Forest of Dean and visitor time

Well, back afloat again we decided that it was time the poor neglected RIB had a trip out. So, it was duly launched and then the crew took Izzy the dog for a walk, planning to meet the captain on the other side of the bay. However, the doglet had other ideas, put her paws down and wanted to return to the boat and join in the RIB trip. She does like the dinghies rather a lot. So, the stubborn dog was kitted out in her lifejacket (which she dislikes) and had a burn across the bay (which she loved): 

To break this boating addiction, we then headed to the Speech House hotel in the Forest of Dean for three nights. Having been there before we knew that it was ultra dog-friendly, that the area was beautiful, that there were many great walks and that we would enjoy the place too. On the way, we stopped off in Monmouth for a coffee break and a wander around the rather nice little town: 

in, as you can see, nice weather.

Izzy was spoiled rotten by the staff at the hotel, especially after she demonstrated all her party tricks like giving people a "high 10" etc etc. She quite enjoyed that and the pampering / treats that followed. We amused ourselves with a walk in the hills around Tintern, then a walk around the ruined abbey:

It was an amazingly tranquil place in a lovely riverside setting. Founded in 1131 and regularly built upon and extended until the dissolution of the monasteries effectively turned it into the ruin you see today.  Have a look on Google (other search engines are of course available) for more information.

On the way back to the hotel, we trotted around the sculptures walk in the forest (well, Izzy trotted, we plodded really) and the dog looked most at home sitting in the rather artistic "badger shelter":

if a little bit lost in the size of things. 

Also on the list was a Chepstow visit, never having been there before. We did some of the Wye valley walk (classed as easy in the guide, no idea why) with nice river views:

 then went into the town and decided to check out the ruined castle:

That was mainly because our Cadw membership let us in for free if we are honest about it. The setting is just perfect, on a bend in the river Wye and on a nice sunny day, what could be better? You get to see the elegant listed bridge::

and the riverscape around it:

As a side benefit, Izzy got to play Queen of the Castle, standing on a mock turret that is part of a very artistic bench seat:

The trip was topped off by meeting Michael and Frances (the Nordhavn 40 owners) for coffee at the steam railway tourist attraction they built (look up Perrygrove railway, amazing place)  and then for another lovely walk in the forest:

and lunch afterwards. We continue to be amazed at how many stunning places and walks there are in the area. We will be back..... (Sorry Michael and Frances)

After our return to the boat, we had a long overdue visit from and catch up with Graham and Pat. That involved seeing many of the "proper tourist" things in Cardiff like the Senedd (Welsh Parliament building), the castle and also a trip to Barrybados where Izzy and Moxie had so much fun on the beach chasing balls and each other it should have been illegal.

Maintenance news:

Not a lot really. Too much time away, too much time focussed on making sure that the little dog had fun. The captain did manage to paint the inside of the trash compactor with some zinc rich primer though as it was looking a little bit sad and starting to corrode in places. The pre-season ritual of fuel filters, GRP polishing etc will have to start soon. Now, when is "soon"?