LEJOG Day 5 - Monmouth to Clun
Day 5
55 miles
1170m ascent
The shortest ride of the trip, but one of the most beautiful yet.
Sadly was unable to sleep very well into the morning, so awoke earlier than necessary, using the time to browse the Web & speak to my best friend (which is always nice!). I still managed to run 20 minutes late somehow...
The guys arrived at my b&b, & we bid farewell to the lovely owner who wished us luck & gave us some homegrown apples for the day (how lovely!).
Off we went in the morning sunshine through the city of Hereford, and then further onwards up the Welsh marches (between the English & Welsh border). By 11 pm we had reached our halfway point (!), & it was still sunny - time to take a chill pill & enjoy this "rest day". We continued onto a town called Mortimer's Cross where a famous battle took place between the House of York & House of Lancaster in 1461. Awaiting us was the beer garden we envisaged, so Carlos ordered his 'yam' sandwich (hopefully he's now learned that it's ham, not yam), & Greg & I sipped our Pepsi's & had a bit of a picnic in the sun. We apparently spent 1h 45 there so tried to leave as Carlos was falling asleep (he's probably never had so much down time!).
Before we left, we chatted to a kind gentleman & his dog (yes of course greg petted him & got a photo), who generously handed me a donation for the Alzheimers Society, whom I've raised money for through this ride. We also bumped into two chaps doing LEJOG as well! The same route! Although they were only doing 1 week, and will endeavour to do the full thing next year with proper kit /GPS etc as they'd been struggling with stopping constantly to check routes. Nice to finally see some other LEJOGers!
The last 20 odd miles flew by, & we're set in the most stunning Scandinavian / Canadian -esque countryside. Green hills covered with pine trees as far as the eye could see, with intermittent triangular-rooved houses in the valleys.
The last few miles into Clun incorporated 2 stiff hill climbs, enjoyable though!
We reached Clun, & went to seek out its castle - the first of the trip. Sadly the guys weren't impressed with the half remains of this 12th century motte & bailey castle, & our serene view was curiously interrupted by Carlos playing a Shakira/Beyonce dance remix from his phone - arm waving included. Greg & I were in hysterics.
Off to the YHA I had booked, where the guys got a pitch each (well, Carlos paid but will sleep on the kitchen floor in his bivouac bag - he's super excited to be indoors overnight..) & I've managed to nab myself an ensuite room for one as no one else has turned up in my dorm!
Greg had the inventive idea of making veggie burgers, mainly to make me join in for dinner & not chow down on my prepacked lentils/grains, it worked. So we ended up forming falafel-type mini patties out of chic peas, kidney beans, carrots, my grains & some species, eating them in wraps with hummus & lettuce. Soooo good!
Finally we returned to Clun's centre to the Sun Inn where they were having a folk night. What a lovely way to end the 'rest day', & our time with Carlos the great - cider & local music.
Bigger journey tomorrow to my part of town, where I shall be meeting my family for dinner- yay!
Besos x
1170m ascent
The shortest ride of the trip, but one of the most beautiful yet.
Sadly was unable to sleep very well into the morning, so awoke earlier than necessary, using the time to browse the Web & speak to my best friend (which is always nice!). I still managed to run 20 minutes late somehow...
The guys arrived at my b&b, & we bid farewell to the lovely owner who wished us luck & gave us some homegrown apples for the day (how lovely!).
Off we went in the morning sunshine through the city of Hereford, and then further onwards up the Welsh marches (between the English & Welsh border). By 11 pm we had reached our halfway point (!), & it was still sunny - time to take a chill pill & enjoy this "rest day". We continued onto a town called Mortimer's Cross where a famous battle took place between the House of York & House of Lancaster in 1461. Awaiting us was the beer garden we envisaged, so Carlos ordered his 'yam' sandwich (hopefully he's now learned that it's ham, not yam), & Greg & I sipped our Pepsi's & had a bit of a picnic in the sun. We apparently spent 1h 45 there so tried to leave as Carlos was falling asleep (he's probably never had so much down time!).
Before we left, we chatted to a kind gentleman & his dog (yes of course greg petted him & got a photo), who generously handed me a donation for the Alzheimers Society, whom I've raised money for through this ride. We also bumped into two chaps doing LEJOG as well! The same route! Although they were only doing 1 week, and will endeavour to do the full thing next year with proper kit /GPS etc as they'd been struggling with stopping constantly to check routes. Nice to finally see some other LEJOGers!
The last 20 odd miles flew by, & we're set in the most stunning Scandinavian / Canadian -esque countryside. Green hills covered with pine trees as far as the eye could see, with intermittent triangular-rooved houses in the valleys.
The last few miles into Clun incorporated 2 stiff hill climbs, enjoyable though!
We reached Clun, & went to seek out its castle - the first of the trip. Sadly the guys weren't impressed with the half remains of this 12th century motte & bailey castle, & our serene view was curiously interrupted by Carlos playing a Shakira/Beyonce dance remix from his phone - arm waving included. Greg & I were in hysterics.
Off to the YHA I had booked, where the guys got a pitch each (well, Carlos paid but will sleep on the kitchen floor in his bivouac bag - he's super excited to be indoors overnight..) & I've managed to nab myself an ensuite room for one as no one else has turned up in my dorm!
Greg had the inventive idea of making veggie burgers, mainly to make me join in for dinner & not chow down on my prepacked lentils/grains, it worked. So we ended up forming falafel-type mini patties out of chic peas, kidney beans, carrots, my grains & some species, eating them in wraps with hummus & lettuce. Soooo good!
Finally we returned to Clun's centre to the Sun Inn where they were having a folk night. What a lovely way to end the 'rest day', & our time with Carlos the great - cider & local music.
Bigger journey tomorrow to my part of town, where I shall be meeting my family for dinner- yay!
Besos x
Comments
Post a Comment