…in the Monnow valley on the Welsh-English borders. Sounds far more dangerous than it really was, but that’s not to say there wasn’t an element of danger.
We were staying at The Bell in Skenfrith, a lovely old coaching inn about 40 minutes from where we used to live in the UK. When we were there, we used to say wouldn’t it be great to have a night or two and go on hikes in the local countryside? Well, many years later, that’s exactly what we did!
The pub is great, with good food and beer, comfortable rooms, and really friendly staff. After eating a breakfast larger than your normal calories consumed in a week, you have to go for a wander in the surrounding area just to work it off, and work up an appetite for your evening meal. Oh dear…
There are any number of circular hikes that take in old churches, ruined castles, ancient rights of way, and beautiful scenery. Many of the public footpaths cross farmland, with fields full of crops, sheep and cattle. Overhead, red kites circle, riding thermals and calling across green and gold valleys enclosed by high hedgerows and dotted with woods. It is very pleasant country to hike through.
Our particular route wound along the Monnow valley, following the river that marks the boundary between England and Wales. On a warm and humid day, we walked a couple of hours before encountering some other hikers. They were a group of about twenty senior citizens, well equipped with walking poles and old school hiking boots. Almost all greeted us with a cheery “good morning” and almost all issued a warning about a bull in the next field:
“But don’t worry, ‘e didn’t bother us, and ‘e won’t bother you!”
Hmm. Perhaps because you’re in a large group and you descended into his pasture from above the tree line?
We thanked them for the warning, waved farewell, and tramped up the hill and over the crest to the next stile. Oh. Yup, there was a young bull, and he was in front of a small herd of fifteen or so cows. Mrs PC let me go first.
I clambered up onto the stile, stood at the top and looked down at the bull. We shared a moment, eye contact, where I projected that we meant no harm and would cross his field quick-smart and with no harm done. Peace, love and understanding, and I wouldn’t order the steak that evening. He took two paces closer to the stile. Not to be deterred, I stepped down onto his side, exuding confidence. It was a public right of way, after all! He took another pace towards me, then stamped his front hoof and pawed the ground. Exuding fear, I leapt back up onto the stile. He pawed the ground again, and took another step forward. I gave up, and we went the long way around. Ole!
We backtracked to a small church, where we sat and ate our picnic lunch. Of course, the group of senior hikers were also enjoying a stop, and they were most amused that we’d turned back. They were further amused to learn we lived and hiked regularly in Canada:
“So you hike there? Yes? But don’t you have bears? Wolves? Moose? And you were turned around by a bull?!”
Happy to have made their day, we carried on and finished our hike, going the longer way round, and without further bovine stand offs. If I ate meat, I’d have ordered a steak that night…ah, yes, running with the bulls…
Thanks for reading! Please feel free to comment or share a story, and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Sounds like a great walk. For what it’s worth, I would have taken the long way round too …
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Oh yes! No point in being brave! Funny how the British countryside seemed riskier than the Rockies, haha.
Thanks, and I hope you’re having a great weekend!
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Just got back from an overnight camping trip to the beach so yes, had a wonderful weekend. Hope you’re enjoying yours too. 🙂
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Lovely landscape! The nature is very beautiful. It looks peaceful…but I know how intimidating bulls can be….lol. I hope it was a great visit!
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Thanks, Maria, and yes, we’re having a great time here, catching up with family, friends, and the occasional bull! Hope your weekend is going well!
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Thanks for taking us along on this fun and adventurous hike, pc. Bulls are not to be messed with and backing off is wise. A group of 20 is indeed very different than 2. But your words and writing style had me chuckling throughout the whole post, as usual. (Especially “Ole!”) Lovely countryside and scenes, and terrific post.
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Glad to have raised a chuckle or two Jet! We are enjoying the British countryside – so green – and visiting family and friends. Hopefully, no more wild encounters…
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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love your story and your photos….
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Happy you enjoyed this one – it was an amusing encounter, and the bull won (easily!)
I hope your weekend is going well!
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what……..no BEER?
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We might have tried a beer or two…and they might feature in a future post!
Hope you’re having a good weekend!
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It’s no bull that you’re an intrepid hiker and international traveler PC. What a great way to learn more about the British countryside where your past and present come together as one. Reminds me of the great Romantics rambling with their poetry and their friends, the sheep and the cows and the loved ones alike. Way to go!
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Thanks, Walt! We’ve been having a great time, wandering down the British Isles, from Glasgow down to the tip of Cornwall, dropping in on family and friends, and enjoying a ramble or two in lovely locations. Hasn’t even rained that much…
Glad you’re doing well, and making the necessary repairs. That’ll be some story. Enjoy your weekend!
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Lovely photographs and, as always, thanks for sharing a great travel adventure story with a great title, plenty of humor and a glimpse into another beautiful place. Wonderful comment by the senior hikers!!
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Thank you! I enjoyed writing this one, and we enjoyed the hike – you never know what to expect, and that’s the fun!
I hope your weekend is going well!
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We loved your account of the bull. We, too, encountered a bull on a long hike in Costa Rica from Monteverde to Arenal. There was no going back and yet, we were terrified to go forward. Four of us were hiking and we had a “guide” on horseback, with a pack horse behind carrying our luggage. After some time contemplating the situation, our guide put blindfolds on the horses and indicated we should walk on the other side of the horses so the bull would not see us. We walked steadily across the long field. The few glimpses we got of the bull was of him stamping the ground and then just watching the whole time as we went by. What a brave guide! Too bad you didn’t have something to hide behind as well!
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Now that’s a real bull encounter! Great story, and thank you for sharing it (and it definitely confirms we were wise to take the longer way!)
Thanks again, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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Hello Plaid Camper – thank you for the post and the beautiful pastoral photos. Seems like an ideal hike – I think the bulls added some excitement. Great question from those seniors!
Have a great week!
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We didn’t need that excitement, but it made for a story! Glad you enjoyed this one – thanks for reading and commenting, always appreciated. Have a wonderful week!
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Such a wonderful post and your photos are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tour! I so enjoy long walks in nature. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂
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Thank you for reading, and for your kind comment – very much appreciated! I hope you are having an enjoyable week!
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looks like an amazing place to run or walk
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It is a pretty place, that’s for sure. Thanks for visiting, it’s appreciated!
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