First Day: Lunch and Tintern Abbey

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Jet lag has a way of reshaping plans. The Forest of Dean parking situation sent us toward Tintern Abbey instead, where we accidentally stumbled into a group of actors recreating medieval abbey life in period costume among the ancient stones. Sometimes the best discoveries come from failed plans. Emma wasted no time getting me out of the house after my arrival—Sunday roast at a riverside pub, then into the Wye Valley where I dozed through beautiful countryside before walking among ruins that dwarf anything we build today. History turned out to be messier than the simplified versions, and the scale of these medieval operations is something you have to experience in person. Good start.

Medieval Ruins and Unexpected Performances

August 25, 2025

Emma doesn't waste time. After a shower and change of clothes, we were off to lunch at the White Hart on the north side of the Severn. Nautically themed pub right on the river's edge. I had a beer and Sunday roast—beef, outside in the sun. Pleasant way to ease into being here.

The plan was a walk in the Forest of Dean, but they'd changed the parking situation enough that we couldn't find a spot. So we drove into the Wye Valley toward Tintern instead. I missed most of the drive—jet lag finally caught up and I dozed through some really beautiful country. I've been through there before, but it never gets old.

Telling the story of the Magna Carta
Tintern Abbey turned out to be the right choice. Huge complex, mostly ruins but currently being restored. The timing was perfect—completely by accident we encountered a group of actors recreating medieval abbey life. They were excellent. I got a lot of pictures of them in period costume against the ancient stone.

One of them told the story of the Magna Carta, which apparently didn't work out exactly as you might think it did. History is messier than the simplified versions we learn.

The abbey itself is impressive even in decay. You can see how massive the operation must have been when it was functioning. The scale of these medieval institutions is something you have to experience in person.

Drove home, had dinner, chatted a bit. I was ready for sleep. Good start.

Images here ... https://beloretrato0.picflow.com/d43bka91mw/c72ybpy5q3

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