Day 4-Part 2

This was a fascinating day. We walked to the top of Hay Ridge and down to the Abbey(have to check on the name)

I was not expecting heights like this, and this is the purpose of this blog. No other blog or web site talks about how difficult some of these heights are-so I am!

It was fun! But it wasn't easy. My problem with Footpath is that once we got to the top we didn't stop or take any time to just look at the wonderful views! It was cold and windy that day, but we didn't even have time to take our packs off to put warmer clothes on. I was freezing! After this day I made sure my hat, gloves and warm neck gaiter were in the top of my pack-so I could ask someone to get them out for me.

Then we had to walk an extra mile or so down to the Abbey-knowing that we would have to walk back up again. I think day 3 should have been longer so we could have walked into hay on Day 4. That's how you plan it if you are on your own. It was discouraging. I took day 5 off to see hay because i just did not want to walk back up the hill.

The tea at the Abbey was great, though! Oh-walking poles are a big help here-especially if you go down to the Abbey. Very narrow, muddy path down.

Day 4-Part 1

Day 3-Part 2

Part 2 of my pictures from day 3. Scroll down for the first group of pictures.

It was easy to get to hay from Manchester. Take the train through Crewe to Hereford, then walk over to the county bus stop and catch Bus 39 to Hay. You can just pay the bus driver. If you call ken at Aldeniro B&B and tell him when you'll be in he'll meet you and take you to the B&B! He is the Town Crier.

Day 3-Part 1

On the third day we started in Monmouth-the ancient bridge and all. The first attraction was the sink in the public toilet-there were 3 buttons-one for water, one for soap, one for air. I thought it was amazing!

And, I also loved the number of public toilets in the towns in the UK! We don't have those over here! Probably because we don't walk as much in our towns-and there is always a McDonalds.

It rained a bit this day, then the sun came out. We walked through hay fields, apple orchards, roads, pastures-you name it, we walked through it. I found this to be an easy day-but I still need to train more at longer distances. Really-you should be able to walk for three or more days-10 to 12 miles a day before you try to walk Offa's Dyke.

We also met a young woman from Belgium who was walking the Dyke alone-with full pack and tent/camping gear. If she didn't hit a hostel or bunkhouse she set up her tent! I don't think the farmers mind too much. I wouldn't want to do it alone-even though you do meet other hikers during the day. There are a lot of steep climbs and downhills-and if you fall you could be in big trouble.

I was getting takeaway from the Indian place in Hay-very good-for dinner. There is a spar within walking distance of my B&B, and there is a table in the B&B where you can eat. The B&B was very comfortable-great food-love the bacon! Very quiet and right across the car park from the bus stop.

On the second day we walked to Monmouth. It was cold and windy. We walked up a high hill to the naval Monument-some widow dedicated it to Nelson. nelson, his mistress, and her husband(Awwww-how cute is that?)visited it together. There is also a tower up there. The site overlooks Monmouth.

I just remember the wind, the mist and the cold! We walked down from the monument to Monmouth and found a lovely spot for tea. Some of the party found the Pub. It was a great walk!

Picture Post 1

My trip to England/Wales did not start well. I went to the airport on July 2nd, waited 6 hours until my flight was canceled-then went home. So, I flew out on the 3rd. From now on I will fly non-stop!

The trip from Pittsburgh to hay-on-Wye took over 24 hours. I flew to Newark and waited 5 hours for the flight to Manchester. It was very easy to get to the train! I just collected my bag(after customs)and walked there! I checked on where to get the train, bought a sandwich and water and waited-a couple helped me, both there and in Crewe. Well, I took the train to Crewe, changed and took a train to Shrewsbury, then the bus to Hereford, and finally the country bus to Hay. I was tired!

When I got there the B&B owner called out and I was whisked to the lovely place. I was so glad to get there! I had a little sandwich for dinner, slept and started walking the next day.

I would suggest to FootPath Holidays that they should get the information on where everyone is staying and give it to the leader! What if I hadn't shown up? No one would have known where I was!

I met the group, we were transported to Chepstow where we touched the Offa's Dyke start stone-and we began to walk.

Another thing-either we start earlier, or we walk longer! The pace was too fast for me to really see anything! I am not interested in just checking off the long distance trails. I should have checked, I know-but we could have longer walking times!

Nonetheless, the countryside is beautiful! We walked for a long while through woodland, then through fields, fields and more fields. We ate lunch overlooking Tintern Abbey, then continued.

The van transported us back, I picked up a sandwich at Spar, ate, had some tea and fell into bed.

I need to train more on hills-and to walk 10 miles or more a day. 5 miles is no trouble, but the hills knock me out.

What else? That's it for the trip over and the first day.