack the Giant Killer.
Finally made our way back to Tintern, driving through through the winding hillside roads and settled down for the evening. Addy loved watching the river from our window while having her dinner and we so felt home. More wine and a great dinner to finish a tiring but a day with nature – so back to our basics.
Next day we wanted to explore Tintern and the surrounding Hills and we were back to our strengths – Hiking. Again thanks to Addy we were up and out early – walking along the river to do the Brockweir and Tintern Circular. We passed the old station and the bridge across the river to Saint Michaels church. The trail then gets strenous to begin with as we walk uphill through the fields and onto the woodlands to some awesome views. The walk down to Tintern is quite narrow and rocky – so would definitely recommend good shoes , especially if slippery. Addy was back napping as the cold morning breeze hit her face. The walk was absolutely breathtaking with offering 2 set of gorgeous views – To begin with it resembles close to walks in the lush green forests of Asia where you are walking through dense forest and a stream/river flowing next to it. Then the second part gets high onto the mountains and woodlands offering stunning bird eye views. We finished this 9k.m hike and crossed the bridge back to Tintern.
We then made our way to the famous Tintern Abbey ruins. This high stutcure sits well in the valley , surrounded by mountains and makes it picture perfect. Addy had been a sweetheart all this while and we wanted her to have some fun in a nearby play area.
We had lunch in the nearby Anchor Inn and we decided to wind down with a drive around Wye valley and Dean forest – we simply loved the place and couldnt get enough of it. Again a mesmersing and peaceful drive through the valley roads and we were back in Tintern enjoying the sun set for our last evening here.
This has been a memorable trip and definitely subdued my itch for a while. And all the more special for two reasons – I seem to have found/fell in love with a place which so resembles home and secondly its our first long trip as Parents and we loved every bit of it. Who says you cant still travel the same with a Little one – We Spend 3 days being out and about with nature – Cycling, walking, hiking – What more can you ask more.😁
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.