WHITECASTLE

23/03/03

An unusually warm few days led us out into the beautiful lanes of North Gwent again. We met at 15:30, it was a Sunday and the weather was good, we were wearing shorts for the first time that year, so summer was on the way! As we left Croesyceiliog along the old abandoned road to New Inn, we noticed the heavy traffic on the main road, the weather had brought everyone out, so we decided to try and escape the hoards and find a quiet route away from it all. We cycled along the lanes to Glascoed and then took the route we know well, up Rumble Street to Goytre. From here we cycled to Chain bridge, we viewed the bridge which had been built in 1906 and then climbed up the road to Bettws Newydd. From here we did some more climbing to the ancient Iron Age fort of Coed y Bwnydd. Although not a long climb it was quite steep and we were glad of the descent toward Clytha. We were then to amble our way on one of our favourite lanes through Llanarth and Llantilio Croessenny. It was more or less taking the path we did two weeks previously, including the really rough track to Whitecastle, this had now dried out a bit, but was still rough and hard going! We stopped in the castle for a bite to eat; it was empty except for a local gentleman, to who we talked to for a while. He visited here every night with his dog and he told us a few stories of this strange enchanted place. Darkness fell and we left this remote castle, with its own special atmosphere, we wanted a quick route home, so we retraced our steps to Llanarth and then cycled to Goytre. From here we cycled along the canal towpath. The dry weather had made this track ideal for cycling, unlike a few weeks before. But there was now a different hazard; it was full of frogs, as it was their mating season. The noise of them calling was quite loud. Nick was at the front spotting the scores of frogs in the path, we dodged them successfully for several miles and we did not squash one little amphibian! This was an enjoyable part of the ride and before long we were back in Croesyceiliog at 22:00....50 miles.

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