Symonds Nut-Yat-ch!

The Wye Valley really is the most beautiful place. When I lived in Wales as a child, this area was a favourite destination at weekends and at other times too. My Dad, working in the engineering department of the port at Newport, had to make regular visits to Lydney ti inspect the lock gates and other structures. Me and my Mum often went with him. There are pictures of me somewhere in orange wellies and yellow sou'wester on the quay at Lydney (an yes, I was wearing other clothes).

Those visits are now around 40 years ago. Today had the opportunity to revisit. It looked a lot smaller as places from childhood memories often do but it was good to go back.

Later in the day I made a trip to another old haunt - Symonds Yat Rock. This spectacular viewpoint of the Wye Valley has been a tourist destination for nigh on 300 years and its easy to see why. For some reason my memories of the Yat are always mixed up with Paddington Bear!

The views weren't too clear today as it was very hazy so I stuck to photos of birds like this lovely Nuthatch, one of three which must have been part of a brood.