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Offa's Dyke Path
  • RickSails
March 2018

Offa's Dyke Path

A short but fine adventure by RickSails Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 19, 2018
    RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler

    Newport

    March 19, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    On my way to join my friend Greg in Chepstow for a few days walking some of Offa's Dyke Path. Low temperature of 1C and keen wind combining for a very cold start. Feels like -5C according to the Met office. Walked 5 minutes from home to stop to board Bus to Newport. Only 2 of us on the Bus the whole way which must mean the service is at risk. Smart toilets at Newport Bus station. Next Bus from Newport to Chepstow had 9 aboard so clearly more popular.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler
    South end of Offa's Dyke
    Greg on the 'beach' above the Severn near Offa's Dyke start with Sedbury Cliffs in the background.Offa's Dyke from the start stone.

    Offa's Dyke start

    March 19, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C

    In Chepstow stocked up on provisions in Tesco and at Parson's Cafe bought excellent Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Chicken Tikka Pastie and Bread pudding. Then boarded 761 Bus to Sedbury. Driver joked with us that we were 'doing that walk' (the Rucsacs were a bit of a give away). After this he kindly dropped us at the end of the lane leading to the start of Offa's Dyke. Keen to get started we walked straight down the lane and across a field onto the Severn flood plain and turned north towards what we thought was the walk start point. As Sedbury Cliffs towered above us and we continued north upstream it gradually dawned on us we had made our first navigational error. After carefully reading the guide book we retraced to where we had walked onto the flood plain and spotted a path up the cliffs to the start point stone in the photograph. Looking west from the start point stone revealed the clear view of the Dyke in the third photograph.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler

    Tintern and Brockweir

    March 19, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C

    The 6 miles from Chepstow follow an amazingly well signposted/waymarked undulating route always high above the River Wye. Much of the route is through Woodland with some parkland and farmland and a few short road sections. These photgraphs are from high above Tintern and show the splendid views to be had. Quite a lot of the route is muddy but there is none of the bogland found on some other routes. It is altogether a very splendid route. We finished the day in Tintern where stayed in the quirky Old Rectory B&B. Convivial welcome, nicely decorated, quirky sloping floor and warm room but somewhat let down by poorly maintained en suite. If I were coming again I would choose somewhere else. Had evening meal and drinks in Wye Valley Hotel 50 yards up the road. Fish was particularly nicely. Had a splendid evening talking to other guests. This was probably a better place to stay. B&B, Pub and road were surprisingly quiet which we discovered was because the road to Chepstow was closed for road works meaning there was no through traffic.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler

    Tintern station

    March 20, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    Short walk from our B&B in Tintern we arrived at old Tintern railway station with rolling stock and station building being refurbished as a cafe to open for Easter in a fortnight. Also a miniature railway to entertain children which the photograph shows the 'track crew' repairing.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler
    Looking down on Redbrook old Railway Bridge used to walked across The Bridge Inn
    Impressive path improvement by Gloucestershire CouncilPath improvement by Gloucestershire CouncilLine of very old knarled Spanish Chestnut treesOld Spanish Chestnut treesLunchtime brew stop

    Tintern to Redbrook

    March 20, 2018 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 1 °C

    Today's path was similar to yesterday with long ascents and long descents high above and west of River Wye in Gloucestershire. Offa's Dyke Path continued to be so well waymarked with signposts there was no need for a guide book. More cloud than yesterday but less wind so a warmer day. At Redbrook paused at village shop for sandwiches. We were quite tired by now after 9 miles of up and down so rather than walk the last ascent and descent of The Kymin, where there is a monument to Admiral Lord Nelson, we walked along track of old railway into Monmouth suburb 'Wyesham'. Then crossed the Wye into town centre to the Queens Head, our B&B for the night. This was the last time we would see the River Wye. Ate in excellent indian Restaurant The Misbah on Priory Street. At the end of the day we had walked 12.6 miles.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler
    Queens Head - our B&B last night
    Plaque in Queens HeadGate tower on Bridge over River Monnow entrance to Monmouth

    Monmouth

    March 21, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    The Queens Head was a better B&B than our previous night in Tintern. Everything worked and there were no 'fripperies' as Greg described them. Room was in the attic so we were in the slope of the roof which was the only downside. But this was well worth it as it as at £65 it was £20 cheaper than Tintern Old Rectory. From Queens Head Offa's Dyke path took us the length on Monmouth's principal shopping street - Monnow Street. Picked up lunch from various shops on the way through Monmouth. Then crossed the surprisingly wide and full River Monnow via Bridge topped with splendid Archway. This was the last we would see of the River Monnow on the walk.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler
    White Castle inner Keep entrance
    The Skirrid

    White Castle

    March 21, 2018 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    Glourious weather all morning with bright Sun and little wind. Today's walk was longer at 16.1 miles but easier as ascents were more gentle and lower. Out of Monmouth we left the River Monnow and gently climbed up into Kings Wood on an easy surface of loose tarmac. After a Forest track down out of the Wood the rest of the 16 miles was through undulating Farmland with occasional road sections. We were now following the small River Trothy which varied between 10 - 15 feet wide. Some of the Farmland was hard going over soft sticky mud often churned up by Tractors or animals. Towards the end of the day we came across the extensive and impressive White Castle looked after by CADW and free to enter. Throughout the day Skirrid Hill was continually on our horizon slowly getting closer. Offa's Dyke path continued to be well sign posted, negating the need for a map or guide book. No stiles today, all fence crossings were gated, all streams had bridges with gates at one, or more generally both ends so altogether an exemplary path and long distance trail.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler

    Llangatock-Lingoed

    March 22, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Our B&B was The Hunters Moon Inn, Llangatock-Lingoed. This was our best yet. The first with a heated bathroom, no faults at all, a convivial welcome and good food. The village church, St Cadocs, was visible from our window. St.Cadocs was open and included a kitchen and invitation to help ourselves to Tea and Coffee. We declined as we were just starting our walk for the day. We made a navigational error here. Offa's Dyke signpost outside St.Cadocs directed us WSW along a road. At a junction 50 yards further, the main road turned north and so did we. A minor road continuing WSW at the junction is the route of Offa's Dyke Path. This was one of only two occasions where the guide book and map were useful to show us where we had gone wrong. Fortunately, we only walked 100 yards off the route.Read more

  • RickSailsOffa's Dyke PathTraveler
    Skirrid Trig point
    Example of signage and gated bridgeThe Skirrid approaching bottom of final ascent

    To Abergavenny for final day

    March 22, 2018 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    For our final day we walked a couple of miles along Offa's Dyke path then turned left to head south over the Skirrid to Abergavenny. The Skirrid had been on our horizon all yesterday and seemed to be asking to be ascended. It is the most Easterly of the Black Mountains. Off Offa's Dyke path navigation became more difficult with exit routes out of fields often not obvious, and Stiles that were challenging to cross. The steep climb up the northern scarp slope of The Skirrid was well worth it for the glorious views from the top. We passed about a dozen hikers on the way up, more than any other day, illustrating what a popular mountain it is. Our descent picked up the Beacons Way which we followed all the way into Abergavenny were we had a brief bite before catching a Bus home to Cardiff. Walked approximately 8 miles on this our final day.Read more

    Trip end
    March 22, 2018
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