About my blog

CLL is the acronym for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. CLL is the most common cancer of the blood. However, unlike many other leukaemias, CLL is incurable. Innovative research is desperately needed to provide treatments which are more effective than the derivatives of chemical warfare agents currently in use. Research however costs money.

In 2009 I walked from John o'Groats in the north east of Scotland to Land's End in the south west of England. Hence the acronym JOGLE. The purpose of my walk was to make more people aware of this insidious disease and to encourage them to sponsor me by donating to the research groups I was supporting. It was a most enjoyable experience and I met some wonderful people. Together we raised over 2000 pounds for the cause. Thank you everyone!

In, 2010, the blog was being continued for those who may have be interested in following my walking holiday in Wales. This was not a charity walk.

Sadly this year, 2013, Alan Frost, a senior member of the Wednesday Loafers, our cancer support group, passed away. Many medics will tell you that CLL can be cured by a bone marrow transplant. Alan had battled with the cure for many years. More research is needed, but significant progress has been made since I started this blog.


CLL is still killing my friends. The organizations listed at the side of this blog would welcome any contributions you would like to make towards their research.

Please feel free to pass on the details of this site to anyone you think may be interested. The link is www.cancerwalker.com
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Monday, August 30, 2010

Day 19. Sodom to Prestatyn.

Preamble: Over the last two or three days, at times, I've had difficulty getting my leg over. Even Shiel commented on it. I think it is something of which the Offa's Dyke Association should be made aware. Although most stiles have steps of sufficient height that one's boot reaches over the top board on the stile, the stile is sometimes too narrow to accommodate the length of leg from knee to boot. This results in an unstable crossing of the stile when one's boot hits one of the upright supports. The stone stiles on the last day, although of interest in their own way, were particularly plagued with this problem. This is not a trivial matter. Our landlady a few days ago told of one group that had to abort their walk because one of their party broke an arm whilst attempting to cross a stile.

The Walk: We had an early start, 8:40am, in clear but cool weather. I was wearing my polypro for the first time. We started to climb shortly after leaving our B&B (Fron Hall), and within about 10 minutes I decided I also needed my windproof jacket. We had good views back over yesterday's route at this time.

It was a good pull to the top of the hill, Cefn Du, and I was glad we stayed at Sodom and not further down the hill in Bodfari. Climbing out of Bodfari to Cefn Du on a full stomach does not bear thinking about.

Just as we reached the summit the skys darkened, the rain came and the wind intensified. We put on all our wet weather gear. Needles to say, what might have been extensive views were seriously curtailed. The wind rose to almost frightening proportions and in crossing one field, near Rhuallt, we heard an almighty crack and saw a large branch break off an oak tree. Fortunately it was about 30 metres away. By midday the rain eased and the views improved but the wind was still horrendous.

The route into Prestatyn is quite imaginative, and climbs high above the town giving great views out to Snowdonia, and north to Lancashire, but we spent most of our time trying to keep upright in the gusting wind. As Shiel said, 'Now we know why they've sited a wind farm offshore here.' Fortunately the wind was blowing us onto the hillside, and not off it or the walk would have been impossible. On a calm day it must be a really impressive end to the walk. Full marks to the planners.

Having now done the walk I would recommend a south to north crossing to anyone contemplating the walk. Finishing in Sedbury would I think be an anticlimax compared to finishing in Prestatyn.

As we passed our B&B we popped in to report our progress, but continued, fully kitted, to the water's edge in Prestatyn. It was still very windy and it felt like one was in a sandblasting machine. We didn't hang around but took a few photographs and then returned to our B&B (Plas Ifan Chapel. Plas Ifan also have camping facilities and will even provide a breakfast if requested. We met two young guys there who had had great difficulty finding a campsite in Prestatyn until a publican had referred them to Plas Ifan Chapel.



This one is for Graham at RDA. It might help place where we are.

Monday. Walk over. Where are we? Here is a clue.

Shiel st the end of her first long distance walk. Note the smile!



Sculpture on the beach at Prestatyn.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Day 18. Esgairlygain to Sodom.

Preamble: The pub in Llangynhafal was taken over with a Cancer Charity event so we were taken to the next pub down the road for an evening meal. Not a bad meal, but not nearly as good a value as the pub at Llandegla. On returning us to the b&b the owner was going to feed his horses so I asked if I could go along too. A pleasant way to round off the evening.

