Month: June 2017

Today’s plan leaving Aust was to live with the heat, avoid overgrown fields and paths where possible and make sure I got plenty of water on board – and to take some photos now I have a phone to use. Unfortunately, the first 2 miles or so I had no choice but to cross some fields and was already nursing a few nettle stings before an hour had passed. After that I stuck to minor roads for a while through a couple of nice villages before some more cross country meant more difficult terrain. I passed a nice place at Kings Weston and had another motorway bridge crossing over the river Avon.

I gained height after that, going through Easton in Gordano with some nice views back to the Severn estuary

After some more overgrown lanes I came across the Downs School, very nice place with an enormous sports field to cross. One last field of cows lazing in the shade and a final short cut to Clapton and our wild camp at the Black Horse pub. Another hot day in store tomorrow but nice to have a phone again – thanks Keith for that!

Strange old day but overall I think I managed it pretty well. Conscious of the hot temperatures I decided to stay with the low routes along the river Wye as much as possible rather than going for the higher Offas Dyke Path. A few overgrown fields on the first part meant wet feet but that was ok as I got a fair bit of shade at times, particularly along the old railway line and in wooded areas. I stopped and watched one of several fishermen standing near weirs in the river, but not for long! After passing the impressive Tintern Abbey ruins I finally had no choice but to gain height and very quickly had a path misread through a quarry which cost me an extra half mile – not welcome in the 30 degree heat. Once up though the path was easy to follow, one or two road shortcuts at times on the way to Chepstow. I could not resist the urge to stop for 10 minutes at the Tesco service station shop, if was like being in refrigerator!! Next was the Severn Bridge which I had dreaded, but with my iPod drowning out the door traffic noise, hardly any wind and awesome views it was actually an amazing walk! Only shame was that I couldn’t take any photos.. I soon arrived in Aust at the farm and had a cold foot bath waiting.

Still no phone, although all I need now is wifi, so no photos again, more guest walkers and a slight change of schedule. For logistical reasons I took my final rest day in Monmouth on Saturday and we welcomed brother in law Phil, partner Cat, their two children and mum in law Chris who will be 70 this week. Had a great rest day in gorgeous weather, very relaxed and very warm.  Cath then dropped Phil, Cat and me off back at Pandy to complete the scheduled walk to Monmouth. Not a difficult walk, but made harder by oppressive heat and not much breeze, although some welcome shade at times, however very little scenery to talk about. Having two people to talk to certainly helped today, which could otherwise have been quite tedious.

The route took us out of Pandy gradually up along lanes and over fields giving us eventually a view back to Hatterrall Ridge but not much in front. A slight route misread distracted by wild ponies led us past Llangattock to yet more field and lanes coming out at a place called Cahill Street. We met 3 ODP walkers near White Castle and then more lanes and fields to our lunch stop in the Bulmer Cider Orchard near Penrhôs. Even more lanes and fields followed as we headed past Llanfihangel and through some nice meadow along the river before another sequence of fields and lanes (at least we saw some White Park cows) led us to Hendre. From there we left the ODP and followed the lane down and up and down again to Wonastow before crossing the A40 west of Monmouth to get back to the campsite (Glentrothy) near Mitchel Troy, out of water and several shades redder from the sun.

No phone, no photos but great company and great weather for the long trek over Hatterrall Ridge and up to 2200feet, highest point on Offas Dyke Path. Fuelled by bacon and egg sandwiches, Chris Robinson and I set off and encountered immediate problems negotiating the streets of Hay before finally finding the path amongst the apparent plethora of car parks and public toilets. A short while later as we started the climb to Hay Bluff we took a wrong turn, adding a bit of distance and almost becoming uninvited guests at a funeral. We backtracked to the proper path and continued the long, partially quite steep climb. Sheltered from the wind and in bright sunshine the perspiration was flowing nicely. We crossed an open moor past a trilogy of marker stones, a clearly incorrect milestone (16 miles to Pandy!) and through a “sunken” depression before completing the climb up onto the ridge. The next 10 miles were punctuated by not very much really, 3 trig points, a few wild ponies, the odd walker, and cairns. Our conversations kept us going and eventually some nice views opened up across Herefordshire. After lunch we continued the final miles along the ridge then down through some lanes, fields into Pandy and a well earned beer waiting for Cath and Claire to arrive. A lovely couple of days and we wished Chris and Claire well as they sped of towards Stroud for the weekend. A change of schedule means my final rest day in Monmouth tomorrow, returning to Pandy Sunday morning to continue the trek.

