Winding Down and Rather Bittersweet

Day 34 Walking

White Castle to Redbrook

14.50 miles

8 hours including being a tourist/historian in Monmouth.

Another THE CHAIR where a supposed wifi signal is available (NOT!!!)

Karen my hostess who gave me a hard time, but received a hug from me in parting. And her husband Paul (another Paul).

Kissing Gate.

What a strange feeling to return to landscapes from 5 weeks ago. Seems like a mini lifetime ago.

Asked a question about slate as I had seen a sign that said something about "living slate". No one seemed to know about that, but did learn that Welsh slate is the most superior and expensive, even for the Welsh. Levels below that in order of quality are: Spanish, Brazilian, and maybe Italian? Can't remember.

There go yesterday's mountains.

Public right of way Learned more about this concept. Way way back in time it was mandatory that everyone attended church, until Henry VIII. If people didn't attend they were considered a heretic. Consequences of that were not pleasant. Also Everyone HAD to pay tithe to church so the parson/priest always lived in the best and largest home, but below standard of the local Lord of the Manor, Earl, Princely VIP of the surrounding lands.

At last nights B&B The Old Rectory, there was, and still is, but not used like that, a building called - The Tithe Barn, all the "tithe" was collected and stored there. Things such as hay, chickens, eggs, pigs (not many), SHEEP (lots). Because of this "compulsory" going to church, it was necessary for all the local peasants to have easy access to the nearest village church (public right of way). And the mail needed to be delivered in more recent times. And school children needed as path to get to classes. So, Public Right of Ways were in position long before foreigners such as this walker realized that Public Right of Ways offered a great

way to access and explore a country.

Monmouth! Birth place of Henry V.

Too bad that America doesn't have this historic tradition (mandatory) set of events in place that would have made All of the United States accessible to everyone. Guess we just need to be thankful that there was the development of our National parks, state parks, and county parks. But it is really too bad that we can not just go striding off through any farmer's field or forest because we just want to get to the next field, or forest.

Met two German ladies who were camping with their dog,and moving their car every couple days which involved a complicated maneuver with buses. Actually I met the dog first as it came up the lane ahead of the women and at first I thought it was a very Short person.

Straight as a roman road through the field was this path clearly visible.

Apple trees that were passed 5 weeks ago have progressed in the growth process, but not enough for eating. Actually the guide book said "hands off the apples".

Three couples stopping under tree for coffee were met mid-morning, and when asked where they had come from learned it was only a half hour away. This walker knew they had a long long day ahead of them, and they were stopping Way Too Early for a break.

Japanese Surrender.

Three legged dog was met at some point and he was doing fine with the disability. Reminded me of Silkie who had four legs, but could only use 3. Poor Sheltie!