Day 5

Kington to Knighton
Route: https://www.endomondo.com/routes/718193565

It was the last day of "pt1" of Offa's Dyke. It's a really good hike and very popular. My advice would be to try it out when the weather is more likely to be sunny but make sure you book accommodation in advance if you do that. We were very lucky as The Offa's Dyke guest house landlady walked past us in Knighton and, thinking we were the guests she was expecting, struck up a conversation with us. After we'd all worked out who we were (!) I asked if she had a spare room and fortunately she had.

The days hike, in fact the last 5 days hike, had taken it out of me but I'm also sure I was getting stronger. I feel this whole trail is achievable in one go if you are used to distance hiking. It has really good sections of around 15 - 20 miles over hilly terrain. Accommodation can be found at the end of each section so with some half decent planning you will have a great time.

For me, I am now heading back to SE England with my tired legs but I'll be back to finish Offa's Dyke another year.

One last thing - I have a feeling The Dutch hikers may have stayed in Hay-on-Wye  (and I can't blame them. Lovely place!)

Day 4

Hay-on-wye to Kington

Route: https://www.endomondo.com/routes/718196948

Hay-on-Wye was brilliant. It was so good I've had to repeat it here. Quirky and full of community spirit.

Nothing much to see today as it was really grey and drizzly. If you're thinking of walking Offa's Dyke I would recommend you get a good map for this section as a few of the field crossings might have you doubling back on yourself otherwise.

Towards kington the going is an easy gradient heading down for about 1.5 miles. You'll find yourself in Kington with various bars and B&B's so you can get a good night's sleep and a very decent meal. I stayed at The Benchmark B&B which has one twin room and one single room. It's a quirky little building full of character and the owners are super nice who also have a lot of time for the planet. I loved how dedicated they are to the organic life. A really homely home from home.

Tomorrow is the final push to Knighton and the weather is looking nasty! Fingers crossed the weather reports are wrong but I doubt it. Never mind, I'm already celebrating going from broken back to hiking 80 miles within 6 months of each event.