Category: Hiking

Day 79: Perranporth to Sandy Acres

? 35km

?1131m

After a fabulous sleep in the lovely quiet campsite and slightly later alarm, we had a slowish start, the drizzle arriving before we left so we packed up in the rain.

Becky and George kindly dropped us back at Perranporth Beach and we set off in the rain, up a steady climb above the beach. It was still pretty warm so we immediately started to sweat on the inside. The drizzle did then start to ease and the sun tried to shine. This was the game of the day, judging how long to leave waterproofs on for, as it had to be long enough that they dried a bit, not too long that we roasted, but in enough time to actually enjoy them being off before the rain started up again.

We cruised around to St Agnes Head and dipped down to Chapel Porth just before the rain came again. We enjoyed a Croque Monsieur and coffee from the café there talking with a lady called Pixie who was doing the SWCP. We then headed up the path reminiscing on some family fun we had had 18 months before at that beach. We walked over to Porthtowen, a shorter distance than we remembered, and passed the Unicorn pub. We headed back up to skirt the disused air field, back down to Portreath and then a final big climb where we realised we had only covered half the distance for the day and it was already 15:00. Luckily this final section was quite flat and we joined the Carvannel Downs and the rainy day hikers.

I was tired by this point and the view of the headland jutting out that I knew we had to yet cover was getting me down, but on the positive side, the sun was out for good so we de-layered for the final time and pushed on through the crowds that had finally left their cars in the car park.

The final hurdle was the sand dunes of Gwithian Beach, following stone markers with dubious arrows. We met an elderly gentlemen also having the same issue as us, he had some very old kit on and a Blue Peter badge on his jungle hat.

We finally made it to Sandy Acres, pitched up, showered and ate. The kindness of strangers who hear our story is one of the best things that we have experienced this trip as generally British people unlike other cultures around the world keep themselves to themselves. The evening was completed with a gentlemen meeting Tom at the water tap, listening to our story and then coming over with his son to give us Bananas and offer anything he could including Sudocream as he had spotted my tape and was very concerned about the state of my feet. It’s just 2 more sleeps until the end and we confirmed arrangements to be collected at Lands End by Tom’s brother.

Day 80: Sandy Acres to Porthmeor

? 29km

?981m

We were waved out of Sandy Acres by our new biggest fan and headed back out on the dunes. I found it quite frustrating both navigating and following the very wiggly path. We popped out by the estuary near Hayle and picked our way through a new housing/flat development on the quay, reaching Asda where we did our final stock up on food and used the toilet. From here we headed out of town on the road and then along the railway line that took us back out on the opposite side of the estuary towards Carbis Bay and St Ives.

We made our way through quite a few houses and then got to see the fabulous beach and famous hotel at Carbis Bay. From here we followed the crowds on the tarmac path to St Ives, where it started to rain briefly, and we dashed to the toilets before meeting Jim and Enys coming towards us. Jim picked up some pasties whilst we found a bench. Gully and Jess joined us and we spent a bit of time together getting big hugs and smiles from everyone before heading out of town, picking up water as we went. 

We then joined a notorious bit of coast path that is slow and rocky underfoot. The wind was high and the waves dramatic, which made for great scenery. A few hours in and the drugs had worn off, my right foot was already quite sore and things were getting tough.

We met a local couple with a dog who asked lots of technical questions about kit etc so were obviously keen hikers themselves and we later met a Russian man ‘everyone calls me Jeff’ who was doing Newquay to Lands End and then maybe onto Penzance if he had time.

We had scouted out our last camp spot on trail months before when we lived in Cornwall at the beginning of the year, and luckily no one had found it before us. It was a beautiful evening, and we even got half a sunset. The cloud did come in at the last minute but we sat watching it go down anyway, seal spotting and appreciating how lucky were are.

Day 81: Porthmeor to Lands End

? 24km

?964m

The night was perfect; quiet, dry and the wind was relatively low. About 04:30 the weather turned and by 05:30 it was heaving it down and the wind was strong again. It felt like it would be a shower, so we packed up our stuff in the hope it would all be over by the time we were done. No such luck, we put a time on it and when the time was up and the rain had not eased, there was no option but to just go for it.

We got drenched within seconds, the wind was so strong and as we pulled the outer off the frame the poles bent in a very worrying direction but by some miracle didn’t buckle.

