The weather looks set to stay with us! In the nearly four years I have lived here, I have never seen so much sun for such a sustained period. But it’s important we stay cool so what better way than messing about in the river? Remembering of course that sun tan cream is a must.
The Wye is the fifth longest river in Britain forming part of the border between England and Wales and runs for almost 134 miles.There are plenty of places to swim in the Wye and the Monnow, we’d love to know your favourite places. Who needs an outdoor pool when we are blessed with some of the cleanest water in the UK? And of course for the little ones there are plenty of opportunities to paddle and watch the tiny fish darting between toes. Sitting still by the river, you can see the swifts on their seeming non-stop flights, dragonflies with their iridescent hue, the swans with their cygnets and all our array of ducks.
What nicer way to spend a few hours than paddling a canoe downstream , maybe stopping off for a swim along the way and even a BBQ on one of the many natural beaches remembering of course to take away all the rubbish. For beginners an ideal route is Monmouth to Redbrook but if you like a bit of a challenge start above Symonds Yat and negotiate the rapids, really good fun even if you do get soaked!
Two Meadows, our community orchard, is a favourite for butterflies and observing nature is a great way to relieve stress. When it’s too hot in the office or you need a break, take a wander along the Monnow down to the meadows where there are plenty of picnic tables for you to enjoy your lunch.
There’s also something to be said for doing nothing bar relaxing and enjoying what comes along. On canoe trips in the past, I have seen mares and their foals coming down to drink by the river and then enjoy several swift canters along their beach before returning to their mother’s side. The salmon have returned to the Wye and there is something magnificent about seeing them jump, a flash of silver which sometimes with the light refraction produces millisecond rainbows, perhaps too quick for the camera but a memory to be stored.
So whether it is swimming or paddling, fishing or boating, or simply sitting and watching the world go by enjoy the weather and the water.
