October 2017 – Page 2

ODP 2 Chepstow to Lower Redbrook

Sun Oct 1st

Breakfast was ok but not fabulous. They only have a grade 1 for food hygiene, this is terrible and worried me. Left at 8.45. The route went through a lot of ancient woodland and followed the dyke and the bank for large parts of the way. At times it was so very dark in the woods. It was also hot and humid and I was soaked from early on.

I saw Tintern Abbey from up high and from the Devil’s Pulpit. Got to Brockweir at midday. I’d planned to get a drink at the community cafe but it didn’t seem to exist anymore so ended up in the not very welcoming pub. There was no point in going back up the hill so I took the low road along the river. Had to walk through some bullocks which was ok. Then to Bigsweir.

It didn’t rain but the air was wet. Not enough to wear an anorak. The last section down to Redbrook was very slippery. I felt like I spent a lot of time either hot and humid in the woods or hot and humid and soggy by the River Wye.

Finally got to Inglewood House at 4pm so 7.25 hours. Lovely and clean and welcoming. Tea and cake. Hot shower. To pub where I sat with fellow guests Cynthia and Rod. They were very sweet. I had a roast beef dinner and a beer but it wasn’t that great, not hot enough. C and R gave me hugs back at the B&B.

Over 14 miles today.

Total miles 17.

Nice mansion on the outskirts of Chepstow

Ways to raise money for amyloidosis research:

My JustGiving page

UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund

I believe strongly in our right to choose how we die and support Dignity in Dying.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map and use a compass with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

ODP 7 Kington to Knighton

Friday 6th October

Nice breakfast from Silvia who is a young East German. She’s 36. Told her of my trips to East Germany in the 70s. She was only 7 when Bruce played East Berlin so she missed that epic show: Chimes of Freedom. This gig was just a few days later than the first Bruce gig Chris and I went to.

Left at 9.15 to go up to the golf course. Soon joined by my 8 new friends. Walked with them all day.

3 significant hills. Gorgeous day, blue skies and warmed up. We were all a bit surprised by elderly woman driving like lunatic. She had a very cold look on her face, she managed not to mow us down but then immediately drove out onto a bigger road without looking and missed a car by inches. Clearly a story there but I really hope she got stopped. My dad would have said “another candidate for the cold meat counter”.

Past Evenjobb, Dolley Green, big climb up Hawthorn Hill. Then down to Knighton. We all went to the Knighton Hotel for tea and cake. Just don’t. No suggestion of service or even inclination towards such a thing.

Said goodbye and hugs with all the 8. They were off to the station to return to York to arrive quite late.

I made sure the Offa’s Dyke centre would be open in the morning then checked into the George and Dragon. More rubbish service so no did not want to eat there. Went and got a sandwich from Spar.

Total about 80 miles.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map and use a compass with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

ODP 6 Hay-on-Wye to Kington

Thursday 5th October

Left at 9.40. Big hug from lovely Liz, my host. Soon started leap frogging with the group of 8 from the day before. They are 4 midwives and their husbands from York and they know a woman I work with. Kath, Geoff, Sue, Dave, June, Nick, Michelle, Steve.

First stop Newchurch where I went in the church and ate stale biscuits but gave them a donation as they have a nice honesty box tea coffee setup. Jem went in but maybe he didn’t see me as never said hello. I had my head in map and only saw him as he went in the church.

Up onto Disgwylfa Hill, I’ve walked this with Carol, lovely ridge walk, lovely weather, sunny and bright.

Into Gladestry. I thought the 8 were ahead of me but it turned out they’d gone to another honesty tea and coffee in the church there so they were actually behind me.

Onto Hergest Ridge. Met a Catalan man and talked a little about the fight for freedom. Later on I met his English companion who had a a bad leg. I tried to give her painkillers to no avail! There was a dead pony and its pony friend was standing next to it completely still. This had me in pieces.

Down to Kington and Castle Hill House, best B&B so far. Immaculate, nicely done up old house with interesting detail and well resourced fittings. All the new bath, shower, bed very comfortable. Nice pieces of genuine period furniture. Young couple who have clearly worked very hard.

Into town to the Oxford Arms, my 8 new pals invited me to eat with them so I did. Open mic night in the room behind so I sang along a bit.

About 14.5 miles today. Nick’s gadget said more. Total 67.

Monkey Puzzles on Hergest Ridge, visible for miles

Ways to raise money for amyloidosis research:

My JustGiving page

UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund

I believe strongly in our right to choose how we die and support Dignity in Dying.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map and use a compass with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

Offa’s Dyke Path 1 Sedbury Cliffs to Chepstow

Sat Sept 30th

3 trains got me to Chepstow. Checked into Castle View B&B which was a sort of hotel and restaurant. I was in a separate building at the back. The wifi password was chipshop so this may be a clue to its former use.

Straight out to walk the first section of the ODP which starts from Sedbury Cliffs so to get there you go through housing estates and along fences of people’s back gardens and of course the sewage works but there is a good view to the “old” Severn Bridge and a good section of Offa’s Dyke and bank straight away.

Back to my room then out to Tesco for some supplies. The room was cold when the rain started but I eventually got some heating sorted out.

Total miles 3.

The acorn is the official sign of the National Trails

Nice old bridge leading to the Chepstow castle

Ways to raise money for amyloidosis research:

My JustGiving page

UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund

I believe strongly in our right to choose how we die and support Dignity in Dying.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map and use a compass with me and my navigation partner, Cath.