Hay on Wey to Kington
14.5 miles plus another = 15.5
7.5 hours
Rain began falling overnight and never stopped, only picked up the rate of falling through the morning. Nothing to do but say good by to hostess and walk off.
Yurts by the River Wey
Departed Hay on Wey without stopping to buy lunch food as stopping seemed like a lot of trouble. Kind of regretted that a few hours later.
Slogged my way along the Wey (River) and through muddy farm fields. Missed a sign with an arrow and ended up in a wrong field, but rather than turn around continued through more wrong fields trying to work my muddy way up towards where the path should properly be. This involved hoisting the body over fences not meant to have bodies hoisted over. Eventually reconnected with the correct path of mushy mud.
Add to the muddy path constant rainfall. Add to that hundreds of sheep in the pastures freely wandering over the muddy path. Now add what hundreds of sheep leave behind. Mud and sheep remains indistinguishable thus it was a muddy mucky slippery path. Concentration was intense on not slipping and falling down in all the unmentionable muck.
Tea in 2nd Saint Mary's
Ann, my hostess from last night offered the information that in the tiny speck of a village called Newchurch, the church there was open to walkers and offered tea, coffee and refreshments. Took three hours to reach that church because of heavy driving rain, and being on Muck Alert.
On arrival at Saint Mary's (second for the day) a couple of humans were inside with all their wet clothing draped everywhere, and they had two dogs with them. One dog was a Whippet and she was named Sara . The other dog was nothing remarkable. Apparently the wife had totally stripped off all her wet clothes and put dry things on. I just stood around extremely damp.
There were gallon jugs of fresh water, an electric water heater, table with tea, coffee, biscuits (cookies), sugar and cream. Also there were two gas space heaters. Which we crowded around. And an Honesty Box for donations.
Had two cups of tea and looked through my own food provisions. Ate the banana after photographing my supply (mostly sweets).
Human couple and dog couple departed, and in walked a tall Australian couple. Chitchat back and forth as they tried to dry off. They had egg salad sandwiches which looked SO good. Turned out they were heading for the same B&B as me for tonight. They had also done the Coast to Coast last year. They left home 3 weeks ago and will be traveling until the end of July. After they finish Offa's Dyke they go to the Netherlands and will do a long distance bike ride. They guessed I was Canadian because of my "soft" accent. Was surprised over that.
About 12:30 the rain came to a halt which made life suddenly so much better.
Hiked up and down a number of very high hills before reaching the Hergest Ridge ( not as high as yesterday we was clearly visible off in the distance) which gives a view of everything below in a huge circle. Must the view a jet pilot has of the world. Kind of reminded me of Wyoming and Montana only the distant views were further off. Too bad the eyes couldn't see any further.
Distant views of the Shropshire Hills, Hay Bluff, and the Black Mountains, and countless valleys going off in all directions winding between all the mountains, hills, and bumps in the landscape.
Lots of stile climbings today
After Saint Mary's with the tea other Offa Dyker's began to appear over the horizon. Stood buffeted by the wind and exchanged info about when and where everyone was coming and going to and where they are sleeping, and other non important things. Parting of the ways of of people, sort of like ships passing I the night. Unknown individuals never to be known or seen again.
After about 2 hours came down to the village of Gladestry and headed for the church because the word was out they offered refreshments. Didn't really need food, but the sign on the door of this 3rd Saint Mary's said "toilets". Yeah, real toilets! Only they didn't exist or were behind the locked door :(
Sheep, horses, wild ponies, birds, cattle, dogs, a few cats, a couple squirrels, 1 deer, no rabbits. Wildlife so far.
Learned that the graves are typically "planted on the south side of the church. But never on the north side which by local custom is considered the Devil's side.
Sheep marching in a line
Monkey Puzzle Tree
Wild ponies on the Hergest Ridge
On coming down from the high country and into Kington where tonight's home is I passed the 4th Saint Mary's of the day. Finally found the De Lacy House and was greeted by Susan who showed the room to be occupied by me, and suggested if I come down in 5 minutes she would serve tea in the sitting room. Tried to do domethjbg with the wild hair and gave up. A tray with the tea supplies was waiting along with a slice of cake (Sister Monica Jones on Call the Midwife loves cake) and a very sweet cookie bar.
Met this man out with his dog and I thought he looked like a relative of Mike Williams of the English department.
Rough Collie out for a stroll
After a hot soaking bath went out to find food. Found Indian again at the Hyderabad. Had the Dhansak. "A famous Persian dish cooked with lentils garlic and lemon juice with a touch of coriander." Also had Kulcha Naan stuffed with vegetables. Naan is bread and this looked sort of like a stuffed pizza or pita bread. Saved most of the naan for lunch on the trail tomorrow.
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