Sorry, still no phone and not risking the iPad in the rain so no photos again today. I had the pleasure of Chris Robinson walking with me again today after our adventures on the Pennine Way. We had expected good weather so were very surprised to have to don the waterproofs as a rain shower struck just as we were setting off. We found our way out of Kington and onto ODP for the gradual climb up a lane then on wide grassy path up and over Hergest Ridge. Some fine views and a bit blustery but the weather was improving so when we got to the hamlet of Gladestry off came the waterproof for the next section up and over another hill to Newchurch but not before being told by a farmer that we were lost because we were about 50 yards from the official path!

We climbed up out of Newchurch around Little Mountain and stopped for lunch, called the girls to let them know we would be arriving early in Hay and then followed the path mainly downhill through woods (a Dingle) fields and lanes finally reaching the river Wye and another mile or so to the campsite. Today the girls arrived just ahead of us – we have Wifi so I’ve caught up on the blog but it’s quite windy – should be interesting as we go over the Black Mountains Hatterrall Ridge tomorrow.

Yes! Only 9 miles, but no phone, so no live route tracking and no Apple steps data, just my GPS to record distance and time.  I took my IPad in the event that a decent picture opportunity arose, but when I met the impressive Lucy Wood who is walking LEJOG alone unsupported I forgot I had it. This young lady is doing really well, I will be checking her blog Lucy wood walks to see her progress. The walk today took me up a couple of quiet roads to rejoin Offas Dyke Path, along some nice sections of the Dyke itself and an airy stop for lunch where I remembered the IPad.Not long after a steep descent via a golf course i arrived into Kington ahead of Cath, who of course had no way of contacting me now if anything went wrong with Betty. She duly arrived on time followed not longer after by Chris and Claire. The weather remained fine so we had a relaxed afternoon and evening before the serious walking resumed on Day 45.

An overnight decision to change route to Knighton meant a slightly longer day than planned but would get me 6 miles further along Offas Dyke Path to our planned campsite. Cath spent all day trying to sort out a Betty with an RAC escort to Ludlow without knowing whether she would be able to meet me or not. I was without a tent so there was not much choice really. So the first part of the day to Knighton was following the route in Andy Robinsons End to End Trail book, only backwards, which meant lost time, map misreads and some GPS checking to keep me on track. The route was OK – it passed through a couple of small villages, one with a tea-room highly recommended by the book – it was closed! The path was steep and muddy in parts, overgrown in others and a couple of rowdy cow fields, so I was feeling a bit frustrated by the time I reached Knighton and sat down for some lunch and tried to contact Cath for an update. The news was that she was going to make it to the campsite at Rockbridge around the same time as me. From Knighton I joined the Offas Dyke Path which, after a steep start undulated nicely, with some decent views before descending to Dolley Green where I followed the road to the camp site. Good news, my phone camera seemed to gave started working properly again. With better weather, Betty seemingly fixed, a short day in store tomorrow to Kington and Chris and Claire rejoining us, spirits were raised…what else could go wrong? Well as yet their are no photos for this post, overnight my phone died and will not wake up…need to come up with a plan.

A peaceful night and no motivation problems this morning, although still the niggling ache behind my right shoulder blade – ho hum! Weather was cool and dry for what appeared to be an almost straight line 18 miles up and along Wenlock Edge to Craven Arms. I was expecting great views of Wales to the northwest and Shropshire/Worcestershire to the southeast. Whilst the initial paths were good  and I got the occasional glimpse of distant hills, the opportunities were few and far between. The day became a pleasant woodland hike interspersed with the odd summer meadow . Gradually for some reason the paths deteriorated into muddy mess and my boots ended the day dirtier than they have been on the entire trek so far.