Walk: We left Esgairlygain at 8:40 in fine sunny weather. The climb back onto the ridge was not too steep, and we were on the tops again in an hour. We still couldn't find the path down, shown in green on the OS map, at the top end of the route near the finger post. The way down seems to use the much fainter dotted path on the map. Not far rom the top though the path, when found, is clearly marked.

It remained clear but windy, and we had excellent views from the ridge. There were quite a few people out walking, mainly sourced from the two car parks we passed along the way. We did however meet two Offa's Dyke walkers, Chris and Graham, walking the path in aid of NSPCC in only 10 days. I thought that I was a heavy packer but Chris makes me look like a light packer, he was carrying 60 lbs.

There were many ups and downs to hill forts and it was a great walking day, if a little cool. We had one hard shower on our descent into Bodfari where we had a snack outside the shop. We had been told, incorrectly, that the pub wasn't open. There then followed a short, but steep climb to Fron Haul our b&b.

We went down to the pub for an evening meal and were offered a lift back, but we decided to walk. Without our packs it was a pleasant walk back. I think even Shiel may have enjoyed our penultimte day.



Chris & Graham

The frame has snapped on my Osprey rucksack!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Day 17. Llandegla to Esgairlygain (Llangynhafal)

Preamble. Last night we stayed at The Hand b&b in Llandegla. They very kindly ran us to the nearest pub, The Plough, for our evening meal. We each had an excellent meal at a remarkably cheap price. Service was good and the pub is well worth a visit if you are staying in Llandegla. We walked back from the pub to the b&b in about 15 minutes.

The breakfast at The Hand this morning had to be the most imaginative of the trip and we've had some good breakfasts. Fresh fruit followed by salmon and scambled egg and finishing with pain au chocolate, toast, coffee and honey.

The Walk. Today we were casting shadows fom our first steps. A sunny day all day. We crossed mainly flat farmland to start with before gradually climbing up towards Moel y Plas. We then skirted around Moel Llanfair with great views to the west. We then skirted Moel Gyw before coming down to the busy A494.

A climb to Moel Eithinen was followed by a climb to Foel Fenlli, but this hill fort was skirted rather than fully ascended, but great views were had along the way. We then descended to a very busy carpark at Bwlch Penbarra. Remember today is bankholiday Friday. We then had a 2 .8km climb to the summit of Moel Famau, the highest peak in the Clwydan range. The climb was pretty gradual but for the last few metres (horizontal). At the top, there were great views from the Jubilee Tower in all directions. We could see Snowden, Liverpool and Jodrell Bank amongst many other well known landmarks. It turned a little cool on top so we donned our windproof clothing to walk north along the ridge before our descent to Esgairlygain. Finding the path down from the ridge was not a trivial task but we reached Esgairlygain by 5 pm having left Llandegla around 9am.

Swing bridge on Llangollen canal.

Were you hoping to cross here?

Eglwyseg crags.

Path repair work by Denbighshire council. Note the wheelbarrow!

Day 16. Froncysyllte to Llandegla.

Preamble: Last night we stayed at yyyy a b&b right on the path just before Froncysyllte, and the Llangollen canal. We had an excellent meal and a good chat with Pat and Malcolm our hosts. A great place to stay and they will even do your washing. Another good reason to use our 3 day route choice from Llanymynech to Llandegla.


Today's walk: It was the best of days and the worst of days. For the first time we wore our waterproof clothing all day. The rain was only heavy a few times but the drizzle was persistant. We never saw our shadows once.

That having been said I think today was probably the most impessive day's walking we've had so far. For those who have walked the Pennine Way it was a combination of High Cup Nick and the Swaledale walk from Thwaite to Keld. Magnificent scenery even on a wet day. On a sunny day it must be incredible.

The day started with a pleasant walk along the Llangollen canal. We then joined the road to go to the bridge over the Dee from which one can get a very good view of Thomas Telford's aqueduct, built in 1805.

We then had a long but gentle climb to the road from which there were good views of Dinas Bran and the Dee valley. The road walk was about 3 miles, but we only met one car on the walk. We then walked on north, on the scree, beneath the Eglwyseg crags. Probably the most exilharating part of the walk so far.

On the path we met a group of 'Offa's Heroes' who were maintaining the path for the Denbighshire council. They had managed to get a wheel barrow where we had had difficulty just getting ourselves down.

We rejoined the road, in heavier rain to climb onto the moor. We eventually turned off the road to cross the moor to a pine plantation through which we descended to Llangedla, and Hand House our b&b for the night.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Day 15. Quarry Farm to Froncyscyllte.