We climbed out the cove and continued along the tricky rocky path which was now flooded with water and we were being blown sideways from the right. The brambles we had been fighting through the last couple of weeks had damaged my waterproof and within half and hour my right side was soaked through 2 layers to the skin.

The trail had certainly decided to challenge us right until the end and on reflection it was probably one of the worst bits of weather we had encountered all trip. I was sulking big time as this had not been how I had imagined we would finish the hike and I was starting to panic about getting cold.

We reached the National Trust at Levant Mine and Beam Engine and the toilets were not even open never mind the café, so we carried on. Soon after that the rain started to ease and I started to look up and appreciate the tin mine, it’s beautiful buildings and the wonderful chimneys.

We marched along some saturated but easier paths to Cape Cornwall meeting the morning crowds and enjoyed a toilet break and our last coffee on trail in wonderful Charles and Diana wedding mugs. By this point the sun was trying to shine and I took my waterproof trousers off, by the time Sennen Beach came into view, we were down to one layer and sun cream was on!

We walked along the beach, a small section of the water had been given red and yellow flags by the life guards for swimming and body boarding. We walked passed the café’s of Sennen Cove and up to Mayon Cliff’s coast guard look out before following the path towards Lands End.

Ahead we could see a small crowd of people, the Cornish flags flying and realised it was for us. Friends and family had come to greet us and thankfully the sun was shining and they were all smiling. It was just the best thing to have familiar faces to hug and share the end of our journey with. We enjoyed photos, a pint of Rattler and an ice cream to celebrate.

Neither of us think that the reality of our achievement has sunk in yet, when you embark on an adventure where your every day is changed for such a long period of time the last day feels like any other. I think reflection on the highs and lows will bring to the surface the emotion that maybe we were expecting.

But that’s one of the many things that we have learnt on this journey, live everyday without expectation and you are free to experience life for what it is, rather than for what you think it should be.

Day 76: Threwethett Farm Campsite (in between Boscastle and Tintagel) to Padstow (Dennis Cove campsite)

? 38.01 km

?1142m

Today was due to be another big day to get to just outside Padstow.  We warmed up with a couple of smaller valleys and some cliff tops to take us past Tintagel and could already see Port Isaac in the distance, which was where we were headed before leaving the coast path for the rest of the day.

Soon things got a bit bigger and steeper.  We passed through the little village of Trebarwith Strand and then followed the coastal path on a series of big ups and downs and some cliff top walking alongside fields.

We reached Port Isaac and stopped for lunch on a bench just on the edge of town before venturing in and collecting an ice cream and a coffee on the way though.  We left the coastal path here to head inland to Wadebridge since the coast path takes the Rock to Padstow ferry and we are walking from JOG to LE so that’s a no no! ☺️

The route used footpaths and roads, mostly decent and quiet but one stretch on the B3314 was pretty horrendous, probably the worst so far on the trip due to fast moving holiday traffic and no verges.  Once all that was over we arrived in Wadebridge, crossed the River Camel, and popped to Co-Op for supplies.

To get to Padstow we joined the throngs of cyclists on the Camel Trail, which, like the Tarka Trail from a few days ago, tarmac.  The only upside to that was speed!  We motored along the 8km at 5km per hour so it wasn’t too long before we arrived at Dennis Cove campsite.  The guys running the show were amazing and brought us a couple of chairs to chill in.  Thats trail magic, in the form of camp chairs, two nights on the trot! 

We ate and did a few bits of organising for the last few days, finding a cafe to aim for in the morning in Padstow.  Looking forward to a short one tomorrow and some beach time at Mawgan Porth! ?

Day 77: Padstow (Dennis Cove campsite) to Mawgan Porth (Higher Pendeen Camping) 

? 22.31 km

?412m

With an easier day ahead we had a lazy 0630 alarm and were on the move about 0745, arriving at Ben’s Crib Box Cafe just after it opened at 0800.  Katie had a BLT, I had a breakfast burrito.  We both had a coffee to kick start our progress through Padstow and onwards along the end to end route, leaving the SWCP to skip Stepper Point headland, rejoining at Trevone.

Soon our second shortcut of the day. This time skipping the Trevose headland.  It was a lovely calm morning and the early starters were making the most of the beautiful sandy beaches we passed as we rejoined the SWCP at Harlyn for the rest of the day.

Katie seems to have strained the front of her right ankle/shin, and downhills in particular are an issue, so we both enjoyed a much easier day in distance and ascent.  In addition the ascents and descents were mostly a pretty gentle gradient which helped.

