The rain finally came this morning; the forecast was for heavy showers virtually all day. The Walker kept reading forecasts from different nearby locations to see if their version was any better! We decided on the "heavy rain, clearing and brightening in the afternoon" which was absolutely correct! So I sent him on his soggy way and drove to Knighton to investigate the Offa's Dyke centre.
It's a small centre but has all the info you need about Offa and his Dyke. The best thing was the extremely helpful lady, who knew all about the path, the books, the weather and was delightful. I wish all people in information centres were so good.
When the rain looked as if it was going to clear I set out to meet The Walker - why should he have all the fantastic views?! Yes, we definitely will have to walk the trail properly, but which way? North to South or South to North ..... mmm need to think about that.
Walker met! Just below Hawthorn Hill
Hopefully another good campsite tonight - with fantastic washing facilities and a great view of hills! Looking forward to seeing Ian and Carol (my brother and his wife) tomorrow as they are joining us for a bit of Lejog!
Pam: thanks for today's message - hot stones are really relaxing and not painful at all. I wonder if they used them in Offa's day!
From Bernie:
Today's walk 13.5 miles : Cumulative 409.1 miles
I wouldn't have thought it possible but this trail is better by the day! A dismal start; I set off wearing waterproofs for only the second time since Land's End & it was late afternoon before they ended up in the backpack. The persistent rain, though, fell from quite high clouds & the views, though grey, were still impressive.
Village of Whitton in the Lugg Valley
Walkers I'd met en route had told me that the serious walking starts at Kington & after that it's tough! I'm not sure I'd agree with that - there are certainly a few more ups & downs but the new views at each summit more than compensate: the hardest thing for me was the slippery wet grass on uneven banks - played havoc with the old knees!
One for you David! Highest golf course in the country, according to my guidebook & on National Trust land above Kington. This is the Clubhouse, nestled in a hollow! Highest point of the course is 1284' &, when I crossed this morning, 4 young lads had just started their rounds in pouring rain!
I may be walking Offa's Dyke Path but today my route rejoined the Dyke after 54 miles wandering around the modern English-Welsh border - an impressive moment!
Offa's Dyke on Rushock Hill
Highlight of the Day: walking along the top of an earthwork constructed 1250 years ago. Earlier flirtations with Offa's Dyke had been unimpressive but rejoining the Dyke on Rushock Hill was one of the highlights of the walk so far. Seeing the bank winding high along the hilltop, no company but sheep & cloud & just enough visibility to give a tremendous sense of space & height. Magic!
... I even bought another tee-shirt at the end of the walk!
Beer of the Day: Last week's were a bit disappointing - this week's have been excellent! Sampled a pint of 'The Rev. James' in Knighton, now brewed by Brains in Cardiff but originally from the local Buckley's Brewery. Reverend James Buckley was a Methodist minister who married the brewery owner's daughter & really developed the family business...! Their Premium Ale, a dark bitter.... & very good!
Enjoyed the above pint in the 'George & Dragon' where locals were glued to TV coverage of the Championship play-off final - only a few yards over the border but every one a staunch Swansea man!
Song of the Day: Walking in the Rain - always liked this Jay and the Americans track.
Song of the Day: Walking in the Rain - always liked this Jay and the Americans track.
View from our van this evening... just having a barbecue!
Maybe you should do it North to South: "I always like going South, somehow it feels like going downhill" (Treebeard)
ReplyDeleteGreat views, see you soon.
Son-in-Law