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.