Preamble: In the guide book the recommended route is shown from Llanymynech to Chirk Mill at 14 miles, and then from Chirk Mill to Llandegla at 15.5 miles.

As Shiel is new to walking I have tried to limit our walking days to less than 12 miles. We will therefore take 3 days to get from Lanymynech to Llandegla. Shiel also likes visiting castles and with our choice of route we were able to spend 2.5 hours today looking around Chirk Castle.

Today: As we were having a short walking day we didn't order breakfast until 9:00am. As a result it was after 10:00am before we bid goodbye to Beryl and Peter after a very enjoyable chat over breakfast.

The day was overcast but there was no wind or rain and we had a pleasant 3 hour walk to Chirk Castle. We looked around the castle and gardens for over two and a half hours and even had time for tea. I would recommend our route choice to all walkers who are more interested in seeing the UK than getting from Sedbury Cliffs to Prestatyn in record time. Our route also allowed us to visit some great b&b establishments.

We arrived at Chirk Castle on a permissive path and attempted to leave on the same path. However, unbeknown to us there is more than one permissive path at Chirk Castle, and we picked the wrong one! We eventually realised our mistake, but we had walked about an extra km as a result. We arrived at our b&b, Cloud Hill, at 4:30 pm. Two and a half hours later we had an excellent evening meal cooked at the same establishment.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Day 14. Llanymynech to The Quarry, Selattyn.

We left the b&b at around 9am and headed for the post office where I got a £20 voucher for my 'orange' blog-o-phone. We were delayed slightly, first by Shiel having water leaking from her pack and secondly by me deciding to polish the toes of my boots. I think the technical term for these procrastinations is;- 'a faff.'

It was sunny but very windy when we eventually left Lanymynech around 9:30am, and started our ascent of Llanymynech Hill. There were good views of interesting rocky outcrops before we finally arrived at the golf course. Whilst rain threatened it held off all day and we never needed our waterproof clothing. The first ascent of the day though, over Llanymynech Hill, was marred by the overpowering smell of slurry borne in on the blustery wind. However, by the time we reached Porth-y-Waen the air had cleared significantly. Then we followed a road walk to Nantmawr, and a climb through woods (Jones's Rough) to the top of Moelydd where we had extensive 360 degree views. There seemed to be a lot of rain on the horizon, especially out west, but we escaped it.

We headed down for lunch in Trefonan, where a dead tree has been skilfully carved in the shape of an eagle. The final climb of the day was up though Racecourse Wood where we met up with Bill and Peter who are walking Offa's Dyke in stages over a number of years. We had passed them earlier in the day in the company of their wives, Jill and Susan, who had now travelled on ahead to pick them up near the car park at the old Oswestry Racecourse.

We had a good chat with them, whilst climbing to Racecourse Common, which made the climb so much less tiring than we had feared. We stopped at a plane table near the racecourse ruins, but all the views are now obscured by new tree growth. Then there was an easy walk to our b&b, The Quarry, near Carreg-y-big.


Black eyed sheep. Black ears, nose and feet.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Day 13. Welshpool to Llanymynech.

Started walking north by the canal to meet up with Offa's Dyke path. We spent the first two hours taking waterproofs on and off in the intermittent rain. The rain then eased and we had a clear run until two minutes before we arrived at the b&b.

The route was mainly flat walking over farm land following a river stop bak, and the eventually Offa's Dyke. A lot of concentration was needed to avoid treading in cow pats or sticking the walking poles in them. We saw three families of swans one pair having seven cygnets.

There were plenty of ripe blackberries along the route and at one point a landowner was giving away apples to passing walkers.

As it was a short day we stopped for lunch at the Golden Lion in Four Crosses to pass the time.

Day 12 Welshpool.

Beautiful sunny day sightseeing in Welshpool.

We walked to Powis Castle and spent the afternoon looking around the castle and gardens. A really enjoyable visit. If you are walking Offa's Dyke it is well worth taking an extra day to visit the castle and gardens.

In the evening we had a very good meal in the Royal Oak.

Powis Castle.


Swans with young on Montgomery canal

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Day 11. Montgomery to Welshpool.

The day started in sunshine with a walk past the show ground where people were making preparations for the annual Montgomery show. It looked like being a good day.

