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Distance
We weren't sure exactly of the distance we walked. Some websites say one thing, some say another. Whatever, it felt a long way carrying those packs!
Now, however, I've measured the walk on blow-up prints of the OS map. On Saturday, we walked from Monmouth Rowing Club to the Saracens Head pub at Symonds Yat East where we boarded the boat, a distance of approx 4.75 (four and three-quarters) miles. On Sunday, we walked from the Riverside Campsite upstream of Symonds Yat back to the Rowing Club which added just under one mile to the journey, so approx five and three-quarters miles back.
Symonds Yat Rock
I forgot to mention the walk up to Yat Rock  . It is the lofty hill overlooking the east bank of the river behind the Saracens Head pub at Symonds Yat. The hill rises over 400 feet from the riverside road and from the top you get fantastic views of the valley, the tortuously winding river and the surrounding wooded countryside.
By the time we had all pitched our tents on the Saturday, fetched water, brewed tea and sat around chatting it was about 6pm. We felt it was a bit too early for the pub. So, rather than hang around the campsite, Smoky and I decided to walk our dogs up to the viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock. We crossed from the west bank to the east on the little ferry by the pub, walked the mile or so back to the Saracens Head then followed the footpath signs marked 'Yat Rock'.
The path zigzagged up the steep slope through delightful ancient birch woodland. The final section crossed a lane over a wooden bridge and walkway until it emerged at the summit. What a fantastic view!
We spent at least twenty minutes gazing out over the evening landscape. To the west, the Black Mountains were hazy on the horizon, to the east dense deciduous woods covered the hillsides. Looking down, we saw buzzards circling below us over the meadows and a deer grazing at the woodland edge.
There were several birdwatchers up there with powerful binoculars and they pointed out a peregrine falcon as it swept swiftly and effortlessly along the valley before landing on a craggy outcrop - magic!
If anyone is thinking of visiting or camping in the Wye valley, be sure to allow time to hike up to Yat Rock - it is only about twenty minutes from the pub and you will be rewarded by a truly stunning panorama.
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so below are two URLs for photos I found online of Yat Rock. (I haven't linked directly to the photos because they are large images and would distort this UKCS page too much.)
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/55/149155-050-315EAA51.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3880324.jpg
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Topic: Symonds Yat..have blisters on blisters..!