After passing through Porthcothan, we had lunch on a bench with a great view of blue seas.  It still seemed relatively quiet on the beaches, at least compared to our expectations.  Today was definitely the busiest on the SWCP, not surprising given we are much closer to populated areas and beaches are sandy and more accessible.

The route continued to wibble wobble around the coastline and we overlooked cliffs into the crystal clear waters.  When we headed over Trenance Point, Mawgan Porth beach came into view, and it was rammed!  The route took us right across the beach so we stopped and I had a swim whilst Katie cooled her feet in the shallows.  We continued across the beach picking our way through the masses and found a Rattler/Tea in a pub by the beach.

On the way to the campsite I grabbed an ice cream and we wandered up the road to find our spot, pitched up and caught up on some blogging so that our fans would be happy.

Day 78: Mawgan Porth (Higher Pendeen Camping) to Perranporth

? 30.87 km

?697m

It was a lovely morning and we set off heading towards the wonderful sight of a sprawling Newquay, knowing that the end of today would have us staying with friends who happened to be at a campsite just off the coastal path near St Agnes.  We enjoyed some nice cliff top walking, spotted some dolphins, and had super views across Watergate Bay with some early morning surfers definitely choosing the best time of the day before it got busy.

We arrived at the outskirts of Newquay and trudged through the concrete jungle, in search of the caffeine which the excellent Pavilion Bakery provided.  Great coffee, cinnamon bun and cardamon bun.  We checked our intended distance for the day and realised we hadn’t checked some of the distances after the recent days re-jigs, so we were due to do 40km, a bit more than expected.  So we re-jigged again and instead of continuing past Perranporth to St Agnes, Pete and the gang would meet us there and drive us back to the campsite, then drop us back tomorrow morning.

That sorted, we zoomed round Sainsbury’s and escaped the clutches of Newquay.  The day then consisted of sandy beach after sandy beach.  And being sandy, they attracted people, lots of people.  It was easily the busiest day on trail so far on the SWCP in terms of crossing paths with others.

We stopped for lunch overlooking Porth Joke and had a lovely sourdough baguette from Pavillion Bakery with some prosciutto from Sainsbury’s. Ooo-la-la!

We eventually popped over Ligger Point and saw the huge expanse of Perran Beach, almost 4km long.  This far end of it was pretty much deserted and looked amazing.  At the far end we could see the hordes had descended on the beach by Perranporth.  We dropped down to the beach and walked along it before the tide required us to climb up and over Cottys Point.

On Perranporth, we then had to try and find Pete and the gang amongst the masses. Like an impossible game of Where’s Wally.  We had just given up after about 10 minutes of looking (Pete had shared his location but to no avail) and sat down to text them our location, when Becky and Freddie appeared before us.  We spent the afternoon catching up, and eating ice cream, then headed back to the campsite.

(Note: We later heard that Cornwall Live had reported that there were 12000 people on Perranporth today! ?‍?)

We setup, showered and did a final clothes wash.  Becky nipped to St Agnes to get fish and chips, Pete had the beers on ice and we had a lovely evening with the gang.

Day 73: Yelland to Mouth Mill

? 35km

?1309m

As predicted the storm came in during the night, the rain was heavy and the wind strong and gusting. We pre-empted it would happen and used our trekking pole trick but in the middle of the night the one on Tom’s side came down and the poles of the tent felt like they were under serious strain. 

Somehow the tent survived and we woke with our 05:30 alarm surrounded by a grave yard of other tents and people taking shelter in their cars. One family had already started packing away and were driving out by the time we had packed up our things.

It had stopped raining but was still very windy so we packed up quickly, when I lifted one side on the inner up to fold it over as usual, Tom panicked and dove on top of the tent as he thought it was going to blow away. It was a bit of an unnecessary reaction (editor: we agree to disagree on that) and made us giggle for the rest of the day. The plus side of the wind was that it had dried the tent and so was much better to pack away.

We joined the Tarka trail, still cycle path to Bideford, and headed for Costa, but the cafe on the opposite corner looked nice, we paused for a look and a local persuaded us it was the one to go for so we had a well recommended coffee which was lovely.