We quickly joined the Offa's Dyke path and headed north. We had fine weather for two hours, until we were just starting to climb, when the rain started and continued on and off for the rest of the day. We were well soaked, but the rain did ease slightly as we reached the top of Beacon Hill, and we even managed to get one or two photographs, but visibility was limited. However we were able to make out Powis Castle just south of Welshpool.

At Buttington Bridge we turned South to pick up the path beside the Montgomery canal to Welshpool and our b&b. We were then at last able to remove our waterproof clothing. However 24 hours later, as I write this, our boots are not yet dry enough to take polish! Not one of our better days.


Rabbit or badger damage to Offa's Dyke?


Offa's Dyke.


Road sign seen near Montgomery show ground


Amusing sign seen near Welshpool


Offa's Dyke path? (Just before Buttington Bridge)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Day 10. Springhill Farm to Montgomery.

It rained heavily overnight and was still raining slightly when we descnded into Newcastle on Clun. There the followed a steep climb up Craig Hill in rain, and with limted visibility. A descent followed into a small river followed by a climb up Hergan before a descent again to Churchtown. The rain was still falling, but the greatest torment at this time was the remarkable number of houseflies or something similar following us in clouds. Both Shiel and I had a personal halo of houseflies. Rained continued and tormented us as we climbed upwards again, this time up Edenhope Hill, but again the visibility was limited. It was like looking at the world through a grey filter. Then we descended again, this time to the river Unk before our final climb of the day up to the Kerry Ridgeway.

As we decended to Montgomery the weather improved and it was sunny by about 4:30 when we reached our B&B. We were greeted with a welcome pot of tea and two generous portions of apple and pear cake. Probably the hardest day and the least enjoyable condtions so far.

Day 9. Discoed to Newcastle on Clun.

We started off on an overcast, but fine morning, leaving Gumma Farm at 8:45am. After a short road walk we were able to pick up a path which led to the Offa's Dyke path, joining it near a Baptist Church. This church, like two churches passed earlier on the route, stated it provided refreshments for walkers and access to toilet facilities.

Then we climbed onto the moor wih great views in all directions, and eventually descended into Knighton arriving about lunchtime. We posted the guide book for the southern section of the walk to my sister, removing 0.25kg from my back. We passed the library, on the way to the Offa's Dyke centre, where you can get access to the Internet. Then followed a pleasant walk by Teme river before a steep climb up Panpunton Hill. Great views and a stiff breeze, which seved to keep us cool on the climb. We passed a cairn raised to the memory of Roy Waters who was one of the campaigners for the Offa's Dyke path.

We had lunch sitting on Offa's Dyke looking down on the viaduct at Knucklas. There was a final descent to Garbett Hall followed by a very steep ascent Llanfair Hill. During this final ascent the rain started and worsened as we approached our b&b at Springhill Farm. Today's walk had some of the best views off Offa's Dyke seen so far.

However the highlight of the day for Shiel was being able to watch Liverpool beat their Turkish opponents 1 : 0 in the Europa cup. (We have a TV in our room at the b&b.)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Day 8. Gladestry to Discoed.

The day started with a steep climb in clear weather onto the Hergest Ridge. There were panoramic views into England and Wales most of the way to Kington. One anomalous feature was a group of monkey puzzle trees high up on the ridge. We saw sheep today, but no horses running free. We had morning tea in Kington then set off in the wrong direction through town. We soon realised our error and set off on our second climb of the day to the highest golf course in England, on Bradnor hill. Our climb continued and we rejoined Offa's Dyke after 54 miles without it.

There was another descent followed by a climb before our final descent into Discoed, and our deviation to our B&B at Gumma Farm.

As the famer's wife had a dinner engagement the farmer very kindly ran us into Prestigne to get our evening meal, and picked us up afterwards. The retaurant had a strange name, something like The Hat Box but they provided good food and drink. We partiularly liked their tapas starter.

We were very lucky with the weather as we could see rain at times all around us but we never needed to change into our waterproof clothing. A good walking day!

Photos

Horse on the common.

Monkey puzzles on Hergest Ridge.

Flowers for Martin to identify.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Day 7. Hay on Wye to Gladestry

I was looking forward to today's walk along the edge of the Wye, having seen the magnificent view from the bridge, but I was to be disappointed. The walk was all through trees with scarcely a sighting of the river. It was overcast and very calm and we were tormented with flies, especially as we moved onto farmland away from the river.

