Day 33: Hay-on-Wye to Kington

A few people have called me inspiring for what I’m doing, which has generated amusement for some of you. Although, today I met someone way more inspiring than I am. 

• Date: 22 April 2024
• Start: Hay-on-Wye
• End: Kington
• Miles: 15.3
• Total miles: 404.5
• Accommodation: Fleece Meadows Campsite

I checked the weather forecast this morning and quickly left the campsite before my tent got wet. 

The forecast was a complete lie though as it only rained twice all day, for about 10 minutes at a time. I even dressed up in my waterproof trousers for the occasion. Of course, it was better this way though. 

There was a lot of farmland, woods and villages that were passed through today. None particularly of note, but everything was very green. I had three pretty big hills to climb which gave some great views. 

At the bottom of the last hill I had to climb, I bumped into a man who I got talking to. He had the usual questions about what I was doing and we chatted about that. Then he told me that he’s been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, and one of the things he’s always wanted to do was walk Offa’s Dyke Path. He’s doing it in stages, because as he put it, he wasn’t in a fit state to carry a backpack like mine. He’s hoping to finish the path this summer, as he’s not likely to reach the end of the year. He relished in the challenge I was completing, wished me the best of the luck and told me to not stopping having these adventures, before we parted ways. 

I didn’t really take much in of the last hill in terms of the views, as I was still thinking about the conversation I’d just had. I then walked into Kington, laughing at the sign on the way in, as I’d just missed the walking festival in the town. What an absolute disappointment.

I made it to my campsite pretty early today. The caretaker was very friendly and lent me his camping chair to chill on. After that I headed for some food and went back to camp. 

Tomorrow is my last day on the Offa’s Dyke Path, as I head to Knighton.