I met a lovely couple Edward and Deborah Cole who are walking LEJOG in stages over several years and are aiming to get to the Pennine Way this time. We had a really nice chat and they gave me £20 for PCUK – amazing!

Eventually I left the woods and strode the final 3 miles or so down into Craven Arms where a mildly distressed explained the latest traumas with Betty (no speedometer and engine warning light coming on far too regularly – we hope its just electrical fault).

Our first Britstop tonight at the Stokesay Arms – good WIFI so using it to the full!

Oh yeah! Another useless stile

A wet night – the earplugs excelled again though, keeping out the sound of the rain and the A5 just the other side of the hedge. My plan to get the names of the 2 LEJOGers I met last night failed as they had already packed up and gone even before I opened my tent at 6.45am!! By the time I was ready to leave the tent had pretty much dried out so off I set, hoping for some clear paths and nice country lanes. The first field on the route was just full of rape seed, no path visible at all, so I consulted the map and made a small diversion, which took me across another farmed field but I was able to cross causing minimal damage. I then followed lanes past the historic Boscobel House before joining the Monarchs Way (route of King Charles II fleeing after defeat in the battle of Worcester). This took me past the allegedly haunted ruins of White Ladies Priory, through some muddy woodlands and onto tracks and roads towards my lunchtime meeting point at Kemberton. Today was the RAF Cosford airshow so the sky was busy with helicopters and formation spitfires. I made good time and arrived early in Kemberton to meet the party of Shirley (no stranger to you now!), Cazzie and Stephen (one of my nephews). After a bite of lunch Shirley, Stephen and I headed off to do the final 10 miles to Much Wenlock, looking forward to going through Ironbridge Gorge on the way. Things didn’t start well – a field path blocked by electric fence, and some overgrown paths before we suddenly emerged on Telford Golf Course. Navigation suddenly got difficult (OS maps don’t show the course layout, the Red Arrows zoomed overhead, and we got distracted watching some decidedly indifferent golf shots). The general sense of direction prevailed and after finding the path off the course through more overgrown woodlands we arrived at the top of the Incline Plane, descended a rough track alongside then underneath to reach a road which took us along the north of Ironbridge Gorge (we had decided we would cross over the Ironbridge itself). The gorge is very steep but the path we took rose gradually around the hillside through more woods then into fields for the final few miles to Much Wenlock where we go the news that Cath was on her way back with Betty (8 hours in total from York via Lincolnshire!) with her mum on board carrying more flapjacks. The guest walkers and support crew left Cath and I alone to resume the familiar motorhome routine.

 

Had a great night sleeping at my parents in Stafford, Cath and Betty returned home for a trip to York for Penny & Mick’s 40th wedding anniversary party. Mum & Dad took me to the start at Seven Springs, mum planning to join me all day, and yes!! she has become a legend! Before all this I got news of a new donation to PCUK from some good friends in the US, £1000!!! I got quite emotional this morning- lost for words – everyone has been so kind it just hit me all at once. 

So we set off and walked really well over Cannock Chase then through some decent farmland tracks before reaching the Canal to Penkridge, passing under the M6 on the way. Dad met us for a lunch stop in Penkridge where I learned my eldest daughter Sam had had a car accident hopefully not too serious but possibly affecting Cath’s plans for the next two days (I only have maps to Craven Arms!!!)

Dauntless mum and me carried on across more fields and lanes towards Wheaton Aston – one small route finding hiccup and a rest stop at All Saints Church in Lapley before the final 2 miles to the campsite. Dad met us and after tent pitching we drove to a nearby pub for burgers, beer and Scotland v England match. Returned to camp in rain, met a guy who used to work for same company as me. Whilst chatting to him 2 more campers, clearly endtoenders going north, arrived. Had a brief chat with them also – will get their names if I see them tomorrow morning.