It began to rain just before we started the climb from the river, but had stopped by the time Shiel had managed to get her waterproof overtrousers on. The weather got better from then on and for most of the rest of the day we were in bright sunshine. The walk continued through woodland and then along roads with high hedges, reminiscent of my walk in Devon last year.

The view started to improve about 2 miles south of Newchurch and was excellent over Disgwylfa Hill. Great views in all directions.

The hill was heavily stocked with sheep and there was little grass left, but plenty of sheep faeces. It was difficult to see how a sheep could eat grass without eating its own or a companion's excrement. The situation was pretty similar on the common below Hay Bluff, in some areas, the aroma of sheep urine was almost suffocating. There were also a few horses and ponies on the common.

As we arrived early in Gladestry we popped over to visit the church. A beautiful and peaceful building with some features dating back to the13th century.

We are staying in the Royal Oak which means we only have to walk downstairs to get our evening meal.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Day 6 Hay on Wye

Today was a rest day to look around the shops in Hay on Wye. First though there were chores to do. We went to the laundrette to do our laundry and while we were waiting we went to the information centre where I downloaded the rest of the Offa's Dyke accommodation guide from the internet. We then walked around the shops. Hay is a bit too busy for me during the day but in the evening and early morning it is very pleasant. Our b&b is also a bookshop so there is no shortage of reading material. Tomorrow we are heading for Gladestry.


Monday, August 16, 2010

More Photos

View from b&b at Llangattock--


If this were the Cambrian Way we would be walking over that hill!



Drystone wall on Hatterrall Ridge



Shiel on Hay Bluf




Peter on Hay Bluf

Day 5 Llanthony to Hay on Wye

We left the Half Moon at 9:15am, and made our way back up onto the Hatterrall ridge. There was low cloud, so it was nice and cool, and we didn't overheat on the climb. We stopped at regular intervals to take in the marvellous atmospheric view back down to the priory, the view gradually improving as we ascended. We reached the ridge in low cloud, and visibility was limited so we used the gps to sort out which path to take when a choice of two became available.

We had a great walk along the ridge and the weather gradually improved as the day wore on. There were quite a few day walkers out again. We left the Offa's Dyke path to take in Hay Bluff and the views were really worth the extra effort. We met up again with the South African walker, Peter, who we had chatted to over dinner at the Half Moon the previous evening. He just arrived as we were leaving.

There were lots of people climbing Hay Bluff from the car park and the paths are pretty badly eroded. There were even a few people making multiple ascents and then paragliding down.

We didn't pay enough attention when we joined the road, and missed our turn off but we were able to regain it by walking around the edge of Tack Wood. Then followed a pleasant, at times steep, descent into Hay on Wye through woodland and fields. On the way to our B&B, 'Rest for the Tired', we passed a laundrette which we will visit tomorrow as we are taking the day off to see the sights.

We popped down to the Wye in the evening and the view from the bridge was pure enchantment. A fast flowing river, with swans and cygnets on a small island in the middle and two men flyfishing in the distance. A perfect image of rural England but for the fact that we are in Wales!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Day 4. Llangattock to Llanthony

A very enjoyable day's walk starting and finishing in farm land. However, the central section was a magnificent walk along the Hatterrall Ridge. Plenty of heather and views for miles in all directions. Even Tony Drake would have liked today's section! Worthy of the Cambrian Way.

The weather remained fine until just before the descent into Llanthony. The descent
was very muddy and heavily eroded. More than 30 people passed us doing a circular walk which included the Abbey.

Shiel keeps asking me if we are enjoying ourselves yet?

Day 3. Monmouth to Llangattock.

The handicapper struck this moning! Mass was transferred from Shiel's pack to mine. It's getting to feel like I'm carrying a camping pack. However, as a result our progress improved significantly and we reached Llangattock by 4 pm. Had we not booked in at the priory I think we could have reached Pandy.

The day was mainly sunny or overcast, ideal walkig weather and our path was through typically English and Welsh farmland. A very pleasant day with extensive views to the hills. A nice change from the forest walking of the previous days.

We didn't stop at White Castle, which I now regret, as it seemed a large castle with mostly intact outer walls. However, it is not clearly visible from the path, especially on the eastern side.

There was a short sharp shower just after we left White Castle but we were fortunate to be able to shelter under a big oak tree, one of the few large trees providing cover in the area.

We arrived a little early for our b&b at Llangattock so we popped into the old church, St. Cadoc's. A beautiful old building where murals have recently been discovered under layers of plaster on the old walls. One painting of St. George, may possibly date from the 13th centuary.