It’s worth noting at this point that Tom had been doing some reading ahead in the guide books for the End to End and SWCP.  There is a difference in that one is all about walking the length of the country and another is about walking a defined trail.  We joined the SWCP at Minehead with the intention of walking the costal path as far as Lands End.  The problem with that is that the SWCP uses a ferry to get from Rock to Padstow, but that would invalidate our claim to have walked the length of the country.  So the End to End route leaves the SWCP before Rock and walks inland to Wadebridge and then back out along the Camel Trail to Padstow.  So we could follow the coastal path to Rock and then walk inland to Wadebridge, however this would add distance to what we had planned for, requiring a revision to our current schedule to arrive at Lands End on Saturday 7th August, and there are no footpaths from Rock to Wadebridge so it would all be road walking.  So we decided to stick to plan A – walk the length of the country.  As this meant we were going to skip part of the Coastal Path, Tom could stop being so particular about walking every inch of it and we could follow the End to End guide route when it deviated from the SWCP.

This is important to note now because from Bideford we avoided 8km of walking on the SWCP around the headland and towns of Appledore  and Westword Ho! by taking a cross country route to meet the SWCP just south of Westward Ho!.  The day turned out to be longer in distance and time than we thought so it was a good move!

When we re-joined the coastal path it was extremely windy and gusty and the next 10km were hard work. Narrow paths, being blown off balance, lots of steep up and down sometimes with steps, along with a fair amount of bush whacking. However it didn’t really rain and the scenery was rather dramatic and beautiful.

When we got to the end of the stretch we met a couple of National Trust rangers clearing the fern at the start of the trail.

We then joined a stretch through a forest which was much more clear and under cover so sheltered from the wind, we hit Buck’s Mills which had more people than expected and then the up through more forest and field to meet an old road winding to Clovelly. Clovelly was lovely from what we saw, a chocolate box village nestled in a cove, with a steep access road and no cars, so we made a note that we must go back to explore further.

We had a drink tea & Coke, a wee and water top up at The New Inn and then headed off to find our wild camp spot at Mouth Mill, passing the Angel Wings shelter on our way.

It was our first spot by the sea and a bit more like how we imagined wild camping on the coast path.

Day 74: Mouth Mill to Bude

? 40km

?1796m

We had some human visitors at 02:00 in our quiet idylic camp spot, we have no idea where they came from or why they turned up in the middle of the night but they put up 2 tents on the other side of the mouth and stayed up chatting for the rest of the night. It was a funny moment when we first heard them as we were not quite sure what to think or do, but we were soon reassured and tried to get back to sleep, I don’t think I got much.

Today was the “big day” in the guide book and it didn’t disappoint. I would say the first 80% was enjoyable. There were steep ups and down, big fields, great weather, incredible rock formations, a few seals, and on the most part few other people since this section was quite remote with the exception of one small car park at Welcombe Mouth.

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At Marsland Mouth we entered Cornwall, our final county on the trip!  As the beaches near Bude came into view we started to see more people, first at Duckpool, then Sandymouth. The ups and downs got a little overwhelming by the end and so luckily an ice cream at Coombe saved the day and mentally reset us for the last few kilometres into Bude.

I had been really disappointed not to get a coffee earlier in the day as we had arrived at the Heartland Hotel before they started serving, so the ice cream made up for this. It’s a different challenge now that we are passing through National Trust Cafés and towns most days, you get your hopes up and look forward to a treat but as we start early most days they are very rarely open, sometimes I wish we were back in Scotland where it would not even be an option to miss out on.

When we got to Bude we went to Sainsbury’s to stock up and then found a bench seat outside a pub that partners with the Pizza place next door. So we enjoyed a great pizza and a pint.

As the sun went down, the temperature dropped quite a bit and so we walked not too far to our campsite. As we arrived we were treated to some open mic style music from the village hall next door, which carried on throughout the evening . The site was basic but we were so tired we just zonked out.

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Day 75: Bude to Trewethett Farm

? 30km

?1497m

We set alarm for 06:00 as we had had a long day the previous day. Within minutes of us stirring it started to rain, lightly first and then a heavy shower. Our hearts sank as it had not rained all night we packed up stuff inside and luckily it did stop raining by the time it was time to pack tent away but it was of course wet.

We were a bit hobbily and slow and didn’t get going until 07:30, Tom had a niggle in his right knee and the ligament twinge in my right foot had come back as well.

The first few km to Widemouth were relatively easy along wide grassy paths and I had high hopes for a coffee. But I should have known better as it was still early and a Sunday. We passed several closed cafés and coffee huts. The first half of the day involved lots of up and down with dramatic scenery. We were both sulking a bit and tired and so it was a little tough. Our feet were wet from the long grasses, and my leggings were wet which had previously been giving me a nappy rash type rash on my legs so I was grumpy.

