Walking on the Moon

Now call me old fashioned, but surely in today's fast paced society, people, more than ever, would seek out leisure activities that took them out into the great outdoors, provided some exercise and plenty of fresh air....mmmm....walking for example! And yet, on a Saturday, a sunny one at that and a bank holiday weekend, I've walked 19 miles along a stretch of National Trail and I literally didn't see a soul in the seven hours it took me to complete - seriously, not a single soul. Now does anyone else think that's odd? Surely walking is a growing leisure pastime in Britain today, so why the ODP was completely bereft of people today is completely beyond me.

Anyway, I set off from Pandy bound for the riverside town of Monmouth at 0730. The weather looked promising and so it turned out - the first few hours were cool and cloudy with just an odd shower, but certainly not enough to make me stop and put my poncho on - which was a good job because, for those of you who haven't seen these things, they not only cover you, but your rucksack as well, and make you resemble a cross between the grim reaper and a sopping wet Obi Wan Kenobi.

By late morning the sun was out and I was in for another good days walking. Compared to previous days, the stretch between Pandy and Monmouth is a reasonably tame affair comprising mainly of gentle hills and agricultural landscape, concluding with a pleasant stroll through Kingswood, a forestry commission area, as you descend gently into Monmouth.

It was a lovely, if not solitary walk and it was an absolute pleasure, albeit the feet and legs are creaking and aching considerably now, not helped it has to be said, even on this family orientated blog, by chapped and considerably uncomfortable knackers!

The walk was pretty uneventful to be honest, although there was one slightly hairy moment when, just as I climbed off a stile I heard a rather loud and alarming snuffling behind the tree in front of me and assumed yet another cow - the bovine species really have made my life a misery at times on this walk - was skulking behind said tree and was waiting to ambush me as I turned the corner. You can imagine my surprise as I crept, commando-like around the tree, ready to cry 'Shoo, you bugger!' at the oncoming black and white offender, only to be stood facing a llama of all things! I'm not sure who was more shocked, me or the llama, but it was good enough to stand still whilst I composed myself and took it's picture!

When I eventually made it to Monmouth, I met Simon and Richard on the beautifully picturesque medieval stone bridge in the centre of town, as they had just been dropped off at the bus stop.

We set up our tents at the Monmow campsite and, whilst Richard showered and Simon recce'd the town, I had the most wonderful surprise - my sister Di and my niece Ceri turned up outside my tent - they'd travelled from Cardiff to see me! What can I say, they've given me the most wonderful boost for the final day and I love them beyond words.

So, the adventure is coming to an end. Tomorrow is the final leg, a 20 mile hike to Sedbury Cliffs and the end of the wonderful ODP. I'll leave all my musings regarding the trail itself till tomorrow. In the meantime, thanks for tuning in again.

Russ.

Location:Monmouth