Knighton

Tuesday - up at 07:00, away at 10:00. Always seems to take me 3 hours to get away. But in my defence fellow campers were very chatty. One wearing a Kilt explained that he had worked for the Forestry Commission where Kilts are standard issue because rain rolls off the wool and the Kilt slides off legs easily. They had discovered that shorts catch on tops of legs, which is something I had found with my Decathlan Forclaz zip-offs. Does anyone else find their shorts catch on top of their legs? Warden Becky also came to check on me as she was concerned about me in my little tent with so much rain - sweet.

1.25 miles along B4356 back to where I left Offa's Dyke path yesterday. Then hot ascent up Gilfach Hill with no shade and, as yet, no breeze. Welcome cooling strong breeze began top of Hawthorn Hill. Then high level farmland, mostly with sheep until Knighton Golf course. Then descent into Knighton.

I arrived quite early afternoon thinking I might walk 2-3 miles further if there was a suitable campsite. With no breeze town was very hot. I walked through to the Offa's Dyke Visitor centre hoping for campsite information, it was closed! So typical of the UK that it only opens a few days a week. Tuesday is not one of them.

I knew there was a campsite just outside Knighton further along Offa's Dyke path so decided to camp there. But first I lunched in a Knighton café before walking on to the campsite. As I crossed Afon Teme river I crossed the county border from Powys to Shopshire. Panruntun campsite was 1/2 mile further over a level crossing across the Heart of Wales railway line.

Site had level ground, easily soft enough for pegs and in a beautiful location. Facilities block was very smart, built inside a barn. No laundry but shared between men and women it had 3 showers, 3 toilets, 3 basins, 2 sinks, kettle and a fridge. The showers were height & temperature adjustable with on/off under user control included in £10 fee.

9.5 miles from Presteigne to Knighton completed at end of 16th day of walking and 9th on Offa's Dyke path.
Total miles so far : 169.5
Average speed : 1.8 mph
Weather sunshine and glorious. Another hot day with a welcome strong ENE breeze for much of the day that provided welcome cooling.
Number of people passed : 7
Objective tomorrow: Newcastle-on-ClunRead more