A brief doze while crossing a large pond

The

Saint Mary's Priory, Chepstow

Considering how fast the many miles between where this began yesterday in central Wisconsin, arriving in Manchester, and finally Chepstow, it is amazing to remember not that many centuries ago humans on each side of that large pond didn't know there were others beyond their limited sphere of life.

Now while trying to take a bit of a doze, eat a couple meals, watch a couple movies (Into The Woods), a person, or couple, or family, can land and be surrounded by a new culture.

The flight was supposed to take 7 hours, but because there was a good tailwind, it only took 6. Great, an extra hour to wander in a jet lagged stupor around an airport with few places to sit while waiting 4 hours to catch the first train.

The first train for some reason stopped dead still on the tracks. Stopped so long the connecting train connection was missed. First opportunity to breathe deep and say that old phrase "be flexible and have a sense of humor". Sure enough with some patience, and a few smiles, I was able to be re-routed on different lines. So instead of three trains there were four today, and was only an hour behind the scheduled arrival time.

The Castle View hotel was a 10 minute walk from the train station and my room has a view of the castle. But because the castle is between myself and the sun no photo yet as it would only be a silhouette.

Left backpack on hotel floor unpacked and immediately went out to walk to the official start of the Offa Dyke Path. 45 minutes later arrived at the swampy edge of the Severn Estuary.

Couldn't even get down to the water to do the traditional dipping of the boots as the tide was out and mud everywhere. Settled on holding up those black beauties, with the water and bridge behind.

Rather tired and expect once the head is placed on the pillow it will not move till morning. I hope.

Between the seats ahead of me on one of those trains this Taco Bell bag was spotted. Over heard the man munching from the bag telling the Indian man across the aisle from him what it was when he expressed curiosity. Not Spanish, but American. There are two Taco Bells in London now, and this is the first up north.