Last week, whilst the sun was shining, me and a couple of mates took a ride out from Swindon to Monmouthshire. Only an hour away, we first went to Ross-on-Wye and then headed down to find 3 Norman castles to the South West.
Skenfrith, Grosmont and White castle.
Popular with bikers, the area does see plenty of race-reps looking to make themselves unpopular on or spread themselves across the main roads. But since we were riding older Airheads (R100 and R100gs) and a Yamaha XT600, we found ourselves gravitating to the single track farm roads, winding themselves round the local hills and valleys. Fantastic riding and much of it below 20mph.
At lunch time we were directed towards an old stately home for tea and sandwiches. A place called Part-Y-Seal. Very 'shabby chic' old stately home and BandB, fantastic homemade butties and cakes. Unfortunately we spent too long at this place, enjoying the hospitality, the tea and cake, the quiet and listening to the birdsong in the garden.....We actually never made it to White Castle as a result!
Great area to explore for the kind of bikes being ridden by myself and my mates. All-rounders with a hint of trail about them. Bumping across a bridal way or rough road? - Not a problem.
Should have bought my camping gear and stayed a day or two - Or stayed at Part-y-Seal.
Note: The area had a rough winter, so the B road directly between Skenfrith and Grosmont castles has been washed away. However we found our way round the other side of the hill without resorting to maps and compasses!.
Cheers
Steve H
