The Hound of Hergest

Day seven brought, you guessed it, heavy rain as I set off early this morning and climbed out of Kington for an hour up onto the top of Hergest Ridge. For those literary buffs among you, you'll know the theory that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually based his bestseller, 'The Hound of the Baskerville's' on the legendary Hound of Hergest. There's even a Baskerville Hall nearby which adds weight to the theory.

Anyway, that aside, I didn't see a hound as I climbed the ridge this morning, in fact I saw very little because my head was pointing down to avoid the driving rain which accompanied me for 5 of the 6 hours it took to walk from Kington to Hay on Wye. Despite the rain though, there was no doubt the walking was really exhilarating and in the albeit brief moments when the rain subsided and the sun tried desperately to peep through, the ridge and hills beyond looked hauntingly beautiful.

One thing you do get used to on the ODP is the solitude - I rarely meet more than half a dozen people in any given day, a few of those are happy to chat for a few minutes, particularly those who are doing the entire trail, most are content with a quick and cheery 'Good morning' and then get back to what trail hikers do - walk.

It's really quite odd how ones entire outlook changes, the longer the walk goes on. When I first started I would be constantly looking ahead to see if there was a steep climb or a woodland or whatever in front of me. Now, it doesn't actually matter anymore, I just walk. Whatever the path throws at me I actually love, mountains, forests, hills, narrow ledges, windswept moors, rain sodden fields - it really doesn't make too much difference.

I know I'm rambling now, but the point I'm trying to make is that the longer you walk, the more of the norm it becomes - I suspect it will take some time when I get home to not start walking again when I get up.

Right, that's enough of that - the thigh muscle pull is ok until I descend and then it's agony and I worry constantly that it will snap completely, but it seems to be holding up, the blisters are now covered with compeed and only hurt when I walk on them and the bruising on the tops of my feet have now gone a lovely colour purple.

And as for the rain today, well it soaked everything, my clothes, my boots - it's no fun putting on wet and squelchy boots after you've showered, and even my phone and camera - the phone's dried out but I think my camera's knackered.

As for tomorrow, its supposedly the toughest day on the ODP - a 17 mile hike up and along Hatterall Ridge - most of which is above 2000 feet, completely exposed to the elements and with no escape routes.....Mmmm.

Simon and Richard are getting a taxi, so it really is a case of see you when I see you! Joking aside, I can't wait! The views are apparently breathtaking and the 10 hours or so it will take will give me plenty of time to ponder.

In summary then, I've now walked 124 miles with 53 to go, so as you can imagine from the figures I'm feeling fairly upbeat and confident and looking forward to having a beer with family and friends on bank holiday Monday.

That's it for today then. As always thanks for looking and please don't forget why we're doing this - tell your friends and family to please support us in raising money for the comfort of the elderly people at Woodmarket.

Russ.

Location:Hay-on-Wye