Our Visit to the Forest of Dean

CLOG AWAY BREAKS invariably spawn - in line with the "Clog Active" Philosophy - many parallel activities. This April-May weekend fitted perfectly into this concept with canoeing and cycling complementing our range of walks, and with, of course, sightseeing and evening dining having a determined look in!

The more detailed activity descriptions in these pages relate to those activities in which I partook or indeed had the opportunity (aided and abetted by colleagues) to lead. Of course, as you can see, there were other, parallel activities - all in line with the "CLOG Active Philosophy".

On Saturday, 30th April some of us visited Symond's Yat on foot, whilst others of our group canoed in the waters of the River Wye beneath.

So here's what you will see. You will admit we did a lot, saw a lot and of course, socialized a lot. Our few days were "packed with punch". And we had a good time!

• Welcome
• Walks - "The traditional CLOG Mainstay"
• Paddling our Own Canoes
• Dean Forest - A Cyclist's Paradise!
• Some Sightseeing
• Our Evenings - Fine Dining


• Please Read Me!

Our Varied Walks

We CLOGgies do mile upon mile
with many a song and many a smile,
Walking with CLOG is such a treat
As we conquer the landscape at our feet.

Walking is a strong focus of our activities in CLOG, as our very acronym tells you! We did a number of walks, both long and short and somewhere in between. Of course, that's why we visited the Forest of Dean!

1. Bixlade Tramway (Friday 29 April). On our arrival, Dave led a circular walk from our hostel to the Bixlade Tramway - full of historical and local industrial interest.
2. Clearwell (Saturday 30 April) Helen led this circular walk based on nearby Clearwell with its caves and castle.
3. Symond's Yat (Saturday 30 April). This was led by Eric, aided and abetted by Dave. It was circular, starting from our doorstep and reaching Symond's Yat. A respectable 17½ miles in all.
4. Tintern (Sunday 01 May). This was a short walk taking in the higher ground on the east bank of the Wye opposite Tintern Abbey and affording good views over the same and towards the Severn Bridges.
5. Sculpture Park (Monday 02 May). Before departing on Monday, some of us did a circular walk from Parkend to the Sculpture Park near the Speech House.
6. Speech House (Monday 02 May). There was also a circular walk from Parkend taking in the "New Fancy View" and the Speech House itself.
7. Norchard to Parkend. (Tuesday 03). The pleasant spring countryside - accentuated by a good showing of bluebells - was also a nice personal addition to the "walks schedule ".

Canoeing

Oh, to paddle your own canoe!
That's a "CLOGgie" thing to do!
Can be quite wet they say,
But lots of challenges on the way!

The River Wye at Symond's Yat was the venue for this activity - potentially wet, but not for the wet. Some of us responded to this challenge on Saturday (April 30). I'm not sure if they saw us walkers high up on the Yat, in between their concentration on the more immediate challenges of canoeing on the River Wye!

Cycling

Penny farthings may not be an easy ride
for seeing our green and pleasant countryside.
But cycling with CLOG gives you a much smoother ride
as you effortlessly through the landscape glide.
With socialising, exercise and sightseeing on your side
CLOG is ideal for cycling oh so far and wide.

Parkend is an excellent centre for those who like a moderately fast approach to getting about, as Dave and company found out on Sunday, 1st May on their cycling excursion. Bike hire was straight-forward in Parkend, and Dean Forest, with its numerous cycle tracks, proved irresistible to those who wanted to get their feet on the pedals. Pedal Power is good news in Dean Forest.

Sightseeing

When all our many more lively activities are done
A dose of more leisurely sightseeing is also fun!
What's more, many of us do find,
Seeing the sights 'tis good for the mind.

We also got in a respectable dose of sightseeing and doing things that might be regarded as the province of those of a more leisurely persuasion. We realised how easy it is to intersperse a bit of tourism into our usually more active CLOG lifestyles. And to good effect!

1. Tintern Abbey. On our Welsh sortie we managed a good look around Tintern Abbey, which, despite the best efforts of Henry VIII, has kept much of its former mediaeval splendour. (Sunday, May 01).
2. Winery. On our Welsh sortie some of us also visited a combined vineyard and sheep farm in Tintern Parva about a mile to the north of Tintern Abbey. The wine tasted very good but we did not get around to doing a "roast lamb" tasting! (Sunday, May 01).
3. National Trust Houses. Melissa, coming in her car with her party, was able to include a National Trust House on both her arrival schedule from, and return schedule to, London. (April 29 and May 02).
4. Dean Forest Railway. Amateur ferro-equinologist that I am, a visit to the Norchard Railway Centre and Museum (May 03) and rides on the Dean Forest Railway itself (May 04) were excellent additions to my Dean Forest experiences.

Evenings

We raise our glasses! As you can see, we all enjoyed ourselves at the Woodman Inn on Saturday, April 30. A fitting end to our Symond's Yat walk - and of course enjoyed by our canoeists and those on Helen's walk to Clearwell.

It's always nice to end the day in a bit of style, and we did that nicely on each of our three main days, savouring the local cuisine at three different venues. These were: "The Miners Arms" in Whitecroft, "The Woodman Inn" in Parkend and "The Fountain Inn" also in Parkend, on the evenings of April 29, April 30 and May 01 respectively. Much fun was by all!