The Ham Nomads

1 Jan 2015. <GB-WLS> Tintern, Gwent; Chepstow, Monm; <GB-ENG> Gloucester (Friar Tuck's), Glos —

New Year's Day — Happy New Year Everyone!

We took Gertie for a little test drive today, across into Wales and back to Tintern Abbey. We drove over Plump Hill, through the Forest of Dean, and across a back road over very hilly terrain — up over Mill Hill and down across the Wye to the A466 and Tintern Abbey. We had been over Plump Hill before — in first gear, at about 15mph. This time we were in 4th or 5th gear and accelerating around 40mph and beyond, with power! Woohooo! The Hams are now hoons! But, in reality, this is how the van SHOULD have been right from the start, so the rest of our journeyings should be a lot more comfortable.

Actually, the real reason we went back into Wales was so that Warren could have genuine Welsh Rarebit for lunch at the White Monk Tea Rooms beside the abbey. (Well, it's a good story!) We didn't expect the abbey to be open on New Year's Day, and it wasn't, but it was a good drive with a good destination!

The River Wye at Tintern

Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey from the road

The van parked at Tintern

Coming onto the Severn Bridge

We left Tintern and drove down towards Chepstow and the Severn Bridge there. This is a toll bridge — about £18 for a van — but only on the England-to-Wales crossing. The other way it is free, so the cheapskate Hams did the crossing from Wales into England, and then turned up the A38 and back to Friar Tuck's in Gloucester.

The Second Severn Crossing (from the Severn Bridge)

The kitchen at the Inn wasn't open for dinner on New Year's Day, but Mark had offered to heat up a Christmas pudding Suzie had bought at a nearby shop, and cover it with lashings of custard. So that's what we had for dinner — after all, Christmas is not really Christmas for Suzie until she has had her Christmas pud!

Distance driven — today, 74 miles ( 120 km ); to date, 10,011 miles ( 16,112 km )