Goodrich - Wye Valley, Herefordshire

15 - 20 July

The quaint village of Goodrich was our base for a few days hiking in the Wye Valley. The village grew up next to Goodrich Castle, situated "on a high spur of land commanding a strategic position, above an ancient crossing point of the Wye River."

Alas, we didn't visit the castle and because of it being surrounded by lovely forest on the village side, we only managed glimpses of it, when driving in the valley.

My husband came up trumps again with our accommodation. Our cosy cottage, in this pretty village, was the perfect base for our explorations of the Wye Valley on foot.

Courtyard

Jolly's of Goodrich, once the local shop, now converted to comfortable accommodation.

The garden of our landlord.

One always has to take a photo of a red letterbox!

One hundred metres from Jollies was the Hostelrie of Goodrich. As many locals as visitors were frequenting here, making for interesting eavesdropping. One farmer was most upset by hikers walking through his barley. I don't blame him.

A lovely English pub with the special of the night, Thai Chicken Curry!

On the first morning and each evening, I strolled the narrow lanes in total bliss. Instead of reading someone's blog, I was actually able to smell the roses, wonder at the height of the hedgerows, walk through the churchyard, spot the squirrel, hear the chirping birds, step aside for the tractor carrying hay, be in wonder at the age of buildings, catch glimpses of the green and gold patchwork of farms in the valley and enjoy, first hand, the colour and beauty of the 'wildflowers' in the fields, verges and cottage gardens. Yes, this was my dream come true. Be warned the camera button worked overtime.

Morning walk - 7am

Sweet peas to smell, imediately outside the gate.

Continuing on, my first narrow lane.

A garden gate in a hedge with the view on the right.

Continuing on, the lanes are sightly wider. Tennis courts are behind the hedge on the right.

Across the lane from the barn.

The farmhouse.

First view of patchwork fields.

I opted to go left, rather than down this road.

Magnificent foxgloves.

Spot the 'Public Footpath' through the field of cabbages.

First evening walk, approx 8pm, after a delicious meal in our lovely courtyard.

Second evening walk - 8.30pm.

View down to the 'ancient crossing point' of the Wye River.

'The Inn on the Wye', close to the lovely arched bridge.

Looking further left.

Dying sun

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Third evening walk - 9pm.

A breathtaking sky greeted me as I set forth on this late ramble.

This dying light was a fitting end to my wonderful evening walkabouts. The following day and evening was overcast, wet and cold. Yes, this is England! If it didn't rain, its beauty wouldn't have unfolded before me.

In the words of blogger, 'Lady Fi', "Oh, I do love the English countryside."

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