Day 19 Mellington Hall to Welshpool

Friday - up 06:00, 08:30 breakfast in Mellington Hall, away at 09:45.

I bought new boots a few weeks before starting my walk. They were the same make, model and size I had had twice before. Despite them being the same size, wearing them around my house for days and taking them on a couple of hikes my big toes had been starting to hit the front of the Boots. I had put up with it for days but discomfort was starting to get to me. I was concerned that if I continued for another next 5 weeks, I might cause long term damage. My Podiatrist friend Maureen had made suggestions last night. This morning's route passed a bus stop a mile from Mellington Hall. As I pondered overnight I resolved that, if they still ached by the bus stop, I would return to my Boot and hiking kit vendor, Up and Under in Cardiff for a discussion. At breakfast in Mellington Hall, Howard and Elaine repeated Maureen's suggestion of using just inner socks. (I use inners and outers). We were joined for breakfast by locals and farming veterans Tony and Silvia who suggested sheep's wool in the toe was a good cushion. I tried both these ideas and they worked! The sheeps wool needed to be replaced after a couple of hours after being compressed but otherwise it worked a treat. Walk continues!

Today was sooo much easier than yesterday. None of the previous days' up and down. A level, and almost straight, walk across the Vale of Montgomery. I had planned to stay at Rhyd-y-Groes campsite (https://www.rhyd-y-groes.co.uk) about a mile east of the route, but was going so quickly I walked right past the turn off to it.

As lunchtime approached I declined the mile walk off route west to Montgomery instead planned on stopping at the pub in Forden illustrated on the OS Map. When I arrived, I was dismayed to discover it was closed until 5pm, having been turned into an Indian restaurant.

Instead I then plotted a route 1/2 mile further on Offa's Dyke path then across fields to the Severn Caravan site (https://severncaravans.co.uk). As so often seems to happen, the footpath indicated on the OS map did not exist so I had to back track into Forden village. Another footpath indicted on the OS Map in Forden village, was blocked half way along, so I ended up returning to the Indian restuarant, 2 miles of diversion for nought.

Plumped instead for the direct route along the A490, which passed quickly and took me passed the Square and Compass pub in Cilcewydd allowing me to it recce for an evening meal.

A few moments after I entered the Severn Caravan site owner Rachael arrived with her daughter Chloe, having picked her up from school. She directed me to facilties. No laundry but decent facilities, although showers were fixed height & temperature, poor flow, push button, only one hook, no seat and no protection from spray for clothes. However only £8.

11 miles from Mellington Hall to Severn Caravan Park near Welshpool completed at end of 19th day of walking and 12th on Offa's Dyke path.
Total miles so far : 197
Average speed : 2.6
Weather : Sunshine and glorious. Another hot day with just the occasional southery breeze.
Number of people passed : 4
Objective tomorrow: Pool QuayЧитать далее