Walking 1000 miles from Lands end to John O'Groats in aid of The Air Ambulance (starts april 7th 2024)

Thursday 18 September 2014

Day-43 Thank goodness for New Radnor!

Waking up once again in pine forest, everything is still dark apart from the glow in the dense fog that permeates the top of Radnor hill, despite the fog the trees have once again kept my tent dry :-), walking in the near white out fog tho everything soon gets a clammy damp feel, but that won't last the heat I put out walking soon dissipates any damp, though I wish it clear this fog, visibility is about ten yards and without the gps I'd have little hope of finding the paths I'm walking, once again the inner boy scout has kept me prepared!.
Although yesterday's shop shortage no one could prepare for! And this morning the fear that the shop planned for in New Radnor might not exist was a strong fear, coming down from the hill the first person I met is a lady Claire and her dog Alice who not only provided water but also dispelled my fear! Thank you! 

Into the village and word of my trek has spread to the shop!.. Esco a great village run establishment who kindly donated to the charity! Lovely people! 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Escos/183551035067177

Now carrying enough food for the day I walk south out of the village past the impressive monument to Sir George Cornwall Lewis... I'll have to look him up!

South I go and up and over steep hill called The Smatcher seems oddly appropriate!? Catch of breath at the top and straight downhill to Yardo then via ancient sunken lanes and they're modern equivalent I reach Gladestry where I stop for lunch. 

Here I also rejoin the Offas dyke path, uphill and to Grove farm where I meet a fellow end to end walker! A lady named Caroline (pic) who is walking the route in sections for a Gaza charity (will supply details later) 

Down hill to Newchurch and up again through more sheep country. Down into the next valley and I make my stop at the perfectly named Radnors End camp site! You couldn't make that up! 

Day-42 Roller-coaster country

A good dry pitch in the woods again, away in good time. Note to self... Use real maps not the mental version you'll head in the right direction that way! .... Ahem!
On the right path and the long downhill from Kerry Pole starts in a cold wind with overcast skys although with a pack on I'm soon sweating so it's down to a t-shirt again, the map shows a stone circle here, must be very well hidden there's no trace to my eyes.
From the top of the hill the track goes through Coed-Nantyrhynau woods... Wonder what that translates to! From the woods I'm into 4k of B roads to Felindre where the expected shop had closed down, very glad to have bought plenty of food yesterday! From Felindre the route heads up on Glyndwrs way to a 11km path over high moorland where the path links 10 hill tops of varying names most noticeable being Stanky hill, where a grouse shoot was going on, think some birds got away today as they had to stop until I'd passed. A quick lunch on the tops and with the sun breaking through I descend into Llangunllo to briefly hit the valley before ascending pitch hill and then down the other side (see what I mean about roller coasters?). The expected pub in Bleddfa does exist though it's not open yet at 5pm and with a long haul up through Radnor hill I push on a good pitch. A cheap day today though I'm going to be in trouble if the shop in New Radnor doesn't exist as that's the only reprovisioning point until Hay on Why!....