AFTER welcoming Denise, Martin and Sue from two other rambling groups upon their arrival at Lower Lydbrook in Gloucestershire on a dry but overcast morning, 16 walkers including leader Joy set off from Stowfield Road, past the disused business park and heading uphill along a rough farm track entered fields containing sheep and their young twin lambs.

Climbing gently to reach English Bicknor School beside the village church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin that dates back to 1100, after a quick peep inside the group heard about Edward Machen who resided at Bicknor Court.

After the Forest of Dean was seriously depleted of wood because the Royal Navy were supplied with a huge amount of its timber for ship building, in his role as deputy surveyor for the Forest, Machen oversaw the re-planting of the woodland and after 46 years in office he was responsible for the planting of 50-million trees.

Tramping along a lane and heading through the upper part of Common Grove, fields led them to Symonds Yat and morning coffee by the Log Cabin, before they took advantage of the busy viewing platform some 500 feet above the River Wye, where bird watchers had their telescopes firmly trained on the Coldwell Rocks, trying to spot peregrine falcons who lay their eggs in their eyrie at the end of March or early April.

After descending steps onto the road and passing a pair of old kilns, a steep slippery narrow rocky path led them downhill through the wood which was smothered with the leaves of wild garlic and following a wide woodland track, then steps into Eliot’s Wood, they followed deer prints in the mud down to the peaceful River Wye.

The sunshine finally broke through the clouds and passing two Canada geese sunbathing on a huge rock beside the path, as canoeists gently paddled upstream past the delightful old stone buildings of Mainoaks Farm on the opposite bank, the riverbank led them past a small flock of merino sheep to the Huntsham Bridge.

Crossing the river into Herefordshire to re-enter fields and a track through Rocklands Farm, a short piece of road-walking led them into a narrow track that went up the hillside to a road, from where there were lovely views towards the tall spired St Giles Church at Goodrich.

Pausing for breath, the last steep climb led them to the trig point on Coppet Hill and stopping for a late lunch beside the ruins of The Folly, there were stunning views up to the Malvern Hills whilst the Black Mountains were shrouded in mist with Sugar Loaf and Skirrid just about visible on the skyline.

This local nature reserve is owned by residents who formed the Coppet Hill Common Trust for its protection and a great deal of work is taking place from digging ponds, to tree felling and hillside clearance, leading to much appreciated extensive views from the ridgeway.

Descending steeply through coppiced trees at Jelemy Tump and Coldwell Wood, they turned northeast along the banks of the River Wye where handsome male pheasants, a bird that was first introduced into this country by the Normans in the 11th century as game birds, were running on the ground whilst calling to each other.

Arriving at the old railway bridge near Welsh Bicknor, with a tunnel nearby where passengers were carried from Ross-on-Wye through to Chepstow and which closed in 1959, the group tramped across the river back into Gloucestershire for the short trek back to their start point.

On April 4, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 13-mile hard walk taking in Tylorstown Tip and St Gwynno Forest from Abercynon; contact Barrie on 029 2053 0753.

On April 5, meet 9am at Cogan for a 12-mile-moderate walk taking in the Taff Fechan valley and Pontsticill reservoir from Cefn-coed-y-cymmer; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

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 029 2025 5102.