There is a short but very steep climb, just before the Priory B&B in Llangattock, which the owner wisely forgot to mention when giving me loacation advice over the phone. It does however result in a marvellous view over the local farmland from your bedroom window.

We ate in the Hunter's Moon, a 13th centuary pub, only about 100m from our B&B. Although not shown on our Offa's Dyke accommodation list, the Hunter's Moon does provide accommodation.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Day 2. Brockweir to Monmouth.

As our B&B was next to the high route to Bigsweir, via St. Briavels Common, we elected to take that route rather than the lower route beside the Wye. We didn't have any problems with finding the route so I assume the track marking has improved since the guidebook was written.

On the way to Lower Redbrook, where we had lunch in the pub below the 67 steps, we met a chap from Glossop. He was walking the Dyke N-S with his son and a friend of his son, collecting funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Society. We saw them on their last day. In a year or two we may see them in a JOGLE attempt. Finding the spare time will probably be their biggest problem. One of the advantages of being retired.

Most of today seems to have been spent walking in tunnels formed by trees and this made the views beyond Monmouth, from Kymin, appear even more impressive. It was the best view of the walk so far. I even could see some of the peaks I climbed on the first half of my Cambrian Way walk.

The Kymin

13th Cent. Gatehouse on Monnow Bridge, Monmouth

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Day 1. Tue 10 Aug, Chepstow to Brockweir.

A good day today! Not a drop of rain and sunny most of the day with little cloud. Hardly any walking in suburbs, mostly farmland and forest. Great view of Tintern Abbey from Devil's Pulpit but be warned it is a very popular spot.

We decided to walk down into Brockweir and came across the HAPPA horse rescue centre. As any friend of Flame (ex. HVRDA) is a friend of ours, we decided to spport the centre by having our lunch there. We then walked along the West bank of the Wye to Tintern Abbey. The outgoing journey seemed a long way in the sunshine but the return by the forested East bank path passed much more quickly.

We had a little difficulty finding our B&B at Castle-a-Buff Farm, but got a very friendly welcome when we eventually found it.

We walked down the hill to the pub in Brockweir for our evening meal. Although it is obviously a 'local pub' everyone seemed happy to welcome strangers into their midst. We had a good meal at the pub and had no trouble maklng our way back up hill to our B&B.

More Photos

Statue in Cardiff


This years walk

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Photos

Gareth Edwards. (one of the things you missed Tony by not getting to Cardiff!)


Dyke Path. Note the Severn Bridge in the background. Well it is on a clear day


Dyke Path or Berlin Wall?


Cardiff Arms Park


Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Offa's Dyke Walk. Day 0, Tue 10 Aug.

We left Cardiff at 9:40am and took the bus to Chepstow. The journey was about 60 minutes during which time the weather changed from very slight showers to heavy rain. We had a sandwich in Chepstow and then headed East, across the Bridge near Tescos, to pick up the path south to the Coast along Offa's Dyke. The rain was persistent and it was quite wet underfoot. It may have been the poor weather but I can't say I am impressed with the first part of the walk from Sedbury Cliffs to Chepstow. For a significant part of the way it feels as though one is walking alongside the Berlin wall with fencing on one and sometimes on both sides of the path.

It was also very poor weather for Shiel's first experience of walking a National Trail. Let's hope the weather will pick up as we go along. We returned to Chepstow via the northern most bridge, which we will cross again tomorrow to get back on the Offa's Dyke path. We are having a short day tomorrow only heading for Brockweir, which if we reach in time, we may make a side trip to Tintern Abbey.

Sunday / Monday, 8/9 August.

Shiel and I left Torquay around 9:40am by National Express arriving in Bristol around midday where we had lunch. We then travelled on, for a couple of hours, to Cardiff. The hotel was only a short walk from the bus station so we checked in, had a short rest and then went out for an evening meal at a Spanish restaurant.

Monday morning we spent looking around Cardiff Castle. Well worth a visit if you happen to be passing through Cardiff. The afternoon was spent last minute shopping and then looking around the buildings to the North East of the city, Law Courts, Museum etc. The weather was not good with showers on and off all day. We also made a special trip to Cardiff Arms Park but
sadly their shop was not open. Sorry Tony! (Shiel however was able to send you a postcard from the Millenium Stadium.) I've also got a couple of photos for the blog which may interest our rugby oriented friends in NZ).