LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Midland Hillwalkers  No. 57              Total 704 miles
'A'  Walk led by Brian Smith

Time Taken:  7.5 hrs      Distance:    Enjoyment:     Weather:  Dull
   9:15 am - 4:45 pm         18 miles           75%              Misty after rain.

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
 10oC          99%        0%         Poor             Very muddy          Birds, Cattle

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
  660 mls      704 mls      1652 mls     100.5 mls    889 mls       4005.5 miles

Companions: (Derek) Ken and the contents of the coach.

Points of Interest:
Monnow Bridge Gatehouse    Monmouth   Kymin Navel Temple
Kymin Round House       Redbrook Village     Offa's Dyke
Highbury Plain Woods      Devil's Pulpit     Tintern Abbey
Wintour's Leap           Chepstow Castle        River Wye
Pennsulvania           Offa's Dyke Stone      Sedbury Cliffs

General:
Nth day's walking on 'Offa's Dyke Path' (ODP).  ?? miles to ?? miles.
See photos in Monmouth of Monnow Bridge Gatehouse and workmen
erecting christmas lights in Monnow Sreet. Started from Monmouth
Cattle Market at 9:15 am. Very brisk pace to top of Kymin and the
Roundhouse, due to time restaints. No time to read the plaque on
the Navel Temple, see photo. Continued through Redbrook Village and
steeply upto Highbury Plains where a well earned rest gave us all
excellent views back to Kymin and the Wye River. Extremely muddy
through woods. Passed numerous walkers and groups sliding in
opposite direction. Another steep ascent to Birchfield House.
Memories for me parking the car on my northerly walk where I asked
permission but still received a nasty note on my return with my bike.
On time to dwell on my thoughts, we were soon off again, ever
southwards. Busy as Piccadilly Circus at the Devil's Pulpit,
competition for photos of the Pulpit and Tintern Abbey. Very good
examples of the preserved Offa's Dyke in Worgan's Wood. Doug had a
touch of cramp just before Wintour's Leap, may have saved him from
jumping. All enjoyed the excellent views up and down the River Wye.
More memories passing Pen Moel House, the old Lookout Tower and
Chepstow Castle. Finally reached the coach parked on the main road
a quarter of a mile from Offa's Dyke Stone on Sedbury Cliffs. Of
the four walkers who had completed ODP from Prestatyn (myself, Cliff,
Doug and ?) only Cliff and I walked to the stone with a small group.
More memories of leaving my bike at the end house near the stone.
Completely dark at 5pm. Walk rated as 'Strenuous' by Bill but ended
as 'Very Strenuous' due to very muddy conditions and time restraints.

Hazards:
Usual care required through muddy and leafy woods. Watch for traffic
on narrow lanes. Path on always obvious through Tutshill.