Journal:
I got up at
7:30am and pottered around doing some stuff online
(poor reception) and getting ready to go to the Post
Office after breakfast. At the PO, my fresh
set of maps for the next section, and my boots
(posted from Bridgwater) awaited me. I mailed
off my old maps and a few other things I had decided
I didn't need and then returned to the hotel and
changed into the boots, wearing two pairs of thick
socks in yet another footwear variation to try and
reduce my feet problems.
I finally started walking
soon after 10am and followed the historic town main
street down past the old castle and across the River
Wye (back into England). I was following the
Offa's Dyke Path today and expected it to be easy to
follow. Too easy! I missed a turn and
spent nearly an hour negotiating a nature trail loop
and some difficult tracks before finding my way back
to the path proper. Although it gave me a good
look at the gorge-like cliffs along the Wye River, I
didn't need to walk those extra kilometres.
Back on the Offa's Dyke
Path, I really enjoyed the easy walking. It
more or less followed the crest of the ridge on the
east Bank of the Wye River and rose high enough to
give some superb views. It also followed some
beautiful woodland paths bordered by carpets of
wildflowers. The path also followed the
recognizable earthworks after which the path was
named, a defensive mound built around 700AD by Offa.
I met a few other walkers early on, but then had the
day pretty much to myself. Every turn of the
path revealed beautiful rural and woodland vistas
with wildflowers. It was an unbeatable walk.
I dropped down to the
village of Brockweir soon after 1:30pm and had lunch
in the pub there. For the next hour or so
after lunch the Path followed the bank of the Wye
River through short grass fields...almost like
walking on lawns for a good part. High on both
sides could be seen forests cascading down to the
river, interspersed with fields and the occasional
farm.
Then the path climbed high
again and more woods, fields and wildflowers.
I finally descended into Monmouth around 7pm and
crossed the river back into Wales where I quickly
found a pub offering B&B and checked in. After
doing some chores and having a shower, I walked into
town to find somewhere to eat and managed to get
myself lost on the way back to my B&B. Only an
extra few hundred metres, but my feet are again
sore, though perhaps better than yesterday. It
felt more comfortable in the boots after days in the
running shoes, but who knows what tomorrow holds.
I forgot to mention
yesterday that I found a tick embedded in my groin
after last night's shower. That makes the
third feeding on me in the last three days. I
have been just pulling them out and hoping the head
comes with the body. Some itchy spots, but so
far so good.