Crackington Haven saved the day at lunchtime, our first beach lunch break with sunshine, ice cream and wonderful coffee. It was a great little place and we enjoyed people watching. We left in a better mood and even with quite a bit to go, and a shower of rain, the second half of the day was much more enjoyable.

We arrived in Boscastle, which was busy but beautiful, another place we noted as one to come back to, ice creamed up and pushed on the last few kilometres to the campsite.

It was not cheap for what we normally pay but the showers were ace, we did some laundry and there was a pizza van on site for the evening. We couldn’t resist, despite it being our second pizza in a row. We relaxed on a picnic bench in clean clothes with pizza and the F1 highlights.

The sunset was incredible and our tent was perfectly positioned. A couple over the way from us had seen us walk in and kindly lent us some chairs so we could sit and watch the sunset in comfort.

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Day 67: Cheddar to Bridgewater

? 34km

?213m

We were expecting it to rain all day, so packed everything up in full waterproofs which worked a treat because it then stayed nice and dry.

The campsite had a camping hut with fridge, so we treated ourselves to a different breakfast of fruit and yoghurt which was lovely.

The days walking started off with a straight forward path along the river, we then joined lots of quiet dead straight roads which ran along the ditches and field boundaries, first dug out around 1500 years ago by the monks of Glastonbury to drain the salt marsh land that frequently flooded. We had lunch by one of the pumping stations, perching on a ledge.

The second half of the day was spent fustratingly bush whacking through rarely trodden paths, we were scratched and stung all over. We finished the day by crossing the M5 for the final time to navigate the outskirts of Bridgwater which was not what I was expecting.

Our accomodation for the night was also pretty basic with some right characters around. We stocked up in Sainsburies and Tom introduced me to Taco Bell, which was average. The highlight of the evening was access to a TV where we got to catch up on day 1 of the Olympics.

Day 68: Bridgewater to Washford Inn

? 37km

?774m

It was a difficult night, foreign party goers meant a distruptive sleep, I guess that’s what you get for £30.
We got going about 07:00, passing through the centre of Bridgwater town which was marginally nicer than the outskirts we had seen the day before.
We passed through some playing fields followed by farm fields which got socks and shoes soaked due to the overnight rain.

We then had some unexpected rain, so covered up in a corn field, before descending into a muddy farm where the farmer told us to go a better, clearer route. Here we met a very chatty man with a Terry Pratchett t-shirt on who knew the area well.

When he finally let us carry on, Tom triple checked the route and realised we had gone wrong so had to back track towards the farmer and follow ‘Terry Pratchett’. He had stopped at the top of the hill and we had no choice to approach and admit our mistake.
He then insisted walking with us to show us how to get to Lydeard Hill. We walked together for a while but he was so much faster with a light pack and lunch to get home for so he left us to it. We climbed the rest up to Wills Neck on our own, joining very light Sunday crowds enjoying the Quantock Hills, had lunch, and put the tent up to dry.

We decended into the village of Bicknoller which was very sweet, we regrouped at the village shop before continuing towards Washford via the MacMillan way which was nice and nettle free, plus the sun started to shine. We got to the Washford Inn by 17:45 and were showered and ordering dinner by 18:15. Recently taken over the owners were keen to hear more about our story and we enjoyed a fun home from home experience.

Day 69: Washford Inn to Slopey Wild Camp

? 35km

?803m

We had decided to have our included breakfast which didn’t start until 0800, so we enjoyed a small lie in until about 06:30, got ready watching Tom Daly win Olympic Gold, did some extra stretching and drying off socks with the hair dryer.

Tom had the small English breakfast and I had avocado on brown with tomatoes, it didn’t arrive quite as advertised but was really lovely all the same and such a treat to have something different.

We were on the road by 09:00 and had planned a route to get to the English Coast Path however this route had been diverted via Washford anyway so it was easy navigation to the sea. 

It was then a straight forward path along the coast to Minehead, where we stocked up at Morrisons and got an ice-cream.

This was now the start of the South West Coast Path which was very exciting and something we had been looking forward to for days. A tough steep climb to start with but, once high, a lovely wide grassy national trust path over the fern and heather moors to Portlock then over some boggy marsh and luckily only a short section of it’s stoney beach to Portlock Weir.

