The diifcult second post - TR Monmouth Dog Walk

It's been a few weeks since my first post, published in the wave of enthusiasm following New Year. That was very slack of me and I must get into the habit of writing up quickly and keeping my progress log up to date.

So here it is, the difficult second post, my short trip report of my regular dog walking route around Monmouth.

Setting off mid morning from the Rockfield estate in Monmouth Nic, Bonnie and I set off along Rockfield Road towards the mini roundabout junction with Watery Lane. It's cold and frosty, a proper wintery day. In the the winter sunshine we walk past the old chicken sheds along the Vauxhall Army Camp access road, which provide stunning panoramic views across Vauxhall Fields towards Monmouth Town Centre. The remains of Monmouth Castle and the spire of St Mary's Church prominent on the landscape.

Taking a 360 degree look around from this spot, you quickly realise Monmouth is a town surrounded by hills. All around in every direction the landscape rises.

We continue walking along the army access road thorugh the middle of Vauxhall Fields, turning left uphill just after passing through the gate. From here you can see across to the old buildings of Monmouth Girls School perched on one of the hills. Further up the road in the same direction is an Inglis Bridge used to span the River Monnow. The bridge was constructed by the army in 1931 and still carries vehicles today.

Continuing uphill, you soon pass the army camp, home to the Royal Monmoutshire Royal Engineers, the only army reserve regiment to feature the word 'Royal' twice in their name.

Continue walking along the road, across the common, passing through a gate by a cattle grid to join Ancre Hill Lane. Follow the lane gradually uphill for about 100 yards where it soon becomes part of the Monnow Valley Walk. The Monnow Valley Walk is approximately 40 miles long and follows the course of the River Monnow from the mouth at Monmouth to the source just South of and below Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains. At the top of the hill you can see Long Hill and Caxton Tower across to the South. Caxton Tower was once a hunting lodge but is now a privately owned residence.

Continue to follow the lane until you rejoin Rockfield Road. Cross the road and turn left, ignoring the footbridge directly in front of you. Continue along the road before turning left on a disuesd construction road. This rises slightly uphill before descending gently. On the right you will see a large house belonging to the Ward Estate.

Continue along the track until you reach a vehicle turning area, and head diagonally left through a gap in the hedge. Turn immediately right walking paralell to the hedgerow on your right. Cross the farm track and then the footbridge across a small brook. Turn left here to pick up the Offa's Dyke Path. 

After 50 yards, pass through the gate and follow watery lane back to the Rockfield estate. From here you can continue to follow Offa'S Dyke Path back to the Town Centre or in my case find your way back home.

A nice walk on a nice day and 3.6 miles off my 1000 miles target.

New Year, New Motivation, New Blog!

So here it is, 2017 and the blog I'd been promising to write for most of 2016. The main aim to record and log all the walks that I go on and keep track of progress on the 'Walk 1000 Miles' challenge run by livefortheoutdoors.com. This is my second year attempting the challenge, last year I only managed to break 500 miles, but raised some much needed funds for Friends of Northern Dobermans (FOND).

Depending on the length, location and difficulty of the walk, I will either be alone, with my wife and dobie (Bonnie) or my mate Al.

I raised funds for FOND last year as I had initial dealings with them when rehoming Bonnie in June 2015. They took me through the rehoming process and conducted my home check even though the rehoming opportunity fell through. They put me in touch with and provided references to Dobermann Rehoming Association (DRA), which is where I met and rehomed Bonnie. As well as rehoming Dobermans, FOND do a lot of rescuing and have had a very busy year, all funded by donations and carried out by volunteers.

This blog is meant as a personal record, but I hope readers find it enjoyable and interesting. Here are the links to the Walk 1000 Miles , FOND and DRA websites.