We then ascended again into the forest passing the toll gate and the church, the lovely forest felt quite tropical at times. It was however getting late and due to rain the forest was not ideal for wild camping as there had been plenty of rock fall and tree damage, so we climbed back on ourselves above the tree line.

We settled on what turned out to be a very slopey pitch next to the path, next to the gate of a sheep field. The farmer came to move the sheep but didn’t say anything.

I had done something to the top of my ankle on my right foot so got a compression bandage on and took some ibuprofen, just hope all is ok in morning. It rained heavily most of the night with a small narrow stream running through the centre of the tent thanks to our angular pitch

Day 61: Baskerville to The Rising Sun

? 31km

?791m

I didn’t sleep well as it was hot, damp, my left shoulder was playing up and my feet were feeling particularly sore. We woke up earlier than normal so we could pad my feet out with Compeed.

After packing up a very wet tent from from the dew, we walked down the main road back to Hay, it being a Sunday the Co-op was not open until 10:00 so we popped into the Spa for a few supplies, despite it’s limited options, and then started the climb up towards Hay Bluff. On the way up we saw an ice cream van go past so did a bit of an alternative route via the car park so we could pick up a Calipo on the way.

The ridge was well marked, covered with fern and heather and had spectacular views of Wales to one side and England the other. We made decent progress with fabulous views in the hot sun. We passed wild horses, got the drone out and enjoyed the occasional breeze.

We descended down into Pandy to The Rising Sun pub, camping in the field behind the pub. We enjoyed a shower and a cold drink but the pub was not doing its usual food as it was having a new kitchen fitted so they let us get a local Chinese delivered and eat it in the pub. It was lovely food, I had veggie egg fried rice and we shared a chilli beef.

Day 62: The Rising Sun to Monmouth

? 27km

?542m

There was a bit of loud Welsh drama in the campsite so had to put ear phones in to sleep, again not the best night with the heat.

05:30 alarm, feet taped and soggy tent was put away. I struggled psychologically today, it was a shortish day but the heat was high and I kept looking at the tracker for the first half of the day. Some days you are just not in the mood for hiking. The highlight of the morning was the short visit to the ruins of White Castle but my feet were sore by lunchtime.

We stopped in an empty meadow field in the shade and had a nice lunch squeezing the melted chocolate from my cornflake Ritter bar onto scones.

The second half of the day was much better and we arrived into Monmouth in good time, the camp site was right in town and although we had low expectations it was a very sweet place with many static caravans and couple of campers and us. It was quiet, clean and very convenient.

We went to boots for supplies; bite cream, KT tape and alcohol gel. Then to M&S, the first on route and it was day 62. We picked up some old favourites and sat on the available picnic benches on the high street to nibble our luxury snacks. We then sat at a café for a cider but they closed on us mid drink so we had to take our drinks back to our picnic bench.

We chose a local Italian place for dinner, it had air con, fabulous pizza and fizzy water which was lush on the hot day. The only bad thing was I left my water bottle there and when Tom went back to get it I think they had thrown it away.

Back at the tent we watched the highlights of the weekend’s F1 at the campsite, it was quiet and I was zonked, so slept well.

Day 63: Monmouth to Chepstow

? 31km

?875m

Today was a really nice day through the fields, forest and along the river. We climbed up to the top of Klymin and enjoyed great views back across Monmouth, before descending through fields and then ascending back up through the woods. It was another warm day so were grateful for much more woodland coverage than yesterday throughout the day, it definitely takes a few degrees off.

At Bigsweir, the route left the ridges above the Wye and followed the river for a few km as far as Brockweir.  It was a hot section of walking through fields but the river was a bit on the muddy side and didn’t really tempt us in.

From Brockweir we returned to higher ground and on the climb up towards Caldwell Woods we stopped for lunch, putting the tent up to dry out as we would be in a bed for the next 3 days and didn’t want it smelling too bad. We also met Callum, a young lad who had started the Offa’s Dyke that day, he was pristine with all his new gear on, hope to follow his progress.

The last few km into Chepstow was a little frustrating, winding back on ourselves, made more interesting by helping a guy who had managed to get himself on the wrong side of a barbed wire fence.

We had a bunk room in a hostel in Chepstow which was lovely but so so warm. We picked up some snacks from our second M&S in 2 days and had a pie and chips at the pub around the corner. Back to England over the Severn Bridge first thing.